Update: New Blog!!!

Hello Everyone! Just wanted to let all my subscribers know that I do have a new blog up and running! I have transfered some of my old posts over to the new blog but this one will be deleted. I hope you will join me over at the new site! Looking forward to reconnecting with you all, Blessings :)

New Blog!: She who dwells...

Goodbye!

Hello Everyone! :) Happy April 1st!!!! Yayyy for a new month, a new season and a new day in the LORD! This is just a short message to say this blog will be getting shut down and moving to another site. It's been great blogging on here but I figure, it's a new season with big and great things going on so why not start all over in general! May post the new blog address later. Take Care <3

Renewing Your Mind TeleConference

Join us Thursday March 1st, 2012 @ 9:30/8:30c as we discuss Colossians 3: A heart set on eternity & the root of idolatry. We will have callers join us on the line afterwards to further discuss the topic at hand. Call in information for U.S. Callers: 1-(559)-546-1700 Access Code: 512036.

If you are located outside of the U.S. and would like to listen in or participate during the Conference Call, please go to our FB page *here* and check out our International Call-In infomration under the General Information Section. Hope to "hear" you there! :)

Walking in the Fear of the Lord

"For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;  that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy; giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light."- Colossians 1:9-12

 

Sermon: Increasing in Holiness by Bob Jennings. He has helped me out a lot during my walk with Christ. Please keep him in prayer as he battles Pancreatic Cancer.

Yesterday morning during prayer I asked God what He desired me to do while I'm here. There were some things I had been in prayer about concerning plans desired/made but He has revealed His will concerning that, sooo it bought me to ask "What now Lord:)" And this is what He shared:

"He who walks in his uprightness fears the Lord, But he who is perverse in his ways despises Him" Proverbs 14:2

"A wise man fears the LORD and shuns evil, but a fool is hotheaded and reckless." Proverbs 14:16

"He who fears the LORD has a secure fortress, and for his children it will be a refuge. The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, turning a man from the snares of death" Proverbs 14:26-27

Walk in the fear of the Lord.

'Wait a minute, you mean all I have to do is concern myself with walking in reverence of You? All I have to do is concern myself with pleasing you and everything else will be okay?' Wow, this is great! I don't have to "figure out" your will pertaining to earthly matters, my only requirement and obligation is to live in a manner pleasing to you. This is not to be legalistic but to be motivated out of true love and reverence for God because of who He is. He will take care of everything else that concerns those who love Him. Just continue to be faithful "today" in the little things as well as the big.

Not sure about you all but these few verses really helped me out! For some reason, we are taught to only seek God when we are going through hard times. To only try to figure out what He wants of us when all of "our plans" have been thrawrted but we are to seek God daily. we are to be mindful of Him daily because we simply do not know what the day may bring fourth (death,poverty,sickness,blessings,unexpected suprises- we just do not know!).

If you woke up today, then God's will for you today is to be faithful and obedient to the knowledge of Him that you have already attained and be in prayer about the other things that concern you, but ultimately keeping your eyes fixed on Him. We keep our eyes fixed on Him because for one if we are focused too much on this world, we may begin to lose interest in Him and become more devoted to the created things more than the Creator and two because with all the cares and trials of this life, if we are focused on them to much, we may start belieing a lie that our momentary troubles are greater than the glory which will be revealed when Christ returns and we know the opposite is true. Keeping our eyes fixed on Him keeps our faith in Him strong and consistent and it also helps us to be more sensitive to sin and to avoid evil.

"Now all has been heard, here is the conclusion of the matter:Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil."-Ecclesiastes 12:13-14

Having Loved This Present World

"If you are then “risen” with Christ, reach out for the highest gifts of Heaven, where your master reigns in power. Give your heart to the heavenly things, not to the passing things of earth. For, as far as this world is concerned, you are already dead, and your true life is a hidden one in Christ. One day, Christ, the secret centre of our lives, will show himself openly, and you will all share in that magnificent moment"- Colossians 3:1-4

Intermission

Hello Everyone! Just a quick note to say I will be taking another blogging break. Shouldn't be for nearly as long as the last time. Lord willing, I will return posting again soon, as He leads. Until then, be strong in the Lord and the power of His might, seeking to encourage others in the faith to do likewise. God speed :) <3

Here is a hymn that has been on my heart the past couple of days. If you know me personally, you will know that Ascend the Hill is pretty much one of my favorite worship bands! Hope it ministers to you :)

Rock of Ages- Ascend the Hill

The Christian Life (Paul Washer)

Is it God's Will for Me to Marry?

Greetings Friends :) Hope you all have been well and enjoying the New Year thus far! Today, it seems the Lord has placed something on my heart to want to share with you ladies and gents. Over the past few days Ive had the opportunity to talk to a few young ladies, and one of the questions or worries they have are "I'm not sure if it's God's will for me to marry! I think I had better just accept that I will be single for the rest of my life!" I empathize greatly with these young ladies as this was once a question that troubled me as well at one point in time. However, it led me to really examine what God's word had to say concerning marriage and His will for his children concerning it.

Before I begin the study let me just say that this is what I have come to learn based off my own personal study of this topic. If you see or notice any errors, please contact me or let me know in the comments section. Also, test everything said here against the word of God for yourself. I am not claiming to know it all or have all the answers, but what the Lord teaches and shows me, it is my hearts earnest desire to share with the brethren and sisteren! (If sisteren is not a word, it is today!) So with that said... Let's begin! :)

"Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as other apostles, and as the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas?"- 1 Corinthians 9:5

If you read all of 1 Corinthians chapter 9, you will see that Paul was talking about renouncing his rights as an Apostle for the sake of the commission entrusted to Him by Christ. None of his "rights" were wrong in and of themselves, but he was willing to forsake them in order to fully and faithfully devote himself to the ministry assigned to him. What compelled Him was his love for Christ and His love for the Body of Christ. Note, he was not under compulsion, God did not come to him in a dream or a vision and say "Paul, you must forsake your right to marry in order to follow me" No, he could of freely married if He wanted to but He willfully chose not to in order serve the Lord without distraction. (1 Corinthians 7:32). However, the other Apostles as far as we know were married and along with their wives fully gave themselves to the commission assigned to them and to ministering to God's people. (Acts 2:42)

"I give the advice above more as a concession than as a command. I wish that all men were like myself, but I realize that everyone has his own particular gift from God, some one thing and some another. Yet to those who are unmarried or widowed, I say definitely that it is a good thing to remain unattached, as I am. But if they find they have not the gift of self-control in such matters, by all means let them get married. I think it is far better for them to be married than to be tortured by unsatisfied desire. "- 1 Corinthians 7:6-9

"But if any man thinks he is behaving improperly toward his virgin, if she is past the flower of youth, and thus it must be, let him do what he wishes. He does not sin; let them marry. Nevertheless he who stands steadfast in his heart, having no necessity, but has power over his own will, and has so determined in his heart that he will keep his virgin, does well. So then he who gives her in marriage does well, but he who does not give her in marriage does better. A wife is bound by law as long as her husband lives; but if her husband dies, she is at liberty to be married to whom she wishes, only in the Lord. But she is happier if she remains as she is, according to my judgment—and I think I also have the Spirit of God."- 1 Corinthians 7:36-40

One thing to note is what Paul is not saying. Paul is not telling people that if you have not exercised one of the gifts of the spirit which is self control and that you are letting your lusts master you, that you should find a spouse and marry (1 Corinthians 6). What Paul is saying is that if you have a natural sexual appetite that can and is being tamed as you exercise self control but not utterly quenched, then it is best for you to marry. To the man/woman who is able to wholeheartedly renounce their right to marry for the sake of advancing the Gospel and the kingdom of God then they should not marry and in Paul's estimation, they fair better off as they do not have to worry about dealing with certain hardships and trials that having a family can/will bring (1 Corinthians 7:28).

Based off of these scriptures alone, we can see that Marriage is not forbidden, it is something that in fact should be honored by all (Hebrews 13:4) and it is something we can in faith, pray to God about if it is a desire of ours trusting that He will provide in His timing. Beware if anyone is teaching you to avoid or despise marriage as Paul later addresses that as being something taught by people under demonic influence (1 Timothy 4:1-5).

"My opinion is this, that amid all the difficulties of the present time you would do best to remain just as you are. Are you married? Well, don’t try to be separated. Are you unattached? Then don’t try to get married. But if you, a man, should marry, don’t think that you have done anything sinful. And the same applies to a young woman. Yet I believe that those who take this step are bound to find the married state an extra burden in these critical days, and I should like you to be as unencumbered as possible, All our futures are so foreshortened, indeed, that those who have wives should live, so to speak, as though they had none! There is no time to indulge in sorrow, no time for enjoying our joys; those who buy have no time to enjoy their possessions, and indeed their every contact with the world must be as light as possible, for the present scheme of things is rapidly passing away. That is why I should like you to be as free from worldly entanglements as possible. The unmarried man is free to concern himself with the Lord’s affairs, and how he may please him. But the married man is sure to be concerned with matters of this world, that he may please his wife. You find the same differences in the case of the unmarried and the married woman. The unmarried concerns herself with the Lord’s affairs, and her aim in life is to make herself holy, in body and in spirit. But the married woman must concern herself with the things of this world, and her aim will be to please her husband."- 1 Corinthians 7:26-34

Ah! Now here is the good part! "God must certainly be telling me to not get married now!" Well, hold on a second, let's keep in mind what we have already come to know concerning brother Paul's exhortations. Paul is not telling people to treat their spouses as an estranged thing, to go to their jobs and slack off because the world is going to end! No, no, no sillies :) Paul is merely saying that whatever condition you find yourself in today, then be content in that. As the old saying goes "If you aren't content in Christ while single, marriage certainly won't do you any good!"

"Don’t worry at all then about tomorrow. Tomorrow can take care of itself! One day’s trouble is enough for one day."- Matthew 6:34

"I have learned to be content, whatever the circumstances may be. I know now how to live when things are difficult and I know how to live when things are prosperous. In general and in particular I have learned the secret of facing either poverty or plenty. I am ready for anything through the strength of the one who lives within me."- Philippians 4:11-13

"How do you know what will happen even tomorrow? What, after all, is your life? It is like a puff of smoke visible for a little while and then dissolving into thin air!"- James 4:14

Do not think that you are in sin because you are married, or that you are in sin or less holy because you are unmarried. He is also saying, do not treat these things as if they had ultimate significance. Do not waste today being consumed by thoughts and cares about tomorrow. We also have to guard our hearts against becoming too concerned with marriage or anything else limited to this life because if too concerned with them, they could in fact serve as a hindrance to following Christ (see the Parable of the Great Banquet and the Cost of Following Christ Luke 14:16-35)

If you are married, then rejoice and be content that you are married, continue to seek to Glorify God in all you do. If you are unmarried, rejoice and be content that you are unmarried, continue to seek to Glorify God in all you do. Paul never condemned nor sought to make anyone feel bad if they were married or desired marriage, nor did he ever suggest that it may not be God's will for someone to marry or not to marry. That is clearly a decision that is left to the individual, as long as they marry in the Lord (1 Corinthians 7:39, 9:5). The only thing he states is that married couples will face more severe trials as when the time for persecution comes, it will be more difficult to withstand certain things. Another thing I also believe brother Paul was emphasizing was not to place your utmost hope and affections on these things. They are good, proper and encouraged to be desired but do not set your hope on them alone, let your hope consistently and solely be upon Christ.

In conclusion to the matter, based off of this study, we can say it is God's will for you to marry if you desire to do so. That doesn't mean go out looking for a spouse because we are told that as unmarried individuals:

"He who is unmarried cares for the things of the Lord—how he may please the Lord. The unmarried woman cares about the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit."- 1 Corinthians 7:32,34

Matthew 6:33 tells us to keep our hearts and minds fixed on His kingdom (evangelizing, making disciples) and His righteousness (throwing off the old self and the deeds of the flesh, walking in the spirit and living a life of holiness) and all the other things that pertain to this life, will be added unto us. Pray and ask God to help you focus on this current season in your life as being single but do not sorrow in it at all, ask Him to help you grow in holiness and be fit for His use. When the time is right and your heart begins to draw towards a certain individual, go to the Lord about it. If he gives counsel that it is the right time to pursue marriage, and that this is the right person for you, then by all means go for it! Just remember that as the word says, their is a time and purpose for every activity under heaven and that everything is beautiful in it's season. Trust Him :)

Guard Your Thoughts, Guard Your Heart

Guard Your Heart

" Keep your heart with all diligence,
      For out of it spring the issues of life"- Proverbs 4:23

"With eyes wide open to the mercies of God, I beg you, my brothers, as an act of intelligent worship, to give him your bodies, as a living sacrifice, consecrated to him and acceptable by him. Don’t let the world around you squeeze you into its own mould, but let God re-mould your minds from within, so that you may prove in practice that the plan of God for you is good, meets all his demands and moves towards the goal of true maturity."-Romans 12:1-2


Watch What You Are Thinking

"For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled."- 2 Corinthians 10:4-6

"Don’t you see that whatever goes into the mouth passes into the stomach and then out of the body altogether? But the things that come out of a man’s mouth come from his heart and mind, and it is they that really make a man unclean. For it is from a man’s mind that evil thoughts arise—murder, adultery, lust, theft, perjury and blasphemy. These are the things which make a man unclean, not eating without washing his hands properly!"- Matthew 15:17-20

"For as he thinketh within himself, so is he..."- Proverbs 23:7

"Delight yourselves in God, yes, find your joy in him at all times. Have a reputation for gentleness, and never forget the nearness of your Lord. Don’t worry over anything whatever; tell God every detail of your needs in earnest and thankful prayer, and the peace of God which transcends human understanding, will keep constant guard over your hearts and minds as they rest in Christ Jesus. Here is a last piece of advice. If you believe in goodness and if you value the approval of God, fix your minds on the things which are holy and right and pure and beautiful and good. Model your conduct on what you have learned from me, on what I have told you and shown you, and you will find the God of peace will be with you."- Philippians 4:4-9

The Just Shall Live By Faith Not by Feelings

Remain Faithful Unto Death

(The purpose of me posting these two videos is more so as an encouragement for us to continue to seek to purge our hearts from the things of this world and to set our affections on Christ and that which is eternal. The video by brother Washer is very timely and prophetic as it is a few years old now but he mentions towards the end of the video, "be prepared to lose it all". The second video pretty much breaks down the real deal behind the NDAA and how it will mostly effect Christians.)

For a while there I thought maybe I was reading the scriptures wrong as every time I would open my bible, somehow or another I would always come across this scripture:

"Anyone who puts his love for father or mother above his love for me does not deserve to be mine, and he who loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me, and neither is the man who refuses to take up his cross and follow my way. The man who has found his own life will lose it, but the man who has lost it for my sake will find it." Matthew 10:37-38

I kept saying 'Yes Lord, I get that, not to love anything not even my own life more than you' but now I am beginning to see that he is preparing me, and not only me but many others for the things we may have to endure for his names sake, right here in America.

Many of you may not know, but the Marital Law Bill was signed on December 31st, 2011 by President Obama. He says that he has no intentions of using it, but knowing good and well that next year is election year, doesn't not mean the next man in office wont enforce it, or that Obama will go back on his word and do what he wants to do. In a way, this should be alarming to us, but it should also encourage us to redeem the time, saturate your mind with God's word, do the work of an evangelist, dedicate yourselves to prayer, seek to be Holy and found worthy to suffer for His names sake. The way of the cross is never easy but we can do all things through Him who gives us strength! Let us arise from our slumber, let us refrain from setting our hopes on worldly things and seek that which is above. If our hearts are set on this world, we will not make it. If we see our husbands, wives, children, parents, best friends, turning on us, what will we do? Will we be committed to Christ all the way or will we in our hearts be "looking back" as Lot's wife. Let it not be so brethren, let it not be so at all.

"Put up with your share of hardship as a loyal soldier in Christ’s army. Remember: 1) That no soldier on active service gets himself entangled in business, or he will not please his commanding officer. 2) A man who enters an athletic contest wins no prize unless he keeps the rules laid down. 3) Only the man who works on the land has the right to the first share of its produce. Consider these three illustrations of mine and the Lord will help you to understand all that I mean."- 2 Timothy 2:4-7

"Remember always, as the centre of everything, Jesus Christ, a man of human ancestry, yet raised by God from the dead according to my Gospel. For preaching this I am having to endure being chained in prison as if I were some sort of a criminal. But they cannot chain the Word of God, and I can endure all these things for the sake of those whom God is calling, so that they too may receive the salvation of Jesus Christ, and its complement of glory after the world of time. I rely on this saying: If we died with him we shall also live with him: if we suffer with him we shall also reign with him. If we deny him he will also deny us: yet if we are faithless he always remains faithful. He cannot deny his own nature." -2 Timothy 2:11-13

"And it came to pass that, as they went along the way, a certain man said unto Him, "Lord, I will follow Thee whithersoever Thou goest."And Jesus said unto him, "Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man hath nowhere to lay His head."And He said unto another, "Follow Me." But he said, "Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father."Jesus said unto him, "Let the dead bury their dead, but go thou and preach the Kingdom of God."And another also said, "Lord, I will follow Thee, but let me first go bid those farewell who are at home at my house."And Jesus said unto him, "No man, having put his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the Kingdom of God."- Luke 9:57-62

"Don’t pile up treasures on earth, where moth and rust can spoil them and thieves can break in and steal. But keep your treasure in Heaven where there is neither moth nor rust to spoil it and nobody can break in and steal. For wherever your treasure is, you may be certain that your heart will be there too."- Matthew 6:21

If your heart is set on the things of this world, you can be sure that when the world comes crashing down, your heart will too, but, if you set your heart on things above where Christ is seated, when he who is your life appears, you also will appear with Him in glory. If we lose our life for His sake, we will find it. Let us be willing to renounce any and all for His names sake if that's what it takes to follow Him. Let nothing or anyone hinder you from following Christ with your whole heart. He is worth it. Eternity is worth it.

God Tests Us In The Ordinary Things Of Life

"The book of Revelation speaks of the triumph of the Lamb of God. But we are told that the Lamb has an army of disciples through whom He fights His battles and overcomes. These disciples are called, chosen and faithful. "The Lamb is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those who are with Him are the called and chosen and faithful" (Rev.17:14). Many are called, few are chosen, but fewer still are faithful. These are the overcomers spoken of ten times in the book of Revelation. They are disciples of Jesus who have not only been accepted by God but who have been tested by Him through many circumstances and who have been approved by Him.

There were many who believed in Jesus when He was on earth, but He did not commit Himself to all of them. "When Jesus was in Jerusalem....... many believed in His name, beholding His signs which He was doing. But Jesus, on His part, was not entrusting Himself to them, for He knew all men" (Jn. 2:23-24). Jesus knew that the vast majority of those who believed in Him still sought their own and came to Him only for personal blessings. Their sins had been forgiven but they did not desire to be overcomers. To be an overcomer one must long to be free from seeking one's own.

When Gideon gathered an army to fight the enemies of Israel, he had 32,000 men with him. But God knew that they were not all wholehearted. And so God whittled them down. The fearful were sent home first. But 10,000 still remained. These were then taken down to the river and tested. Only 300 passed the test and were approved by God (Judg.7:1-8). The way those 10,000 people drank water from the river to alleviate their thirst was the means God used to determine who qualified to be in Gideon's army. Little did they realize that they were being tested. 9700 of them forgot all about the enemy while kneeling down to satisfy their thirst. Only 300 of them remained on their feet, alert, drinking the water with cupped hands. It is in the ordinary things of life that God tests us - in our attitude to money, pleasure, earthly honor and comfort etc. Like Gideon's army, we too don't often realize that God is testing us. Jesus warned us not to be weighed down with the cares of this world. He said, "Be on guard, that your hearts may not be weighted down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of life, and that day come on you suddenly like a trap"(Lk. 21:34).

Paul exhorted the Corinthian Christians saying, "From now on both those who have wives should be as though they had none; and those who weep, as though they did not weep; and those who rejoice, as though they did not rejoice; and those who buy, as though they did not possess; and those who use the world, as though they did not make full use of it; for the form of this world is passing away...I say this to secure your undistracted devotion to the Lord"(1 Cor.7:29-35). We must not allow anything of this world to distract us from total devotion to the Lord. The legitimate things of the world are a greater snare than the sinful things - because the legitimate things look so innocent and harmless!! We can alleviate our thirst - but we must cup our hands and drink just the bare minimum necessary. Our mind is to be set on the things above and not on things of earth. We have to forsake all if we are to be disciples of Jesus. Like a rubber-band that is stretched, our mind can attend to the things of earth that are necessary. But once those things have been attended to, like the rubber-band springing back to its normal position, when released from its tension, our minds too should spring back to the things of the Lord and of eternity. This is what it means to have our mind "set on things above and not on the things that are on earth." (Col.3:2).

With many believers, however, the rubber-band works the other way. Their minds are stretched now and then to think about eternal things and when released, come back to their normal mode of being occupied with the things of this world! Paul exhorted Timothy saying, "No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier" (2 Tim. 2:4). Paul was not telling Timothy there how to be saved but how he could be an effective soldier of Christ. "Be diligent to present yourself approved to God", Paul told him (2 Tim. 2:15). Timothy had already been accepted by God. He now needed to be diligent to gain God's approval. Paul himself had been placed in the Christian ministry by Christ because he had gained God's approval. He says, "I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, putting me into service" (1 Tim. 1:12). Paul was among the called, chosen AND FAITHFUL - and he longed that Timothy should be in that number too. But Paul had been tested before he was approved. We are being tested too. God never commits Himself to anyone before testing him."- Zac Poonen

Article Credit

Amen! This is spot on! There must be a consistency with being eternally minded. It is easy to do when the distractions are gone but when we come down from the mountain top and head back to the things that seek to steal our hearts, we must be consistent. The test comes when we are back on the forefront facing the "ordinary things".

Love not the World...

Something the Lord has been dealing with me about lately is making sure to keep watch and set a guard over my heart against loving and being consumed by the things of this world. When we allow "things" to engross our hearts, our love for God becomes jaded. Out of our hearts flow the issues of life, and if our hearts are set on this world, our desires will be limited to the things of this world, our pursuits will be worldly pursuits and our focus will not be on God entirely but, the world. Now, God does richly provide us all things for our enjoyment (1 Timothy 6:17), but the point that I am trying to make is, making sure that He remains first in our lives. That we are more than anything else consumed by His love for us and our love for Him, being ever mindful that this world in its present form is passing away.

"Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life."- Proverbs 4:23

"Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever."- 1 John 2:15-17

Let's take a look at the word "love" used here in this scripture of 1 John 2. It is mentioned 3 times. The first 2 applications of it share the same meaning but the third one holds a different meaning. When used to describe a love for the world, according to the lexicon it means:

"To be well pleased, to be contented at or with a thing" And concerning persons it means that one is: "To welcome, to entertain, to be fond of, to love dearly"

There is absolutely nothing wrong with loving the people God places in our lives and enjoying things we acknowledge that came from Him alone, but what John is saying here is that when ones affections are set on the created things/people of God more than the Creator himself, that their affections for God are pretty much slim to none. Let's look at the word "love" used here to describe our love for the Father: "Affection, good will, love, benevolence, brotherly love." As mentioned earlier, our affections for God are not there when we are mesmerized by the things of this world. This is something we have to consistently and continually guard our hearts against, no matter how good a thing/person may be. Our very first commandment is to Love God with our whole being so anything that seeks to usurp that in our hearts must be put in it's proper place.

"If you are then “risen” with Christ, reach out for the highest gifts of Heaven, where your master reigns in power. Give your heart to the heavenly things, not to the passing things of earth. For, as far as this world is concerned, you are already dead, and your true life is a hidden one in Christ. One day, Christ, the secret centre of our lives, will show himself openly, and you will all share in that magnificent moment"- Colossians 3:1-4

I hope that this will encourage you to set your affections on things above where Christ is seated and not on the Earth. When our affections are set on Him and consumed by Him, when he does give us good things, we will not be ruled by them or seek to idolize them nearly as easily. If you want to ensure that nothing or no one will hinder you from following Christ, do not seek to hold on to it/them too tightly just in case the Lord does ask it/them of you. It will not be a tug-of-war to give it up if He ever should tell you to "let go". Let us continue to press on toward the high calling, taking hold of Him for which He took hold of us and not loving our lives unto death. For as the scripture states, we have died and our lives are now hid with Christ in God and when He who is our life appears, we will also appear with Him. Amen :)

What is Your Life?

Just prior to 2011 ending I found out that 2 of my old friends had been killed. The following night, on New Years day, a young man whom I used to go to the same Church as was shot to death in a drive-by shooting. Also, there was an ending of a friendship that in my experience, felt as though the person had died. There is no type of pain like the pain of losing someone, especially when it is unexpected and when you know you will never see them again. But... isn't that the sum of life? We all must face death. I guess the question now is, are we living as though we are going to die or living as though we will always live? What I mean by that is, are the things we living for worth Christ dying for? Are we living in "today" knowing that we do not know what tomorrow may bring? And while we are living in today, are we truly seeking to Glorify God and be "others" centered by living a Godly life before them and telling/leading them to Christ?

Experiencing the reality of the deaths of my friends/friendship(s) has been heart-wrenching & sobering to say the least but it has also really helped to give me a grip on eternity. Sharing the Gospel with people and if you are led to, giving them a bible is the best and most loving thing you could ever do for someone. They may not die tomorrow but, you might. Would you be able to rest well knowing that you lived your life according to the will of God? So many things to ponder when death is staring you right in the face. I do not mean for this post to be depressing or dooming and gloomy but it is most certainly something that we all at some point in time or another, will be faced with, and for some reason, tonight, it was on my heart to write about it.

"Whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away."- James 4:14

"For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not anything, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten.

  As well their love, as their hatred and their envy, is perished long ago; neither have they any more a portion for ever in anything that is done under the sun.

  Go thy way, eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a merry heart; for God hath already accepted thy works.

  Let thy garments be always white; and let not thy head lack oil.

  Live joyfully with the wife whom thou lovest all the days of thy life of vanity, which he hath given thee under the sun, all thy days of vanity: for that is thy portion in life, and in thy labor wherein thou laborest under the sun.

  Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in Sheol, whither thou goest.

  I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favor to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.

  For man also knoweth not his time: as the fishes that are taken in an evil net, and as the birds that are caught in the snare, even so are the sons of men snared in an evil time, when it falleth suddenly upon them."- Ecclesiastes 9:5-12

What is your life? Are you prepared to die? If you do not know Christ, I behoove you to take Him at his word and repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. You do not know what a day may bring fourth, neither do you know what the next hour or minute may bring but I tell you one thing, there is no greater joy than to know and have Him as your Lord and Savior, likewise, there is no greater terror than to die being condemned as His enemy.

"Anyone who is among the living has hope even a live dog is better off than a dead lion!"- Ecclesiastes 9:4

"For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation."- 2 Corinthians 6:2

"The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up.

 From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."- Matthew 4:16-17

"It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God."- Hebrews 10:31

What is your life? If you are a Christian reading this, how can you better prepare others for what is to come when you cross their path and have an opportunity to share Christ with them?

"The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that wins souls is wise."- Proverbs 11:30

"And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. And they that are wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever."- Daniel 12:2-3

There is nothing of greater value than someones soul. Christ paid the ultimate price for all men that those who would believe in Him could be redeemed and reconciled to God through Him. Christ died for you. He died for you. Personally. He died for me. Personally. All so that we could be saved from the bondage of sin and restored to uninterrupted/unhindered fellowship with God. And just like Christ paid a high price for us to be saved, there is a huge cost that you yourself will have to pay if you willfully choose to reject Him, and that is eternal damnation and separation from God. To me, the worst part about hell is not so much that the fire is unquenchable but more so that you will never, ever again experience the mercies of God, you will never, ever again know the feeling of having "hope". As it says in Ecclesiastes, there is hope for those among the living, as in, there is still opportunity for you to repent, but once you die, whatever spiritual condition you die in is what you will remain for all eternity. Let us take heed.

"A good name is better than precious ointment, And the day of death than the day of one’s birth; Better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting, For that is the end of all men; And the living will take it to heart. Sorrow is better than laughter, For by a sad countenance the heart is made better. The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, But the heart of fools is in the house of mirth."- Ecclesiastes 7:1-4

Please keep the Beverly, Higgins, and Bonner family in your prayers if you remember as they endure this difficult time of bereavement.

The Awe Factor of God

This is so awesome!

Some thoughts...

Hello friends :) As you know, I've been trekking in on this eternal journey of knowing God and seeking to experience more of Him. God has truly been revealing Himself to me. One thing that helps to be mindful of is that when you want to know God better or if you want to experience that unshakable joy & peace that Christ and other saints had, we have truly got to get a view of that which is eternal. We have to have our minds and hearts set on things above. Yes, we will be in this world, fully involved in it yet not treating it as if it the things it possessed was of ultimate significance:

"But this I say, brethren, the time is short, so that from now on even those who have wives should be as though they had none, those who weep as though they did not weep, those who rejoice as though they did not rejoice, those who buy as though they did not possess, and those who use this world as not misusing it. For the form of this world is passing away."- 1 Corinthians 7:29-31

This world is passing away! Yet we treat it as though it were going to last forever. Rushing to get the latest iphone, setting our hopes on marriage as if we will be married at the resurrection (which we will not, the need for it will no longer be necessary! Matthew 22:30) placing our hopes in a college education and a career when jobs are becoming more scarce and scarce by the day. So if we know all these things are going to pass away, if it does not have the power to give us everlasting life, joy, and peace, why do we place such confidence in them? Why do we set our affections on them as if that were all there was to life and then use God as if he were a genie in a bottle?

One thing I am learning is that when you have a proper view of God, it changes everything in your life. It changes the way you pray, the way you seek Him and spend time with Him. It wont become casual, it wont be as though you are seeking Him because you are trying to please Him but more so you begin to seek Him because you love Him, you adore Him, you are just fascinated by Him because He is so beautiful! He is so amazing! There are not enough words in the human language to describe the vastness of God. When you begin to get to know God on a deeper level it will wholeheartedly change the way you worship Him. He seeks those who worship Him in spirit and truth.

Not that I have attained all of this yet myself but there has been some really great progress and the Lord is so faithful, when you seek Him with your whole heart, you will find Him! It's not so much that God is hiding from us, well, He does not hear you if you are a sinner and rejecting Christ but for His beloved, He is right here. The basis of us finding Him is contingent upon how bad we really want Him. Do we really want God? Do we really desire to have Him above all else? Or do we want God "and"? No, it has to be God. All or nothing. God and nothing else. Since God is a good God and loves to see us happy in Him (in Him, first Psalm 37:4) He will give us the desires of our hearts but if something seeks to rule supreme in our lives above Him, He will not compete. The idol must come crashing down, and indeed it will because He is jealous over us (Psalm 78:58).

Friends, it has truly been my prayer that we get a grip on eternity, that we get a deeper knowledge of God not just bible knowledge but intimate, heart felt communion and experience as well. You know when you have been delighting yourself in Him because everything else will become secondary to you. From your heart you will be able to say "All is well because I have HIM" you wont find yourself saying "All will be well when I get this or...when I do that". It is in HIM that we live, and move, and have our being. It is by HIM that all things consist and are bound together (Colossians 1:16-17). Let us fix our minds on the beauty of the Lord for He is absolutely breathtaking. <3

"Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these things, that bringeth out their host by number: he calleth them all by names by the greatness of his might, for that he is strong in power; not one faileth.

 Why sayest thou, O Jacob, and speakest, O Israel, My way is hid from the LORD, and my judgment is passed over from my God?

 Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding.

"- Isaiah 40:26-28