The Merriam/Webster's dictionary definition of Jesus: the Jewish religious teacher whose life, death, and resurrection as reported by the Evangelists are the basis of the Christian message of salvation — called also Jesus Christ. Well, what about Him being God's Son? Or being born of a virgin? Or Him being obedient to God His Father unto death, on the cross because of our sin? They did not tell that we all would be headed to hell if not for His sacrifice.Well, at least they did mention His resurrection!
Matt.1:19-23 And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: "Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel" (which means, God with us).
Matt. 26:38-42 Then he said to them, "My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me." And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, "My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will." And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. And he said to Peter, "So, could you not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." Again, for the second time, he went away and prayed, "My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done."
John 10:24-30 So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, "How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly." Jesus answered them, "I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father’s name bear witness about me, but you do not believe because you are not part of my flock. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. I and the Father are one."
Matt.28:1-10 Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. See, I have told you." So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. And behold, Jesus met them and said, "Greetings!" And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me."
Matt.28:18-20 And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."
Rev.22:12-13 "Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay everyone for what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end."
Lord God Almighty, Your word is so convicting. Thank You for my faith. Thank You for Your mercy. How can people miss the glory of You? Open eyes to the majesty of You. Use me to shout Your praises! Amen
Friday, July 30, 2010
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Me or You Good? Better Re-Think It
Mark 10:17-18 And as he was setting out on his journey, a man ran up and knelt before him and asked him, "Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" And Jesus said to him, "Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone.
We have the greatest temptation set before us for as long as we live. It is the fact that we call each other
good! We always are thinking we are better than so and so because we don't do the bad things they do. I know the devil will tell us that we are indeed good but it is a total lie! We are far from good, truth be told we are all rotten to the core. The only good thing about us is, we are all equal at the foot of the cross. We all need a Savior who can atone for our sins. There is absolutely no way we can ever be good enough to please God. It is only by grace, through faith in Jesus Christ, who paid our debt on the cross. So if you think that you can do enough to please God, forget it! Christ is the only way to please God and the only means by which we will ever see God! We must guard our relationship with Christ for He is our shepherd who will lead us home.
Acts 4:12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."
1 Tim.2: 5-6 For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.
Lord God, we must have You! Speak to us through Your word and guide us to repentance. Keep our eyes on You and teach us Your way. Forgive us when we fail and be merciful to us as we take You to the nations. Amen
We have the greatest temptation set before us for as long as we live. It is the fact that we call each other
good! We always are thinking we are better than so and so because we don't do the bad things they do. I know the devil will tell us that we are indeed good but it is a total lie! We are far from good, truth be told we are all rotten to the core. The only good thing about us is, we are all equal at the foot of the cross. We all need a Savior who can atone for our sins. There is absolutely no way we can ever be good enough to please God. It is only by grace, through faith in Jesus Christ, who paid our debt on the cross. So if you think that you can do enough to please God, forget it! Christ is the only way to please God and the only means by which we will ever see God! We must guard our relationship with Christ for He is our shepherd who will lead us home.
Acts 4:12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."
1 Tim.2: 5-6 For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.
Lord God, we must have You! Speak to us through Your word and guide us to repentance. Keep our eyes on You and teach us Your way. Forgive us when we fail and be merciful to us as we take You to the nations. Amen
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
If Only
Ps.19:14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.
If only I would not sin! Oh Lord, how it grieves my heart when I do. How long will You show us mercy? Are we not a stiff necked people who turn from You to follow our own selfish way? Lord, how can it be? You are worthy of all our praise. Lord, I pray for our nation who is playing the harlot with other gods. We have shut You out and let them in. Lord, heal our land and forgive us before You unleash disaster on us. Help us O Lord, for we are lost without You. Amen
Ps.19:7-11 The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure,
making wise the simple; the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the LORD are true, and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.
This is what I fear for our nation if we do not repent!
Ez.7:5-9 "Thus says the Lord GOD: Disaster after disaster! Behold, it comes. An end has come; the end has come; it has awakened against you. Behold, it comes.Your doom has come to you, O inhabitant of the land The time has come; the day is near, a day of tumult, and not of joyful shouting on the mountains. Now I will soon pour out my wrath upon you, and spend my anger against you, and judge you according to your ways, and I will punish you for all your abominations. And my eye will not spare, nor will I have pity. I will punish you according to your ways, while your abominations are in your midst. Then you will know that I am the LORD, who strikes.
It is not too late! Repent and God will forgive! If the angels are joyous over one sinner who repents, what would the joy in heaven be if a whole nation repented?
Luke 15:10 Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents."
Lord, give us strength, humility, and faith.
1 Peter 5:6-10 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.
If only I would not sin! Oh Lord, how it grieves my heart when I do. How long will You show us mercy? Are we not a stiff necked people who turn from You to follow our own selfish way? Lord, how can it be? You are worthy of all our praise. Lord, I pray for our nation who is playing the harlot with other gods. We have shut You out and let them in. Lord, heal our land and forgive us before You unleash disaster on us. Help us O Lord, for we are lost without You. Amen
Ps.19:7-11 The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure,
making wise the simple; the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the LORD are true, and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.
This is what I fear for our nation if we do not repent!
Ez.7:5-9 "Thus says the Lord GOD: Disaster after disaster! Behold, it comes. An end has come; the end has come; it has awakened against you. Behold, it comes.Your doom has come to you, O inhabitant of the land The time has come; the day is near, a day of tumult, and not of joyful shouting on the mountains. Now I will soon pour out my wrath upon you, and spend my anger against you, and judge you according to your ways, and I will punish you for all your abominations. And my eye will not spare, nor will I have pity. I will punish you according to your ways, while your abominations are in your midst. Then you will know that I am the LORD, who strikes.
It is not too late! Repent and God will forgive! If the angels are joyous over one sinner who repents, what would the joy in heaven be if a whole nation repented?
Luke 15:10 Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents."
Lord, give us strength, humility, and faith.
1 Peter 5:6-10 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.
Monday, July 26, 2010
For God to Open the Eyes of Our Fellow Americans
This is week 4 of Charles Stanley's intercession for America. Please pray for our nation!
Ps.73 Truly God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart. But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled, my steps had nearly slipped. For I was envious of the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. For they have no pangs until death; their bodies are fat and sleek. They are not in trouble as others are; they are not stricken like the rest of mankind. Therefore pride is their necklace;
violence covers them as a garment.Their eyes swell out through fatness; their hearts overflow with follies.
They scoff and speak with malice; loftily they threaten oppression. They set their mouths against the heavens,
and their tongue struts through the earth.Therefore his people turn back to them, and find no fault in them.
And they say, "How can God know? Is there knowledge in the Most High?"
Behold, these are the wicked; always at ease, they increase in riches. All in vain have I kept my heart clean
and washed my hands in innocence. For all the day long I have been stricken and rebuked every morning.
If I had said, "I will speak thus,"I would have betrayed the generation of your children.
But when I thought how to understand this, it seemed to me a wearisome task, until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I discerned their end. Truly you set them in slippery places; you make them fall to ruin. How they are destroyed in a moment, swept away utterly by terrors! Like a dream when one awakes,
O Lord, when you rouse yourself, you despise them as phantoms. When my soul was embittered,
when I was pricked in heart, I was brutish and ignorant; I was like a beast toward you.
Nevertheless, I am continually with you; you hold my right hand.You guide me with your counsel,
and afterward you will receive me to glory. Whom have I in heaven but you?
And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. For behold, those who are far from you shall perish; you put an end to everyone who is unfaithful to you. But for me it is good to be near God;
I have made the Lord GOD my refuge, that I may tell of all your works.
Ps.73 Truly God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart. But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled, my steps had nearly slipped. For I was envious of the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. For they have no pangs until death; their bodies are fat and sleek. They are not in trouble as others are; they are not stricken like the rest of mankind. Therefore pride is their necklace;
violence covers them as a garment.Their eyes swell out through fatness; their hearts overflow with follies.
They scoff and speak with malice; loftily they threaten oppression. They set their mouths against the heavens,
and their tongue struts through the earth.Therefore his people turn back to them, and find no fault in them.
And they say, "How can God know? Is there knowledge in the Most High?"
Behold, these are the wicked; always at ease, they increase in riches. All in vain have I kept my heart clean
and washed my hands in innocence. For all the day long I have been stricken and rebuked every morning.
If I had said, "I will speak thus,"I would have betrayed the generation of your children.
But when I thought how to understand this, it seemed to me a wearisome task, until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I discerned their end. Truly you set them in slippery places; you make them fall to ruin. How they are destroyed in a moment, swept away utterly by terrors! Like a dream when one awakes,
O Lord, when you rouse yourself, you despise them as phantoms. When my soul was embittered,
when I was pricked in heart, I was brutish and ignorant; I was like a beast toward you.
Nevertheless, I am continually with you; you hold my right hand.You guide me with your counsel,
and afterward you will receive me to glory. Whom have I in heaven but you?
And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. For behold, those who are far from you shall perish; you put an end to everyone who is unfaithful to you. But for me it is good to be near God;
I have made the Lord GOD my refuge, that I may tell of all your works.
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Great Is Your Faithfulness O Lord
Lam.3:22-25 The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; The LORD is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him.
they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."The LORD is my portion," says my soul, "therefore I will hope in him."
Lam.3:31-33 For the Lord will not cast off forever, but, though he cause grief, he will have compassion according to the abundance of his steadfast love; for he does not willingly afflict or grieve the children of men.
In my MacArthur bible commentary, John states this simple truth,"The bedrock of faith is the reality that God keeps all His promises according to His truthful, faithful character."
Lord, you are awesome beyond words. You judge us in truth but Your love is ever faithful. Amen
they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."The LORD is my portion," says my soul, "therefore I will hope in him."
Lam.3:31-33 For the Lord will not cast off forever, but, though he cause grief, he will have compassion according to the abundance of his steadfast love; for he does not willingly afflict or grieve the children of men.
In my MacArthur bible commentary, John states this simple truth,"The bedrock of faith is the reality that God keeps all His promises according to His truthful, faithful character."
Lord, you are awesome beyond words. You judge us in truth but Your love is ever faithful. Amen
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Our Redeemer is Strong
Jer.50:34 Their Redeemer is strong; the LORD of hosts is his name.
The definition of redeemer is a person who redeems and believe it or not Webster's has Jesus with the definition. The definition of redeem is to buy back, to free from harm, to extricate by ransom, to release from a debt, to free from a consequence of sin, restore, to make good, to atone for, or to make worthwhile. Well, praise God that they got it right!! Jesus does all these things and more. But, in order for you to know this, you have to know you need a savior! Lord, I pray for wisdom for the lost. To know that they are guilty and condemned but have a way to escape an eternity without a savior. Prepare hearts and minds for the glory of Your plan of salvation, Jesus. Send us out in Your holy name. Amen
The definition of redeemer is a person who redeems and believe it or not Webster's has Jesus with the definition. The definition of redeem is to buy back, to free from harm, to extricate by ransom, to release from a debt, to free from a consequence of sin, restore, to make good, to atone for, or to make worthwhile. Well, praise God that they got it right!! Jesus does all these things and more. But, in order for you to know this, you have to know you need a savior! Lord, I pray for wisdom for the lost. To know that they are guilty and condemned but have a way to escape an eternity without a savior. Prepare hearts and minds for the glory of Your plan of salvation, Jesus. Send us out in Your holy name. Amen
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Arise, O God
Ps.82:1-8 God has taken his place in the divine council; in the midst of the gods he holds judgment:
"How long will you judge unjustly and show partiality to the wicked? Give justice to the weak and the fatherless; maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked." They have neither knowledge nor understanding, they walk about in darkness;
all the foundations of the earth are shaken. I said, "You are gods, sons of the Most High, all of you;
nevertheless, like men you shall die, and fall like any prince." Arise, O God, judge the earth; for you shall inherit all the nations!
Ps. 83:1 O God, do not keep silence; do not hold your peace or be still, O God!
Ps.83:16-18 Fill their faces with shame, that they may seek your name, O LORD.
Let them be put to shame and dismayed forever; let them perish in disgrace, that they may know that you alone, whose name is the LORD, are the Most High over all the earth.
"How long will you judge unjustly and show partiality to the wicked? Give justice to the weak and the fatherless; maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked." They have neither knowledge nor understanding, they walk about in darkness;
all the foundations of the earth are shaken. I said, "You are gods, sons of the Most High, all of you;
nevertheless, like men you shall die, and fall like any prince." Arise, O God, judge the earth; for you shall inherit all the nations!
Ps. 83:1 O God, do not keep silence; do not hold your peace or be still, O God!
Ps.83:16-18 Fill their faces with shame, that they may seek your name, O LORD.
Let them be put to shame and dismayed forever; let them perish in disgrace, that they may know that you alone, whose name is the LORD, are the Most High over all the earth.
Monday, July 19, 2010
For the Church to Recognize it's Responsibility
Today is week 3 of Charles Stanley's 140 days of intercession for America.
Matt.5:13-16 "You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet.
"You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
We feel right at home in this world!! Have we forgotten that this is not our home? However, we do have a mission here, given to us by God, to make disciples of all nations.
Matt. 28: 18-20 And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."
We are sojourners here and our Savior Jesus is coming to take us home soon! Here is a tiny glance of our real home.
Rev.21:1-4 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away." Pretty awesome huh? Lord, we deserve Your wrath. But in Your mercy, You give us grace. Thank You is so very inadequate. We praise You for the miracle of grace! Amen
Matt.5:13-16 "You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet.
"You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
We feel right at home in this world!! Have we forgotten that this is not our home? However, we do have a mission here, given to us by God, to make disciples of all nations.
Matt. 28: 18-20 And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."
We are sojourners here and our Savior Jesus is coming to take us home soon! Here is a tiny glance of our real home.
Rev.21:1-4 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away." Pretty awesome huh? Lord, we deserve Your wrath. But in Your mercy, You give us grace. Thank You is so very inadequate. We praise You for the miracle of grace! Amen
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Hope in God
Ps.43:5 Why are you cast down O' my soul; and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him , my salvation and my God.
Do you ever have those days when nothing seems to go as planned? You just feel so alone in your misery, and can't shake the feelings of despair. Well, that is what makes God a very much needed friend. The reason we need an intimate relationship with Him is because we can't do life alone. His word contains many pep talks for his people. When the devil is in hot pursuit of you , go to our life line, His word. If I could tell Christians things that would bring them closer to their God, it would be, be in His word everyday and pray.
Do you ever have those days when nothing seems to go as planned? You just feel so alone in your misery, and can't shake the feelings of despair. Well, that is what makes God a very much needed friend. The reason we need an intimate relationship with Him is because we can't do life alone. His word contains many pep talks for his people. When the devil is in hot pursuit of you , go to our life line, His word. If I could tell Christians things that would bring them closer to their God, it would be, be in His word everyday and pray.
A Prophet's Compliant/ Prayer/ God's Answer
Habakkuk 1:2-4 O LORD, how long shall I cry for help, and you will not hear? Or cry to you "Violence!"
and you will not save? Why do you make me see iniquity, and why do you idly look at wrong?
Destruction and violence are before me; strife and contention arise. So the law is paralyzed,
and justice never goes forth. For the wicked surround the righteous; so justice goes forth perverted.
Habakkuk 1: 12-13 Are you not from everlasting, O LORD my God, my Holy One?
We shall not die. O LORD, you have ordained them as a judgment, and you, O Rock, have established them for reproof. You who are of purer eyes than to see evil and cannot look at wrong, why do you idly look at traitors and remain silent when the wicked swallows up the man more righteous than he?
God answers!
Habakkuk 1:5 "Look among the nations, and see; wonder and be astounded. For I am doing a work in your days that you would not believe if told.
Habakkuk 2:2-4 2 And the LORD answered me: "Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it. For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay. "Behold, his soul is puffed up; it is not upright within him, but the righteous shall live by his faith.
Habakkuk 2:20 But the LORD is in his holy temple; let all the earth keep silence before him."
Habakkuk 3:2 O LORD, I have heard the report of you, and your work, O LORD, do I fear.
In the midst of the years revive it; in the midst of the years make it known; in wrath remember mercy.
Rejoice!
Habakkuk 3:17-19 Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines,
the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold
and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD; I will take joy in the God of my salvation.
GOD, the Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet like the deer’s; he makes me tread on my high places.
and you will not save? Why do you make me see iniquity, and why do you idly look at wrong?
Destruction and violence are before me; strife and contention arise. So the law is paralyzed,
and justice never goes forth. For the wicked surround the righteous; so justice goes forth perverted.
Habakkuk 1: 12-13 Are you not from everlasting, O LORD my God, my Holy One?
We shall not die. O LORD, you have ordained them as a judgment, and you, O Rock, have established them for reproof. You who are of purer eyes than to see evil and cannot look at wrong, why do you idly look at traitors and remain silent when the wicked swallows up the man more righteous than he?
God answers!
Habakkuk 1:5 "Look among the nations, and see; wonder and be astounded. For I am doing a work in your days that you would not believe if told.
Habakkuk 2:2-4 2 And the LORD answered me: "Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it. For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay. "Behold, his soul is puffed up; it is not upright within him, but the righteous shall live by his faith.
Habakkuk 2:20 But the LORD is in his holy temple; let all the earth keep silence before him."
Habakkuk 3:2 O LORD, I have heard the report of you, and your work, O LORD, do I fear.
In the midst of the years revive it; in the midst of the years make it known; in wrath remember mercy.
Rejoice!
Habakkuk 3:17-19 Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines,
the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold
and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD; I will take joy in the God of my salvation.
GOD, the Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet like the deer’s; he makes me tread on my high places.
Friday, July 16, 2010
False Prophets and Teachers
How do you know if you are being told the truth of the gospel? The most simple answer is to be in the word everyday and to keep it in your heart and mind.
2 Peter 2: 1-3 But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed. And in their greed they will exploit you with false words.Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.
We are exposed to a lot of preaching, whether it be in church, on the television or the radio. I know that some of the teaching is not accurate. I would only ask that you know the word and test the teaching. In the end, you and you alone will stand before Holy God for judgment. Lord, keep us from false teachers. Burn Your word on our heart forever. Lord God, bless my pastor and keep him from the adversary. Amen
2 Peter 2: 1-3 But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed. And in their greed they will exploit you with false words.Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.
We are exposed to a lot of preaching, whether it be in church, on the television or the radio. I know that some of the teaching is not accurate. I would only ask that you know the word and test the teaching. In the end, you and you alone will stand before Holy God for judgment. Lord, keep us from false teachers. Burn Your word on our heart forever. Lord God, bless my pastor and keep him from the adversary. Amen
Thursday, July 15, 2010
America Repent
For far too long we have gone down a path of destruction. Except for the prayers of the saints, God would have already sent judgment to rain down on us. I am convicted to say to America, repent! How long will we run after false gods? How long will we ignore the plight of the poor? Our time is running out! God has made it clear that we better turn from evil and follow Him. Our justice system is a joke. The criminals have more rights than the victim. Why is crime so wide spread? It is not punished in the way it should be. But, even worse than that, we just sit by as people go to hell. I think we all have become cynical and think what is the use, we have tried everything. Have we though? Have we called on God? Have we put our faith into action and poured out our love and compassion into a lost and dying world ? It is not too late. Fall on your knees and ask the Lord for help. He will lead us to a new and better place.
This really applies to our lives because there are so many lies being spread, in our government, schools and churches. God is being forced out but false gods are being embraced.
Matt. 7: 15-16 "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits.
Our God is a jealous God.
2 Cor.11:2-4 For I feel a divine jealousy for you, since I betrothed you to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ. But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thought will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ. For if someone comes and proclaims another Jesus than the one we proclaimed, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or if you accept a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it readily enough.
We are giving our America away to people who will not be tolerant to our Holy God. And I can assure you, God is going to forget His love for us because we will not take a stand for Him! God's justice is swift and just! Against Him, they will be no defense! Holy Father, Forgive us and heal our land. Consume the false gods with Your Holy Fire and renew a right spirit in us. Amen
This really applies to our lives because there are so many lies being spread, in our government, schools and churches. God is being forced out but false gods are being embraced.
Matt. 7: 15-16 "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits.
Our God is a jealous God.
2 Cor.11:2-4 For I feel a divine jealousy for you, since I betrothed you to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ. But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thought will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ. For if someone comes and proclaims another Jesus than the one we proclaimed, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or if you accept a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it readily enough.
We are giving our America away to people who will not be tolerant to our Holy God. And I can assure you, God is going to forget His love for us because we will not take a stand for Him! God's justice is swift and just! Against Him, they will be no defense! Holy Father, Forgive us and heal our land. Consume the false gods with Your Holy Fire and renew a right spirit in us. Amen
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
New Covenant with the House of Israel and the House of Judah
Jeremiah 31: 31-37 "Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah, not like the covenant that I made with their fathers on the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, my covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, declares the LORD. But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the LORD: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people. And no longer shall each one teach his neighbor and each his brother, saying, 'Know the LORD,' for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the LORD. For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more."
Thus says the LORD, who gives the sun for light by day and the fixed order of the moon and the stars for light by night, who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar—the LORD of hosts is his name: "If this fixed order departs from before me, declares the LORD, then shall the offspring of Israel cease from being a nation before me forever." Thus says the LORD:" If the heavens above can be measured, and the foundations of the earth below can be explored, then I will cast off all the offspring of Israel for all that they have done,
declares the LORD."
How marvelous is Your word O Lord God Almighty! We fear You but are in adoration of Your steadfast love for Your people. Lord, may we never loose Your love and may we ever be fearful of Your judgment. Amen
Thus says the LORD, who gives the sun for light by day and the fixed order of the moon and the stars for light by night, who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar—the LORD of hosts is his name: "If this fixed order departs from before me, declares the LORD, then shall the offspring of Israel cease from being a nation before me forever." Thus says the LORD:" If the heavens above can be measured, and the foundations of the earth below can be explored, then I will cast off all the offspring of Israel for all that they have done,
declares the LORD."
How marvelous is Your word O Lord God Almighty! We fear You but are in adoration of Your steadfast love for Your people. Lord, may we never loose Your love and may we ever be fearful of Your judgment. Amen
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
God's Ability to Help Us
Today is week 2 of Charles Stanley's 140 days of intercession for America. Please pray for our nation.
Ps. 77:7-15 "Will the Lord spurn forever, and never again be favorable? Has his steadfast love forever ceased? Are his promises at an end for all time? Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has he in anger shut up his compassion?" Then I said, "I will appeal to this, to the years of the right hand of the Most High."
I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your wonders of old. I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds. Your way, O God, is holy. What god is great like our God?
You are the God who works wonders; you have made known your might among the peoples.
You with your arm redeemed your people, the children of Jacob and Joseph.
Ps. 77:7-15 "Will the Lord spurn forever, and never again be favorable? Has his steadfast love forever ceased? Are his promises at an end for all time? Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has he in anger shut up his compassion?" Then I said, "I will appeal to this, to the years of the right hand of the Most High."
I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your wonders of old. I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds. Your way, O God, is holy. What god is great like our God?
You are the God who works wonders; you have made known your might among the peoples.
You with your arm redeemed your people, the children of Jacob and Joseph.
Monday, July 12, 2010
God's Anger and the Lying Prophets
Jeremiah 23: 9-12 Concerning the prophets:
My heart is broken within me; all my bones shake; I am like a drunken man, like a man overcome by wine,
because of the LORD and because of his holy words. For the land is full of adulterers; because of the curse the land mourns, and the pastures of the wilderness are dried up.Their course is evil, and their might is not right. "Both prophet and priest are ungodly; even in my house I have found their evil, declares the LORD. Therefore their way shall be to them like slippery paths in the darkness, into which they shall be driven and fall, for I will bring disaster upon them in the year of their punishment, declares the LORD.
He begins to tell them how they are like Sodom and Gomorrah.
Jeremiah 23:14 But in the prophets of Jerusalem I have seen a horrible thing: they commit adultery and walk in lies; they strengthen the hands of evildoers, so that no one turns from his evil; all of them have become like Sodom to me, and its inhabitants like Gomorrah."
Then he unleashes his anger on the prophets!
Jeremiah 23:18-22 For who among them has stood in the council of the LORD to see and to hear his word,
or who has paid attention to his word and listened? Behold, the storm of the LORD! Wrath has gone forth,
a whirling tempest; it will burst upon the head of the wicked. The anger of the LORD will not turn back
until he has executed and accomplished the intents of his heart. In the latter days you will understand it clearly.
"I did not send the prophets, yet they ran; I did not speak to them, yet they prophesied.
But if they had stood in my council, then they would have proclaimed my words to my people,
and they would have turned them from their evil way, and from the evil of their deeds.
God speaks the truth to the lying prophets.
Jeremiah 23: 23-30 "Am I a God at hand, declares the LORD, and not a God far away? Can a man hide himself in secret places so that I cannot see him? declares the LORD. Do I not fill heaven and earth? declares the LORD. I have heard what the prophets have said who prophesy lies in my name, saying, 'I have dreamed, I have dreamed!' How long shall there be lies in the heart of the prophets who prophesy lies, and who prophesy the deceit of their own heart, who think to make my people forget my name by their dreams that they tell one another, even as their fathers forgot my name for Baal? Let the prophet who has a dream tell the dream, but let him who has my word speak my word faithfully.What has straw in common with wheat? declares the LORD. Is not my word like fire, declares the LORD, and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces? Therefore, behold, I am against the prophets, declares the LORD, who steal my words from one another.
God's parting word to the prophets.
Jeremiah 23: 39-40 therefore, behold, I will surely lift you up and cast you away from my presence, you and the city that I gave to you and your fathers. And I will bring upon you everlasting reproach and perpetual shame, which shall not be forgotten.'"
My heart is broken within me; all my bones shake; I am like a drunken man, like a man overcome by wine,
because of the LORD and because of his holy words. For the land is full of adulterers; because of the curse the land mourns, and the pastures of the wilderness are dried up.Their course is evil, and their might is not right. "Both prophet and priest are ungodly; even in my house I have found their evil, declares the LORD. Therefore their way shall be to them like slippery paths in the darkness, into which they shall be driven and fall, for I will bring disaster upon them in the year of their punishment, declares the LORD.
He begins to tell them how they are like Sodom and Gomorrah.
Jeremiah 23:14 But in the prophets of Jerusalem I have seen a horrible thing: they commit adultery and walk in lies; they strengthen the hands of evildoers, so that no one turns from his evil; all of them have become like Sodom to me, and its inhabitants like Gomorrah."
Then he unleashes his anger on the prophets!
Jeremiah 23:18-22 For who among them has stood in the council of the LORD to see and to hear his word,
or who has paid attention to his word and listened? Behold, the storm of the LORD! Wrath has gone forth,
a whirling tempest; it will burst upon the head of the wicked. The anger of the LORD will not turn back
until he has executed and accomplished the intents of his heart. In the latter days you will understand it clearly.
"I did not send the prophets, yet they ran; I did not speak to them, yet they prophesied.
But if they had stood in my council, then they would have proclaimed my words to my people,
and they would have turned them from their evil way, and from the evil of their deeds.
God speaks the truth to the lying prophets.
Jeremiah 23: 23-30 "Am I a God at hand, declares the LORD, and not a God far away? Can a man hide himself in secret places so that I cannot see him? declares the LORD. Do I not fill heaven and earth? declares the LORD. I have heard what the prophets have said who prophesy lies in my name, saying, 'I have dreamed, I have dreamed!' How long shall there be lies in the heart of the prophets who prophesy lies, and who prophesy the deceit of their own heart, who think to make my people forget my name by their dreams that they tell one another, even as their fathers forgot my name for Baal? Let the prophet who has a dream tell the dream, but let him who has my word speak my word faithfully.What has straw in common with wheat? declares the LORD. Is not my word like fire, declares the LORD, and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces? Therefore, behold, I am against the prophets, declares the LORD, who steal my words from one another.
God's parting word to the prophets.
Jeremiah 23: 39-40 therefore, behold, I will surely lift you up and cast you away from my presence, you and the city that I gave to you and your fathers. And I will bring upon you everlasting reproach and perpetual shame, which shall not be forgotten.'"
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Deceitful Heart
Jeremiah 17: 9-10 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?
"I the LORD search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds." Lord, create in us a clean heart. One that is acceptable to You. Amen
Acts 15:8-9 And God, who knows the heart, bore witness to them, by giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us, and he made no distinction between us and them, having cleansed their hearts by faith.
Lord, thank You for Your Spirit and the faith You have given us. Amen
1 John 3:19-20 By this we shall know that we are of the truth and reassure our heart before him; for whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything. Thank You God for being the master over our life. Mold us and shape us to show Your glory. Amen
"I the LORD search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds." Lord, create in us a clean heart. One that is acceptable to You. Amen
Acts 15:8-9 And God, who knows the heart, bore witness to them, by giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us, and he made no distinction between us and them, having cleansed their hearts by faith.
Lord, thank You for Your Spirit and the faith You have given us. Amen
1 John 3:19-20 By this we shall know that we are of the truth and reassure our heart before him; for whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything. Thank You God for being the master over our life. Mold us and shape us to show Your glory. Amen
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Renewed Day by Day
What do you do when you get that call, some tragedy or unexpected illness, that changes your life for ever? You may momentarily loose yourself, but then you realize God is in control! Your creator has you in the palm of His hand. For some of us, our loosing ourselves may be more than a moment! But God will bring us back to His peace. We all seem to forget that we start our dying the minute we are born. Not just other people, but all of us! We are jars of clay, made by the creator of the universe. When I read God's word and see the things He has made, I am overwhelmed by His majesty! The intricate workings He has woven into this thing we call a body but he calls a temple. 2 Cor.4:16-18 So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.
Lord, I am a little scared of death, but I am more scared of people not knowing You. I am scared of people not being told the truth from the pulpit and just excepting it as truth when it sometimes is not. Lord, pour out Your unquenchable thirst for Your word on people. Let them know Your word and keep it in their heart. Lord, thank You for my pastor, who tells the truth of Your word, bless him and use him to teach us Your magnificent truth. Amen
Lord, I am a little scared of death, but I am more scared of people not knowing You. I am scared of people not being told the truth from the pulpit and just excepting it as truth when it sometimes is not. Lord, pour out Your unquenchable thirst for Your word on people. Let them know Your word and keep it in their heart. Lord, thank You for my pastor, who tells the truth of Your word, bless him and use him to teach us Your magnificent truth. Amen
Friday, July 9, 2010
The Shame of Jerusalem
I believe the shame of Jerusalem parallels America! We are not following God. We serve many false gods and let false prophets teach in our churches. We better wake up and fall on our knees before the Lord! If you are not in the word, you will not know the truth. Please study the word, keep it in your heart and tell it to others.
Jeremiah 9:4-6 Let everyone beware of his neighbor, and put no trust in any brother, for every brother is a deceiver, and every neighbor goes about as a slanderer. Everyone deceives his neighbor,
and no one speaks the truth; they have taught their tongue to speak lies; they weary themselves committing iniquity. they refuse to know me, declares the LORD.
God's punishment will be just!
Jeremiah 9:7-9 Therefore thus says the LORD of hosts: "Behold, I will refine them and test them,
for what else can I do, because of my people? Their tongue is a deadly arrow; it speaks deceitfully;
with his mouth each speaks peace to his neighbor, but in his heart he plans an ambush for him.
Shall I not punish them for these things? declares the LORD, and shall I not avenge myself on a nation such as this?
God wants our obedience and our devotion to Him and Him alone!
Jeremiah 9:23-24 Thus says the LORD: "Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the LORD."
O most precious Lord, Your word is good!! It makes my heart sing and I want to shout for joy. You are a holy God who pours out Your love on us. Refine us to be like You. Show us mercy and show us Your right path. Amen
Jeremiah 9:4-6 Let everyone beware of his neighbor, and put no trust in any brother, for every brother is a deceiver, and every neighbor goes about as a slanderer. Everyone deceives his neighbor,
and no one speaks the truth; they have taught their tongue to speak lies; they weary themselves committing iniquity. they refuse to know me, declares the LORD.
God's punishment will be just!
Jeremiah 9:7-9 Therefore thus says the LORD of hosts: "Behold, I will refine them and test them,
for what else can I do, because of my people? Their tongue is a deadly arrow; it speaks deceitfully;
with his mouth each speaks peace to his neighbor, but in his heart he plans an ambush for him.
Shall I not punish them for these things? declares the LORD, and shall I not avenge myself on a nation such as this?
God wants our obedience and our devotion to Him and Him alone!
Jeremiah 9:23-24 Thus says the LORD: "Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the LORD."
O most precious Lord, Your word is good!! It makes my heart sing and I want to shout for joy. You are a holy God who pours out Your love on us. Refine us to be like You. Show us mercy and show us Your right path. Amen
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Repentance/Jerusalem/America
Jeremiah the prophet speaking to the people of Jerusalem. He grieves for his people!
Jeremiah 5:3 O LORD, do not your eyes look for truth? You have struck them down, but they felt no anguish; you have consumed them, but they refused to take correction.They have made their faces harder than rock; they have refused to repent. Jeremiah 5:21-22 "Hear this, O foolish and senseless people,
who have eyes, but see not, who have ears, but hear not. Do you not fear me? declares the LORD.
Do you not tremble before me? Jeremiah 5:23-24 But this people has a stubborn and rebellious heart;
they have turned aside and gone away. They do not say in their hearts, 'Let us fear the LORD our God,
who gives the rain in its season, the autumn rain and the spring rain, and keeps for us the weeks appointed for the harvest.' Jeremiah 8:18 My joy is gone; grief is upon me; my heart is sick within me.
O Lord, I fear we have gone the way of Jerusalem. Forgive us for we are a stiff-necked people. Amen
Jeremiah 5:3 O LORD, do not your eyes look for truth? You have struck them down, but they felt no anguish; you have consumed them, but they refused to take correction.They have made their faces harder than rock; they have refused to repent. Jeremiah 5:21-22 "Hear this, O foolish and senseless people,
who have eyes, but see not, who have ears, but hear not. Do you not fear me? declares the LORD.
Do you not tremble before me? Jeremiah 5:23-24 But this people has a stubborn and rebellious heart;
they have turned aside and gone away. They do not say in their hearts, 'Let us fear the LORD our God,
who gives the rain in its season, the autumn rain and the spring rain, and keeps for us the weeks appointed for the harvest.' Jeremiah 8:18 My joy is gone; grief is upon me; my heart is sick within me.
O Lord, I fear we have gone the way of Jerusalem. Forgive us for we are a stiff-necked people. Amen
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Our Call/Jeremiah's Call
Jeremiah 1:4-12 Now the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations." Then I said, "Ah, Lord GOD! Behold, I do not know how to speak, for I am only a youth." But the LORD said to me, "Do not say, 'I am only a youth'; for to all to whom I send you, you shall go, and whatever I command you, you shall speak. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you, declares the LORD." Then the LORD put out his hand and touched my mouth. And the LORD said to me, "Behold, I have put my words in your mouth. See, I have set you this day over nations and over kingdoms, to pluck up and to break down, to destroy and to overthrow, to build and to plant."
And the word of the LORD came to me, saying, "Jeremiah, what do you see?" And I said, "I see an almond branch." Then the LORD said to me, "You have seen well, for I am watching over my word to perform it."
Lord, help us be faithful to Your word. Ready our hearts to follow You. Ready Your harvest to hear Your word. Let us glorify You with our obedience! Amen
Cristo biena!
"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations." Then I said, "Ah, Lord GOD! Behold, I do not know how to speak, for I am only a youth." But the LORD said to me, "Do not say, 'I am only a youth'; for to all to whom I send you, you shall go, and whatever I command you, you shall speak. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you, declares the LORD." Then the LORD put out his hand and touched my mouth. And the LORD said to me, "Behold, I have put my words in your mouth. See, I have set you this day over nations and over kingdoms, to pluck up and to break down, to destroy and to overthrow, to build and to plant."
And the word of the LORD came to me, saying, "Jeremiah, what do you see?" And I said, "I see an almond branch." Then the LORD said to me, "You have seen well, for I am watching over my word to perform it."
Lord, help us be faithful to Your word. Ready our hearts to follow You. Ready Your harvest to hear Your word. Let us glorify You with our obedience! Amen
Cristo biena!
Return to the Lord
Joel 2:12-13 "Yet even now," declares the LORD, "return to me with all your heart,
with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; and rend your hearts and not your garments."
Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster.
O foolish man, when will you turn back to your Maker? We have disasters we try to fix and fail. We need to turn back to the Lord. You see the oil spill and the havoc it is reaping, God could change it with a rushing wind, have you been on your knees to ask? When are we going to declare we need God? We try to take God out of everything and now we are going to hear from Him! It will not be pleasant. It is not too late. America ask God for forgiveness and repent.
2 Peter 3:8-10 But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed.
God is faithful to fulfill his promise, you just have to repent and be obedient!
Lord, I pray for our country. We have strayed from you and played the harlot with other gods. Please forgive us and heal our people and our land. Even so Lord, come quickly! Amen
with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; and rend your hearts and not your garments."
Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster.
O foolish man, when will you turn back to your Maker? We have disasters we try to fix and fail. We need to turn back to the Lord. You see the oil spill and the havoc it is reaping, God could change it with a rushing wind, have you been on your knees to ask? When are we going to declare we need God? We try to take God out of everything and now we are going to hear from Him! It will not be pleasant. It is not too late. America ask God for forgiveness and repent.
2 Peter 3:8-10 But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed.
God is faithful to fulfill his promise, you just have to repent and be obedient!
Lord, I pray for our country. We have strayed from you and played the harlot with other gods. Please forgive us and heal our people and our land. Even so Lord, come quickly! Amen
Monday, July 5, 2010
Personal Preparation
Today, Charles Stanley began a 140 day intercession for America through bible reading and prayer. This is the first bible reading. This is just so beautiful. I had to share.We all need a clean heart!!
Ps.51 Have mercy on me,O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy
blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin!
For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned
and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment. Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me. Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have broken rejoice. Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will return to you. Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God,
O God of my salvation, and my tongue will sing aloud of your righteousness. O Lord, open my lips,
and my mouth will declare your praise. For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it;
you will not be pleased with a burnt offering.The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. Do good to Zion in your good pleasure;
build up the walls of Jerusalem; then will you delight in right sacrifices, in burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings; then bulls will be offered on your altar.
Ps.51 Have mercy on me,O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy
blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin!
For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned
and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment. Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me. Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have broken rejoice. Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will return to you. Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God,
O God of my salvation, and my tongue will sing aloud of your righteousness. O Lord, open my lips,
and my mouth will declare your praise. For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it;
you will not be pleased with a burnt offering.The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. Do good to Zion in your good pleasure;
build up the walls of Jerusalem; then will you delight in right sacrifices, in burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings; then bulls will be offered on your altar.
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Loss of a Loved One
July the 4th, a time of celebration, a time for remembrance, the time I think about my daddy the most because it was his birthday and he died in March of 1998. How did time get away so fast? It seems like yesterday when he died. I was always daddy's little girl! I have three brothers and I was the only girl, spoiled rotten, that's no lie! I had really great parents, they were so good to us. I saw a radical change in my dad in the last ten years of his life. He found the Lord and was totally changed, nothing like the dad I grew up having. My dad could cuss the horns off a billy goat! He could hold a lot of beer too! He wouldn't mind me telling it because he knew what it was to be a sinner and be saved by grace. I had often prayed for my dad to be changed but the Lord's does things in His own time and way. When my young daughters began asking about their Papa and if he knew Jesus, I told them to pray and ask God about Papa. Once they started praying, it was not long before my dad was changed. I am so thankful to have know him as a God fearing man. It brought such joy to my heart to see him with his bible and to hear him quote scripture. I think my dad was a miracle because not many men in their sixties or seventies come to repentance and know the Lord.Friday, July 2, 2010
God's Will for Missions/Our Mindset for Missions
Romans 8: 35-39 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written, "For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered." No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
I know that a lot of folks can't understand the radical idea of moving to the inner city to live in high crime areas to serve the Lord. It really is no different than going on a foreign mission field where danger sometimes abounds. The need is great for God's love to be shown to those who have no hope. For years the crime in the inner city has been left unchecked and is causing havoc among the people who live there. We have tried, on our own without God, to address the problem with no success. When is this world going to figure out that they can't exist in peace without holy God? Lord, I call on You as Creator and King, to show Your wisdom to the world. Let us fall on our knees to You in fear and adoration so that You will heal our land you have entrusted to us. Lord, I ask for Your faith to fall on people who don't understand Your radical way. Amen
Jn. 15:12-17 "This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. These things I command you, so that you will love one another.
I know that a lot of folks can't understand the radical idea of moving to the inner city to live in high crime areas to serve the Lord. It really is no different than going on a foreign mission field where danger sometimes abounds. The need is great for God's love to be shown to those who have no hope. For years the crime in the inner city has been left unchecked and is causing havoc among the people who live there. We have tried, on our own without God, to address the problem with no success. When is this world going to figure out that they can't exist in peace without holy God? Lord, I call on You as Creator and King, to show Your wisdom to the world. Let us fall on our knees to You in fear and adoration so that You will heal our land you have entrusted to us. Lord, I ask for Your faith to fall on people who don't understand Your radical way. Amen
Jn. 15:12-17 "This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. These things I command you, so that you will love one another.
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Potter/Clay/Sinner/Mercy
These are such beautiful words the Lord is speaking. The clay acknowledges Maker and wants forgiveness.
Is.64: 8-9 But now, O LORD, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter;
we are all the work of your hand. Be not so terribly angry, O LORD, and remember not iniquity forever.
What a rebellious people we are!
Is.65:1-3 I was ready to be sought by those who did not ask for me; I was ready to be found by those who did not seek me. I said, "Here am I, here am I,"to a nation that was not called by my name. I spread out my hands all the day to a rebellious people, who walk in a way that is not good, following their own devices;
a people who provoke me to my face continually, sacrificing in gardens and making offerings on bricks;
God wants a heart to dwell in not a building.
Is. 66: 1-2 Thus says the LORD: "Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool;
what is the house that you would build for me, and what is the place of my rest? All these things my hand has made, and so all these things came to be, declares the LORD. But this is the one to whom I will look:
he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word.
Lord, I pray for the hearts that are hardened. You can change them, open their eyes to the power of Your word. Amen Jesús te ama.
Is.64: 8-9 But now, O LORD, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter;
we are all the work of your hand. Be not so terribly angry, O LORD, and remember not iniquity forever.
What a rebellious people we are!
Is.65:1-3 I was ready to be sought by those who did not ask for me; I was ready to be found by those who did not seek me. I said, "Here am I, here am I,"to a nation that was not called by my name. I spread out my hands all the day to a rebellious people, who walk in a way that is not good, following their own devices;
a people who provoke me to my face continually, sacrificing in gardens and making offerings on bricks;
God wants a heart to dwell in not a building.
Is. 66: 1-2 Thus says the LORD: "Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool;
what is the house that you would build for me, and what is the place of my rest? All these things my hand has made, and so all these things came to be, declares the LORD. But this is the one to whom I will look:
he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word.
Lord, I pray for the hearts that are hardened. You can change them, open their eyes to the power of Your word. Amen Jesús te ama.
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