God left us an instruction manual. It's called: The Bible. Most of us don't know it as well as we should. He wanted to make it easy for us because He loves us so much. It's not a "recipe" book for us to delve into ...it is a "complete" manual. Most misunderstandings in the body of Christ come from our overall inability to comprehend this. This treatise is an effort to take direction from the Word of God to examine certain areas.
I hear and read so much discussion about how things "ought" to be; but what does the Word say? What does God say? I respect opinions, but I respect God much more. No one can tell you God's intentions better than He. Please don't forget that.
SIDEBAR: AS THE BODY OF CHRIST; THE WORLD WATCHES US: WE MUST BE MINDFUL AND WE MUST BE CORRECT.
You can’t be in faith and not understand God’s Word.
He said He will not withhold from anyone whose walk is blameless. So let your walk be blameless.
WHO DOES GOD WANT US TO LOVE?
God is so wonderful. He looked down the road at our world in the Year 2007 and He left us a command; to the body of Christ and even to the churches. He said:
"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." (NIV, John 13:34-35)
THE DEVIL WOULD LIKE TO GET YOU OFF OF YOUR PATH OF LOVE...
The world watches the Body of Christ with great amusement. So does the devil. And sometimes I wonder if we’re accommodating them unwittingly. Close critiquing of ministries that are different is widespread within the body of Christ even though the Bible is clear about the "role" of the body.
"And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way." (Ephesians 1:22-23 NIV)
GOD EXPECTS US TO UNDERSTAND THAT AS THE BODY OF CHRIST WE WON'T ALL BE THE SAME...
Romans 12:4-8
Just as each of us has one body with many members and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully. (NIV)
1 Corinthians 12:18-22
But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, "I don't need you!" And the head cannot say to the feet, "I don't need you!" On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, (NIV)
I give you the Word of God and I’ll tell you that if you see another ministry that fails or misses the mark in your eyesight, pray for them and ask God what you can do to help them and wait for His instruction. Don’t give ammunition to the world by openly criticizing another ministry.
Many times I observe people complaining about other ministries; but I never see a reply very often. It’s probably because of the following verse. Get in the Word, I encourage you to meditate upon these scriptures before you publicly or privately criticize your brothers or sisters in Christ.
THE WORD IS REAL….
1 Corinthians 12:26-27
If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. (NIV)
WE HAVE A DIRECTIVE PRAY FOR THOSE THAT PERSECUTE US, NOT TO TALK ABOUT THEM, BUT TO PRAY FOR THEM!
"There is a saying, 'Love your friends and hate your enemies.' But I say: Love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way you will be acting as true sons of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust too. If you love only those who love you, what good is that? Even scoundrels do that much. If you are friendly only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even the heathen do that. But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect. (TLB, Matthew 5:43-48)
AND FINALLY FORGIVE...
"For if you forgive men for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. "But if you do not forgive men, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions. (NAS, Matthew 6:14-15)
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Sunday, April 29, 2007
Saturday, April 28, 2007
Mission Statement
When I was in Graduate School, where God had sent me; we learned about mission statements. Here is my statement for this site:
We aim to help people build their faith based on the Word of God and not our opinions.
We will pray before we give you any words here so as not to waste your time. You are too valuable, too precious. We profess love for our neighbors, so our words will be love based. We are not a political voice, but a spiritual voice. We are quite sympathetic to the needs of the world, but we put our trust in God and not in man without exception. We believe that faith is what we all need and that it must be fueled daily. That is why we bring you a word in season each and every day. Our mission is to minister to you. God is in control.
_______________________________________________________________________________________
We aim to help people build their faith based on the Word of God and not our opinions.
We will pray before we give you any words here so as not to waste your time. You are too valuable, too precious. We profess love for our neighbors, so our words will be love based. We are not a political voice, but a spiritual voice. We are quite sympathetic to the needs of the world, but we put our trust in God and not in man without exception. We believe that faith is what we all need and that it must be fueled daily. That is why we bring you a word in season each and every day. Our mission is to minister to you. God is in control.
_______________________________________________________________________________________
The Great Exam (A short story) by Elaine Davenport
A certain young man wanted to attend the Number One school in the world. IN ORDER TO DO THIS, HE WOULD HAVE TO TAKE A MAJOR TEST. His success could only be assured, if he passed it. Failure was not an option. He had prepared himself all of his life according to the best of his ability; in every way that he knew how for this situation. There had been glitches and schisms in the past but TO HIS KNOWLEDGE, it had all been corrected! He was taught by great men and women, who taught him the way that they had been taught. As time progressed, more and more new truths were revealed to him and he perfected and redirected himself. He was a complete book worm, a true student of the law that had been presented to him. It was the way of his fathers.
He had great memorization skills; second to none. He possessed a photogenic memory if you will. He also had a network of friends who thought like him, had the same goals and objectives. They believed in their cause so greatly and they were so dedicated that it became a lifestyle for them. Right or wrong, they were often misunderstood and in some cases, they were understood even better than they knew themselves.
There came a time when they as individuals had to take a great test. As a group; they were very powerful and very focused. They even had great strategy to attack this major exam and be a success. They had to be perfect in every way when they took this exam and they knew it. There would be no room for error, there could be no margins for failure. They diagnosed everything around them from their group perspective of identifying situations. They felt no need to assess things from any other angle or vantage point. Theirs was the way and they were sure.
There was a very minor flaw and it would show itself strong at a very inopportune time. Whether that would be critical or not would be determined by the test results.
The day of the test came and they were pleased to announce that they had studied and rested. They knew in advance that a select group would pass the test. Though their numbers were off, they were correct in thinking that it would be just a percentage of all who took the test.
According to their calculations only those who were a part of their group could take the test and pass it. Their calculations also showed that even after that; only one in 41 of them would pass it. They had retained many many facts. The preparation for this exam for them had taken a lifetime. They knew Reading, Spelling, Writing, Mathematics, Logistics, Science, The Solar System. Statistics, enough about most subjects that they deemed necessary. More importantly theyt knew the letter of the law. That surely would count for much. They had a guide book and had even studied it well and picked the things they deemed most important based on what they were taught.
Let me say that what they knew was far more detailed than what the average person knew.
On the day of the test, they were surprised to see so many people there who were not of their discipline. In fact, as they looked around they saw that EVERYBODY was there to take the same test. It was crowded but surely there was electricity and excitement in the air!
In a distant room, they heard screaming and crying and they heard laughter and joy, all at different times.
They took the test and all seemed well in their hearts. They were truly sincere. The test was graded on the spot for each of them as they turned in their answers and went before the review board.
I’d love to make this story sound lovely at this point and tell you that they passed, but that would be a lie. They were never taught comprehension to mix with all of their facts that were taught to them. "Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth." 2 Timothy 3: 15
They had never ventured to rightly divide the Word of Truth for themselves.
So, though they had the facts, they didn’t have them all and when asked to lay them out, they could not nor were they able to explain in a sensible way what the facts meant.
AS A RESULT, THEY WERE NOT ADMITTED TO THE TOP SCHOOL.
Jesus said: “I am the way, the truth and the light. No man comes to the Father but by me. “
I cannot stand by and say nothing …
I am trusting God that this letter will not fall on deaf ears for it is a letter of love, a seed to be watered and it will reap a harvest! All is well.
______________________________________________________________________________________
He had great memorization skills; second to none. He possessed a photogenic memory if you will. He also had a network of friends who thought like him, had the same goals and objectives. They believed in their cause so greatly and they were so dedicated that it became a lifestyle for them. Right or wrong, they were often misunderstood and in some cases, they were understood even better than they knew themselves.
There came a time when they as individuals had to take a great test. As a group; they were very powerful and very focused. They even had great strategy to attack this major exam and be a success. They had to be perfect in every way when they took this exam and they knew it. There would be no room for error, there could be no margins for failure. They diagnosed everything around them from their group perspective of identifying situations. They felt no need to assess things from any other angle or vantage point. Theirs was the way and they were sure.
There was a very minor flaw and it would show itself strong at a very inopportune time. Whether that would be critical or not would be determined by the test results.
The day of the test came and they were pleased to announce that they had studied and rested. They knew in advance that a select group would pass the test. Though their numbers were off, they were correct in thinking that it would be just a percentage of all who took the test.
According to their calculations only those who were a part of their group could take the test and pass it. Their calculations also showed that even after that; only one in 41 of them would pass it. They had retained many many facts. The preparation for this exam for them had taken a lifetime. They knew Reading, Spelling, Writing, Mathematics, Logistics, Science, The Solar System. Statistics, enough about most subjects that they deemed necessary. More importantly theyt knew the letter of the law. That surely would count for much. They had a guide book and had even studied it well and picked the things they deemed most important based on what they were taught.
Let me say that what they knew was far more detailed than what the average person knew.
On the day of the test, they were surprised to see so many people there who were not of their discipline. In fact, as they looked around they saw that EVERYBODY was there to take the same test. It was crowded but surely there was electricity and excitement in the air!
In a distant room, they heard screaming and crying and they heard laughter and joy, all at different times.
They took the test and all seemed well in their hearts. They were truly sincere. The test was graded on the spot for each of them as they turned in their answers and went before the review board.
I’d love to make this story sound lovely at this point and tell you that they passed, but that would be a lie. They were never taught comprehension to mix with all of their facts that were taught to them. "Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth." 2 Timothy 3: 15
They had never ventured to rightly divide the Word of Truth for themselves.
So, though they had the facts, they didn’t have them all and when asked to lay them out, they could not nor were they able to explain in a sensible way what the facts meant.
AS A RESULT, THEY WERE NOT ADMITTED TO THE TOP SCHOOL.
Jesus said: “I am the way, the truth and the light. No man comes to the Father but by me. “
I cannot stand by and say nothing …
I am trusting God that this letter will not fall on deaf ears for it is a letter of love, a seed to be watered and it will reap a harvest! All is well.
______________________________________________________________________________________
Friday, April 27, 2007
Stay in the cycle of Faith by Elaine Davenport
Just walk up to someone and ask them what are the signs of faith. You will get a myriad of answers and only a few of them will be convincing. It's not because people don't know. It's because no one really ever thought about it that way!
Faith is one of the simplest things; yet people make it complicated. There's a whole lot of faith on the receiving end or the back end, but on the front end...there's usually not as much.
You've got to grab hold of this.
THE CYCLE OF FAITH
1 FAITH ASKS BELIEVING
2.FAITH ACCEPTS
3.FAITH PRAISES & GIVES THANKS
4.FAITH CELEBRATES
5.FAITH SPEAKS BOLDLY BEFOREHAND!
6.FAITH DECREES!
7.FAITH EXCLAIMS
8.FAITH IS ESTABLISHED
9.FAITH ACTS
10.FAITH IS PATIENT
11.FAITH EXPECTS
12.FAITH STAYS ROOTED IN THE WORD OF GOD
13.FAITH STAYS IN THE PRESENCE OF GOD
14.FAITH LOVES
15.FAITH FORGIVES
16.FAITH IS HUMBLE
17.FAITH OVERCOMES
18.FAITH PERSEVERES
19.FAITH NEVER DRAWS BACK
20.FAITH WINS
You have to stay in the cycle of Faith!
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Faith is one of the simplest things; yet people make it complicated. There's a whole lot of faith on the receiving end or the back end, but on the front end...there's usually not as much.
You've got to grab hold of this.
THE CYCLE OF FAITH
1 FAITH ASKS BELIEVING
2.FAITH ACCEPTS
3.FAITH PRAISES & GIVES THANKS
4.FAITH CELEBRATES
5.FAITH SPEAKS BOLDLY BEFOREHAND!
6.FAITH DECREES!
7.FAITH EXCLAIMS
8.FAITH IS ESTABLISHED
9.FAITH ACTS
10.FAITH IS PATIENT
11.FAITH EXPECTS
12.FAITH STAYS ROOTED IN THE WORD OF GOD
13.FAITH STAYS IN THE PRESENCE OF GOD
14.FAITH LOVES
15.FAITH FORGIVES
16.FAITH IS HUMBLE
17.FAITH OVERCOMES
18.FAITH PERSEVERES
19.FAITH NEVER DRAWS BACK
20.FAITH WINS
You have to stay in the cycle of Faith!
_____________________________________________________________________________________
"Who" would be better than you? by Elaine Davenport
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2: 15
Let a man examine himself, etc. To see whether he can eat in loving remembrance of the death of Christ. 1 Corinthians 11: 28
Your family is waiting for you to say something to them. They're expecting it! God needs someone to stand in the gap for your family to be saved and it's going to have to be you. You're going to have to examine yourself. Trust me that this is a faith builder; especially after you begin to see results. It's not going to be your neighbor across the street and in many cases it won't be them, so it's going to have to be you. You're not only going to have to pray, but also minister to them and in some cases bring them to Christ. You may not be able to get them to church; but you can bring them to Christ and let God do the rest.
You've got to get your mind off of you and on to them. You'll be Blessed if you will do this.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Let a man examine himself, etc. To see whether he can eat in loving remembrance of the death of Christ. 1 Corinthians 11: 28
Your family is waiting for you to say something to them. They're expecting it! God needs someone to stand in the gap for your family to be saved and it's going to have to be you. You're going to have to examine yourself. Trust me that this is a faith builder; especially after you begin to see results. It's not going to be your neighbor across the street and in many cases it won't be them, so it's going to have to be you. You're not only going to have to pray, but also minister to them and in some cases bring them to Christ. You may not be able to get them to church; but you can bring them to Christ and let God do the rest.
You've got to get your mind off of you and on to them. You'll be Blessed if you will do this.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Tip for the Music by Elaine Davenport
It seems that one can encounter a problem navigating from the site regarding music on the web. (Not just this site) What I do is I open a window with the music playing and shrink it on the desktop. Then I open a second window to navigate on the web. On this site; many of the references will take you away from this site and when you leave and come back the music has stopped. This remedy is probably more practical for high speed Internet users. I am humbly sorry for any inconvenience this may cause you. We are working to find a remedy. Thank you.
P.S. A lot of people may choose to come to this site, put on the music and then do their Internet related assignments.
________________________________________________________________________________________
P.S. A lot of people may choose to come to this site, put on the music and then do their Internet related assignments.
________________________________________________________________________________________
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Conclusion of "Why Tongues" By Elaine Davenport
I suppose I need a rest. I got my sites mixed up. I am so sorry.
"For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries."
I Corinthians 14:14
I have friends who still don’t believe in speaking in tongues. So I ask you:
What is tradition? I offer this answer: Tradition is simply doing things the way the other people around you do. It’s trusting man. But the Word says don’t put your faith in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. Read your bible and you cannot form any other conclusion that tongues are necessary for every believer. I* wish someone had cared to explain it to me! Really.
So, I need to explain how my life changed by my speaking in tongues. Out of respect for the people in my life and protecting their confidentiality; I can only say that a clean sweep was made in my household and in my family. The only person who was constantly under attack was me; but the enemy could only make little “mini” attacks because none of his weapons would prosper. I got my vision back, my life back, my family back, my marriage replenished, my children began to prosper and all my family members who never wanted to hear about God had an about face. My income was magnified and business opportunities came out of the woodwork. I could go on but I won’t. Gotta go.
____________________________________________________________________________________
"For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries."
I Corinthians 14:14
I have friends who still don’t believe in speaking in tongues. So I ask you:
What is tradition? I offer this answer: Tradition is simply doing things the way the other people around you do. It’s trusting man. But the Word says don’t put your faith in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. Read your bible and you cannot form any other conclusion that tongues are necessary for every believer. I* wish someone had cared to explain it to me! Really.
So, I need to explain how my life changed by my speaking in tongues. Out of respect for the people in my life and protecting their confidentiality; I can only say that a clean sweep was made in my household and in my family. The only person who was constantly under attack was me; but the enemy could only make little “mini” attacks because none of his weapons would prosper. I got my vision back, my life back, my family back, my marriage replenished, my children began to prosper and all my family members who never wanted to hear about God had an about face. My income was magnified and business opportunities came out of the woodwork. I could go on but I won’t. Gotta go.
____________________________________________________________________________________
Faith in God and not in man by Elaine Davenport
And in my preaching there were no honeyed words of wisdom, but I was dependent on the power of the Spirit to make it clear to you: So that your faith might be based not on man's wisdom but on the power of God. 1 Corinthians 2: 4-5
Everyday, we see examples of people who put their faith in men and not God. As a result, there are murders, suicides, homelessness, tragedies, broken hearts, deterioration, lost possessions and I could go on and on. We've all done it at one time or another and I suppose most of us have been burned by that decision. Now I was raised to know that when I got burnt; I would not do it again. Some people like doing the same thing over and over or repeating past mistakes or behaviors; often putting their faith in men.
Today; make up your mind to put your faith in God, letting Him order your steps and hold your hand. Just trust God for this problem. He's consistent and will not let you slip, stumble or fall.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Everyday, we see examples of people who put their faith in men and not God. As a result, there are murders, suicides, homelessness, tragedies, broken hearts, deterioration, lost possessions and I could go on and on. We've all done it at one time or another and I suppose most of us have been burned by that decision. Now I was raised to know that when I got burnt; I would not do it again. Some people like doing the same thing over and over or repeating past mistakes or behaviors; often putting their faith in men.
Today; make up your mind to put your faith in God, letting Him order your steps and hold your hand. Just trust God for this problem. He's consistent and will not let you slip, stumble or fall.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
IF YOU HAD TO CHOOSE ;TODAY WOULD YOU BE BRAVE? by Elaine Davenport
I "see" a lot of people praising God! I 'hear" a lot of people talking about God! I "read" a lot of what people write about God. BUT...when the rubber meets the road as they say and people really have to make a choice, who will they choose?
CASSIE BERNALL WAS A SPECIAL YOUNG LADY WITH A HEART FOR GOD. CASSIE GAVE OF HERSELF FREELY TO GOD. SHE WAS A SHINING EXAMPLE TO THE BODY OF CHRIST.
Many people recall her story. Cassie at age seventeen years of age found herself within close proximity of one of the shooters as she huddled on the floor during the Columbine massacre in Denver a year years ago; in which twelve students were killed and two dozen more were injured. The killer looked at her and asked if she believed in God? Without batting an eye, she said Yes. He killed her. At that moment, faith was challenged and faith won! I'm asking you today wherever you are to lift up Cassie's family in prayer. We speak Blessings over their lives. Praise God!
She did not make the decision that day not to deny God, she had made it long before that. It was a question regarding a faith declaration. No one ever said that it would be easy. In fact, Jesus said: If they will persecute me, they will persecute you. Have you made your choice yet or are you just going along for the ride?
_____________________________________________________________________________________
CASSIE BERNALL WAS A SPECIAL YOUNG LADY WITH A HEART FOR GOD. CASSIE GAVE OF HERSELF FREELY TO GOD. SHE WAS A SHINING EXAMPLE TO THE BODY OF CHRIST.
Many people recall her story. Cassie at age seventeen years of age found herself within close proximity of one of the shooters as she huddled on the floor during the Columbine massacre in Denver a year years ago; in which twelve students were killed and two dozen more were injured. The killer looked at her and asked if she believed in God? Without batting an eye, she said Yes. He killed her. At that moment, faith was challenged and faith won! I'm asking you today wherever you are to lift up Cassie's family in prayer. We speak Blessings over their lives. Praise God!
She did not make the decision that day not to deny God, she had made it long before that. It was a question regarding a faith declaration. No one ever said that it would be easy. In fact, Jesus said: If they will persecute me, they will persecute you. Have you made your choice yet or are you just going along for the ride?
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
TEARING DOWN STRONGHOLDS IN THE BODY OF CHRIST: SPEAKING IN TONGUES
INTRODUCTION: I RECEIVED THE GIFT OF TRADITIONS FILLED WITH MY FAMILIES "RELIGIOUS" BELIEFS AS A LITTLE CHILD. AS I GREW OLDER PHYSICALLY, I REALIZED THAT I COULD NOT GROW OLDER SPIRITUALLY UNTIL I TOOK GOD AT HIS WORD AND OVERLOOKED THE TRADITIONS OF MEN AND THEIR COMFORT ZONES!
(For some of you; this may be hard, but I present the truth. )
_____________________________________________________________________________________
PART ONE
For years, many people said that people who spoke in tongues were of the devil. Jesus said believers would do it so how did the devil get in there? Well, the Bible says "Satan" is the author of lies.
Don't take another man's word for whether you ought to speak in tongues; take God's Word.
Jesus said in Mark 16: 17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
DO YOU BELIEVE? THEN WHY AREN'T SIGNS FOLLOWING YOU?
You made a choice to follow God. Now you have to make a choice to accept all that He freely gives you.
THIS IS WHY:
Speaking in tongues allows us to pray out the perfect will of God for our lives and those around us. That exercise will change your life dramatically. It will build you up personally and it allows you to commune with God. It is the first outward sign that you have been baptized with the Holy Ghost. It gave me confidence that I can get things done in the spirit realm and get my prayers answered.
That gift makes me "feel" powerful.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
PART TWO
If your dandruff is up about the prospect of speaking in tongues; don’t feel bad. I felt the same way myself. I am now certain that speaking in tongues may be one of the most misunderstood “benefits” available to believers.
Over the years, I have changed my mind about a lot of things. I’m pretty stubborn sometimes, so my mind was locked solid on a couple of things when it came to God and the church. Here goes:
(These were things I did not like or vowed never to deal with or do.)
1. I thought speaking in tongues was absolutely ridiculous and that it wasn’t real.
2. I thought people falling out by the power of the Holy Ghost were fake.
3. I loathed: “singing preachers.”
4. I didn’t like noisy churches.
5. I used to say that the one kind of writing that I would never do would be “religious” writing.
6. I did not like the idea of men not going to church; but I especially didn’t like the fact that most churches didn’t do enough to get men into the church.
Today, I’m going to tackle the issue of my apprehension and lack of understanding around the ability to speak in tongues.
I did not come from a Pentecostal background. My mother sent us to church as children, several blocks away. That only happened because the minister kept knocking on the door to invite us and my mother felt bad for him because he wouldn’t give up and he was so nice. In the meantime I’m sure my grandmother had already covered us in prayer.
We came from a long line of Baptists. The family was very comfortable with that. After coming off of a long illness; I was led to a nearby Pentecostal church. I didn’t go there to examine them or take an application. My requirements were simple. I needed a connection with God, direction and to find a way to get my healing. In the midst of my search I found out about the “power” of speaking in tongues.
Here are some things that the Bible says about tongues: And He said unto them, "Go ye into the entire world, and preach the Gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe: In My name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents, and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them. They shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover." MARK 16¨ 17
It’s amazing that Jesus says that tongues are a sign that you believe. I didn’t write it; Jesus did! What am I inferring? No, what is Jesus inferring? That’s the question.
WAS IT HARD? I was surprised that learning to speak in tongues was just a question of the heart and not anything else. I just asked God for the gift and began to speak.
The Spirit of God helps those that speak in tongues, making intercession for us, knowing what we are to pray which is the perfect will of God.
"Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God."
In the book of Acts; when the members of the early church gathered, they were all in one accord when the Holy Ghost fell. This is important.
Acts 2:4
"And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance."
I Corinthians 14:2
Tomorrow, I will continue this discussion; I hope you'll join in as we tear down this stronghold!
_____________________________________________________________________________________
(For some of you; this may be hard, but I present the truth. )
_____________________________________________________________________________________
PART ONE
For years, many people said that people who spoke in tongues were of the devil. Jesus said believers would do it so how did the devil get in there? Well, the Bible says "Satan" is the author of lies.
Don't take another man's word for whether you ought to speak in tongues; take God's Word.
Jesus said in Mark 16: 17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
DO YOU BELIEVE? THEN WHY AREN'T SIGNS FOLLOWING YOU?
You made a choice to follow God. Now you have to make a choice to accept all that He freely gives you.
THIS IS WHY:
Speaking in tongues allows us to pray out the perfect will of God for our lives and those around us. That exercise will change your life dramatically. It will build you up personally and it allows you to commune with God. It is the first outward sign that you have been baptized with the Holy Ghost. It gave me confidence that I can get things done in the spirit realm and get my prayers answered.
That gift makes me "feel" powerful.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
PART TWO
If your dandruff is up about the prospect of speaking in tongues; don’t feel bad. I felt the same way myself. I am now certain that speaking in tongues may be one of the most misunderstood “benefits” available to believers.
Over the years, I have changed my mind about a lot of things. I’m pretty stubborn sometimes, so my mind was locked solid on a couple of things when it came to God and the church. Here goes:
(These were things I did not like or vowed never to deal with or do.)
1. I thought speaking in tongues was absolutely ridiculous and that it wasn’t real.
2. I thought people falling out by the power of the Holy Ghost were fake.
3. I loathed: “singing preachers.”
4. I didn’t like noisy churches.
5. I used to say that the one kind of writing that I would never do would be “religious” writing.
6. I did not like the idea of men not going to church; but I especially didn’t like the fact that most churches didn’t do enough to get men into the church.
Today, I’m going to tackle the issue of my apprehension and lack of understanding around the ability to speak in tongues.
I did not come from a Pentecostal background. My mother sent us to church as children, several blocks away. That only happened because the minister kept knocking on the door to invite us and my mother felt bad for him because he wouldn’t give up and he was so nice. In the meantime I’m sure my grandmother had already covered us in prayer.
We came from a long line of Baptists. The family was very comfortable with that. After coming off of a long illness; I was led to a nearby Pentecostal church. I didn’t go there to examine them or take an application. My requirements were simple. I needed a connection with God, direction and to find a way to get my healing. In the midst of my search I found out about the “power” of speaking in tongues.
Here are some things that the Bible says about tongues: And He said unto them, "Go ye into the entire world, and preach the Gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe: In My name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents, and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them. They shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover." MARK 16¨ 17
It’s amazing that Jesus says that tongues are a sign that you believe. I didn’t write it; Jesus did! What am I inferring? No, what is Jesus inferring? That’s the question.
WAS IT HARD? I was surprised that learning to speak in tongues was just a question of the heart and not anything else. I just asked God for the gift and began to speak.
The Spirit of God helps those that speak in tongues, making intercession for us, knowing what we are to pray which is the perfect will of God.
"Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God."
In the book of Acts; when the members of the early church gathered, they were all in one accord when the Holy Ghost fell. This is important.
Acts 2:4
"And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance."
I Corinthians 14:2
Tomorrow, I will continue this discussion; I hope you'll join in as we tear down this stronghold!
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Monday, April 23, 2007
WHAT'S YOUR SECRET? by Elaine Davenport
Years ago, a dear family member was murdered. They were shot in the back three times by a neighbor who said it was self defense. This all happened in broad daylight. There was a court trial with only a judge. From the start; he sounded biased. We could not believe it but clearly he and the accused murderer's attorney were friends. There were many witnesses. Each one told a different story. All had different reasons for telling their accounts. Mainly, it was the account that was in their best interest. For example, the wife of the accused had a version. Unfortunately, her husband; the accused had a different version even though they were together. The lady next door had another version. We all knew she was out there at the time. There were rumors that she was afraid of the man so her version did not support our claim of pre meditated murder. We were gravely disappointed and all looked dim. Then a friend who had happened by testified and gave his version of the events. We thought: "Aha, at last the truth will come out." Unfortunately his version was completely different from the other three stories and there was no one to back it up.
As it turns out, there was a surprise witness who had seen everything from his yard and no one had seen him. No one even new him. Neither side knew what the man would say. The man clearly was through examination proven to be a man of integrity and honor. The man told how our family member was ambushed and shot in the back three times after he literally ran from the scene trying to get away from the accused. What this witness kept repeating was how our family member kept saying that he didn't want any trouble.
This man whom we did not know, stepped up and testified and told the truth. Lives were changed as a result in so many ways. I hated the fact that my loved one was murdered, but because God sent a messenger to tell the truth, I did not allow bitterness to take root in my life. I eventually forgave the man who committed the crime and his family.
APPLICATION
In the Bible Jesus healed a blind man. Then he told him to go and witness.
Now the man out of whom the devils had departed besought Him that he might be with Him. But Jesus sent him away, saying, "Return to thine own house, and show what great things God hath done unto thee." And he went his way, and proclaimed throughout the whole city what great things Jesus had done unto him. And it came to pass that when Jesus had returned, the people gladly received Him, for they were all waiting for Him. LUKE 8: 38-40 (KJV)
We have been called to witness to OTHER people about the great things that the Lord has done for us. I tell you, I don't hear people on the Internet talking about what God has done for them; so I'm wondering why is it a secret. What's your secret? IF no one knows your testimony, there's a problem. As I look through my mailing list, I look at your name and I say: "Do I know their testimony?" and I am getting a lot of No's. I don't have to know, I have a life, but God has called you to witness.
Author's note: It's no secret that God healed me of a brain tumor, cancer, Carpel Tunnel Syndrome, healed my eyes, restored my home, my children and I can go on.
Witnessing is an act of Faith! I encourage you to step out from the pack of "email forwarders" (not that it's bad, in most cases it isn't) and put your witness out there. God will back you.
______________________________________________________________________________________
As it turns out, there was a surprise witness who had seen everything from his yard and no one had seen him. No one even new him. Neither side knew what the man would say. The man clearly was through examination proven to be a man of integrity and honor. The man told how our family member was ambushed and shot in the back three times after he literally ran from the scene trying to get away from the accused. What this witness kept repeating was how our family member kept saying that he didn't want any trouble.
This man whom we did not know, stepped up and testified and told the truth. Lives were changed as a result in so many ways. I hated the fact that my loved one was murdered, but because God sent a messenger to tell the truth, I did not allow bitterness to take root in my life. I eventually forgave the man who committed the crime and his family.
APPLICATION
In the Bible Jesus healed a blind man. Then he told him to go and witness.
Now the man out of whom the devils had departed besought Him that he might be with Him. But Jesus sent him away, saying, "Return to thine own house, and show what great things God hath done unto thee." And he went his way, and proclaimed throughout the whole city what great things Jesus had done unto him. And it came to pass that when Jesus had returned, the people gladly received Him, for they were all waiting for Him. LUKE 8: 38-40 (KJV)
We have been called to witness to OTHER people about the great things that the Lord has done for us. I tell you, I don't hear people on the Internet talking about what God has done for them; so I'm wondering why is it a secret. What's your secret? IF no one knows your testimony, there's a problem. As I look through my mailing list, I look at your name and I say: "Do I know their testimony?" and I am getting a lot of No's. I don't have to know, I have a life, but God has called you to witness.
Author's note: It's no secret that God healed me of a brain tumor, cancer, Carpel Tunnel Syndrome, healed my eyes, restored my home, my children and I can go on.
Witnessing is an act of Faith! I encourage you to step out from the pack of "email forwarders" (not that it's bad, in most cases it isn't) and put your witness out there. God will back you.
______________________________________________________________________________________
Sunday, April 22, 2007
THE POWER OF CONFESSION by Elaine Davenport
_______________________________________________________________________________________
One of the best ways that we can all build ourselves up and make things happen is by using the power of the Word of God. You can't speak the Word or what it intends for you if you don't read it. Make a list of your favorite confessions and start speaking it. Then watch things begin to happen. Just make sure that you set your faith on it! Here are a few of my favorite confessions:
• I have an inheritance from God!
• I believe I receive!
• Oh- I’m not backing off of this promise
• You cannot lie-you’re God and you say what is
• I believe the Word to the end!
• I believe God for the miraculous like I’ve never believed before!
• I have my expectors on!
• I have great expectations!
• When I get a revelation from God, I will walk in it and operate in it so God can give me even more
• The anointing destroys yokes!
• The anointing opens up doors for me!
• The anointing of God causes me to inherit the Blessing
• The anointing of God leads me on a path of righteousness
• The Holy Ghost keeps me from straying from the right or the left
• I value the word, it’s more important than anything else!
• I am delivered supernaturally
• I’m delivered of ____________, (name them) I don’t need that
• I am victorious
• I am more than a conqueror
• I am expecting to reach out and touch the multitudes
• God will do a new thing in me and it SHALL spring forth
• It shall come to pass
• It is mine
• I have favor with God and man
• I’m expecting to inherit the Blessing of God
• I’m believing God for the miraculous
• I’m believing Him to go above and beyond what the natural realm says is able to happen
• I’m not limited to the earth’s resources, my resources are heaven and earth
• If it isn’t here-God can make it
• I don’t have to worry about that
• I’m expecting to live a long, fruitful, healthy, prosperous life here on earth
• That’s part of my inheritance
• I am the righteousness of God and Christ Jesus
• I am a joint heir with Jesus and because I am a joint heir, I have PROMISE
• I’m connected to royalty
• I have promises
• I command my inheritance to come in
• I command my angels to go get it and gather my harvest and to bring it in.
• I’m believing God for a perpetual harvest, a continual harvest, harvest upon harvest
• I will continue to do what God tells me to do
• I will continue to believe
• I will continue to sow
• I walk by faith and not by sight
• Gods word is true
• He cannot lie
• What He says IS; therefore I believe
• It is so
• It is mine
• My faith stirs in me
• The anointing stirs in me
• I believe God for miracles
• I believe, I will receive
• What I confess happens
• My God supplies all my needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus
• I have a continual supply for every need
• I have the power to create with the fruit of my lips
• I am willing and obedient
• The Lord teaches me to profit and leadest me the way that I should go.
____________________________________________________________________________________
One of the best ways that we can all build ourselves up and make things happen is by using the power of the Word of God. You can't speak the Word or what it intends for you if you don't read it. Make a list of your favorite confessions and start speaking it. Then watch things begin to happen. Just make sure that you set your faith on it! Here are a few of my favorite confessions:
• I have an inheritance from God!
• I believe I receive!
• Oh- I’m not backing off of this promise
• You cannot lie-you’re God and you say what is
• I believe the Word to the end!
• I believe God for the miraculous like I’ve never believed before!
• I have my expectors on!
• I have great expectations!
• When I get a revelation from God, I will walk in it and operate in it so God can give me even more
• The anointing destroys yokes!
• The anointing opens up doors for me!
• The anointing of God causes me to inherit the Blessing
• The anointing of God leads me on a path of righteousness
• The Holy Ghost keeps me from straying from the right or the left
• I value the word, it’s more important than anything else!
• I am delivered supernaturally
• I’m delivered of ____________, (name them) I don’t need that
• I am victorious
• I am more than a conqueror
• I am expecting to reach out and touch the multitudes
• God will do a new thing in me and it SHALL spring forth
• It shall come to pass
• It is mine
• I have favor with God and man
• I’m expecting to inherit the Blessing of God
• I’m believing God for the miraculous
• I’m believing Him to go above and beyond what the natural realm says is able to happen
• I’m not limited to the earth’s resources, my resources are heaven and earth
• If it isn’t here-God can make it
• I don’t have to worry about that
• I’m expecting to live a long, fruitful, healthy, prosperous life here on earth
• That’s part of my inheritance
• I am the righteousness of God and Christ Jesus
• I am a joint heir with Jesus and because I am a joint heir, I have PROMISE
• I’m connected to royalty
• I have promises
• I command my inheritance to come in
• I command my angels to go get it and gather my harvest and to bring it in.
• I’m believing God for a perpetual harvest, a continual harvest, harvest upon harvest
• I will continue to do what God tells me to do
• I will continue to believe
• I will continue to sow
• I walk by faith and not by sight
• Gods word is true
• He cannot lie
• What He says IS; therefore I believe
• It is so
• It is mine
• My faith stirs in me
• The anointing stirs in me
• I believe God for miracles
• I believe, I will receive
• What I confess happens
• My God supplies all my needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus
• I have a continual supply for every need
• I have the power to create with the fruit of my lips
• I am willing and obedient
• The Lord teaches me to profit and leadest me the way that I should go.
____________________________________________________________________________________
Saturday, April 21, 2007
WHO IS GOING TO SAVE YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS?
Somebody has got to save your family and friends. Someone has got to bring them to Christ. Someone has to cross their paths to tell them the truth. Someone has to pray for them. What is your role? What will you do?
I can tell you for a certainty that when they begin to see the fruit of your labors, your change in heart, hear your love talk, see you truly change, they'll be open.
You are an OPEN DOOR to someone, but are you in position?
______________________________________________________________________________________
I can tell you for a certainty that when they begin to see the fruit of your labors, your change in heart, hear your love talk, see you truly change, they'll be open.
You are an OPEN DOOR to someone, but are you in position?
______________________________________________________________________________________
ALL KINDS OF DISCUSSIONS GOING ON; BE IN ON THE RIGHT ONE...DON'T BE DISTRACTED! BY Elaine Davenport
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Faith, faith, faith; that is what we're all about! Sometimes we have to remind ourselves. We have to stay focused, we have to stay on track! I was surprised when a Christian minister gave his pulpit to a group of Muslims who of course immediately began to praise Allah. But it wasn't my call and it wasn't my watch. It just reminded me that I need to be on the path that God has placed me on doing the job, He has called me to do. I exhort you to do the same because everytime we slip or miss it, souls are lost. This is not a joke. A lot of people have used us (believers) as an example to turn someone to another faith.
So don't be distracted, stay focused.
The Peoples New Testament in 1 Corinthians 2: 5 says: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men. Their faith was not produced by the triumphs of oratory or philosophy,But in the power of God. By the gospel preached in the power of the Spirit. Hence it was wrought through the means supplied of God.
There is a lot of talk going on; but don't be distracted. It's been an interesting week. For example, everyone rolled their sleeves up about the Imus deal. nobody wanted to hear it when I offered to some friends that I felt it was part of a demonic attack to divide and confuse. But that's how I felt because even "faith" people were all caught up. When he was fired, it was over. So the crowd still full of steam moved on to tackle the rap moguls. They didn't get all that money being stupid. So in the course of mans wisdom; when they got through there was a nice band-aid on the problem; but no clear solution was in the making. I can't trust man's wisdom; especially if the control to fixing the problem lies in the hands of the people making the millions. It's in their best interest to be sympathetic, but not to change the status quo.
I was unable to give voice to my thoughts that saving souls is now more critical than ever as Satan serves up continuous distractions. Don't be confused and don't be distracted!
___________________________________________________________________________________
Faith, faith, faith; that is what we're all about! Sometimes we have to remind ourselves. We have to stay focused, we have to stay on track! I was surprised when a Christian minister gave his pulpit to a group of Muslims who of course immediately began to praise Allah. But it wasn't my call and it wasn't my watch. It just reminded me that I need to be on the path that God has placed me on doing the job, He has called me to do. I exhort you to do the same because everytime we slip or miss it, souls are lost. This is not a joke. A lot of people have used us (believers) as an example to turn someone to another faith.
So don't be distracted, stay focused.
The Peoples New Testament in 1 Corinthians 2: 5 says: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men. Their faith was not produced by the triumphs of oratory or philosophy,But in the power of God. By the gospel preached in the power of the Spirit. Hence it was wrought through the means supplied of God.
There is a lot of talk going on; but don't be distracted. It's been an interesting week. For example, everyone rolled their sleeves up about the Imus deal. nobody wanted to hear it when I offered to some friends that I felt it was part of a demonic attack to divide and confuse. But that's how I felt because even "faith" people were all caught up. When he was fired, it was over. So the crowd still full of steam moved on to tackle the rap moguls. They didn't get all that money being stupid. So in the course of mans wisdom; when they got through there was a nice band-aid on the problem; but no clear solution was in the making. I can't trust man's wisdom; especially if the control to fixing the problem lies in the hands of the people making the millions. It's in their best interest to be sympathetic, but not to change the status quo.
I was unable to give voice to my thoughts that saving souls is now more critical than ever as Satan serves up continuous distractions. Don't be confused and don't be distracted!
___________________________________________________________________________________
Up Close and Personal...
God desires that you seek Him and in doing so, so many things will happen to you. When you read them all, you'll say" "Wow!" just as I did.
If you seek Him, He'll be found is in 1Chron 28: 9,
If you seek Him, you'll live is in Amos 5: 4,
God rewards those that earnestly seek Him is in Hebrews 11:6,
God is good to those who seek Him is found in Lam 3: 25
Blessed are those who seek Him is found in Psalm 119: 2
You need to know this; it will strengthen you in your faith walk.
_________________________________________________________________________________________
If you seek Him, He'll be found is in 1Chron 28: 9,
If you seek Him, you'll live is in Amos 5: 4,
God rewards those that earnestly seek Him is in Hebrews 11:6,
God is good to those who seek Him is found in Lam 3: 25
Blessed are those who seek Him is found in Psalm 119: 2
You need to know this; it will strengthen you in your faith walk.
_________________________________________________________________________________________
DON"T LET THE DEVIL KNOCK YOU OUT WITH ONE BLOW!
I had been trying to tell my kids that the devil was real for months on end, but all I got was their laughter. "The Who?" they often said, ridiculing me. They just felt it was a form of fanaticism for believers to say there was an unknown presence attacking us and trying to defeat us. Well, I have had to face such adversity before I knew this and I've always wanted to assign a reason for it.
Finding out that there was an adversary was welcoming information because I can deal with what I know about. My KNOWING doesn't have to be by SIGHT; I am a spirit and I live in a body. I keep my spirit in TUNE and connected to the power source! My mind is alert and I am always on guard. However, explaining this to my college age children was getting me nowhere. I stood in faith and put prayer on it as well.
In their efforts to disprove my reasoning; my children actually began to see that I was telling the truth. My daughter was first; she moved far away to another state. When she was home, she rarely asked for prayer. In this new place, without transportation she was calling daily for prayer.
Finally, she faced a challenging crisis. There was a winter storm and she had left home without a bus pass, and had run out of money quite a ways from home. She was inconsolable and seemed ready to give up. The first thing that I told her was: "Are you going to let the devil knock you out with one blow?" She said: "No." "You've got more than that, I told her.
Then we prayed and God sent a woman who gave her the fare that she needed to get home. Eventually He touched my heart to give her my wonderful car even though that left me hitchhiking. Not long after that, I got a new car! I got the car not because I wanted a material object, but so that I would be enabled to do kingdom business!
I recently talked to a friend who was greatly distressed and in tears over a check that had not come, even though the mail had not come yet. I was led to ask her: "ARE YOU GOING TO LET THE DEVIL KNOCK YOU OUT WITH ONE BLOW? We prayed a prayer of agreement and we are standing in faith that it will all work out.
If you're reading this, I'll tell you that your big old problem is only big to you and the devil. But ye are of God! So remember that God will fix it no matter what size you "think" it is and tell the devil: "You're a defeated foe, loose my (whatever it is) and let it go in Jesus Name, and keep on stepping! You'll be glad that you did.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Finding out that there was an adversary was welcoming information because I can deal with what I know about. My KNOWING doesn't have to be by SIGHT; I am a spirit and I live in a body. I keep my spirit in TUNE and connected to the power source! My mind is alert and I am always on guard. However, explaining this to my college age children was getting me nowhere. I stood in faith and put prayer on it as well.
In their efforts to disprove my reasoning; my children actually began to see that I was telling the truth. My daughter was first; she moved far away to another state. When she was home, she rarely asked for prayer. In this new place, without transportation she was calling daily for prayer.
Finally, she faced a challenging crisis. There was a winter storm and she had left home without a bus pass, and had run out of money quite a ways from home. She was inconsolable and seemed ready to give up. The first thing that I told her was: "Are you going to let the devil knock you out with one blow?" She said: "No." "You've got more than that, I told her.
Then we prayed and God sent a woman who gave her the fare that she needed to get home. Eventually He touched my heart to give her my wonderful car even though that left me hitchhiking. Not long after that, I got a new car! I got the car not because I wanted a material object, but so that I would be enabled to do kingdom business!
I recently talked to a friend who was greatly distressed and in tears over a check that had not come, even though the mail had not come yet. I was led to ask her: "ARE YOU GOING TO LET THE DEVIL KNOCK YOU OUT WITH ONE BLOW? We prayed a prayer of agreement and we are standing in faith that it will all work out.
If you're reading this, I'll tell you that your big old problem is only big to you and the devil. But ye are of God! So remember that God will fix it no matter what size you "think" it is and tell the devil: "You're a defeated foe, loose my (whatever it is) and let it go in Jesus Name, and keep on stepping! You'll be glad that you did.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Friday, April 20, 2007
MOVE THAT PROBLEM OUT OF YOUR WAY!
_________________________________________________________________________________________
And Jesus answering, said unto them, "Have faith in God.
For verily I say unto you, that whosoever shall say unto this mountain, `Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea,' and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass, he shall have whatsoever he saith. Mark 11:22,23
Satan and his imps must get a real chuckle out of watching us believers. We get problem after problem and we don't laugh it off...but we should.
I began reading a book recently about how Satan sets up situation to get people offended and offending." I said: "Okay, I guess it's possible." The next day while I was with some friends, a dear friend said something that hurt me to the core. I fought hard to hold back the tears, while trying to keep a straight face. I immediately began to question why a friend or how a friend would do that. All kind of thoughts were rushing through my head. I was trying to avert a disaster when I remembered: "Love suffereth long." Certainly, I loved this friend. They themselves had been through a great ordeal and I realized that the words were not meant maliciously; they just came out the wrong way.
Days later; I was still struggling with that even though the pain had gone away. I had to move this problem out the way. There was no one that I could discuss it with but God. Now that's a whole "nother" chapter (conversations with God- which many people either don't believe in or don't have).
So I forgave my friend; really truly and elevated them back to where they were before they said those words. Actually, I came to realize that I needed to take a closer spiritual walk so I benefited. The devil would have us to get mad at each other over nothing; but I won't fall victim to such and don't you.
Speak to your problem and tell it to go away. You have the power and you have the Authority in Jesus name! Satan hopes you don't believe this! Do you?
_____________________________________________________________________________________
And Jesus answering, said unto them, "Have faith in God.
For verily I say unto you, that whosoever shall say unto this mountain, `Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea,' and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass, he shall have whatsoever he saith. Mark 11:22,23
Satan and his imps must get a real chuckle out of watching us believers. We get problem after problem and we don't laugh it off...but we should.
I began reading a book recently about how Satan sets up situation to get people offended and offending." I said: "Okay, I guess it's possible." The next day while I was with some friends, a dear friend said something that hurt me to the core. I fought hard to hold back the tears, while trying to keep a straight face. I immediately began to question why a friend or how a friend would do that. All kind of thoughts were rushing through my head. I was trying to avert a disaster when I remembered: "Love suffereth long." Certainly, I loved this friend. They themselves had been through a great ordeal and I realized that the words were not meant maliciously; they just came out the wrong way.
Days later; I was still struggling with that even though the pain had gone away. I had to move this problem out the way. There was no one that I could discuss it with but God. Now that's a whole "nother" chapter (conversations with God- which many people either don't believe in or don't have).
So I forgave my friend; really truly and elevated them back to where they were before they said those words. Actually, I came to realize that I needed to take a closer spiritual walk so I benefited. The devil would have us to get mad at each other over nothing; but I won't fall victim to such and don't you.
Speak to your problem and tell it to go away. You have the power and you have the Authority in Jesus name! Satan hopes you don't believe this! Do you?
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Thursday, April 19, 2007
HAS THE MEDIA COMPROMISED US ( and themselves individually) REGARDING FAITH AND ARE WE AS A COUNTRY LAGGING BEHIND?
The information here is proposed to make you think. It is not meant to offend.
The real questions are what do you do with your faith and if you had to let people know that you believe in God; would you do it or do you prefer to keep it a secret?
They keep doing all of these studies about faith. They're not doing it because they believe. Remember that "they" the media are supposed to be impartial. However, they decided to try to find out about this faith thing. They found in one study that 85% of Americans believe in God, but 98% of Africans do, 9 of 10 Indonesians said they'd die for God and 87% of Ireland believe in God. So my question is are we lagging behind the rest of the world on the "Faith Scale" and if so why? Now I suggest to you that since real people write these stories, we are falling off our jobs fellow believers because as a group; the media has compromised themselves. They won't even say (rarely) they believe in God! That's an atrocity! It really is. Or has it dulled your common sense?
We've got so many freedoms here and we have an entrenched belief in this country to respect other people's beliefs and religions. It's almost to a fault. We are raised in an environment of tolerance. We have tolerated the death of the pledge of allegiance in many schools. I personally taught in a school where Christmas (or its' meaning) could not be discussed. Even though our country was clearly founded upon biblical principals; the ten commandments have been prohibited from being displayed in many court arenas.
WHERE DID THEY GET THOU SHALT NOT KILL! THOU SHALT NOT STEAL. FROM?
So American society has compromised its religious beliefs so much so that few have respect for our so called "firm foundation." Hey, we'll even protest their "rights" to protest; even if their complaint is anti our religious beliefs or we just cave in.
Recently, a long tradition of swearing in on the bible was compromised because a Muslim man didn't want to do that. It's possible that he uses the bible to recruit people to the Muslims and that someone used it to recruit him.
We're going to have to get more aggressive about our beliefs and stop respecting and start imposing!
Too many lives hang in the balance! Strangers are coming on American soil, some are terrorists and some come with the intention to recruit us Americans to become terrorists or enablers. THIS IS NOT PARANOIA TALKING. These are facts. So when you leave reading this article and go out into the world; you need to ask yourself; "WHO AM I RECRUITING?
We are lagging behind other countries around the world regarding faith. so is it because we're too smart, we're too wise, we listen to so much contrary talk, watch too much television, listen to too much science, don't go to church, like sin too much, listen to the atheists, are fickle, we want it easier, we're to lazy to find out the truth for ourselves, the Christians are to selfish, too ignorant of God's will, or what? You tell me.
This is not meant to be political, but I make NO APOLOGIES for loving God. None.
The real questions are what do you do with your faith and if you had to let people know that you believe in God; would you do it or do you prefer to keep it a secret?
They keep doing all of these studies about faith. They're not doing it because they believe. Remember that "they" the media are supposed to be impartial. However, they decided to try to find out about this faith thing. They found in one study that 85% of Americans believe in God, but 98% of Africans do, 9 of 10 Indonesians said they'd die for God and 87% of Ireland believe in God. So my question is are we lagging behind the rest of the world on the "Faith Scale" and if so why? Now I suggest to you that since real people write these stories, we are falling off our jobs fellow believers because as a group; the media has compromised themselves. They won't even say (rarely) they believe in God! That's an atrocity! It really is. Or has it dulled your common sense?
We've got so many freedoms here and we have an entrenched belief in this country to respect other people's beliefs and religions. It's almost to a fault. We are raised in an environment of tolerance. We have tolerated the death of the pledge of allegiance in many schools. I personally taught in a school where Christmas (or its' meaning) could not be discussed. Even though our country was clearly founded upon biblical principals; the ten commandments have been prohibited from being displayed in many court arenas.
WHERE DID THEY GET THOU SHALT NOT KILL! THOU SHALT NOT STEAL. FROM?
So American society has compromised its religious beliefs so much so that few have respect for our so called "firm foundation." Hey, we'll even protest their "rights" to protest; even if their complaint is anti our religious beliefs or we just cave in.
Recently, a long tradition of swearing in on the bible was compromised because a Muslim man didn't want to do that. It's possible that he uses the bible to recruit people to the Muslims and that someone used it to recruit him.
We're going to have to get more aggressive about our beliefs and stop respecting and start imposing!
Too many lives hang in the balance! Strangers are coming on American soil, some are terrorists and some come with the intention to recruit us Americans to become terrorists or enablers. THIS IS NOT PARANOIA TALKING. These are facts. So when you leave reading this article and go out into the world; you need to ask yourself; "WHO AM I RECRUITING?
We are lagging behind other countries around the world regarding faith. so is it because we're too smart, we're too wise, we listen to so much contrary talk, watch too much television, listen to too much science, don't go to church, like sin too much, listen to the atheists, are fickle, we want it easier, we're to lazy to find out the truth for ourselves, the Christians are to selfish, too ignorant of God's will, or what? You tell me.
This is not meant to be political, but I make NO APOLOGIES for loving God. None.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
