GUEST BLOGGER MAY: Hold onto the Promises

From a very early age, we have always been told to make promises only if you know you can keep them. Unfortunately, more than once, we have either had a promises broken or have broken them ourselves. It is never a great feeling to have that happen, and as a result we sometimes try to avoid promises altogether. On the other hand, when promises have been kept it usually is the best feeling in the world.

In Joshua 21:43-45, the people of Israel were experiencing this great feeling. It says:

“So the Lord gave Israel all the land he had sworn to give their ancestors, and they took possession of it and settled there. 44 The Lord gave them rest on every side, just as he had sworn to their ancestors. Not one of their enemies withstood them; the Lord gave all their enemies into their hands. 45 Not one of all the Lord’s good promises to Israel failed; every one was fulfilled.”

The people of Israel finally got to see and experience all that the Lord had promised them years ago! It was good times all around and the people were closer to God more than ever. As the first verse of Joshua 23 states, it continued to be this way for a long time. Unfortunately, there would be a man who would not be able to experience it any longer.

In Joshua 23, Joshua knew that he would pass away soon, so he decided to make a final farewell speech to the people of Israel. In his entire speech Joshua reminds the Israelites of the promises God fulfilled. Verse 14b says, “You know with all your heart and soul that not one of all the good promises the Lord your God gave you has failed. Every promise has been fulfilled; not one has failed.”

Joshua knew that the people of Israel would encounter trials and tribulations that would test their faith, but he encouraged them to hold on to His promises. The very same message can be said to us. We know we will encounter trials in this life but we have a God who has a perfect record of keeping his promises! He has given us a whole book of them!

There was a 1956 article in Times Magazine about a schoolteacher named Everet Storms. He wanted to count all the promises in the bible. It took him a year and a half! He counted 7,847 promises God made to man! I encourage you brother/sister in Christ to face whatever situation you have by holding on to the promises of God. Be blessed.

Guest Blogger for May: Jasmin

Saturday Sacrifice: Why do we Limit God?

In Hebrews 13:8, it clearly states Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

I said “we” because I sometimes limit God as well.

Why do we do this? We say we believe in how Great, Awesome, and Powerful he is…but do we really truly believe that.

Do we walk in this faith daily? It is definitely a challenge that is easier said than done.

 For me personally, in the good times I am extremely faithful, however, when those bad times come my faith in His power waiver.

 That’s when I have to check myself. He is the same yesterday and today and forever, right?...YES, HE IS!!

 

So, in knowing that he is the same for all time, we should walk in this life without worrying about anything. In other words, we shouldn’t worry about the giants we face in life.

 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.~ Phillipians 4:6-8

In Acts 20:1-16, we see our limitless God bring to life a young man named Eutychus. It says, Seated in a window was a young man named Eutychus, who was sinking into a deep sleep as Paul talked on and on. When he was sound asleep, he fell to the ground from the third story and was picked up dead. ¹⁰ Paul went down threw himself on the young man and put his arms around him. “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “He’s alive!”

The young man was dead but God brought him back to life! He is the same yesterday, today, and forever, right? ...Then let’s believe he can heal the sick and raise the dead.

In Judges 13, we see our limitless God bless a barren woman with a child of her own. In verse 3 it says, And the angel of the Lord appeared unto the woman, and said unto her, Behold now, thou art barren, and bearest not: but thou shalt conceive, and bear a son.

God blessed her with a son even though she was barren! God mad the impossible, possible!! He is the same yesterday, today and forever, right? … Then let’s believe he can turn impossible situations around so it works out for our good.

These are just two examples where God demonstrates his awesome power. Even God tells us how powerful and limitless he is. In Job, he says Who then is able to stand against me? Who has a claim against me that I must pay? Everything under heaven belongs to me.

Everything under heaven belongs to Him. Believe that God has no limits, that with His power he can do anything. If he did it for that young man and barren woman in the bible then he can do it for you and me.

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. ~ Hebrews 13:8

 

 

Stay in God’s Peace, not in pieces =)

Saturday Sacrifice: Hannah

 

 

 

 

Friday Felloship: Ignorance is Blind and God is Real

Learn today of a real God, and the savior Jesus whom God sent to reconnect man to himself. Sin separates man from God as God is holy. So he sent Jesus his only son, the perfect sacrifice to die for our sins. Sins are plural as living righteously and perfectly is impossible. God knew this so his mercy is everlasting and always covering our sins.

 

This allows us to enjoy a relationship with God, when we repent of our wrong doings according to the bible. God also knows that living righteously and holy is beyond man, that’s why he gave us the gift of the Holy Spirit. This spirit comes to those that believe in Jesus with their heart, are serious about repentance of their sins and desire a new life of righteousness. When you receive this gift of Holy Spirit, bible says you become a new creature, all things are made new. Your walk, your talk and everything about you begins to change. The reason is you have a heavenly gift on the inside of you, leading you into a life of righteousness. How does a man know how to live righteously and please God without a heavenly connection? Our reading in Acts 19 tells us how some did. They did by creating their own ideologies and God’s. The man of God instructed them in verse 26,

 

²⁶ Moreover ye see and hear, that not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul hath persuaded and turned away much people, saying that they be no gods, which are made with hands:

 

 

  All humans are the same, mostly needing evidence to validate something. God knows man, he created man, so it’s no accident he gave man evidence of receiving this gift. The bible says evidence is with speaking in tongues. This is another language, a heavenly language that is only controlled by the spirit of God and not man. Man found a way to discredit this because man loves to be in control. This explains many false God’s, a way of man to control their God and traditions.

 

Why follow a religion with rules and traditions that seem to have no purpose? If those things don't connect you to a living God, why continue in them?

 

Why do people walk around with titles of religion to call themselves, yet don't follow? Maybe because there is an authenticity missing.

 

Why are people content with God being an enigma and separate from anything in their life? 

 

Be real. Ask real questions. Get real understanding. There is a purpose to your life that a living God can give you.

 

Thirsty Thursdays: Ain't Nothing Like The Real Thing

Have you ever had or seen someone wearing costume jewelry? It may have looked real, for a moment it may have sparkled and shined like the real thing, but eventually the truth came out. It got dull their neck, wrist or finger (where ever the jewelry was) became umm a bit GREEN.  How about tofu? They can make it look like chicken, say it is supposed to taste like chicken but when you take that spoonful of chicken tofu and broccoli you are rudely awakened and disappointed because it taste nothing like chicken. In todays reading we see that there is only One True God, everything else is a fake and a sad disappointment.

In Acts 19, we once again read about the magnificent power of God. “11 God did extraordinary miracles though Paul, 12 so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and their illnesses were cured and the evil spirits left them.” God was able to use Paul to heal the sick and cast out spirits. Even handkerchiefs and aprons that merely touched his skin were used to heal the sick. That is the real deal, TRUE POWER. Similar to fake jewelry that will turn your skin green the seven sons of Sceva (a Jewish chief priest) were imitators they went around attempting to drive out evil spirits and use Jesus name without having the power of God. “15 one day the evil spirit answered them, ‘Jesus I know, Paul I know about, but who are you?’ 16 Then the man who had the evil spirit jumped on them and overpowered them all. He gave them such a beating that they ran out of the house naked and bleeding.” Cubic zirconium may imitate a real diamond it may shine and sparkle for a little while but when tested the true nature will be revealed. Many of those who said they believed in Jesus were good impostures however, when tested confessed they had practiced sorcery.

In Judges chapter 10, the Israelites began messing with the fake stuff and had to learn their lesson the hard way. “They served the Baals and the Ashtoreths, and the gods of Aram, the gods of Sidon, the gods of Moab, the gods of the Ammonites and the gods of the Philistines. And because the Israelites forsook the Lord and no longer served him, 7 he became angry with them.” For the next 18 years the Israelites were oppressed, they were in great distress. When the Israelites cried out to the Lord for help he replied,  “…you have forsaken me and served other gods, so I will no longer save you. 14 Go and cry out to the gods you have chosen. Let them save you when you are in trouble”.  The Israelites realizing that the other gods in which they were serving could do nothing for them began to plead for the Lord to rescue them. They got rid of the foreign gods and served the Lord once again.

There is only ONE TRUE GOD. Only one almighty, all loving, all-powerful, wonderful and magnificent God. The alpha and omega, he and he alone is deserving of our praise and worship. We must not put anything above him. We must not praise or worship any other, for there is no other god. No other entity can do what the one true God can do. He has no limit, there is nothing he cannot do, no miracle he cannot perform. He is our hope, our joy, our strength and our salvation. Ain’t nothing like the real thing.

Stay Thirsty My Friends

Thirsty Thursdays: Ron

Warrior Wednesdays: God's Infinite Power... Who Are We To Question Him?

Have you ever questioned God? You may have questioned why he allowed something negative to happen to you. Maybe someone passed away and you questioned why he would allow that person to die. Maybe you were going through a struggle and questioned why God would put you in that  situation.  If you have ever questioned God you are not alone. Job questioned God, however the response that he received was NOT the response he was expecting. God made it clear that he is above all understanding. As a human we can not begin to understand his workings. If you question God be ready for the response you may receive.

God demanded from Job that he "Gird up his loins like a man..." (Job 38:3) and answer the questions that he asked. God proceeded to ask Job "Where was he when God laid the foundations of the world (4)... Who hath divided a watercourse for the overflowing of waters, or a way for the lightning and thunder(25)...Canst thou send lightnings, that they may go(35)..." God was showing Job that he is in control of the universe that he has all of the forces of nature at his command and can unleash or restrain them at will. (Tyndale, Life Application Bible) God's point was that if Job could not explain such common events in nature, how could  he possibly explain or question God?   Job could never understand all of God's ways all he could do is trust in him.

When we go through hard times we may want to question God about why he would allow us to go through struggles. It is wiser to ask God to give you the strength to endure the situation rather than to question why he put you there. As humans we have no power and can not begin to understand God's infinite wisdom. If the intricacies of  nature are  beyond our grasp, God's moral purposes may not be what we think either. (Tyndale, Life Application Bible) All we can do is trust and rely on him. Remembering the thoughts that he thinks towards us are good and that he wants the best for us. "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end." Jeremiah 29:11 

Stay Blessed and Continue Warring for Christ!

Warrior Wednesday: Brittney

Transforming Tuesdays: Awesome Wonders

Do you ever wonder how the sun knows when it's time to rise? Do you ever know how the moon knows when its  time to come out and light up the nighttime sky? Of course it's all of God's doing which was addressed in yesterday's reading. As a little child I always found the sun and the moon to be amazing. I could never fully understand how the two worked, because they automatically knew either when to rise or when to set. 

Today's reading in Job 37 focuses on God's power through the use of the weather. The mighty force of God's power is seen through thunder, snow, hail, and rain. I always have to remind myself that weather is one thing that humans cannot change. Of course we can influence the weather through our neglect, thus causing global warming, but it is God who is in control of the weather. Just as God caused a flood for Noah in the Old Testament, he can influence the weather we have today. 

Just as Jael mentioned yesterday on Merciful Monday, we should start to appreciate the weather because it is little things like that, that constantly keep us in touch with God's power, grace, and mercy. He loves us so much that he can either bring us clouds to punish us, or water as a symbol of his love though the act of harvest. I remember as a little girl when it would rain, I would also think that God was crying. I hated the rain and I also hated the thought of God crying so I would automatically ask for forgiveness because I assumed he was sad because of something I did. Now that I'm older, maybe the rain isn't God crying but it's a symbol of his love. After the drought God always makes a way and allows us to reap harvest during our struggles; this just goes to show that in the end God always has our back. 

Allow the weather to be a constant reminder of the amazing power of God. When it rains know that it's God. When it snows know that it's God. When there's hail know that it's God. When the sun is shining know that it's God. When the moon is out know that it's God. When you try to count the stars know that it's God. When there are hurricanes know that it's God. In everything regarding the weather understand that its force comes from God. Although our neglect and unconcern for the Earth may negatively effect the weather, when it's all said and done God has the final say so. If it rains too hard we can't work, if it snows too hard you can't leave your house, if the wind blows too hard you have to stay indoors. That's how powerful God is! And because he is that powerful with the weather, God is just that powerful in your life. Always remember God's power in your life through the awesome wonders of how he works through the weather. 

FYI: I currently have sunburn, and so I know that although that sun was extremely powerful in burning my skin, God's presence in my life is even more powerful :) 

It's Never Too Late to Transform Your Tuesdays!
Transforming Tuesday: Jamera

Merciful Mondays: The Beauty of the Earth Glorifies God

Sometimes when I look out the window on a stormy day I am simply captivated. I think about the fact that the Earth is rotating and I don’t even feel it. I think about the fact that the clouds are moving, water is falling, lightning is flashing, and flowers are growing simultaneously. All of these things working in conjunction in order for the Earth and the people to be sustained.

Then I think about the fact that God created all of these things (Genesis 1:1- In the beginning God created the Heaven and the Earth...) Even the beauty of the Earth attests to the glory of God (Imagine what Heaven will be like!) It really is a thought that keeps me in awe time and time again. It gets to the point where it is so mind boggling that I give up on trying to understand.

Job chapter 36 speaks a little bit about this. It says:

“Look, God is greater than we can understand.
    His years cannot be counted.
²⁷ He draws up the water vapor
    and then distills it into rain.
²⁸ The rain pours down from the clouds,
    and everyone benefits.
²⁹ Who can understand the spreading of the clouds
    and the thunder that rolls forth from heaven?
³⁰ See how he spreads the lightning around him
    and how it lights up the depths of the sea.
³¹ By these mighty acts he nourishes the people,
    giving them food in abundance.
³² He fills his hands with lightning bolts
    and hurls each at its target.
³³ The thunder announces his presence;
    the storm announces his indignant anger.”

Next time you want to complain because of the weather, make a conscious effort not to. Even if the rain is messing up your hair (like it usually does to mine  L) or the humidity it making you sweat (again guilty), don’t complain! Because at the end of the day, only God has the power to change it and he knows what he’s doing! It has to rain some time or another in order for life to go on. So every day, let’s try to be thankful for THAT day and accept the fact that “God is greater than we understand”. Let's find beauty even in the "bad" days. 

Today’s Challenge: God’s power is truly indescribable so take a moment to look at God’s handiwork today. Walk a little slower to your car as you look up at the sky. Take a moment to thank God because in all of his power, he alone created Heaven and Earth. He is worthy of our thanks.

Really listen to the words of this song!

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 Sunday: The Midnight Hour

Have you ever felt like you were in your lowest part of your life? Has there been a time in your life where depression creeped over you? Or a time where you felt defeated? You saw no way out of your situation? This description is what some people refer to as the midnight hour.

The midnight hour can represent many things. Let's look at it this way. It's the darkest time. So if you think about it spiritually, your midnight hour is your darkest time. This may be a time where you feel depressed and defeated. You may be burnt out or feel like there is no hope for your life. Sometimes depression creeps up on us during this time. I know for myself I had a time where I fought depression and got to the point where I wanted to commit suicide and just end my life. I thought that my life was pointless and that I was nothing. I felt that my life was just taking up space. It was one of the worst times of my life. Luckily, God sent someone to intervene on my life and save me. When I think about it now, I think it would have been the stupidest decision. See the devil knows how powerful and important you are. He doesn't want you to be alive and on fire for God. He is jealous of you because God love you. He is jealous of the connection you have with God. Only reason He doesn't have it is because of his pride which we have heard the dangers of pride. But, the devil wants to take you out. So, he will get you low and just not want to live for God anymore. But, I want to encourage anyone and everyone that you do not have to live your life being depressed. You are destined for greatness and it will get better. It may not look like it right now but God has a plan for your life and His word has to come to pass. Trust God and He will see you through it. In Job 35, you hear this side of questioning where God is. Towards the end of the chapter, the speaker talks about how God doesn't listen to vanity or doesn't even pay attention to it. However, he mentions that we have to trust in God. In your midnight hour, get rid of your pride and trust in God.

In Acts, we see an example of the apostles putting their trust on God. While Paul and Silas are ministering to people, this possessed women is saying stuff. After a while, Paul commands the spirit to flee from the women. Of course, the supernatural steps in and the townspeople start to complain and these two apostles are thrown in jail. The townspeople tortured and beat them before they were sent in jail. However, Paul and Silas was sent into the inner part of the prison and they put chains on their feet and their hands. Now, at your midnight hour, you are probably having many chains and different bondages holding you down from your freedom. Did you know that God has given you power to break every chain? There is this powerful song that says there is power in the name of Jesus to break every chain.

 

 

 

 

Now, Paul and Silas realized they had power and they exercised it by singing praises unto God. If you think back to Joshua, the last day at Jericho, God had the troops on the seventh round to sing praises unto God and make a joyful noise. Through their obedience, the buildings fell and chains were loosed. So, as they were singing, their chains fell and they were free. In your midnight hour, you have to praise Him. Use His name and worship. Praise Him in advance for what you know God will do. 

As Paul and Silas were free and leaving, God sent them by the guards. As they were leaving, they ministered and the guards were saved. As God is breaking chains off this generation and His children, He is raising an army. There is an army rising up to break every chain. God is going to use you to set others free.

So, back to the original question. Do you feel like you're in your midnight hour? Do you feel distant from God? Remember that in your midnight hour, your chains can fall off. Exercise the power of the name of Jesus. Because there is power in the name of Jesus to break every chain.

My prayer: Jesus please allow us to be free in your name. Please allow us to praise in every situation we are in and to praise you through the struggle so that we can be free. Please open our eyes so that we can see who needs to be touched and set free by Your name. God deliver us from any spirits of depression or bondage. In Jesus name!!! AMEN!!!

Stay blessed!!!

Salvation Sunday: Steven Gable

Saturday Sacrifice: I want to have eternal life, Do you??

¹⁰ “So listen to me, you men of understanding.
    Far be it from God to do evil,
    from the Almighty to do wrong.
¹¹ He repays everyone for what they have done;
    he brings on them what their conduct deserves.
¹² It is unthinkable that God would do wrong,
    that the Almighty would pervert justice.
¹³ Who appointed him over the earth?
    Who put him in charge of the whole world?
¹⁴ If it were his intention
    and he withdrew his spirit^[a] and breath,
¹⁵ all humanity would perish together
    and mankind would return to the dust.~Job 34:10-15

These verses reminded me of a recent conversation I had with a coworker of mine. It was interesting being that he believed in God however, he also believed in reincarnation.  FYI there is no reincarnation, there are multiple verses in the bible that speak about eternal life in heaven.

Matthew 18:3

New International Version (NIV)

³ And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

 

John 3:16 - For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

John 17:3 - And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

John 6:50-71 - This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die.

Luke 23:43 - And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.

Matthew Chapter 25

³¹ When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:

³² And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth [his] sheep from the goats:

³³ And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.

³⁴ Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

According to dictionary.com reincarnation is

1. the belief that the soul, upon death of the body, comes back to earth in another body or form.

2. rebirth of the soul in a new body.

 

This definition is a total contradiction of what God teaches us through his word. As human beings are earth when we die we don’t come back to earth in another body or form.

 

 The bible says,

 

²⁶ Otherwise Christ would have had to suffer many times since the creation of the world. But he has appeared once for all at the culmination of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself. ²⁷ Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, ²⁸ so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him. ~Hebrews 9:26-28

Also, our soul is not rebirthed in a new body. We receive Jesus’ spirit once we are born again but we are not born again in a physical aspect. For instance, I still look like Hannah physically once I received his spirit however, I am a new creature in my mentality and lifestyle. Meaning my mind is transformed everyday, my thoughts are God conscience. Romans 12:2

King James Version (KJV)

² And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

 I am not thinking about myself, worrying, doubting or whatever may keep you down and out. I’m thinking and living God’s thoughts in my life. Like the verse, Jeremiah 29:11

New International Version (NIV)

¹¹ For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

 

 

 

 

You know how many people are living in this world hopeless, when they don’t have to be. You don’t have to be. God gives hope to the hopeless. He is a friend to the friendless. He is a father to the fatherless. He loves us all so much. With Jesus there’s always hope. One of my favorite verses says with man it is impossible but with God ALL thing are POSSIBLE. Don’t give up, give it to God.

 

Stay in God’s peace, not in pieces =)

Saturday Sacrifice: Hannah

Felloship Friday: Blind Struggle

The reading in Job 33 reminded me of my own life and walk with God. In this chapter Job a prominent man of God is being reproved by a younger man. Job was a devout man of God, full of faith and wisdom. Yet at this time he is being corrected because Job is professing his righteousness and claiming God is against him.

^9 “I am clean without transgression, I am innocent; neither is there iniquity in me.”

^10 “Behold, he findeth occasions against me, he counteth me for his enemy,”

The young man proceeds to say,

^12 “Behold, in this thou art not just: I will answer thee, that God is greater than man.”

It is God that declares and makes holy. Sometimes believers can walk about with a mindset that they are flawless or perfect because God is in their life. This is detrimental because it can cause a superior mindset and cause people to look down on others. I am not better than anyone because God is in my life, but rather I am a better version of myself with God. This better version of us is our witness to win those who aren’t walking with God. Self righteousness or believing your holy or perfect is simply self glory. Bible says no flesh should glory in his presence. So coming to God with this “I’m perfect or holy mindset” does not please God. This was Job’s sin.

^14 “For God speaketh once, yea twice, yet man perceiveth it not.”

^17 “That he may withdraw man from his purpose, and hide pride from man.”

Pride only keeps you away from God and keeps your perfect image as the God you serve. Instead of looking down on sinners or the unlearned, follow those that do know God and his word by humbly seeking to help them. When a child can’t tie his shoes, do we call him an idiot, make faces at him, tell ourselves were better or do we seek to teach the child. When someone who doesn’t know God or wavers in their walk with God let that analogy guide your thought process and action. Is it more beneficial to pray for them or within yourself claim yourself as the better believer or person. Where’s the benefit? Unless, you count your appraisal of yourself, this benefits none especially God’s church.

Last year, I thought I was without blemish in my walk with God. If you asked me last year how is God reproving you or what is he working on? I would say nothing, I’m good. 2012 I learned I had pride, which caused me to look at myself and see nothing wrong. I would refuse to hear correction and treated everything I learned or heard as knowledge for somebody else. This is what pride does, keeps you blind. Once God corrected and opened my eyes from pride I realized the myriad of imperfections in my walk. God is holy, so the closer we get to God, the more our imperfections will be exposed to us. Last year was a year I drew closer to God and at the same time it was a year I realized how unlike Christ I really was. At one point I said to God I feel like Swiss cheese, I have so many holes. My whole life I thought I was a good Christian. Pride is blinding and something extremely detrimental to anyone seeking God. My pastor said we should always be working on something in our lives, basically teaching us were not perfect, be humble.

^29 “Lo, all these things worketh God oftentimes with man,”

This verse is referring to God always correcting man of his pride. If he is always correcting, then this means it’s an ongoing struggle to remain humble. We must analyze ourselves and ask God to keep us humble. Simply ask God today, “If I have pride God expose it?”

Matthew 5:6

^6 “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled”.

Thirsy Thursdays: For All Mankind

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God's grace, love, and mercy is not limited to only a select group of people. It is not only for a particular race or ethnicity, for those in certain economic class or of a certain social status. His glory and love extends to all who believe, all who make the decision to acknowledge and accept him as their Lord and savior. Whether black, white, or purple, poor, rich, tall, short, or somewhere in between, God loves you. 

In Acts chapter 15, we get a glimpse of how God’s grace is not limited to just a certain group of people. Paul explains “8 God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us. 9 He did not discriminate between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith…11 …It is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we were saved, just as they are.”

It does not matter your background or situation. All it takes to obtain God’s grace, his unmerited love, and favor, is a belief and acceptance of him as your Lord and savior. Many times people feel as though they’ve done so much wrong that it's too late to live for God or that God wouldn’t want them, but that is far from the case. This misconception is far from the truth. In reality it is never too late, no matter the sins you have committed they can be washed away and your “hearts purified by faith”. You are, were and will always be precious and valuable in the eyes of God. Regardless of our race, ethnicity, troubled past/present, economic situation or social status, God Loves US.  We all can enjoy the abundance of love, joy and blessings he provides. We can all be saved and filled with the Holy Spirit.  “17 That the rest of mankind may seek the Lord…”

Stay Thirsty My Friends

Thirsty Thursdays: Ron

Warrior Wednesdays- PERSECUTION: Never Be Silenced

Persecute is defined to harass or punish in a manner designed to injure, grieve, or afflict; specifically : to cause to suffer because of belief. Have you ever faced persecution or suffering because you were a christian? Paul and Barnabus experienced an extreme example of persecution in today's bible reading.

After healing a crippled man the people of Iconium idolized Paul and Barnabus calling them gods and building an alter to sacrifice unto them. "And when the people saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men."Acts 14:11 Paul and Barnabus, were celebrities in the town of Iconium from the miracle that God enabled them to perform and the messages that they preached. Unfortunately, this stardom would not last for long, in fact they went from super stars to public enemies.

Soon after the miracle, people came into the town and influenced those very people who called Paul a god to turn against him. These men must have been extremely persuasive because the people stoned Paul until they thought he had died! "And there came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead."Acts 14: 19  Paul however, was NOT dead he rose up left the city and continued preaching. Would you be able to continue spreading God's message after an attack on your life had been made?

Despite being attacked, Paul continued to spread God's word. The bible says that christians will face persecutions and suffer like Christ. " ...The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you." John 15: 20 Therefore, it is realistic that your life may be put into dangerous situations due to the message of God. At this time in your life do you think you could handle that? Although, we may be doing God's will we may face opposition. Think about missionaries who have gone to share the gospel and been killed.

Heidi Baker, is a missionary in Mozambique.  Her ministry includes, taking care of homeless children, well-drilling, free health clinics that service the poor and sick, feeding programs, primary and secondary schools, cottage industries and 5000 churches in Mozambique.  Although, she has done many great things for the people of Mozambique she has not gone without suffering. She has been attacked multiple times and even stabbed, but she counts it all joy for the glory of God.

 When the time comes for you to face persecution I hope you will continue to stand for Christ no matter the cost! If you feel like you would be unable to stand begin asking God for the courage to be like him. We are made FEARLESS through the power of God!

Stay Blessed and Continue Warring for Christ!
Warrior Wednesday: Brittney