Sunday, July 23, 2017

SEX IS A GIFT OF GOD! EXCELLENT ARTICLE ON THE BIBLICAL TRUTH ABOUT MAKING LOVE!

This is a slideshow about sex and what God has to say about this.  A must-read for everyone and is especially helpful to parents who want to take charge of educating their children with Biblical principles.  I honestly wish I'd been taught about it in this way.  It would have saved a lot of mistakes and heartbreak.  So, love much in Christ Jesus...in and out of bed with your spouse as often as you wish!  

CLICK ON THIS LINK FOR CROSS WALK - SEX AND THE CHRISTIAN

Crosswalk.com

HAS THE anti-christ BEEN REVEALED BY A VERY UNLIKELY SOURCE? VIDEO

This is not the type of video I would share.  I saw the title and got mildly curious until I started watching it.  Not very long but give it a few minutes of your time because what you think it's going to be about...it probably is not.  In my opinion, one you should watch.  God bless and share the Gospel.  I know, I know, it's hard and not just little bit scary but today is the day to break free from fear of offending someone and speak out while there is time. Much love in Christ Jesus and to LOVE MUCH in Him is to share His Good News as that is real Christian love!  Read 1st Corinthians 13 (the LOVE chapter) and 15:1-11 ON THE GOSPEL MESSAGE AS REVEALED BY YESHUA AH MESSIACH.


"For no man knoweth the day nor the hour...."

HOW YOU CAN FIND HOPE IN THE DARKEST PSALM (CHAPTER 88) BY CROSSWALK

How You Can Find Hope from the Darkest Psalm (Psalm 88)


One of the most difficult seasons we can endure is when we feel God is silent, especially if we're already going through challenging situations. When it seems everything is going wrong and your Help seems to be nowhere in sight, it leaves a person feeling forgotten, in disparity, and simply rejected. Our major frustrations from these seasons come not from simply being in this pit but thinking that God's silence means His absence. 
If this is you, you're not alone. The author of Psalm 88 has not only been through this type of heartbreaking situation, he wrote about. Psalm 88 appears to be one of the saddest and most dismal chapters in the Bible. Check it out and I'm sure you'll agree.
The writer expresses feelings of being overwhelmed, cut off, forgotten, grieved, rejected, terrified, and despaired. Worst of all, he is crying out to God wondering where God is in all his suffering. The Psalm ends saying, "darkness is my closest friend" (Psalm 88:18 NIV).
However, the hope this Psalm offers is not in its ending, but in its beginning. “LORD, you are the God who saves me; day and night I cry out to you.” (Psalm 88:1 NIV)
Before his laundry list of everything that's going wrong, the Psalmist acknowledges that there is hope for salvation in the Lord, even when God appears silent. We learn that just because God is silent does not mean He is absent, and it certainly does not mean He is not working behind the scenes on our behalf. Do not be deceived by the darkness in your life, it is never greater than where your help comes from.
Even when you feel you are in a pit, as the writer of Psalm 88 describes, God is there with you. Four times in this Psalm the writer calls out to God. His plea reminds me of Jesus on the cross crying out in his darkest moment to the Father.
About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?" (which means "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me. - Matthew 27:46 NIV
I want to ask, do you think God stopped loving Jesus because He was on the cross? Was Jesus’ suffering a sign God dismissed His Son?
Absolutely not!
If God didn't stop loving Jesus on the cross then no matter what dark season you are in He has not, and will not stop loving you. And if He's promised to never leave you for forsake you (Deuteronomy 31:6) please trust He's right in the darkness with you friend. He walks through the valley of the show of death with us (Psa 23:4). We may not always feel or hear God but we can always believe His promise is greater than our darkness.
This dark season pushed the writer of Psalm 88 closer to God. He was not calling out to another person or thing for help. He called out to the One he knew could save. This Psalm reminds us that our dark seasons don't serve to show us that God is absent but how desperately we need His presence.
The Psalmist felt his life was near death so he cries out to the very One who raises the dead. He does not look for salvation from people or things. When you're near death you cry out to the One who overcame death. 
That Apostle Paul shares a similar situation in 2 Corinthians 1. He writes to the believers in Corinth:
“We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about the troubles we experienced in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead.”  - 2 Corinthians 1:8-9 NIV
Paul, like the writer of Psalm 88, was in so deep a pit he felt he was going to die. Yet, Paul shares with us that even this season had a purpose. That purpose was for him to rely less on himself and more on God. There is purpose in your pain and hope in you dark season to push you to the light. I encourage you to do just as the writer of Psalm 88. Call out to God and wait for Him to show Himself greater. In my own experience I've learned that sometimes God empties us so He can fill us back up. Sometimes He's silent so we can learn to listen. Sometimes He allows darkness so we can see that He is the true light of our life. 
Image Credit: Unsplash.com.
Christina Patterson is a wife and stay-at-home mom with a passion to encourage women in the love of Jesus Christ and the truth of God’s Word. When she is not folding laundry or playing blocks you will find her with her head deep in her Bible or a commentary. She holds her masters in Theology from Liberty University and is the founder of Beloved Women, a non-profit providing resources and community for women to truly know who they are in Christ: His Beloved. She blogs at belovedwomen.org.

WHAT IS "GOOD WORKS" ANYWAY?

First, I hear all the time "works-based" salvation when we are saved by grace.  I get into all sorts of "discussions" and I ask them what are "good works?"  I know what they mean to me but what does it mean to the One that matters, Christ Jesus?  Is it tithing?  No, we're not under the law of tithing or the Levitical laws.  Is it selling everything I own and giving it to the poor?  I might could raise $200 and be homeless and then others would have to provide for me.  I don't think that's it either.  Now if you have way too much stuff you don't use, then yeah, that's an awesome thing to do.  Paying your bills to me are good works because if you don't, that's theft and a big no-no.  The Bible commands men to provide for their families.  So what does God consider good works?  Now one I do know and that's sharing the Gospel of Salvation, praying, reading the Word, and striving always to show the fruits of the Spirit.  It can't be going to a physical church, especially today when I can't find one that preaches the truth and/or does not compromise God's Word.  I'm not eating slop for my Spiritual meals.  I refuse and I take a lot of heat from other church-attending Christians for choosing to get my meal from Bible-preaching men of God on the internet.  What is better, to starve and be Spiritually unhealthy or be filled with a gourmet and healthy Spiritual meal?  I fellowship with other believers.  I also always try to be the light and salt whenever I go out into the world.  I am never ashamed of Jesus Christ.  If it offends others, that's their problem and I pray for them.  I use the 10 Commandments as my guideline because 6 of them are upheld by the NT.  I'm not legalistic but if you can tell me one of those commandments of the OT are not applicable to the Christian, PLEASE inform me of what's wrong with them.  So, what are good works to God?  Tell me that and how I can in any way attain the righteousness and standard of Holiness that is our Lord, God and Savior?  I give, help, pray, share the Gospel, all of that and at the end of the night, I didn't even attain my own standard of righteousness, much less God's!  I don't have a choice but to put 100% of my trust and faith in the atoning and finished work by Yeshua on the Cross on Calvary.  MY works are those spoken of, dirty rags.  Pray for me!  Please tell me what God calls good works and if man could in any way "earn" his way into the Kingdom of God, let me in on that secret because the Bible tells me quite clearly I can't.  

Now, if you've read this far, I need to spout off a bit before I explode.  I am tired of the physical churches today.  I for the first time WANT to attend church.  I rejected organized religion 3 years ago for very good reasons but thought I'd give it another try now that we're in a new state.  I chose the Baptist denomination because of their doctrinal statement.  I found one that was perfect for my beliefs.  It was called Riverside Baptist Church and I live in Riverside (a part of Jacksonville) only to find out it's 3 hours away.  I messaged the pastor asking for a recommendation and while waiting, I found a few, one very close to me which is vital.  I called and asked them for the statement of Faith and whoever answered the phone seemed quite irritated by the question and said, "I don't know."  Wow.  So I asked her if they upheld the Word and was asked what I meant by that.  Wow!  Wow!  Well, the first thing (and only) I asked was, "do you perform gay marriage."  I fully expected a quick no.  After all, this was a BAPTIST church.  She really got upset and said YES.  WOW WOW WOW!  I said this is not the church for me and hung up.  I didn't wish them Godspeed and I sure won't step my foot in it.  I don't care what this world does cos I am not a part of it but keep the world out the church.  If gays want to get married, fine and if "Christians" want to go against the word, sobeit.  However, I won't.  I am not a homophobe.   If they said they allowed 3 people to be married or didn't feel adultery was wrong and, in fact, the pastors and members were actively engaged in that, dealing drugs, etc., I'd feel the same way.  One church here stopped children from attending the church because the pastor was a pedophile and they didn't want to lose him because he was such a "man of God" and spoke the truth.  Truth is not truth if you don't practice it.  We all lie.  We don't all cheat, deal drugs and none that I know of are pedophiles.  And people have the nerve to rebuke me for turning away from the church buildings.  We are the Temple and the Body of Christ, the true Church.  I'm praying to start a home church, just waiting patiently for God to open the door to whatever He wants me to do.  I'm going to get some Bibles, other Biblical information, and make sandwiches and snacks and go to the park and see who God sends to me.  One of my neighbors, a pastor who was being called to my home state, suggested this to me.  I'm willing to step out in faith.

Last, I have to get this off my chest.  The other day, for the first time in a long time, I got to walk in the Spirit.  It was awesome.   No anxiety or fears as I tend to have them.  The world is a scary place and because of things in my past, I developed some anxiety issues.  It was awesome.  I took the bus, never haven taken one in 45 years, and met some awesome people.  To make a long story short, the have seats for the disabled.  The bus was full except one spot on those bench seats but because a young man who also needed a walker, there was no room on that side.  So everyone on the bus asked this man who was an older man, maybe early 60s, well-built and obviously very healthy, to move to the other side when this very elderly woman, who could hardly walk and too weak to lock the wheels on her walker and couldn't get around the other man with a walker, so she could sit down.  While he didn't physically give us the finger, he waved us off, sat there and sprawled out to make even less room.  I got up, locked the wheels and helped her by holding on to her to make sure she sat down without falling.  I was the closest, others were going to help but I just got there first. Nothing special about me.  What I found next was awesome.  No one said or did a thing to the man but everyone on the bus, at the same time, said UN-%$$#%#-believable.  You tend to see what you want so look for the good.  It's hard to see sometimes but it's still here...but I don't know for how much longer! 

The moral of the story...don't believe what you hear about racism.  Both parties were white, the rest of us were half one race, half the other, and we all found that man's actions horrific. Don't give up on people.  Not everyone is self-centered, without mercy, grace and compassion.  Pray for those without because their lives must be fueled by bitterness, hate and loneliness and that is the worst way to live.  God bless and thanks for listening.  Below is the answer to ALL the world's problems!

First Corinthians 15:1-4

Death/Burial/Resurrection = SALVATION

TRUST AND BELIEF


HAS THE GIFT OF TONGUES CEASED? BY PAUL WASHER

WARNING...He is considered "unsaved" and another wolf because he preaches Lordship, or works-based salvation.  I haven't heard this myself and I've watched him many times but what do I know.  I do have a question though, if we are "saved by grace" which I firmly stand, but you also add works, is that really a false prophet or mean they aren't saved?  He's very humble, disabled and passionate for Jesus Christ.  Does that mean everything he says is inherently wrong?  I don't want to be accused of sharing a false prophet but his answer to this question is not only Biblical and what I too believe (because God can do whatever He wants to do and will if needed) so if Biblical tongues is needed, no doubt in my mind God will give that gift to whosoever He needs to.  We have to be real and rely on what the Bible says.  As far as healing is concerned, what "man" has that power?  None.  God will use man for His will but it's only by the power of the Holy Spirit that man can do anything at all, that includes salvation.  We can do all the good works (and what constitutes "good works" anyway as no one clarifies that) but at the end of the day, we all fall short.  The scales of good works and bad fall short.  We must rely on Christ Jesus for our salvation.  Good works always follow the repentant heart.  Anything "good" I do comes from Him.  He changes and renews my heart all the time.  We need to pray for those who are misdirected and correct them in love, esp. men like him that's in it for the money rather than to lead others to salvation.  Once a man is saved, God takes over.  I believe he's saved because Christ's blood covers all sins and he is not intentionally misleading us.  Maybe God is using us to lead him to the right way.  The Bible is good for correction.  He's our brother, let's treat him they way we should.  He is no Joel O'Steen or Benny Hinn.  Good works ARE our reasonable service.  Help him learn the truth if, in fact, he is wrong.  So far, I personally have not heard that.  I love his answer here.  I hope it helps you.  


THE TRUE WAY TO SALVATION!

First Corinthians 15:1-11
Ephesians 2:8-9
John 3:16-17

IN CHRIST ALONE - BEAUTIFUL!

Enjoy and God bless all!


"Make a joyful noise until the Lord all ye Lands"  Psalm

IT IS WELL, IT WELL WITH MY SOUL - MUSIC VIDEO (BEAUTIFUL RENDITION)

Enjoy and be blessed!


IS GOD TOO BUSY FOR US? BY CROSSWALK

Is God too Busy for Us?

I have four kids, and my office is at home. They call on me often, but I don’t always answer. Most of the time it’s not really important, so I don’t respond. 
It’s not me who determines what’s important. They do. 
If they don’t respond to my silence, it must not be important to them. But if they are persistent, they will push through my silence…and eventually I will answer them.
The ball is in their court. I don’t care how small or petty the matter may be. When my 7 year old daughter comes in the office and wants me to staple her “book” together (that’s a sheet of paper folded in half about four times), I’m delighted to do it. If my 12-year old wants to tell me about his math quiz, I’m happy to hear about it. 
Neither of these situations are particularly important on the scale of life’s bigger needs. But these are my children – what matters to them, matters to me. They are the ones who determine whether or not something matters to me. 
I wonder if this works the same way with God.
It seems that God will often suspend His response to our requests. It’s not because we’re not important, or because our needs our too small. And it’s not because God has capacity limits. He doesn’t.
Sometimes God wants his children to really want His attention. But getting God’s attention is not cheap. Getting God’s attention sometimes takes more than a random shout. 
Sometimes my children call out my name repetitiously.  “Daddy! Daddy!” they call from the other end of the house. Usually when I don’t answer right away, something else catches their attention and they forget they were even trying to reach me. Or maybe they call my name and then figure out whatever they needed, they can easily do themselves.
But when it’s really important to them, they’ll keep calling my name and move in my direction. 
God takes pleasure in watching us seek Him out. He wants to know that His attention is worth going out of our way - even stepping outside the usual routine.
Making it matter to God 
So what makes something matter to us so it matters to God? 
When Jesus got up early in the morning to be with God, it surely caught God’s attention. Jesus was in high demand from the people. But when he escaped the pressures of the world to be with the Father he could not see, God noticed. 
Getting up in the early morning hours and leaving the comfort of a bed for a seat on a chilly mountain – that’s saying something. Stepping aside from the work routine and putting yourself in position to do nothing but talk with God – has attention-grabbing power. 
Often I start out the day wanting to be alone with God. But in just minutes, my mind has drifted away. I’m like my child who calls out my name, but stops in kitchen to get a snack instead. I am like my child who wants me to help with something, but then gets distracted when a neighbor kid comes over to play.
Daddy was on their mind - but then something more appealing came along. What they initially had in mind was just not important to them anymore.
Making it matter
God can, and does, hear us no matter where we are. But throughout Scripture we see that a meaningful focus can work in our favor. Here are some ways we show God His attention matters to us.
Place – getting away from our usual setting can be helpful. Not to say that the quiet in the living room can’t provide a meaningful time with God. But sometimes we need to step out of the ordinary and expect more 
Time – there are two times of the day when my children can most get my attention. One is early in the morning. The other is late in the evening. There’s something special about the start of a new morning, and the closing of a full day. 
Duration – God doesn’t have a time-quota for how long we must pray. I’ve had situations where God responded to my momentary need. But sometimes God wants us to be more fully engaged – And because we’re human, this takes time.
He’s not distracted. He’s never toying with us. He’s a wonderful Father Who wants you to come to Him and catch His attention.
JEFF ANDERSON speaks and writes about walking with God, with an approach to discipleship that combines scripture and story. He’s the author of two books, Plastic Donuts and Divine Applause (January 2015 RandomHouse/Waterbrook). Jeff and his wife, Stephanie have four children. www.JeffAndersonAuthor.com
Image courtesy: Unsplash.com

HEBREW WORD OF THE DAY

Valley....


"Yea, though I walk through the shadow of the valley of death, I shalt not fear, for Thou art with me."  Psalm 23


God Bless You and Shalom!