LIP SERVICE

Do you remember what you told me? How you confessed your love for me! Do you remember what you said in the middle of your trial? Do you remember how you cried out and said, “If you help me, I will serve you” and like a mighty warrior I stepped in and saved you. You praised me for the valiant act and now I hear only your lips.

You continue to tell me about your love for me and yet you don’t attend my house. You blame others for your attendance and yet my promise was with you and I alone. How come all of a sudden others are involved in our relationship?

You lift up both your hands in surrender and sing “I Surrender All,” but the moment I ask for your service, well maybe next time.

How long shall I receive lip service? How long? When your spouse asks for attention, you say you love them and yet when asked for service, well maybe next time.

How long shall your spouse receive lip service? When the divorce decree is being drawn up by the lawyer? When the home and children are being taken? How long?

Let’s declare today to end lip service. Speak the truth. Your actions will always reveal it. Telling someone you love them and not demonstrating it with actions, is like a glazed Krispy Kreme donut. I see the surrounding goodness, but where is the center where the heart should be.

Post shared via Roger Tharpe

A Stumper of A Question

This post is courtesy of I Spy God

One Sunday afternoon, my kids told me they asked their Sunday school teacher a question that she didn’t know the answer to.

“What did you ask them?!!”  I blurted out, slightly fearful of what topic they dared to breach…
“Does God love the devil?”
Wow.
Now there’s a question.
I can only assume that the Sunday school “teacher” they asked was one of the teen helpers and not the actual teacher, because I am sure the teacher has an answer to their question…but it made me think and wonder if what I thought was correct.
“Well, what do you think?” I asked back
“NO!” they almost simultaneously screamed… “he’s bad and so naughty!”
Great point.
Great question.
Does God love the devil?

“And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good…”   Genesis 1:31

God made the devil.  And if he made the devil, then the devil is part of the “everything” Genesis 1:31 is talking about.

“… You have made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them; and you preserve all of them …”   Nehemiah 9:6

“For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.”   Colossians 1:16

The devil was the most beautiful of God’s angels.

 “You were the signet of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty. You were in Eden, the garden of God; every precious stone was your covering, sardius, topaz, and diamond, beryl, onyx, and jasper, sapphire, emerald, and arbuncle; and crafted in gold were your settings and your engravings. On the day that you were created they were prepared. You were an anointed guardian cherub.”   Ezekiel 28:12-15

And as with all of God’s creation, He allows free will, and like the Coke Zero commercials, the devil wanted more.

“How you are fallen from heaven, O Day Star, son of Dawn! How you are cut down to the ground, you who laid the nations low! You said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to heaven; above the stars of God I will set my throne on high; I will sit on the mount of assembly in the far reaches of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.’ But you are brought down to Sheol, to the far reaches of the pit.”   Isaiah 14:12-15

And again as with all creation, choices come with consequences… the devil and his angels were punished.

“… God did not spare angels when they sinned, but sent them to hell, putting them into gloomy dungeons to be held for judgment;”   2 Peter 2:4

But praise the One who is forgiving and longs for us to accept it.

“The LORD is good to all, and his mercy is over all that he has made.”   Psalm 145:9
“… not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.”  2 Peter 3:9

“Yes” I said.

“…  God is love.”   1 John 4:8

Why I Hate Religion, But Love Jesus || Spoken Word

Dirty Little Secret…SHHHH!

That’s what she called him.  Her “dirty little secret”.  Here was Malynda*, an attractive, vibrant single Christian woman.  She thrived in her job as a paralegal, owned her own home, and was a leader in her church.  By all outward appearances, she had it together.  But she had a “dirty little secret”.  Actually, it was a huge secret.  Despite what she appeared to be on the outside (together, compliant…even spiritual to some), Malynda carried on a secret sexual relationship with a man to whom she was not married.  While she felt extremely guilty, ashamed, and convicted by God for her behavior, Malynda could not seem to stop.  And, despite these feelings, she also felt a hidden thrill about her secret.  She felt a distorted satisfaction at a base level–despite her faith and what she knew intellectually about the importance of obedience and submission to the will of God.

What is it about things that are secretive that seem to feed the flesh and ignite a fierce drive to get more, more, more?  That cake of which you know you should not have another piece.  That money you promised you would not spend because it was set aside to pay an outstanding debt.  That online relationship that, if exposed, would damage your reputation and entire life.  These things and others like them can be and usually are secrets, but they feel good.  Why is that?

The short and obvious answer to the aforementioned question is because we have the flesh and anything that appeals to it is attractive.  The forbidden feels good.  The forbidden that is also a secret can feel even better…almost powerful.  Yet I propose that there is something deeper than the obvious…something that is both general to all and specific to each individual.  It is the longing to be “like God“–an offering originally promised by the devil himself.  It is the desire to be in control of our world, to satisfy our every desire and longing on this side of heaven, to create (and have) our own personal Eden.  This is the thing that drives every outward move towards the “dirty little secret”.  It is sin.
Well, if it all goes back to sin, what hope is there?  If I go to a counselor to address my secret shopping addiction and they (eventually) tell me or lead me to see that I “just need to repent”, what is the point in paying them if I already knew that in the first place?  Valid questions.  The answer is both simple and complex.

The answer is Christ.  It is His death on the cross.  It is His resurrection from the dead by the power of the Holy Spirit.  It is the fact that He made us alive again spiritually and gave us the power to live with unmet desires and longings on this side of heaven–regardless of the fact that it often feels like we can not.  It is that power that brings our “dirty little secrets” to light and gives us the power to overcome their relentless pull.  The real, life-giving secret is in Christ. We’ve FOUND the (real!) secret!  This is our hope.

*The name and story mentioned in this article is fictional and used solely for illustrative purposes.  Any similarity to actual persons or events is purely coincidental.  Individuals seen in a professional counseling setting are protected by confidentiality as agreed between them and their respective counselors.

Written by Nicole Efunnuga, M.S. – Christian Therapist

Who Am I - Casting Crowns

Beautiful Christian Sister

By Maya Angelou

A woman's heart should be so hidden in Christ

That a man should have to seek Him first to find her.'

When I say. 'I am a Christian' I'm not shouting 'I'm clean living,'
I'm whispering 'I was lost, Now I'm found and forgiven.'

When I say... 'I am a Christian' I don't speak of this with pride.
I'm confessing that I stumble and need Christ to be my guide.

When I say... 'I am a Christian' I'm not trying to be strong.
I'm professing that I'm weak and need His strength to carry on.

When I say.. 'I am a Christian' I'm not bragging of success.
I'm admitting I have failed and need God to clean my mess.

When I say... 'I am a Christian' I'm not claiming to be perfect,
My flaws are far too visible, but God believes I am worth it.

When I say... 'I am a Christian' I still feel the sting of pain...
I have my share of heartaches, so I call upon His name.

When I say... 'I am a Christian' I'm not holier than thou,
I'm just a simple sinner Who received God's good grace, somehow!

Pretty is as Pretty does.... But beautiful is just plain beautiful!

Dirt Needed

I was sharing with my husband the other day about a wonderful experience that I had during my car ride home from class. I had been feeling pretty bad and sad for a while now thinking about some very terrible things that I had done in my past. And you know that you can began to sink in to a deep depression thinking about things that you aren’t very proud of, things that you wish that you could change. You rehearse it over and over in your mind telling yourself how you wish you could take this back, or that back. “Oh, if I wouldn’t have done it!” Truth is that we spend so much time focusing on the bad memories of ourselves. We may even be reminded of them daily by people that just so happen to know of that past and it will probably never be forgotten.

There are some of you who may not be able to relate to what it is that I am trying to say here. However, for those of you who can, will you accept my personal testimony? I was severely over taken by the memories of my mess that I couldn’t think of anything good to say concerning myself but thanks be to God. I am so glad that I knew enough to look to him and to call on him and he was faithful enough to meet me right where I was. He had ministered to me right there in my car through a song that was playing. It was a song by Mary Mary entitled “Dirt”. The chorus went something like “….need a little dirt to grow”

As I was listening to the words, it was like God was asking me if I knew what it took for a flower to grow. So I thought about it. A flower needs sunlight, water, fertilizer, and dirt to cause it to begin to grow. So God spoke to me in my spirit and said, “ see, my daughter, just like the flowers, you also need sunlight, which is my son, Jesus. You also need water, which are the tears you’ve cried from the many trials and storms that you have faced. You also need fertilizer, which is the food, being my word. And last but not least you need dirt. That dirt would be your mess, your mistakes, your hang ups, and your regrets. All of those bad memories’ of the things you’re not proud of, I knew about them before you even thought to do them and I knew that I could use them to cause you to grow. You needed to grow spiritually, mentally, and most importantly, you needed to grow closer to me.

So I share my personal testimony with those of you who have felt ashamed, not knowing if you’ll ever be able to lift your head up and be proud again. Stop beating your self up over the things that God can use to create and reshape your character. If God has forgiven you, then know that there is now NO CONDEMNATION to those who love the Lord and are called to his holy purpose.

So the next time someone or you yourself replays that past, just tell them that EVERY BODY NEEDS A LITTLE DIRT TO GROW.

Be Blessed

Christianity vs Superstition

I have often wondered how those who claim to be Christians and have faith in God can simultaneously be superstitious. Friday the 13th is a bad luck day, don't split a pole, if a black cat crosses your path go around out of it's path, don't open an umbrella indoors or walk under a latter and breaking a mirror will bring bad luck.

Well I went searching and I found an answer on allexperts.com that I thought explained this pretty well so I thought I'd share it with you all:

This is indeed an interesting item to answer today, as we just finished looking at Romans 14 tonight at church. Romans 14 deals with eating meat or not eating meat, and also deals with how we should respond to one that has a problem with eating that meat. I realize that is not the issue here, but we can substitute the concept of opening an umbrella vs. not opening it inside. To one, it is taboo. To the other it is not. How should we respond?

Our response, according to the Apostle Paul, is that we should always respond in love for the other individual. It might be that they are the "weak in the faith". Whatever it might be that we do, that could cause a brother or a sister to stumble, we should avoid. If we consider that they might not understand that there is no harm in opening the umbrella inside, and that they might consider it to be "bad luck" to do so, we should refrain from opening the umbrella inside. We should practice this in their presence, until such time that they become aware that superstitions are not of faith. When we trust in the Lord, we do not worry about such, but to those that may be weak in the faith, it could cause them much anguish.

We should make sure that our faith is established upon the principles of God's Word, and in doing so, we have complete confidence in those convictions. Then, as we minister to that "weak" brother, we work toward edification (the building up) of him in the faith. Our influence in edifying him could be hindered if we engage in "doubtful disputations". Instead we should take every opportunity to share about those things which edify and encourage others to trust in the Lord, rather than to be bothered by those superstitions.

I hope this has helped to encourage you to minister to that weaker brother/sister, and not to be too harsh with him/her.

With Love In Christ,
Phillip Senn

The complete Q&A can be found at: allexperts.com/Christianity-Christian-Living

Teacher punishes student for responding “God bless you” to a friend’s sneeze

 

True Love Marries

“On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding.” John 2:1-2

 

 True love transitions from the thought of living together—to the commitment of living together forever in marriage. It is not a man-centered conditional love, but a Christ-centered unconditional love. There is fidelity of focus on their faith in God and their faith in each other. Couples with true love see marriage as a reflection of their relationship with Jesus.

Marriage is much more than a contract between couples; it is a covenant before the Almighty. It is a solemn agreement between two God-fearing souls that honors heaven with vows of commitment on earth. Marriage is sacred to your Savior Jesus, because it communicates His love through the most intimate love between a husband and a wife.

“As a young man marries a young woman, so will your Builder marry you; as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, so will your God rejoice over you” (Isaiah 62:5).

What’s holding you back from an unconditional commitment to marriage? Fear of it not working out—fear of losing control, freedom and finances—or is it a selfish motivation to have sex and some security without any long-term obligations? Marriage, modeled on your relationship with Christ, purifies motives and brings joy to Jesus and to your life.

Indeed, preparation is needed before you are pronounced husband and wife. Invite professionals with a Christian worldview to use diagnostic tools and assess each others needs based on spiritual maturity, personality, temperament, giftedness and upbringing. Pre-marital education is meant to equip you on how to best love and serve your intended.

“Love and faithfulness meet together; righteousness and peace kiss each other… Righteousness goes before him and prepares the way for his steps” (Psalm 85:10, 13).

Above all else, prepare your heart for your future husband or your future wife. Give your heart first to the Lord and He will give heaven to your marriage. True love trusts God first and then trusts the one who has given themselves to Christ in holy commitment. Jesus blesses weddings that honor Him and that honor each other in unconditional love.
 
“What Jesus did here [at the wedding] in Cana of Galilee was the first of the signs through which he revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him” (John 2:11).

How should we honor each other with a wedding and marriage that honors the Lord?

Related Readings: Jeremiah 29:6; Malachi 2:14; Luke 20:34; Hebrews 13:4

Good Friday

“So the soldiers took charge of Jesus. Carrying his own cross, he went out to the place of the Skull (which in Aramaic is called Golgotha). Here they crucified him…” John 19:16b-18a

 

Good Friday is really good for those who have come to the foot of the cross of Jesus, in repentance and faith. It is a commemoration for Christians of the ultimate and final sacrifice for the sins of the world. Through a cruel and grueling death, Christ gave His life—His body wreathed in pain, so the sick could be healed. He felt abandonment, so the rejected could be accepted. He knew no sin, but became sin, so sinners could be forgiven.

“God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21).

Oh what salvation and love—the Lord’s life consummated on Calvary. Oh what forgiveness—His raspy voice reiterated. Oh what compassion—His swollen face communicated. Oh what grace—His nail pierced hands activated. Oh what good news—His nail pierced feet initiated. Oh what humility—His crown of thorns demonstrated.

It is Good Friday, because the good news of Jesus Christ’s love and forgiveness has been proclaimed around the world for almost two centuries. Taste and see that the Lord is good. He is good on Friday, but He is great on Sunday—because on the first day of the week He rose from the dead. Friday is good—but three days later is better—for He lives!

Indeed, some who killed Him instantly recognized Him for who He was—they believed.

“And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, heard his cry and saw how he died, he said, Surely this man was the son of God” (Mark 15:39)!

Good Friday’s come and Good Friday’s go, but how is it with your soul? Does the cross of Christ move you to emotion—are you a grateful and engaged follower of Jesus? If not, embrace and celebrate the Cross. Ask your heavenly Father to restore the joy of your salvation, or maybe, you are coming to Him for the first time in faith and trust. Surely, this man must be the Son of God—who came to save you and the world from their sins.

Make today a meaningful memory of what your master Jesus did for you. Linger long in reflection of the love that flowed down, and mingled with His precious blood. See His hands, see His feet; oh what love that makes your joy complete. You serve a risen Savior, who’s in the world today—He walks with you—He talks with you—He gave His life just for you. Good Friday is good—because Jesus is good—and His cross is God’s loving gift.

“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).

How can I celebrate Good Friday as a sacrifice of praise and gratitude to God?

Related Readings: 1 Corinthians 1:18; Colossians 1:19-20; Galatians 6:14; Hebrews 12:2

Smorgasbord Religion

It is so trendy to practice smorgasbord religion - a little dose of Jesus, a little pinch of Buddha, a little Mohammed here and a little New Age thought there. It makes you sound so "with it"...so spiritual.

But it is fundamentally dishonest. It is an insult to each religion, for it is like spiritual looting. It is a classic refashioning of God into your own chic image. And it is a reminder of the many intellectual airheads today. Make a decision for crying out loud! But don't be a phony for every faith. They don't say the same thing. They don't believe the same things.

Jesus said, "I am the Way, the Truth, the Life. No one comes to the Father but through me." Either He lied or was terribly insane - or is who He said He is. This is in direct conflict with every other religion. With Him, it's all or nothing. I believe He is the truth about God.

Make a decision about Jesus, Mohammed, Buddha, or whomever. But don't insult them all with this airhead pseudo-sophisticated practice of smorgasbord religion.

Beloved, believe not every spirit, but prove the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets are gone out into the world. ~ 1 John 4:1

God's Grace and Mercy

The Bible says that David was a man "after God's own heart",...that's an amazing statement, given the number of sins the Bible accounts to him. But, when confronted with his transgressions, David honestly grieved and sincerely repented. He mended his ways and turned to God for mercy. God was merciful, and David's relationship with God was restored.

David said to Nathan, "I have sinned against the LORD." Nathan replied, "The LORD also has taken away your sin. You are not going to die."—2 Samuel 12:13 (NIV)

This gives us all hope for forgiveness,...hope for fellowship with God,...and hope that even we may also be called people after God's own heart. God doesn't require us to be perfect. He just asks for honest effort, genuine humility, and sincere repentance.

No matter what we've done,...we're never outside the reach of God's grace and mercy.

________________________________________

Thank You, God, for wonderful, undeserved grace that fills us with hope,...and releases us from guilt. Having been forgiven, we will seek to live more responsibly in the future. Amen.

"We have an open invitation to take everything to God, in prayer."

What Drives Your Love For GOD?

We may base our relationship with God on what God can do for us. We need God to protect, heal, guide, provide, get us through, open doors, close doors, answer questions and way too often,...give us things. This kind of relationship thrives on need. The greater the need, the greater our desire is for God. But when the need subsides then our relationship with God also subsides.

So love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and strength.—Deuteronomy 6:5 (AAJE)

God wants our relationship with Him to be based not on what we want from Him, but rather on mutual love. The greatest command is to love the Lord with every part of ourselves. When we love God for who He is, we have the basis for a relationship that will be filled with wonder and joy. Do you love the Lord regardless of what He can do for you?

 

"The Lord, has prepared a place for us,
...and now He's preparing us for that place."

The Bible & Tattoos

"Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I am the LORD." ~ Leviticus 19:28

A lot of people will have a hard time accepting this teaching because tattooing is such a popular practice in society today. However, just because society approves doesn't make it right. Society at large, also  approves of abortion and divorce as well. However, the Bible makes it clear that God doesn't approve of these things.

Understand I am not condemning anyone who already has a tattoo. I am just providing knowledge to those who may be considering getting one. God loves us even when we make mistakes and express poor judgment. He doesn't condemn us, but rather tries to help us overcome the consequences of those mistakes. Please don't misunderstand, I am not saying that having a tattoo will keep anyone from serving the Lord. There are some very godly people who have tattoos and are serving the Lord and their tattoos do not interfere with what God is doing through them. Anything Satan tries to use for evil, God can turn and use it for good when we commit totally to Him. God takes us as we are and uses us if we will yield to His will. God will use any of us when we come out of the world and start serving Him with our whole hearts to do His will. Anything Satan tries to use for evil, God can turn and use it for good when we commit totally to Him. God takes us as we are and uses us if we will yield to His will. God will use any of us when we come out of the world and start serving Him with our whole hearts to do His will. Our past has been covered by the blood of Jesus and our past sins will not hinder our God in us serving Him. Only a hard and unrepentant heart will keep us tied to an old life.

The question now becomes should Christians pursue getting tattoos?  Just because something is popular does not mean it is right.  We should always examine things by the "roots and the fruits" of the thing in question. 

More scripture for study:

Hosea 4:6 ~ "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children."
Deuteronomy 14:1 ~ "Ye are the children of the LORD your God: ye shall not cut yourselves, nor make any baldness between your eyes for the dead."
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 ~ "What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's."

God Knows What He Is Doing!

It’s a wonderful day to be a child of God.  

 

When was the last test you faced?  A test that dropped you to your knees.  A test that caused tears to run down your face.  A test that forced you to do a self-evaluation.  When was the last time you experienced a divine encounter with the Lord?  The time when danger surrounded you and the Lord intervened just in time.  The time when it appeared impossible but the Lord made a way for you.  When was the last time you walked the floors worrying about bill payments, marital problems or ministerial decisions?  The time when worry robbed you of your sleep, but the Lord reminded you again that He was a faithful God.  The time when divorce consumed your thoughts but God stepped in and changed your heart and thoughts.  The time when you felt like walking away from ministry but the Lord reminded you that He was the one who called you.  Do you recall these experiences?

 

Today, I have been commissioned to come and minister to you.  Do you ever think back over your life?  The trials and tribulations God brought you through.  The unwise and unprayerful decisions God protected you from.  The traps and snares God exposed for you.  Isn’t it amazing how the Lord continues to watch your back when friends promise they will?  Isn’t it amazing how we continue to doubt God’s work in our lives because it feels uncomfortable?  My friend, God Knows What He Is Doing!  There are no mistakes in the Lord.  Your life was planned and purposed before your parents knew each other.  The Bible declares in Jeremiah 29:11 - For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.  God has walked out each of your steps.  Even when you made wrong turns, God used them for the good (Romans 8:28).  God Knows What He Is Doing!  He is aware of all the unbelievers surrounding you.  He knows many do not believe it can be done.  Do you?

 

My brother, my sister, do you still believe God knows what He is doing in your life?  Do you still trust Him with your life?  The Bible declares in Proverbs 3:5-6 - Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. ⁶ In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.  God Knows What He Is Doing!  

 

He has not lost control of the plans He created for your life.  Beloved, it is time for you to fully stand on the Lord’s Word.  Wavering back and forth makes you indecisive (James 1:6).  Delayed obedience still makes you disobedient (Isaiah 1:19).  When was the last time you said, “Yes Lord I will!”  The last time you committed your will to His Will.  God Knows What He Is Doing!  Your current pain, burdens, turmoil or fears are not hidden from the Lord.  He knows what He is doing in you, so allow Him the chance to bring it to pass.  

 

Prayer for Today: Father, I know You know what is best for me and my life.  Forgive me when I doubted.  Have Your own way, I know You know what You are doing.  In Jesus’ name … Amen!

Scripture Reading for Today: Psalms 118:8

 

May God Bless you at Your point of need!

Minister Darrick D. McGhee

No One Remembered!

In a commentary on Ecclesiastes 9:15, Martin Luther cites the story of Themistocles, the soldier and statesman who commanded the Athenian squadron. Through his strategy, he won the Battle of Salamis, drove the Persian army from Greek soil, and saved his city. A few years later, he fell out of favor, was ostracized by his countrymen, and was banished from Athens. Thus, Luther concludes, “Themistocles did much good for his city, but received much ingratitude.”

The crowd, for some reason, seems to ignore or quickly forget the good that the poor and humble man accomplishes through his wisdom. No matter. “Wisdom is [still] better than strength” even if “the poor man’s wisdom is despised” (v.16). It’s better to be a quiet, honest sage who, though forgotten, leaves much good behind, than a swaggering, strident fool who, though many applaud him, “destroys much good” (v.18).

Accordingly, what matters in the end is not the recognition and gratitude we receive for the work we’ve done, but the souls of those gentle folk in whom we’ve sown the seeds of righteousness. Put another way: “Wisdom is justified by all her children” (Luke 7:35). Whom have you influenced through your wise and godly wisdom?

Help me to walk so close to Thee
That those who know me best can see
I live as godly as I pray,
And Christ is real from day to day. —Ryberg 

A wise person sets his earthly goals on heavenly gains.

How to Get Comfortable with God

Written by Joyce Meyer

Do you know how much God loves you?

God proved His love for us through His Son, Jesus, who died for our sins. But, for some reason, it’s hard to carry on a conversation with Him. We can be so distant.

I bet God really gets a kick out of how some of us talk to Him. We can be so serious and formal. “Oh, Lord Most Higheth! Howeth my heart doth longest for Thee!”

We need to get comfortable with God. I don’t mean disrespectful, but we should know that He loves us and that we don’t have to be afraid of Him.

The Importance of Spending Time with God
First Corinthians 8:6 says that God created us to live for Him He’s given us the gift of life and He wants us to enjoy it!

You can have a joyful, fulfilling life by living in close, personal relationship with God. But in order to get there, you have to spend time with Him. God doesn’t want to just be the button we push when we have an emergency.

Whether we know it or not, without God, we are always in an emergency. Without Him operating in our lives, helping and protecting us, there isn’t one of us who knows one iota about anything we’re doing!

Unlimited Time, Unlimited Blessings
You and I can spend as much time as we want with God. We have an open invitation to invite the Creator of the universe into our life each day. We get to speak to Him personally and read the book of instruction that holds the answers to everything in life.

The devil doesn’t like that. That’s why he works so hard to tell us that God doesn’t want to be around us if we’re not perfect. I’ve got a news flash: We aren’t ever going to be perfect. That’s why Jesus went to the cross for us!

We can go to our heavenly Father as often as we like and He will never get tired of us coming. The Bible says we can come boldly before God fellowship with Him, and have our needs met.

James 4:8 says, Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. (NASB) God the Father longs to fellowship with you. The moment you accepted Christ into your heart, God made His home in you. So kick up your feet, get cozy and enjoy the company.

Sin List

Do you know your sins?
Do you know all that's considered a sin?

Check this SIN LIST courtesy of Word of God International Ministries

15 Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. 16 For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world.
1 John 2:15-16 (New Living Translation)

Why Did Jesus Die?

"He was despised and rejected— a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief. We turned our backs on him and looked the other way. He was despised, and we did not care.

Yet it was our weaknesses he carried; it was our sorrows[a] that weighed him down. And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God, a punishment for his own sins! But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed. All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet the Lord laid on him the sins of us all.

He was oppressed and treated harshly, yet he never said a word. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter. And as a sheep is silent before the shearers, he did not open his mouth. Unjustly condemned, he was led away. No one cared that he died without descendants, that his life was cut short in midstream. But he was struck down for the rebellion of my people. He had done no wrong and had never deceived anyone. But he was buried like a criminal; he was put in a rich man’s grave.

But it was the Lord’s good plan to crush him and cause him grief. Yet when his life is made an offering for sin, he will have many descendants. He will enjoy a long life, and the Lord’s good plan will prosper in his hands. Isaiah 53:3-10 (New Living Translation)

Murderer on death row

Yes, it is possible that you could be a murderer on death row and not even know it. It is possible that you might have thought that all of this time you were ‘good’ with God, and you find out that you are a murderer and will not see the kingdom of heaven. How could that be? Because you don’t have to kill someone to be a murderer.(All you have to do it ‘hate’ them!) Are you a murderer on death row?

We know that the Bible says, ‘…the wages of sin is death…’ (meaning hell). That means if we live in sin, hell is waiting; death row is waiting with our name on it. We all know that murder is a sin…. However many only look at murder as physically killing someone. The Word says this, “Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.” (I John 3:15)….Uh oh! Do you mean that if I am angry with someone and decide that I hate them and won’t forgive them, then I am a murderer, in sin, and on my way to hell? Yes indeed! Are you a murderer on death row?

There is good news! A person may have physically murdered someone, and then they have Godly sorrow; repenting and confessing their sin and God will forgive them. In the same manner, we can forgive the person that we have ’hated’ or held a grudge against, and then we can ask God to forgive us, and we can be pardoned. There is no other way off, because if we don’t forgive, then God won’t forgive us. And if God doesn’t forgive us then we continue to be guilty of sin, and the wages of sin is death (hell). Are you a murderer on death row?

Consider how many times we have sinned against God and He continues to offer us forgiveness. Should we not forgive and love one another?
“Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” (I John 4:8, NIV)

Jesus said if we don’t forgive, then God will not forgive us….
Are you a murderer on death row? Or have you forgiven and been forgiven; receiving a Life sentence with Christ, (eternal life)?

Don’t miss the Kingdom, just because you’re mad at someone…. Forgive them so you can live!

Love somebody today who doesn’t love you; doesn’t care about you; won’t repay you, can’t repay you and doesn’t want to repay you…then you will be treating them the way God treated you…







A Bondservant of Christ
Rev Toni-Brooke Brown, Pastor
God’s Storehouse, 18301 John R, Detroit MI 48203
313 867-1234
www.Gods-Storehouse.org

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