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Sunday, April 29, 2007

I was feeling faint of heart today and I began to pour through Psalm 119 and just ask God to make those verses reality in my life. I prayed that I would be quick to obey and love His word and love to obey Him. I prayed for more hunger for Him. I prayed that He would write His word's on my heart.

Then I read this and it was even more confirmation that I needed to keep coming to the word and asking Him to fill what I lack. I want to keep taking Him up on His word when I am weary.

Experiencing God Devotion

Scripture:
You think mere words are strategy and strength for war. What are you now relying on so that you have rebelled against me? (2 Kings 18:20, Holman CSB)

Thought:
Faith is believing that the God who called us to the assignments is the One who will provide for their accomplishment. Hezekiah's faced a tremendous crisis. The strongest army in the world threatened his city. But God had the plan. Trust and wait for the God who made him king to make him free. Who would you trust? The world's most powerful army, or a word of promise?

Prayer:
Lord of Hosts, I must have a God-sized escape from the situation I am in. The enemy surrounds me. What can I do? I throw myself in faith on You. You have delivered me. Do it again, Lord. Amen.

Psalm 119:10 I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands.

The Pursuit of God

I wanted to link here to one of my favorite books that is available to read online. SO GOOD! It is a classic...so if you have time read some of it. Very challenging!

Saturday, April 28, 2007

HAIRSPRAY

This one is for the girls!
Does anyone know of a good hairspray that will fight the humidity and prevent frizz? I want one that is OTC when I say "over the counter" I mean one that you don't have to buy at a salon. Please comment on my blog on what worked for you.

If you are into flat-ironing your hair like I am...Sally's has a product called "Heat it up" that has been working really well for me!

needing help with the hair! good night!

Check out this article on <"Cultivating Godly Children">

Friday, April 27, 2007

He just doesn't get it

I have to share something funny before Cinderella goes to bed (the clock has already struck midnight). I had a really interesting day to say the least. Morgan was seriously out of control to the point where I had to turn up "Hallelujah" by CeCe Winans then go in the other room and beg the Lord to fill me with His Spirit before I lost my mind. Does anyone have days like that? Anyway, nothing could make her happy today to the point where I was in tears. I got to spend some time with one of my precious friends who is going to go over seas next year. She has been such a blessing and encourager in my life and I am really happy and sad at the same time that she is leaving. I was in the car listening to a sermon after I left her and I was overwhelmed. I so want to please the Lord and live in obedience to Him yet I so often choose self over Him. I was just sick of me as I listened to the Word. When I got home from visiting with my friends I came in crying. I didn't want Morgan to see me crying so I handed her to Rod and went upstairs and WAILED before the Lord. I am talking LOUD crying for about 40 minutes. I had let a lot of stuff build up and I just needed the cry. I prayed as I cried that the Holy Spirit would intercede on my behalf as I didn't have the words to pray. All I could think about was how much I want to spend more time in the Lord's presence and how much I needed Him to fix me in certain areas. I felt a lot better after I got it out. I came downstairs (and no rod did not even come check on me) and Rod said "Jenny, I am so sorry that you are crying about your friend leaving." I was floored...not that I don't love her...but that is NOT what I was crying about. I couldn't believe after how loud that cry was he thought that was why I was crying. It reminded me of Jesus asking Mary why she was crying...
I haven't had a cry like that in a LONG time...I guess since I lost Shelby...
Sometimes, we just need to cry in the Presence of the Lord. We need to pour out our hearts like water in His presence and just get it all out!! We can always cry on our Fathers shoulder.
Sometimes the men folk just don't get us. :)

Thursday, April 26, 2007

The Word

About 9 years ago I began to pray that I would hunger and thirst for God's word and His Presence. Whenever I feel like I am starting to leave the God I love I will pray and ask Him to fill me with more of His Spirit. I beg Him all of the time for a hunger and thirst for His word and He gives it to me. Lately, I have been camping out on issues of integrity and that I would be wholly devoted to Him. He is continuing to change me. He gets in my business and won't let me rest until I am right with Him. I am so thankful that He loves me and that I can trust Him. I want no part of me to be divided in interest when it comes to this world system and the God that I love. I have been praying that I would not be "friends" with this world and that I would not set myself in opposition to Him in doing so. He is helping me. I want Him to be my One hearts desire and to continue to consume me. I challenge each of you to pray for a hunger and thirst for Him (daily)...He will beckon You to come to His Presence as you seek Him..You will find Him. I was reading a few things by AW Tozer (The Pursuit of God) today and I began to utter them as my own prayer:
"If you would follow on to know the Lord, come at once to the open Bible expecting it to speak to you. Do not come with the notion that it is a thing which you may push around at your convenience. It is more than a thing, it is a voice, a word, the very Word of the living God. Lord, teach me to listen. The times are noisy and my ears are weary with the thousand raucous sounds which continuously assault them. Give me the spirit of the boy Samuel when he said to Thee, `Speak, for thy servant heareth.' Let me hear Thee speaking in my heart. Let me get used to the sound of Thy Voice, that its tones may be familiar when the sounds of earth die away and the only sound will be the music of Thy speaking Voice. Amen."

And on speaking of faith He quotes this:
to paraphrase Thomas à Kempis, `I had rather exercise faith than know the definition thereof.'
You can read his book online if you don't have it (but these are my prayers for my own life...that I wouldn't just talk the talk).

Oh that my life would be testimony to a life that is Hard after Him...One that listens when He speaks, one that holds fast to Him for my own good.

I want it to be said when I die that satan hated me!

Wednesday, April 25, 2007

Hey Peeps!

I am so tired and a bit nauseous but I REALLY wanted to post for a second. I had to go to court today (something not related to me) but the judge came in the courtroom and everyone in there (the Counselor's first) all began to rise. The judge said "Sit down everyone, sit down." He didn't want anyone waisting their time to stand up. Of course this reminded me of Daniel.

#1 King Neb wanted to be worshiped as in the case of a lot of other people in positions of power. Hence the 90ft statue that he wanted all of the officials to bow to.

We are wise to learn from this judge...
At the gym I go to there are some "sayings" if you will on the wall around the gym. One says "To the world you may be one person, but to one person you may be the world." NO THANKS PEOPLE I don't want to be the WORLD to anyone. None of us need to be on the faulty pedestal of man worship. We are frail and I know if I get my eyes off of Jesus I am capable of any manner of a fall to let others down. We simply can not worship people or put our trust in man. Romans 8 is clear that the only thing that we can't be separated from (if we are in Christ Jesus) is the Trinity...the love of God. There was a time in my life where I was so in to this guy that I was dating. I had no idea the amount of focus or worship that I was putting into the relationship. When that relationship crumbled (I ended it by the way...I was always into the one-up...ha ha) my world felt shaken. The Lord had to do some MAJOR heart surgery on this girl! He did heal me from it and taught me to put my trust in Him. I am still learning. Anyway, yes the judge deserves respect but he didn't need everyone rising to boost his ego. I will never forget the time I was at the Dr. with Rod, over his broken back, and the Dr. came in the room. Rod called him Mister instead of Doctor...the doctor corrected him and said I am Doctor so and so. I was like DUDE please get over yourself! Can anyone spell P-R-I-D-E? Rod didn't even mean to call him Mr. On the flip side the doctor that I use (Dr. Jon Adcock if any of you girls need a good Christian OBGYN click here ) he treats everyone the same and is so kind and friendly like most of the people in that practice. They are not like "I am doctor hear me roar!" The thing about that group is they are Christians and they really seek to serve Jesus by helping others. Praise Him for that. It is so refreshing.

#2 We all need to memorize Philippians chapter 2 and model Christ when He in humility considered others better than Himself. He did not consider equality with God as something to be grasped and humbled Himself to death on the cross for our sins. He is the LAMB that was slain, taking Gods wrath on Himself for us.

Okay, back to the court scene:

Oh how my heart yearned within me as I thought of the Ancient of Days in Daniel Chapter7 (Indulge with me if you will)
9 "As I looked, "thrones were set in place, and the Ancient of Days took his seat.(emphasis mine) His clothing was as white as snow; the hair of his head was white like wool. His throne was flaming with fire, and its wheels were all ablaze.
10 A river of fire was flowing, coming out from before him. Thousands upon thousands attended him; ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him. The court was seated, and the books were opened.
11 "Then I continued to watch because of the boastful words the horn was speaking. I kept looking until the beast was slain and its body destroyed and thrown into the blazing fire.
12 (The other beasts had been stripped of their authority, but were allowed to live for a period of time.)
13 "In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence.

He is the one that we are to worship and He will judge every deed. He is just, all-knowing, and omnipresent. He reigns and His rule is perfect. So no matter what our status lets worship Him and give Him our adoration. Worthy Lord, You are Worthy! I had chills all over the place as this flesh-and-blood judge took his seat in the court room. I thought of how at the name of Jesus everyone will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father (I hope I am getting all of my verses right because I am trying to run off of memory). He is going to come and there will come a day where He will make EVERY EVERY EVERY wrong right. Nothing is hidden from Him. Oh how I want to fear Him with reverence and awe and live in a manner worthy. Let's not wait for His glorious appearance to do a little bowing and praising and confessing that He is Lord.
(gotta go morgan is screaming she has been sick so say a prayer)
Keep in the Word. love jw


Take our hearts and seal them Lord, seal them for thy courts above. Show us more of You Lord. I need you and I am prone to leave the God I love. Praise You Father Praise YOU!

Sunday, April 22, 2007

The Love You Don’t Need

By John MacArthur


“All you need is love.”“All you need is love.”

So said the Beatles. If they’d been singing about God’s love, the statement would have a grain of truth in it.

But what usually goes by the name love in popular culture is not authentic love at all; it’s a deadly fraud.

Far from being “all you need,” it’s something you desperately need to avoid.

The apostle Paul makes that very point in Ephesians 5:1-3. He writes, “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints.”

The simple command of verse 2 (”walk in love, as Christ loved us”) sums up the whole moral obligation of the Christian. After all, God’s love is the single, central principle that defines the Christian’s entire duty.

This kind of love is really “all you need.” Romans 13:8-10 says, “The one who loves another has fulfilled the law. The commandments . . . are summed up in this word: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.” Galatians 5:14 echoes that selfsame truth: “The whole law is fulfilled in one word: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’”

Jesus likewise taught that all the law and the prophets hang on two simple principles about love—the First and Second Great Commandments (Matt. 22:38-40). In other words, “love . . . is the bond of perfection” (Colossians 3:14, NKJV).

When Paul commands us to walk in love, the context reveals that in positive terms, he is talking about being kind, tenderhearted, and forgiving to one another (Ephesians 4:32). The model for such selfless love is Christ, who gave His life to save His people from their sins. “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lays down his life for his friends” (John 15:13). And “if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another” (1 John 4:11).

In other words, true love is always sacrificial, self-giving, merciful, compassionate, sympathetic, kind, generous, and patient. These and many other positive, benevolent qualities (cf 1 Cor. 13:4-8) are what Scripture associates with divine love.

When Love Is Bad

But notice the negative side as well, also seen in the context of Ephesians 5. The person who truly loves others as Christ loves us must refuse every kind of counterfeit love. The apostle Paul names some of these satanic forgeries. They include immorality, impurity, and covetousness. The passage continues:

Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous ( that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not associate with them. (vv. 4-7)

Immorality is perhaps our generation’s favorite substitute for love. Paul uses the Greek word porneia, which includes every kind of sexual sin. Popular culture desperately tries to blur the line between genuine love and immoral passion. But all such immorality is a total perversion of genuine love, because it seeks self-gratification rather than the good of others.

Impurity is another devilish perversion of love. Here Paul employs the Greek term akatharsia, which refers to every kind of filth and impurity. Specifically, Paul has in mind “filthiness,” “foolish talk,” and “crude joking,” which are the peculiar characteristics of evil companionship. That kind of camaraderie has nothing to do with true love, and the apostle plainly says it has no place in the Christian’s walk.

Covetousness is yet another corruption of love that stems from a narcissistic desire for self-gratification. It’s the exact opposite of the example Christ set when He “gave Himself up for us” (v. 2). In verse 5, Paul equates covetousness with idolatry. Again, this has no place in the Christian walk, and according to verse 5, the person who is guilty of it “has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.”

We are not showing authentic love unless we are intolerant of all the popular perversions of love.Such sins, Paul says, “must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints” (v. 3). Of those who practice such things, he tells us, “Do not associate with them” (v. 7).

In other words, we are not showing authentic love unless we are intolerant of all the popular perversions of love.

Most of the talk about love these days ignores this principle. “Love” has been redefined as a broad tolerance that overlooks sin and embraces good and evil alike. That’s not love; it’s apathy.

God’s love is not at all like that. Remember, the supreme manifestation of God’s love is the cross, where Christ “loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God” (v. 2). Thus Scripture explains the love of God in terms of sacrifice, atonement for sin, and propitiation: “In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins” (1 John 4:10). In other words Christ made Himself a sacrifice to turn away the wrath of an offended deity. Far from dismissing our sins with a benign tolerance, God gave His Son as an offering for sin, to satisfy His own wrath and justice in the salvation of sinners.

That is the very heart of the gospel. God manifest his love in a way that upheld His holiness, justice, and righteousness without compromise. True love “does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth” (1 Cor. 13:6).

That’s the kind of love we are called to walk in. It’s a love that is “first pure, then peaceable” (cf. James 3:17).

Friday, April 20, 2007

must read! Nicole Nordeman




http://www.ccmmagazine.com/news/stories/11537363/

I love these verses!!

Isaiah 26:3-4
3 You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.
4 Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD, is the Rock eternal.

I say yes Lord YES!

Isaiah 26:8-9
8 Yes, LORD, walking in the way of your laws, {8 Or judgments} we wait for you; your name and renown are the desire of our hearts.
9 My soul yearns for you in the night; in the morning my spirit longs for you. When your judgments come upon the earth, the people of the world learn righteousness.

Oh how I love Him! He is my portion, my strength, my praise! Oh how I love Him! He loves me when I am unlovable, sinful, and wretched. Oh how I love Him! He never tires of me and His understanding no one can fathom. Oh how I love Him! He thought of me, He created me, I am beautiful in His eyes. Oh how I love Him! He is my song, my life and the length of my days. He is the strong One, my warrior coming on the white horse. Oh how I love Him! He is my healer, my fortress, my deliverer. Oh how I love Him! I am my beloveds and my beloved is mine...OH how I love Him! His banner over me is love, he takes great delight in me, little me. Oh how I love You Lord! You are my everything... the love of my life, words fail me when it comes to describing what you mean to me. You are the lover of my soul....my rock, my portion in the land of the living...Oh I love You Jesus. Love Jenny

Thursday, April 19, 2007

Monday, April 16, 2007

The future of Israel--John MacArthur Transcripts

John MacArthur

The Future of Israel (23-117)

Sunday, April 15, 2007

Is Your Salvation Secure by John MacArthur

http://www.gty.org/resources.php?section=positions&aid=199

Friday, April 13, 2007

Just some thoughts from some time with the Lord

James 4:4-10

4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.

5 Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?

6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.

7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

9 Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.

10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

It is not hard these days to become a “friend” of this world system. When we turn away from God we inevitably turn toward something or someone else (which is idolatry). It has been my experience that I have let the world influence me in my turning from the Lord. There have been times when I have bought into all of the intoxication of this world and in essence made “friends” with the world allowing it to indoctrinate me with its temporary lusts and pleasure. James 4:4 calls this adultery. We, like the Israelites, leave the God that saved us from darkness, and the rule of satan, when we begin to bow our knees to the fleeting pleasures of this world. When we are friends with the world system, loving all of the vanity more than we love God, we begin to hate God and love the world. If we are not on guard satan will lure us with the bait of wealth, pleasure, sex, material possessions, until we are so stuffed in our souls with garbage that there is no room left for God. We become FAT on this world. James 4:4 says that if we are a friend of this world we are an enemy of God. He is not talking about the world as far as trees, grass, and etc. He is talking about the love of the world system. The Holy Spirit within us will envy and war with the flesh over us to cross over and take our stand on the side of God because on God’s side we are safe. We are always safe in obedience to the Word of God…ALWAYS. Verse 6 says that when we take up friendship with the world that God literally resists us. The word for resist in the Greek is antitassomai {an-tee-tas'-som-ahee} it means to range in battle against, to oppose one's self, resist. God literally opposes us and ranges in battle against us. The thing is when we oppose God we can ALWAYS be sure that we will lose every time. His ways are perfect. In Him is complete perfection and He will when in battle every time! Verse six goes on to say that He gives grace to the humble. James goes on to tell us that if we are in opposition to God that we are to submit ourselves to Him. The word for submit is hupotasso {hoop-ot-as'-so} and it means 1) to arrange under, to subordinate 2) to subject, put in subjection 3) to subject one's self, obey 4) to submit to one's control 5) to yield to one's admonition or advice 6) to obey, be subject. So when we submit to God we are subordinate to Him, we obey Him, and yield and submit to His authority and His control. No matter how proud we have become or how far we have strayed and wreaked havoc on our lives and the lives of others we can return to God, humble ourselves before Him, turn from our sins, and receive mercy and grace. He does not resist the humble. When anyone cries to Him in earnest repentance our God, who knows the hearts of men, hears from heaven and forgives and heals. The challenge for each one of us is to live in daily, moment to moment submission to the Father. In submitting to God we must then resist the devil and he will flee from us. The word for resist used here is different from verse six it is the word anthistemi {anth-is'-tay-mee} It means 1) to set one's self against, to withstand, resist, oppose 2) to set against. When we submit to God we resist the devil by withstanding, opposing (in the power of the Holy Spirit), and setting ourselves against our enemy and the lust of our flesh. When we resist him, he will flee from us. The devil can be handsome, enticing, exciting our passions, and inviting. He will try to offer a lot and in end the end he will betray us every time since he is the father of lies (and buying into his lies we can create some devastating consequences). One way to resist him is by prayer and the word. There have been times when I have felt allured or my passions aroused and I had to immediately state scripture and the truth I knew about God. When I prayed, or even fasted if it be necessary, the Lord gave me the victory over him every time. When I decided to let my passions rule me and openly disobey I let the enemy win and gave into his demise. I would always be sorry for not submitting to God and experience the consequences of my rebellion. The more we disobey, the more the consequences until sin and the enemies grip get a “strong-hold” on us. The quicker we obey the better! Next, draw near to God and He will draw near to you. We need regular cleansing from the Lord by confessing our sins in prayer and asking Him to give us godly sorrow that leads us to repentance. There have been times in my life where I wanted to do what my appetite craved and I had to cry out to God and say “Lord, I know what your word says but this is what I want to do and it is in complete opposition to Your will…PLEASE give me godly sorrow and Fear of You that will keep me from sinning.” Another thing in cleansing we must be strict about the things that we allow in our souls. If we sit around watching and listening to things that arouse ungodly passions we will eventually become tainted and be led into ungodliness. There are so many things as believers that are good that God has provided for us. We are blessed with wonderful music, books, nature plenty of things that God calls “good.” I think it is so easy to get focused on what we can’t or shouldn’t do (like Eve in the garden) that we don’t focus on all of the wonderful things God has put before us. If we focus on the “cannot’s” we begin to buy into the lie that God is holding out on us and we start to try to take matters into our own hands. You won’t have to flip far in the Old Testament to see examples of God’s people thinking that he was holding out on them. Look at Abe and Sarah they tried to “help God out” by having him sleep with Hagar and they got “the product of the flesh” which was Ishmael and you can see the conflict to this day between the Arabs (Ishmael) and the children of Abraham (from God’s supernatural intervention of giving them Isaac). Look at the Israelites…God delivers them with a mighty hand and outstretched arm out of their land of slavery. If you will remember in Egypt they suffered greatly at the hand of Pharoah. God leads them out with many miraculous signs and wonders and what do you find them doing? In Exodus 16:2-3 the whole community grumbles. Let me let you read it for yourself:

2 In the desert the whole community grumbled against Moses and Aaron.

3 The Israelites said to them, "If only we had died by the LORD's hand in Egypt! There we sat around pots of meat and ate all the food we wanted, but you have brought us out into this desert to starve this entire assembly to death."

God brings them out and they “forget” what God has done for them and convince themselves that “Egypt” was better. They later decide that they need to get a leader to take them back there instead of believing God for their promised land, the land flowing with milk and honey. We have to be in the daily business of renewing our minds with the Lord. This will mean making His word and time spent with Him priority. I love my time with the Lord and long for it when I am feeding the Spirit and not the Flesh. Our time with the Lord does not have to be a drudge. I think most people would agree with me that it becomes a drudge when we hide from Him because we know we have gotten out of fellowship with our sin. So we then need to draw near all the more and come into agreement with Him over our sins and accept His forgiveness and keep walking with Him. Pray for a love and hunger for His word. He will give it to you. As we constantly renew our minds and pray lies will be exposed for what they are and He will send forth His word and heal us. Verse eight in James speaks also of us being double minded. That is the trouble with sin. When we begin to gratify the flesh we can’t have both. We can’t have life in the Spirit and life in the flesh gratifying our own desires. It is one or the other period. To be double minded means (dipsuchos) 1) double minded 1a) wavering, uncertain, doubting 1b) divided in interest. We are divided in interest when we are not on the Lord’s side in obedience to Him. If you have sinned like I have you will know and understand what it means to want God but you lie to yourself and tell yourself that you will start being obedient tomorrow after you have done what you wanted to do. Verse nine speaks of weeping and mourning over our sin. I believe this verse is an accurate description of what godly sorrow is to grieve and weep and mourn over our sin against God and literally being sick of it to the point where we are liberated and that sin no longer is appealing to us but that we find it repulsive instead of alluring. As we humble ourselves before the Lord He will lift us up and restore us from places that may have been long devastated. He still holds victory in store for the upright.

Proverbs 2:7-15

7 He holds victory in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless,

8 for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones.

9 Then you will understand what is right and just and fair-- every good path.

10 For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.

11 Discretion will protect you, and understanding will guard you.

12 Wisdom will save you from the ways of wicked men, from men whose words are perverse,

13 who leave the straight paths to walk in dark ways,

14 who delight in doing wrong and rejoice in the perverseness of evil,

15 whose paths are crooked and who are devious in their ways.

Tuesday, April 10, 2007

I love this verse!

Psalm 149:6
6 Let the high praises of God be in their mouth,
And a two-edged sword in their hand,

The Power of the Resurrection
By James MacDonald

“Why do you seek the living One among the dead? He is not here, but He has risen just as He said.” Luke 24:5-6

For the followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, Jesus’ resurrection is the most powerful event in history. All that we ascribe to, all that our life and worship is about is based upon this foundational piece that Jesus Christ rose from the dead.

Nothing short of God provides power like that.

Does your life lack power? Is there much you would like to accomplish but you don’t have the capacity and strength to do it? Maybe you can’t break the chain of a sinful habit or overcome fear or anxiety or be the man or woman that God created you to be. Whatever it is-habit, circumstance, or need for growth . . . Jesus Christ can change your life. His resurrection is evidence of the power to prove that.

Let’s make it personal. Luke 24 gives us a glimpse into the lives of three women who were the first to hear of the Easter miracle. Jesus died late on a Friday afternoon and we join them early Sunday morning while it was still dark. As their final act of devotion, the grief-stricken ladies made their way to Jesus’ tomb to prepare His body for burial. They were shocked to find the stone rolled away from the entrance and His body gone. All their emotions crashed around them. They didn’t know what to do. Suddenly two angels stood before them, asking, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen” (v. 5).

I can imagine these ladies kneeling, trembling, and then being asked such a pointed question. Can you imagine how their hope began to rise as the angels said, “He is not here but He is risen. Remember how he told you . . .?” (Luke 24:6). Overwhelmed by their circumstances they had forgotten what Jesus had promised-the three most powerful words ever spoken: I will rise.

All it took for their confusion to lift was to remember His Word (v. 8).

To you who are suffering under the weight of a difficult situation, I write today with this same message: Jesus has risen and He wants to bring the power of His resurrection to bear upon whatever you’re facing. Do what these ladies did: Believe what He said. Take Him at His Word. Remember His promises.

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is proof that God will do what He said. Rehearse God’s faithfulness in what He did on that pivotal, powerful morning and be filled with faith at how He is still at work today in your life.

WALKINTHEWORD.COM

Saturday, April 7, 2007

spurgeom

April 6, 2007

“THEREFORE LET US GO TO HIM OUTSIDE THE CAMP.”
Hebrews 13:13

Jesus, bearing His cross, went to suffer outside the gate. The Christian's reason for leaving the camp of the world's sin and religion is not because he loves to be isolated, but because Jesus did so; and the disciple must follow his Master. Christ was "not of the world." His life and His testimony were a constant protest against conformity with the world. Although He displayed overflowing affection for men, He was still separate from sinners. In the same way Christ's people must "go to him." They must take their position "outside the camp," as witness-bearers for the truth. They must be prepared to walk the straight and narrow path. They must have bold, unflinching, lion-like hearts, loving Christ first, and His truth next, and Christ and His truth more than all the world. Jesus desires His people to "go . . . outside the camp" for their own sanctification. You cannot grow in grace to any high degree while you are conformed to the world. The life of separation may be a path of sorrow, but it is the highway of safety; and though the separated life may be painful and make every day a battle, yet it is a happy life after all. No joy can excel that of the soldier of Christ: Jesus reveals Himself so graciously and gives such sweet refreshment that the warrior feels more calm and peace in his daily strife than others in their hours of rest. The highway of holiness is the highway of communion. It is in this way we shall hope to win the crown if we are enabled by divine grace faithfully to follow Christ "outside the camp." The crown of glory will follow the cross of separation. A moment's shame will be well rewarded by eternal honor; a little while of witness-bearing will seem nothing when we are forever with the Lord.

Wednesday, April 4, 2007

Tuesday, April 3
David Jeremiah

Seeds of Discouragement

But you, be strong and do not let your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded.
2 Chronicles 15:7

Recommended Reading
Psalm 126

If Satan had a barn for storing his weed seeds, the biggest vats would be filled with discouragement seeds, for he's constantly sowing them in the hearts of faithful Christians. Many pastors are utterly worn out. Missionaries, seeing little tangible progress, are disheartened and ready to give up their work. Lay workers sometimes ask themselves, "Am I doing any good or is this a waste of time?"

We don't always see immediate and impressive results from our labor, but God promises that our work shall be rewarded. Paul told us to be always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing our labor in Him is not in vain (1 Corinthians 15:58).

We have barns, too, filled with Gospel seed. The Bible promises, "He who continually goes forth weeping, bearing seed for sowing, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him" (Psalm 126:6).

So don't give up or grow weary in well-doing; for in due season, we'll reap a harvest if we do not lose heart (Galatians 6:10).


Lord, take my lips, and speak through them; take my mind, and think through it; take my heart, and set it on fire.
William H. H. Aitken

Read-Thru-the-Bible
2 Samuel 15:1 - 17:29

My baby girl!

Check out Morgans pic on Beth Moore's blog.
http://livingproofministries.blogspot.com/

spurgeon

April 4, 2007

“FOR OUR SAKE HE MADE HIM TO BE SIN WHO KNEW NO SIN, SO THAT IN HIM WE MIGHT BECOME THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD.”
2 Corinthians 5:21

Mourning Christian, why are you weeping? Are you mourning over your own sins and failings? Look to your perfect Lord, and remember, you are complete in Him. You are in God's sight as perfect as if you had never sinned; more than that, the Lord our Righteousness has clothed you with a royal robe of righteousness, which is wholly undeserved--you have the righteousness of God. You who are mourning by reason of inbred sin and depravity, remember, none of your sins can condemn you. You have learned to hate sin; but you have also learned how that sin is not yours--it was laid upon Christ's head. Your standing is not in yourself--it is in Christ. Your acceptance is not in yourself, but in your Lord; you are just as accepted by God today, with all your sinfulness, as you will be when you stand before His throne, free from all corruption. So I urge you, take hold of this precious thought--perfection in Christ! For you are "complete in him."1 With your Savior's garment on, you are as holy as the Holy One. "Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died--more than that, who was raised--who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us."2 Christian, let your heart rejoice, for you are "accepted in the beloved"3--what do you have to fear? Keep a smile on your face! Live near your Master; live in the suburbs of the Heavenly City; for soon, when your time has come, you will rise up to where Jesus sits and reign at His right hand; and all because the Lord Jesus was made "to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." 1Colossians 2:10, KJV 2Romans 8:34 3Ephesians 1:6