Humility!

Proverbs 30:7-9
"Two things I ask of You, LORD; do not refuse me before I die:
Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread.
Otherwise, I may have too much and disown You and say, 'Who is the LORD? Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God."

"GOD IS NOT IN NEED OF A MAKE-OVER!"
"WE ARE!"

"GOD DOES NOT NEED US!"
"WE DESPERATELY NEED HIM!"

"IN GOD, THERE IS NO FLAW!"

"WE DESPERATELY NEED HIM!"
"HE SENT JESUS TO PREPARE THE PATH!"
"BUT THE CHOICE IS OUR'S TO TRAVEL THIS ROAD!"

I do not pretend to be claiming anything new.
But I will continue to proclaim what has been preached of old.

"JESUS CHRIST CAME TO DIE FOR THE SINS OF THE WORLD!"
"JESUS ROSE THE THIRD DAY, CONQUERING DEATH & BRINGING ETERNAL LIFE!"
"JESUS OFFERS THIS LIFE TO ANYONE THAT WOULD RECEIVE IT!"

"BUT THERE IS A ROAD TO TRAVEL!"
"THERE IS A CHOICE TO BE MADE!"
"THERE IS A PATH TO BE WALKED!"
"THERE IS A CROSS TO BE CARRIED!"

The question is:
"ARE WE WILLING TO GO FROM BEING HEARER'S TO BEING DOER'S?"

Once again;
"GOD IS NOT IN NEED OF A MAKE-OVER!"
"WE ARE!"
"THEREFORE, LET US STOP PRETENDING THAT GOD IS SOME DESPERATE, LONELY PERSON CRAVING OUR ATTENTION!"
"HE IS THE GOD OF THE UNIVERSE & OUR NEED FOR HIM IS CRITICAL!"
"LET US GRAB HOLD OF HIS LOVE & KINDNESS!"
"LET US BE GRATEFUL THAT HE DESIRES TO BE WITH US!"
"LET US COME HUMBLY BEFORE OUR KING!"

John 20: 28

"Thomas said to Him, 'My Lord and my God!" ~ (John 20: 28)............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... With gratitude and admiration we look upon Your human nature, Jesus. At the same time, we celebrate Your divinity and acknowledge before all mankind that Jesus Christ, along with the Father and the Holy Spirit, is God. Amen.

He is Worthy!

Psalm 149:1
"Praise the LORD. Sing to the LORD a new song, his praise in the assembly of his faithful people."

"JESUS PIAD IT ALL!"
"THEREFORE HE IS WORTH ALL OUR PRAISE!"

Love!

1 John 3:18

"Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth."

Romans 8: 3

"What the law could not do since it was limited by the flesh, God did. He condemned sin in the flesh by sending His own Son in flesh like ours under sin's domain, and as a sin offering." ~ (Romans 8: 3)............................................................................................................................................................... Jesus, You came down from paradise to live as a human, experiencing temptation, sorrow, pain, and ultimately death, all because You love us. Our thanks is not enough. You deserve our all. Amen.

John 11: 35

"Jesus wept." ~ (John 11: 35)

Philippians 2: 7

"He emptied Himself by assuming the form of a servant, being made in human likeness." ~ (Philippians 2: 7). . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................................. "The impression of Jesus which the gospels give is not so much one of deity reduced as of divine capacities restrained." ~ J. I. Packer

Godly Unity!

Psalm 133:1

"How good and pleasant it is when God's people live together in unity!"

THANK YOU JESUS FOR THIS TIME OF FELLOWSHIP!

A New Way to Get Connected...

Call and listen to the current message. Daily Messages will begin Sunday June 29th. Don't forget to leave a message, comment, or prayer request at the end. 

A Way Forward…Is God Discriminating?

 The Scripture verses below are the Word of God...Uhmmm, God, not man. God, the creator of all things. Did you catch that? These are God's Words.

Leviticus 18:22 - "Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman; that is detestable."

Romans 1:26-27 - "Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion."

Doesn't get much clearer than that.

CURRENT NEWS; 

In a reversal, an apostate Pennsylvania pastor who was defrocked last year for violating United Methodist law after he officiated at his son’s same-sex wedding has been reinstated. Frank Schaefer learned Tuesday (June 24) his ministerial credentials will be restored after the United Methodist’s Northeastern Jurisdictional Committee on Appeals voted 8-1 in his favor.

“I was wrongfully punished for standing with those who are discriminated against,” 

Schaefer said in a statement. “Today’s decision is a sign that the church is starting to listen.”

More than 2,500 United Methodist leaders have signed “A Way Forward,” a proposal calling for homosexual clergy and so-called “same-sex marriage”.

The point here is not to point fingers, sin is sin is sin. Rather than trying to be God and pass condemnation on individuals, a better option may be to offer prayers to those struggling with sin as we too were once in bondage. It should also be a reminder to us that we are called to share the Gospel as we have been given a ministry of reconciliation.

This topic of homosexuality is just one issue; however, approved of by the church it leads the way to other sins being acceptable as well. The issue here is really not homosexuality, but rather acceptance of God’s Word as truth and obedience to our Lord. We either believe Him and obey, or we do not.

In order for true Christ followers to be maligned in the end days as prophesied, the false church much grow, and the false church is growing rapidly. So stand firm in your faith. Do not be swayed by changing winds, philosophies, and fine sounding arguments. The Lord sustains all things by His Word. It is imperative we be in the Word daily! I urge you to dig in, read the Word, and Pray. Many will fall away in the end times. The funny thing about deception is you don't know you’re being fooled. Do not be deceived, a man reaps what he sows. 

2 Corinthians 5:15-21 “…He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!  All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

HOLINESS!

Proverbs 25:4
"Remove the dross from the silver, and a silversmith can produce a vessel..."

"HOLINESS IS NOT A SUGGESTION!"
"BUT A REQUIREMENT!"

"THEREFORE, DO NOT BE SURPRISED WHEN YOU GO THROUGH TRIALS OF FIRE & PURIFICATION!"

"SUCH THINGS MUST TAKE PLACE IN ORDER FOR YOU TO BECOME THE VESSEL GOD DESIRES YOU TO BE!"
"PREMATURE REMOVAL FROM THE FURNACE OF SANCTIFICATION CAN RESULT IN A FALTERED VESSEL!"

"ALLOW GOD TO REMOVE THE IMPURITIES TODAY & REAP THE BENEFITS FOR ETERNITY!"

GOD BLESS YOU ALL & ENJOY YOUR DAY!

Galatians 4: 4

"But when the set time had come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the law." ~ (Galatians 4: 4) Praise be to God. Amen.

Be Filled!

Isaiah 55:11
"So is My Word that goes out from My mouth: It will not return to Me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it."

If you feel empty inside.
If you sense a void in your heart.
Then maybe it is because you lack God's Word in your life!

God's Word is meant to satisfy!
God's Word is meant to elevate!
God's Word is meant to build you up!
God's Word is meant to lead you!

Most of all:
"GOD'S WORD IS MEANT FOR YOU!!!"

"THE LACK OF GOD'S WORD IN YOUR LIFE REVEALS YOUR LACK OF LIFE!"

"Faith comes by hearing & hearing by the Word of God!"

Do you want joy in your life?
Do you want a sense of fulfillment?
Do you desire to enjoy the benefits of FAITH?

"THEN GET INTO THE WORD OF GOD & BE FILLED TIL YOU OVERFLOW!"

"GOD'S WORD WILL NEVER RETURN TO HIM EMPTY OR VOID!"
"BUT WHAT YOU DO WITH IT DETERMINES THE EFFECT IT WILL HAVE IN YOUR LIFE!"

Hebrews 2: 14 HUMAN

"Since the children have flesh and blood, He too shared in their humanity so that by His death He might break the power of him who holds the power of death - that is, the devil." ~ (Hebrews 2: 14)...................................................................................................................................... HUMAN - susceptible to or representative of the sympathies and frailties of human nature.

What does it mean to love like Christ?

THOSE IN CHRIST MUST REJECT THE CONCEPT OF LOVE EXPRESSED IN LOCAL CULTURE...

The world tells us to live peacefully among men at the expense of truth. 

God tells us to love mankind, by telling them the truth, at the expense of our own comfort, cost, and persecution.

YOUR INVITED...

The Secret Revealed!

Philippians 4:12-13
"I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

The secret is:
"THROUGH CHRIST!!!"

"IN MY OWN STRENGTH, I WILL SURELY FAIL!"
"BUT THROUGH CHRIST, (His Anointing upon me!), I AM ABLE TO ACHIEVE THE IMPOSSIBLE!"
"THEREFORE, I DO NOT FEAR TACKLING ANY PROJECT, OBSTACLE OR MISSION SENT MY WAY BECAUSE I KNOW THAT IT IS NOT IN MY STRENGTH THAT I WILL BE SUCCESSFUL, BUT THROUGH GOD'S ANOINTING UPON MY LIFE!"

Now, I did not write this to brag in any way.
I am making these statements to inform you that:
"YOU HAVE AS MUCH RIGHTS IN THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN AS A BELIEVER AS I DO, OR ANYONE ELSE FOR THAT MATTER!"
"BUT YOU MUST GRAB HOLD OF THIS GREAT SECRET & RUN WITH IT!"

"DARE TO BE FAITHFUL THROUGH YOUR ACTIONS & WITH THE ATTITUDE OF YOUR HEART!"

"THE ANOINTING IS AVAILABLE FOR THOSE WHO WILL ASK!"

"LIVING WITHOUT ANOINTING WILL RENDER A PERSON POWERLESS!"

"THEREFORE, ASK AWAY IN FAITH & DARE TO ACHIEVE THE IMPOSSIBLE!"

Hebrews 4: 15

"For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tested in every way as we are, yet without sin." ~ (Hebrews 4: 15) ......... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . There are few comforts in life greater then knowing that we have a God that knows what it is like to be human. Praise Jesus! Amen.

It's not about you Anymore!

2 Corinthians 4:13
"It is written: "I believed; therefore I have spoken." Since we have that same spirit of faith, we also believe and therefore speak..."

"EVANGELISM IS NOT ABOUT US, BUT IT'S ABOUT THEM!"
God did not save us from a life of sin just so we could live a better life!
He did not save us just so we could afford that new car!
He did not save us just so we could achieve our dreams!

"GOD SENT HIS SON, JESUS, TO DIE ON A CROSS TO PAY THE PENALTY FOR THE SINS OF THE WHOLE WORLD & ROSE HIM FROM THE DEAD TO CONQUER DEATH & GRANT EVERYONE AN OPPORTUNITY AT ETERNAL LIFE!" (A restored relationship with the Heavenly Father.)

Why?
"BECAUSE HE LOVES HIS CREATION!"
"MANKIND!"

Have you accepted Jesus into your heart as Lord & Savior?
If not, then today I invite you to do so!

But if you have, I would like you to know that:
"SALVATION IS MEANT TO BE PUT ON DISPLAY!"
"YOU WERE CALLED TO LIVE A LIFESTYLE THAT REPRESENTS HOLINESS!"
"YOU WERE SAVED WITH THE INTENT OF SPREADING THE GOOD NEWS OF SALVATION WITH THE LOST!"

Let me explain;
"WHILE GOD LOVES YOU & GAVE HIS LIFE FOR YOU, HE ALSO GAVE IT FOR THE ONE THAT IS STILL LOST & HURTING!"
"HE SAVED YOU SO THAT YOU COULD SHARE YOUR HOPE WITH SOMEONE THAT IS STILL IN A STATE OF HOPELESSNESS!"

"EVANGELISM IS NOT ABOUT US, BUT IT'S ABOUT THEM!"
While you were in sin, it was about you & God made it His business to see that the power of sin over your life was broken through the redemptive work of Christ on the Cross!
"NOW!"
"GOD IS MAKING IT HIS BUSINESS TO MOLD YOU INTO A USEFUL VESSEL THROUGH WHICH HE CAN TRANSMIT THE SAME REDEMPTIVE WORK INTO OTHERS!"

WILL YOU ALLOW GOD TO USE YOU?

WHAT A GIFT!

Psalm 68:19
"Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens."

"LET US ALWAYS BE MINDFUL THAT SALVATION IS A GIFT!"
"NEVER TO BE TAKEN FOR GRANTED!"

1 Corinthians 4:7 says;
"For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you received it, why do you boast as though you did not?"

LORD,
I PRAY THAT WE WOULD NEVER COME TO THE POINT WHERE WE BELIEVE THAT WE DESERVE SALVATION!
MAY WE NEVER CONFUSE OUR WORKS OF GRATITUDE WITH MERITS FOR SALVATION!

"FAITH IN JESUS, YOUR SON, IS OUR ONLY MEANS OF SALVATION!"

LORD,
THANK YOU FOR CARRYING US WHEN WE CAN NOT STAND!
THANK YOU FOR PROVIDING WHAT WE COULD NEVER HAVE ACHIEVED!

"SALVATION!"
"WHAT A PRECIOUS GIFT FROM GOD!"

Psalm 104: 24

"How countless are Your works, Lord! In wisdom You have made them all; all the earth is full of Your creatures." ~ (Psalm 104: 24)

Father, we appreciate You taking the time to create each and every animal, all of which serve a purpose. Thank You as well for placing them all in humanity's care. May we not lose sight of this awesome responsibility, in Jesus' precious Name. Amen.

Matthew 6: 26

"Look at the birds of the sky. They don't plant or harvest or gather food into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren't you worth more than they?" ~ (Matthew 6: 26)

God bless your day friend. Amen.

Be Refreshed!

Psalm 46:10
"He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.” "

These words are for "THE FAITHFUL!"

"GOD IS SENDING A WAVE OF FAVOR YOUR WAY!"
"HE SEES YOUR STRUGGLES!"
"HE KNOWS YOUR BREAKING POINT!"
"BUT HE IS FAITHFUL & WILL NOT ALLOW YOU TO REACH THE EDGE!"
"HE WILL RESCUE YOU AT THE VERY MOMENT WHEN ALL SEEMS LOST!"

"TO THOSE WHO ARE FAITHFUL, GOD WILL SHOW HIMSELF FAITHFUL!"
"YOUR BREAKTHROUGH IS RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER!"
"MOMENTUM IS ON YOUR SIDE!"
"THOUGH IS MAY NOT SEEM LIKE IT AT THIS VERY MOMENT!"

"VICTORY BELONGS TO THE ONE WHO ENDURES!"

Therefore, today;
"RECEIVE YOUR SECOND WIND!"
"PRESS IN!'
"ALLOW THE HOLY SPIRIT TO REFRESH & ENLIGHTEN YOU!!!!"

"IF YOUR FLAME SEEMS LIKE IT IS BEING SNUFFED OUT, THEN GO BACK TO THE FIRE & GET RE-IGNITED!"

Lord!

Psalm 119:114
"You are my refuge and my shield; Your Word is my source of hope."

LORD,
MAY WE NEVER LOOSE OUR DESIRE!
MAY WE NEVER LOOSE OUR HUNGER!
MAY WE NEVER STOP TELLING OTHERS!
MAY WE NEVER! MAY WE NEVER!

LORD,
OUR NEED FOR YOU IS GREAT!
MAY IT BE EVER-INCREASING!

LORD,
OUR HOPE IN YOU IS ETERNAL!
MAY IT NEVER DIMINISH OR FADE!

LORD,
WE NEED YOU!
MORE THAN EVER BEFORE!
YOU ARE OUR STRENGTH!
HIDE US IN YOUR SECRET PLACE!
HELP US TO KNOW YOUR PLANS & PURPOSE!

LORD,
GIVE US THE COURAGE TO FULFILL YOUR DESIRES FOR US!

"LORD, YOU ARE GOOD & YOUR MERCIES ENDURE FOREVER!"

Psalm 150: 6

"Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise You, the Lord." ~ (Psalm 150: 6)

The entirety of God's creation was made to praise His Holy Name. The difference between us and everything else is that we have a choice of whether or not to do so.

I URGE YOU!!!

I URGE YOU...when we hear these words it grabs our attention as it must be something very important. The Apostle Paul uses these Words throughout his letters to the Churches and especially in Ephesians. Paul was convinced that believers living in a corrupt world, surrounded by corrupt values, live as Christians, Christ-Centered, Christ Oriented, being a people whose lives are being transformed from the inside out. There is an Indicative/Imperative mood in Paul's writings. Who Christ is, what He has done, who we are in Him, and our responsibility because of it. Jesus came, took our punishment upon Himself, died, was raised to life, exalted to the right hand of God, and now sustains all things by His Word. We were dead and headed for Eternal Hell, but because of Christ, Christians now have eternal life...(the indicative) now the imperative...because of this...I urge you, live a life worthy of the calling you have received in Christ Jesus. The person that perseveres in their faith till the end is the one that has victory. And true faith manifests itself in obedience. So I URGE YOU, in this corrupt world, live a life worthy of Christ, love God by loving people, forgive others, show mercy, be kind, put others above yourself, stop arguing and fighting, put away the filthy language and detestable things you call entertainment, because of who He is and what He has done for us, live a life worthy of Christ!

PERSISTENCE!

Luke 18:1-8
"One day Jesus told his disciples a story to show that they should always pray and never give up. “There was a judge in a certain city,” he said, “who neither feared God nor cared about people. A widow of that city came to him repeatedly, saying, ‘Give me justice in this dispute with my enemy.’ The judge ignored her for a while, but finally he said to himself, ‘I don’t fear God or care about people, but this woman is driving me crazy. I’m going to see that she gets justice, because she is wearing me out with her constant requests!’” Then the Lord said, “Learn a lesson from this unjust judge. Even he rendered a just decision in the end. So don’t you think God will surely give justice to his chosen people who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will grant justice to them quickly! But when the Son of Man returns, how many will he find on the earth who have faith?” "

"PERSISTENCE!"
"NEVER GIVE UP!"
"GOD IS ALWAYS LISTENING!"

Joel 1: 20

"The wild animals cry out to You...." ~ (Joel 1: 20)

PRAISE THE LORD!!!!!!!!!!! AMEN.

WORDS!

Proverbs 17:27
"The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint, and whoever has understanding is even-tempered."

NO MATTER WHAT YOU ARE GOING THROUGH,
JUST REMEMBER;
"YOU ARE A CHILD OF GOD!"
"YOU REPRESENT GOD WHERE EVER YOU GO!"
"BEHAVE IN SUCH A MANNER THAT ALL WILL BRING GOD GLORY!"

Are you in the midst of a pressing situation?
Are you feeling as if everything is about to collapse around you?
Has your hope turned into despair?
Have you been thinking about giving someone a piece of your mind?

"WORDS CAN BUILD A PERSON UP OR THEY CAN TEAR THEM DOWN!"

"THE CHOICE IS YOURS!"
"THE FUNNY THING IS THAT THE CONSEQUENCE IS ALSO YOURS!"

The Bible states that:
"EVERYONE SHALL GIVE AN ACCOUNT FOR EVERY WORD THEY SPEAK!"

Therefore;
"USE YOUR WORDS WISELY & FOR GOD'S GLORY!"
"LET LOVE FLOW FROM YOUR LIPS!"

Proverbs 12: 10 ANIMAL

"A righteous man cares about his animal's health, but even the merciful acts of the wicked are cruel." ~ (Proverbs 12: 10)

ANIMAL - 1. a living thing that is not a human being or plant.

Give it to God!

Proverbs 16:9
"In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps."

"TO THE LORD BELONGS ABSOLUTE CONTROL!"

This is today's message!

"TO THE LORD BELONGS ABSOLUTE CONTROL!"

Genesis 1: 21

"So God created great sea creatures and every thing that scurries and swarms in the water, and every sort of bird - each producing offspring of the same kind. And God saw that it was good." ~ (Genesis 1: 21)

Thank You Father, for the beauty of Your creation, from the smallest bumble bee to the largest whale. Amen.

Blessings!

Proverbs 15:33

"Wisdom's instruction is to fear the LORD, and humility comes before honor."

"HAPPY FATHER'S DAY TO THE FATHER OF ALL FATHER'S!"

"HAPPY FATHER'S DAY TO ALL!"

This road may not be an easy one to walk, but it is certainly very rewarding!

I pray for all Father's & I pray for all Children to love one another & honor one another as God intended it to be!

"MAY GOD BLESS YOUR DAY IN THE NAME OF JESUS!"

Romans 8: 18

"For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is going to be revealed to us." ~ (Romans 8: 18)

 

Lord, if we are to be blessed for Your Name or we are to suffer for Your Name, prepare us for both, but in all circumstances, may Your Name be glorified and souls be brought to You. Amen.

2 Timothy 3: 12

"In fact, all those who want to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted."

~ (2 Timothy 3: 12)

 

Thank You for opening eyes Lord!

 

What a joy to be different!

 

To You be the glory!

 

Amen.

Changing Perspective!

Proverbs 14:30
"A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones."

"VIEW THE THINGS THAT GOD HAS GIVEN YOU AS A GIFT!"
"THEN, GRATITUDE WILL FLOW FROM YOUR HEART!"
"FOCUS ON WHAT OTHERS HAVE & YOU WILL SOON FIND YOURSELF CHASING THE WIND!"

"YOUR BLESSINGS ARE YOUR'S & THEIR'S ARE THEIR'S!"
"IT IS GOD 'S CHOICE TO MAKE WHO GETS WHAT!"

"THEREFORE, BE CONTENT WITH WHAT YOU HAVE!"
"DON'T ALLOW THE DECEITFULNESS OF ENVY TO RUIN YOUR LIFE!"

"LIVE LIFE TO THE FULLEST WITH WHAT YOU HAVE BEEN GIVEN & DO NOT ALLOW YOURSELF TO BE ROBBED BY YOUR PERCEPTION OF THE THINGS YOU LACK!"

"GOD GIVES US EVERYTHING THAT IS BENEFICIAL FOR US!"
"THEREFORE, IF THERE IS SOMETHING THAT WE SEE SOMEONE ELSE WITH & WE WONDER WHY WE DON'T HAVE THE SAME, THEN MAYBE IT IS BECAUSE GOD DOES NOT DEEM IT BENEFICIAL FOR US!"
"WHATEVER THE CASE, GOD IS SOVEREIGN!"
"LET US BE GRATEFUL!"

"VIEW THE THINGS THAT GOD HAS GIVEN YOU AS A GIFT!"
"THEN, GRATITUDE WILL FLOW FROM YOUR HEART!"
"FOCUS ON WHAT OTHERS HAVE & YOU WILL SOON FIND YOURSELF CHASING THE WIND!"

Restoration...

Got a vintage watch at a garage sale for $2.00 because it wouldn't open. Worked on it and fixed it, put a new band on it and it looks like a brand new watch. A full restoration. 2 Corinthians 13:11 tells us, "Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you." What do you need to bring to restoration? Don't procrastinate, do it today. You'll be glad you did.

"I Know!"

Proverbs 13:10
"Where there is strife, there is pride, but wisdom is found in those who take advice."

"REMAIN TEACHABLE!"

There is a trap that many fail to see in their lives'.
Maybe you've fallen into it once or twice.
Maybe it has become a way of life for you!

But rest assured, there is terrible danger in not allowing God to use others to sharpen you!

This sometimes comes in the form of something you may have already experienced.
Maybe something is of second nature to you.
Maybe you do a certain task so much that you have mastered a technique.

But the fact still remains that:
"THERE IS ALWAYS MORE TO BE LEARNED!"

Have you ever heard the phrase;
"THE TEACHER LEARNS FROM THE STUDENT!"

We must always bear an attitude of "TEACHABILITY!"
The "I KNOW" syndrome plainly reveals the fact that "FAILURE" is around the corner!

There is great danger in always responding;
"I KNOW, I KNOW, I KNOW!"

Maybe, it is time to change that response to:
"THAT SOUNDS INTERESTING!"
"CAN YOU TELL ME MORE?"

"GOD IS DESIRING TO TAKE US FROM GLORY TO GLORY!"
"BUT THIS REQUIRES CONSTANT DIRECTION!"
"REMAIN TEACHABLE!"

Colossians 1: 24

"Now I rejoice in my sufferings for you, and I am completing in my flesh what is lacking in Christ's affliction for His body, that is, the church." ~ (Colossians 1: 24)

 

"All the world is full of suffering. It is also full of overcoming." ~ Helen Keller

It's Your Time!

Proverbs 12:25
"Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up."

"BE AN ENCOURAGER!"
"BE A MOTIVATOR!"
"BE THE ONE A PERSON CAN RUN TO FOR HELP!"

"LET GOD USE YOUR LIFE!"
"BECOME AN INSTRUMENT FOR GOD'S PLEASURE!"
"BECOME A USEFUL VESSEL FOR THE LORD'S KINGDOM!"

"LET THE MASTER MOLD YOU!"
"LET THE MASTER SHAPE YOU!"
"LET HIM DO AS HE WISHES WITH YOUR LIFE!"

"DON'T TELL HIM HOW TO DO HIS JOB!"
"INSTEAD, JUST ALLOW THE PROCESS TO TAKE PLACE!"

"THE MASTER CAN SEE YOUR ROUGH EDGES BETTER THAN YOU CAN!"
"THE MASTER HAS A GREATER PLAN FOR YOUR LIFE THAN YOU DO!"
"THE MASTER IS ABLE TO TAKE YOU WHERE YOU HAVE NEVER BEEN!"

"GOD CREATED YOU TO JOIN HANDS WITH JESUS & REACH THE LOST!"
"JESUS IS THE MODEL THAT GOD IS INTENDING TO MOLD YOU INTO!"
"NO ONE KNOWS JESUS BETTER THAN HIS OWN FATHER!"

"THEREFORE ALLOW HIM TO DO THE ALTERATIONS NECESSARY IN YOUR LIFE!"

"GOD IS ABOUT TO TAKE YOU TO THE NEXT LEVEL!"
"GET READY!"

John 15: 18

"If the world hates you, understand that it hated Me before it hated you." ~ (John 15: 18)

Praise be to Jesus. Amen.

ONE!

Proverbs 11:14
"For lack of guidance a nation falls, but victory is won through many advisers."

"GOD HAS CALLED US TO BE PART OF A BODY!"

"THE BODY OF CHRIST!"

"THE FURTHER APART WE GROW, THE WEAKER WE BECOME!"

Lord, I pray that we would all come to the knowledge of "UNITY IN CHRIST!"
I pray that we would no longer remain under the impression that:
"WE CAN DO IT ON OUR OWN!"
I pray that we would see the "NEED FOR ONE ANOTHER!"

"LORD, I PRAY THAT WE WOULD FUNCTION AS THE BODY OF CHRIST!"
"LORD, REMOVE DIVISIONS AMONGST US, SO THAT WE CAN GAIN MORE GROUND FOR YOUR HEAVENLY KINGDOM!"

Today I would like to encourage everyone:
"VICTORY IS WON WHEN A TEAM IS PULLING IN THE SAME DIRECTION!"

Sometimes, you may have to pull more weight than others, but give it all you got!
Your best may be what is needed to reach the next level!
Eventually someone else will help you with the load & you will soon realize that you are that much further ahead!

"WE ARE CALLED TO BE PART OF CHRIST' BODY!"
"THEREFORE, LET US FUNCTION AS ONE!"

Philippians 1: 29 SUFFER

"For it has been given to you on Christ's behalf not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for Him."

~ (Philippians 1: 29)

 

SUFFER - 1. to feel pain or distress; sustain loss, injury, harm, or punishment. 2. to tolerate or endure evil, injury, pain, or death. 3. to appear at a disadvantage.

Shine!

John 10:10
"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly."

"GOD IS MOST GLORIFIED WHEN WE LIVE UP TO OUR FULL POTENTIAL!"

"GOD CREATED US FOR A SPECIFIC PURPOSE!"

"PEOPLE WILL GLORIFY GOD WHEN THEY SEE YOU LIVING LIFE TO THE FULLEST!"

Today, I encourage you:
"LIVE UP TO YOUR GOD-GIVEN POTENTIAL SO THAT OTHERS WILL SEE YOU SHINING & GLORIFY YOUR FATHER IN HEAVEN!"

What do Mushroom CheeseBurger Sliders and Ministry have in Common?

What does this post have to do with Ministry? Ministry is not something you do, it's who you are in Christ. Jesus taught us to live missionaly, in other words...to do life together. To share the stories of our lives, to get to know one another, to care for and pray for each other. I don't remember the authors name but I read a quote once that said, "Stories rescue us from the strangeness of one another" So in a very small way when used correctly FB and other sites help us to share our lives with one another. Posting scripture is great, I love it! But if it's all preaching and no sharing then we do not have community, so let's do life together. My passion and hobby is gourmet cooking. This is my new healthy burger, it's a bun less mushroom cheeseburger slider, I added the quarter so you can relate the size. They were delicious!!! Now it's your turn, tell me something about you that I may not know. Leave a message in the "comment" section below. Just click the icon that says "message" 

Luke 6: 4

"Blessed are you when people hate you, when they exclude you, insult you, and slander your name as evil, because of the Son of Man." ~ (Luke 6: 4)

 

Lord, forgive us when we forget You and take our freedom to worship You in this country for granted. Comfort our Christian brethren throughout the world who risk their lives by believing in You. Amen.

Wind Blow & Fire Fall!

Acts 2:1-4
"When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the BLOWING of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. ALL OF THEM were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them."

"LORD, LET YOUR WIND BLOW!"
"LET YOUR FIRE FALL!"

"I WANT TO BE PART OF A GENERATION THAT DESIRES TO SEE THE HOLY SPIRIT MOVE THROUGH US!"
"I WANT TO BE PART OF A GENERATION THAT WILL RESEMBLE THE DAYS OF ACTS"
I WANT TO BE PART OF A GENERATION THAT GENUINELY DEPENDS ON YOU FOR STRENGTH & GUIDANCE!"

"I WANT TO SEE YOU MOVE LIKE YOU DID IN DAYS OF OLD!"
"I WANT TO SEE YOU HEAL LIKE YOU DID BY MIRACULOUS MEANS!"
"I WANT TO SEE YOU IN YOUR GLORY!"
"I WANT TO SEE YOU ON YOUR THRONE!"
"I WANT TO SEE YOU!"
"I WANT TO SEE YOU!"
"I WANT TO SEE YOU!"

"LORD, LET YOUR WIND BLOW!"
"LET YOUR FIRE FALL!"
"LET YOUR WILL BE DONE ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN!"

Go Further!

Matthew 5:41
"If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles."

In His discourse, Jesus was in effect teaching people to:
"GO BEYOND THE NORM OF THE TIMES!"

While it was being said an eye for an eye.
Jesus was proclaiming:
"ALLOW GOD TO FIGHT YOUR BATTLES!"

"MERCY WILL ONLY PREVAIL IF THE OFFENDED PARTY EXTENDS GRACE!"
"RETALIATION HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH GOD'S SOVEREIGN PLAN!"

Therefore, today, I want to encourage you by the grace of God Almighty to:
"GO THE EXTRA MILE!"
"DO WHAT OTHERS WON'T!"
"DO WHAT SEEMS WEAK IN THE SIGHT OF THIS PRESENT GENERATION"

"DARE TO SET A NEW STANDARD OF LIVING!"
"DARE TO ALLOW JESUS TO LIVE THROUGH YOU!"
"DARE TO STRETCH THE BOUNDARIES OF MERCY!"
"DARE TO BE THE DISTRIBUTOR OF GRACE!"

"KINGDOM BUSINESS IS GOD'S BUSINESS!"
"THEREFORE, MAKE IT YOUR BUSINESS!"

GOD'S WORD!

2 Timothy 3:16-17
"All Scripture is God-breathed and is USEFUL for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."

The Word of God is "USEFUL," not "DESTRUCTIVE!"

Sadly, many use God's Word for their own profit.
Sadly, many use God's Word to tear others down.
Sadly, many use God's Word to mislead others.

"BUT GOD'S WORD WAS MEANT TO DO THE EXACT OPPOSITE!"

"GOD'S WORD IS MEANT TO BENEFIT OTHERS!"
"GOD'S WORD IS MEANT TO BUILD OTHERS UP!"
"GOD'S WORD IS MEANT TO LEAD OTHERS TOWARD GOD, NOT SELFISH AGENDAS!"

"GOD'S WORD IS PURE!"
"BUT SOMETIMES IT IS HANDLED WITH IMPURE MOTIVES!"

Therefore I am here today to encourage everyone to:
"HANDLE GOD'S WORD WITH CARE & SINCERITY!"
"BECAUSE WE WILL ALL GIVE AN ACCOUNT OF OUR STEWARDSHIP!"

Hebrews 13: 16

"Don't neglect to do what is good and to share, for God is pleased with such sacrifices." ~ (Hebrews 13: 16)

Lord, please be pleased with the sacrifices before You, for we know its not about what we can give, but why we give, knowing no sacrifice of ours could ever compare to You giving up Your Son, our Lord, to die on that cross. Amen.

Psalm 51: 17

"The sacrifice pleasing to God is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart. Oh God, You will not despise." ~ (Psalm 51: 17)

 

Bless His Holy Name and may He bless your day! Amen.

The Bible!

Proverbs 6:20-23
"My son, keep your father's command and do not forsake your mother's teaching.
Bind them always on your heart; fasten them around your neck.
When you walk, they will guide you; when you sleep, they will watch over you; when you awake, they will speak to you.
For this command is a lamp, this teaching is a light, and correction and instruction are the way to life..."

"BEING LED BY THE SPIRIT REQUIRES HEARING WHAT THE SPIRIT SPEAKS!"
"THE SPIRIT ONLY SPEAKS THAT WHICH THE FATHER HAS SPOKEN THROUGH JESUS!"
"JESUS ONLY SPEAKS WITH THE WORDS OF HIS FATHER!"

"THEREFORE, THE "WORD OF GOD" IS THE HOLY SPIRIT'S INSTRUCTION MANUAL FOR YOU!"

"THE BIBLE IS SPEAKING TO YOU!"
"ARE YOU LISTENING?"

"IF NOT, THEN IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO CLAIM THAT YOU ARE LED BY THE SPIRIT!"
"BECAUSE THE SPIRIT WILL ONLY LEAD YOU THROUGH THE INFLUENCE OF GOD'S TEACHINGS!"

"DIG INTO GOD'S WORD!"
"IT IS YOUR LIFE!"

Philippians 2: 7

"Instead, He emptied Himself by assuming the form of a slave, taking on the likeness of men" ~ (Philippians 2: 7)

"To gain that which is worth having, it may be necessary to lose everything else." ~ Bernadette Devlin

Stick with it!

Revelation 2:10c
"Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor's crown."

"ENDURANCE IS THE KEY!"
"ETERNAL LIFE IS OUR REWARD!"
"THE UNINTERRUPTED PRESENCE OF GOD IS OUR BENEFIT!"

This life has it's struggles!
Struggles have their way of obstructing our path to God's Presence!
But God has made a Way!
It may not be the easiest Way!
But the truth is that: "It is the Only Way!"

"JESUS CHRIST TRAVELLED A HARSH ROAD!"
"HE SUFFERED A HORRIBLE DEATH!"
"HE PAID THE ULTIMATE PRICE!"
"BUT AT THE END, HE ROSE FROM THE DEAD TO ENSURE THE WAY!"

"HE DID IT ALL BECAUSE HE CHOSE A PATH & STUCK WITH IT!"
"HE WAS FAITHFUL TO HIS CALLING!"
"NO MATTER WHAT THE COST!"

Today, Jesus sits at the right hand of God & proclaims this to all:
"BE FAITHFUL, EVEN TO THE POINT OF DEATH & I WILL GIVE YOU LIFE AS YOUR VICTOR'S CROWN!"

Therefore, keep on striving in pursuit of your calling!
Don't give up!
No matter how many mistakes you make!

"GOD DOES NOT WANT TO BE KNOWN AS YOUR SCORE KEEPER, BUT AS YOUR CHEERING SQUAD, TOGETHER WITH HIS ANGELS!"

"GOD IS FOR YOU, NOT AGAINST YOU!"
"HE AWAITS YOU IN HEAVEN!"

?

Proverbs 4:23-27
"Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.
Keep your mouth free of perversity; keep corrupt talk far from your lips.
Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you.
Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways.
Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil."

"THE NEED FOR JESUS IN MY LIFE IS ENORMOUS!"
"THE HUNGER FOR RIGHTEOUS GROWS!"
"THE THIRST FOR HOLINESS GOES UNQUENCHED!"
"THE DESPERATION FOR HIS PRESENCE ONLY INCREASES!"

You may be asking yourself;
"Has Abner done something wrong?"
The answer is "NO!"
It's just that as I enter into personal time with the Lord, I become more aware of my desperate, hopeless & unquenchable need for Him!

"JESUS IS MY LORD & SAVIOR!"
"HE REDEEMED MY LIFE FROM MORE THAN JUST THE SUPERFICIAL BONDAGES!"
"HE HAS & CONTINUES TO RENEW ME FROM THE INSIDE OUT!"

"EVERYDAY, AS I COMMUNE WITH MY LORD, I REALIZE THAT HE IS STILL AT WORK WITHIN ME REMOVING THOSE THINGS THAT I DIDN'T EVEN KNOW EXISTED!"

Therefore, I make the claim:
"THE NEED FOR JESUS IN MY LIFE IS ENORMOUS!"
"THE HUNGER FOR RIGHTEOUS GROWS!"
"THE THIRST FOR HOLINESS GOES UNQUENCHED!"
"THE DESPERATION FOR HIS PRESENCE ONLY INCREASES!"

Exodus 12: 5 & John 1: 29

"Your sacrificial lamb shall be an unblemished male a year old; you may take it from the sheep or from the goats." ~ (Exodus 12: 5)

....

• 

"The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, 'Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world." ~ (John 1: 29)

Amen.

Proverbs 3:13-18

"Blessed are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding, for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold.
She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her.
Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor.
Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace.
She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her; those who hold her fast will be blessed."

"YOUR DAY GOES IN THE DIRECTION YOU CHOOSE!"

"BUMPY ROADS DO NOT NECESSARILY INDICATE THAT YOU HAVE CHOSEN THE WRONG PATH!"
"OR THAT YOU HAVE STRAYED FROM GOD'S INTENDED GOAL!"
"SOMETIMES, THOSE BUMPY ROADS ARE JUST AN OPPORTUNITY FOR YOU TO PUT INTO PRACTICE WHAT YOU HAVE STORED UP INSIDE!"

"IT'S ALL A MATTER OF PERSPECTIVE!"
"GOD GRACIOUSLY ALLOWS OPPORTUNITY FOR YOU TO GROW!"
"WHAT YOU DO WITH SAID OPPORTUNITY IS UP TO YOU!"

I know we all have agendas set for each day!
I know that we would love to accomplish as many as possible!
But, I would just like to remind everyone that:
"OUR AGENDA SOMETIMES COLLIDES WITH GOD'S PURPOSE!"
"THEREFORE, BE CONSCIOUS & CAUTIOUS NOT TO GIVE PRIORITY TO PERSONAL AGENDAS OVER GOD'S PURPOSE!"
"BECAUSE, THAT ROAD ONLY LEADS US BACK TO WHERE WE BEGAN!"

"BE WISE, GOING IN CIRCLES WILL ONLY GET YOU DIZZY!"

Jonah 2: 9 SACRIFICE

"But I, with shouts of grateful praise, will sacrifice to You. I will fulfill what I have vowed. Salvation is from the Lord!" ~ (Jonah 2: 9)

SACRIFICE - forfeiture of something highly valued for the sake of something else or to help someone.

They're all gonna see it!

Revelation 22:10-17
"Then he told me, "Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this scroll, because THE TIME IS NEAR. Let the one who does wrong continue to do wrong; let the vile person continue to be vile; let the one who does right continue to do right; and let the holy person continue to be holy."
"LOOK, I am coming soon! My reward is with Me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.
"Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city. Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.
"I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star."
The Spirit and the bride say, "COME!" And let the one who hears say, "COME!" Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life."

"IN ORDER TO KNOW THE TRUTH, ONE MUST FIRST HEAR THE TRUTH!"

"THERE IS A FREE GIFT TO BE HAD, BUT ONE MUST ACCEPT IT!"
"THE TIME IS SHORT!"
"DON'T WAIT ANOTHER DAY!"

"THE SALVATION OF GOD IS AT HAND & IT IS AVAILABLE TO ALL WHO WISH TO GRAB HOLD OF IT!"
"JESUS DIED FOR THE SINS OF THE WORLD, BUT THIS DOES NOT MEAN THAT EVERYONE WILL BE SAVED!"

"SALVATION PERTAINS TO THOSE WHO REPENT & ASK FORGIVENESS!"
"SALVATION PERTAINS TO THOSE WHO INVITE JESUS INTO THEIR HEART!"
"SALVATION PERTAINS ONLY TO THOSE WHOSE LORD & SAVIOR IS JESUS, THE SON OF GOD!"

Genesis 22: 2

"Then God said,  'Take your son, your only son, whom you love, Isaac, and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you." ~ (Genesis 22: 2)

Father, if we can't honestly say we are willing to give up EVERYTHING for You, then break our train of thought, in Jesus' Name. Amen.

Love!

John 3:16
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."

"OH, HOW HE LOVES US!"