Friday Fellowship: Truth is Hope

Truth is Hope

2 Corinthians 10:5

Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.

This verse is telling us that there are imaginations, thoughts, reasoning and different forms of knowledge that will attempt to stop you from obeying God. The verse says to CAST DOWN or discard all things trying to elevate above the knowledge of God. Why? It’s because the devil is the author of them, whom tried to ascend over God and was thus CAST DOWN from Heaven. This battle against the knowledge of God is called Spiritual Warfare.

Some ideas and thoughts the devil wants us to believe:

1.       There is no God. He doesn’t care about you and he can’t hear you.

2.       You are full of sin and God won’t accept you. It’s too late for God to save you.

3.       God can’t do what you are praying for.

4.       Your situation or current status determines how you feel and how God feels about you.

These are all lies of the devil. To know this, you must know the Truth, which is the knowledge of God or the word of God. Each of these lies is elevating over God’s word and Truth, which means they’re of the devil and NEED TO BE CAST DOWN.

I know for myself when I was unemployed for a stretch of time, the devil would try telling me I would be unemployed forever. I began to feel hopeless and believe the lies of the devil. I did not know God’s word; I prayed but rarely read the bible. In my unemployment I started reading more and God’s word strengthened me as I became aware of the Truth. To those whom want to hear from God, he speaks through his word. As I was reading one night, I came across a scripture that leaped off the page and encouraged me for the rest of my unemployment:

2 Corinthians 4:17

“For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory”

Every time I felt hopeless and like I would never find a job, I quoted this verse to myself. I did not allow the lie of hopelessness in the job market to discourage my faith in the Truth. I CASTED DOWN HOPELESSNESS every time it rose in my mind and in the end God provided a job for me. Which means all those times hopelessness arose in my mind, it proved to be LIES FROM THE DEVIL. Don’t let the devil torment you with lies and fill you with hopelessness. Read God’s word learn the Truth and let him speak to you concerning your troubles. Truth is Hope.

These scriptures below refute all these lies and are Truth.

Romans 5:8

But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

John 3:17

God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.

1 Peter 5:7

 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

1 Corinthians 2:5

That your faith shall not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.

 
John 14:27

Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give toyou. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Romans 15:13

Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.

Thirsty Thursday: Be a Blessing

Why are you here? Why do you feel as unique and special in your own way as you are, you were created? What is your purpose in life? For many, these can be difficult questions to answer. We are living life trying to find our way, trying to have an impact and find the meaning behind our existence. Now while we may not quite know exactly what our purpose is as of yet, one thing I believe we all have in common is to one way or another share our story and be a blessing.

We all travel different paths in life. We all have unique skills ,abilities, qualities, and personalities. Whether it’s your musical talent, artistic gift, athletic skill, intellectual abilty etc. you will encounter different crowds of people. This unique combination is part of what makes us so special. Something we share is the ability to be a walking testimony; a living, breathing example of God’s goodness, love, mercy and compassion. So whatever path we go down we should exemplify the goodness of God to those in which we encounter.

“9 They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever. 10 Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. 12 This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. 13 Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. 14 And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. 15 Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift.”  2 Corinthians 9:9-15

As God blesses us we should look to be a blessing to someone else.  This in essence will bring more glory, honor and thanks to God.  A little over a week ago while heading into NYC within about 15min of each other I came across two seemingly homeless man. I didn’t have any food available but I did have a couple dollars. I gave both some money and although they didn’t know each other, weren’t near each other and didn’t know that I just gave the other money, they both had the same response; “Oh man thanks, GOD BLESS YOU”. My generosity was just a small example of God’s goodness and they recognized this.

When we bless others God continues to bless us. Being a blessing doesn’t have to be something financial. We can bless others by being there if they need someone to talk to, volunteering our time, or by providing encouraging words. Have a positive impact on those you come across such as your family, friends, coworkers, and people at school or in your neighborhood. Exemplify the goodness of God, draw others closer to the Lord, BE A BLESSING. 

Stay Thirsty My Friends

Thirsty Thursdays

Warrior Wednesdays: Obedience or Disobedience = Life or Wipe Out

Do you live a life faithful to God or do you handle things your own way disobeying God's word? 2 Kings 20-21 shows two examples of kings who chose different relationships with God. King Hezekiah obeyed God's will whereas, King Manasseh disobeyed God. As a result, of their lifestyles both men had very different outcomes.

 King Hezekiah was at the point of death. The prophet Isaiah had come to Hezekiah to warn him that he was not going to live, but would die. "set thine house in order; for thou shalt die, and will not live." 2 Kings 20:1 Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed a simple prayer reminding God that he had remained faithful to him throughout his life .  " I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore" 2 King 20:3 Before the prophet Isaiah got to the middle of Hezekiah's house God told him to go back and tell the king that he heard his prayer and would heal him. "...tell Hezekiah the captain of my people, Thus saith the Lord... I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold I will heal thee..." 2 Kings 20:5 God hears all of our prayers and sees our tears when we live a faithful life dedicated to God he will bless us, however if we live our live contrary to his will disaster awaits us.

Manasseh was Hezekiah's son and unlike his father did the opposite of what God wanted. He built altars for Baal (a false god), he sacrificed his son in the fire," used enchantments, dealt with familiar spirits and wizards: he wrought much wickedness in the sight of the Lord, to provoke him to anger." 2 Kings 21:6 Manasseh went completely against the will of God and because of his evil God punished him and the entire nation of Israel. " ... I am bringing such evil upon Jerusalem and Judah, that whosoever hearth of it, both his ears shall tingle. And I will stretch over Jerusalem the line of Samaria, and the plummet of the house of Ahab:  and I will wipe Jerusalem as a man wipes a dish, wiping it, and turning it upside down." 2 Kings 21:12-13 God is no joke he said he would wipe the nation as a man wipes a dish! When we disobey God's word he will punish us. It may not come immediately, but it will come.

Are you a Hezekiah who lives your life in truth doing good in the sight of God or are you a Manasseh who lives your life doing things your own way going against God's will? Will God answer your prayers or wipe you out due to your disregard of him? 

God is merciful if you are not living your life in accordance to his will repent and seek after him.

Stay Blessed and Continue Warring for Christ!

Warrior Wednesday: Brittney

TRANSFORMING TUESDAY: Yes, God I Remember...

Sometimes we just need constant reminders to get us through our day. We need constant reminders for appointments. We need constant reminders for birthdays. We need constant reminders to take our medication. And we need constant reminders to wake up in the morning. Although many of these things happen like clockwork, we still need reminders to put them into perspective at the moment. For the past, going on four weeks, my life has taken an un-expectant turn. I have been more worried than I have ever been. I have been more fearful than I have ever been. I have been more distant than I have ever been. I have been more loving than I have ever been. I have been more hopeless than I have ever been. However, I have also been more hopeful than I have ever been. God has been using those around me to remind me of his power. Even though I have been living for Christ for as long as I have, I still need reminders of my appointments with HIM.

2 Kings 19 has been exactly what I needed to read today. Even after all of this time, God still finds a way to speak to me and I'm praying that as I type this blog, that he is using me to speak to you. As I read today's passage I was so impressed at how Hezekiah went to the temple of the Lord and prayed to him concerning Sennacherib king of Assyria. Although it's a simple gesture, many times we as Christians use prayer as a last resort. We'll wait to pray after we have exhausted all other resources. For example, when we're sick we take medicine; if the medicine doesn't work then we go to the doctors; and when the doctors can't do anything then we go to God. Why is it that we go to God last? He doesn't bless us last. He doesn't love us last. He doesn't favor us last. He sure doesn't protect us last. And from experience, he doesn't answer our prayers last. God puts us FIRST in everything that he does and thinks. We are his children and the sheep of his pasture. 

As Hezekiah prayed to God, I felt a sense of peace; a sense of peace over my situation as well. Once Hezekiah finished praying he didn't worry about the situation, he left all of his worries there in the temple. That's all God wants us to do. He wants us to go before our alters in prayer and leaving our worries there at the alter. The other night I literally laid in my bed for 2 hours praying and talking to God. I poured my heart out to him. I told him everything that I needed, wanted, and expected from him. In exchange for what he is about to do and for him listening, I gave him all of my worries. He already knows our situations. I learned Sunday that nothing we tell God is news to him. He knows it all. He wants us to come to him with our worries, because you build a relationship by communication. Once we come to God and tell him our situations and what we need from him we can no longer worry. We have to trust his track record. And after we trust him we just wait...we wait not in worry but in expectation. 

As we're bridging that gap between praying to God and giving him our worries, we remember!!! We remember everything that God has done for us up until this point. We remember all that he brought us through. I'll be the first to say that the longer we live for Christ it doesn't get any easy. Everyday is a battle. And so whatever I've gone through in 2007 is possibly smaller than what I'm going through in 2013 however, every battle/mountain is BIG at the time you're going through it. So just remember the mountains that God has moved out of your way, the giants that he has gave you victory over, and the storms that he has carried you through. If you did it then, surely he will do it now. And when you need those reminders of what God has already done read 2 Kings 19 because he has: dug wells in foreign places, parted the red sea, healed the sick, blessed people financially, and have given life to the dead.

DO YOU NEED SOMETHING FROM GOD?

1. Go to him FIRST in prayer telling him everything that is heavy on your heart. A key component with every relationship is communication. Communicate with God because he knows what you need he's just waiting for you to ask.
2. Trust God! Once you give him your prayer requests, leave with him your worries also. In the meantime remember everything that God has done for you, because surely he will do it again and tenfold.
3. Thank God in advance and wait...NOT IN WORRY BUT IN EXPECTATION

PRAYER:

Dear God thank you for all of your blessings and mercies that you have bestowed upon our lives. Thank you for being a God of second chances and finding it in your heart to bless us even when we deserve nothing from you. We ask today and all of the days forward that you will get us to a point to trust you without hesitation. That we will trust you as effortlessly as we breathe and that you Lord God will be our first and last resort. We also ask that every prayer request that we come before you has not fallen on deaf ears and that you are already working on our behalf. We also pray that as we wait on you to fulfill your promises, because you are a God who doesn't give broken promises, that you will help us to remember all of the things that you have brought us from and brought us to. In the meantime we claim healing over sickness, financial blessings, direction in our lives, new jobs, salvation, and hope. Thank you for being there when we need you most and for never giving up on us. We are waiting in expectation knowing that whatever we ask of you shall come to pass. Amen.

Need prayer? Have a scripture you want to share? Or even a testimony that you're thankful for? Join us on the Prayer line tomorrow, Wednesday @ 5am and 12pm. Call: (424)-203-8000 Passcode: 748242

IT'S NEVER TO LATE TO TRANSFORM YOUR TUESDAY :)

TRANSFORMING TUESDAY: JAMERA

Merciful Monday: We Are Holy Ambassadors!

If you know anything about foreign relations, you know that ambassadors are key in creating substantive relationships with other countries. The main role of an ambassador is to further the mission of their country and foster diplomacy. For example, Susan Rice, former United Nations Ambassador (you may remember her from the Benghazi scandal) played a vital role in instating sanctions (economic and trade limitations) against Iran in hopes of preventing them from using nuclear weapons which they are said to possess. In this case, she furthered part the mission of the US and UN: to keep powerful weapons out of the hands of volatile countries and maintain peace.

Similarly, the Bible says that as Christians, WE are ambassadors for Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:19-20 reads,"¹⁹ For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation.²⁰ So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!” As ambassadors, we speak for Christ, working each and every day towards peace and the furtherance of God’s mission— spreading the message of reconciliation that JESUS SAVES.

In the US, getting a job as an ambassador isn’t easy. All ambassadors must be nominated by the President, thoroughly vetted, a process which involves performing extensive background checks, and confirmed by the US Senate. Once they get the job, they work long hours and travel often. They are said to “serve at the disposal” of the president, reporting only to the President and Secretary of State.

As Holy Ambassadors, our position is not easy either. In chapter 7 of his book, Ambassador Micah complained, “The godly people have all disappeared; not one honest person is left on the earth. They are all murderers, setting traps even for their own brothers. ³ Both their hands are equally skilled at doing evil! Officials and judges alike demand bribes. The people with influence get what they want, and together they scheme to twist justice” (Micah 7:2-3). As I imagine a US Ambassador would sometimes become frustrated with bureaucracy and with the fact that all of their hard work and long meetings with political officials is not creating substantive change in the relationships among countries, we Holy Ambassadors sometimes become frustrated as well. Like Micah, we may grown weary, thinking that no one wants to do God’s will and that the people we are seeking to reach do not seem to be growing in their relationship with or desire for God.

Nevertheless, we need to remember where our power comes from. It is not from the President or the Senate, it is from God himself. We serve at His disposal. We have been nominated by God (The Lord is “not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance” 2 Peter 3:9), vetted by Jesus Christ (I know he’s taken you through some tough trials), and confirmed by the Holy Spirit (a sign of God’s gift within us)! We do not answer to the President or the Secretary of State, we answer to the Creator of the Universe! We are literally new people, no longer partaking in the reckless, unsafe, careless, ungodly habits that we once partook in; no longer looking at “others from a human point of view” or thinking “of Christ merely from a human point of view” and as such we have to share our individual stories showing that “The old life is gone; a new life [in Christ Jesus] has begun!” (2 Corinthians 5:16, 17).

I once heard someone say: You may be the only glimpse of God that someone ever sees, so act accordingly! We should act as if we are ambassadors. 2 Corinthians 5:13-14 says, “¹³ If it seems we are crazy, it is to bring glory to God. And if we are in our right minds, it is for your benefit. ¹⁴ Either way, Christ’s love controls us.” Even when we think that others think we are crazy, too optimistic, too trusting that God will provide, or too radical, we have to act like ambassadors in the way, we walk, talk, sing, and most of all think. I’m sure a US ambassador would not walk into a UN meeting without a suit on, so we shouldn’t walk around without the love of God in our hearts and a praise on our lips.

So I charge you to think consciously about your role as a holy ambassador. Remember that god wants to use you to speak for Him, if you will just let Him. I can say that I haven’t always allowed Him to use me. I’ve let fear and social stigmas get in the way, but this reading in combination with the message preached in church on Sunday really opened my eyes. I know that if you allow God to use you he will give you the words to say to a friend in need and the scripture to read to a family member seeking comfort.

“¹⁹ Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19)

Merciful Mondays: Jael

^“For the Lord your God is a merciful God; he will not abandon you or destroy you or forget the solemn covenant he made with your ancestors.” Deuteronomy 4:31

Salvation Sundays: Time to Walk in Faith

For we walk by faith and not by sight. This is a common saying with Christians!!! Our walk is through our faith. The decisions on how we choose to live our lives is by faith.For we walk by faith and not by sight. This is a common saying with Christians!!! Our walk is through our faith. The decisions on how we choose to live our lives is by faith. Hebrews 11:1 says that faith is the substance of things hoped for. It's not based off of what we see. When we are going through life, we make our decisions off of what God says.

Also in life, we know that there will be troubles in our lives. We know that we will face issues. When it seems like you've been knocked down, always remember that you can get up. You are not destroyed and your life isn't over. When you are with God, He can strengthen you. He can pick you up. He will bring you through whatever you're facing. Walk by faith and trust in God. You may not understand what's happening or it may seem like it doesn't make sense. But, that is why we are to walk by faith and nit by anything spiritual. Keep fighting and let God handle your fights.

Another thing is to make sure to actually carry out your plans. Don't wait to walk in faith. If you're like me, it's time to stop procrastinating and just walk. There are some things that I have prayed for and have said I'm gonna spend more time with God or I'm going to fast more. But, what ends up happeninh is I dont follow through or i procrastinate. It's time to do like Nike says, "Just Do It!!" You're walking in faith. This guest speaker really spoke to me today. She said God is not going to bless what's in your heart or what you have been dreaming. He blesses your actions. Remember FAITH without WORKS is DEAD!!! So if you are not walking in faith, then nothing will happen. That's why the title is Time to Walk in Faith!!!

Stay blessed!!!
Salvation Sundays: Steven Gable

GUEST BLOGGER FOR THE MONTH OF AUGUST: Staying Thirsty, Or Not?

I ask this question in my title because, all my life I’ve been “thirsty.”  And this Thursday, the Thirsty Thursday: Temptation entry really caught my attention. I guess the title Thirsty Thursday is referring to being in need of the Word or wisdom of how God wants us to lead our lives, but I haven’t been thirsty for the Word. I’ve been thirsty for love, just the wrong kind of love. When all along the only love I need is from the man above. This particular day, the entry July 31^st really sparked my interest because of where I am at in my life.

As a teenager I was always being promiscuous and putting myself in dangerous or unhealthy situations. Smoking, drinking, spending money on things I didn’t really need, fornicating and all types of other activities God does not approve of.  My life was slowly spiraling out of control and even after having my daughter I still did a lot of things that I am not proud of. About two months ago, I decided that I needed to change. I needed to do something different. So I started to go to therapy and take the steps I needed to take to become a better person, mother, daughter and sister. I have now been sober for 2 months and have been blessed by God with so much after deciding to give up the biggest habit I never thought I’d be able to break out of, which was smoking. And I am not talking about cigarettes. In those two months, God has blessed me with a safer car for my daughter and I, and He also brought someone back into my life who I have A LOT of love for, my daughter’s father (now my boyfriend) = ) . In this past year he has changed a lot himself. Which is actually very inspiring. To witness what he has come from and what kind of man he has turned into, a very strong God-fearing man who I am extremely proud of. We are studying the Word very frequently and go to church about three times a week.

            This is where the temptation comes in. I know the devil is very angry because he sees that together we are unstoppable. Although my boyfriend and I are still babes in Christ, when we gain more knowledge of the Word we are going to spread it to so many young couples that desire deliverance and we are going to help a lot of people. So the devil tries to use anything to distract us from what we should be focused on. He tries to steer us away from God with any little thing! Arguments, temptations, negative thoughts, and many other tactics the devil uses to tear us apart. Tempting me to get back in my old ways. But as the entry from July 31^st quotes from Ephesians 6:10-11, I WILL BE STRONG IN THE LORD AND IN HIS MIGHTY POWER. I WILL PUT ON THE FULL ARMOR OF GOD, SO THAT I CAN TAKE MY STAND AGAINST THE DEVIL’S SCHEMES!!!!

GUEST BLOGGER FOR THE MONTH OF AUGUST: AMANDA

Saturday Sacrifice: Here's a lil something, something....

Forgiveness is so important to do. If you don’t it will cause you to live in the past and miss out on all the blessings that God has prepared for you. Also, most importantly if you can’t forgive someone who has wronged you, how can God forgive you?

Mark 11:25 ~ And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.
 

⁵ If anyone has caused grief, he has not so much grieved me as he has grieved all of you to some extent—not to put it too severely. ⁶ The punishment inflicted on him by the majority is sufficient. ⁷ Now instead, you ought to forgive and comfort him, so that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. ⁸ I urge you, therefore, to reaffirm your love for him~2 Corinthians 2:5-8

We are God’s love letters to the world. “3 Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, like some people, letters of recommendation to you or from you? ² You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everyone. ³ You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.”

We are purposed to spread the “letter from Christ” to those around us. Do we really do that?? Personally, I slack in this area because sometimes I don’t want to stand out from the crowd. Even though I don’t want to, I do any way, and you do too. We are set a part.

1 Peter 2:9~ But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praise of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

So you might as well walk in you purpose. Because when you take care of God’s business, he will most definitely take care of your business.

¹⁴ But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere. ¹⁵ For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. ¹⁶ To the one we are an aroma that brings death; to the other, an aroma that brings life. And who is equal to such a task? ¹⁷ Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, as those sent from God.

Stay in God’s peace, not in pieces =)

Saturday Sacrifice: Hannah

Friday Fellowship: God Comforted Me and He Will Comfort You

God Comforted Me and He Will Comfort You

³ Blessed is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,

⁴ who comforts us in all our troubles so that we may be able to comfort those experiencing any trouble with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

When facing troubles in our lives and afflictions, we all search for a comfort to ease the pain. These verses tell us there is a comfort you can receive from God. At times it can be tough to seek comfort from God because all other comforts such as: food, alcohol, video games, relationships, stuffed animals, drugs, TV, social networks, cell phone, exercise and this list could be endless seem to be more tangible or accessible.

How can you receive comfort from a God that isn’t tangible?

1.      First, you ask God to comfort you.

2.       Then believe your comfort will come.

This is simply called FAITH. It is tough to receive God’s comfort and believe without knowing his word. The reason God’s people can believe he will comfort them because they know his WORD such as:

John 14:18

¹⁸ I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.

Most people feel God doesn’t know where they are during their troubles, but the book of Kings refutes that.

2 kings 14

²⁶ For the Lord saw the affliction of Israel, that it was very bitter: for there was not any shut up, nor any left, nor any helper for Israel.

God knows when we need comfort; will we ask him for his comfort? Or will we seek our own comforts?
I know during a troubled time in my life, it seemed as if I could not find any comfort in anything. I was unemployed and just without any pleasures to comfort me. I began to pray asking God, “When will it end? When will it end? When will it end? God comfort me. Comfort me.”

Then after this short prayer, my prayer changed, “God your awesome, God you’re great, nothing else matters. Nothing else matters. Thank you God.” At that moment I didn’t make a decision to change my words, but the feeling I felt caused me to say those things. I can’t describe what came over me. It felt like a heavy burden had been lifted off me, I felt a renewed hope in life and a joy that caused me to smile for the remainder of the night. I was in God’s presence and I finally felt comforted.

The times in my life when I have said “Nothing else matters”, has only been in God’s presence. The fact is that in my life these things have great value, but when I get before the Creator, the King of Kings, Lord of All and the only true God these things lose all value. Remember in Heaven all of these things don’t matter. This is when you know you are in God’s presence, earthly wisdom and things become meaningless. God will give you these things, follow him.

Phillipians 4:7

And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Psalms 16:11

You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Matthew 6:33

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.