Spreading the Saving Grace of Christ Jesus. Giving God the glory in all circumstances and allowing Him to transform lives and hearts through the atoning work on the Cross. "For we are saved by grace through faith...Ephesians 2:8-9. Love and praise Him with all your heart, mind, strength and soul. Love thy neighbor as thyself and these are the 2 greatest commandments. For even Christ Jesus came not to be served but to serve and sacrifice.
and said to Him, "Are You the Expected One, or shall we look for someone else?" Matthew 11:3
Are you unsure if Jesus is really the Messiah or Son of God? Don’t feel bad if you do, even the prophet, John the Baptist, who Jesus called the greatest (Matthew 11:11), questioned whether Jesus was the Messiah. Its natural for us as humans to be skeptical or hesitant to trust. Because through our lives people have always let us down. But we need to understand that Jesus was perfect, he knew no sin (2 Corinthians 5:21) he spoke truth even when it meant his life.
Lets see how Jesus responds to this question: Jesus answered and said to them, "Go and report to John what you hear and see: the BLIND RECEIVE SIGHT and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the POOR HAVE THE GOSPEL PREACHED TO THEM. "And blessed is he who does not take offense at Me." (Matthew 11:4-6)
First off Jesus didn’t get offended he simply said his evidence is by his works. We should not be afraid to ask God questions we don’t know. If you seek you will find (Matthew 7:7) God will reveal the answer to you through his works. Jesus demonstrated who he is , not only by his words, but by his actions.
Lastly notice Jesus says, blessed is he who does not take offense at me”. Anyone who acknowledges Jesus before others he will acknowledge to God the Father (Matthew 10:32) You can’t love God without loving the Son and vice versa. Let God reveal his Son to you today, keep seeking and asking in Jesus Name Amen
A dose of laughter as it's been a long time. I love my cat but I cannot figure out how he managed to get his head caught in the cardboard handle of my deli roasted chicken. I could if it wasn't lying flat on the counter but it was. Let me know if you figure it out because it is a mystery I cannot solve. BTW, he was NEVER in any danger at all. Otherwise I'd have taken it off immediately. He was just mad...and I think embarrassed, lol. So laugh...I sure did. YHWH bless you always. Spread the Gospel of Grace!
Good information. Well worth watching and sharing. Jesus Christ warned us about wolves in sheeps' clothing and He meant it. Many today are under a strong delusion and deception. I learned early in life the best way to deceive or tell a convincing lie to get others to believe you is to tell as much truth as you possibly can so that they totally miss the glaringly obvious LIE. Did Jesus teach you to be wealthy and prosperous? No. Was He wealthy, prosperous and loved by the people? I'd say no. After all, the wealthy and prosperous leaders of His day demanded He be crucified. He said "It's easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God. He also said that the "LOVE of money is the root of all (some Bibles say many) evils." Does this new "Wealth and Prosperity" preaching line up with the Word of God? If not, it is a false doctrine. Be a good Berean and search the scriptures daily to see if it is so. Money is often a modern-day idol as is our possessions. We don't actually "worship" them, do we? Do we? I'm not sure we don't.
GOD BLESS YOU ALL, BE FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT AND MUCH LOVE (AND LOVE MUCH) IN YESHUA AH MESSIACH (CHRIST JESUS IF YOU PREFER)
LOVE IS ACTION SO PUT IT INTO ACTION BY SHARING THE GOSPEL OF SALVATION BY GRACE TO THIS UNBELIEVING WORLD
FIRST CORINTHIANS 15:1-11
EPHESIANS 2:8-9
JOHN 3:16-17
DON'T FORGET WE ARE SINNERS IN NEED OF SALVATION BY JESUS CHRIST
They will be like a tree planted by the water.—Jeremiah 17:8
This was a tree to be envied. Growing on riverfront property, it didn’t have to worry about weather reports, withering temperatures, or an uncertain future. Nourished and cooled by the river, it spent its days lifting its branches to the sun, holding the earth with its roots, cleaning the air with its leaves, and offering shade to all who needed refuge from the sun.
By contrast, the prophet Jeremiah pointed to a shrub (Jer. 17:6). When the rains stopped and the summer sun turned the ground to dust, the bush shriveled into itself, offering no shade or fruit to anyone.
Why would the prophet compare a flourishing tree to a withering bush? He wanted his people to recall what had happened since their miraculous rescue from the slave yards of Egypt. For forty years in a wilderness, they lived like a tree planted by a river (2:4-6). Yet in the prosperity of their promised land they had forgotten their own story; they were relying on themselves and on gods of their own making (vv. 7-8), even to the point of going back to Egypt looking for help (42:14).
So God, through Jeremiah, lovingly urged the forgetful children of Israel, and He urges us, to hope and trust in the Lord and to be like the tree—not the bush. —Mart DeHaan
Father, in so many ways You have taught us that You alone can be trusted—even when it seems like You are nowhere to be seen. Please help us to recall today what You have already shown us along the way.
Let’s remember in good times what we have learned in days of trouble.
INSIGHT: Today’s Bible reading contrasts the life of the person devoted to God with the life of one who trusts in his own strength. Jeremiah uses incredibly strong language to differentiate between the two. One is blessed and one is cursed. It’s mind-boggling that we would choose to trust in ourselves instead of God, yet we all choose to do so from time to time. But verse 10 offers hope. It is not what we claim that determines whether we are a tree by the streams or a bush in the desert; it is the Lord who examines and rewards us. Are there any areas of your life you need to ask the Lord to examine? J.R. Hudberg
MUST WATCH - Remember, this was given in 1968 and guess what, it happened or most of it. Wow! God bless and LOVE MUCH and MUCH LOVE in Yeshua ah Messiach. Be filled with the Spirit and YHWH is faithful to forgive...and forget!
Just wishing you a safe, blessed and Spirit-filled Sunday, Much love in Yeshua ah Messiach. Share the Gospel of Salvation by Grace in First Corinthians 15:1-11. Have a great week and see you after the move this week. I'll be back in 1 to 1 1/2 weeks. CLICK HERE TO READ CHARISMA ARTICLE ON TRUMP PROPHECY
Tonight, I came face-to-face with a huge dose of reality. The Holy Bible says, I think, "neither a borrower nor a lender be." Sounds harsh, doesn't it? After all, we all get in binds and need a few bucks here and there to tie us over. However, many families today are barely scraping by. I don't care what the government says, I see many people living today not paycheck to paycheck but day to day. Their paychecks barely cover the basics IF they even meet them. We lived in abject poverty for 3 years in North Carolina as my well-abled husand, with awesome work ethics, went jobless for 3 years. He couldn't even get a job at a grocery store. He worked all his life, gave 4 years to sacrifice part of his life to protect this country and our people. Us getting out was nothing but a pure miracle, a TRUE miracle from God. If I only had the time to tell you, there is no way you could deny the existence of a loving and merciful God whose timing is ALWAYS perfect.
Unfortunately we had to borrow money from my sister way too often and my son had to pay our car payment each month, although we paid as much as possible too. The problem is, we could never pay her back. Oh, we wanted to but there was never enough and the few times we could, we ended up having to ask again. It became a vicious cycle. Now, she and her husband was very gracious to us, helped us get in a new apartment before he lost his job. After his unemployment ran out, by God's grace the VA gave him $1500/month as long as he was enrolled in school, which they paid for but the program only lasted for 15 months (or a year, I forget). Yes, we got a small amount of food stamps out of desperation. Otherwise, we had about $20 month for groceries IF we didn't pay our bills completely. We got into a bad cycle. We NEVER had enough money. When I say we lived without any extras, renting a movie at Redbox once a year was our ONLY extravagance. I never had new clothes and my one pair of shoes was worn slap out I had to hope I got a pair at Christmas. Unmentionables? I did a lot of handwashing of them. My sister married money. She got to live an easy life and could afford THE finest of everything. If I got a $2 shirt at the Dollar General, I felt blessed. A book? The library was my best friend. We had to have the internet so my husband could go to school, otherwise we lost the $1500. When it ran out, we were left with zero income. Two months later, the VA sent us a check for $2300 and we moved to Florida. He was employed, making a living wage (although very humble) within 4 days. I prayed us to Florida and God heard our prayer.
My point is this, if you are blessed with money and you know your sister/brother/mother, etc. is struggling just to breathe and they need money, even if it's $20 and you have it, do NOT lend it to them. Do them the biggest favor (and yourself) and GIVE it to them, even if it's every week/month or however often. If they can't buy a hamburger off the dollar menu at McDonald's, how do you think they'll be able to afford to pay you back? If you love your money that much, say no. They'll find a way as God always provides one...always. Maybe He is using YOU for HIS will. Besides, if you cannot afford to lose the money, you can't afford to lend them money. Money perishes and tomorrow it may be you who needs some money. No one is guaranteed wealth and prosperity and a tornado can render you homeless in 3 seconds. Also, if you do "lend" or even give them the money, shut up about it. They know they owe you money and if you think they enjoy asking you, especially if they have to beg and make promises they know they can't keep but are desperate, you are very wrong in at least 95% of the cases. Of course there are leeches and dishonest people out there, even your family. Say NO to them. Don't be used but when you constantly throw up how much you "do" for them in their face, they start to feel as if the only color you care about is "green" and "red" means nothing (meaning money/blood). It is not worth losing your family over and often times, to others, you look like the bad guy in the situation. Borrowers, there are some awesome ways you can earn a few bucks honestly. Sell CDs, DVDs, pawn things you don't use and have yard sales. Scale back. We left everything we owned back in NC except what would fit in our car. Sure, there's a few things I wish I still had but there's something awesome about being able to walk away from your material possessions and be fine. It is complete freedom. Never be so in love with your "stuff" that your world would crumble if it was gone. Leaving everything behind gave us the life God wanted for us. I miss my family but I love my new one. This is not meant to be about people who use you but if you have a struggling family member or friend and even if they need a few dollars each month to survive (we're not talking about even thriving) then remember that Jesus gave His ALL for you. Does He throw that in your face or make you feel shame? No, He forgave you everything. What if He had said yes but...you gotta pay me back? Think about it. "For ye are saved by GRACE not works".
Besides, red is a much brighter color than green. Blood saved us, remember? On a cross on Calvary! The blood ran red!
God bless you all, be Spirit-filled and much love in Yeshua ah Messiach!
Show Love by Sharing the True Gospel of Salvation - GRACE
We should befriend those who practice Islam, but to do so we need to understand what they believe.
Nancy Ortberg
Today’s neighborhoods are diverse, and Christians often rub shoulders with people from different religious and cultural backgrounds. To choose relationship is, I believe, reflective of God’s nature.
Jesus told us to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world (Matt. 5:13–16). When we interact with people whose beliefs differ from our own, we become the salt with our friendship. Salt seasons and brightens, makes better, and preserves. No matter what your friend believes, you can serve, listen, and love.
Being forthright about your religious differences within the context of your friendship is being light. In a world full of darkness, it wouldn’t make much sense to keep 50 lights in one room forever—just as it doesn’t make much sense to only pursue friendships with other believers. Light does its job when it penetrates the darkness, which means that doing our job as Christians means we need to encounter others’ opposing views. Thankfully, disagreement doesn’t inhibit our ability to befriend and love someone. But we need to understand opposing views to love others well and best share truth. With this in mind, there are distinct differences between Islam and Christianity.
As a simple overview of a very complex issue, I offer three areas in which the difference in Christian and Muslim beliefs is defining. These ideas may be a starting point for conversations with your friend.
First, in Islam, Allah (God) is utterly unknowable. To think in terms of a God who can be known and who desires a relationship with his creatures is actually considered blasphemous in Islamic beliefs. He is a distant God who is to be feared. In place of relationship, there is only submission. Allah only reveals his will, not himself, hence the Muslim practice of ritual prayers. These memorized prayers are offered five times a day to appease a transcendent force with no personal interest in his creatures.
Contrast that with the God of the Bible, who reveals himself, knocks at the door of our hearts, and encourages us to enter into an ever-increasing relationship with him. He calls us his “friends” (John 15:15).
Second, Islam requires a strict adherence to good works as the means to reach heaven. At birth people are considered sinless with unlimited spiritual potential if they faithfully adhere to the teachings of Allah, as reflected through the words of the prophet Muhammad. It’s good works that open the doors to one of the seven different levels of heaven. But there’s no advocate to intercede with Allah when one falls short of the level of good works required.
In Christianity, it’s only through the blood of Jesus Christ that we are in relationship with God and given the promise of eternal life. Good works spring out of that gift of relationship with God through Jesus; they aren’t the means to the relationship.
Third, while Islam recognizes Jesus as a prophet, it rejects his divinity and claims that Muhammad is actually the superior prophet from God. He is the one considered to have brought God’s final revelation. The Qur’an (3:59–60) says that Jesus was, like Adam, created from dust.
Contrast that with Jesus’ own claim that he is the only way to God (John 14:6), and that he and God the Father are one (John 10:30). Jesus’ divinity and reflection as the final revelation of God are central to what it means to follow him.
You’re off to a great start simply by embracing a relationship with your Muslim friend. Now add light to that friendship—listen and engage in conversation around truth. Be sure to breathe prayers to God about your conversations, and remember, truth is spoken best with love, humility, and it need not raise its voice; it speaks for itself.
Nancy Ortberg is a church leadership consultant and popular speaker. This article is adapted from one that first appeared in Today’s Christian Woman.
A very good video on how one must be "born again of water and spirit" by Stan Arney. I am sharing with previous permission. Please remember we are moving and what I saw as a downside of this awesome new door God opened for us is really an incredible UPSIDE. My husband is a bit over protective of me. Notice, I did NOT say controlling or abusive here but no, he does not like for me to be out after dark because it's not exactly a safe world and I don't know my way around this huge city. We are moving to a place that is like a small town inside a big city. Every type of store, cafe, etc. one could want/need is within a 4-6 block radius of my new home. In fact, NOT needing to drive is a blessing as parking is at a premium and would take longer than walking. He is going to get me a nice bike though. It has a huge park in the middle and a huge river is only 2-3 blocks away and it is beautiful. Great place to see fireworks on holidays. I got a bit side-tracked. As I said, my hubby is a bit protective. He won't allow me to walk although once it stays daylight until 9 or so, I COULD walk to my new church but he just begs me not to. So, today he made arrangements that on Wednesdays, since he also goes in later, I will take him to work and a friend of his will bring him to our new church. Win/win but gets better!
I don't have a license because I owe $450 for a stupid non-moving ticket to the State of N.C. and we don't have the money yet. Plus, I don't know my way around this big city so he feels much better driving me around (Driving Miss Brenda, lol). Now that our new home will be 20 minutes away, instead of dropping me off at church on Sunday mornings/nights, he said it would be easier for him to just go with me to church. Now, I said this new church is the most perfect church I could pray for (and I literally did) BUT I believe with my whole heart that it is even MORE perfect for my David! I know the type of people he likes to be around and he'll love it. He will fit right in and, not only that, he is going to like them so much that I bet he gets involved. Praise the Lord! Anyone remember my favorite Bible verse? Come on, it's in Romans. Eight! Twenty-something? Okay, Romans 8:28.... "For as we know, ALL things work to the good, for those who love the Lord and are called according to His purposes." Romans 8:28 See, this works out to the GOOD for both of us. God is good, His gifts are perfect and always, always right on time. I am so blessed. Now I have my internet church and family, my blood family, and my physical church family. We are all one in Christ Jesus! I pray you are blessed and know how much you are loved in Yeshua ah Messiach! I'm blessed to call you family but it is a GIFT to call you friend!
Spread the TRUE Gospel of Salvation by Grace Alone
So they were saying to him, "How then were your eyes opened?" John 9:10
What’s it going to take for the world to open its eyes? Jesus came to open the eyes of the blind, to set the captives free (Isaiah 42:7) So what does that mean? Means he came to be truth into the world, the truth about our salvation and purpose. The truth that the world doesn’t want you to know or hear.
When we read this story in John 9, Jesus literally heals a blind man. The disciples questioned Jesus what sins did this man commit to earn this suffering. Jesus explained to them, this man wasn’t born blind as a punishment, God allowed this see everyone can see his glory be revealed.
After Jesus healed the man, everyone was in amazement, they said “wasn’t this the
blind beggar?” One touch of Gods glory, he can take us from being a beggar to a child of royalty. Jesus brings hope to the hopeless
So you might say well I wasn’t born blind, but are you currently spiritually blind? Do you understand what God has done for you already? Even though we are all sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8) Jesus brought the light and truth into this dark world. Those who have ears let them hear, those who have eyes let them see (Mark 11:15) in Jesus name Amen
FYI, God has blessed us with a new home, Church and physical healing. Unfortunately, I won't be on Google much nor working on my blog for 2-3 weeks. When settled, I want to share my joy and new community with you guys in pictures. I am so excited. I will miss you and I promise not to take any more lengthy breaks, God willing, for a while and will really be more involved n my blogs and my communities. I'm not making excuses but I went undiagnosed of a chemical imbalance -- estrogen -- and was very sick for a long time. I am so much better. So expect a lot of changes, more involvement and sharing. This new church is awesome and I will be sharing some wonderful insights into God's holy Word. Be patient and when I come back, I also plan on doing 2 more blogs and if anyone wants to be a co-owner, please let me know.
I have a bad habit of sometimes speaking things I know nothing about. Now I must restate my opinion. The New KJV is okay but I did not realize it left out a verse concerning the Godhead. Now that I know that, stick with the KJV only and if you must read a newer version make sure you read each verse out of both to make an informed decision. I read both and I must admit that the NKJV did help me understand the KJV better, in retrospect I'd use it only as a reference and resource rather than actually using it as my Bible. I think the fact that I had read the KJV all my life helped me but it may be a stumbling block to new believers. Mine has some awesome parallel verses, some helpful information but my Authorized KJV Bible is far better and it only cost me $11 at the Dollar General. These new Bibles are up to $150+ but a red-letter, KJV Bible only cost $3 and was almost impossible to find at a Christian bookstore. Stick with the truth...it does set you free! Be blessed! (Read further comments below the picture, please)
I fear I am fighting a losing battle BUT remember, the war has already been won...on Calvary. "Heaven and earth shall pass away but My Word shall stand FOREVER!" The King James Version is THE closest Bible to the original text on earth. To change what is perfect is to water it down. Also, we are forbidden to add or take away from the Word of God. Please listen to at least part of this video and if you fear you may have a false or New World Bible, a simple test...
Read Acts 8:37 and it's where Philip is talking to the Ethiopian servant about being baptized and he says thou mayest IF "thou believeth with all thy heart that JESUS CHRIST IS THE SON OF GOD, then thou mayest.
In the new bibles, they do not use the words "JESUS CHRIST IS THE SON OF GOD." It is NOT there. The "world" (unbelievers) made them take that out as they feel they are being forced against their will to admit that Jesus Christ is God. They don't take into account that you MUST BELIEVE. I have a bible like this and it combines Acts 36-39 and those words are not there and 98% of verse 37 is left off.
So, it's your choice which Bible you use but if you're willing to compromise the Word of God by reading a watered-down version so it suits you and what you WANT it to say rather than WHAT it says, that's your choice. I have read the New KJV and it is okay. There's nothing of substance that changes, nothing is left off but it should be used as a reference Bible or starter for those new to the Word and/or faith. Read it concurrently and get a Strong's Exhaustive Concordance, a Bible Concordance and a regular (but pre-1980s) dictionary as they have Biblical meanings of words included whereas some new dictionaries don't but words like "jealous" and "worship" do not mean Biblically what we think they do. You can understand the KJV just fine all on your own with a little help learning what words are literal, metaphorical and prophetic. You don't need anything newer than the NKJV Bible to KNOW what God says. It's setting us up for this One World Religion, especially the NIV.
This is long but this is information you need to know. Also, in these new versions, the Lord's Prayer reads like this...
My Father, hallowed be thy name, Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth. Give us this day....
Notice it leaves off WHICH ART IN HEAVEN. The RCC calls priests father as does luciferian and satanic cults. So, never be a part of compromising God's Word. It is perfect and of no need of new and it cannot be improved. God YHWH bless you all and much love in Yeshua ah Messiach.
I realize many are going to disagree and will have much to say regarding these new so-called Bibles. You are entitled to your opinion but on this issue, I politely request you keep those opinions to yourself. Let each of us be convinced in our own minds which Bible is right. Never be a stumblingblock in the path of a newborn in Yeshua ah Messiach. They need to hear TRUTH and it can be found in the same Bible that has sustained all Christians for thousands of years. Only today do we see it as "good" to alter YHWH's holy Word. It started back in the 60s with the "Living Bible" and has steadily and rapidly went downhill. Read the Bible you want but if you're not reading the truth and your Bible leaves off verses or changes them to satisfy this "world," pray and ask Him to lead you in all truths. I rabidly defended these new Bibles until I heard the TRUTH.
God YHWH bless you all and much love in Yeshua ah Messiach!
