PEACE Amidst a Storm Like No Other

Peace amidst a storm like no other!
"PEACE" -that passes all understanding -not as the world gives Definition: 5. Inner contentment; serenity: peace of mind. at peace 1. In a state of tranquillity; serene: She is at peace with herself and her friends. 2. Free from strife: Everyone wants to live in a world at peace.

As I sit and ponder the past week... where we were just ONE week ago. Relaxing in the comfort of our home, planning a fun night out... and now ONE week later it feels as if an eternity has passed. Somehow it felt like time just stood still... One week ago today we lost one of our best friends and one of the most sweetest, kindest, faithful, gentle & loving women we know... my Mom-in-love was ushered into the arms of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! As we travel on a 'family' road trip in dedication to Dad & Mom's 45th Anniversary today, I sit and reflect on the PEACE of God. Amidst the sorrow and busyness of this past week we had a strong sense of God's presence like never before. Now don't get me wrong... I've been in plenty (& I mean a lot) of services, camp meetings, youth conferences and youth group activities (& more) where the Presence of God was so real and fresh and manifested. But this was different... it was a sweet and gentle presence (just like Mom had). I spoke to many in the visitation line and indeed somehow (through Holy Spirit's power) spoke it at her Celebration of Life that you write the words and quote the Scripture at times like this for others. In times of sympathy and condolence you say or write "may you feel the love and prayers of family and friends" & "May the peace that passes understanding be yours"... and I shared how true that actually is. Those aren't just fleeting words to be spoken or taken lightly. They are TRUTH (just like the rest of the Word). Now again, dont get me wrong. We experienced sorrow and sadness as well as the rest of our friends and family, and we had our moments of "Why God?" and "No God give her back, bring her back home!", but then you come to the realization she is 'home', and she is desperately wanting to come back to us too, but she is now in the Presence of her Majesty... something she has read about, learned about, sang about and even taught about... and we can't take her away from that moment. It brings me back to a conversation that our cousin Richard and I had just a few months ago with Mom about the movie 'Heaven is For Real' and other comments regarding Heaven and God... Mom was adamant (& darn well should be) that the Word was true. We could not deny the truth that the little boy spoke. We would only know when we got there. We talked about being ready for that day. We shared different people's views and listened to messages from a couple different 'evangelists' and from little Colton himself. Mom had read the book, and they saw the movie too. I hadn't read the book or saw the movie, so I could only give my opinion from what I had read and heard from others and Facebook and the Internet in general. The fact that there were so called 'Christians' and Evangelists complaining and trying to misprove little Colton's story really bothered Mom (& me too). We also talked about even the elect being deceived in the last days. We talked about that we needed to not be caught in that. We shared different ideas and concepts, but it came down to the fact that NO ONE could disprove or prove what happened in 'Heaven is For Real', but to little Colton it was as real as what was in front of him right now. We said we wouldn't really know until we got there...which wouldn't be for a while... if only we knew how long a "while" was back then. As I reflect on that moment in time, that she even shared her opinion so 'gently' yet 'firmly' as well. It brings me back to the words of a Scripture and one of my favourite hymns, "I know Whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able, to keep that which I've committed unto Him against that day". One thing that was repeated again and again at Mom's 'Celebration of Life' was that she did know He that she believed in. My cousin even said that he believed that Aunt Rose was probably the most ready person he knew. At the celebration of life service it was also repeated "Are YOU ready?". We can have that PEACE because we know whom we believe in. It's not just a story, He wasn't just a man. It's not religion, but a RELATIONSHIP. A relationship that Mom had even as a young girl, and one that she passed on to her children (& even those under her influence). What a legacy of love! So as I sit and reflect on the peace and love of God, there are those (& as I've said we said it to for a moment) "Why does God let bad things happen to good people and good things happen to bad people? Well... I don't have all the answers to that, and I can share some of what I've been taught... but the first thing I remember (from what I've been taught, in my home, my church, at school, especially in ECE, and now at my job and as I teach in children's ministey: There are NO bad people, only good people who choose to do bad things. In most cases we can answer God gives man-kind a choice, and our consequences and 'bad things' come because of our choices... and with that answer we can be happy. But in this case there were no 'bad choices', there wasn't a choice that could be made... it is just something that happened out of our wishes and dreams, yet it was all part of God's perfect plan. HIS WAYS ARE HIGHER THAN OUR WAYS. His thoughts are higher than our thoughts. We can question God all we want, but in the end we have to just REST in the fact that He is in control and He knows what He is doing. If we can trust in Him and have Faith on the good times, then we have to in the bad times as well. As I said above to start, we have the peace that passes all understanding. By definition, "understanding" means, 1. the ability to learn, judge, make decisions, etc; intelligence or sense 2. personal opinion or interpretation of a subject: my understanding of your predicament. 7. sympathetic, tolerant, or wise towards people 8. possessing judgment and intelligence Our human intelligence, interpretation and ability to judge doesn't allow us to 'understand' the full nature of God, but that's where 'FAITH' comes in... it doesn't matter if we understand physically or mentally. But, sometimes right away, or usually with time, God allows us to understand spiritually. And in that understanding comes all the Fruit of the Spirit, as Holy Spirit kicks in as our guide. Peace is one of those, along with Love, Joy, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Gentleness, Faithfulness and Self-control. Those fruit/characteristics/traits were all a part of Mom's personality inside and out! As her children, and they that lead the next generation, we hope to continue her legacy of love, and be even half of the beautiful person she was inside and outside! And as her 'child', she wouldn't let me end without making sure that I asked YOU... are YOU ready? You may not have the 'time' to accept Him at the last minute... at the '11th hour'. I have a shirt that says "Many who plan to seek God at the 11th hour die at 10:30." Some people think it's 'morbid', but it is truth. And as they say, sometimes truth hurts. And it usually hurts more when you are 'convicted' by Holy Spirit. So... are YOU ready? Will you be one of those that I will see again one day in Heaven? We will never die... do YOU have that relationship with God the Father, Jesus the Son and Holy Spirit, our comforter and guide?? Take a moment right now and in the silence of your own heart make sure. Whether you accepted Jesus when you were 4 (like me) or if you have never accepted him (Or in between), make this moment count. A simple prayer is all it takes, no big fancy words needed. Just share your heart. ♡ Thank you for reading... we have made it to our 'destination' for now... and we are thankful Mom made it to her 'FINAL' destination as well. She will be in the "cloud of witnesses" welcoming you in... "THANK YOU MOM FOR GIVING TO THE LORD! I AM SO GLAD YOU GAVE!" ♡ Love you Mom! ♡

An Everlasting Love...

"The Lord appeared to him from far away.
I have loved you with an everlasting love;
therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you."
Jeremiah 31:3

This was the 'daily verse' in one of our Bible programs which I read this AM before church, and when I first read it, I began to sing the song, I guess it's by Don Moen, but I have it on another CD. I think it's way back from Youth Group time in Dallas Texas at CFNI. WOW!  Here's a link to the old school song... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_uqZFnrJN4 - by Don Moen

Anyway, then I realized the first line which I never really hear when this verse is referred to. 'The Lord appeared to him from far away'. It got me thinking, God is NEVER far away from us, so the person to whom He is speaking to obviously took steps away from God. Which is important for us to remember... that even when we are NOT faithful, and walking with God, He still loves us with an everlasting love, and He remains faithful to us no matter what.

Sometimes I think of myself as unfaithful, because some days, I certainly don't feel like I deserve this everlasting & unconditional love of the Father. Some days I don't stop to read the Word, or listen for His voice, I do pray through the day, but wonder if He actually listens when we don't do our other parts to stay true to Him. I try to do my 'devotional' daily, but sometimes its just a quick view of words on a page, it doesn't sink in and I don't meditate on it. Other days, its refreshing and I can see God's hand at work in my life. I do know that He is faithful, and He will prove faithful in my life. Times where I feel like I have failed Him, He's just there with open arms reminding me of my worth in His kingdom.

I know that I have had a 'relationship' with him since I was very young and just began to speak and understand the Word of God (this is part of the reason I believe that I have such a strong passion for loving kiddos and teaching/training them in the ways of the Lord). From the young age of 3, I began to seek Him, because I heard of the faithfulness of God in the biblical accounts that my Mom, Pastor & Sunday School teachers shared. In my tweens & teens, I wasn't blessed to be a part of a strong youth group,  as we switched churches a lot. I did however join several youth activities, but they weren't really 'experiencing' the true God & His Holy Spirit as I read of in the Bible. When I was 19 & 20, we went back to our Pentecostal church (where I came to know Jesus) and I was basically 'too old' for youth group, but was welcomed in with open arms (as I am very youthful - LOL!) to the youth group at our church. After some AMAZING experiences with Holy Spirit, and a visit to 'Youth for the Nations' at the 'Christ For the Nations Institute' we finally experienced the true God for ourselves. WOW! I was then baptized by water & fire in the same year. What a difference between 'knowing of' (having biblical knowledge) and 'knowing' (having true relationship with) GOD. I'm thankful so much for the teachers who have been in my life since I was that young 3 yr old making the decision to serve JESUS.

Through the years He has certainly proved faithful, and led me through different paths where I have increased my FAITH in Him. I gained a TRUST in Him like no other. I can say that I made it through the many temptations in High School and come out with very few 'scars'. I had friends who were involved in many different things that a 'Christian' wouldn't, and I was the 'solid' one... I am thankful for the Lord's faithfulness in my life. In my college years, I gained more of an understanding of the calling to 'teach' when I graduated from Early Childhood Education. Although it's not a Christian view of things, I stood firm in my beliefs and my faith. However, there were things done in these years that I am not proud of, but I made it through those temptations & sins, and repented of those, because of my Faithful God! It's in desperate times like those, where you are single, and have no children, and hear the promises of God in your ear, where you try to do things on your own... like Abraham and Sarah when she chose to let Abraham sleep with Hagar to get a child. Now, I never did those things... LOL! But sometimes you think you should 'settle' with what is given, instead of pressing forward to the promises that God has for you. We try to do things in our own ways, in our own strength, and try to 'help' God of course, but really those things take us further from God's will.

God's everlasting love has proved faithful, and through that time of 'waiting', God was preparing me for the man of my dreams, and was preparing him for me. Excitedly I moved into a marriage (almost 10 years ago now -- WOW!) and now we are 'waiting' on Him again for the fulfillment of promises.

Because of my love for God, and wanting to prove him faithful to the next generations, I am excited to be a part of our Children's Ministry and Junior Youth programs (and still have a special spot in the hearts of our Sr Youth). It's possible to stay strong, and true and follow Jesus. Even in times when we seem to 'walk away' from Him, His faithfulness stands true, and His love is everlasting! Showing them that He can and will do what He says He will do is an important part of our walk. But even more so, we want others (LIKE YOU) to see that He is faithful. It doesn't depend on whether you believe in evolution, abortion, etc... it depends on your RELATIONSHIP with a God who is real, who has a SON who died for YOU and the sins  you did commit, are committing right now, and even the ones you haven't even committed yet. It also is a relationship with Holy Spirit, who is the person with us here on earth. He shows us and guides us into righteousness. He comforts us, disciplines us, rebukes us, corrects us and is there for us. We can LEAN ON HIM, and know that He will ALWAYS be there to catch us! Then Holy Spirit will lead you into the TRUTH on subjects such as evolution or abortion. (No matter what science or the medical field says or rules upon).

GOD does love us with an EVERLASTING love, He will incline to us, He will embrace us, He will prove FAITHFUL in all that He says! No matter how 'bad' you think you are, He has the best plans for you, we just need to accept them.

I apologize to my friends and family for not always shining the light, or diffusing the fragrance of God, or correcting in love, or being the example that I should be. I know I don't do a 'terrible' job, but we all can use some work. Thank You Lord for Your forgiveness and Your Holy Spirit that helps guide us into all TRUTH! :)

THANKS for 'listening' to me... may YOU be blessed beyond belief by the faithful everlasting love of the Father. Even those of YOU who have never experienced a true father's love like I have on earth with my Pops. Choose today to turn back to Him.

Remember, if you don't have this beautiful relationship with God -- Learn your A,B,C's...

ACCEPT, BELIEVE and CONFESS.

**If you have never prayed the 'salvation prayer' before or experienced the peace & EVERLASTING LOVE that is spoken of above, then here's your chance today. The only thing you are giving up is things that aren't going to last long anyway -- which if you don't give up, will only make your own life not last as long as it could (which is eternally). --- You've already made the first step known - admit to God that you are a sinner, because after all - all of us are sinners. (Romans 3:23 "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God") After that you need to believe that God is God, and that Jesus is His Son. He sent His Son to die for us, so that we as sinners didn't need to be condemned to death. (Romans 6:23 "For the wages of sin is death, bu the gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus.") Then do as we did above, and Confess your sins to Him and ask for forgiveness -- and then confess aloud that JESUS IS LORD. (Romans 10:9-10 "If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.") We need to daily ask for forgiveness, because we are human and we will always mess up in some way or another. God is willing and able to forgive us, and welcome YOU into His family. I don't like to write out a prayer to say word for word, as this important step is something that you need to tell God in your own words. Just tell Him what's in your heart - you're a sinner, you want to believe in Him but it may be hard, you want Him to forgive you of what you've done, and you want to choose life with Him through His Son Jesus. It's as simple as that. **

GOD BLESS YOU!

"He Is Love"

DAY #111 - 'A Woman of Faith' Devotional
Verse: "God is love, and the one who remains in love remains in God, and God remains in him." 1 John 4:16 HCSB

God is indeed love -- He has loved us so much, and we don't even deserve that which He has given. We all know or at least have heard, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved." John 3:16-17 NKJV Because of God's love for us, He sent His one and only Son Jesus, so that through His death, we may live. All because he is a compassionate and merciful God. "But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus." Ephesians 2:4-7

God's love is not like our worldly love -- it is unconditional. No matter who we are, what we've done, how we treat Him... He still loves us beyond all measure! No one knows or can measure how deep, how wide, how great the love the Father has for us. Check out this song, AMAZED. Each day, each moment, we should not take the love of God for granted, we should stand, bow, kneel, work, play, pray, dance, worship, praise, go through trials, AMAZED. Never let it get boring, or just another tradition or thing to you. God's love is amazing, and He is amazing! Let him amaze you today!

'AMAZED' sung by Lincoln Brewster


Why does He & How does He love us so much? He is love -- that's all that He is made up of, so that is what overflows to us. We should be so full of the love of God that we overflow to the world too. Check out HOW HE LOVES US, because even He is jealous for you... and it's a sweet, sweet love. Let him embrace you today!

'HOW HE LOVES US' sung by Kim Walker & JesusCulture


After all is said and done, one thing remains, the love of God. It is never-failing, never giving up, never-ending, it never runs out, it goes on and on and on and on and on... much longer than even the Energizer bunny. :)  Check out ONE THING REMAINS, and remind yourself that His love never fails! Let Him love you, and love Him back today!

'ONE THING REMAINS' sung by Chris Quilala & JesusCulture


"We cannot protect ourselves from trouble, but we can dance through the puddles of life with a rainbow smile, twirling the only umbrella we need -- the umbrella of God's love." ~Barbara Johnson

Now once you have experienced the love of God, pass it on to a friend! Continue the love circle, and it will always come back to you!

BE BLESSED & BE A BLESSING!

"The Treasure Hunt"

DAY #98 - 'A Woman of Faith' Devotional
Verse: "For where you treasure is, there will your heart be also." Luke 12:34 KJV

"I have a divided heart, trying to love God and the world at the same time. God says, 'You can't love me as you should if you love this world too'." ~ Mary Morrison Suggs

...to be continued!

BE BLESSED & BE A BLESSING!

"The Path He Walked"

DAY #39 - 'A Woman of Faith' Devotional
Verse: "Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, walk in Him." Colossians 2:6 HCSB

NIV (v.6-10) "So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority. "

MSG (v.6-10) "My counsel for you is simple and straightforward: Just go ahead with what you've been given. You received Christ Jesus, the Master; now live him. You're deeply rooted in him. You're well constructed upon him. You know your way around the faith. Now do what you've been taught. School's out; quit studying the subject and start living it! And let your living spill over into thanksgiving. Watch out for people who try to dazzle you with big words and intellectual double-talk. They want to drag you off into endless arguments that never amount to anything. They spread their ideas through the empty traditions of human beings and the empty superstitions of spirit beings. But that's not the way of Christ. Everything of God gets expressed in him, so you can see and hear him clearly. You don't need a telescope, a microscope, or a horoscope to realize the fullness of Christ, and the emptiness of the universe without him. When you come to him, that fullness comes together for you, too. His power extends over everything."

This moment begins yet another day in our journey of life... but are we living that life with Jesus? Today has as much potential as you do, there again is a choice to make how we choose to live it. Will we choose to walk in thanksgiving, forgiveness, love, mercy, joy, humbleness, peace, praise, worship, spiritual abundance, faith & with authority (as Jesus walked)? Or will we choose to conform to the world and walk in pride, bitterness, hate, greed, anger, sadness, battles raging, spiritual poverty, listening to the voices of the world, looking at circumstances around us?

Today is a FRESH, new slate... a new page in your notebook of life, or as the author in today's devotional put it, "a new canvas upon which you can compose a beautiful work of art if you choose to do so." (Day 39) Will we let the world throw it's negative graffiti all over our canvas, or will we allow the Master to 'finger-paint' and create a beautiful masterpiece. When we choose to walk how Jesus walked, we are truly representing the King as His ambassadors. We become His hands and His feet to this dark, dying world. If and when they see our thanksgiving, love, mercy, joy, humbleness, peace, praise, worship, spiritual abundance, faith, authority and more -- they will see the love of Jesus reflected through us, and want what we have. They will desire the way that we overcome our circumstances through our faith, and the joy that overflows to them will be the joy of the Lord.

But, this all may sound beautiful, walking as Jesus walked, but Jesus also received temptation, by which He used to Word of God mightily to defend against the wiles of the devil. We too need to have head and heart knowledge of God's Word, so that it may be ready on our lips. ("Pay attention and turn your ear to the sayings of the wise; apply your heart to what I teach, for it is pleasing when you keep them in your heart and have all of them ready on your lips. So that your trust may be in the LORD, I teach you today, even you." Proverbs 22:17-19 NIV) Jesus also denied himself, and took up the cross. "...Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it." (Mark 8:34-35 NIV)

...so the next step is yours, and yours alone (and mine too - I am speaking to myself as well) Will you walk the path that Jesus walked? Or will you take the easy, wide road? (To learn more about the 2 roads, read Matthew 7:13-14) Remember, you won't be alone on the road... and that God is always with you & His Spirit is here on the earth to help lead, guide, direct and comfort you.

"Let us never suppose that ovedience is impossible or that holiness is meant only for a select few. Our Shepherd leads us in paths of righteousness -- not for our name's sake but for His." ~Elisabeth Elliot

So as our verse in the MESSAGE translation said above, '...quit studying it, and start living it!'

BE BLESSED & BE A BLESSING!

"Who Are Our Neighbours?"

DAY #38 - 'A Woman of Faith' Devotional
Verse: "Never walk away from someone who deserves help; your hand is God's hand for that person." Proverbs 3:27 MSG

NIV - "Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act."
KJV - "Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it."
NLT - "Do not withhold good from those who deserve it when it’s in your power to help them."
 
This title, 'Who are our Neighbours' was a question asked to Jesus in Luke 10:29, and Jesus responds with the parable of the Good Samaritan in verses 30-37.
 
On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
26 “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?”
27 He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’[a]; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[b]”
28 “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.”
29 But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”
30 In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31 A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. 32 So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two denarii[c] and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’
36 “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”
37 The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”
Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”


"This very day, you will encounter someone who needs a word of encouragement, or a pat on the back, or a helping hand or a heartfelt prayer. And, if you don't reach out to that person, who will? If you don't take the time to understand the needs of yur neighbours, who will? If you don't love your brothers and sisters, who will? So, today look for a neighbour in need... and then do something to help. Father's orders."
 
We need to show the love and mercy and grace to others, in the same way that we would want to receive it from others and from God. The ol' Golden Rule really does matter, and really does apply to our lives, 'Do unto others as you would have them do unto you'. Jesus also says in the Bible, “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me'." (Matthew 25:40 NIV) BUT He also says, "He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’" (Matthew 25:45 NIV)
 
So get out there and show the love of God to the world... be the HANDS of God!
 
To be continued...
 
BE BLESSED & BE A BLESSING!
 

"Forgiveness is a Form of Wisdom"

DAY # 32 - 'A Woman of Faith' Devotional
Verse: "People with good sense restrain their anger; they earn esteem by overlooking wrongs." Proverbs 19:11 NLT

NIV - "A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense."
KJV - "The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression."
NKJV - "The discretion of a man makes him slow to anger, And his glory is to overlook a transgression."
MSG - "Smart people know how to hold their tongue; their grandeur is to forgive and forget."
 
The ability to forgive and forget is a tricky one because of our human instincts, our human thoughts and the desire to retaliate. We as Christians had a NEW BIRTH, and are NEW CREATIONS, so we should be trying to live by the Spirit. Forgiveness is an important part of life. We need to choose to forgive, yet we also need to choose to forget. Just as God forgives each of us (when we repent), we need to have that same genuine love for others as we forgive them. God tosses our transgressions as far as the east is from the west. "...as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us." (Psalm 103:12 NIV)
 
Forgiveness is basically showing love. When we forgive others, it allows God to fully forgive us. Some of our sins towards God are probably bigger or more hurtful than the little sins that others do to us. We were reminded of just this fact about love & forgiveness in service on Sunday. We've also been reminded in the past that full healing cannot come until full forgiveness comes. Pure, perfect love for each other is what the Lord desires of us. God loves us unconditionally, no matter what we do, what we say, how we act -- HE LOVES US! (with a deep love). Why is it that we can allow ourselves to get entangled in things like gossip, talking behind other's backs, and other things that lead to bitterness (which certainly does not help us forget past wrongs)? Well God desires us to forgive and forget, and to go beyond bitterness and beyond envy (you can click those words to go to more devotionals). In 1 Corinthians 13 verses 4-8, you will find the best definition of 'love'. "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails..."
 
Thankfully with God's help all things are possible to they that believe. God is willing to help us forgive and get past those feelings of betrayal, bitterness and hurt. He even reminds us that it is His place to give vengeance, if it so requires Him. So ask the Lord to help you forgive others, so that He may fully forgive all that you have done, and will probably do against Him. It does take work on our parts, and we have to fully forgive intentional and unintentional sins, and give the negative feelings to God - lay them at His feet, and He will surround you with love, peace and joy, so the only thing that will overflow from you is His love. :)
 
"Doing an injury puts you below your enemy; revenging an injury makes you even with him; forgiving an injury sets you above him." ~Anonymous
 
BE BLESSED & BE A BLESSING!
 

"And the Greatest of These"

Day #15 - 'A Woman of Faith' Devotional
Verse: 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 NASB "Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things."

This verse continues... "Love never fails" (1 Corinthians 13:8) It has been said, sung and heard for generations that 'All we need is love'... that is sooooo true! We take it frivilously, and we love with conditions at most times... but God's love is unconditional, deep and true. He loves us no matter what we do. We can't truly understand how he loves us... but He does, and we are to love those around us too.

It's that simple... Love because He loved us first. It's in the Bible! (1 John 4:19)

Can't feel or see His love... check out this picture of a simple cloud in the sky... He does love you! All of creation shows the love of the Creator...

This verse continues in 1 Corinthians 13:13 saying, "And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." The greatest thing you could ever be, and ever do is LOVE. Faith is very important, and so of course is HOPE... but God showed His love for us by sending His one and only Son. We are to in turn share that Love with EVERYONE! So get out there today, and show some love... (Send me a comment of a testimony of yours, how you shared the love of God and were blessed by it -- or how someone shared God's love with you and it changed your life.)

His Love is UNFAILING... check out this song by Chris Tomlin...


For more exciting devotionals on LOVE, click HERE... and truly let yourself be touched by the LOVE of God!

BE BLESSED & BE A BLESSING!!

Embraced By God

DAY #11 - "A Woman of Faith" Devotional

Verse: Lamentations 3:22 NLT ~"The unfailing love of the Lord never ends!"

Have you ever felt alone, or that no one loved you? Well you were wrong... there is always someone that loves you, and loves you unconditionally. (That means no matter what you do or don't do, He still loves you). That's God! God wants us to respond to His love in a way pleasing to Him. We need to take time with Him, just as we would in a earthly relationship. There are 5 Love Languages, and God can love you with all 5, and you can love Him with all 5. {To read more about the 5 Love Languages, check out this website. (click the link)} We can spend 'Quality Time' with Him, we can use our 'Gifts' to show we love Him, we use 'Words of Praise & Affirmation' to let Him know how much we love Him, we do 'Acts of Service' to those in our community to show the Love of God, and that we are full of His love, and we can tangibly 'touch' Him when we worship Him. My Love Language is 'Physical Touch', so I really love the worship songs that include words where it talks of embracing Jesus, or God holding us in His arms, etc. This topic today touches my heart, as I love to be embraced by God. Each day we can be embraced by God, but unfortunately like in physical relationships we push Him away... or put Him on the shelf until we 'need' Him. (Technically we ALWAYS need Him).

Well, the choice is indeed yours... He is loving you beyond measure, and with a never-ending love as our verse of the day states... but how will YOU respond? Will you ignore or will you embrace Him back? "When you open yourself to God's love, you feel differently about yourself, your neighbours, and your world. When you embrace God's love, you share His message and you obey His commandments." ('A Woman of Faith' Devotional - Day #11. ©2007 Freeman-Smith, LLC. Nashville, TN. 37202)"Love is not something God does; love is something that God is." ~ Beth Moore




Be blessed and be a blessing to someone... share the Love of Jesus that is found right within YOU! Let God love you, and please love Him in return, it's one of the BEST choices you can make! <3

Thank you Lord that Your love and mercy never end!

Now, listen to this song and even to the special part starting at 6:33, where Kim explains more about the love of God, as there may be some of you who have never encountered the Love of God. (the message & prayer goes until 7:54 -- listen to it all, and let the Spirit of God annoint you where you are at!) It's the same Spirit that was there when they recorded this, as the one who is now with you where you are! Be blessed!

How He Loves
(sung by Kim Walker)

Be Blessed & Be a Blessing!

All you need is LOVE... AMAZING love that is!

(I was asked to do the devotional at a local place we go to volunteer once a month. So of course being VALENTINE'S was in 4 days, I chose to do my lesson on LOVE! I also decided to share it here as well, since I got so many interesting comments and encouraging words from others who heard it! Praise and glory be to God - I am just an obedient vessel! Words in [square brackets] are words spoken that night. I tried to re-write in some cases, so it would make sense for the reader. Here it is...)

So it is the MONTH of FEBRUARY… the month of LOVE!

Did you know that most people believe VALENTINE’S DAY started with St. Valentine at the time of the Roman Empire? However, I know that the first VALENTINE sent was sent long before that first celebration on February 14th? God is LOVE, and LOVE is for all. God sent us His Son as an action of His love. He sent Him for ALL of us.


[I have given you all little] VALENTINE cards, with the infamous JOHN 3:16 Scripture on it. As you can see, using the words of the Scripture, God sent us His own VALENTINE. Jesus was sent as a gift to show God’s love. I would like us all to read it together. (Here is a copy of God's VALENTINE.)

Most people think love is a NOUN today; something that you can fall in and out of; something that involves playing with someone’s heart until you most likely get it broken. But GOD created love to be a VERB, not a NOUN. He intended that it be an active part of our lives. Loving someone requires some action on our parts. Real love is not something you can fall in or out of. Real love is shown in daily actions.

Love is not just something between a couple (dating or married). Love should be seen and heard throughout the world everyday with everyone. [We would not be here, and the ARK would not be here if we didn’t LOVE you.] (For devotional readers, this devotional blog would not be here if I did not love you and want you to come to know the Father).


Now some of you are thinking, (because we all think it) “but I am not worthy enough, no one will love me. I am not handsome enough, or beautiful enough, or rich enough, or smart enough. Some of you are even thinking, but what about my past, if they only knew all the things that you have done, etc… then you wouldn’t be able to be loved, let alone be able to love others. (and you think that I wouldn't love you or God wouldn't love you.)


Well I am here to tell you different… WE love, because HE first loved us. HIS love is unconditional, which means that He loves you ANYWAY. There is a saying, BEAUTY is all in the EYE of the BEHOLDER, and Jesus is telling you, and we are telling you, “if you could see what I see”. If WE want to be truly called His followers, then we must learn to love as He loves. We must be REAL! That takes a lot, I know it. I pray daily that God will help me love others as He loves me.

Usually these verses I am going to [read] (give) to you are heard at weddings, however, God wants you to know His love, and that it is REAL. He loves you no matter who you are, what your background, race, sex or lot in life is. He loves you for you. That is why He made you, so He could love you, and you could love Him in return. He tells us all about His kind of love in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8.

“Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. endures through every circumstance. Prophecy and speaking in unknown languages and special knowledge will become useless. But love will last forever!” Another translation says, LOVE NEVER FAILS.

This is REAL love. Taken from the words of a song I know, When all else around you comes crashing in, and you feel like you are surrounded. What’s actually surrounding you is God’s love.


"When the walls are closing in, the enemy is back again. Heat comin' from all sides like you are surrounded. You can't believe everything you feel. Treasure what you know is real, cause, if you could see from up above, what's got you surrounded is love!" ~ Geoff Moore



Now can you think of all kinds of songs with the word LOVE in it from the world’s point of view… there are lots?
• Love, it makes the world go round


• Love will keep us together


• Love Me tender


• Love Love Me Do, You Know I Love You


• All you need is Love


• Love Hurts


• Do You Love Me?


• … and many many more.


What kind of LOVE is this? Pretty superficial to me…


But ONE SONG that I know, and that I love to SING is called AMAZING LOVE. Just let the words of the song sink into your heart and your spirit, and allow your heart to be opened once again to know what it means to be loved!

Since I cannot sing it here, I chose to have one of my FAVOURITE groups the NEWSBOYS sing it for you...


AMAZING LOVE HOW CAN IT BE, THAT YOU MY KING WOULD DIE FOR ME? To experience this REAL love, you have to first come to know the One that gives this LOVE. This VALENTINE’S DAY, ensure you are in the BEST RELATIONSHIP that this life has to offer. The one between a FATHER and His Child. The one between a BRIDEGROOM and His BRIDE. Some of you may have really bad earthly relationships with your dads, or with spouses, and other family members, but God is so much more.


Here is a cool VALENTINE POEM I found on the internet tonight, wish I had it last night when I spoke!

 

God’s Valentine Gift

God’s Valentine gift of love to us

Was not a bunch of flowers;

It wasn’t candy, or a book

To while away the hours.

His gift was to become a man,

So He could freely give

is sacrificial love for us,

o you and I could live.

He gave us sweet salvation, and

Instruction, good and true--

To love our friends and enemies

And love our Savior, too.

So as we give our Valentines,

Let’s thank our Lord and King;

The reason we have love to give

Is that He gave everything.

By Joanna Fuchs

Prayer:  God I thank You so much for all that You have done for us. You know us inside and out, You know our hearts, and deeds and love us anyway. I thank You for Your unconditional love. I thank You for Your example that You brought us to the world, in Your Son Jesus. His life was a life of human, without sin. Help us accept Your love even though we certainly don't deserve it. Your amazing love, that comes along with Your amazing mercy and grace too. Granting us that which we don't deserve (Your love), and not giving us what we do deserve which is death. God I pray this NEW and fresh prayer tonight for all those who are reading this blog, or even those who may have popped on and just skimmed, or even just read the first part and clicked away to another site in anger or frustration. Help them come to know you in a NEW and FRESH way. I pray that this VALENTINE'S DAY, we will truly seek after the RELATIONSHIP with You. Some of us for the FIRST time, and others who need to RENEW our hearts back to our FIRST LOVE which is You! It's not about RELIGION, it's all about the RELATIONSHIP! Thank You God that we may have a relationship with You and Your Son. Thank You also for Holy Spirit which we can have with us everyday to lead, guide and direct us in all that we think, do and say. Lord, just bless us and fill us with Your love that we may learn to love others like You love us. Help us look passed all the faults that we see on the exterior and help us to love and encourage that which is on the inside, which You are making beautiful in Your image! In Jesus' precious name I pray all this, AMEN!

Day 24: October 24th, 2009 - - Matthew 9:36-38 EXPECT A HARVEST!

“POINTS TO PONDER” – Day 24
Written by M. Hall
Please feel free to agree or disagree with points made, and feel free to comment if so desired. If you would like, you could write your own thoughts on the verse of the day, and include that in your own comments below. Thank you and may you be blessed!! =)

“When he saw the crowds, he felt sorry for them because they were hurting and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Jesus said to His followers, ‘There are many people to harvest but only a few workers to help harvest them. Pray to the Lord, who owns the harvest, that He will send more workers to gather His harvest’." Matthew 9:36-38 NCV
WOW~ God is amazing! If you have been reading these devotionals, yesterday you would have read that I have been attending a Conference called Outpour. Today was the last day of the conference, there was an AM session, an afternoon session, and a PM session. Usually you feel a little sad that a conference is coming to an end, because the speaker is leaving, and leaving at a high note in your life spiritually. However, this Conference may be complete, but we have another Conference starting tomorrow night, with the same guest speaker!! Hallelujah God! Speak, your servant is listening! =)

So, there was a delay in writing this, part due to laziness, yet also I think part to God not being done speaking into my life on this thought and action. Harvesting... to a farmer, or a gardener that means alot. It means all the hard work has paid off, and you are reaping the benefits of sowing seeds, tending the field/garden, getting rid of weeds, watering, fertilizing, etc. Harvesting to us as Christians is basically the same, we reap what we sow. These past few years have been a great time of sowing for us. We have, so we give. When we haven't financially, we give in other ways, and God gives to us financially and in other ways, and we then give more financially to the Lord. Our acts of worship, teaching, and working FOR the Lord are also ways to give back to God.

Compassion... what a word. In this verse, it says Jesus saw the crowds and felt sorry for them. This does not mean pity, it means compassion. He had a heart for the 'multitudes', whether they were male or female; Jewish or Gentile; young or old; rich or poor; etc, you get the picture. As we learned back a few devotionals ago, Jesus is our Shepherd. A Shepherd has compassion for his sheep. I am thankful that I have a heart that breaks for His people, yet I continually need to ask God to 'break my heart for what breaks Yours'. He wants to harvest people. He is sowing seeds of love from the Father, to reap the benefits of more people in the Kingdom of Heaven, instead of in the clutches of the enemy. God wants to see everyone come to know Him, believe in Him and live for Him, but because He also gave us our free-choice, not everyone will make that important decision. We know there are millions and billions, and trillions and more people in the world who don't know Jesus, and what are we doing about it? Really?

Harvest time… Yes Lord, it’s harvest time! We need to be out ‘planting seeds’ if we expect to reap a harvest! We need to do some harvesting, but we also need to pray for others, so that there will be more harvesters. Lord, send more people to gather the harvest! Your harvest, for Your glory! We have to have a heart for the people. A heart like Jesus! I have been praying for a long time, and more recently & more often with the children I work with, for God to help us love others, like He loves us. WOW! What a statement, but when prayed with faith and believing it makes all the difference! Jesus was out with the people. Jesus talked with the people, even the ones no one wanted to talk with, or even hang out with. People that others hated or despised, or ones that were basically left to die. We need to start reaching out more, in love. Not expecting something in return from them. We can certainly expect somethng from our Father in Heaven, because He promises that we will reap what we sow. If we are sowing words of judgement, and ignoring other's needs around us, why in the world would we expect to reap a life of favour? WOW... I am speaking to myself on this one too, so don't think of me as nagging on you. But really, sometimes we need to be shaken up a little. Most of us have family members and close friends who are not saved. Yes, they may have said the cute lil' sinner's prayer when they were 5, but really, how are they living now? They have to experience God for themselves, and sometimes we have to be that 'first impression'. It's been said many times that “you never get a second chance to make a first impression”. It's also been said that we are sometimes the only Bible that people will get to see/read. We are the hands and feet, and mouth and ears... etc... of Jesus! We may never get a second chance to share the gospel with some people. Others in our lives may hear it over and over. Keep pressing in, and pressing on! Persevere through... Be the best example of Christ that you can be. People need us, because people need the Lord! We need to share that JOY with everyone.

We love the advancement in our world, but have so many things in our way today, and technology is a great thing, yet also a hassle. We love things like blogs, Facebook, MySpace, IM's, and more... yet, how much time do we spend on them, and how much time do we give to the Lord? I know I am guilty of this one too. (so don't take me wrong) This one is totally for me too! Writing the words, and speaking the words will help encourage me to do the Word and the words. I can use the 'excuse' (as that is a good excuse right now in the Christian circles) that I use Facebook, and my blog to minister and spread the good news, because that is definitely true. But that's not all I use it for, I also spend time on the silly things, like too many silly quizzes, and reality-based Social games. Do you notice that they can't just have ONE social based game (ie: Yo-ville), they have to keep adding more... and we keep accepting.... pretty soon these applications bog up our system, and that's all we can do. We think, I have 6 hours before I have to come back and take the cake out of the oven in the Yoville sweets factory, which should give me lots of time to check out my fields and crops in FarmTown, and of course its counterpart FarmVille (just incase you need more than one farm); yet I also have time to serve people in my restaurant in Cafe World or the Restaurant one (whatever its called). Oh, I can't forget I have to go help my Mob boss kill somebody, before they kill me in Mob Wars or Mafia Wars... but wait, I forgot to go back and take the 'French Onion Soup' off of the stove in Cafe World, so its gone to waste. Because I was too busy getting the hit man, I missed harvesting the crop of corn in FarmTown, so it has gone to waste.... and so on and so on, and soon our time with Jesus has gone to waste too! How our mindset changes, to think that feeding people every minute in Cafe World, or harvesting fields in FarmTown or FarmVille is totally a necessity. We fret when the preacher talks too long, because we have to 'serve our homestyle chicken dinner' in Cafe World before it goes to waste. What are we thinking??? Really...?? God's Word says, "Why spend your money on something that is not real food? Why work for something that doesn't really satisfy you? Listen closely to me, and you will eat what is good; your soul will enjoy the rich food that satisfies." (Isaiah 55:2 -NCV)

I was going to write a devotional before on harvesting, and on FarmTown, because the Lord was showing me things about sowing, reaping and harvesting. I was getting tired of the game, yet, I did however keep the application on, and checked in every now and then. I haven't planted any crops, and allowed my trees to grow, because for some reason crops go to waste, but trees stay fruitful. (Is there a spiritual meaning here, yes, and I'm sure God will reveal that to me more later.) You keep some games/applications on your page because your friends are playing it, and you are helping them. Pfffttphh... are we really helping them?? I can use all the excuses to why the applications were still on my Facebook, but in reality I just wasn't giving top priority to the One who deserves the top priority in my heart and life.

More about FarmTown, as that's the one that hit me first... Here are some pictures from the game, incase you don't have the application (and please, this is not a paid ad for FarmTown, so please don't go and add the application, unless you are willing to apply it to your life).








So, by these pictures, you see that there are many different 'signs' showing what's going on, so you know what you are to do. The first picture says 'plowed field', so you know that you can sow seeds, and in time they will grow into the crop that it says. The second picture says 'harvested field', so this shows that you just harvested a crop, and now can plow it and sow a seed. The third picture shows 'Apple Tree - Ready to Harvest', meaning you can now harvest the fruit from the tree, and then it will grow again and produce more fruit. The last picture shows a 'Potato Field Gone to Waste'. How sad is this picture? This means that you didn't harvest it in time, and you can not harvest it anymore, or get anything back from those seeds that were sown. You know the name of the crop, but its gone, so its no good anymore. Fortunately in the game, you can plow over the field, and start fresh, planting new seeds. The Lord is revealing a new truth to me, as I said He would in the above paragraph. The crops go to waste, yet the fruit trees remain fruitful. When we let seeds that were sown, die & not get harvested, or get choked by weeds, or eaten by birds, they go to waste. In other words, if we leave people un-harvested, they will go to waste, living a life of eternal damnation in hell. (Yes, hell is a real place.) Yet, when we harvest the fruit of love, joy, salvation in people, they in turn become more fruitful, and harvest fruit of their own. How amazing is God?? Now, wouldn't it be so much easier, if we all had 'signs', like the apple tree in the picture. Walking through the mall, and observing people, and seeing signs that say 'Ready to Harvest', would sure be a help wouldn't it? We would get excited I think, and go and speak to people more. Yet, taking the other side, what if we walked through the church, and saw signs that said 'Gone to Waste'?? Would it be too late to plow their hearts? Fortunately and unfortunately, we don't have physical signs, yet if we allow the Spirit to speak to us, He will tell us His heart for the people.

There is a book called 'The Heart Reader', and in it the man gets the spiritual gift (for lack of a better word right now) to be able to read the hearts of the people around him, and he can help them according to their desires and needs for the Lord. For the secular world, there is a movie called 'What Women Want' starring Mel Gibson. In this movie, Mel's character has an unfortunate (or fortunate in his case) accident, and he is able to hear the hearts of women and their desires and needs too. He in turn helps out many women because he can hear what they really want. However, this can happen in the real world, as I said above, if we allow ourselves to hear what the Spirit is saying.

We need to approach every day with God, expecting a harvest! Who knew when I put 'fall harvest conference' and 'expectation ministries' together, that coming up with 'Expect a Harvest' would mean sooooo much? Even if the title just ended up being special to me, and God speaking to me, that would be awesome. But I know that many others were touched at this conference, and will continue to be from Sunday night, to Tuesday night, and long after. (For those of you who couldn't make it out to Conference, or others who may be reading this, if you desire, you can contact me here to order yourself a CD set - - they are $5 a CD, and there will be 3 CD's) EXPECT A HARVEST! Pray for an OUTPOUR of His Spirit! Hallelujah Jesus!!
I'm not even going to touch on Cafe World, or the others, yet how much more important are the hungry people in this world, who need the 'bread of life', rather than a bowl of cyber soup. "Do not let all kinds of strange teachings lead you into the wrong way. Your hearts should be strengthened by God's grace, not by obeying rules about foods, which do not help those who obey them." (Hebrews 13:9 NCV) I am not condemning anyone, (as condemning nor convicting is my job), I'm just speaking the truth, and this is for my own benefit too. As I said, I am not condemning you if you have these applications on your Facebook, and maybe you will or will not be convicted by the Holy Spirit to change. Maybe you are okay in your spiritual walk, and can spend time on these frivolous activities. As long as you spend more time with God then you do with the Mob...
Think of the word 'applications', how do these really apply to your life? For the most part, you have to think of what you are actually playing. The innocent "killing", because its not real, and the innocent "stealing tips" because its not real, is still technically killing and stealing, and those are two of God's 10 commandments. Gets ya thinking doesn't it?? How much more fun would it be to go out and share Jesus, and get your friends sharing Jesus, and hearing the angels rejoice in Heaven over a lost soul coming home? Think of your Heavenly rewards, and our Lord saying, "Well done, thy good and faithful servant!"

Prayer: Wow, where to begin Lord. What to say Lord... I thank you above all that you do not want us to 'go to waste'. I thank You God for the truths that You have spoken and confirmed through your Word, and through your prophet. God help us to truly put You first in all we do. Lord, help ME to put YOU first in all I do. (I cannot speak for others, but because my heart breaks for them, I do). Thank you for showing me the silliness of it all, and how serious You are about Your people. They are not just crops and fruit, they are Your people, Your children, none of whom You want to see perish! Help us not want to see them perish either. As I have prayed on many occasions, help us love them like You love us. Help us see them through Your eyes. I pray for the Spiritual Words of wisdom and knowledge that I have used before, and let go to the wayside, to be refired in me. Help me to hear people's hearts, and to speak Your words into them. Words of life, and not death; words of peace, & not war; words of love & not hate; words of encouragement & not discouragement; words to build up & not tear down. Show me Lord the ones who are ready to harvest, the ones who need more seeds sown, and the ones who the world has told them they have gone to waste, but they are still alive to you. We all have to die to ourselves, to live fully in You. Praise You Lord that You made me who I am, and help me to share your love and make a good 'first impression' for You and Your gospel! To give Your love, we must be full of Your love, so let us fall more in love with You. Show us how high, how deep, how wide Your love is. In the precious name of Your Son, Jesus, AMEN!

Check out this video... we sang this song to the Lord at OUTPOUR to our consuming fire~ 'Let us fall more in love with you'!

EXPECT a HARVEST!!!!!

Day 23: October 23rd - - Deuteronomy 30:16

“POINTS TO PONDER” – Day 23Written by M. Hall
Please feel free to agree or disagree with points made, and feel free to comment if so desired. If you would like, you could write your own thoughts on the verse of the day, and include that in your own comments below. Thank you and may you be blessed!! =)
I command you today to love the Lord your God, to do what he wants you to do, and to keep his commands, his rules, and his laws. Then you will live and grow in number, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land you are entering to take as your own. Deuteronomy 30:16 NCV

I thank God for His servants that are obedient, and speak His Words of truth. I am blessed to be a ‘chosen’ one of God, and I am attending a Conference this weekend called Outpour. We are praying for an outpouring of the Spirit of God, to help us walk as the ‘chosen’ ones of God. The guest speaker moves in the prophetic evangelism anointing, and he is an amazing man of God. For those of you who are attending the conference too, take notes, and listen to the words of the Lord. He will speak to you through the Pastor, and new revelations will come to you during this time as well. You can live a ‘chosen’ lifestyle too – it all comes down to making the right choices. But as this verse also says, part of those right choices include; loving God, obeying God, & listening to God’s voice. He promises that we will live and multiply (grow in number in NCV). This does not just mean ‘babies’, it is your spiritual children too. The people you lead to Christ, also fit into this category. Are you multiplying the kingdom?? WOW! I am totally excited about this conference, not with hype or those feelings of the moment, but for the message of truth that will be shared. The Bible tells us that ‘many are called, but few are chosen’ (Matthew 22:14 NKJV). Even if you do not have a personal relationship with the Father, He is still YOUR God. We are all called to follow Him. However, several of us do not feel worthy of the calling, and turn away from God. But there are a select few that choose God, and choose to be ‘chosen’.

If YOU do not know Jesus as your personal friend, brother, and Saviour then please do not hesitate any further. Take that step today - - It’s as simple as A.B.C., and it only takes a moment, to change your life forever. If you so desire, you can re-commit your life to Him as well too ~ it's never too late, while you are alive anyway.
A - - Admit to God you are a sinner, and repent and turn away from your sin.
B - - Believe that Jesus is the Son of God and He gave His life for you and me.
C- - Confess your faith in Jesus as your Saviour and your Lord forevermore.
This simple prayer will change you from the inside out.

The verse today says, ‘the Lord your God will bless you in the land you are entering to take as your own.’ Do you want to be blessed? Do you want to receive more blessings, in the new places you are entering… the changes you are making in your life? I sure do. This verse reminds us of the greatest commandment, to love the Lord with all our heart, our soul, our mind and our strength. Loving God means obeying Him, listening to Him, and putting Him first in your life. Those are tough to live out, but they are possible. We have a ‘cloud of witnesses’ standing by cheering us on. All things are possible to him who believes. We know that Jesus has the ultimate victory, and because He has risen, we can rise above all our failures too. He gives us the peace to go through each day, no matter what storms may rise. Please listen to the song below, and let it sink deep into your mind and spirit. Remember that you are an over-comer too. Rise on wings like eagles today, and take time to fall on your knees to praise Him. (No excuses, as the pastor tonight said, if it’s too hard to kneel, and you are good at making excuses why you can’t, then just lay prostrate and worship Him.)

‘I Will Rise’ by Chris Tomlin – ‘Jesus has overcome, and the grave is overwhelmed. The victory is won. He has risen from the dead. And I will rise when He calls my name. No more sorrow, no more pain. I will rise on eagles wings, before my God, fall on my knees and rise. I will rise!’





Prayer: Hallelujah God! Father we thank You that we are over-comers with Jesus, and that we can rise on eagles wings. We can run and not grow weary, we can walk and not faint, if only we wait on You. Help us to set aside weaknesses or selfish thoughts of embarrassment, and allow us to seek You on our knees, or laying prostrate, knowing that You will come and speak with us. Help us live the life of a ‘chosen’ one. Thank You Lord for choosing us, and for allowing us the choice to choose You as well. Help my friends and family who may be walking in doubt and unbelief. Let them pray the simple ABC prayer, to start changing their life today. Convict by the power of Your Holy Spirit. I ask You to bless the rest of the Outpour Conference, and the guest speaker, the worship team, the host pastors, and their church, and all the attendees. Come outpour Your Spirit and anointing as we walk the paths You have laid out for Your ‘chosen’ ones. Bless the rest of the weekend conferences as well, and the Grand opening service of The Sanctuary Worship Centre. We ask all these things in the name of JESUS, AMEN!

Be blessed, and be a blessing as you choose to be ‘chosen’ out of the multitude.