Volunteer

When I was in my twenties I worked in a nursing home. It was sad to see how many patients families rarely came to visit, if at all. Many of my patients didn't have any family close by to visit them so they didn't get visits at all except maybe around the holidays or on their birthdays. We can make a difference in the live of many elderly people by volunteering.
.http://volunteerguide.org/volunteer/fewhours/nursing-home-volunteers.htm
Hospitals also need volunteers in many different areas. Here is a link to help you get started.
http://money.howstuffworks.com/economics/volunteer/opportunities/volunteer-at-hospital.htm

You can also volunteer at meals on wheels to end senior hunger.
http://www.mowaa.org/Page.aspx?pid=396

Soup Kitchens

Here at new Covenants we believe that service to others is service to God. So we urge you weather you have a church or not to serve. One great way of serving is to volunteer at a soup kitchen. We urge you to consider doing this not only because the holidays are coming but anytime of the year. If you have a church get the whole church involved. Many people have become homeless in the past ten years due to the housing crises and the failing economy. Volunteers are desperately needed to handle the load. Seeing a preaching acted out is far better then hearing one. Talk is cheap! Show what kind of christian you are by doing what Jesus would have done. He fed many people, thousands at a time even. So get out there and do something. Here is a link on how you can get started. http://www.dosomething.org/tipsandtools/volunteer-soupkitchen-thanksgiving

Jubilee is fulfilled in Christ.

Isaiah 61

The Good News of Salvation

 1 “The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me,

      Because the LORD has anointed Me 

      To preach good tidings to the poor; 

      He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, 

      To proclaim liberty to the captives, 

      And the opening of the prison to those who are bound; 

       2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, 

      And the day of vengeance of our God; 

      To comfort all who mourn, 

       3 To console those who mourn in Zion, 

      To give them beauty for ashes, 

      The oil of joy for mourning, 

      The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; 

      That they may be called trees of righteousness, 

      The planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified.” 

       4 And they shall rebuild the old ruins, 

      They shall raise up the former desolations, 

      And they shall repair the ruined cities, 

      The desolations of many generations. 

       5 Strangers shall stand and feed your flocks, 

      And the sons of the foreigner 

      Shall be your plowmen and your vinedressers. 

       6 But you shall be named the priests of the LORD, 

      They shall call you the servants of our God. 

      You shall eat the riches of the Gentiles, 

      And in their glory you shall boast. 

       7 Instead of your shame you shall have double honor,

      And instead of confusion they shall rejoice in their portion. 

      Therefore in their land they shall possess double; 

      Everlasting joy shall be theirs. 

       8 “ For I, the LORD, love justice; 

      I hate robbery for burnt offering; 

      I will direct their work in truth, 

      And will make with them an everlasting covenant. 

Luke 4: 16-21

He came to Nazareth, where he had grown up, 

and went according to his custom 

into the synagogue on the sabbath day. 

He stood up to read and was handed a scroll of the prophet Isaiah. 

He unrolled the scroll and found the passage where it was written:

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, 

because he has anointed me 

to bring glad tidings to the poor. 

He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives 

and recovery of sight to the blind, 

to let the oppressed go free,

and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord.”

Rolling up the scroll, he handed it back to the attendant and sat down, 

and the eyes of all in the synagogue looked intently at him.

He said to them, 

“Today this scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.”

Jesus is the answer.

Prophecy

Revelation 22

The River of Life

 ¹ And he showed me a pure^[a] river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb. ² In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. ³ And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him. ⁴ They shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads. ⁵ There shall be no night there: They need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light. And they shall reign forever and ever.

The Time Is Near

  
⁶ Then he said to me, “These words are faithful and true.” And the Lord God of the holy^[b] prophets sent His angel to show His servants the things which must shortly take place.
⁷ “Behold, I am coming quickly! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.”
⁸ Now I, John, saw and heard^[c] these things. And when I heard and saw, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel who showed me these things.
⁹ Then he said to me, “See that you do not do that. For^[d] I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren the prophets, and of those who keep the words of this book. Worship God.” ¹⁰ And he said to me, “Do not seal the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is at hand. ¹¹ He who is unjust, let him be unjust still; he who is filthy, let him be filthy still; he who is righteous, let him be righteous^[e] still; he who is holy, let him be holy still.”

Jesus Testifies to the Churches

  
¹² “And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work. ¹³ I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.”^[f]
14 Blessed are those who do His commandments,^[g] that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. ¹⁵ But^[h] outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie.
¹⁶ “I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star.”
¹⁷ And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.

A Warning

  
¹⁸ For^[i] I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add^[j] to him the plagues that are written in this book; ¹⁹ and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away^[k] his part from the Book^[l] of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

I Am Coming Quickly

  
²⁰ He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming quickly.”
Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
²¹ The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.^[m] Amen. 

Seeking God

Seeking God's Presence in Your Life's Daily Journey 

Jeremiah 29:13

Psalm 34:8

Psalm 27:4

Psalm 42:1-2

Isaiah 26:8-9

Philippians 3:7-10

1. Two situations:

A. If you were on the top of a mountain surrounded by beauty and all alone.

B.  If you were in a canion surrounded by darkness and all alone.

2. Read each of the assigned verses. How does each apply to the two situations? What might each writer be suggesting we do in order to seek God in those situations?

3. Does your interpretation of each verse change when the situation changes? If so, what insight can you gain from the change in perspective. If not, what is it that solidifies your perception being the same in each situation?

4. If the top of the mountain is 100 and the depth of the canyon is 0, how would you rate your life recently? What do these verses tell you to do within your current life's situation?

5. How can others help you on your journey back to the top of the mountain? Or, how can others help you remain on the top of the mountain?

Reflection:

• Where are you on your walk through life?
• What is it you would like changed?
• What are you doing to enable that to happen?
• How might you seek a richer presence of God in your daily life?

Passage

NIV

RSV

Jeremiah 29:13 

You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

You will seek me and find me; when you seek me with all your heart,

Psalm 34:8 Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him. O taste and see that the LORD is good! Happy is the man who takes refuge in him! 

Psalm 27:4 

One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple.

One thing have I asked of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in his temple.

Psalm 42:1-2  As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God.  My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?  As a hart longs for flowing streams, so longs my soul for thee, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and behold the face of God? Isaiah 26:8-9  Yes, LORD, walking in the way of your laws, we wait for you; your name and renown are the desire of our hearts. My soul yearns for you in the night; in the morning my spirit longs for you. When your judgments come upon the earth, the people of the world learn righteousness. 

In the path of thy judgments, O LORD, we wait for thee; thy memorial name is the desire of our soul. My soul yearns for thee in the night, my spirit within me earnestly seeks thee. For when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world learn righteousness. 

Philippians 3:7-10  But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ--the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,  But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as refuse, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own, based on law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith; that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 

Don't get caught up in what you have to do for God

Matthew 12:1-8 1 At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath. And His disciples were hungry, and began to pluck heads of grain and to eat. 2 And when the Pharisees saw it, they said to Him, “Look, Your disciples are doing what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath!”
3 But He said to them, “Have you not read what David did when he was hungry, he and those who were with him: 4 how he entered the house of God and ate the showbread which was not lawful for him to eat, nor for those who were with him, but only for the priests? 5 Or have you not read in the law that on the Sabbath the priests in the temple profane the Sabbath, and are blameless? 6 Yet I say to you that in this place there is One greater than the temple. 7 But if you had known what this means, ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice,’[a] you would not have condemned the guiltless. 8 For the Son of Man is Lord even[b] of the Sabbath.”

So many people get caught up in how many bad things they have done, that it keeps them from getting to church, praying to God, and even asking him for forgiveness. Many times when I go to talk to people about God I get a response like "I'm such a sinner if I walk in to God's house it will be struck by lightning." or "If I go to church it will burn down I'm so sinful." This is just some stupid excuse not to face the truth about how sin has affecting their lives. They rather keep on sinning and not think about the consiquences of their sins. Sooner or later your sin will catch up to you. let's look at sin for what it is. It's the devil's influence on a human life. He moves through our thoughts and through our circumstances to to get us to make poor choices. Jjust like trying to trap a mouse with bate into a cage, he sets the bait and waits for you to grab on to it and SNAP your caught. 

James 1:14-15

New King James Version (NKJV)

14 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. 15 Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.

We all have a sinful nature, because we were born in a sinful world. We have a choice to make. The devil comes to entice us. The rest is up to you. You are the one with the true power not satan. He has no control over any of us. he just sets a trap.  We do all the rest. The word says God's mercies are new every morning. He is always giving us the opportunity to make right choices. Choices that are better then yesterdays. I said in another post of mine that the past does not exist and the future hasn't happened yet so all that matters is the present. Well that is so true. We have the power over satan day by day minute by minute by just making the right choice and resisting the temptation to do what is wrong. God gave us his word so we would know what is right and what is wrong and not be confused by the enemy of our souls. See even Jesus was tempted by satan in the desert with the word of God. If Jesus did not know the word of God he could have been decieved just like satan does to us . But Jesus is the word of God incarnate. So he was fully equiped to fight off the devils schemes. When we deside to go to church, read the bible, and pray to God, we are empowering ourselves against satan. Knowledge is power right. So when we feel we have to change and make all kinds of sacrifices before entering God's house we have been decieved by satan to believe a lie that would keep us from coming into God's presence. No Jesus gave the sacrifice his very own life so you wouldn't have to. Now he desires you. A relationship with you is what Jesus wants. The rest is easy for God. His presence in your life will change you. So don't keep putting it off. God is waiting for you. He loves you very much and he will forgive you all your sins and give you a new fresh start. Amen!

Living for today

Matthew 6:34   Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

Reality only exists in the moment not in the past which has passed away and not the future that hasn't happened yet. If you spend your present moment worrying about your future or regretting your past you are letting life pass you by, you're not living. To live life now your mind has to be alert and attentive to your present activity. Weather that is praying or washing dishes or working at your job or tending to the children your focus needs to be  on the task at hand. All your attention , motivation, love, passion, zeal, and commitment must be in the moment. That is how you achieve excellence. That is when you will be constantly working at your best and giving life your all. How can you have time for regret or worry when you live this way.There just isn't time for that and you will realize how stupid it is to even bother with such thinking. The present is all that really matters. Now I'm not saying that you go out and blow all your money because the present is all that matters, that's just crazy. What I am saying is not to waist time worrying how you are going to make it through tomorrow or dwelling on your mistakes from yesterday. Instead set your heart on today because yesterday you can't change and tomorrow will come soon enough. Amen!

Love is unruly

Songs of Solomon 8:6-7 Set me as a seal upon thine heart, as a seal upon thine arm: for love is strong as death; jealousy is cruel as the grave: the coals thereof are coals of fire, which hath a most vehement flame.Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it: if a man would give all the substance of his house for love, it would utterly be contemned 

Love is a very unruly emotion. It is often said that you can't help who you fall in love with. I believe that is why God desires to have our hearts before we might fall in love( Proverbs 23:26). God can help us add reason to our love. He can keep us from making decisions based solely on our loving feelings. Loving God first means you will do anything to please him. His opinions will matter to you the most. You will seek his advice when you need to make a dicision just so you won't have to feel like you have disapointed him later. God in his infinite knowledge knows what is best for you and his love for you is unwavering. He loves you so much he sent his son to die to prove it. Jesus loves you so much he laid his life down for you. His love is unconditional and can't be measured. So we should trust that he has our best interests at heart. When searching for a person to love and be loved by always consider Gods thoughts on the subject. He can save you a lot of heart ache latter. So many people had wished they had some inside information that would have told them what their relationship would have been like, a sort of time machine that would show them the future result of their dicision. God may not show you all the details but he definately will let you know to either go forward in a relationship or to put the brakes on, make a U turn and drive away as fast as you can. Don't question just follow his loving direction because no one knows better then he. Better to heed him now them cry out to him latter. Amen!

Evangelism

Witnessing is one of the most neglected commands in all of Scripture. While Bible reading and prayer are also disregarded by the average Christian, I dare to say that witnessing has to be the least practiced of the Christian disciplines.

Do you know anyone who cannot sit still? They always have to be doing something. Even when sitting, their motor is running [leg shaking]! The Apostle Paul was like that…he always had to be preaching or witnessing, or sharing your faith, or visiting. He could have settled down comfortably in the large church at Antioch, but he didn’t…not as long as there were more people who needed to be reached, he had “itchy feet.”

“It is easy to determine when something is aflame. It ignites other material. Any fire that does not spread will eventually go out. A church without evangelism is a contradiction in terms, just as a fire that does not burn is a contradiction” H. Richard Niebuhr

We need to be on fire for evangelism. We need to desire to share Jesus with others. At the very least we could just invite them to attend a service at our Church and let the pastor talk to them about Jesus. How hard is it to extend an invitation?

(Matthew 4:19) “And he saith unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Jesus is the one who makes you the evangelist. It is his power in you so no matter what, you can't fail. You don't need special training, or be a master of scripture to do it, you just need the knowledge of what God has done in your own life and a will to share that with those who need to know Jesus the way you do.

Jesus called very ordinary people to be his disciples. Peter and John were fishermen. Matthew was a tax collector. At least one was active in the politics of the day. Yet, Jesus took their humble occupation and transformed it into something special. Jesus used some very basic principles and then encouraged these men to be doers. We can use these same basic principles today.

How can we follow after Jesus so that we can be fisher’s of men?

LETTING PEOPLE SEE OUR LIFE: Jesus lived an open public life and was available to anyone who wanted to come see Him. (Mark 12:37) His life was open both to his friends and enemies. “And the common people heard him gladly.” Sixteen times Matthew refers to the multitudes following him. Jesus preached that we should have an open life for all to see. (Matthew 5:14-16) “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it givevth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”

(Matthew 10:32) “Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.”

How do we let people see our lives?

1. Get into the public.

2. Join a community group.
3. Talk to your neighbors.
4. Volunteer at the schools or in the community somewhere.
5. Visit the nursing homes. Or an elderly neighbor (expand)
6. Visit the hospitals. Or just someone who is sick.
7. Visit the prisons.
8. Write on a card Jesus Loves you and give it to someone who is going through a difficult time.
9. Buy a bag of groceries for someone in need and put in the bag a card that says Jesus will provide all your needs.
10. Make dinner enough for two families and take some over to a family and a card that says Jesus loves you and He is the bread of life.
11. Invite a family over for dinner and read some scripture before you pray and give thanks for the meal.
12. Hold a fund raiser for the church and invite people who don't attend church at all to come.

Someone once said, “I would rather see a sermon than hear one any day.” In order for this to happen, someone MUST SEE YOU!

Another way to evangelize is to simply talk about your church to others. Invite them to a church function.

1. Special Sunday services. Try to have one every month.
2. Man's and woman's breakfasts.
3. Invite friends and family to come see you perform in drama group (youth)
4. Tell friends and family they could have their child's dedication to the lord at your church explain what a dedication is.
5. Invite friends and family to your baptism celebration.
6. Form a group for fellowship like a christian baseball team, or a christian horse riding group, or a christian family game night. Then invite every one you know to come.
7. Start a book club for christian authors and invite every one you know to take part in the group.

All these things can allow people to see you live out Christ likeness in your life without the pressure of them having to make a decision about their own belief's right away. Christianity is contagious, you know, so all people have to do is spend time with you and they will catch the Jesus fever. The bible says “ you will know them by their love for one another.” So many people are looking to be loved. What better place to find it then the house of God. God is Love! When people see us in fellowship with one another they will want what we have. So throw a party just to invite the church and some friends and let the lord draw them in. Most of all Just be yourself cause God chose you just the way you are and wants you to share your faith with others.

Most of all when you are going to preach the gospel at any service invite your friends and family come to hear you preach. Jesus extended invitations to everyone to come hear Him teach and preach.

(Matthew 11:28-30)

“Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

(John 7:37) “In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.”

Last but not least Pray. Pray for God to fill the church with souls.

Jesus prayed.

He told us to pray for more laborers. “Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth laborers into his harvest.”

Matthew 9:37, 38.

He told us to pray for our enemies. “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which spitefully use you, and persecute you” (Matthew5:44).

He prayed for those who would believe on His word. (John 17:20)“Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;”

How can we do this?

1) Ask God to open doors for you and us to teach the gospel.

2) Pray that each of us will have the courage to tell others about the gospel.

3) Pray for the individuals that each of us meet in the community.

Jesus was able to take a bunch regular men and even social cast outs and change them into apostles. Do you doubt he can do the same with you today? If you do, then you have already lost the battle. Resolve in your mind now that you are going to do more then you have been doing to fulfill the great commission Christ gave us. (Matthew 28:16-20) Let's read it together. In Jesus Name Amen.

Freely Gives

Matthew 10:7-8

New King James Version (NKJV)

7 And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ 8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead,[a]cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.

Today I want to say that I am saddened by Christians who have turned God's grace into something that must be earned. I have encountered in the past couple of years a number of Christians who stand in judgment of other believers who have not yet received the full knowledge of Christ, and live still somewhat in the world. They should be embracing their brothers and showing them the truth behind salvation. They are weighing them down with burdens they can't carry without the grace of God. Plainly they are saying “Change and then come to God.” When they should be saying “Come to God and he will change you. “You will never be the same again.” They are not saying “Jesus loves you, but he doesn't love your sin.” or “If you choose to seek him first then he will change you from the inside out.” These Christians are causing separation from God. It reminds me of the Pharisees and the scribes. I find it very disturbing and I want all to know that God sent Jesus to die for our sins because he knew we would never be able to come out from under the bondage of sin without his son's sacrifice. If there are Christians out there that don't understand that God is seeking these types of people. He wants them just as they are to come to him. He wants to put them in his arms and give them his love and healing. He wants them to feel safe and secure and whole finally. Then he will deliver them from those things in their life that are unpleasing to him. Because of our gratitude and love for him we are willing to lay down our sin at his feet and receive his forgiveness. This is how God wants it. He wants it given of our own free will because we love him. This can only happen when we know the love of God for ourselves. Not because someone says to us “Hey you are a sinner and need to stop sinning” But because God says to us “ I love you my son/daughter give me your heart.” When we have freely received from God all his goodness, he wants us to give it to others freely as well. Thank God for his Loving Kindness that leads us to repentance and For his Grace (his unmerited favor). Amen!

The power of a made up mind

Choices and the power of a made up mind

We are our choices. God give you the power to choose. It's called free will, but even though we have free will our choices in the end have power over our lives.

Remember thy creator in the days of thy youth (Eccl. 12:1.) There are always two paths in front of us at any given moment. What path we choose is dependent on one choice we make. That Choice is weather or not to serve God. When you choose God, I mean really choose God as your lord and savior every decision is based on that one choice. Those of you who are Young and are making this choice now Listen carefully because you still Have your whole life ahead of you and this choice will make or brake your life. You adults who have lived some and know the consequences of choosing or not choosing God need to ask yourself “How well have I learned from my experiences?” When do you choose God? Is it early in the morning every day. Is it sometimes in the morning and sometimes in the afternoon? Is it in the middle of a crisis? Or is it a continuous choosing that simply goes on and on? This is a mind made up.

Job made up his mind to serve God, so much so that when his many children decided to have a celebration he lined them up the next morning to pray for them, in case they might have sinned. He said as for me and my house we will serve the Lord and wholeheartedly. Why do you think Job was so successful? Godly choices that's why. His Business had a CEO named Lord.

Ruth and Orpah both lost their husbands and were at a cross roads. One path was to go back to their home town and the place they had always known. A place of familiarity and past relations and friends. Or a place of new beginnings, and new people, and a new way of life. The first option would probably provide a husband among the young men they had always known. Men they grew up with. The second was completely uncertain. But God was with the second choice. God's purpose was with Naomi. Orpah chose to go back but Ruth Clung to her mother in Law Naomi and her mother in Laws God too. She chose God. Nothing would change her mind. And every choice she made after that was based on following God. The results of that choice was, God blessed her with a wealthy husband and a child who is in the lineage of Jesus Christ. (The book of Ruth old testament)

Woe to the rebellious children, declares the Lord, Who execute a plan but not mine. (Isaiah 30:1)

Therefore the Lord Longs (waits) to be gracious to you, and therefore he waits on high to have compassion on you. For the Lord is a God of Justice, how blessed are all those who long (wait) for him. (Isaiah 30:18)

What is God waiting for? He is waiting for us to choose God. He is waiting for us to seek him for direction. He is waiting for us to wait for his leading. For you to say what path should I take Lord. Lord means ruler. Is Jesus your Lord? Remember “Seek first the kingdom of God and all his righteousness and all things shall be added unto you.” (Matt. 6:33)

Job knew how to wait for God. When Job lost everything he had every reason to be bitter. Yet when his wife said Curse God and die. He said “WAIT NO! I made a choice.” “I can't give up now.” “I can't” “I Just can't.” He got double blessings for his faithfulness.

Hannah wanted a child very badly. It was considered a curse to be barren in those days. She needed the shame to be removed from her life. So she sought after God with her whole heart she made a promise to God to devote the most precious thing in her life if he would bless her, Her one and only son. God gave her a son and he was a great prophet for God. I would say her shame was removed, wouldn't you? God was just waiting for her to be willing to give her child over to God's purpose. Are you willing to hand your child over to God's will and purpose. It's not always so easy. (1 Samuel 11:28)

The women with the alabaster box who anointed Jesus' feet and washed them with her hair. She was a prostitute. I could just see her running to the house that Jesus was staying in. In desperation she must have been thinking “will I make it in time, will he be there still. This is my only chance.” Running with all her heart leaving all behind her. Running towards her future. She didn't care about the manner of men who would be there. She could careless what they would say of her. She heard it all before but this was her chance to start a new. This was her chance for repentance. So she ran on. Till she fell at his feet and her life changed forever. She made a choice.(Luke 7: 36-50)

I have made up my mind to serve God. In the middle of November 1997 one Friday night when I had lost hope and was in a deep state of depression, I prayed a prayer. I chose God. I said “If only there was a church I could go to tonight” I didn't want to go to the bar with my friends. I didn't want to spend the night crying again. No! I wanted to be with God. Then the phone rang and it was a friend I hadn't seen in awhile she said “Do you want to go to church with me tonight?” I immediately said yes! I knew God had heard my prayer. That night I chose God and I have never looked back. He is my life! He has given me so much since then. I just keep on choosing him.

Mary Magdalene Didn't care about the soldiers who were outside Jesus' tomb She could have been killed. They were there strictly to keep watch and make sure no one touched the body. But She needed to go there. She needed to be with her Lord. To anoint him once again. She made a choice and didn't care about what would happen to her. She made up her mind to serve him in life or in death it made no difference. In her desperate need to be with him she refused to leave with the others and the angels appeared before her to tell her “He is risen.” and then she saw him. She was the first to hear and see Jesus risen. She was at the right place at the right time. Because she made a choice.

We all have choices and we all go through trials that test our faith to far limits but when you have made up your mind to serve God to allow God to rule and reign in your life Not only are you blessed but God has compassion on you and gives you much grace. He executes Justice on your behalf and shows you favor. He puts you in the right place at the right time and he shows up just when you need him most. When you pass a test he gives you a double portion of blessings for your faithfulness. He makes even the little things of everyday life go so perfect that you have to say “Thank God I couldn't of Planned it better myself.” That is what happens when we Choose God, when we choose him first. So what do you choose? Have you made up your mind? By Virginia Toussaint

A new day!

His mercy's are new every morning. Start each day off with a fresh new out look because everyday is a chance to make things better. Yesterday is over no sense looking back. Today can surpass all your expectations it's all about your attitude. The best way is to just ask.  

A prayer:

Jesus you are the author and finisher of our faith. I ask that this day begin with faith, hope, and love. You guide my path. You lord set the tone. So that your will be done in my life today. May I be filled with peace and Joy from heaven and as the day comes to an end may I give thanks for all that you have done, all that you are doing, and all that you are going to do In Jesus Name Amen.

 Here is a sermon to lift you up and give you faith and trust, http://www.lightsource.com/ministry/joel-osteen-ministries/

Has life ever hit you with a major blow?

I have had My share of knock downs in my life. The one thing I have learned is that help can not be found buy natural methods but super natural ones. God is my strength and my salvation. On my knees is where my help comes. He will give me the peace I need to cope. He will give me strength when I need it most. He will fight the battles I cannot fight and he gives me the victory before I even know the outcome. I enter into each new trial with a greater understanding of his ability to get me through. Just as James1:2-4 says you will be more patient with, more tolerable with, the blows in life the more you allow God to get you through. It's just like a fighter he has to first learn to take a hit and keep going, He must learn endurance, he must learn to block and move fast, bobbing and weaving to avoid a punch. But most importantly he must learn his opponents tactics and  believe with all his heart he can WIN! That doesn't happen after just one fight. That takes years of training and building up of strength and confidence in his ability. So it is with a Christian believer Faith is built over time and we overcome by our testimony. Each trial that we overcome is a stepping stone to the next and we are transformed by it's blows into a prize fighter for Christ.Our testimony will make it just a little easier for others to get through their own training ring thus we carry each others burdens and live to fight another day.(Galatians 6:1-2)
by Virginia Toussaint
For more on this subject check a Teaching By T.D. Jakes "You can recover from a fall" http://www.lightsource.com/ministry/the-potters-house/

We all have our troubles

How do you deal with stress and trials? Some people throw themselves into work. Others get down in despair, and depression over whelms them. Others get angry, and frustration takes them on a daily Journey of outbursts and everything hanging on a nerve. Many people of faith internalize all of it looking for answers within. They think somehow if they fix what's wrong in themselves then they will understand why they are suffering trials. Well the answer is not inside us as much as it is God's redemptive power. He can get us through. He can do the impossible. He is our savior. Jesus saves! There is a great article on this very subject based on the book "The Christian Life" by Sinclair Ferguson http://www.crosswalk.com/blogs/tchividjian/where-to-look-when-youre-in-trouble.html
I found this article to be right on when it comes to how many Christians deal with trials today. It is worth a read weather you choose to read it on a coffee brake or at night before bed. I urge you to take the time and chew on it for a while. by Virginia Toussaint

Bear each others burdens

Recently I heard another preaching on 1 Cor. 5:1-13, 6:1-11 and I have to say that the spirit in which it was preached did not agree with my spirit. I felt a strong sense of legalism on the part of the preacher that left no room for Christ. So I did what I always do, I prayed for guidance and searched the word for answers. A few days later God brought me to Gal. 6:1-10 and I felt from God that the only way to be able to deal with 1Cor. 5 in a Christ like manner was Gal 6. What is funny is that anyone at first glance reading both passages of scripture would say these contradict each other. Lets look and see:

Galatians 6

Bear and Share the Burdens

 ¹ Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. ² Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. ³ For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. ⁴ But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. ⁵For each one shall bear his own load.

1 Corinthians 5

Immorality Defiles the Church

 ¹ It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and such sexual immorality as is not even named^[a] among the Gentiles—that a man has his father’s wife! ² And you are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he who has done this deed might be taken away from among you. ³ For I indeed, as absent in body but present in spirit, have already judged (as though I were present) him who has so done this deed. ⁴ In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when you are gathered together, along with my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, ⁵ deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.^[b]
6 Your glorying is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? ⁷ Therefore purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, since you truly are unleavened. For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us.^[c] 8 Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

Now do you see what I mean? and further reading doesn't help much.

Immorality Must Be Judged

  1 Cor. 5:
⁹ I wrote to you in my epistle not to keep company with sexually immoral people. ¹⁰ Yet I certainly did not mean with the sexually immoral people of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world. ¹¹ But now I have written to you not to keep company with anyone named a brother, who is sexually immoral, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner—not even to eat with such a person.
¹² For what have I to do with judging those also who are outside? Do you not judge those who are inside? ¹³But those who are outside God judges. Therefore “put away from yourselves the evil person.

Gal. 6:

Be Generous and Do Good

⁶ Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches.
⁷ Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. ⁸ For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. ⁹ And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. ¹⁰ Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.

Are you a little more confused I was at first. Then the Lord made me see that rather then contradicting there was a correlation between the two passages. He led me to see that in order to do what is in 1 Cor. 5 and still fulfill the law of Christ we needed Gal. 6 to be practiced in our lives. 

Then he led me to go over these sins mentioned in scripture 1 Cor.5:11, 1 Cor. 6:10-11, Gal. 5:19-21 Which say that anyone practicing these things will not inherit the kingdom of heaven. Then he led me back to Leviticus  the law. Lev. 18,19. At this point I said 1 Cor. 5 is legalism and we are supposed to be free from the Law. So why should we shun a brother because he has fallen into a sin that is clearly in the law. Then God showed me something he said you should always continue in all ways to be Christ to everyone by showing kindness and being a good Christian. But that doesn't mean you have to go to the house of a known sinner who refuses to stop sinning and dine with them. Why because you put yourself at risk of being leavened or poisoned in your thinking and spirit. Keep a safe distance. Here is where Gal. 6: 1 comes in 'You who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness" You need to attempt to help them. If they then refuse to repent then you need to protect yourself and have no extra contact with them outside the church. You go to the elders and suggest counsel for your brother. The Elders call your brother to counsel and they again try to restore your brother gently. He refuses to submit and repent. The elders call for a fast and prayer without ceasing on behalf of their brother and begin to spiritually act out 1 Cor. 5:5 Deliver them up to Satan for the destruction of the flesh so he in the day of the Lord Jesus may be saved. This goes something like this: Lord Jesus please do whatever you have to do to bring my brother to repentance I want to see him in heaven when we spend eternity with you. He is suffering from a great weakness in his flesh and you alone can save him from his destructive behaviors. please lord have compassion and mercy for his eternal soul. Sometimes it takes rock bottom to bring us back to our senses. In Jesus name Amen. Now using the example Paul used, The brother who is with his fathers wife. Let's look at what that destruction of the flesh might look like. The brother develops testicular cancer his testicles are cut off. This has caused him to be impotent and the women leaves him because he can no longer perform. He can say "kill me now' and Satan would gladly drag him to hell, but because of your prayer for restoration he may repent and ask for forgiveness and go into remission and testify to Gods loving mercy and kindness. Or he could repent and still dye from cancer but go straight to heaven because you prayed for his restoration. You see how the love law is still working in all this? How Gal. 6 is at work in accordance with 1 Cor. 5? It is my belief that this is how God intends us to be. Remembering ourselves that we don't fall under the same temptation. Why do I believe this even though Paul clearly says in 1 Cor. 5:12 "Do you not judge those who are inside?" and "Therefore “put away from yourselves the evil person."  Well one reason is Jesus' dealings with the women caught in adultery  did something very profound he who had no sin and had the authority to stone her showed her Mercy. He caused the others to self examine thus causing them to retreat. So she was not condemned to death. Does this mean Jesus condoned her sins? No he said clearly to her go on your way and sin no more. He gave her a second chance. The other story that gets me is Jonah and how God too showed compassion and mercy but there we see how Jonah's attitude was completely judgmental and lacking in mercy. This shows me that as Christians we should always be on the side of compassion and mercy wanting our brother to repent and go to heaven no matter what it takes. But we should never lose heart or grow weary and lack patience for someones salvation but that we should Love our brothers as ourselves. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you and pray for their weaknesses since we all fall short of the glory of God. Some people have used both these passages as and excuse to pass judgement and to say Their brother is going to hell. They practically have thrown them in and thrown away the key. Just like Jonah.  The way I see these passages that kind of attitude should have them looking behind themselves  for Satan to throw them in next. They already have one foot in the sulfur. Yes I do believe that knowing the difference between sin and good spiritual behavior is a form of judgment we need to discern the difference of right and wrong. That is not only for our own salvation but that of our brothers. I don't believe to take the evidence and decide if someone is guilty and deserving of damnation is our call. That kind of judgment belongs to the Lord. For the Lord has mercy on whom he has mercy Romans 9:18 So we should leave that part to him and pray we all make it into heaven. This has been a long lesson for me and I pray you all are blessed by it. May the Lord continue to fill our hearts with his love, mercy, and compassion so we may always pray for everyone not only those who have fallen into temptation but also  that we might not be tempted at all. In Jesus Name Amen.