The Goodness of God Revealed

A Dream I had...

2011-10-23T12:48:00.002-04:00

In my dream I was at a conference of some sort and there was a man of high status who was speaking at this conference. This was a man who many knew and admired. He had was gifted in his specialty and everyone who was at this conference was learning about this gift he had. I was not necessarily at the meeting but knew he was there. As I was standing outside one of the conference rooms he was speaking at, I saw this man come out of the room and walk up to me. He had a book in his hand. He looked at me and said...."I am giving you this book. This is my only hard copy I have of this book and will give it to you. I have chose you to give this book to." When I was handed this book, I felt so honored....so overwhelmed by the thought that he would choose me out of all the people who admire him to entrust me with a hard copy of his book. I felt like I had won a million dollars! It felt absolutely amazing! As I looked down and saw the front cover of the book. I read the title of his book and it was Dagger. I didn't understand the meaning. As I flipped through the book I saw pictures of my friend in a hospital bed. I didn't understand why this friend would be in the book. The pictures of this critical time my friend was having. As I held this book in my hand....I heard in my heart. "You know that there is truth in this book. Everything in this book is valuable information. You know most of it already. You know the truth." Shortly after that I awoke from this dream.

In real life, my friend and spouse were battling something very serious in their life. The Lord had laid it upon my heart to be a prayer partner to them and stand in agreement for healing in this area of their lives. The battle did end but not with the results we we wanted. I questioned the Lord as to how and why this sort of thing happened. A few months later my spouse and I went through our own but different battle. Again....I questioned God as to why this sort of stuff was happening. I was standing in agreement and believing for good results. The results we wanted never surfaced. We were confused. We didn't understand God's plan. Still I don't understand.

Today I was reminded again of the dream I had. But this time...the dream became clearer. When I was faced with the the crisis my friend had it was like a dagger to my faith. This event my friend faced became like my own battle. I lost faith and trust in God's word. The man was a representation of the Lord telling me that I will go through battles and my friends battle will be like a dagger to my faith. I will not understand but I need to believe his word. His word is truth. I need to know that His word is truth. And what I see or saw what was happening was not his Word. His WORD IS TRUTH. He is good! His words are Good! His will is GOOD! I lost hope in what I had been taught. I had lost hope in the good news of God in the true Gospel of JESUS CHRIST!

Just like I was warned in this dream...that the event was going to be like a dagger but not to stop believing in the TRUTH!

HIS NEWS IS GOOD NEWS!!

As I type this...we are slowly coming out of our own battle. I faced the Wilderness in the face and didn't like what came out of me. I grumbled, complained, and questioned God and His word.

Please Forgive me Lord for this. I repent! I know your word is TRUTH AND GOOD! I love you Lord and trust in all you do!

FREE IN CHRIST

An Excerpt from Casey Anthony's letter to her inmate friend

2011-07-06T01:24:00.000-04:00

To be able to smile every day and to be able to laugh, even after everything that has happened...how can we not be grateful to the endless love that He has given us? Every single day I pray for the end of this journey, for our miracles, but I've realized something, we're on two journeys at the same time - our growth with Christ, and the true end of our old lives. We have been born again, my sister, and man! does that feel good :)

So again....my prayer is that her relationship with God is truly genuine. From reading this...it sure sounds that she has gained some foundation being in Jail. Yes...she was aquitted and yes....God is in Control and He judges the actions and hearts.

Casey Anthony found NOT GUILTY

2011-07-05T15:39:00.001-04:00

God's will be done!!!

I am mixed with the verdict. I remember reading her inmate letters and writing a whole post on how I felt about her relationship with God. In her letters, she talked about how she was trusting in God and looking at light at the end of the tunnel. So I guess God has delivered her out of this tunnel.

My greatest prayer is that we will get answers as to how the baby died. Did she really drown? Did George Anthony dump the body? How could this baby be found in the swamp? I am saddened by no answers. Is there any chance of a confession. She might have confessed to the Lord but does she still have to confess others....I believe that as a believer you should also make it right with others....maybe her parents. End of story. So is this the end of this Crazy Case....Casey Anthony.

I just hope this doesn't turn into a Hollywood movie story....I just hope this family has some sense to them if they are leaning on God.

My prayer is that this young woman will completely make a turn around and grow with her relationship with God.

FREE IN CHRIST

Jury deliberations in Casey Anthony trial

2011-07-04T12:53:00.000-04:00

And now the waiting begins...

I wonder how long it will take. I have such mixed feelings as to this whole case. Unfortunately, I highly believe they will find this young woman, Casey Anthony, as guilty of murder. What I find to be heart wrenching is that she still stands as not-guilty. No...she didn't say that maybe the baby died via accident because she was being a reckless mother but she is still saying she is non-guilty whatsoever. SAD!!

I hope the conviction of God grips her heart and she finally does confess. I hope she stops the lies and as a child of God confess.

Is Casey Anthony lying of her Relationship with God?

2011-06-24T09:36:00.001-04:00

Casey Anthony is a known liar. Seen as a manipulating young woman who has lied most of her life. These are harsh claims and apparently somewhat true.

In my previous post I clearly stood up and said "She's a Christian!" But then again....how do I truly know this? Could she possibly be lying in those letters to the inmate...Maybe? Could she be lying about her relationship with God.....well.....God only knows.

My prayer for this whole trial and young woman is that the truth will be made known. That if she truly killed her daughter.... I pray the conviction of Holy Spirit would be so strong there will be no way she would or could lie.

This is my prayer for Casey Anthony.

Casey Anthony is a Christian

2011-06-15T22:54:00.001-04:00

I have recently become aquainted with the Casey Anthony trial going on in Orlando, Florida. It is definitely hard not to judge this young woman as guilty. Most likely she probably is. Many want her to receive the death penalty. Stones are thrown at her and words of venom. Part of me though has not wanted to say such things but only pray for her salvation.

Well...to my surprise she is a CHRISTIAN. A lover of God and knows the word. How do I know this....read her letters on this website...http://www.wftv.com/pdf/23069597/detail.html

I immediately did a google search to find out if anyone else in cyber space has mentioned that most of her letters talk of God and her relationship with him. These particular letters were written between Casey and another inmate. She speaks of bible studies, calling God as Daddy, quoting scripture and encouraging her fellow inmate friend to stay strong in the Lord and never give up hope.

Always remember that God is your strength, your Father, and your Redeemer. He is always with you, and will continue to make you stronger, especially in your moments of weakness. He loves you, and will never forsake you.

She also writes about Caylee and knowing she is in a better place. She also writes of making sure that her brother and father are both saved. She feels confident her mom is on the right path and she gives God the Glory for this.

She also writes:

I never imagined myself a warrior before, although I know I'lve always been a fighter. What a feeling and a responsibility, to know that we're part of God's army and that in the end we are victorious! What a feeling of satisfaction.

She writes of her favorite scripture Matthew 6:22 and how people have commented on a glow she has.

The reason for this post is to share and encourage with all out there who know God to be praying for this young woman and not throwing stones. Yes... Maybe she did murder her child (no excuse!) Maybe it was truly an accident and fear kept her from telling the truth. Maybe the baby did drown in the pool. Maybe Casey has serious mental problems. But this I do know ( maybe she might also be lying) that reading between the lines and reading these letters you will most certainly know she loves God.

She is still a baby in God's kingdom. Most certainly received her Savior in jail thanks to other inmates and her Chaplain. Also, what brings a somewhat joy and sense of peace in my heart about this young woman is knowing that Caylee will be waiting for her with her arms wide open with the Lord right there if Casey does receive the death penalty.

My thoughts and opinions for her have changed and I see her in a totally different light. Yes, she needs to pay for the crime if she is guilty but as a Christ follower I forgive her stupid actions. She is no longer the "old" but is a NEW CREATION in Christ. The world cannot comprehend this reality of God's Kingdome but those who are God's Children know that if she is truly saved she will meet her Savior with open arms.

My prayer is that she will get to know the Lord the more and that the truth will prevail!!

FREE IN CHRIST

I have left...

2010-09-17T22:19:00.001-04:00

I have left!!

I have gone!!

I am soaring and it feels so free.

I feel like now....now....NOW.... I can find the person that God is wanting to build in me.

The person I am suppose to be.

I do feel free.

There is a smile on my face and a joy in my heart.

I haven't been this excited about my situation in a very long time.

So here I am walking this peaceful path.

Some might see it as something to be pitied.

But I don't see it at all like this.

It is actually a marvelous thing!

I really didn't think this would happen but I knew that the road I was on was difficult.

I know you are all wondering what this may be.

All I can say is that it revolves around my financial status.

Financially speaking life has been a bit difficult. But who's hasn't right?

Today I received a phone call of something that might help my situation out a bit.

How did I respond? I was ANGRY!

Why?

I really don't know.

I've been in discussion with the Lord and asking Him "Why am I so upset about this so called "blessing" appearing out of the blue.

I really thought that I was free to fly and to soar without anything or anybody interfering.

I feel like now I am back to a place I don't want to be.

The place I was wanting to disconnect from because truly I felt no connection.

But now...today....here it is making a way back.

Do I want to go back?

No....NO!!

I really don't.

I have discussed this with the Lord and I am still yet to hear what His plan for this retreat means.

I was ready to go...go...go!

But now.... now this!

I can't explain exactly how and what I feel.

It's just....I don't want to go back.

I want to go forward....explore....find my next thing....my next path!

Can you sense the frustration in my spirit.

What is it Lord?

What?

All I can do is lay it at His feet and live day by day.

That is all I can do.

I will continue to have my discussion with my Lord and I know He will answer in His own timing.

But to feel comforted right now, all I have to do is not worry and live it out day by day.

But....but....but.....my heart is longing for a new life for the next thing.

Could this be a hindrance or a distraction from the greater purpose?

Or is it truly God bringing me back.

We will see....

Going Where God is Leading....

2010-09-05T11:35:00.001-04:00

I am sitting at my computer not sure what to write.

I feel something in my spirit....something stirring...almost bringing tears into my eyes...

I "feel" something in a distant land...

A land where there is no modern technology like we have in America

A land where the poor in America are "rich".

A land where children run barefeet.

A land where it isn't rare to find a five year old walk up to you and ask for a coin.

A land where life is hard.

Then....I look at my life.

When I think it's hard.......I AM BLESSED!

What is wrong with my life....??

I don't need to complain about anything, but only be thankful for the abundance of my life.

I don't have much compared to many I know....

At times I've had to wait for the Lord to bring food....

And He never fails to drop some of the abundance off at my door step.

I pick it up and say....THANK YOU!

Then I have lived abundantly....where there was no need....

I found that during those times...I was thankful but yet I was still complaining..

I didn't consider the little blessings that the Lord was bringing or even the bigger blessings...

I was quick to look for what I didn't have.

Boy....what selfishness I lived...how disgusting...

I'm so thankful for what I have gone through to see that life doesn't really matter unless the Grace of God is alive!

The Grace of God that is by what I live and breathe. The Grace of God is so precious and so real.

Then I feel the desire to walk a land that I have never known....to live in a land that delights in the little things...

To live in a place in my heart where I delight in the little....to have compassion on the poor....the downcast.

Deep in my heart there is a cry....a stirring...

I can't comprehend this feeling but there's something there....

I am still waiting to hear the next word to go...walk where God is leading.

I may have to leave my friends....I may have to leave what I have known....I may have to spread my wings

I might just have to........go!

God Was There...

2010-08-15T16:18:00.005-04:00

I was walking through something.

Not really understanding what was going on in the inner most part of my being.

It WAS quiet. I was still.

I was trying to find my hope and strength in the God that had spoken to me in times past.

But this time....this time was different.

Why? Why was it so different?

I would ask: Lord are you out there? Do you even know what I am going through?

I feel like I need an arm around me?

Could you just deliver me from the midst of despair? Or is this even despair?

Then I would think of those all over the world going through far, far worse than what I was feeling.

I came to a place in my own life where I was questioning even my own understanding and faith.

Questioning the one who had saved me from hell all those years ago.

I would ask: Who are you?

But even in my time of confusion and solitude....I knew He was there.

Sitting right next to me. Speaking things that I yet couldn't understand.

The only picture that I could see was of me outside of a small church on top of a high mountain.

This mountain and this little church is the place I enter (in my thoughts) to speak to the Lord.

But this time I was not allowed to come in

Or maybe I was?? ...but the confusion was great. I then find that it was "me" who didn't want to hear.

But as I sat outside this small church my spirit was still communing with the Father.

My soul was sitting outside on the small stoop.

Waiting....waiting....and waiting some more.

I knew deep, deep inside that there was something the Father was speaking to my spirit.

Something that was not ready to be revealed at that moment.

Yes my soul was hurting from being separated.

It wasn't that God didn't want me to hear the whispers in my spirit....

It was that He was wanting to do a work in my soul.

To make me see, feel, understand what it feels to be someone who is suffering.

What it feels to be a person who is not pursuing God at the moment.

I saw myself at a waiting place. Waiting to be picked up and be taught once again.

The only words I could hear was "trust me"and know that it will be revealed soon enough.

And soon enough it was.

God in His marvelous, glorious, amazing way revealed Himself in my life in little ways.

Daily something or someone would come to give me a treasure from Him.

They were little gestures of Love in tangible ways.

I knew it was from Him.

The callousness I felt in my heart was taken off. I could see clearly. I could hear Him....

but now it was very, very different from what I used to know.

It was now something more fresh, new, and lovely.

The time that was bitter.....became sweet once again. It was at this time I knew, He never left me.

He was allowing this to take place in my heart.

It wasn't Him who caused this pain. But He used it to help me...to teach me about His amazing Love and Grace.

It wasn't anything I did.

It was all about His timing and my readiness.

He was there.

My Faith tested....

2010-07-25T13:41:00.004-04:00

Jesus Messiah

Name above names

Blessed redeemer

Emmanuel....

The Rescue for sinners

THe Ransom from heaven

Jesus Messiah

Lord of All!!

I wanted to share some lessons I have learned through a few trials I have walked through. I am not going to reveal the details, but will share in a general sense.

It is quite amazing when you think you have all the answers, you come to find that you know nothing.... You might think that all you have to do is pray enough....Tithe enough....Give offerings....do all the right things and you'll be ok. Or what if when you look at a friend or loved one going through a trial you are quick to give them all the answers and judge in your heart to say:

"I know what I would do if that happened to me."

I noticed I had become a puffed up Christian in my walk and revelations of God. But thank God.....He...the Lord of All....showed me my disgusting heart through a lesson from faith.

I had been given the privilege to walk through something with some close friends of mine. This trial or challenging time they faced was centered around a terminally ill child. I, whose understanding in healing and faith was freshly revealed and new, was very passionate to lay hands on the sick and see them recover. I felt my faith was there and with a strong leading I heard the Lord say:

"Walk this with them....take them by the hand....and pray with them."

So as I walked and prayed with them almost daily, I came to know their hearts in a more intimate way. My heart began to ache to see them suffering so much and I wasn't seeing any immediate results in healing.  I began to think "Hey....I know I have enough faith for this so why can't I just lay hands and them recover?" , "I know God wants this little one healed." so then assumed "Maybe the parents just don't have enough faith, that must be it?"

As time went on the sick child was taken off of life support and passed into eternity to be with her Lord and Father. My heart was immediately filled with sorrow/grief and also became angry withinn my heart thinking: "This child's parents had given up!!"

I said, "I don't understand!!" "What happened!?"

Again, I thought..."They had given up...they had thrown in the white flag because they didn't have enough faith!! They knew they had grown tired and didn't want to fight anymore....BUT they should have continued to fight and not given up!!"

In my heart I thought all of this and just moved on....

A few months later, in my own personal life, I was put through a test.  It wasn't the same sort of challenge of losing a child, but a challenge of it's own. A challenge of loss as well.

This trial challenged my faith in ways I didn't even realize.  It challenged what I believed, the very core of my foundation....FAITH. During this time I struggled...I cried out to the Lord....I asked "WHY".....I felt alone.....I felt I could no longer fight. I noticed I was weak....weak....weak....

This was hard....all in me wanted to give up....I wanted to take this situation off it's own "child support"...and I didn't think this situation could be saved. Lord I surrender....I don't have the faith to walk this out....Others were telling me to do this or that but I knew I had to do this. I felt judged....I felt like no one understood what I was going through....I felt like I was abandoned and forsaken....I felt like even those who I loved dearly were against me and my choices. Job came to mind....

I then heard the Lord speak to me about my friends....my friends who had a child fighting for it's life....my friends who did everything and anything possible to save their small child....my friends who I knew were tired, weak, their very own foundation was shaken...my friends who made a decision to let their child go....

He continued to say to me..."You have the grace.  You might not feel like you have enough faith but you have the grace.....I have given you the grace and I have given you a measure of faith. This measure isn't revealed until you are in the actual battle. No one knows how they will react or how they will respond. Yes, it is a battle of faith, and trust. BUT....Never think you are higher or better or know more than a brother or sister in Me. You thought you had ALL the faith to fight THEIR battle. But it wasn't your battle to fight. It was their trial....their test....their experience."

Then He showed me how I had become puffed up in my revelation of faith and healing. How I had become in a sense self righteous and judgemental. Ouch!!!

He continued to say...."You have no right to look upon a brother or sister in the faith and make a judgemental call of how they should have responded. This was their trial...their challenge...their stuggle. You have no idea what internal struggles they were faced with. You have no idea how they came to Me....cried to Me....how they suffered during this dark hour. This was their battle and no one knows what the battle is like because it is very PERSONAL. Many think they know how they will respond during a fight....what they would do in a certain situation, but little do they know that most have no idea. Thus Grace is the answer....and only by My grace can anyone do anything at all. It is by My grace how they will respond. It is by my grace how strong their faith is during a battle, trial, or struggle.

In your heart you thought you had faith....enough faith for whatever situation arises. You think you will respond in such and such a way....But faith is a measure....and yes faith is given by grace.....Grace is where faith is birthed....Faith is PERSONAL....it is known only through revelation.....it becomes stronger by Grace alone....The grace I give. This faith or even grace is not known UNTIL you have come to a place that it is needed. Then come to realize that ONLY by Grace do you even have enough faith to walk out this trial. This is why many have different results in life.

You can't judge or say that a brother or sister doesn't have a relationship with Me. You can't say that any brother or sister is weaker. You can't say any of it because each relationship is PERSONAL and each one walks at a different pace and is at a different place on this road. There is none better or worse.....I AM NOT A RESPECTOR of people, but I am a Good God...I am a lover of souls....My heart does ache when I see my children struggle....My heart does ache to see those lose loved ones. There is so much my children don't know or even twist a bit in ignorance. Some things you will never know. Continue to seek, pursue love, and love everyone. Remembering that you are nothing without me. Yet, you are something with me. But with this "SOMETHING" always remembering you are no greater than anyone else. I love everyone! And for this WORLD....I died!!"

These are some of the words the Lord spoke to my heart to teach me about faith and a relationship with Him. I have been brought to my knees and my eyes have been open to being more compassionate and understanding when those walk through trials. Judgement in my heart has fled. I was brought to my knees in humility when I realized that I am nothing! When I thought that I had all the answers....I was brought to nought to say truly "You are God and I am no one".   And if I am even able to overcome...It is ONLY by YOUR Grace....YOUR love and YOUR Mercy!

FREE IN CHRIST

Only By the Grace of God Am I something

2010-07-21T00:15:00.003-04:00

Do you ever find yourself wondering why some things come easier to some and not to others?

Do you ever find yourself looking at someone in church and wondering:

"Why are they falling asleep while the pastor is preaching"

"Why are they not as excited about this revelation than I am"

"These people are not praying enough"

"They are slipping down"

Did you think maybe they are in a different season of life?

At a different point on this road of Salvation?

I have asked these same questions before...

As I walk with the Lord and He leads me

I find that I am nothing

without His amazing Grace

I am nothing without His peace

and

I am nothing without His love

I am brought to my knees when I realize that I am nothing....

But then EVERYTHING with Him...

Those brothers and sisters in Christ

who might be walking at a different pace

facing different challenges,

are all on the very same road....

The road of Grace

Some days I feel like every revelation in God's word is illuminated

and then

There are many days when I don't even get what I just read

Why is this....?

Only by His grace.

There is nothing on earth that we gain or can do on our own

Because just as Jesus said...

John 15:15

“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.

On a search...

2010-07-04T11:52:00.003-04:00

There are times walking with God can be predictable

when things in life are going well

there are no serious cares

or serious decisions to make

Work is good

Home life is great

church activity can't be better

But....

What happens when it all seems to be unpredictable

You've done everything you know how to do

the natural and supernatural

but still.....a dead end

There are days when you don't even feel like moving

you feel numb inside

Like a grace has lifted....

Could God be doing something deep in your heart

to show you His next move?

You also feel a drawing away from your normal life routine

Even at church....

things just don't seem the same

You do feel like something deep is taking place

If you share with others

some might say

"get in the Word"

"pray more"

"is there sin in your life?"

"Don't be deceived"

"nope...it doesn't sound like it's God"

You know you've been seeking Him and asking Him to reveal

so what is going on?

There isn't any "great" sin you've found

(everyone sins daily)

This pulling away is so heavy

so great

But you know your are not being pulled from the Father

because He is here...

He is there....

He is in you....

So what is it?

Moses ran away from the "world" he know

Yes he did run in sin

but in the midst of this running...

He encountered the LIVING GOD!

So wherever you go...

even if you don't completely understand what you are feeling deep inside

God knows...

He knows exactly what you are going through

He knows exactly what you are feeling

He knows exactly where you are going

Or where He is taking you

Lean not on your own understanding

But on His alone.

Continue to seek to know where He is leading

and rest in this...

Shalom!

Stripped of Religion

2010-06-20T16:30:00.012-04:00

Matthew 23:25-28

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!
For you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish,
but inside they are full of extortion and self-indulgence.
Blind Pharisee, first cleanse the inside of the cup and dish, that the outside of them may be clean also.
Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!
For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness.
Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.

I recently had a debate with a very religious, "holier than thou" individual. This individual was very irate by the fact I would enjoy a glass of wine with a few friends, saying it was ungodly and very sinful to live such a lifestyle. This person proceeded to inform me that the bible was very "clear" about wine and drinking.

There are many doctrines regarding drinking wine, if it's lawful or unlawful or if Jesus even drank wine. As our "debate" continued, I reminded this "theologian" that Jesus turned water into wine and the guest at the party were so amazed by how wonderful this wine tasted saying He had saved the best for the latter part of the celebration. The individual I was debating rose with a bitter heart and clearly said "It so obvious YOU don't even understand the bible and it wasn't wine but grape juice!!"

Now come on...how ridiculous can you be to believe this nonsense. The middle eastern culture is quite aware of what "good wine" is. They have been drinking it for many many years...

The problem I had with this individual was how proud they came with their words, and their rules, laws, doctrines saying I had "no clue" about the bible and what sort of Christian was I. This is an example of being filled with "religious" doctrine. A doctrine which makes them miserable.

I clearly saw something I never want to become...a hateful religious person. I never want to constantly be looking at the outward appearance to prove to myself I am "living righteous".

These religious spirits are out there doing damage to the Kingdom of God. They aren't bringing people to freedom in a relationship with the Lord but to a bondage they never intended to sign up for or will never desire to sign up for.

So how can we in this world become people of truth and not judgment. Lets leave the judgments to the Father Himself.

On a side note:... I don't condone a drunkard lifestyle. I believe drinking a glass of wine on occasion or with communion is perfectly fine. Or maybe you like a glass of wine daily with dinner.....that's between you and the Lord. I am a believer that the Lord is big enough to speak to our own hearts regarding sin. We don't need those religious folk breathing down our wine glasses telling us that it is sin. Let the Lord alone convict! The more we seek, knock, find, and desire the Word then we will know right from wrong.

Love sets free...the Law kills

2010-06-12T15:13:00.007-04:00

Before becoming a Christian I was BAD. I partied, cussed, slept around, did my share of drugs, what didn't I do? I didn't know right from wrong. I thought my wrong was ok and I didn't need anyone to tell me what to do! Especially the BIBLE.

But once the Lord got a hold of my spirit and changed me forever, I made a huge transformation. I was now a born again religious person. A person who did good in front of others and tried my best to follow the laws of the Lord. If I saw people around me not living right, my heart would become haughty and puffed up with "self righteousness" and say to myself "Boy, oh boy, they need the Lord". I would think my hardest on how to approach them and "bring the gospel" and when I failed or they didn't drop to their knees in repentance, I quickly thought "poor sinners, they just don't know what they are missing".

I would do the same with brothers and sisters in Christ: I would look "down" on them thinking they must have a very shallow relationship with the Lord because they were still saying a few cuss words or drinking wine, beer, or what have you. Didn't they understand that this is sin? Don't they read the bible?

Lately, the Lord Himself has been showing my disgusting heart of judgement. I am proud. I am not humble and I am just the same as those "sinners". I have no right to look down on anyone. I am not in their hearts or minds and I am not the Lord. But...but...but....

Yes, many buts. I need to keep my mouth closed about others around me. We, as Christians first need to walk in love and forgiveness and when we walk in this, the Lord will convict those around beginning in our own hearts. Our own judgmental words can push someone away from the Lord rather than bring them closer....this isn't what God desires.

Love sets free, but the Law kills.

Stress and Anger....stop and reflect

2010-06-08T20:32:00.005-04:00

Why be so stressed?

Why be so angry?

Live your life like you have never lived before

The Lord has given you

dreams

visions

desires...

Take the time

to enjoy this

life you

have

delight

in the little

things

that pass

you by...

Look in the mirror

and observe

the face

that reflects

a beauty

so amazing

you can't contain

you say

'WHAT BEAUTY'

but stop

and really

look

at this face

staring

back at you

what is there

to be excited about

this face

is the face the Father

loves so....

A face that

created....

Look at your hands

your dog

your flowers

your child

your spouse

look at them.....

What do you see?

Do you see something

amazing

incredible

beauty

LIFE...

enjoy every

moment

and be thankful

for this life you have been given

TODAY!!

For the Oppressed, Depressed, Hopeless

2010-05-30T15:17:00.015-04:00

"Because of the oppression of the weak and the groaning of the needy, I will now arise," says the LORD.

"I will protect them from those who malign them."

Psalm 12:5

In the secret place

He waits

for those who hunger and thirst

He waits

for those

who are needy

downcast...

Who are oppressed

Come to Him you who are

weary

poor

depressed

lost

empty

hopeless

Come and be filled by the

Most High

Come sit at His

banqueting table

and delight in His

presence

He will wash you white as snow

When He sees you

His face shines

Because

HE sees

HIS beloved SON

in you

He loves

comforts

mends

gives

embraces

kisses

delights in you who comes

to Him
even with your flaws

Even if you have been

a "christian"

all your days

He will repair you

WE are perfected in His image

His image alone

Don't run away

from the one

who mends

and quiets your soul

Who will

never

REJECT

you his child

He says:

Why are you so d0wncast oh my soul...

my child?

Let me repair and heal

your wounds

Can

money

husband

wife

children

riches

fame

family

homes

friends

things

or even church

MEND

HEAL

REPAIR?

I will never push you away

reject you

hurt you

destroy you

I am your

ALPHA

and

OMEGA

your beginning
and
your end

Delight in ME!

Love of Money

2010-05-19T17:44:00.007-04:00

Let me begin by sharing that I am not one to
bash,
JUDGE,
or
Condemn
any prosperity teacher who is out there spreading the Gospel.

Those who desire to judge a man/woman who is preaching the Gospel and say he/she is
a false teacher or someone to mislead people,
best be careful that you are not judged
by the Judge Himself!

Many are CALLED
to minister the Gospel in different ways,
especially in this generation of advanced technology
and the growing need for the
GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST
to be spread over the EARTH.

So YES AND AMEN
To those ministers who are able to
spend money on airplanes or
use others tools to spread the
AMAZING GOSPEL
of
TRUTH!!

I am with them!

In saying all of this
I warn my brothers and sisters
of
COVETOUSNESS
and
the LOVE of MONEY

1 Timothy 6:10
For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

In searching out scriptures and meditating on prosperity,
I find more and more Christians
being
LED BY MONEY
or
HIGH PAYING JOBS.
Some of these Christians
are the same ones who like to judge prosperity teachers.
Quite sad but true.

I ask the question...
Is this coveting?
Is this the LOVE of money?
Are they following this job or profession because of the LOVE of money?
Am I desiring money more than the will of God in my own life?

Thus I find more and more good Christians
walking by sight and not by faith.
They say they are wanting to do the will of the Father,
but then I notice them seeking after
the job or the "nice living"

They might think they are doing the Father's will
but many are being led astray by the
love of money.

The will of God is to PROSPER His people.
He wants to prosper those who will walk by faith and not by sight.
His main purpose is for His Gospel to be spread to all nations of the world
Thus He delights to give good gifts to His children....

But what if those children are led by the desire for high paying jobs and the money rather than take a step of faith and watch the faithfulness of God truly bless their socks off?

Many might miss the awesome glory and prosperity the Lord will bring them.
No......
I am not talking about those who have the Word of the Lord to become
a doctor, lawyer, Athlete, Singer/actor, Business Owner, etc ....

Let me give an example
What if God called a high paid Christian Lawyer to move to a town which was known for
lower income?
What would his response be.....
"No way, this can't be God! God is ONLY about increase"
or.....
Would he say "Yes, Lord lead me!!"

If he chose the latter and allowed the Lord to lead him in all paths, he would be walking by Faith and not doubting.
He would be willing and obedient and trust God in every area of this move.
He would believe and be excited that God has an awesome plan for the small town, knowing the LORD must have amazing things in store for him. But why else would God want him to move there? God is always about the best, when it involves increasing His kingdom. It is always good to expect the best, even when it "looks" dead and bleak.

Isaiah 1:19
If you are willing and obedient, You shall eat the good of the land;

Yes, it would be a trust like never before,
But this lawyer knows
his source is
the LORD God
not his degree or knowledge.

What if this same Lawyer decided not to believe and trust God?
Listing his excuses as:
Lower pay
He'll have to sell his prosperous law firm, and leave behind the town and church he loves
With the thought in mind of....
"How could God have me do this?"

Sounds like the Rich, young ruler, right?
The rich, young ruler LOVED his things and money more than following the
WILL of GOD.

You see if this lawyer follows the money rather than the Lord, he would have never known how much more prosperous God would have made him.
He would have never known the ministry opportunities
or the doors the Lord was going to open
just for this lawyer.

God is Faithful to ALL His Children
and especially to His word
and if God says....
"YOU WILL EAT THE GOOD OF THE LAND..."
then
LET IT BE SO!!

Always to be LED by the Lord and His Spirit
not by the love of money!

Because just as 1 Timothy says:
"some have erred from the FAITH and pierced themselves with many sorrows"

The will of God and His leading WILL always lead to the
PROMISED LAND
even if during that travel time the land looks
BARREN!!

Only trust
and
WALK BY FAITH
NOT
BY SIGHT

Don't Worship and Follow an Image

2010-05-09T11:19:00.003-04:00

Do you Worship the Almighty God
or do we worship a lifestyle?

Sometimes we can get stuck in the rut of life
living out our daily routines
but for what??

We are
waking up
driving to work
working long hours
coming home
clicking on the television
prepare for the next day
and then waiting for Friday to come around
then maybe cleaning up and doing some chores on Saturdays
Sunday comes around pay our dues to our congregation
listen to a heart warming message of God's love
Sunday brunch
do some more relaxing
and prepare for the next work week
to do it
ALL OVER AGAIN!!!!

This my friends is the
IMAGE
of the
AMERICAN LIFESTYLE
and has leaked into the
AMERICAN CHURCH

So my question lies....
are we as the people of God living a life
to worship this image of routine and the American Culture or
to serve the LORD?

Yeah, I know we have to live and work
but where is our heart?

I am not against having the
nice house
nice cars
nice clothes
or nice education for our children
I believe the Father likes to give
good gifts.
These gifts are not for us to seek
or pursue
or to serve day in and day out

I personally am growing nauseated with the culture and image
this society and American Church is offering.

And for all you
prosperity teacher haters.....
I am not talking about the prosperity message
Those in little baptist churches with meager tithes
also can fall into the same rut of living a life for NOTHING

Small church and big church alike
are falling into the same old rut of following and seeking
the image

Actually those who are the prosperity teachers are helping those caught in a rat hole
to dream bigger and see beyond their hopeless lives
this is a good thing
....it's just that some of the "poor" they are speaking to
are desiring the prosperity of God more than
the LORD Himself.

Where is the Body of Christ
Is life more than just a routine....

This my friends YOU WILL find if you surrender your image, your desires, and even your culture.
lay it down and take a risk and do what God is leading you to do!!!

Is it selling everything you have and moving overseas?
Is it quitting your corporate job you've had for years and doing the things the Father has placed deep in your hearts.

DON'T WAIT
for when things look right
DON'T WAIT
when your kids are grown
DON'T WAIT
when you retire
DON'T WAIT
when you have more money

When God is calling He WILL make a way!

Just as the LORD told Elijah to go to the Brook Cherith
and commanded the ravens to feed Elijah in that place
Elijah had to pick up and go to that very place
to receive the providence of the LORD

1 Kings 17:3-5 ³ “Get away from here and turn eastward, and hide by the Brook Cherith, which flows into the Jordan. ⁴ And it will be that you shall drink from the brook, and I have commanded the ravens to feed you there.” ⁵ So he went and did according to the word of the LORD, for he went and stayed by the Brook Cherith, which flows into the Jordan.

So in the NAME OF JESUS

I Pray the Lord will fill you with His passion and His ways
follow His leading
follow His call
and to take your wings and fly.
The Lord is your hope and salvation and will show you and take you to
the sweet waters and feed you with the bread of heaven
but also He will be there to provide you with everything you need
because you LOVE HIM
and desire to serve HIM
and not the image of this world.

Bless you all!!

Walk By Faith!!

2010-05-05T15:51:00.006-04:00

For we walk by faith, not by sight.

Sometimes a Faith walk can be so very trying.
Standing in Faith is even harder.

Paul the Apostle said in
1 Corinthians 6:13
Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong.

When the storms come
and they will come to all men...
whether rich, poor, good or evil
the storms of life come.

Depending on the storm
where is your faith?

Is it a light sun shower?
Is it a nice thunderstorm that lasts about 20 minutes?
Is it a flash flood, blizzard,
hurricane or Severe storm with tornadoes.

The storm comes
BUT will you be able to stand?

Unless you have truly experienced a severe storm in your life
you don't truly know what it feels like.

Every ounce of you is wondering
WHERE IS MY SAVIOR?
or
LORD, I DON'T UNDERSTAND IT?

but I know you are
FAITHFUL!!

When I see some Christians living a life without serious stresses
I often wonder....are they walking by faith.

What is walking by faith?

I find some Christians can say they are
"walking by faith"
but are they?

Is it that maybe some save themselves before the Lord saves them personally?
Or does it depend on when and how the storm hits?

I have found myself in this dilemma:
Boy, do I want to save my self
Boy, do I want to call it quits
Boy do I want a detour
Boy, this road is quite bumpy and filled with pot holes

Sometimes I wonder:
Will I EVER get to the highway where the road is paved smoother and I can drive at a quicker speed.

The children of Israel complained and their hearts were filled with unbelief
The Lord had promised them the good of the Land....
But because of unbelief they went astray and quit

We can read, think and say....

hmmmm... those Israelites....why didn't they JUST believe God and stay on course.
What is wrong with them (rolling eyes in judgment)....

Be careful what comes forth from your mouth
because until we are in the midst of the
TRIAL or TEST...
we won't know how we would respond to the test

It might be an easy quiz
or
a more in depth and lengthy test like an
SAT
either way....God lets us use the book
are we prepared?

SO then PRAY:
That you will be able to stand and believe God for His Word
PRAY
that if a storm you never experienced comes to hit your town(life), you will know how to deal with it and trust God for His word
PRAY
that you don't look at another brother or sister in judgment thinking you are stronger than they
PRAY
that you will be able to stand the wiles of the enemy
Ephesians 6:11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

SO
If we drop out of the race
throw in the towel
call it quits
surrender to the enemy's wiles
or even save our selves by worldly solutions

Understand this:
God never failed you
It wasn't HIS will for you to quit fighting and praying
It wasn't His plan for your failure
It was your own CHOICE,
to throw in the towel or raise the white flag

Yes, He loves you and forgives you and always gives you another chance
But all in all
He is
ALWAYS
FAITHFUL
and wants you to wait
for His promises!!

And He WILL deliver...

HE ALWAYS DOES!!!!!!!

the
LORD
is ALWAYS
FAITHFUL!!

Standing Fast for He is faithful!

2010-04-25T17:30:00.003-04:00

There is a word the Lord gives

a personal word

that is only that........

personal!

No one may understand why He is asking me to do this

This road is lonley

it seems like it is so lonely....

Is there anyone there to encourage me

to stand fast and stay on this road....

It seems like many say

"Use Wisdom"

"Are you sure you heard right"

"If it's the word of the Lord why are you not seeing the fruit?"

So many temptations to reason with the Lord as to why I want to hold up the white flag of

SURRENDER

But this road is so lonely and it sure looks like YOU Lord are not with me!

But I know YOU are because I know You are faithful!

I might not understand why the fruit isn't there yet but I know

HE IS FAITHFUL!

One thing Lord I have noticed on this journey

There are not many who truly trust You and your words

It seems like they want to "help you" out a bit.

Probably because of fears......

Those fears of destruction or no deliverance.

Those fears are there, but then in the quiet of my room

I hear your voice

Your voice saying:

I AM

FAITHFUL

I AM

TRUTH

TRUST ME

A smile comes upon my face knowing I can truly trust in you Lord.

It doesn't matter if my best friend thinks I am crazy

I know I heard you Lord..... I heard the WORD OF THE LORD

deep in my heart

deep in the quiet of my room

Your word is truth and you will show your self faithful

I know you are for me and not against me and know you are my

SOURCE

my source for everything in this life!!!

And I will remain on this road

even if it feels lonely

YOU ARE WITH ME!!!

Do Not Fear....ONLY BELIEVE

2010-03-23T17:24:00.007-04:00

Do you really trust in God?

What makes you doubt sometimes?

Is it the uncertainty of the battle at hand?

Is it that you just might not trust God to come through for you?

So then are you saying He isn't faithful?

But wait the bible speaks of His faithfulness and Love!

IT ALL OVER THE WORD OF GOD!

Jesus came proving God's love and faithfulness so why do you act in

FEAR

What ARE you afraid of? I think you are more afraid that He might not come to deliver your circumstance, then your are sure He will.

So why are many Christians afraid of the "worst case scenrios" in their battles?

Be it losing a home

even

losing their lives.

I truly think that fears hold people back from truly trusting and receiving the Lord's best and His

MIRACLES

Some Christians may shrink back and because of fears, are blinded by the reality of their situation and then are not truly

TRUSTING THE LORD

FEARS

make

BLIND

People can become so paralyzed by their fear that they believe the worst case will happen.

POSSIBLY LOSING EVERYTHING!!!

So then what is the fruit of their lives then......

They do LOSE

then what do they say.....?

"God's in control.....It was His plan for such and such thing to happen"

But then was it really His plan for this destruction or loss to happen in their life?

Of course it is easier to say that God is in Control....so we won't take any responsibility for our actions or lack of. I wouldn't want my child to say "My parent is in control" when they failed the test after not studying. Isn't God our Father? Why would we see God as different.

So then are you saying .....He wasn't faithful? He never told us to trust Him and study for the test?

I thought the word says

HE IS FAITHFUL?

so can you please help me see what it is then....

You see how the enemy can bring so much doubt in Christians lives through fear

and when there is fear..... there is no faith.

Which leads me to say that in many occasions in the bible

when people approached Jesus with fear or He sensed fear in their hearts he said

DO NOT FEAR!!!!

Luke 8:49-50

⁴⁹While he yet spake, there cometh one from the ruler of the synagogue's house, saying to him, Thy daughter is dead; trouble not the Master.

⁵⁰But when Jesus heard it, he answered him, saying, Fear not: believe only, and she shall be made whole.

In this case Jairus's daughter had just died and I'm sure fear now came upon his heart that he wasn't quick enough to get Jesus to her. Before Jairus could even speak a word of fear Jesus stopped him with

"FEAR NOT".

Why would Jesus speak these words first?

Fear must do something to our faith, trust, and seeing the works of God manifested.

I believe that when we fear, we are then in doubt of God's faithfulness and Love.

Even good Christians pray AFRAID. Why?

Maybe because they really don't trust and know who they serve. They might know about Him, but not KNOW HIM.

Don't fear....ONLY BELIEVE....and KNOW who you LOVE and SERVE!

Do Not Be Deceived

2010-03-14T17:31:00.008-04:00

Deception in the Church

Is making the body of Christ

weak!

What is this deception that has become as a cancer in the body of Christ?

The Blame Game!

But who are the Christians blaming.....I find more and more it isn't the devil anymore.....it is the Lord himself.

What?

How could this be?

How could we even possibly blame God for what is going on in our lives?

Yeah, many are!

Saying:

God is in Control of everything!

It was God's will to afflict a baby with a horrible disease and die at an early age.

It was God's will for a spouse to die of cancer.

It was God's will for a teenager to be murdered, raped, or killed in a tragic car accident.

It was God's will for some to lose everything in the earthquake in Haiti.

Oh no, but that was God's judgement!

Let me inform all my faithful readers.......God's judgement is coming but understand we are in a period of peace.

Remember what the Angels declared in Luke 2:14

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

Judgement is coming on THE DAY of judgment.

The Lord is so merciful and long suffering....He is waiting for all men to come to know Him. He desires that none should perish.

2 Peter 3:9

The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

Some underestimate the Love of God!

I often wonder why so many struggle with their walk with the Lord.

I believe it is because

they don't know Him or trust Him.

Why is this so?

The deception!

The deception that we can never know Him completely.

People saying:

"God works in mysterious ways."

"Our ways are not His."

Yeah, it was said in the Old testament....

But remember we are Holy Spirit filled believers that know all things because Jesus said in

John 14:26

But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

Many Christians are not willing to devote their whole lives to finding the truths that Jesus gave us 2000 years ago.

For example:

Why don't we receive our healing?

Because we don't receive it like we did our salvation.

We think that healing is something He wills to give if it be His will. But who's to know what His will is right?

We have the Holy Spirit!

And if we understand redemption, we can understand what belongs to us as believers of Christ and citizens of Heaven. Once we are born again here on earth we are then no longer citizens of this world but heaven.

So everything that is in heaven is ours.

Remember the Lord's prayer?

His Kingdom come, His will be done

On EARTH as it is in HEAVEN!

Jesus has said in

Matthew 4:17

From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

This means it is at hand.....IT IS HERE!

Today and forevermore!

Deception has leaked in to so many houses of worship that it is truly upsetting.

Christians don't even realize what belongs to them anymore

They are begging God to heal

to redeem their situation

to give them peace,

When Jesus already gave it to them!

This has become my foundation to my life and I have seen many lives transformed by understanding the

POWER OF HIS BLOOD

Religion has been taken over by Satan himself and He is laughing as many Christians

are being destroyed in this life, not ever experiencing the purpose God had in store for them. Yes they go to be with the Lord....but their lives cut short.

He is isn't just killing babies by abortion

He is killing the youth of america with lies that God is a God of Judgement and who knows He just might kill someone with

cancer

car accident

murder

HOW CAN WE BELIEVE THESE LIES!!

OH, MY HEART GRIEVES

The enemy is DEFEATED!

The truth needs to be preached

we need to understand

REDEMPTION

yet again!

Remember God's Heart of the matter is this. His promise to those who love and believe Him is this:

Deuteronomy 11:21

That your days may be multiplied, and the days of your children, in the land which the LORD sware unto your fathers to give them, as the days of heaven upon the earth.

FREE IN CHRIST

Christian Cliches

2010-03-05T19:12:00.008-05:00

God is Good!

It is such a cliche!

Yeah, it really is!!

Do people really believe this or do they just say it?

To me it seems like people say it, but they don't truly understand

HIS GOODNESS!

I'll be praying for you!

Yep....another cliche!

Do you actually think people will truly take the time and pray for you?

Some might....

So why don't they do it when we are standing there....

or on the phone?

Why do we pray and then doubt he'll answer?

People will pray for healing and then they doubt it.

Do they truly TRUST in His

FAITHFULNESS??

Love you?

Yeah, another cliche not to be taken lightly

Do they truly love me?

Or are they just saying it

God's in Control

Finding this is another one of those cliches

Is He really in control?

If He is then.........

why is there still

murder

rapes

starvation in other countries

children beat to death

child and adult prostitution

suicides

you name it?

Is He truly in "control".....?

I don't believe it.

WE are the ones responsible for the mess the world is in

NOT GOD!

God is Good!!!

and this

I know

all so well!

Yeah, maybe it has been one of those weeks over here and I am really trying hard to find and hear of those who truly

KNOW HIM!

I bet the Lord is so grieved by the unbelief and doubt which clouds so many Christians minds

Yeah, they say "God CAN do it.....but not for ME."

WHAT?!!

Do you NOT believe?

Why don't you believe His Word?

What is wrong with the Christians of today?

Honestly.....I am grieved.

We toss words around

Scriptures

but do we truly take them to heart.

It hurts me

so how much more does it hurt

HIM

FREE IN CHRIST

The Message of Prosperity

2010-02-24T06:29:00.009-05:00

PROSPERITY!

What is it? Do Christians need to be prosperous?

What does prosperity mean?

Prosperity: the condition of being successful or thriving; especially : economic well-being

What is wrong with this?

Why should Chrisitans not be able to succeed and thrive?

How on earth would we be able to give to the needs around us?!

You need money to do many things.

Just the other day I was thinking of a family in my church who were sitting with a cold sort of look. I came up to them and introduced myself with a big smile (no not cheesy) and genuinely wanted to get to know them. They were very distant. I understand sometimes you never know who is faking their hellos in Church. SAD BUT TRUE! Maybe they were thinking--(does this person really want to say hi to us?) Anway, they were cold. I tried to start conversation but they were cold. They just talked amongst themselves.

I am going to make a point to love on them every Sunday, whether they like it or not! Then the thought came to mind

I thought--If I handed them $50 and told them to go out to lunch and have a great time. Would they still be cold towards me? Yeah, they would be taken aback, but I know they would take the money. I would tell them the Lord wanted them to have it.....I would tell them this.

This sort of behavior doesn't happen in most churches.

Why?

Most Christians haven't been taught to give abundantly! We are always looking out for our needs first, not the needs of others.

YES

GOD

DOES

WANT

PROSPER

FOR THE

SAKE

OTHERS

NOT TO

FILL

OUR

SELFISH

BELLYS

Ephesians 4:28

Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.

Why do we work? For what purpose....?

God's heart is that we would be givers.....Read the above scripture again.

2 Corinthians 9-12

(As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever.

Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;)

Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.

For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God;

He wants us to be givers where ever we go! Money can move many mountains when used right. It can open up doors that have never been opened before. Queen of Sheba was able to dine with King Solomon because of her gifts she brought. He then gave her triple the amount of blessing back.

Yes, the prosperity message needs to be taught in a way that is not seen as covetousness. It isn't about the nice things we can get. Even though it isn't a SIN to live in a nice home for entertaining and making it a refuge for families to retreat.

I'm not against ministers that have airplanes. They are spreading the Gospel all over the world.

Why is it OK for Oprah to have it?

Donald Trump?

Many celebrities?

But not the man or woman of God?

Why do preachers have to walk in poverty and preach in creaky run down churches?

Many ministers have built churches, homes, orphages, hospitals, etc.... all over the world.

We can use money to touch many, many lives.

I pray that every Christian, Young and Old alike will come into prosperity for the sake of the Cross!

ALWAYS BE READY TO:

give someone a $100, for Jesus

Fill someones gas tank, for Jesus

Pay someone's car payment or mortagage, for Jesus

Buy someone groceries, for Jesus

Be a GIVER! A Cheerful GIVER!

2 Corinthians 9:7

Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

Why is it good to be abundantly blessed?

Because it opens doors to peoples hearts!

And let me leave you with this one to ponder on.

Who is the one in the Bible who said

"Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor?"

Was it Jesus?

Of course not!

It was the traitor Judas Iscariot

John 12:4-6

Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, which should betray him,

Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor?

This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein.

To those who want to criticize, judge, and condemn those who have used money to bless many people around the world, or maybe have a nicer home than you...

Are you jealous? What makes you despise and be angered?

Mostly those who want to bite are usually the MOST COVETOUS people on the planet. Beware your spirit isn't like Judas! Check your hearts because the bitterness and lack of love that dwells in there is from Satan Himself (the ruler of the world who would love the gospel to crumble and never be spread)

The prosperity message, when preached right is A HUGE BLESSING in the KINGDOM OF GOD!

FREE IN CHRIST

HATED by the World and the Religious!

2010-02-15T20:49:00.010-05:00

What will bring people to Christ?

What will bring people to know HIM?

Do we battle and fight?

What will it take?

What is God calling you to do for His Kingdom?

There are so many doctrines of Christianity. Yes, we are to be careful of false teachings and prophets. But why are some so quick to hate and despise the signs and wonders? They despise with utter anger the moves of God. They call it witchcraft and say it isn't of God. But think about it, you who are quick to judge and jump on those who want to lay hands on the sick and see them healed or pray in tounges or be knocked out in the Spirit?

Jesus came casting out demons, healing the sick, eating with sinners, touching the lepers, loving on the unlovable.....

The religious thought he was casting out demons by Beelzebub.

Matthew 10:25-26

It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household?

Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known.

WHY

SOME

THINK,

THOSE

WHO

ARE

EXPERIENCING

THE

MOVE

AND

POWER

GOD

ARE

DOING

SUCH

WORKS

SATAN?

Or why do we call those who are raising the dead, healing the sick, casting out demons.......

WACKOS!

CRAZIES!

FALSE TEACHERS!

FALSE PROPHETS!

WHAT are WE fearing! And WHY are SOME not DOING these THINGS?

ponder on this!

be radicals

be like John the baptist

Jeremiah the Prophet

be hated by the world and the religious.

JESUS WAS!!!!

FREE IN CHRIST

part 2: Lost and Lonely People: Discipling the Babies

2010-02-06T15:11:00.010-05:00

Discipling the Babies in Christ

Before receiving Christ we were lost and going to hell. We didn't know what the right thing was. We didn't know truth. We didn't know love. Throughout our lives we had people plant seeds of the Good News in our hearts. We thought some were absolutely crazy, but deep down there was something they had that we wanted. There was something to this Gospel of Jesus. Something was pulling us to want more.

What was this drawing?

What was this calling? IT was so strong it consumed the very core of our hearts. Crying at night not knowing that God Almighty was speaking to us in our sin. He was speaking to us saying what we had was nothing!!!

ABSOLUTELY NOTHING!!!

We can drive in our fancy cars. Work our nice jobs. Live in a nice home. Go out with our friends. Drink all hours of the night? Sleep around with whoever we want, but the emptiness of our soul was deep and wide. Nothing seemed to satisfy the thirst. This thirst that was gripping our bones. The innermost parts of our hearts.

WHAT IS IT??!!

What is this I long for!!!???

Alone in the quiet of our house, we realize we are dying. We are alone. Where can I go to find the love I need.....WHERE???

Someone who knows Jesus crosses our path yet again....this time we listen.

YEAH---- WE LISTEN!!

Ok, uh huh, I know what you are saying.....we hear, we receive, WE ARE SAVED!!

Now what?

What happens now?

We don't know what we are reading?

I guess we need to go to church?

We come to church?

Who is a friend in this church?

These people are suppose to know God?

But why isn't anyone coming up to talk to me?

Don't they see me?

It must be the way I am dressed?

It must be the look of sin I am carrying?

Help? Lord are these your people?

Some are nice, but then most seem.........well

busy

talking

chatting

AM I IN HIGH SCHOOL AGAIN?

Is there anyone who loves and cares? Who is going to show me who this Jesus really is? Where is He?

I was expecting love and embrace!

I DIDN'T COME TO FEEL REJECTED!

I AM OUT OF HERE!!

These are feelings of people who are searching for an example and a true disciple of Jesus Christ. The church can be so quick to embrace the lost and see them saved but who is discipling these babies. Who is feeding them the Word of God? Who is showing them who Jesus is?

No, I am not talking about shoving religion down their throats and trying to cast the demons of alcohol, tabacco, fornication, homosexuality, the old man... . NO!! This will come off in time. We need to teach them the unconditional love of God. Encourage them to seek the Lord for who He is. Truly disciple someone till they can hear God on their own, when they can stand on their own. Yes, babies can sit on a pew at church and receive, but then turn around and continue to live in their soiled diapers and their dirty clothes. We need to be there as true disciples of Jesus and carry them around, feed them, show them, train them......

This is how you would with any small baby or child....you feed them, clothe them, instruct them.

I encourage you to reach out to someone this week. Look around your church and see if they need a friend and to study the word of God. Look for them....Some are waiting for someone to take their hand.

And then I saw them....they spotted me from the front of the church. They came and said HELLO.... and ask...........

Tell me more about WHO you are?

I want to get to know YOU.

What is the body of christ for?

We are here to hold you up, embrace you, PRAY for you, and teach you who Jesus is.

Are you ready to get to know Him more?

Come on.....let's go out to lunch!

FREE IN CHRIST

Lost and Lonely People

2010-01-31T17:58:00.005-05:00

Do you ever stop what you are doing and just look around at the people who cross your path?

Those in the grocery stores or driving in their cars; where are they going? Who are they going to see or maybe they are going to empty houses and fill their night with the glaring blue box? Are they dying inside by the loneliness that pierces their hearts? They never open up because they don't know who is "REAL" out there in this lonely world. They think there isn't anyone who would even care if they shared their problems.

They are hurting...They are void....of a True Friend in Jesus Christ!

They are broken....they are lost....they need Jesus Christ, a true friend!

But how can they know this is what they need? How will they realize that Jesus is their answer?

YOU ARE THE ANSWER!

No, not that you become their savior, but you will show them God's kind of Love! You can take a lonely person in your workplace, neighborhood, school, and even church reveal God's love to them.

HOW?

By being there to pray for them. Being there to listen to their problems without judging. Being there if they are sick? Letting them know that you are a true friend. They will know that you are a person of God because of this Love that you are showing. You won't even need to preach them the gospel. GOD'S LOVE will show them the gospel. They will then want to know about the Gospel and it will be door wide open to teach them the word of God. The love that you showed them disciples their heart in ways you wouldn't even have thought. Only the Love of God tears down walls of division and speaks to the person in his/her inner most part of their heart.

Love is a powerful weapon!

WHY? and HOW?

Because GOD IS LOVE!!

Free in Christ

The Three Little Pigs--Build your house on a Firm Foundation!

2010-01-23T09:43:00.002-05:00

Matthew 7:24-25

Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and does them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:

And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.

When I was reading this scripture, the fairy tale "The Three Little Pigs" came to mind.

The story goes as such:

There were three pigs who were set into the world by their mother. The little pigs went off into the world and contributed to society and built their home. One little pig built a house of straw, the second built the house of sticks, and the third (the wiser one) built his house of bricks. The enemy- THE BIG BAD WOLF, was prowling around looking to see which little pig he could devour. He was watching and lurking behind trees and bushes.

One random day the wolf decided to attack and try to devour the pigs. He came to each of the pig's home, with the weakest foundation being the first attacked--the house of straw. The wolf and little pigs exchange some words

"Little pig, little pig let me in!" (wolf)

"Not by the hair of my chinny-chin-chin!" (pig)

"Then I huff, and I'll puff, and blow your house down!" (wolf)

When the wolf blows the house down the first pig runs to his brother's house with the sticks. The wolf does the same with the second pig's home, which makes the first and second pig run to their wiser brother's home, the one whose house turns out to be the only one which is adequate to withstand the wolf with the blustery breath.

So how does this all tie in with Jesus and the firm foundation?

Simple....if you build your house on the firm foundation of Christ's love, redemption, and His goodness....it will be hard for the "wolf" to come in and devour those who are grounded with the Word of God.

When you grasp on to the clear revelation of who Jesus is and what He came to do, there is NOTHING that can overcome you. Truly, NOTHING! This is good news. How can this be, it just seems to good to be true? There are others who are christians that have been overcome in different ways? Yes, and if you think back to the story, the other little pigs came from the same home and built their little houses but never were wise enough to build it with a strong foundation. Pigs one and two chose to spend less time "building" to make more time for pleasures of the world.

Our walk with the Lord isn't a religion or something to take lightly. No! It needs to be more important than eating! More important than watching the News or listening to talk radio! More important than watching soap operas or your favorite evening TV show! It is more important than spending hours reading "other" types of reading materials or going out to your clubs.

IT IS VERY IMPORTANT!

If Jesus was constantly in the presence of the Father and doing His father's business? Then how much more do we need to be in meditation or in the presence of the Lord? No wonder Jesus did amazing miracles!! Yes, I know He was God in the flesh, but Jesus came as a man (like you and me) and had carnal thoughts (like you and me). Jesus was our example of what godly men or godly women should do in the Kingdom of God here on earth. He showed us by what He did, how He prayed, how He solved problems, and how He loved.

Hebrews 2:17

Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.

Being in the word of God teaches us WHO we are as born again believers and to realize what we have and to draw this out by the Spirit of God. It isn't something we have to ask the Lord to fill us with or gain if we do more good works...NO, WE ALREADY HAVE IT INSIDE OF US! Our born again spirits have all things pertaining to life and godliness.

2 Peter 1:3

According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:

Jesus in His love for us warned of the "Big bad wolf". Told us tribulations and storms would come, and clearly taught for us to build our lives on a firm foundation.

He says "Be of good cheer, I have overcome the world"

John 16:33

These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

1 John 2:14

I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.

1 John 5:4

For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

FREE IN CHRIST

Being Passionate for the Cross

2010-01-15T18:36:00.009-05:00

I know some might be turned off by the post I recently wrote.

Yes, some might be OFFENDED or APPALLED with things I might share. You might not like how the message is brought forth. You might share your thoughts in a different way. You might judge me and maybe you are a judgmental person in general. You might be a hypocrite.
or

You might be like me

Passionate for the Church of today!

But you know what!!?? These are my thoughts! My expressions!

These are:

My expressions of how His love has touched my life.

My expressions of how God has shown love to the most unloved people you can imagine.

My expressions of how Christians today may or may not be hypocrites.

My expressions of sins I might be dealing with in a general sense.

My expressions of how rough life can treat Christians.

My expressions on how I hate the Enemy of our souls.

My expressions of persecutions.

My expressions of stupid doctrines of demons.

My EXPRESSIONS, simply that!

I am FREE IN CHRIST!

Do I normally walk around with frustrations and in your face preaching as such? Not usually! :)

I normally walk in love and never, ever in an offended way. I am careful how I express myself in "real life. But these are my deep thoughts!! My hearts cry!! Thoughts I would share with close friends. To my friends I am somewhat controversial....they have told me this.

One of the many reason I don't like to make my person known on this blog is to be able to express everything on here whether be the good, bad, or ugly! These are my thoughts on my walk with God.

SO.......

Some might love me and think I have written SOME good stuff. But who cares! I am not looking for a pat on the back or people to agree or disagree with me. I really don't care what people think of me other than I know at the end of the day I was led by the Spirit of the Lord. God knows my true heart, my true intentions, my love and passion to see the Church walking in the TRUTH of the Gospel. He loves my genuine heart. He loves me because I am His child and if I might say things to offend....HE KNOWS ME!

He loved John the Baptist who called people BROOD OF VIPERS. Luke 3:7

Then he said to the multitudes that came out to be baptized by him, “Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?

Jesus Himself also called the so called "righteous" brood of vipers! Matthew 12:34

Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.

Not that I am calling anyone a brood of vipers.....Please hear me out! I'm just saying sometimes the passion that is burning inside comes out in brash ways.

So, if I offended you in anyway...understand my heart.....THIS is my PASSION! No, NOT to offend. I am not looking to offend. But sometimes, the TRUTH and its delivery can hurt .... I know...... I've been hurt, but it made me want more of God. And a desire to know more of the TRUTH!

My passion is the WORD OF GOD.

My passion is JESUS CHRIST!

My passion is the CROSS!

My passion is the GOSPEL!

I love all people. I even love those who want to despise me! I thank you all for your comments and encouraging words.

I say all this in LOVE!!

FREE IN CHRIST

A Shout Out to All Christians!!

2010-01-08T23:19:00.002-05:00

GOD WHO ARE YOU??

Whom are we to believe??

DO YOU STRIKE US DOWN WHEN WE ARE SINNING??

Lord reveal yourself!!

I know....these are the sorts of questions we ask in our hearts. Not really understanding who we serve and what we serve. Yeah, yeah....you might say you know God, but do you really? Is it the God of the old testament or the God of the New? I am sure you all have wondered "who this God is?" Why is He so mysterious?

But is He mysterious? So many people will say,"Oh, the Lord works in mysterious ways" or "We don't know why God took so and so home at 16 yrs of age." "I guess God is in Control and Sovereign." "We will never know on this side why these things are happening." "What ever will be, will be." "How dare question God!!" As they say it with a hypocritical look, judging you like you are such a LOSER who has no idea who God is.

I am sorry but these are lame reasons to not seek the Lord as to why certain things happen. I, personally, am a big believer in a big God who will speak truths to me and will answer my questions. I won't relent until I have some sort of answer or peace!! I am determined to find the answers to the many questions thousands of believers might just think about, but never really search them out.

Some Christians will settle on the same old response "It must have been God's will!!" They won't seek any further; they will stop seeking and continue to live a life where they are hanging on by a thread in this world and not wanting to know more.

Hello People??!! Lets be like the fathers of the faith...Abraham, Isaac, Joseph, Jacob (Israel), Moses, Elisha, Elijah, all the Prophets, Paul, John, Peter, and many devoted Christians that have come after.

Lets stop sitting on our fat behinds, sucking our thumbs and spending endless hours doing absolutely nothing to find out who God really is!! Lets READ THE WORD people and stop creating our own ideas of who God is!! Stop living in the natural and live in the supernatura!! If we are truly Christians then we should be walking in greater works then the Lord Jesus!!

John 14:12

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.

Why aren't we? WHY??!!! Have you ever asked yourself these questions? Why are we not living like the new testament church? Are we truly walking in the power of the Holy Spirit? We have fallen to worship the world and not walking in the power of the Kingdom of the Most High!! We have decided to walk as lukewarm and live a life of godliness lacking power.

2 Timothy 3:4-6

Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,

FOLKS......OPEN YOU EYES....people are dying!!! Not just spiritually but literally dying of sickness and diseases, tragedies, and we are falling into the trap of believing that God is doing this. WAKE UP....STOP being so deceived!! Has the devil blinded you so much that you are believing such LIES??

WHO IS JESUS?? What did He come to do?

Read the word and find out for yourselves!! THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS AT HAND!! Not just for heaven it is HERE AND NOW so act on it and know that God is Here!!

FREE IN CHRIST

Healing an enemy!

2010-01-03T12:39:00.005-05:00

Luke 22:48-51

But Jesus said unto him, Judas, betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss?
When they which were about him saw what would follow, they said unto him, Lord, shall we smite with the sword?
And one of them smote the servant of the high priest, and cut off his right ear.
And Jesus answered and said, Suffer ye thus far. And he touched his ear, and healed him.

In the midst of His own personal agony of tears and sweat of blood, He takes time to heal an enemy. How can this be?

When Jesus was in the midst of the Garden, just hours from being crucified for the sins of the world, Judas enters the Garden to betray this Man who has done no wrong. WHAT WRONG HAS HE DONE? He came healing, preaching forgiveness, and loving those who are unloved. What is wrong with this? The Pharisees and Sadducees, the religious thought this was blaspheme. They thought and said to themselves how COULD this Man do these things? He must be from Satan!! Sadly, there are many who will say these same things today.

Judas was the biggest enemy Jesus had. He was deceived, thinking he was doing good. He didn't like what Jesus was doing. He hated Jesus. He hated the Gospel of Jesus Christ! He betrayed Jesus by coming to those very people who hated Jesus and smelled of pure jealously. Those who are in darkness hate those who live in the light and those who love with all their hearts. Imagine the HATE in their hearts. They were DARK. Just because Jesus came healing and doing good.

Jesus' Disciples were ready to strike with the sword and one (Peter) does. He cuts off the ear of Malchus the servant of the High Priest. But wait, what does Jesus turn around and do? Just think about it.... He is ready to face his death, the cross...But what does He do? He leans down and HEALS the ear of the one who is persecuting Him. He takes time to have compassion and love for an enemy. And because Jesus LOVES so much, what does He do? HE HEALS.

So my question to you is? If Jesus took the time to heal the ear of someone who did not believe in Him, how much more will He heal or should I say has healed the Children of God....The ones who love and believe in Him? He took the time in the midst of His own agony, to heal an ear.

This is the NATURE of God. This is JESUS!!

Jesus love is so great that when He died on the cross all those 2000 years ago, He bore our sicknesses and our diseases.....BY HIS STRIPES we were HEALED. He has done it and He is waiting for us to receive it!!!!

1 Peter 2:24

Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

So don't come thinking HEALING is not for today. Don't believe that God's Will is not to heal all. This proves that God's WILL is for all to be healed.

Thank You Jesus for your blood that was shed for me and all of us. AMEN!!

FREE IN CHRIST

Dusting God

2009-12-31T08:05:00.006-05:00

What is your view of the Lord?

Is He out "there" somewhere?

Does He only come when we need Him?

Is He only there to answer prayers?

Many might say that God is a force or somewhat of a being that is there for us when we need Him. Some can't totally understand who He really is. I understand how some may not understand Him completely. But why is that?

When a situation arises are we quick to FIRST run to our friend, spouse, computer, etc, and not to the Lord? How about when life is good? Are you still coming to the Lord on a daily basis?

Picture a fireplace mantle with many different "idols" on it. On this mantle there are smaller idols and then there's the one of God. He's the largest of them all, right smack in the center of this mantle. The rest are labeled such as: Our traditions, church leadership, our image, $$$, our jobs, our homes, entertainment, sports, politics, computer time, friends, shopping, etc...

At anytime, depending on what we are going through in our day, we in our subconscious mind pick up these idols and give our heart, soul, and mind to. We will literally spend hours on end with these smaller idols but then give God a few minutes of the day. Oh yeah, God is still the biggest in our lives.....HE REALLY IS!! Yes, he is the biggest, but He is an invisible "idol".

"But God is with us all the time!" you might say. Yes, of course, He never leaves us nor forsakes us. He is with us always. But why is it when something serious in life happens is it then we place more value on who God is in our lives? We then dust off God and give Him more time than the rest. Our TV's and computers, and whatever else are great tools, but when we start to tune into them more than to God then that will produce a problem.

These things are not a sin, and God is not mad at us for spending more time on the computer or on the television, than spending time with Him. He loves us unconditionally! We need to consider what we are feeding on. When times are good and everything is going our way, we should still feed on Him. We should continually desire to be with Him when life is good. We should always be aware of Him every second of the day. He is speaking.

We should be conscious of His word and His presence in us continually. This means when we are bad mouthing a neighbor, we should be aware of God's correction. When we are sitting in front of a movie and there is prevalent sex, adulteries, and cursing we should be aware of God. What is He telling us during this movie? Is He laughing with us or leading us to turn it off? How about when we are working on the computer and see a picture of a skimpily dressed young woman and click on the link and it leads us to a pornography site.....was not the Lord warning us from the moment we let our subconscious mind become lulled and now we have fallen into the trap of the enemy! Or when we are out shopping and realize we are on a budget but really want to buy that cool item that seems to be calling out our name. Is not God telling us to stop and not buy it? What is He saying?

Can you see how the Lord is with us in all our ventures? He is there guiding us and leading us. But how would we know it's Him telling us to turn off the computer, the TV, to stop bad mouthing a neighbor or not to go over the budget? By being conscious of Him 24/7!! We become more conscious of His presence by minimizing all other distractions in our lives and make God real. STOP making Him into an idol. Make Him your best friend....Above your spouse, girlfriend or boyfriend; above your friends, above your computer and television; etc...

During your break time instead of flipping through the newspaper or latest fashion magazine, chat with the Lord or read the bible. Instead of waking up late, make time to wake up early and have an in-depth bible study. Instead of watching yet another show on TV, go online and listen to your favorite minister. If you are home most of the time, put the bible on cd while doing housework. There are many ways to grow in the Lord and make Him more real in our lives. Find something that works for you.

The more we fill our flesh with Godly activities, we draw out the goodness of God that already dwells in our spirits. Then when the trials and tribulations of life get thrown our way we will not even flinch or crumble because we know our God and know He will not let us down. We can walk through "hell" with a smile on our face, confident, and with great faith, knowing we will come out untouched.

FREE IN CHRIST

Who are you?

2009-12-30T09:46:00.002-05:00

And why do you hide? Why are you anonymous?

These are the questions I have gotten. Does it really matter who I am, what I do and how I express myself. If those who come on my blog for simple accusations and biting, then you can go off to another blog and throw your venom another direction. Obviously you are not coming in the name of the Lord and definitely NO LOVE.

I am here to share the GOODNESS OF GOD, because it is that simple HE IS GOOD.

Why do I not share who I am?

I have other blogs where I am very expressive in who I really am. I don't want those friends or followers to form opinions on my thoughts of the Lord because I have (Christian) friends who don't believe like I do (blog friends).

In the real world I am bold and I don't hide my views and my GOD with those I encounter in my daily life. Many say I am passionate for the things of the Lord, I am quick to pray for those in need, I LOVE my brothers and sisters in Christ.

This blog was created because God has transformed my heart once again after walking in the wilderness seeking for answers from the Lord. I was a Christian with no power (yes even being spirit filled), but walked in much defeat. But now the WORD of God flows through my bones and I want to express and share those things that He is teaching me.

I also want to debunk the many "traditions of men" that are prevalent in Christendom. As Jesus said in

Mark 7:13

"making the word of God of no effect through your tradition which you have handed down. And many such things you do.”

The Word of God is powerful and more sharper than a two edged sword. And there are many weak Christians out there that are taking and accepting things that are not from God and thinking it is sent from God. These same people make Christianity just another religion and in a way trampling over the powerful blood of Jesus.

This is why I am here to GLORIFY THE NAME OF THE KING OF KINGS!

FREE IN CHRIST

The "Almost" Sacrifice of Isaac

2009-12-27T00:15:00.008-05:00

The story of Abraham and Isaac is power filled. To me it depicts the testimony of true faith, trust, and knowledge of who God is. Abraham was a man who heard the voice of the Lord and never once flinched at the promises that God made to him.

Hebrews 11:8-12

By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God. By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised. Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born as many as the stars of the sky in multitude—innumerable as the sand which is by the seashore.

Many might say that Abraham struggled, feared, or doubted when God asked him to take Isaac and lay him up as a sacrifice. Many theologians might say that he was fearful and must have doubted during the time when he took his only son and laid him up as a sacrifice.

Genesis 22:2

And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of.

Abraham was a man who knew His Lord, His word, and His will. The Will of the Lord for Abraham's life was steadfast on his heart. He never once considered that the Promise of God made to him could not be accomplished. His mind, heart, and thoughts were steadfast focused on the Lord.

Genesis 17:21

But my covenant will I establish with Isaac, which Sarah shall bear unto thee at this set time in the next year.

So when God tested Abraham for the word sake to truly know if Abraham trusted in the promises of the Lord, I believe Abraham was eager to do the Lord's will.

Hebrews 11:17-19

By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, of whom it was said, “In Isaac your seed shall be called,” concluding that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead, from which he also received him in a figurative sense.

There was no hesitation on Abraham's part. He knew God wasn't going to let Him down. He knew God is a friend and not the enemy. He knew the voice of His Father. He BELIEVED and never once doubted. He even made mention to his servant of what the end result would be:

Genesis 22:5

He said to his servants, "Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there. We will worship and then we will come back to you."

This, my friends, is a man who knows His Lord. He knew in his heart what the Lord was going to do and knew that it was "WORSHIP" to obey the Lord and trust in Him.

As they are approaching the mountain, Isaac asks "where is the lamb?" and Abraham answers with confidence saying:

Genesis 22:8

Abraham answered, "God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son." And the two of them went on together.

Abraham still acting and working in faith bound his son, laying him on the wood and lifting up his knife was about to "sacrifice" Isaac. I am sure in his heart he kept hearing the words and promises of God. They must have been repeating over and over in his mind and he was probably speaking them out of his mouth. It doesn't say this in the bible, but I know this is what we would do in prayer or in place of confession repeating the word of God. So I am guessing Abraham was praising, praying unto the Lord while binding his and about to stab him. When we speak forth the words of God, we are declaring with our mouths those words He, the Lord has spoken to our hearts, which is supernaturally prophetic.

The end result of this act of faith is that God DID provide and it was accounted to Abraham for righteousness and he was called a friend of God.

Galatians 3:6

Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.

and

James 2:23

And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.

The Lord is looking for those who have the faith and the trust Abraham had. He knew the heart of God. He trusted in the goodness of God. He knew God would NEVER, EVER let Him down!!

How do we get to a place where we can trust in the Lord just as Abraham did? We need to fill our minds with the words of the Lord, and from the fellowship we have with Him. We need to not fill our minds and heart with unbelief of the world. Unbelief and ungodliness is so prevalent in today's society. This unbelief can choke any faith we may have in God. If we turn on the news, there's unbelief! If we go to work there is unbelief! If we watch TV there is unbelief! So how do we tune out all of this unbelief? We need to be a people who are willing to lay down those things that can easily ensnare us by reducing those things in our lives that may bring unbelief.

I encourage you to look at your lives and figure out how you can eliminate weights of unbelief, those weights that hold you down from trusting God like Abraham did. If it is to lay down some of the news you are listening to; To not watch movies that portray people dying of cancers; To stop speaking words of lack, doubt, death; etc... You will know by the Holy Spirit what you need to drop or limit. He will let you know. Remember don't let anything bring guilt and condemnation and know that you are

FREE IN CHRIST

Is God the Godfather?

2009-12-15T00:13:00.008-05:00

A common belief in Christianity is that God allows the devil to "attack" us. Let me say it in a way that will make you think twice. Some believe that God allows evil to overtake us. Did I just say this right? Yep. Some believe that God is somewhat like the Italian mobster character, "The Godfather". Do you believe this or not? I know you are thinking I am nuts. So, if you don't believe what I am saying, then stop saying that God gives the devil permission to kill, steal, and destroy.

In a sense those who say God is Sovereign and that He allows all things, good or bad are saying that God is the leader of the mafia. I know, I'm still trying to understand why Christians believe this perverse thinking. Actually, I had believed this also.

In this doctrinal belief, it is common for people to say in a not so clear way, that God allows babies to die; good and bad people to be struck with illness and disease; for people to die in car accidents. Wait....I thought God is Love and He is good so why is he acting like the Godfather? Why is He sending His hit man the devil out to get us? I am still searching for answers, but it just doesn't make sense that a Good God can be the hit man. I don't believe it!! Not one little bit.

I challenge all of you who call on the name of the Lord, to come before Him and ask questions. Ask Him to show you truths. Here are some truths He has revealed to me:

Jesus clearly says in John 10:10

¹⁰ The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

So why are we saying that God allowed these awful tragedies or sickness to come upon us or our loved ones. We are quick to blame God with most of our biblical basis coming out of the Old Testament especially in the Book of Job. We bring Job into the picture and say that God allowed these things to happen. It says in Job 1:12...

¹² And the LORD said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your power; only do not lay a hand on his person.”
So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD.

Before Jesus came to die for our sins, the devil had great liberty to wreak havoc and accuse those before the throne room of God. It says that Satan, the devil is the accuser of the brethren...Revelation 12:10 says:

¹⁰And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.

Psalm 74:10-12

O God, how long will the adversary reproach?
         Will the enemy blaspheme Your name forever?
¹¹ Why do You withdraw Your hand, even Your right hand?
         Take it out of Your bosom and destroy them.
¹² For God is my King from of old,
         Working salvation in the midst of the earth.

Today, he still does try to accuse the brethren day and night. Satan is still looking to see whom He can devour. Those who believe and trust in Christ are covered by the blood and shouldn't even be touched by Satan. So then why do some of our Christian brothers and sisters still suffer tragedies and sickness. And I am not talking about persecution here....There is a difference between suffering for the cross and getting a sickness or being killed in a car accident. The sickness and accident cannot be of God. Why would God want to take a person who is doing good for the kingdom, strike them down and kill them off? Or how can a person who has suffered an illness be any good in the kingdom of God? They are sitting at home sick and useless.

Please understand my questioning. I am not attacking a sick brother or sister saying they are useless. But, I am saying that those who say they have a sickness because God allowed it are plain wrong. Or saying that God has allowed this to happen to teach a lesson or there is a purpose to this tragedy. I don't believe it!

When we open the door to sin in our lives be it anger, strife, adulteries, gossips, any sin etc... and even fear (yes fear is the opposite of faith). We are allowing Satan, not God, to cause havoc in our lives. When we are not dwelling in the presence of the Lord or putting Him first in our lives, then we are allowing Satan to come in and take over. It says in Ephesians 6:10-13...

¹⁰ Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. ¹¹ Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. ¹² For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. ¹³ Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

It clearly says that we wrestle with the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Satan is looking for who has opened the door because he rules in darkness. When we live in darkness and allow sins to take over our lives whether we are aware of them or not, Satan will come in and try to kill, steal and destroy. Jesus says in His prayer to the Father in John 17:14-16...

⁴ I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. ¹⁵ I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. ¹⁶ They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.

Jesus asks the Father to keep us from the evil one or in other translations it says "keep us from evil".

When we dwell in the secret place of the most High we are sheltered from the wiles of Satan. Yes, we still live in a fallen world and not free from his attacks but when we are close to the Lord, we then sin less which gives satan no power over our lives. I know it can be difficult to keep from sinning at times. There are many times we can loose our temper or maybe even bad mouth a neighbor but we need to be sensitive to hear Holy Spirit's conviction in our hearts so we are quick to repent and not give Satan a foothold. It says in Luke 12:58

When you go with your adversary to the magistrate, make every effort along the way to settle with him, lest he drag you to the judge, the judge deliver you to the officer, and the officer throw you into prison.

Since Satan is the accuser of the brethren, he is quick to run with judgement and condemnation, first speaking his lies in our thoughts and then to the throne room. Before Satan steps foot before God, we need to settle whatever he is bringing against us. Settle it in your heart and do not take thought of his lies. Know what Jesus has done for us and know we are clean before God. Realize the power of forgiveness and His blood. Jesus is our mediator. He is standing in between the Father and us as a peacemaker or similiar to a lawyer, defending us!

1 Timothy 2:5

For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus

I am so thankful today for the Blood of Christ and what He did on the cross those 2000 years ago. We have Him standing for us and not against us. Praise the Lord.

If you have never come forth and asked the Lord to reveal His goodness to you, I encourage you to be a person who asks many question and seek out the answers because He does want to reveal His goodness to you today!

Free in Christ