Monday, 09 November 2009

  • How To Reach Non Believers


    This past weekend I ended up replying to a non believer online who was not open to the gospel. It got me thinking. How should we respond to non-believers?

    Arguing will not work. Facts will not work if they're not open minded. They have their minds made up usually. I believe there are two ways to reach non believers. The first way is by prayer. The second way is by our testimony.

    Scripture says in:

    James 5:16b
    "The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much."

    Lk 18:2-5  “There was in a certain city a judge who did not fear God nor regard man. Now there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying, ‘Get justice for me from my adversary.’ And he would not for a while; but afterward he said within himself, ‘Though I do not fear God nor regard man, yet because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.’”

    I have loved ones who aren't walking with the Lord and I cry out for them daily and will not give up until God answers my prayer.  This passage in Luke demonstrates that if persistence will wear down a worldly judge, how much more will our heavenly father be there to answer our prayers?

    Keep praying. And when you get weary, keep praying. Storm the gates of heaven till your loved one turns to the Lord!

    I believe what reaches people the most who know us is our testimony. When they can see the change that God has done in our lives, they will be touched.  Paul says in:

    2 Thessalonians 1:10
    when He comes, in that Day, to be glorified in His saints and to be admired among all those who believe, because our testimony among you was believed.

    People believed the personal testimony of the apostle Paul.

    Most of all, as believers, we plant the seed by our testimony but it is God who nourishes it and makes it grow in people's hearts.

    1 Corinthians 3:7
    So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase.

    Don't forget this most important point. I myself have been guilty of trying to help out the Lord in the salvation of loved ones. You know what I mean. Putting out tracks for them to read, playing gospel music loud enough for them to hear, and by constantly telling them what God has done. This intent is good, but can push people away. Remember, God has to be the one to move in their hearts.

    The gentleman I conversed with online had a story I hadn't heard before (and I've heard a lot of various stories that "prove" that Jesus never really lived) and thought by enlightening me I would embrace his theories. The end result when I shared the power of God with him was for him to scoff and consider me mad. I consider myself blessed for that.
    People thought Jesus mad:

    John 10:20
    And many of them said, “He has a demon and is mad. Why do you listen to Him?”

    and others thought after hearing the gospel that Paul was crazy too:

    Acts 26:24
    Now as he thus made his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, “Paul, you are beside yourself! Much learning is driving you mad!”

    Just keep on praying and keep on SHOWING your faith. God will work on those you know who need Him.  Remember this final thought:

    2 Corinthians 7:10
    For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.

    He will touch their hearts. Just plant the seed and trust in God to move. The shed blood of Jesus has already done the necessary work. Now allow the Holy Spirit to move in their lives.  I prayed for ten years for my family to be saved. I didn't give up until prayer was answered.  I'm going to keep on praying for that young angry man.

Saturday, 31 October 2009

  • An unstoppable Flu that will change your life!


    Friday night someone at my church coined an interesting word. This word will change your life. It is JOYFLU.  My understanding of it is "the contagious joy of the Lord."  As Christians, we should be always carrying about the joy of the Lord. Others should be able to catch it from us. If it is not happening, allow the Lord to minister to you now.

    I WANT to have the contagious joyflu in my life!

    Scripture says in Nehemiah 8:10 "Do not sorrow, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”

    It is so very true.

    Psalm 32:11
    Be glad in the LORD and rejoice, you righteous;And shout for joy, all you upright in heart!

    Psalm 35:9
    And my soul shall be joyful in the LORD;It shall rejoice in His salvation.

    I'm learning that joy should be a constant in the lives of Christians. I don't mean that when problems hit us that we act goofy and not acknowledge our situation. What I mean is that the Lord's presence, His Holy Spirit lives inside of us. He is there to comfort us.

    We are joyful in our hearts regardless of our circumstances for HE is with us always!!

    Psalm 5:11
    But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You;Let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them; Let those also who love Your name Be joyful in You.

    Take your eyes off of your problems and issues. Give them to the Lord. Repent of any known sin that you have. Seek His will for your life. Submit to HIS will for you. Jesus Christ died for your sins.

    Ask Him to forgive you of your sins and surrender to Him. Allow the joy of the Lord to flow through you. As believers we need to pray that we'll never forget the joy of knowing the presence of our savior, the joy of knowing forgiveness and inner peace.

    Spend time in the bible. Allow his living waters to flow through your life. His Spirit DOES transform. His joy is all sustaining! It is also highly contagious. People will see something in you that they need. You will have joy flowing through you (JOYFLU)

    It keeps getting better and better all the time.



Monday, 26 October 2009

  • I Am Very Flawed


     I am NOT a super christian. I get upset easily. I take things personally and often over react.

    All of us have areas in our lives that we are not happy with; a negative side, the part of us we try to minimize. For me, one of these areas is taking things personally and over reacting. I used to be quite famous for blowing up and saying things in the moment of anger that I greatly regret later. 

    However, I'm doing much better than I did six months ago, or a year ago. There are times I wonder when I'm going to see "true" victory in these areas.

    Paul talks about this in the book of Romans.

    Rom 7:14-16 (Message Ver.) "What I don't understand about myself is that I decide one way, but then I act another, doing things I absolutely despise. So if I can't be trusted to figure out what is best for myself and then do it, it becomes obvious that God's command is necessary."

    We constantly fight a spiritual war with our own physical worldly body. Paul goes into great detail here

    Rom 7:17-24     (Message Ver.) But I need something more! For if I know the law but still can't keep it, and if the power of sin within me keeps sabotaging my best intentions, I obviously need help! I realize that I don't have what it takes. I can will it, but I can't do it. I decide to do good, but I don't really do it; I decide not to do bad, but then I do it anyway. My decisions, such as they are, don't result in actions. Something has gone wrong deep within me and gets the better of me every time.

    It happens so regularly that it's predictable. The moment I decide to do good, sin is there to trip me up. I truly delight in God's commands, but it's pretty obvious that not all of me joins in that delight. Parts of me covertly rebel, and just when I least expect it, they take charge.

    I've tried everything and nothing helps. I'm at the end of my rope. Is there no one who can do anything for me? Isn't that the real question?"

    Paul shows that Jesus Christ is the only answer to our constant battle to yield our bodies to God.

    Rom 7:25 (Message Ver.) "The answer, thank God, is that Jesus Christ can and does. He acted to set things right in this life of contradictions where I want to serve God with all my heart and mind, but am pulled by the influence of sin to do something totally different."

    All I can do on a regular basis is to give my life, flaws and all and trust in Him. Yes, I do get discouraged at times. However I know that I'm being changed by Him.  If I can calmly step back and look at things after I give the situation to the Lord, I can incredibly see progress in these areas I thought would never change!

    If even the apostle Paul had to constantly war with his flesh then we can use what he wrote here to comfort us in our ongoing battle.

Wednesday, 21 October 2009

  • The Lord Jesus Christ is the One and Only Savior of Mankind

    Philippians 2:10-12 "that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth,  and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. "

    This scripture verse sums it up. Allah won't get you to heaven and cannot save you. Saving faith in Jesus is the only thing that guarantees eternal life. Being good won't get you into heaven. Nor will good intentions.

    You might say "wait a minute." I'm a good person. I've done no wrong. I even go to church regularly. Why won't that get me into heaven?"

    Here is why.

    Romans 10:9 (Amplified version)

    "Because if you acknowledge and confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and in your heart believe (adhere to, trust in, and rely on the truth) that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved."

    The key is "adhere to , trust, in, and rely on the truth."  For example anyone can believe Jesus existed. That is not enough. You MUST believe this verse in your heart. 

    I'll put it another way. God has made it possible for you to have eternal life and happiness. He had to send His only son to die a gruesome death to give you access to heaven. Then all he does is requires that you believe.

    Jesus paid the penalty for our sin. You see, sin separates man from God. God, being pure and holy, cannot tolerate sin. Light and darkness cannot exist together.

    By sending Jesus to die in your place, God made it possible for your sin to be wiped out.  Note: GOD made it possible. Salvation is a free gift. Jesus sums it up quite nicely here:

    Matthew 10:32 Therefore, everyone who acknowledges Me before men and confesses Me [ out of a state of oneness with Me], I will also acknowledge him before My Father Who is in heaven and confess [that I am abiding in] him.

    Luke 12:8 And I tell you, Whoever declares openly [speaking out freely] and confesses that he is My worshiper and acknowledges Me before men, the Son of Man also will declare and confess and acknowledge him before the angels of God.

    The apostle John elaborates here:

    1 John 4:15     Anyone who confesses (acknowledges, owns) that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides (lives, makes His home) in him and he [abides, lives, makes his home] in God.

    Accept Him today. Allow Him to come into your life and change you forever.





Friday, 16 October 2009

  • Is God In Control In Your Life?


    I have heard "God is in control" many times. I believe it. Or do I? As a professing christian, I have to walk in faith as a believer. Normally I would state, "Of course God is in control." But now I realize that this is sometimes "head"knowledge instead of being "heart" knowledge. The big question is how much do I truly believe and trust in God?

    Some people will look at this and say, it's normal to be worried about everything. Some will say they NEVER worry that they stand strong in the Lord. I think the truth is in between for most of us.

    What I want to suggest, are ways to build faith and to trust in God. Here are a few scriptures to consider:

    Psalm 118:8

    It is better to trust in the LORD Than to put confidence in man.

    It's easy to look at verses like this yet when problems come I realize that I still get fearful and at times doubt. Like getting prayed for the tenth time for the same physical ailment without healing occurring. Do I really place my health into His hands?

    To truly trust, I have to have faith.

    Romans 10:17

    So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

    So I build up my faith by reading the word of God.  I also build up my faith by being with others who have faith.

    Hebrews 10:24-26

    And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

    This scripture reminds us to fellowship with other believers. It also tells us to encourage one another.

    Galatians 6:6

    Let him who is taught the word     share in all good things with him who teaches

    I take this verse to mean that in church, I'm to share what I have learned with others. This also applies to testimonies as well. As believers, we have the ability to enhance each others faith.

    Every day I MUST do a self inventory of how I am doing and I have to repent when I am aware of sin in my life. Sin can definitely block faith.

    So to summarize.

    Study the word regularly. Attend church. Encourage and exhort one another. Share with each other what God is doing in your lives.

    There is power in group assembly. On Wednesday night at church we gained some insight on the scripture:

    Matthew 18:20

    For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.”

    Power can and will bust loose when we are with other believers. If you have someone you can pray with, I'd suggest that you pray for each other.

    Pray for an increase of faith. God will answer your prayer. You will realize how much He has his hand on you.

Sunday, 11 October 2009

  • It Will Be Much More Than We Think



    From my study of scripture, my personal experience, and my prayer life, I believe we are on the verge of the greatest revival in the history of the world. I believe we will see such a move of God that many will be brought into a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.

    I do NOT care if you believe in the supernatural gifts of the Holy Spirit or not. My understanding of Jesus Christ is:

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

    And:

    Psalm 33:11 "The counsel of the LORD stands forever, The plans of His heart to all generations."

    The fact that He never changes is proof that He still desires to heal all who are sick, and to break the chains of all who are held in bondage. The new testament makes clear of the Lord's great love for us. 

    1 Timothy 2:4 "who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.    "

    To see what is going on in the world today is enough to break any man's heart. I believe that Jesus Christ is coming back soon. In the new testament, the gospel was accompanied by signs and wonders. The church is being prepared to expect a tremendous move of God. Faith is being built up in churches throughout the entire world.

    Are you ready for God to move?  Scripture talks how the move of the Holy Spirit will be likened to "rivers of living water" flowing out of us.  I believe this will be much much more. We will be inundated, flooded, overwhelmed with such a great outpouring of our Father's love. 

    If you don't believe, if you are skeptical, if you have never had it within you to believe, I want to let you know something. God is going to give you saving faith. He WILL wipe away the hurt and pain that has kept you from knowing Him.  He will deal with the root causes that have blocked your heart. Be open to the possibility. Do not let your heart reject what God is about to do in the world.

    Acts 2:19 "I will show wonders in heaven above And signs in the earth beneath:Blood and fire and vapor of smoke."


    The gospel of Jesus Christ will be preached to all mankind before He returns. God will reach many in these final days. Miracles and healings will take place.

    Be prepared. Someone at church last night said we're going to need "rain coats" because of the great coming Rain of the Holy Spirit. I believe it will be much more than a rain. It will be a torrential downpour, a showing of great power, and great love. The purpose? So that all may be given an opportunity to know Him.

    There will be such a flood of joy and tears when the hearts of so many get touched by the Father's love.

    I'm ready to be doused with the love of God. Are you?






Thursday, 08 October 2009

  • Without the Anointing, We Are Ineffective


    I have to have the anointing of the Holy Spirit in my life if I want to be an effectual Christian.  Jesus makes it quite clear.

    John 15:5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing"

    I see so many people who do things because it seems the "right" thing to do for God. However, I'd rather do what God leads me to do instead of what "seems" like a good thing to do. Now don't get me wrong. There is nothing wrong with doing good things. But it is the anointing of the Holy Spirit that changes situations.

    It is the power of the Holy Spirit that brought our Savior back to life on the third day. It is the power of the Holy Spirit that caused signs and wonders to occur: It is the power of the Holy Spirit that heals, transforms, delivers, changes and empowers us. Coming into contact with the bones of a man who was anointed by God caused a dead man to come back to life!

    2Kings 13:21 "So it was, as they were burying a man, that suddenly they spied a band of raiders; and they put the man in the tomb of Elisha; and when the man was let down and touched the bones of Elisha, he revived and stood on his feet."

    When you are sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit, the power of God can break out and move in a situation.  REVIVAL can occur!  I have seen the power of God move and when our heavenly Father touches people change occurs.

    Heb 2:4 (Amplified) "[Besides this evidence] it was also established and plainly endorsed by God, Who showed His approval of it by signs and wonders and various miraculous manifestations of [His] power and by imparting the gifts of the Holy Spirit [to the believers] according to His own will."

    I became a christian because the mother of a friend I had in high school was obedient to God and got down on her knees and prayed for my salvation.  I was saved 3 days later.

    The anointing of God ALWAYS makes a difference.

    1 John 2:27 (Amplified version) states: "But as for you, the anointing (the sacred appointment, the unction) which you received from Him abides [permanently] in you; [so] then you have no need that anyone should instruct you. But just as His anointing teaches you concerning everything and is true and is no falsehood, so you must abide in (live in, never depart from) Him [being rooted in Him, knit to Him], just as [His anointing] has taught you [to do]."

    Pray that you will live and move by the anointing of God. Learn to discern and hear that "still small voice" (see 1 Kings 19:12). Learn to walk in the power that raised Jesus from the dead; the same power that created the universe. As believers we have access. 

    Allow Him to lead and guide you.

Monday, 05 October 2009

  • Loved Ones Who Frustrate Us


    We all have relatives that irritate us for one reason or another. Yet as a Christian, I'm COMMANDED to love as Jesus loves.  I had a relative in California that I had friction with for years. I have a mother who was always there for me while I was younger and she now is getting up there in years. With her, the problem is mild dementia and she is extremely difficult to be around.   This scripture by James, however cannot be ignored:

    James 1:27
    Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.

    Technically my mother is a widow. I read orphans not only in the literal sense but to all those who are estranged from God.

    What does one do with difficult relationships?  I admit that I hadn't been handling it very well. I was avoiding my mother because most of my visits with her are marred by argument.  Yet by avoiding the problem, the problem never changes.

    John 15:12-13
    This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.  Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.

    Jesus is making the point here that I must love as He loved me, even to the point of laying down my life as He did.  I admit that some days I just feel like I can't do it. My mom isn't aware of he problem and she always means well, but often comes across very critical and hostile.  I HAVE stayed away to avoid this from occurring.  Yet how much of a Christian am I if I avoid my own mother?"

    I had to think long and hard on that.  I had a sibling that I never got along with. It was easy to "be right" and argue my point, yet all it did was create separation. Recently we had a disagreement, and I had to pray my way through it and react DIFFERENT than I wanted to. I wanted to lash out. I wanted to tell him off.

    Instead, I showed love. I listened and communicated and as a result we get along better now than we have for years.

    The longer I am a christian, the more I realize that I have NO rights except to die to self. One of my prayers is "Lord, break my heart with things that break Your heart."  If I pray that, if I seek His face daily and His will in my life, I have to give up my old behavior and allow the Holy Spirit to change me.  Change IS painful, but I'm finding the results to be worth it.  I was able to even realize that I was the difficult one to deal with for many years.

    Romans 13:14
    But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.

    Making no provision for the flesh is to not allow my sinful desires and pride (yes, PRIDE) to get in the way of the will of God. God is showing me how to respond to my mother. He is showing me how to respond in love to situations instead of just reacting. I"m also now praying for the "difficult" people I know. Instead of praying "Lord, straighten THEM out," I am now praying, "Lord, straighten me out."

    Seek His face and trust that He will never lead you in the wrong direction. Impossible situations, difficult relationships, and consistent inability to see relationships healed can all be turned around by learning to yield to the Lord Jesus Christ.  Change and growth is possible. 

Thursday, 01 October 2009

  • Be Aware of God Today


    God is always with us. We read this, and know it in our mind. But are we REALLY aware of Him? Yes his word does say in Hebrews 13:5 "For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

    If you are a church goer, you have heard numerous times how God will always be there for you. I want to affirm this and make sure you know this.

    Titus 1:2
    in hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began,

    David Wilkerson once stated that since God created the universe by his spoken word, that if He lied then all creation would be destroyed.

    I encourage you to consider this wonderful news. God will never leave your side. I've read that God doesn't leave, but we do. That is false!  It is true that through our own sin, we might not be aware of God. But He will always be there for us.

    The famous footprints poem talks on this. The author notices God's footprints in the sand and then at one point he sees only one set of footprints and comments on this to God.

    The LORD replied:  "My son, my precious child, I love you and I would never leave you. During your times of trial and suffering, when you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you."

    My prayer today is that God reveals this truth to you today and that you will always be able to know God is always there!









Sunday, 27 September 2009

  • God gives ALL believers gifts


    The Apostle Paul always desired to impart to believers the gift God has for them.

    Romans 1:11
    For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, so that you may be established—

    God has given all believers spiritual gifts. He has planted them within us like a seed and as you walk with Him it will grow.

    Ephesians 4:7
    [ Spiritual Gifts ] But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift.

    I've actually heard  christians say that they have no gift, no special talent.  Scripture is quite clear. God gave all of us who believe, gifts by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. And He will never take these gifts away.

    Romans 11:29 (Amplified Version)
    For God's gifts and His call are irrevocable. [He never withdraws them when once they are given, and He does not change His mind about those to whom He gives His grace or to whom He sends His call.]

    For many, these gifts lie dormant, waiting to spring up. In others these gifts are demonstrated by lifestyle and behavior. The book of Romans mentions some of these gifts:

    Rom 12:6-8 "Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness."

    More gifts are mentioned in the book of 1 Corinthians.

    1 Corinthians 12:7-11 (Amplified Bible)

    But to each one is given the manifestation of the [Holy] Spirit [the evidence, the spiritual illumination of the Spirit] for good and profit.

    To one is given in and through the [Holy] Spirit [the power to speak] a message of wisdom, and to another [the power to express] a word of knowledge and understanding according to the same [Holy] Spirit;

    To another [wonder-working] faith by the same [Holy] Spirit, to another the extraordinary powers of healing by the one Spirit;

    To another the working of miracles, to another prophetic insight (the gift of interpreting the divine will and purpose); to another the ability to discern and distinguish between [the utterances of true] spirits [and false ones], to another various kinds of [unknown] tongues, to another the ability to interpret [such] tongues.

    All these [gifts, achievements, abilities] are inspired and brought to pass by one and the same [Holy] Spirit, Who apportions to each person individually [exactly] as He chooses.

    God hasn't forgotten you. When you came to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and received the Holy Spirit, He planted specific gifts in you.  I believe that all believers may exhibit one or more of these gifts.

    However there are other gifts as well.

    Rom 12:6-8

    Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching;  he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness. in proportion to our faith;

    If you think you don't have a gift, scripture shows that you do. Scripture cannot lie. Seek the Lord and ask Him to reveal to you. You might even find out, with great surprise, that you have already been using the gift that God has given you.

    Be blessed today!

filledwithglory

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  • My desire is to serve the Lord Jesus Christ and to be used by Him in anyway HE chooses! I want to to be used by God, to minister to those in need. We MUST be about the Father's business! I'm also looking for a job as a Christian writer

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