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Mid-East Prophecy Update

A very good video that'll surely increase your anticipation of fulfilling prophecy.
Well worth your time to watch.....

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An Overcoming Life of Joy
Gary Wilkerson


“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things” (Philippians 4:4-8).

What do you really focus on? Do you get all wrapped up in the most broken thing in your life, or concentrate on that one area that is not functioning well? If we aren’t careful, we can become obsessed with one problem and forget the many beautiful things God is doing.

A few years ago, my wife and I bought a new car. It was so quiet and I loved driving it. But one day a pebble flew up off the pavement and hit the windshield, causing just a little defect. I put off getting it fixed and little by little that small hole started to enlarge and before long it was all I could think about. Every time I thought about my beautiful new car, I fixated on that damaged window that was getting worse and worse because of my neglect.

That happens in our lives sometimes. Things that are meant to be precious gifts from God become obscured by a little (or not so little) annoyance and we begin to murmur, complain, compare. And instead of walking in victory and gratitude, we are consumed by the broken parts.

Paul is addressing this here, instructing us to practice living an overcoming life of joy and thanksgiving, thinking and speaking of things that are pure and noble and worthy. The glorious result is that the God of peace will be with us!

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Seek Out God’s Direction
Nicky Cruz


I was just twenty-two when God imparted into my heart his will for me to become an evangelist. He instructed me to use my past and my testimony to draw sinners to salvation, and since that time I’ve remained faithful to that calling. At times I’ve grown tired of telling my story, and I’ve wished God would use me for another purpose. It’s hard to relive the memories over and over again.

Often I’ve thought to myself, “What harm would it be if I simply went into another line of ministry? Maybe I could pastor a church or put together a seminar on marriage and family issues — something that would allow me to use more of my gifts and talents. Or maybe I could go into business!”

But then I remember my calling, and those thoughts quickly subside. There is nothing wrong with any of these professions; they are simply not what God intended for my life. I am an evangelist, an ambassador of God’s grace and forgiveness. I tell people about Jesus and lead them to salvation before his throne. That is my purpose before God as well as my spiritual gift. When God gave me this calling, he not only gave me the ability to carry it out, but he placed in my heart a compassion for the lost. He gave me eyes to see clearly the people who need forgiveness, then he set me on a path to find them. And because I have tried to stay true to that vision, he has been able to use me for his glory. Gloria, my wife, has always felt this same call on her life.

You may have another calling and profession. God has created each of us with different talents and gifts —but all of us are called to reach the lost! We must seek out his direction and vision for our lives and then stay focused and committed to that cause.

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Thriving in Any Circumstance
Gary Wilkerson


“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice” (Philippians 4:4).

“Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me” (4:11-13).

In this letter to the Philippians, Paul, this rugged warrior of the cross who went through all kinds of hardship, could speak to the body of believers whom he so deeply loved and say to them, “Brothers and sisters, I want you to be able to rejoice in the Lord the way I am rejoicing in the Lord!”

By his example, Paul showed that he knew how to thrive in any circumstance because he had learned the secret of trusting in the Lord — even rejoicing — independent of his circumstances. Interestingly, Paul is writing to them from a prison in Rome. It was more than a prison, actually; it was a dungeon, a cave, so damp that the condensation collected on the floor and when Paul lay down to sleep at night, water was on his face and body. Such horrible conditions could have made him angry, but the Holy Spirit had worked a gentleness into this man’s character that caused him to give thanks in every situation. Even when battles raged around him, he rejoiced in the goodness of his Lord.

Do you work in a stressful environment, among people with petty attitudes? Your family situation may be difficult, full of strife and anger, and even your neighborhood may be in turmoil. Paul is instructing us on how to react to things we cannot fix: in fact, he was so sure of his message that he repeated it: “Rejoice! Keep your heart focused on the Lord and rejoice!”

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Hope for the Regretful
David Wilkerson (1931-2011)


“Fools, because of their transgression, and because of their iniquities, were afflicted” (Psalm 107:17).

According to the dictionary, a fool is someone who lacks judgment or good sense — one who makes silly mistakes. He does his own thing without thinking of the consequences.

What could be more foolish and unthinkable than indulging in sexual activity with some unknown person? The whole world knows that sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are an international problem, yet people all over the world are still contracting them. People simply refuse to be alarmed. And now many are suffering the consequences of their absolutely irrational acts.

A growing number of Christians are paying a high price for past acts of foolishness. Some are sinking into a financial hole because of foolish spending. Others are locked in a terrible marriage because they rushed into it recklessly.

You may be living in regret of some sort, but I want to reassure you that you do not have to live without hope! Don’t give up! God has given you his Word that he does not walk out on fools. “Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and He saved them out of their distresses. He sent His word and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions” (Psalm 107:19-20).

The Lord knows there are things we cannot change, words we’ve spoken that we cannot take back. Yet he is not asking us to do penance or make any promises. All he asks is that we cry out to him in our desperation and he will heal, prolong life, and provide supernatural grace.

Be encouraged! God may send someone to you with his Word or perhaps your pastor will deliver a message designed just for you. The Holy Spirit may direct you to a particular healing passage in your daily Bible reading. But you can be assured that when you cry out to God, he will provide a way out.
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The Pesach פסח/Passover Sacrifice/Zebach זֶ֫בַח(Death Passes Over those with The Blood of the LAMB)

Video Editing by IT IS FINISHED, Song "Lift Me Up" Christina Aguilera. You are cordially invited to the Wedding Supper of the LAMB, otherwise known as the Passover Seder or the Last Supper. JESUS IS COMING! ALL PRAISE AND GLORY TO THE KING OF KINGS!

If ya can't read no faster than I can, ya may have to hit the pause to finish reading...:)

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Jesus is Returning
David Wilkerson (1931-2011)


“Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect” (Matthew 24:44).

The Bride of Christ is to live in continual, joyful expectation of his imminent return because he may come at any moment. Jesus warned, however, that in the last days evil ministers will infiltrate the Church in an effort to put the Bride to sleep. They will attempt to take away her heart of love for her Bridegroom by claiming, “[The] Master is delaying his coming” (24:48).

This gospel is preached by men who do not want to pay the price of obeying Christ’s commands. They have sinful habits and lead double lives, so naturally they do not want Jesus to come back. Therefore, they have concocted their own doctrine to justify their continuing in sin. The Bible says that those who claim Jesus has delayed his coming are “evil servants” (see 24:48).

Beloved, do not let such teaching persuade you. It leads to awful worldliness and results in the fading of any motivation for holy living, of any passion for Jesus. Some compromising Christians say, “Why should I live expecting him to come if I’m going to die a normal death? I can do as I please and live it up — partying and carousing! And, like the thief on the cross, I’ll cry out to him just before I die, ‘Lord, have mercy!’”

I encourage you to look for his coming! If you are a part of the Bride of Christ, you will be so homesick for your Lord that you won’t be able to wait to see him! You will cry out, “Lord, I am ready for your return. I know you’re near — I can sense it — and I can hardly wait to see you. My heart cries out within me, ‘Behold, the Bridegroom is coming.’ Even so come, Lord Jesus!”

I can tell you I personally feel strongly and sense in my spirit that Jesus, Yeshua is very soon coming for His Bride the True Church. Do not wait, look up and be prepared for His soon coming. Accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior and confess your sins to Him. Trust in His Word....

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DON’T ACCUSE

Do not accuse anyone for no reason — ​when they have done you no harm.

Proverbs 3:30

Many people have a built-in accusatory nature. It may come from their heritage or it could have been just recently developed. Regardless, it’s a destructive force inside a home.

To accuse others falsely can bring no good to a home. When speaking of others — ​whether or not they have harmed you — ​do so with positive speech. The old saying “If you can’t say something good, don’t speak” is a good motto to live by.

The reasons to keep your family disciplined in this area are many. First, accusations create a negative tone in your home, and that negativity will filter into the rest of your conversations. Second, you don’t really know the other person’s life and circumstances, so to make assumptions is dangerous and can lead to false accusation. Their lives are for God to deal with, and it would be much more helpful to pray for them than to accuse them. Third, not accusing others falsely is God’s command for us to follow. That responsibility is heavy enough for us to shoulder. This goes for politics also.....

PARENTING PRINCIPLE

If you hang with people who falsely accuse others, you can bet they’ll eventually accuse you.

POINTS TO PONDER

• Is your home one where people are falsely accused?

• Why is it easy to fall into this pattern?

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Living with Jesus Eternally
David Wilkerson (1931-2011)


The death and resurrection of Jesus are central truths of our Christian faith. The miraculous resurrection of Jesus gives assurance to Christians that he really is the Son of God.

“Jesus said to [Martha], ‘I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?’” (John 11:25-26). And my question for you is, do you believe that Jesus is the resurrection and the life?

It is common practice at Easter to sing songs that proclaim the glorious resurrection of our Savior. Lyrics such as, “He lives! He lives! Christ Jesus lives today!” ring out in traditional Christian churches across our land as voices are lifted in exuberant praise.

Again we are preparing our hearts to bow before him and rejoice in his victory over death. My former crusade soloist Dallas Holm composed a classic Easter song entitled Rise Again that contains the lyrics, “Yes, I’ll rise again! Ain’t no power on earth can tie Me down. Yes, I’ll rise again! Death can’t keep Me in the ground.” But Dallas ends the song with these words: “Yes, I’ll come again. Come to take My people back.”

Jesus defeated the power of sin and death and because God raised Jesus from the dead, we, too, have reason to believe that we will be raised to live in God’s presence forever. Because he lives, we shall live with him!

During this wonderful season, we should do more than look back on the triumphant event of Christ’s coming out of the tomb. While that is enough to make us rejoice with full hearts, we also have the hope of being united with him in heaven forever — a truth that is not easy to grasp. As the Holy Spirit gives us revelation, may we allow hope to grip our hearts and renew our anticipation of living with him eternally.

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THE PRESENCE OF JESUS IN US
Gary Wilkerson


The New Testament is so exciting — it shows us that Jesus was the exact representation of the Father and when we see Jesus, we see exactly what God is like. So full of love, grace, mercy, power, truth and righteousness! The Word of God tells us that we have taken on his divine nature because of the presence of Jesus in us.

“His divine power has granted us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world” (2 Peter 1:3-4).

Can you imagine living a life without ever experiencing fear or terror at night? Or shame, guilt, condemnation, or a sense of unworthiness? What would your life be like with no stress or anxiety? Just think of it — and then grasp the truth that you are free from the bondage of these things because of who you are in Christ.

We are meant to live like Jesus. When we sin, it grieves the heart of the Father, of course, but the Holy Spirit convicts us and when we repent, Jesus forgives us and breaks every chain! We may not be walking in total victory at all times, but we are “pressing toward the prize” because Jesus dwells in us by the power of the Holy Spirit.

“Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:12-14).

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You Are About to Be Set Free!
David Wilkerson (1931-2011)


The Bible makes it clear that demonic powers are at work laying traps for Christians. Satan is absolutely determined to overthrow every believer who walks in holiness and complete devotion to Jesus Christ. Now understand, Satan is not omnipresent — he cannot be everywhere at once — and he does not know all things. But he does have at his command multitudes of demonic beings, principalities and powers of darkness. And these powers of darkness are laying traps for you. “The wicked have laid a snare for me” (Psalm 119:110). “They have secretly set a snare for me” (Psalm 142:3).

Beloved, the devil is setting a trap for you that you cannot see. Therefore, you must be on guard at all times. He may use wicked people, he may use temptations of the flesh, or he may even use other Christians, but you can be sure Satan is out to trap you into sin.

If you have fallen prey to his trap and now are living in bondage, you must realize your fall was most likely not premeditated. The devil knew of a weakness in you and he snared you in it. You may continually blame yourself, thinking, “How could I have done such a thing?” But beating yourself up is an absolute waste of time! You will never be able to figure out how you could have been so foolish, blind and reckless, so set your mind back on Jesus because I have incredible news for you. You are about to be set free!

If you have been trapped by the enemy in any way and fallen into his snare, yet you know you love God with your whole heart, the Lord will not allow you to remain the enemy’s victim. Read the Word of God with renewed devotion and ask the Holy Spirit to give you discernment. There is power in the name of Jesus and he will deliver you and protect you!

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They Were Unbound in the Furnace!
David Wilkerson (1931-2011)


We all know the story well. King Nebuchadnezzar, ruler of Babylon, summoned every leader from his far-flung empire to gather together to honor false gods. The king erected a huge, golden image and the lavishly attired leaders — governors, princes, magistrates and officials of the provinces — along with all the people of the land were to conform to the king’s decree and bow before the image. And if they did not? An instant sentence of death.

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, three exceptional young Hebrew men, had been taken captive and brought to the palace, trained in the language, and appointed as leaders in the government. When King Nebuchadnezzar commanded that everyone bow before his false god, these young men refused. Jealous leaders immediately reported them to the king who flew into a rage and had them brought before him. He thundered, “How dare any member of my own government stand against me in disobedience!”

In those days, violators of the king’s decrees were cast into a burning oven. The king ordered the furnace to be made seven times hotter than usual and challenged Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego again: “Who will deliver you from my hands?” They answered, “Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king.” (Daniel 3:17).

You can be sure these three young men could feel the heat of the white-hot furnace and I’m certain they didn’t want to die. But they had an incredible faith placed in their hearts by the Holy Spirit and they were stalwart, unbending. The king and the royal party watched as the men were bound and thrown into the furnace.

Imagine their amazement when they saw the men walking about on top of the coals — and a fourth Man in the fire! Their bonds fell off and they raised their hands, praising God! Jesus was with them in their crisis and they walked out of the fire as a testimony to all. AMEN, OOOHH WHAT FAITH
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Jesus’ Promise for Daily Provision
Carter Conlon


Jesus himself highlighted the importance of the Word when he gave us a specific manner in which to pray: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread” (Matthew 6:9-11). Notice that he described it as “our daily bread.” There is a daily provision which Jesus promises to give us.

Jesus said it this way in the book of John: “I am the bread of life. Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and are dead. This is the bread which comes down from heaven, that one may eat of it and not die. I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world” (John 6:48-51).

Jesus was essentially saying, “I am the bread! I am your strength, your vision, your redemption, your freedom. I am your protector and your guide. Everything that you need for life and godliness can be found in me.”

Biblically speaking, I suppose one could say that you are what you eat! If you choose to go on a diet from the Bible, you are going to become weak, and eventually you will end up very confused. Incorrect thoughts will begin to guide you. Then, in your desperation, you will start turning on the television and listening to voices that are not speaking truth. They will stand before you and essentially say, “Look at me! This is what the Christian life looks like. Come, follow me!”

If you are not reading the Word of God — you are not eating this Living Bread — you will end up being deceived at the end of your days.

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A Heart Open to God’s Searchlight
David Wilkerson (1931-2011)


I believe repentance is just as much for believers as it is for sinners; Christians who maintain a repentant attitude bring upon themselves God’s special attention. If we walk before the Lord with a repentant heart, we will be inundated with incredible blessings.

A noteworthy characteristic of a repentant heart is a willingness to accept blame for wrongdoing, to say, “Lord, I’m the one who has sinned.”

“For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation” (2 Corinthians 7:10). And John writes, “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us” (1 John 1:8).

It can be excruciating to admit that we are wrong. We justify our actions and perform all sorts of machinations to escape blame in an effort to divert attention from ourselves. And none of this pleases God.

Being repentant means more than just apologizing or making things right with the person we have wronged. It is also about making things right with God. David exemplifies this for us perfectly — he believed in conducting heart searchings. In the hard discipline of digging out sin in his heart, David cried, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my anxieties; and see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” (Psalm 139:23-24).

David continually opened up his heart to God’s searchlight. He welcomed the examination of the Lord, going so far as to cry, “If I’ve sinned against you in any way and I don’t know it, please reveal it to me. I repent.” “For I acknowledge my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. Against You, You only, have I sinned, and done this evil in Your sight” (Psalm 51:3-4).

Do you need to allow God to search your heart today? Repenting of any hidden sin will keep your heart soft and pliable before him, tender and easily molded by the Holy Spirit.
__________________

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MAKING PRAYER A PERSONAL PRIORITY

After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray.

Matthew 14:23

Some people load their days with activities, clutter their calendars with appointments and fill the air with music—anything to drown out the sounds of silence. Which is too bad, really.

Because God often speaks in a still, small voice—the kind heard only in moments of silence (see 1 Kings 19:11-13).

You will discover two occasions in Matthew 14 when Jesus left the crowds and retired to a quiet place to pray. John Calvin comments on the importance of the Savior’s search for solitude.

WALK WITH JOHN CALVIN

“By going to the mountain he was seeking a time of prayer free from interruption.

“We all know how easily prayer can be quenched by the least distraction.

“Although Christ did not suffer from this weakness, he warned us by his example to be careful to disengage our minds from the snares of the world, so that we may be carried up to heaven.

“The most important thing is solitude. Those who pray with God as their only witness will be more watchful, will pour forth their hearts to him, and will examine themselves more carefully.

“The freedom to pray in all places does not prevent us from praying in secret.”

WALK CLOSER TO GOD

Silence. How often do you experience it? What priority do you give it?

Jesus left the accolades of the crowds and climbed a mountain. There he prayed until “shortly before dawn” (Matthew 14:25). Jesus was committed to prayer!

God hears your hurried prayers. But he yearns for you to give him an uncluttered slice of your time, free from the distractions of your busy day.

It will seldom happen by accident. In fact, you may have to turn off your cell phone, walk away from your computer, rearrange your schedule. But what a small price to pay to “be still, and know” God (Psalm 46:10)!

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GARBAGE!

But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ — the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.

Philippians 3:7-9

When Paul spoke of “gains,” he was referring to his credentials, credits, and successes in life. Paul had been a well-educated and highly respected leader in the Jewish community. He enjoyed the support of family and friends and was secure in his position. But he left it all to follow Jesus. Then Paul had become the great missionary, teacher, and leader in the early church, enjoying prestige in this new community. Yet Paul considered all he had accomplished as “garbage” when compared with the worth of knowing Christ. His relationship with his Savior was more important than anything else. This was more than talk for Paul — he lived it. Paul had lost status, money, influence, freedom, and family for the gospel. Then, as a Christ-follower, he had been pelted with stones, beaten, pursued, and jailed. Still he continued to live for Christ and share the good news wherever he was.

To know Christ should be our ultimate goal as well. Nothing else should come close in value.

What is important to you? Prestige? Power? Popularity? What do you place above your relationship with Christ? A career? A relationship? Financial security? Whatever stands in the way of knowing Christ Jesus your Lord is not worth it, especially when you consider what he gave for you.

Toss out the trash! ♦

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LOVER OF GOD OR LOVER OF GOLD?

There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be … lovers of money.

2 Timothy 3:1-2

Loving God. Loving gold. Only one letter separates the two, but the outlooks are worlds apart. And the love of one will overpower the love of the other. As Jesus said, “No one can serve two masters … You cannot serve both God and money” (Luke 16:13).

Paul accurately described the perilous times when people will be “lovers of themselves” (2 Timothy 3:2) and “lovers of pleasure” (2 Timothy 3:4)—the result of embracing the world’s system of values.

John Wesley has been described as a man who died leaving behind nothing but his Bible, his horse and the Methodist Church. Listen as he echoes Paul’s admonition about the deceitfulness of riches.

WALK WITH JOHN WESLEY

“Let us but open our eyes, and we may daily see the melancholy proofs of this—those who, resolving to be rich, coveting after money, the root of all evil, have already pierced themselves through with many sorrows. The cautiousness with which the apostle here speaks is highly observable. For one may possibly be rich, without any fault of his, by an overruling Providence, preventing his own choice.

“Riches, dangerous as they are, do not always ‘plunge people into ruin and destruction’ (1 Timothy 6:9), but the desire for riches does. Those who calmly desire and deliberately seek to attain them, whether they do in fact gain the world or not, do invariably lose their own souls.

“These are they that sell him, who bought them with his blood, for a few pieces of gold or silver.”

WALK CLOSER TO GOD

Worldly voices and values clamor for your attention every day. And given the chance, they will dictate your priorities. Paul’s advice has never been more timely: Focus on “the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation” (2 Timothy 3:15). God’s Word is a “gold mine” for the one who loves God.

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Accepted by the Father
David Wilkerson (1931-2011)


“For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him" (2 Corinthians 5:21).

I believe that justification by faith is the foundational truth of Christianity. You cannot know true rest and peace until you are convinced that you can never be made right in God’s eyes by your own works.

If you do not understand the perfect righteousness of Christ that is yours by faith, you will lead a life of toil and sweat, trying to please God through a legalistic, hopeless attempt to establish your own righteousness. But the truth is, you will never have any righteousness to bring to the Lord.

A familiar passage in Isaiah says that all our righteousness is as filthy rags in God’s sight (Isaiah 64:6). This does not mean that God despises our good works — not at all. God does want our righteous deeds and we should do all the good works that we can. But if you think they merit your salvation then they are no more than filthy rags.

Of course, you may feel good because of the good works you do. For instance, you will probably enjoy a moment of victory and satisfaction whenever you resist temptation. But the next day you fall back into a sin and you quickly lose your joy. You think the Lord is angry with you and you think, “I’ll never make it.”

Such a roller-coaster ride of emotional highs and lows can result in a life of misery. Why? Because you are trying to please God in your flesh!

Beloved, no righteousness of the flesh will ever stand before God. Even the best people among us — the most moral, godly saints — have all failed miserably and fallen short of God’s glory. Not one of us can ever be accepted in the Father’s eyes by our own works. But the good news is that we are totally accepted by him through Christ.
AMEN

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Conformed to Christ Alone
David Wilkerson (1931-2011)


The heart of the true message of grace is not a permissive gospel but one that teaches holiness!

“For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:11-13).

According to Paul, we are not walking in grace until we have broken from worldly corruptions. Unless we are endeavoring through the power of the Holy Spirit to lead godly and righteous lives, looking for the Lord’s coming in our every waking moment, then we do not know God’s grace.

Too many Christians want forgiveness — but that’s all. They do not want to be delivered from this present world because they love it. They are attached to their sins and do not want to give up the pleasures of this world. So they cling to a doctrine that says, “I can live as I please — as long as I say that I believe.” Sadly, these Christians do not want to hear about obedience, repentance or self-denial. They would rather live in this world without restraint.

Paul writes, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” (Romans 12:2). We are to break from this world completely and be conformed to Christ alone!

Jesus justifies us through faith for a purpose — to embolden and empower us to resist the devil and overcome the world, in the power of God’s Spirit. Yes, Jesus died for us so that we could have eternal life but he also died so that we could enjoy deliverance in and from this present evil world.

“[Jesus Christ] gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father’ (Galatians 1:4).

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Satan Cannot Have You!
David Wilkerson (1931-2011)


It was necessary for Jesus to take on human form so that he could go through everything we do on earth — rejection, pain, sorrow, temptation. Indeed, although he was God in flesh, he endured the whole human experience not as God, but as human, with all our frailties. This enables Jesus to pray for us with tremendous sympathy: “For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted” (Hebrews 2:18).

Consider a dear sister in a struggle. She is a lover of Jesus but she is discouraged, cast down, rejected. Standing in shame, she thinks, “I’ve been so hurt and nobody seems to understand me.” On the brink of giving up, she is in total despair.

On top of that, Satan stands beside her, accusing her, “Look at this one! She has virtually no faith. What kind of Christian is she?”

That is when Jesus steps in! He sees her pain and knows that her faith is weak, so he goes before the Father on her behalf and begins to intercede for her. He becomes her Advocate! “Father, I know what this dear one feels. I’ve been there — rejected; mocked; spat upon. In desperation, I cried out, ‘Why have You forsaken Me?’ I sympathize with this woman, Father, but I have washed away her sins and she still has a heart for me.”

This is where Jesus’ prayers for us come in: “Father, I would that she be given a new supply of grace from on high. May the Holy Spirit come upon her with a special renewing of encouragement. Give her peace and rest in the Holy Spirit. She is mine and Satan cannot have her!”

Suddenly, seemingly out of nowhere, the woman feels encouraged because grace has been given to her through the prayers of our High Priest. He is touched by the feelings of our infirmities — and He acts in mercy.

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God Speaks to Those Who Listen
Jim Cymbala


When the prophet Samuel was a young boy, he thought he heard his teacher Eli calling his name in the middle of the night. It was actually the voice of the Lord, but Samuel did not yet know how to discern the Lord’s voice. After Samuel inquired of Eli three times, Eli instructed Samuel to answer, “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening” (1 Samuel 3:9). Later all of Israel flocked to Samuel to hear the word of the Lord that he received through fellowship with God.

It was through fellowship with God that Moses received the Ten Commandments and the building plans for the tabernacle. Later, through listening, David received instructions on how to build the temple that his son Solomon would construct. God speaks to those who listen.

In the New Testament era, a simple believer named Ananias received Christ’s instructions to go to the recently converted Saul of Tarsus and minister to him (see Acts 9:10-18). He wasn’t a prophet, but he heard from God a message not of new doctrine but of personal direction. Why wouldn’t the Holy Spirit still want to guide the Christian believer today?

As we spend time listening to God, we can be taught what to say and be given words for that day. Sometimes we will be given a general feeling or a section of Scripture that prepares our heart for the things that will soon confront us. At other times, God might give us a specific verse, a nugget of wisdom, or a word of encouragement that we can pass on to someone we meet during the day. But the listening ear and instructed tongue come only from times of fellowship with the Lord. And, remember, these instances of directive come while we are listening, not when we are talking.
__________________

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Let Us Love One Another

This was written by the apostle John, inspired by the Holy Spirit were love is mentioned 25 times. So just how important do you think it is to love all.
1 John 4:7-21

1Jn 4:7* Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.*
1Jn 4:8* He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.*
1Jn 4:9* In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.*
1Jn 4:10* Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.*
1Jn 4:11* Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.*
1Jn 4:12* No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.*
1Jn 4:13* Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.*
1Jn 4:14* And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.*
1Jn 4:15* Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.*
1Jn 4:16* And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.*
1Jn 4:17* Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.*
1Jn 4:18* There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.*
1Jn 4:19* We love him, because he first loved us.*
1Jn 4:20* If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?*
1Jn 4:21* And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.*

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The Weakness of Violence

“Put away your sword,” Jesus told him. “Those who use the sword will die by the sword.”

Matthew 26:52

“London Is Burning.” That was one of the headlines during the violent August 2011 protests in England’s capital city. The uproar began when police shot and killed a twenty-six-year-old man. In response, rioters created mayhem across London and other British cities, killing at least five people and injuring others. Whether the violence was a result of simple thuggery or social inequalities is a matter of debate. But what most people would not debate is that violence is no way to solve the problem.

Martin Luther King Jr. once elegantly explained why, pointing out that “the ultimate weakness of violence is that it is a descending spiral, begetting the very thing it seeks to destroy . . . adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.”

When I was a teenager, I was so frustrated by a family member’s drinking problem that I was tempted to make a public spectacle of my anger, taking every last bottle of alcohol in the house and dumping the whole mess into the street. Maybe a heap of broken glass would finally make the point. Years later, after I had moved away from home and given my life to Christ, I realized that all my critical, argumentative comments had only added more darkness to the situation. So I resolved, instead, to do my best to love the person, pray faithfully, and speak the truth, but only when absolutely necessary. A few years passed and then, through an act of tremendous grace, the person I loved stopped drinking. That was more than twenty years ago.

Most of us aren’t guilty of taking our anger to the streets. But what happens in our homes when ugly arguments and critical attitudes do violence to the spirit? Let’s remember that hate is nothing but a ninety-pound weakling, too weak to win a fight with itself. Just as light is the only thing that can drive out darkness, the only thing strong enough to drive out hatred is God’s love.

Lord, you know how easy it is to get hooked into negative attitudes and arguments at home. Please help my family and me to find better ways of dealing with our difficulties.

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A Condition of the Heart
David Wilkerson (1931-2011)


“Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall” (Matthew 7:24-27).

Jesus is illustrating here that the only house that will hold up in the coming storm is established on a strong foundation. The house Jesus is talking about is our walk with him. We are building a foundation of getting to know Christ, of understanding his ways. We are building into our faith certain characteristics that will determine how we react under pressure.

Many Christians say, “Well, I’m a believer. I have built on the Rock.” Yet, they do not truly understand what this phrase means and they will have a great shock when their relationship with Jesus does not endure the storm. They will be exposed as having no foundation!

We cannot understand this parable unless we understand that it is about obedience! Jesus is speaking of a person who hears his Word and does it, who obeys him, who acts on his commands. He is describing a lifestyle — a walk of total, absolute obedience to his Word. That is to be our foundation!

Of course, Jesus himself is our rock, but that is not the full meaning of “rock” as he used it here in this parable. Some who claim they have built on Christ as their rock may not be building properly. This rock is a condition of the heart and represents the foundational motives from which our obedience to God originates.

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Are You in Love with Jesus?
David Wilkerson (1931-2011)


“By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, and was not found, because God had taken him; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God” (Hebrews 11:5).

Enoch obeyed God with the sole objective of pleasing Him and he was rewarded by the Father by being translated – which means he was taken up into heaven without death. All because he pleased the Lord!

“And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight” (1 John 3:22).

Paul writes, “Even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts” (1 Thessalonians 2:4).

Are you in love with Jesus? Do you spend time with him in the Word and in prayer? Walking and talking with him will create a holy, loving fellowship. Praising him, worshiping him, will deepen your relationship

The more you love Jesus, the easier it is to serve and obey him. The opinions of the world will no longer concern you because you can say, “I’ve heard from my Father and I’m doing the pleasure of his heart!” This spirit of obedience will come from your heart and flow freely from you.

Jesus tells us, “He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him” (John 14:21). What an incredible promise — all based on obedience!

How do you get to this place of loving Jesus? Search the gospels — get to know his words. Many Bibles have the words of Jesus written in red. And as you learn his word, do them! The more you obey him, the more you grow to love him.
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Trained in Spiritual Warfare
Gary Wilkerson


When you met Jesus, you became a new creation with a new spirit, a new mind, a new heart. However, even though you became a follower of Jesus and your whole world changed, the spirit of the world around you did not change. In fact, the powers of darkness became aligned against you.

We see in 1 Samuel 17:1 that “the Philistines gathered their armies together to battle, and were gathered at Socoh.” Every believer knows that the forces of darkness are arrayed against the followers of Jesus. The powers of the enemy gather around those who walk in the authority of the Holy Spirit and they begin to encounter difficulties in a new dimension. You see, the enemy is determined that you will fail in your new relationship with Jesus and every demon in hell has been given an assignment to attack you.

These attacks may manifest as depression or discouragement or overwhelming fear. Some of you may begin to experience new tensions in your marriage or increased financial difficulties. If your battle comes on you unexpectedly, you may wonder, “What’s happening? Does God love me? Will I survive?”

I am happy to give you good news! When you experience the elevation of the powers of darkness against you, be assured that God is allowing it temporarily so that he can train you in spiritual warfare. When you recognize that your human efforts cannot defeat the enemy, God steps in when you cry out to him. This is exactly what happened with David when he triumphed over the giant Goliath. “For the battle is the Lord’s, and He will give you into our hands” (1 Samuel 17:47).

David was anointed and prevailed over a formidable foe, just as you will when you seek God’s help. When Jesus moves forward and conquers the giant in your life, you will be filled with power, courage and strength from the Lord.

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He’s Coming Back

[Jesus said,] “Since you don’t know when [these things] will happen, stay alert and keep watch. The coming of the Son of Man can be compared with that of a man who left home to go on a trip. He gave each of his employees instructions about the work they were to do, and he told the gatekeeper to watch for his return. So keep a sharp lookout! For you do not know when the homeowner will return— at evening, midnight, early dawn, or late daybreak. Don’t let him find you sleeping when he arrives without warning.”
Mark 13:33-36

Christ compared his return with that of a businessman who went on a trip. The businessman left specific instructions on how to take care of matters while he was away. It was clear that this was a task for which he would hold the employees accountable. He instructed them to watch for his return, though they were not sure what hour or moment he would arrive.

Christ’s return is a certainty, but do we act as if it is? One day the sky will split open, the trumpet will sound, and our Savior will return for his church. It is intended to be a glorious reunion, but what will Christ find? Will it be a neglected kingdom or a church actively reaching out to lost souls and making disciples? Will he find a sleeping bride or discover believers waiting with expectant hearts? Jesus promised that he would prepare a place for us in heaven. That’s good news! But while we wait for that day, we have instructions to build his kingdom. Jesus is coming. What will you be doing when he returns? Are you watching and waiting for that hour?

LORD Jesus, you promised to come back for your church. Help me to be diligent while I anticipate that day. I want to share the Good News with my loved ones who don’t know you. Please prepare their hearts to receive that message. Help me not to lose sight of what you have called me to do while I am here on earth and to wait for your return with expectation and hope.

Look up! The King is coming and those who are coming with Him are the called and chosen and faithful. That’s you! That’s us, my friend! Persevere, for He is coming and His reward is with Him.

Kay Arthur

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The Precious Blood of Jesus
David Wilkerson (1931-2011)


Without a doubt, the blood of Jesus Christ is the most precious gift our heavenly Father has given to us. Christians used to sing about the power of the blood in a favorite old song that said, “There is power, power, wonder-working power in the precious blood of the Lamb.”

I fear, however, that we fail to comprehend the great significance of the blood of Jesus. While it is true that through his blood we are made free from the bondage of iniquity — all our sins are covered — there is much more virtue and value in the preciousness of his blood.

Most Christians know that Jesus shed his blood for us. When Christ lifted the cup at the last Passover, he said, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you” (Luke 22:20). We memorialize his sacrifice every time we participate in communion. But in Scripture the blood is spoken of in two ways: bloodshed and blood sprinkled.

A familiar example of the “blood sprinkled” is when the Israelites were commanded to take hyssop, dip it in the blood of a slain lamb, and sprinkle it on the lintel and side-posts of their front door for protection from the death angel. The house with the blood applied was then passed over unharmed (see Exodus 12:22-23). If the blood had simply sat in the basin, it would have had no effect. It had to be applied — sprinkled — in order to achieve efficacy.

This blood in Exodus 12 is a type of the blood of Christ. The blood that flowed at Calvary was not wasted — it did not fall to the ground and disappear. It was collected in a heavenly fountain, ready to be sprinkled on the doorposts of your heart, not only for forgiveness but also for protection against all the destroying powers of Satan. Proclaim the victory of Jesus’ blood in your life and begin praising him in a new way!

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What Are Your Priorities?

Life is busy and if we are not careful things in life like social status, worrying about what people think about you, what kind of car you drive, is your child in “Brand Name” clothes, etc. will dictate what we focus on and do. Often times when we let this happen it leads us away from God and the priorities he desires for us to have.

Are you asking yourself “What would God have as my priority”? I asked myself the same thing. First what does Priority mean? A priority is something that is important to us, something that we care about. If something is important to us, then we will show that by our deeds. For instance, the Bible tells us that if our faith is truly important to us, we will demonstrate that in our works.

Is your priority food, going to practice, working out, or going to the new Star Wars movie that just came out?

Are you spending time in the Word? Are you talking with Jesus? Are you discipling? Are you putting family first?

It’s really this simple:
1st- God
2nd- Family; Spouse, Children, Parents etc.
3rd- Church; not just going to church but serving the church
4th- Work

Do you have your priorities in the right order? If not ask God to help you get them right.

"But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Matthew 6:33

"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Luke 12:34


~Tonia~ From WBFG Radio

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Keep Your Heart Pure

Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.

Psalm 51:7

Firearm experts point out that if a gun is never cleaned, it will eventually become a safety hazard. That’s because every time you fire a gun, residue is left behind. This grime will eventually clog up the works, rendering the firearm unsafe to use. The same is true with our tongues. Every time we lash out in anger, every time we accuse, berate, gossip, criticize, or betray a confidence, a residue is left in our hearts that will make our tongues more harmful to ourselves and others.

Cleaning a handgun is fairly straightforward. After safely disassembling it, you wipe it with a cloth rag, removing as much of the caked-on carbon as possible. Then you apply a solvent and scrub the gun with a brush. After more wiping and scrubbing and brushing, you oil the components that need to be lubricated. Then you reassemble it and, presto chango, you have a gun that is much safer to use.

Cloth rags, solvents, and oil won’t quite do it for our tongues, of course. But there is something we can do to make them less hazardous in the future. We can begin by recognizing negative patterns of speech, asking God to search our hearts and to show us where we have sinned. Then we can ask him for forgiveness. A clean heart will enable our tongues to function the way God intends, building others up rather than tearing them down.

“Have mercy on me, O God, because of your unfailing love. Because of your great compassion, blot out the stain of my sins. Wash me clean from my guilt. Purify me from my sin. For I recognize my rebellion; it haunts me day and night. Against you, and you alone, have I sinned; I have done what is evil in your sight. . . . Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. . . . Unseal my lips, O Lord, that my mouth may praise you” (Psalm 51:1-4, 7, 15).

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The World is Watching
Nicky Cruz


Paul told the Colossians, “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity” (Colossians 3:12-14).

There is a reason we are called to live as Christ lived. Because the world will look at our lives, at the way we live, at the things we say and do, and reflect those images onto Jesus. They will see him as they see us. Nothing brings greater disgrace to the cause of Christ than people who claim to know him but live in anger and judgment and arrogance. People who live in sin and hypocrisy within the church.

And the reverse is also true. Nothing brings greater honor to Christ than people who exude a lifestyle of love and compassion and kindness. People who see others as Jesus sees them and treat other people the way that Jesus would treat them. People who live as Christ would live.

Every day you and I have to make that choice. It is already a given that our actions will reflect on Jesus, but what we reflect is a decision we have to make. A decision we make day by day, hour by hour, minute by minute. Will we choose to live in grace and kindness and mercy? Will we choose forgiveness over retaliation? Or will we live in bitterness and hypocrisy?

What we decide makes all the difference in how the world reacts to God’s message of hope and salvation. We can be sure the world is watching — so choose wisely!

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CELEBRATE: PART 1

Why do we call our program “Celebrate Recovery”? Because we do truly “celebrate” what God has done for each of us along our road to recovery. We celebrate the victories and freedom he is giving us over our hurts, hang-ups and habits.

Celebrate Recovery works when our program contains each of the following nine positive actions:

Celebrate Everything
Embrace Change
Love God and Others
Encourage Others
Be Involved in Service
Read the Bible Daily
Attend Your Meetings Regularly
Take Time to Reflect
Enjoy Sharing the Good News

Celebrate Everything

In New England, there is a restaurant that daily celebrates the setting of the sun by playing Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture and ringing a bell. Now, most of us don’t usually celebrate the sunrise or sunset each day, but we do celebrate the milestones of our lives: anniversaries, birthdays, school graduations, promotions at work, etc. Just the fact that we are attempting to make changes in our lives is worthy of celebrating!
We need to celebrate our victories over our struggles. Philippians 4:4 tells us to “rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” We need to rejoice and thank God for the victories he has given us—no matter how small. And we need to also thank him for getting us through our tough times, knowing that he is with us each step of the way.

Embrace Change

Principle Five states: “Voluntarily submit to every change God wants to make in my life.” Sometimes change is hard. Sometimes it’s painful. But we know that on the other side of change is healing. We need to embrace it. As part of the Serenity Prayer we pray:

God, grant me the serenity
To accept the things I cannot change,
The courage to change the things I can,
And the wisdom to know the difference.
We need to hold on to Philippians 4:7: “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Love God and Others

In Matthew 22:37–40 Jesus tells us, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
The most important relationship in our lives is a loving, personal relationship with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. But, we also need to have loving relationships with the other people that God places along our road to recovery. As we grow in Christ and in our recovery, we will learn to love the unlovable.

Encourage Others

We need a genuine mentor or, in recovery terms, a sponsor and/or accountability partner to walk alongside us on our road to recovery. We need them to provide feedback to keep us on track. A sponsor and/or accountability partner can see our old, dysfunctional, self-defeating patterns beginning to surface, quickly point them out to us, and confront us with truth and love without placing shame or guilt.
In the same way, we need to encourage others by stepping up and being sponsors and accountability partners for them. We need to model 2 Corinthians 1:3–4: “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.”
We will continue with the last five actions—Be Involved in Service, Read the Bible Daily, Attend Your Meetings Regularly, Take Time to Reflect, and Enjoy Sharing the Good News—in the next devotion.

Take a Look:

• How do you celebrate your victories over your hurts, hang-ups and habits?
• How do the first four lines of the Serenity Prayer help you deal with change?
• What has been your experience in learning to love the unlovable?
• List some of the ways you encourage others.

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A really, really good video.....
Pastor J.D. talks about the prophetic significance of the US Embassy move to Jerusalem. ---

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Are You Living a Watered-Down Christianity?
Gary Wilkerson


Francis Chan, the well-known author of Crazy Love and many more books, felt called of God to leave his megachurch in a lovely, affluent, suburban Californian town. Stepping out of financial security and comfort, he gathered a small group of believers together in the heart of San Francisco and began doing street ministry. Because he is so distinguished and recognized in Christian circles, he could have put up a few billboards, passed out flyers, and started a church with a few thousand people with little effort. But he did not want people from other churches to leave their churches and come to his — he wanted to win souls to Christ.

Francis Chan left everything behind for the sake of the gospel in order to live the realities of the book of Acts. How many of us have room in our daily lives for true New Testament living? So many are going about normal, adequate, watered-down Christian lives. At least, they think it’s normal because it is all they see around them so it becomes acceptable. To be something other than what they are would be considered abnormal.

Leonard Ravenhill, a renowned British pastor who died a couple of decades ago, said, “Christianity today is so subnormal that if any Christian began to act like a normal New Testament Christian, he would be considered abnormal.”

It is true, Christianity today is more self-seeking than it has been in prior generations — more consumeristic, more materialistic. “What can I get out of church? What can I get out of God?” People have accepted Christ but they have not allowed him to really change their way of living.

The call of God for his people today is loving but urgent. He wants us to say to him, “I am an empty vessel, Lord. Please fill me and help me to walk in New Testament life. Whatever it costs, whatever it takes, God, I want to win souls.”

I want to be an abnormal Christian myself.....

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God’s Motivation to Deliver You
David Wilkerson (1931-2011)


When the three young men we know as “the three Hebrew children” were thrown into the fiery furnace, a fourth Man was there with them — Jesus! The men did not get burned; in fact, their clothes and hair did not even smell of smoke when they emerged from the furnace. Beloved, that is the very kind of deliverance God wants to bring to you!

What is God’s motivation for wanting to deliver you? Is it because you have done something to appease him? Have you increased your prayer time? Do you spend more time reading the scriptures? Have you promised never to fail him again? Isaiah had the true revelation: “Since you were precious in My sight, you have been honored. And I have loved you” (Isaiah 43:4).

God was saying to Israel, “You are about to go through fires and floods but I am going to walk with you through them all. And in the end, I am going to deliver you simply because you are mine! I know you by name and you are the delight of my heart.”

“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9).

You may say, “I can believe that God delights in righteous pastors. They pray and spend so much time in the Word. And elders and intercessors have endured testings and trials and come through in victory. But I find it hard to believe that a troubled, vacillating Christian could be precious to God.”

Even if you lived to be five hundred years old, you would not live long enough to please God by your own design. Perhaps the devil has convinced you that you have disappointed God and will never be able to please him. But that is a lie because you have been saved and forgiven.

Oh, thank God for Jesus! His grace enables you to stand in victory.

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“If you fully obey the LORD your God and carefully keep all his commands that I am giving you today, the LORD your God will set you high above all the nations of the world.” DEUTERONOMY 28:1

Blessings for Obedience or Curses for Disobedience Deut 28:1-68

When God made his covenant with the Israelites, he gave them commands to follow and then told them what would happen whether they were obedient or disobedient to those commands. These were not bribes and threats. God wanted the people to know the truth about choices and consequences. Obedience to God results in good things. Disobedience always leads to trouble.

Many people have misunderstood the blessings and curses listed in Deuteronomy. Throughout history people have thought of disease and disability as the result of personal sin or a lack of faith in God. This is not true! Sometimes bad things just happen in our fallen world. A car slides on unseen ice and grievous injuries occur. Cancer comes unannounced, turning the ordinary into a life-changing chaos of diagnoses and treatments. A simple mistake (as when Joni Eareckson Tada dove headfirst into water without first confirming the depth) brings irreversible paralysis. Such events, while under the sovereign eye of God, are not curses from God; rather, these tragedies often have no relationship to sin or disobedience. On the other hand, behaviors do have consequences, and disability itself can be the result of sinful acts, such as when someone’s anger causes injury to those around them.

Therefore, if you are facing any kind of difficulty, it’s always good to ask yourself, “Is there any sin I have not confessed? Have I done evil which could bring affliction into my life?” Examine your own actions and motives. And ask God about it. He will convict you of sin and help you remove it. He will also be with you and uphold you in times of trouble as you rely on him. Take comfort in the fact that no matter what suffering you face, even if you can trace your suffering to personal sin, God always intends to use it for good.