The Savior Is Born Who Is Christ The Lord

Did you know when Israel were under the tyranny of Rome? 
Things were very dark, long silence from heaven, 
no prophets can be found, no visions from God. 
Four centuries had passed, "400 silent years," (that is what 
they often called) 

Then suddenly the promised of the coming Messiah came!

(Isaiah 9:2)

The people walking in darkness have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of the shadow of death
a light has dawned.

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the

government will be on his shoulders.

And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.  (v.6)

The Power Of Prayer

Prayer is a powerful weapon. It can reached God's ears and 
soften His hearts. It can change the course of events. 
Like the example of King Hezekiah, king of Judah. 
One day God told Him through Isaiah that He will not recover from
his illness. Instead of giving up he prayed and asked God to remember 
how he walked faithfully before Him. (Isaiah 38:1-6)
What is God's response to Him? God changed his mind and sent Isaiah 
back to tell him that he will recover from his illness and God added 15 years 
to his life. That is how God works is...through PRAYERS. 

And also in James 5:16 said, "The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective."

I pray that this message may give us encouragement in this time of needs 
as we are facing difficult times ahead.

The One And Only True God

To those who are dealings with worshiping idols; Hear and listen to what God
said about this issue:

(Isaiah 44:16-20)
Half of the wood he burns in the fire; over it he prepares his meal,
   he roasts his meat and eats his fill. He also warms himself and says,
   "Ah! I am warm; I see the fire." From the rest he makes a god,
    his idol; he bows down to it and worship. He prays to it and says,
   "Save me! You are my god!"
They know nothing, they understand nothing, their eyes are plastered
over so they cannot see, and their minds closed so they cannot understand.
No one stops to think, no one has the knowledge or understanding to say,
"Half of it I used for fuel; I even baked bread over its coals, I roasted
 meat and I ate. Shall I make a detestable thing from what is left?
 Shall I bow down to a block of wood?"
 Such a person feeds on ashes; a deluded heart misleads him;
 he cannot save himself, or say, "Is not this thing in my right hand a lie?"

Is not God in the heights of heaven? And see how lofty are the highest stars!
Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens:
Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one and
calls forth each of them by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength,
not one of them is missing.  (Job 22:12) (Isa.40:25-26)

The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. 
(Isa.40:28)

"To whom will you compare me? Or who is my equal? says the Holy One. 
  (v.25)

I am the first and I am the last; apart from me there is no God. (Isa.44:6,8)
Is there any God besides me? No, there is no other Rock; I know not one.

I am the LORD; that is my name! I will not yield my glory to another or my praise
to idols. (Isa.42:8)

For God is a consuming fire, a jealous God, He wanted us to worship Him only.
(Deuteronomy 4:24)


 

A Grateful Heart!

What are the things we have reminded of the goodness of the Lord?
I thank God for His merciful and the salvation I received.
Is a celebration of his goodness, freedom and the many blessings to me
and to you! As this Scriptures said in Psalms 116:12-14


What shall I return to the Lord for all his goodness to me?
I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord. 
I will fulfill my vows to the Lord in the presence of all his people. 

Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, 
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. (23:6)

Thankful and grateful for God as this Scripture said,
For he has clothed me with garments of salvation
and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness,
as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest,
and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. (Isaiah 61:10)

 

                                                   THANK YOU JESUS!

Whom shall I Fear?

Psalms 27:1

The Lord is my light and my salvation--whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life--of whom shall I be afraid?
Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though 
war break out against me, even then I will be confident. (v.3)

For in the day of trouble He will keep me safe in His dwelling;
He will hide me in the shelter of His sacred tent and set me
high upon the rock. Amen! (v.5)

                                                            On Eagle's Wings
                                               http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4rRea9qnjK4

Knowing God

A Full Joy in Knowing God!!!
I say to the Lord, "You are my Lord; apart from you 
I have no good thing."

You make known to me the path of life; you will fill 
me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures 
at your right hand. 
(Psalms 16:2,11)

If this is true for you. Let us continue to thank God and praise Him for his wonderful
works among us.
It is good to know that God is all we need. Our contentment in Life. Amen.

                                                           In The Presence Of Jehovah
                        http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6W2_XKHTIt0&feature=related

Through our Darkest Hour

God often deals with us most when we are having our greatest troubles,
illnesses, disappointments and failures. It is God's nature to show himself 
"Holy" among us and reveal to us that there is nothing He can't do to
 help us in our struggles as we completely trust in Him in all things.
So that in Him He can show his wonderful works in our life, working
in all aspects of our lives so that our trust may be always in Him,
not in men or in the flawed things that this world has to offer.
And when that Day comes when God delivers us we can boast in Him
and exclaim, "TRULY THERE IS A GOD!"

Remember Moses when God called him to a mission, to speak To Pharaoh,
king of Egypt? to tell Pharaoh to let his people go (the Israelites).
Exodus 9:13-17

    "Let my people go, so that they may worship me, or this time I will send 
     the full force of my plagues against you and against your officials and 
     your people, SO YOU MAY KNOW THAT THERE IS NO ONE LIKE ME 
     IN ALL THE EARTH.
     For by now I could have stretched out my hand and struck you and your 
     people with a plague that would have wiped you off the earth.
    BUT I HAVE RAISED YOU UP FOR THIS VERY PURPOSE, THAT I
    MIGHT SHOW YOU MY POWER AND THAT MY NAME MIGHT BE
    PROCLAIMED IN ALL THE EARTH." 
          
Don't feel sorrowful when God deals with you. Take it as a blessing!
It helps to make us focus our attention on God. It makes us stronger in the days
to come when we are facing bigger troubles. In every battle we endure, our faith
builds up and grows even stronger!

Hear the words of  Charles Spurgeon from his devotional book entitled,
Beside Still Waters by Roy H. Clarke.

      "You may not understand this now, because it appears to you as if
       God's saints live in perpetual sunshine. Not so! Those that God highly
       honors will tell you quite another tale. God has a way of taking his
       children behind the door and showing them some of their abominations.
       Yet at the same time, He is showing them the beauties of Christ and
       enabling them to feed on Him."

What Kind Of Wisdom?

What kind of wisdom is God telling us to have?
Is it the wisdom of the world, or the wisdom that comes from God?
The wisdom God is talking about is to fear Him and to live constantly in His presence.

To fear God means to live your life knowing that there is something much
greater than you that controls your destiny, and that something is a someone (God).
It is living respectfully knowing that you will be held accountable for the manner
in which you live your life.

(Proverbs 1:6)
THE FEAR OF THE LORD IS THE BEGINNING OF WISDOM.

And knowing God is wisdom.  (Prov.9:10)

(Proverbs 2:1-5)
"My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you,
 turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding,
 and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding,
 and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure,
 THEN YOU WILL UNDERSTAND THE FEAR OF THE LORD AND
 FIND THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD."

Wisdom doesn't means feeling frightened or terrorized by God.
It is an awareness of Gods ultimate wisdom in all things. It is an understanding 
that we have no understanding on our own. It is only God who gives meaning to 
all of life's mysteries, storms and blessings.

If you need wisdom ask God for it!
James 1:5 said,
"If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously
 to all  without finding fault, and it will be given to him."
 (read also Provers 2:6)

If we ask God for wisdom and honor Him above all else...nothing will keep Him
from blessing us with the fruits of the spirit we need in our daily life. 
(Gal.5:22-23) (12:15)

How delightful it is when we possess God's gift of wisdom!
Gaining wisdom is what God is pleased to give to those who ask Him.

Proverbs 3:13-18
"Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding,
 for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold.
 She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her.
 Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor.
 Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace.
 She is a tree of life to those who embrace her; those who lay hold of her
 will be blessed."

The wisdom of God is so important into our daily lives, as we go out on the streets
and public places. Also when we are facing difficulties and temptations, we needs
God's help to discern the situation according to God's Word.

As God instruct us in Proverbs 4:20-22
"My son, pay attention to what I say; listen closely to  my words.
 Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart;
 For they are life to those who find them and health to a man's whole body."

The Fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, turning a person from the snares of death.
(Prov.14:27)

"I AM"

(Proverbs 8:22-31)

The Lord brought me forth as the first of his works, before his deeds of old;
I was appointed from eternity, from the beginning, before the world began.
When there were no oeans, I was given birth, when there were no springs
  abounding with water;
before the mountains were settled in place, before the hills,
I was given birth, before he made the earth or its fields or any of the
dust of the earth.
I WAS THERE when he set the heavens in place, when he marked out
 the horizon on the face of the deep, when he etablished the clouds
 above and fixed securely the fountains of the deep,
when he gave the sea its boundary so the waters would not overstep
his command, and when he marked out the foundations of the earth.
Then I was the CRAFTSMAN AT HIS SIDE. I was filled with delight
day after day, rejoicing always in his whole world and delighting in mankind. 

Who has gone up to heaven and come down?
Whose hands have gathered up the wind?
Who has wrapped up the waters in a cloak? Who has established all the ends
  of the earth? 
What is his name, and what is the name of his son? Surely you know!
(Proverbs 30:4)

                                                    JESUS, "THE GREAT I AM."

(I do not own this picture)

True Freedom

Where does true freedom come from? Doesn't it come from God?

When God called Moses to go and speak to Pharaoh on behalf of his people,
the Israelites had been ruthlessly mistreated, harassed and subjected to slave labor.

Exodus 6:58
"I have heard the groaning of the Israelietes, whom the Egyptians 
 are enslaving,and I have remembered my covenant. 
 Therefore, say to the Israelites:
 I am the Lord, and I will bring you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians.
 I will free you from being slaves to them, and I will redeem you with an
 outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgment.
 I will take you as my own people, and I will be your God. 
 Then you will know that I am the Lord your God,  who brought you out
 from under the yoke of the Egyptians. And I will bring you to the land
 I swore with uplifted hand to give to Abraham, to Isaac and Jacob. 
 I will give it to you as a possession. I am the Lord." 

God brought the Hebrews out of Egypt and delivered them from the hand
of Pharoah as He had promised. When God had delivered them out of
bondage and brought them to the land they would possess as their inheritance,
He proclaimed liberty throughout the land. This liberty was to be
celebrated in remebrance of what God has done for them,
how He fought for them from all their neighboring enemies by His
mighty hand and awesome deeds of power.

Exodus 13:3
Then Moses said to the people, "Commemorate this day, the day you
came out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery, because the Lord brought
you out of it with a mighty hand. 
...Today, in the month of Abib, you are leaving. When the Lord brings you
into the land of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Hivites and Jebusites--
the land He swore to your forefathers to give you, a land flowing with
milk and honey--you are to observe this ceremony in this month.  (v.4-5)
...On that day tell your son, 'I do this because of what the Lord did for me
when I came out of Egypt.' This observance will be for you like a sign on
your hand and a reminder on your forehead that the law of the Lord
is to be on your lips. For the Lord brought you out of Egypt with His
mighty hand.  (v.8-9)

What else has God delivered us from?

...God has delivered us from all SIN through His Son Jesus Christ.
    I have come into the world as a LIGHT, so that no one who BELIEVES
    IN ME should stay in darkness.
    (John 12:46) (Isa.60:1-2) (Rom.8:1-2)

   So If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.  (John 8:36)

    Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light
    for fear that his deeds will be exposed.
    But whoever lives by the TRUTH comes into the LIGHT,
    so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done
    through God.  (John 3:20-21)

...God has delivered us from the power of darkness.
    I Am the LIGHT OF THE WORLD. Whoever follows me will never walk
   in darkness, but will have the LIGHT OF LIFE.
   (John 8:12) (Isa.50:10)

   For He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us
   into the kingdom of the Son He loves, in whom we have redemption,
   the forgiveness of sins. (Colossians 1:13)

...From the power of the GRAVE.    
   For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishabe,
   and we will be changed. For the perishable must clothe itself with
   the impershable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying
   that is written will come true:
   "DEATH HAS BEEN SWALLOWED UP IN VICTORY."
   "Where, O death, is your victory?" Where, O death, is your sting?" 
          (1Cor.15:52-55) (Isa.25:8) (Hos.13:14) (John 11:25)

...From the power of FEAR
   God is LOVE. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in Him.
   In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have
   confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like Him.
   There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear
   has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. 
   (1John 4:16-18)

...From the grasps of the Devil.
   Since the children have flesh and blood, He too shared in their humanity
   so that by His death He might destroy him who holds the power of death--
   that is, the devil--and free those who all their lives were held in slavery
   by their fear of death.  (Heb.2:14-15) (1John 3:8)


Remember these freedom God has done for us.
Let us go to God and ask Him to help us whenever we are experiencing
difficutlies, trials,  or temptation.
1Peter 5:6-7 said,
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that He may lift
you up in due time. Cast your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.
(1Pet.5:6-7)
Read also Mat.11:28-30, Isa.50:4, Job 23:10, 1Cor.10:13, Isa.61:1-3

           

The Fellowship Of The Believers

Jesus Washes His Disciple's Feet

It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the time had
come for Him to leave this world and go to the Father.
Having loved his own who were in the world, He now showed them
the full extent of his love. (John 13:1)
Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under His power,
and that He had come from God and was returning to God;
so He got up from the meal, took off His outer clothing, and wrapped
a towel around His waist. After that He poured water into a basin
and began to wash his disciple's feet, drying them with the towel
that was wrapped around Him. (v.3-5)
When He had finished washing their feet, He put on His clothes
and returned to His place.
"Do you understand what I have done for you?" He asked them.
"You call me 'teacher' and 'Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what
 I Am. Now that I, your Lord and teacher, have washed your feet,
 you also should wash one another's feet, I have set you an example
 that you should do as I have done for you.
 I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messanger
 geater than the one who sent him.
 Now that you know all these things you will be blessed if you them.
 (v.12-17)

(I do not own this picture)

May you all have a wonderful time of fellowship as you worship God,
when you assemble together at your church. Greet anoyne with a smile, a hug,
or a kiss, whatever your customs are when you greet your people.
Encourage one another and lift them up with the LOVE OF CHRIST.
Remeber everytime you come together at the house of worship.
Think about all these things. And may God Bless you All.

Look Unto ME And Be Saved

(I do not own this picture)

When you read the book of Lamentation, You will find that it is not a pleasant read.
You will feel the deep frustration and sadness, as the people of Judah grieve for their
beloved city of Jerusalem, as it is being reduced to rubble by their Babylonian invaders.

We know that God was behind this disaster. He had the right and reason to inflict
punishment on the people of Judah because of their unrepentant hearts...their
unwillingness to turn away from their evil ways even after God sent repeated warnings
to them through his servants, the prophets.

But in all this disaster that fell upon them, still God provided a glimmer of HOPE.
How comforting to know that even in the midst of God's punishement,
he offers hope and salvation!  GOD IS MERCIFUL!

In Lamentation  3:22, we see the depth of God's love in the midst of despair:
Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions
never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

For men are not cast off by the Lord forever. Though He brings grief,
he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love. For He does not
willingly bring affliction or grief to the children of men. (v.31-33)

God still deals with us today! For Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today
and forever. (Heb.13:8)

If you are sitting in darkness, feeling you have nothing to hold on to, and feeling alone....
LOOK UNTO THE LORD AND BE SAVED

If you are depressed, struggling with difficult circumstances, abandoned, abused,
your marraige is on the rocks, or you are haunted by your past then....
LOOK UNTO HIM!

If you have walked away from God then....LOOK UNTO THE LORD AND BE SAVED

If you want to escape the judgment of God and be saved, now it is time to turn your life
to Him and receive Him with all of your heart. God is the only One who can save us (you)
from being eternally lost.
...LOOK UNTO THE LORD AND BE SAVED.

For Jesus said, "All that the father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me
I will never drive away. For I have come down from heaven not to do my will
but to do the will of Him who sent me. And this is the will of Him who sent me,
That I shall not lose none of all that He has given me, BUT RAISE THEM UP
AT THE LAST DAY."
For my Father's will is that everyone who looks to the Son  and believes in Him
shall have ETERNAL LIFE, AND I WILL RAISE HIM UP AT THE LAST DAY. 
(John 6:37-40)

Jesus also says, "Neither shall anyone snatch them out of my hand."
My Father who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them
out of my Father's hand. I and the Father are one."  (John 10:28-30)

"Neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present
 nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able
 to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. 
(Rom.8:38-39)
What a guarantee promise! 

The Greatness Of God





How Great Is Our God

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NojwQKHuF54&feature=relmfu

Who formed the mountains by your power, having armed yourself with strength.

Who stilled the roaring of the seas, the roaring of their waves, and the turmoil

  of the nations.

For he spoke and stirred up a tempest that lifted high the waves.

They mounted up to the heavens and went down to the depths;

  in their peril their courage melted away. They reeled and staggere like

 drunken men; they were at their wit's end. 

 He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed. 

 (Psalms 65:6-7,107:25-27,29) 

At your rebuke the waters fled, at the sound of your thunder they took to flight;

They flowed over the mountain, they went down into the valleys, to the place

you assigned for them.

You set a boundary they cannot crosss; never again will they cover the earth.

(Psalms104:7-9)



When He thunders, the waters in the heavens roar; He makes clouds rise from the

ends of the earth.

He sends lightning with the rain and brings out the wind from his storehouses. 

When He is angry, the earth trembles; the nations cannot endure his wrath. 

(Jer.51:16,10:10)

The mighty One, God, the Lord, speaks and summons the earth,

from the rising of the sun to the place where it sets.

From Zion, perfect in beauty, God shines forth.  (Psalms 50:1-2) 



The Parable Of The Fig Tree & Its Profound Message

The Parabale Of The Fig Tree

" 'A man had a fig tree growing in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit
   on it but did not find any. So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard,
  'For three years now I've been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and
  haven't found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?
  'Sir, the man replied, 'leave it alone for one more year, and I'll dig around it
  and fertilize it. If it bears fruit next year, fine if not, then cut it down.' " 
  (Luke 13:6-8)

                                                       (Note: This is not a Fig Tree)

This parable, though brief, is packed with a profound message!
God the Father is the OWNER of the vineyard  and the Lord Jesus Christ is the GARDENER.

The Father says, "Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?
He has grown weary of this fruitless tree that is just taking up ground.
But Jesus intervenes and pleads with the Father to give him more time.

'Sir, the man replied, 'leave it alone for one more year, and I'll dig around it
 and fertilize it. If it bears fruit next year, fine if not, then cut it down.' " 

God uses the parable of the fig tree to show us how unrepentant people are just like
fig trees that bears no fruit. What other uses are there for fig trees if they bear no fruit?

God stresses the importance of repentance in our life.
"Produce fruit in keeping with repentance". (Mat 3:8)

The fig tree that produces fruit represents those people who have truly repented,
and are seeking to live a God honoring life.

God is watching to see if the fig tree will produce fruit.
'For three years now I've been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven't
found any.'  (v.7)

Just as the gardener will go through great lengths to care for this tree, so it is with God.
HE IS MERCIFUL.
He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.(2Pet.3:9)

But the decision is for you to make. God provided for us a way to salvation through His Son
Jesus Christ.  (John 14:6,15:1) (Rom.3:25)

"I AM THE WAY AND THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE. NO ONE COMES TO THE
 FATHER EXCEPT THROUGH ME."  

God, the Father has granted His Son Jesus Christ authority:  (Mat.28:18,11:27)
...Authority to forgive sins. (Mat.9:6-8, Mrk.2:10, Luk.5:24)
...Authority to give them life.  (John 5:21,26)
...Authority to Judge (John 5:27)

God has made everything ready and pronounced His judgment on days to come.
(Mathew 3:10)
The axe is already at the root at the trees, and every tree that does not produce good
fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. (Mat.3:10,12)
His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor,
gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire." 
You do not want to be the chaff and to be burn up but the WHEAT that is kept
and restored.

Just remember God is watching to see if any of the fig trees will produce fruit!
Are you one of them?.....

If you have not received Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior...now is the time to ask
Him.
    "Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on Him while He is near." (Isa.55:6)

Jesus said, "There is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner
who repents."  (Luke 15:10,7)

And the Father's reaction to those who come back and repent, as described in
Luke 15:22:
"Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger
 and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate."

  A.M.E.N.

Remember The Lord

When distress, anxiety, illness, or broken relationships steal your joy...when you feel
that you have wandered away from God then:
...REMEBER THE LORD.

When you are tempted by the devil and fall prey to his deceiving words and start
thinking that you are just weak and vulnerable...
When you feel this way...REMEBER THE LORD.

When you have been enticed by the pleasure of this world and there is no longer
any room for God in your life...When you no longer seek Him, or call on Him but
rather worship the idols of your life, then come to your senses and turn back to him...
REMEMER GOD AND GO TO HIM.

"Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths,
 ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls."
 (Jer.6:16)

"You have forsaken your first love. Remeber the height from which you have fallen!
 Repent and do the things you did at first. (Rev.2:5)

Moses instructed the Israelites and warned them about the coming calamities that will
come upon them if they sinned against God. He says in Deut.4:30
"When you are in distress and all these things have happened to you, then in later days
 you will return to the Lord your God and obey him."

Only God can help you If you are sincere and ready to re-dedicate your life to God.

"Come, let us return to the Lord. He has torn us to pieces but He will heal us;
 He has injured us but He will bind up our wounds.
 After two days He will revive us; on the third day He will restore us,
 that we may live in His presence.
 Let us acknowledge the Lord; let us press on to acknowledge Him.
 As surely as the sun rises, He will appear; He will come to us like the winter rains,
 like the spring rains that water the earth."   (Hosea 6:1-3)

God sometimes uses a crisis in order to strengthen us, encourage us, and discipline us.
Lift your head up! It is a blessing when God disciplines us. He can then direct our
footsteps onto the path of righteousness and HUMBLE US.

...To humble you and to test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether
   or not you would keep His commands.  (Deut.8:2-3)
...To teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes
   from the mouth of the Lord. (Deut.8:2-3)
...To humble and to test you so that in the end it might go well with you. (v.16)
...Know then in your heart that as a man disciplines his son, so the Lord your God
   disciplines you.  (v.4) (Prov.3:11)  

Charles Sprgeon once said, "Blessed is the discipline of the great Father in these cases.
It is well for the troubled if trilas bruise their hearts to repentance, for repentance leads
them to seek and find pardon.
(From devotional book/ Beside Still Waters)

And this verse sums it all up when we recognize our fallen nature. (Psalms 119:71)
"It was good for me to be afflcited so that I might learn your decrees."  

You are not cast out by the Lord; for you were once delighted in His Words.
(Psalms 119:92)
If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction.
I will never forget your precepts, for by them you have preserved my life.
So in God we can only have hope and restored.

Lead Me To The Rock

LEAD ME LORD TO THE ROCK THAT IS HIGHER THAN I
(Psalms 61:2)

The Power Of Your Name

"I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to
  overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you."
  (Luke 10:19) (Psalms 91:12)

 And  these signs will accompany those who believe: 
 In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues;
 they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison,
 it will not hurt them at all; they will placed their hands on sick people, and
 they will get well." (Mark 16:17-18)

We are God's people, "Christians," or believers of God.

"Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved."  (Mark.16:16)

We are representing Jesus Christ and his message to the world. We bear His Name.

He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put His Spirit in our hearts
as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. (2Cor.1:21-22)

How can that power and authority of Jesus Christ be effective in us as we go about
our daily lives, helping one another in our church, community and to those we might
encounter in our way and accomplishing God's purpose?

We need constant commitment to prayer and seek an intimate relationship with
our Lord. In John 15:4-5 Jesus said,

    "Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself;
     it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me."
     I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him,
    he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 
    If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish,
    and it will be given you. This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit,
    showing yourselves to be my disciples."  (v.7) (John 10:14)

I was raised up to believe in a lot of superstitions. But when I learned the truth of
his words by reading the Bible and the power of His Name, I no longer followed
those beliefs. Because I know who can help me in times of danger and who holds
my future! I give my strength and trust in God. For I am His child, his follower.
God will protect me from any evil attacks. (2Tim.4:18)

   "Because He loves me," says the Lord, "I will rescue him; I will protect him,
     for he acknowleges my Name. He will call upon me, and I will answer him;
     I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.
     With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation." 
     (Psalms 91:14-16)

Fear Not For I Am With You

From six calamities he will rescue you; in seven no harm will befall you.
In famine he will ransom you from death, and in battle from the stroke of the sword.
You will be protected from the lash of the tongue, and need not fear when destruction
comes. You will laugh at destruction and famine, and need not fear the beasts
of the earth. FOR YOU WILL HAVE A COVENANT WITH THE STONES OF THE
FIELD, and the wild animals will be at peace with you.  (Job 5:19-23)

And the prophet Isaiah says, 54:17
No weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that
accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and this is their vindication
from me, declares the Lord.

YES, YOU and  ME, the BELIEVERS OF GOD. We are the servants of the Most High
God, (God's children). In John 1:12-13 says, Yet to all who received Him, to those who
believed in his Name, He gave the right to become children of God--children born not
of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, BUT BORN OF GOD. 

When distress and the worries of life, fear and darkness overtake you, let us go to God
and pray. Let's wait patiently on God for deliverance. For God has promised He will never
leave us or forsake us. (Heb.13:5)
And in (Psalms 46:10)  "BE STILL AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD."

We must continue to be humble and faithful in prayer, asking God to give us abundant
grace to sustain us and to help us stand our ground. Remembering the precious words
of God, we have the COVENANT with the "STONES"...
it means that JESUS is our ROCK and the covenant of His blood which is poured out for
many for the forgiveness of sins.(Mat.26:28)
And we are children and His SERVANTS. Praise God!!!

You tube video perfomed by Alan Jackson: Standing On The Promises Of God
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QnTju-EYZ3c&feature=related

Repent for the Kingdom of Heaven is Near

Jesus Christ came down on earth doing good to people, healing the sick, performing
miracles, casting out demons and preaching the good news.  (see Mat.4:17)
"Repent for the kingdom of heaven is near."   

 He makes everything ready for us. (Luke 14:17)
"Come, for everything is now ready.''  

For God knows the time is at hand and He did not want you to be condemned
but died for your sins that you might escape the coming judgment. 
(Luke 21:35-36)
For it will come upon all those who live on the face of the whole earth.
Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is
about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.


He also came to comfort us...to teach us not to be fearful when that time comes.
 (1John4:18)
There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with
punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. 

Before I was saved...I used to be afraid when I thought about death. where would my
spirit will be? This was the feelings I had before I knew the Lord. 
Now that I have learned about God's salvation and have put my faith in the Son of God,
I am no longer afraid to die...but I know that I will be with the Lord...in heaven. Praise God.
(read 1Cor.15:20-32,35-49, 51-55)

As Charles Spurgeon once said, "If we have walked before Him in the land of the living,
we need not fear to die before Him when the hour of our departure arrives".
(quote from devotional book, Beside Still Waters)


Listen to the sincerity of Jesus' prayer and his hearts desire for us.
When Jesus prayed to the Father he said, "Father, I want those you have given me 
to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because 
you loved me before the creation of the world."  (John 17:24)

You know how the world is getting worse everyday. Jesus might be coming soon!
We know that someday He will come for us and we don't know when that will be,
But no matter what we must be ready. (Acts 1:7)(Mat.24:36)

(Rom.13:11)
The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation 
is nearer now than we first believed. The night is nearly over, the day is almost here.

Christians...Continue to pray and to be ready and be alert.  (1Pet.4:7)

To those who are not saved...receive Jesus Christ as the Lord of your life and be at
peace with Him before it's too late, as Jeremiah 13:16 says, 
Give glory to the Lord your God before He brings the darkness, before your feet 
stumble on the darkening hills.

* See to it that you do not refuse Him who speaks.  (Heb.12:25) 

* Circumcise your hearts, therefore, and do not be stiff-necked any longer. (Deut.10:16)

Has God Forgotten?

"Will the Lord reject forever? Will He never show his favor again?
 Has His unfailing love vanished forever? Has His promise failed for all time?
 Has God forgotten to be merciful? Has He in anger witheld his compassion?"

If you have fallen into a deep depression, then you might relate with the despair
of the psalmist ... but do not allow the devil to trick you into believing that there is
no way out.
Look into God's promises and remember the days when He has shown you great mercy
and blessing.
Lay your burdens before God and wait patiently for Him.
Take comfort in believing that God, who is all powerfull and all knowing, is always in control.

Let us arise and go forth  and not give up. The pslamist also had to come to this point
in his life. (vs. 10-12)
Then I thought, "To this I will appeal: the years of the right hand of the Most High."
I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.
I will meditate on all your works, and consider all your mighty deeds.

Know this: God loved you before the foundation of the world and while you were still dead

                 in your sins. (Eph.1:4) (Rom.5:8)

                 He has saved you and will finish his work until the day of your last breath into

                 this earth.

                 He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion unti the

                 day of  Christ Jesus.  (Phil.1:6)

Freedom In Christ

Today we are celebrating Independence Day in the United States. As Christians all over
the world, we can also celebrate the freedom that we were granted in Christ.

Let's look out some Scriptures here:
Galatians 5:1
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.
Stand firm then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

(1Peter 4:3-4)
For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do--
living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry.
They think it strange that you do not plunge with them into the same flood of dissipation,
and they heap abuse on you.

Therefore since Christ suffered in his body, Arm yourselves also with the same attitude,
because he who has suffered in his body is done with sin.
As a result, he does not live the rest of his earthly life for evil human desires, but rather
for the will of God. (v.1-2)

We are the servants of the Living God, He saved us, cleansed us and forgave us that
we may live and be made right with God.

(IPet.2:16)
Live as free man, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; Live as servants
of God.

He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might live for righteousness;
by his wounds you have been healed.
for you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and
Overseer of your souls. (v.24-25)

Like the people of Israel when God delivered them from slavery in the land of Egypt,
YOU ARE NOT TO GO BACK THAT WAY AGAIN. (Deut.17:16,12:8)

Your camp must be holy, so that He will not see among you anything indecent and turn
away from you. (Deut.23:14)

Break Up your Unplowed Ground

Break up your unplowed ground and do not sow among thorns.
(Hosea 10:12)

No farmer expects to reap a harvest if they just throw seed on unprepared ground!

They must first take the time to break up the soil and condition it so that it will be

ready for planting.
Our hearts also must be prepared to receive the seed of God's word.

We must examine our hearts, and break up the clogs that keep us from total surrender

to God.

The one who received the seed that fell on good soil is the man who hears 
the word and understands it. He produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty 
or thirty times what was sown. (Mathew 13:23)

It is time to put aside any rebellious ways, bitterness, or regret.

These things are only trying to hunt us down and rob our relationship with God.

All God wants for us is to open our hearts to Him and to be genuinely honest.

He wants to help us and bless us with spiritual gifts... if we will let Him. 

God will not help us if we insist on walking our own way. 

God will not bless us if we are harboring unforgiveness toward others.

If we have sin:

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and 

purify us from all unrighteousness.  (1John1:9)

Unforgiveness to someone:

For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also 

forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your heavenly Father will not 

forgive your sins. 

So Let us go to Him and He will help us, heal us, and restore us.
(Mathew 6:14-15)

Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of

refreshing may come from the Lord.  (Acts 3:19)

So Let us sow for yourselves rihteousness, reap the fruit of unfailing love and
break your unplowed ground.; for it is time to seek the Lord, until He comes
and showers righteousness on you.  (Hosea 10:12)

Unplowed

                                                                                                Plowed