The Good News

"How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news,
  who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation,
  who say to Zion, "Your God reigns!"  (Isaiah 52:7, Rom.10:15))

In (Romans 10:14-15)
How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in?
And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard?
And how can they preach unless they are sent?
And in Acts 8:30-31
"Do you understand what you are reading?" Philip asked.
"How can I," he said, "unless someone explains it to me?"

You are also sent by God to proclaim the good news of salvation through His Son Jesus Christ.
* THAT EVERYONE WHO BELIEVES IN HIM RECEIVES FORGIVENESS OF SINS 
   THROUGH HIS NAME.  (Acts 10:43, 13:38)

* THAT THEY MUST TURN TO GOD IN REPENTANCE AND HAVE FAITH IN 
  OUR LORD JESUS. (Acts 20:21)

When you received Christ and were forgiven of your sins you became an instrument 
for God to use. You have been given an assignment to share the gospel of salvation with
those whom God has placed into your path. You are called to be a witness to your own
family, neighbors, friends, community, and even to your own enemies.

This Scripture also speaks to us. (Acts 13:47, Isa.49:6)
     " 'I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation
        to the ends of the earth.' "  

You Have Been Predestined By God

Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart.
(Jeremiah 1:5, 1Pet.1:2)

Those who have accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior, are called by God to
accomplish His purposes. YOU are called by God to do a very special assignment!
It is not just pastors and church leaders who are called to serve, but we all have a
part in building His church.
It is important for us to devote ourselves to a local church where we can serve
one another in prayer, encourage one another, engage in bible study, and excel
in the gifts that God has given us for the purpose of building up the church.

(1Pet.2:9, Exod.19:5,60)
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people
belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you
out of darkness into his wonderful light.


Keep seeking, Pray and wait for God.
* Always devote yourself in the public reading of the Scripture (1Tim.4:13)
* And to prayer, being watchful and thankful.  (Col.4:2)
* find out what God's will is for your life.  (Eph.5:17)
* And find out what pleases the Lord.  (Eph.5:8)


You also like LIVING STONES, are being built into a spiritual house to be a 
holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 
(1Pet.2:5)

Different Gifts of The Holy Spirit:
It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists,
and some to be pastors and teachers.
To prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up,
until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become
mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here
and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their
deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into
him who is the Head, that is Christ.  (Eph.4:11-15, 1Cor.12:27-28,7-11,4-6, Rom.12:6-8)
From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament,
grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.
(Eph.4:16, Col.2:19,1Pet.4:10)


Another worship song title, "Rejoice For The Steps"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9Lh2HVlxMQ

Move Beyond The Pain

Move beyond the pain and learn from it!
Surely most of us have done things in the past that we regret. We received
the correction of God, we asked him for forgiveness.
Even if we sin, we are still the children of God. If you were saved, you're saved.
Notice how Jesus addresses the disciples in John 21:5 (NKJV) "Children, have you
any food?"
* Peter failed when He denied the Lord Jesus three times.
   see John 13:37-38, 18:15-18, 25-27
* David committed a sin with Bathsheba (read 2 Sam.11:1-27)
   Nathan rebukes David (2 Sam.12:1-10)

Cheer up, children of God, and be encouraged. A lesson must to be learned from
these two fallen men of God.
When Peter failed, Jesus extended His grace and reaffirmed Peter's mission to him
by saying, to "feed my sheep." (read John 21:15-17)


Humble yourself and repent. Receive His grace and forgiveness by faith.
When God corrects us it is a blessing indeed, that results in us growing up
in our relationship with Him. We will be stronger the next time we face temptation.
Once we are transformed into an obedient servant, we become excited to learn new things
as we apply His Words in our daily lives.
(2Pet.2:2)
Like new born babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up
in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.


If you have not changed your ways, then you are not allowing God to direct your life.
The result of being rededicated to God, is a transformed life. You must go forward.
(2Cor.7:10-11)
Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret,
but worldly sorrow brings death.
See what this godly sorrow has produced in you; what earnestness, what
eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing,
what concern, what readiness to see justice done.

God will use your life experiences to reach people for Him, as you minister to others.
God knows your bad circumstances and He will make something good come out
of it if you turn to Him. (Gen.50:20)



I quote this from devotional booklet by Bob Grass; "The Word For You Today"
If our faith was never tested we wouldn't be motivated to pursue God and draw 
closer to Him." It is through our darkest hour, and in our trouble when we finally
exclaimed, "It is the Lord." (John 21:7)

Here's a you tube video title, "The Refiners Fire" 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Y8zP34AhuU

Desiring God

The greatest endeavor to pursue is to desire God in our lives.
What an awesome feeling it was when we received Christ. We felt joy and peace,
as our burdens were lifted up. We became eager to serve Him and  hungered
for His divine intervention in every aspect of our lives.

The Scriptures speak regarding those who hunger and desire God.
I pray that God will continually fill you with his wonderful knowledge as you seek Him.

* When your words came, I ate them; there were my joy and my heart's delight, 
    for I bear your name, O Lord God Almighty.  (Jeremiah 15:16)

* I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory,
   Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you.
   I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands.
   My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods, with singing lips 
   my mouth will praise you.  (Psalms 63:2-5)

* How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord Almighty!
   My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the Lord;
   My heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.  (84:1-3,42:2,63:1)

* My hearts says of you, "Seek His face!" Your face, O Lord, I will seek! 
   I said to the Lord, "You are my Lord," apart from you, I have no good thing.
   (27:8, 16:2)  
* Whom have I in heaven but You? And earth has nothing I desire besides you.
  My flesh and my hearts may fail, but the Lord is the strength of my heart and 
  my portion forever.  (73:28)
                                           
* The law from your mouth is more precious to me than thousand pieces of 
   silver and gold.  (Psalms 119:72)
   How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! (103)
   Because I love your commands more than gold, more than pure gold.  (127)
   I gain understanding from your precepts therefore I hate every wrong path.  (104)
  And because I consider all your precepts right.  (128)  
  Your status are wonderful; therefore I obey them. (129)
  
  The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple. 
  I open my mouth and pant,  longing for your commands.
   (130-131)
  
  

YOUR WORD IS A LAMP TO MY FEET AND   
  A LIGHT FOR  MY PATH.  (105) (24)(19-7-11)
   

 

   



(I do not own this picture)
      More Precious Than Silver
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0RjXVFDRqQk&feature=player_embedded

"Lord, If You Are Willing, You Can Make Me Clean."

Have you received Christ yet? After hearing the word of the gospel that can save you,
are you are still refusing to let God rescue you from the sin that separates you from Him?
You  might be thinking to yourself, "I committed a great sin in my life, and I don't think
God will forgive me for all the things I have done. I am not worthy to receive His
forgiveness.


But these thoughts are just the lies of Satan...to blind your eyes from seeing the
salvation that came through Jesus Christ?
But God is merciful and will forgive all your sin, He wants you to confess and ask
for His forgiveness and have faith in His name.  (John 14:16)


Do you know that the reason Jesus came here on earth, is to save sinners?
Jesus said, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come 
to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."  (Luke 5:31)


God provided a way for us to be saved. This was proclaimed in Isaiah 43:18-19
"Forget the former things do not dwell on the past.
 See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
 I am making a way in the desert and streams in a wasteland.
 (read also Isa.41:2-6, 25-27, 42:1-4)


The poor and needy search for water, but there is none; their tongues are 
parched with thirst. But I the Lord will answer them; I the God of Israel will not 
forsake them.  
I will make rivers flow on barren heights, and springs within the valleys.
I will turn the desert into pools of water, and the parched ground into springs. 
(Isaiah 41:17-18)

Then God spoke about this coming salvation through his Son Jesus Christ,
(Isaiah 42:6-7)
I, The Lord, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand.
I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a
Light for the Gentiles, to open eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison
and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness.  

So lets put the past behind us and go to Him and ask, "Lord, if you are willing,
You can make me clean." And Jesus will respond by saying, "I am willing, be clean."
(Luke 5:12-13)

                                            You tube video title; The River Flow
                                      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fGplpTUytfQ

The Parable Of The Sower

" HE WHO HAS EARS, LET HIM HEAR."

"A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along
 the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not
 have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow.
 But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they
 had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants,
 so that they did not bear grain. Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced
a crop,a hundred, sixty, or thirty times what was sown.  (Mathew 13:3-8)

The Parable of the Sower explained:
When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it,
the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the seed
sown along the PATH. The one who received the seed that fell on ROCKY places
is the man who hears the word and at once receives it with joy.
But since he has no root, he lasts only a short time. When trouble or persecution
comes because of the word, he quickly falls away.
The one who received the seed that fell among the THORNS is the man who hears
the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it,
making it unfruitful. But 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.  (v.19-23)
read also Mark 4:3-8,14-20

                                                           PATH

1. PATH --Satan snatches away the seed that was sown. Whatever you believe
                  about the Lord Jesus and his gospel of truth, the devil is trying to steal 
                  from your heart to deceive you, causing you to doubt  God.
                 As Paul says in (2Cor.11:3-4) (read also 2Tim.1:12,3:14-17)
                 But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent's
                 cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your
                 sincere and pure devotion to Christ. For if someone comes to you
                 and preaches a Jesus other than the Jesus we preached,
                 or if you receive a different spirit from the one you accepted,
                YOU PUT UP WITH IT EASILY ENOUGH.

                                                          ROCKS                                                                      


2. ROCKY --NO ROOT
                     You could allow ostracism from your family, relatives or friends to
                     destroy your good relationship with Christ. They might insult you,
                     curse you, or threaten to exclude you because of your faith,
                     but you must be strong in your conviciton.
                     Jesus says in (Mat.10:37)
                     "Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not
                     worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than
                     me is not worthy of me."

                                                 THORNS

3. THORNS -- The worries of life, deceitfulness of wealth, desires for other things
                         that you idolize...money, pleasure, friends, career, sports...or anything
                         that you love more than God. (Mathew 6:24)

                        "No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love 
                        the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. 
                        You cannot serve both God and money.  

                        What about some crisis that severely affected you, and caused you to
                        doubt the promises of God?

                                                            GOOD SOIL

4. GOOD SOIL -- Produce a crop/ Multiply
                        This is the soil that we need our hearts planted in. We want to yield 
                        a bountiful crop for our Lord. We can do this by continuing to believe
                        and practice what we have learned.
                        And no matter what we hear from outside sources or from the enemy,
                        always guard our hearts with the truth of  God's words so that we will
                        not be moved from trusting Him.
                        Prayer with the help of the Holy Spirit is the best weapon to have
                        victory in our daily walk.
                        Many blessing are in store for those who faithfully serve Him.
                          
                        Jesus said, "I will show you what he is like who comes to me 
                        and hears my words and puts them into practice. He is like 
                        a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid a 
                       foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck 
                       that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. 
                       (remember the children's book, entitled, "The Three Little Pigs.")
                       (Luke 6:47-48-49, Mat.7:24-27, James 1:25)
                       But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice 
                       is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. 
                       The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its 
                       destruction was complete. 



* Let's Examine the condition of our hearts. Which soil is your heart planted in?
   Are you in good soil, or are you struggling to produce good fruit because of bad soil?
   Write down the list that occupy the most of your time instead of God....
   _________________________________________________________________ .    
   Pray and surrender it to God. Ask Him to help you to be victorious in your struggle
   to put away things that keep you from bearing fruit for Him.
   (read Heb.12:4-6)
                   

Ruler Of All Creation/ There Is No One Like You

The Lord is exalted over all the nations, His glory above the heavens.
Who is like the Lord our God, the One who sits enthroned on high,
Who stoops down to look on the heavens and the earth?
(Psalms 113:4-6)

For who is God besides the Lord? And who is the Rock except our God?
Among the gods there is none like you, O Lord; no deeds can compare with yours.
(18:31,86:8)
Your ways , O God, are holy, What god is so great as our God?
You are the God who performs miracles; you display your power among the 
peoples.  (77:13-14, Job 5:9)


Since ancient times no one has heard, nor ear has perceived, no eye has seen
any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for Him.
You come to the help of those who gladly do right, who remember your ways.
(64:4-5)

You have been a refuge for the poor, a refuge for the needy in his distress,
a shelter from the storm and a shade from the heat.  (Isaiah.25:4)
A Father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling.
(68:5,10:14,17-18)

Do any of the worthless idols of the nations bring rain? Do the skies 
themselves send down showers? No, it is you, O Lord our God. 
Therefore our hope is in you, for you are the One who does all this.
(Jeremiah.14:22, Psalms 68:7-10)


I am the Lord, and there is no other, apart from me there is no God.
So that from the rising of the sun to the place of its setting men may know there is 
none beside me.
I form the light and create darkness, I bring prosperity and create disaster;
I, the Lord, have created it.  (Isaiah 45:5-7,44:1-3,5-8,47:3)

The heavens praise your wonders, O Lord, your faithfulness too, in the assembly
of the holy ones. For who in the skies above can compare with the Lord?
Who is like the Lord among the heavenly beings?
In the council of the holy ones God is greatly feared; He is more awesome than 
all who surround Him. O Lord God Almighty, who is like you?
You are mighty, O Lord, and your faithfulness surrounds you.  (Psalms 89:5-8)

                               

                                 I took this shot, what a beautiful picture of the sky!


A video song title; "There is None like You"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KnhUh2tt97Q&feature=fvwrel

May you be bless and encourage by this selection of Scriptures to read.
Reflect on the goodness of God and what He has been blessed you with!
Even in your difficult time, continue to praise God knowing that there is a God who knows
and understands what you are going through.... Blessings everyone.