Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Keltic Fae (Jersey Girl)'s Page - Dreamcatchers
Link I really like this spinning design you posted here on Dreamcatchers Keltic fae, DEBRINCONCITA IN PORTLAND OREGON USA.
Monday, August 30, 2010
Why does God permit evil?
Link You can read this book to see, what these priests and pastor's answered this very question. Or you can just look at who was the one who has started all the wars to date so far? MAN has been responsible for most of the evil in the world. The other things like Hunger, crimes, bombs, man is responsible for also. Check out the book and read for yourself who's responsible for all the Evil in this world today!
REST IN PEACE with life instead of death - Girlfriends in God
Today's Truth
Isaiah 26:3-4 (ICB) "You, Lord, give true peace. You give peace to those who depend on you. You give peace to those who trust you. So, trust the Lord always. Trust the Lord because he is our Rock forever."
Friend to Friend
We often associate the phrase "rest in peace" with death and the loss of a loved one. In fact, these words of comfort are often spoken at some point in most funerals I attend or are included in the inscription on many headstones.
Today, I want us to associate the words "rest in peace" with life instead of death.
Yes, God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to die for our sin so that we can rest in peace when we die, but God also gave His one and only Son so that we can rest in peace every minute of every day. Does that sound like your life? Would the people who know you best describe you as a peaceful person? As I ask myself that question, the words "not so much" come to mind.
The Mayo Clinic once stated that the illnesses in 80 to 85% of their caseload were caused by stress. An article in a leading medical journal entitled "Is Stress the Cause of All Disease?" said that at the beginning of the century, bacteria were the leading cause of illness but today stress has replaced bacteria.
We all long for an inner calm - especially in the valleys of life. We all want, pray for and pursue peace. At the point of desperation, some people pursue peace by numbing their pain with alcohol, drugs, sex ... food ... success ... the list is endless. Remember the old country song that says we look for love in all the wrong places and on the wrong faces? The same can be said about peace.
Some people tend to believe that peace is simply the absence of problems, valleys and trials. Not so! Peace is a calm confidence that the Lord of the mountains is still on the throne - no matter how deep the valley may be. Peace recognizes Jesus walking on the water as He calms the crashing waves and stills the howling winds in your life. Trials become opportunities to trust God when peace reigns in a heart. That kind of peace can only be found in God.
Notice that I did not say we can find peace in church membership, in doing good things, in giving large sums of money to a charity or ministry, or even in being a really good person. Peace is a gift. When we enter into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, we enter into true peace.
Romans 5:1 (NCV) "Since we have been made right with God by our faith, we have peace with God. This happened through our Lord Jesus Christ."
We cannot bargain for or earn peace, girlfriends, but we will experience peace when we are willing to move away from our sin toward the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ, in a personal relationship. Then, and only then, will His peace become our peace
YOUR CALL
| Your Call
"Your call, my Lord, is but a gentle whisper in my ear, confirmed by Your Word, flowing from Your Spirit, and by faith in my heart becoming crystal clear.
Oh! That I would not crush Your sweet voice - that tender call - with my doubts and many worries. But instead trust completely and to You only surrender all."
Your friend, Dorothy Valc�rcel, Author
P.S. My book, When A Woman Meets Jesus, is now available wherever books are sold and on the internet at www.amazon.com, Christianbook.com, or by calling toll-free, 1-800-Christian. You can also go to www.whenawomanmeetsjesus.com and purchase the book through Paypal for $8.00. Or by calling Transformation Garden at 1-888-397-4348.
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Sunday, August 29, 2010
Gods Wisdom is for us all to share in.
God of wisdom and loveYou are the source of life
and have gifted us with many blessings.
Open our minds and hearts
to receive graciously the art of patience
and the discipline of prudence.
May all our decisions set us on the path of truth
and all our actions manifest your goodness.
To You be honor and glory both now and forever.
Amen
Saturday, August 28, 2010
PARIS HILTON ARRESTED ON COCAINE CHARGE IN VEGAS
Link arrested on cocaine charge in Vegas 
08/28/2010 10:07:23 AM
By KEN RITTER Associated Press Writer
LAS VEGAS - Paris Hilton was arrested late Friday after a police motorcycle officer smelled marijuana smoke wafting from a black Cadillac Escalade driven by her boyfriend on the Las Vegas Strip, then found cocaine in her purse, authorities said.
A crowd quickly gathered when Hilton and Las Vegas nightclub mogul Cy Waits were stopped about 11:30 p.m. Friday in the vehicle near the Wynn Las Vegas resort, police said.
The 29-year-old celebrity socialite was taken into the hotel "to keep her safe" during the initial investigation, police Lt. Wayne Holman said.
Police Officer Marcus Martin said the motorcycle officer pulled the Escalade over on Las Vegas Boulevard after noticing smoke that smelled like marijuana. Police later found a substance in Hilton's purse that tests showed to be cocaine, Martin said. He didn't say how much of the drug was found.
Hilton was arrested on suspicion of felony cocaine possession.
Waits, 34, was arrested on misdemeanor suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Both were booked into the Clark County jail, where Martin said Hilton was released without bail about 2:45 a.m. Saturday.
Less than an hour later, Hilton's Twitter account was updated with a posting that said the actress was in bed watching the television show "Family Guy," and then that she was going to sleep. It was unclear if the tweets came from her, were posted by time-release or were sent by someone else.
If convicted of the low-grade felony, Hilton would get probation. Any violation of probation would be punishable by one to four years in Nevada state prison.
Clark County District Attorney David Roger declined comment Saturday about the case.
Hilton's attorney, David Chesnoff, told The Associated Press on Saturday morning that he was still gathering facts about the arrest.
"I caution people not to rush to judgment," he said.
Waits' lawyer, Richard Schonfeld, said Waits posted $2,000 bail and was expected to be released Saturday.
Court appearance dates for Hilton and Waits were not immediately available.
Schonfeld said he was "troubled by the circumstances" leading to the arrest, but declined to specify his concerns.
"As the case proceeds, a lot of facts are going to come to light that will ultimately lead to exoneration," Schonfeld said.
Hilton's manager did not immediately respond early Saturday to telephone calls for comment. Hilton's publicist, Dawn Miller, did not immediately return an e-mail message.
A spokeswoman for Wynn Resorts in Las Vegas did not immediately respond to messages seeking comment.
Waits and his twin brother, Jesse, are managing partners of the Tryst Nightclub inside Wynn Las Vegas, Drai's after hours club at Bill's Gamblin' Hall & Saloon, and XS The Nightclub at Wynn's Encore resort. A spokeswoman for Harrah's resorts declined immediate comment.
Earlier this week, Hilton was in the news when a 31-year-old man allegedly tried to break into her Los Angeles home.
Authorities have said that someone carrying two big knives banged on Hilton's window Tuesday. She posted a photo of the arrest on Twitter and described it as "scary." Nathan Lee Parada faces a felony burglary charge.
Hilton was arrested this summer after the Brazil-Netherlands World Cup match in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, on suspicion of possession of marijuana. The case was then dropped at a midnight court hearing.
Hilton pleaded no contest in 2007 to alcohol-related reckless driving and was sentenced to 45 days in jail. After spending about 23 days in jail, Hilton told CNN host Larry King that the experience caused her to re-evaluate the role partying played in her life. She said she wanted "to help raise money for kids and for breast cancer and multiple sclerosis."
While most famous for her tabloid exploits and reality TV series "The Simple Life," Hilton has appeared in the films "Bottoms Up," "The Hottie & the Nottie" and "House of Wax."
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Dedication to God's Will By Dorothy Valca'rcel WHEN A WOMAN MEET'S JESUS
"Blessed, happy, and enviable is the man (and woman) who walks and lives not in the counsel of the ungodly."
Psalm 1: 1
Amplified Bible
I want to go back to a passage of Scripture we studied several months ago which is found in I Samuel 15: 17 where the prophet Samuel told King Saul "When thou wast little in thine own sight...the Lord anointed thee king."
It wouldn't be a bad idea if every person on earth had the words, "little in thy own sight" engraved upon their minds and hearts. For as we have studied the lives of both King Saul and King David and the women whose lives were entwined with theirs, it is evident that the words of Lord John Acton ring loud and clear with the truth that, "Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power, corrupts absolutely." No longer "little in their own sight," these rulers used their power in a most capricious manner.
What a tragedy that an individual like David, who had a heart for God, could let himself be caught up drinking the elixir of power to the point where he stooped as low as to take another man's wife and then he created an elaborate scheme to cover-up his mistake. But, very sadly this is exactly what he did. And it is exactly what you and I do when we allow ourselves to be corrupted by the belief that because we are "somebody," we can get away with and do anything we desire. The French writer and preacher Jean Pierre de Caussade correctly acknowledged that, "All that is good in you comes from God." But he also indentified, wisely, that, "all that is bad, spoilt and corrupt comes from yourself." As David began to rely more and more upon himself and his riches and wisdom and power and authority, he let a wall of separation begin to develop between his heavenly Father and himself. Until one day, so corrupted by the false in his heart, he slept with one of his valiant soldier's wives. That in itself was bad enough. But David didn't stop at this one act of sin! As many people have found out in their lives throughout history, the mistakes you make only get worse when you try to cover them up. And this is what David did when he found out Bathsheba was pregnant - he had to hatch up a cover-up. With the assistance of his able-bodied army leader, he brought Bathsheba's husband, Uriah, home from active war duty - a nearly unheard of act in itself.
Historically, at that time, the army and king went to war together. They fought together. They won or lost together. And they celebrated victory together. However, in the case of Uriah, King David, who was in a jam, needed for Uriah to break ranks with his comrades-in-arms. So David brought Uriah to the palace where he pretended to want to get this soldier's take on the war. And then David held a carrot of enticement out before the war, weary Uriah.
In Proverbs 1: 10, Solomon penned these words of warning, "If sinners entice you, consent thou not." The Hebrew translation of the word "entice" is the word "pathah" which means, "to open." But there's more to the meaning of this word for there is a "sinister" side that is associated with it. It means to delude, allure, flatter and persuade. Let's look again at David's behavior. He flattered the unwary Uriah with wily words that seemed to make Uriah think the king longed for his counsel. Once Uriah was comfortable within the king's presence, David "opened" the door by trying to delude Uriah into going home to his wife Bathsheba, taking off his shoes and cleaning up so he could rest awhile in the arms of the one he loved. An enticement that would offer the allurement of time spent at his house relaxing while his fellow soldiers were still on the battlefield risking life and limb.
I don't know about all the experiences you may have faced in your life, however, I think that nearly every person has at one time or another faced a situation where an enticement, like bait, was thrown out to flatter and draw us in. And in the case of Uriah, it was God's anointed, the king of Israel, the warrior David, admired by friend and foe alike, who tried to use one of his bravest to cover his own sin.
This is why the words of Solomon are so critical: "If anyone, even the king tries to entice you, don't consent! Don't say yes! Don't go along!" And this is exactly what Uriah did as we will find out tomorrow. He said, "No!" And he didn't fall for the king's flattery or deceit. May we remember to never consent to that which would cause us to fall.
"Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil."
Matthew 6: 13
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Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Have a magnificent day, from the Book of Ching 1 (The Caldron) LEE
You serve as an example to others by sacrificing your ego
and accepting the guidance of the Higher Power.
We all must have the proper nourishment and guidance in order to fully succeed. While the culture around us often encourages us to "take charge" and make aggressive demands on life, the I Ching offers far wiser counsel. Here we are encouraged to give up the incessant demands of our ego - to deepen our humility and acceptance and to listen carefully to the instructions of the Sage.
The image of the caldron concerns your inner thoughts: whatever you hold in the "caldron" of your mind is your offering to the Higher Power. The quality of assistance you can receive from the universe is governed by the quality of your offering. If you constantly indulge in the concerns of the ego - fear, desires, strategies to control, harshness toward others - you repel the Higher Power and block your own nourishment. If, on the other hand, you consciously let go of your resistance to life and hold quiet and correct thoughts, you become receptive to the Creative and your continual nourishment is assured.
The wisest thing that you can do now is to still you ego and conscientiously enter into a conversation with the Sage. To influence other, or to achieve a proper goal, follow the same path. By cultivating humility and acceptance, purifying your inner thoughts and concentrating on that which is good and innocent and true, you summon the power of the Creative and meet with good fortune in the outer world.
In other words, what we give out comes back.... what goes around comes around.
What we focus our attention (energy) on....our thoughts, feelings, words and actions creates the quality of our lives. We attract similar energy to us.
Find your divine path that expresses your natural essence.
What you are is a divine Spiritual Being having a human experience on earth.
Smiles,
:) Lee
Read more: http://blog.beliefnet.com/haveamagnificentday/2010/08/the-caldron.html#ixzz0xc3YUPm1
WE ARE GOD'S WORKMANSHIP
God's Workmanship We are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good
works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10
The Psalmist reminded us that we are fearfully and wonderfully made and God has something definite planned for us to do while we are here.
We display his craftsmanship and skill when we intentionally live for him
and not like the rest of the world.
Master, teach me to recognize your opportunities
and your will when they come into my life.
I want to live for you without reservation.
I pray for boldness to not be shy in sharing my faith.
I pray for patience as I wait for folks to respond.
I pray for protection on those close to coming to Christ.
I pray not for me but for your Kingdom to be displayed in my life.
In the name of Jesus I pray.
AMEN
"The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace." Numbers 6:24-26
God Be With You,
Sunday, August 22, 2010
OPEN EYE'S!
Open Eyes2 KINGS 6:17 NKJ
17 And Elisha prayed, and said, "Lord, I pray, open his eyes
that he may see." Then the Lord opened the eyes of the young
man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses
and chariots of fire all around Elisha.
What we see with our physical eyes is not all that's happening.
Spiritual forces are active around us. Unless God "opens our
eyes" we're in the dark to what's really happening.
Of course, it shouldn't be necessary for us to "see" into the
spirit realm to believe what God has said, such as that His
angels would keep charge of us always to protect us.
ACTS 26:18 NKJ
18 'to open their eyes and to turn them from darkness to light,
and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive
forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are
sanctified by faith in Me.'
When God told Paul what his calling was, the first step
mentioned was "to open their eyes . . . that they may receive."
For us to receive all that God has provided for us, we must
also have "our eyes opened."
Our prayer needs to be that of the Psalmist.
PSALM 119:18 NKJ
18 Open my eyes, that I may see wondrous things from Your law.
SAY THIS: Lord, open my eyes. Give me understanding and
insight
Friday, August 20, 2010
ANGELS COME FROM UP ABOVE.....
Angels come from up above..
To show us God's eternal love.
They keep each of us safe from harm.
They surround us with their loving arms.
Just listen with open ears,
They will calm each of our fears.
Have you ever thought you heard, an angels soft and gentle word?
Angels come from up above, to show us God's eternal love.
~Author Unknown~
Monday, August 16, 2010
God will remove our transgressions from us
God will remove our transgressions from us
Ps. 103:11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him;
12as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. 13As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him; 16the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more. 17But from everlasting to everlasting the LORD's love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children's children-- 18with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts.Commentary:
Note man's response to God's forgiveness. He responds by keeping God's covenant and His precepts (laws and decrees). Look for this very powerful theme through the rest of this compilation, especially in Christ's words and in the epistles.Prov. 10:19 When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise.
Prov. 14:33 Wisdom reposes in the heart of the discerning and even among fools she lets herself be known.
34Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.Prov. 16:5 The LORD detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished.
6Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for; through the fear of the LORD a man avoids evil.Prov. 22:10 Drive out the mocker, and out goes strife; quarrels and insults are ended.
11He who loves a pure heart and whose speech is gracious will have the king for his friend. 12The eyes of the LORD keep watch over knowledge, but he frustrates the words of the unfaithful.Isa. 1:15 [The Lord says] When you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide my eyes from you; even if you offer many prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are full of blood;
16wash and make yourselves clean. Take your evil deeds out of my sight! Stop doing wrong, 17learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow. 18"Come now, let us reason together," says the LORD. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.Isa. 43:24 You have not bought any fragrant calamus for me, or lavished on me the fat of your sacrifices. But you have burdened me with your sins and wearied me with your offenses.
25"I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more.Isa. 49:26 I will make your oppressors eat their own flesh; they will be drunk on their own blood, as with wine. Then all mankind will know that I, the LORD, am your Savior, your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob."
Isa. 50:1 This is what the LORD says: "Where is your mother's certificate of divorce with which I sent her away? Or to which of my creditors did I sell you? Because of your sins you were sold; because of your transgressions your mother was sent away.
2When I came, why was there no one? When I called, why was there no one to answer? Was my arm too short to ransom you? Do I lack the strength to rescue you? By a mere rebuke I dry up the sea, I turn rivers into a desert; their fish rot for lack of water and die of thirstSaturday, August 14, 2010
DO YOU WANT TO FOLLOW GOD'S PLAN OR YOUR OWN???
God's Plan
God has a plan to accomplish all of that. That plan is Jesus Christ. Jesus is the spotless, sinless Son of God. He came to earth to "rescue" us from sin. You already know that wrong-doing has a penalty. Well, the penalty for our sin is death - eternal separation from God. But since God loves us so much, He Himself took ownership of that penalty. He sent His Son, Jesus, to earth to pay the penalty for our sins. Jesus was crucified by people who didn't understand who He was or why He had come. Jesus willingly died on the cross in our place, fulfilling God's plan to redeem mankind - even the very people who nailed Him to the cross! Though He was perfect and sinless, He took our sins upon Himself so that we might have a restored relationship with our Creator
[1 Peter 2:24].
But the story doesn't end with Jesus' sacrificial death. The Bible says that just three days after He was crucified on a hill outside Jerusalem, God raised Him back to life! Jesus is no longer in the grave - God raised Him from the dead just as He will raise us at the close of history. There is a day coming when time shall come to an end and all people will stand before God in judgment [Revelation 20:11-12].
You Choose
You can either accept Jesus' substitutionary death on your behalf, or reject it. If you reject it, you will stand alone before God on the day of judgment and give an account of your life. You will fall short of God's standards [Romans 3:23] and will have to pay the penalty yourself [Romans 6:23] by spending eternity in hell [Revelation 20:15], forever separated from God. But if you accept Jesus as your personal savior, God will accept His sacrificial death on your behalf. It's not a choice you can make on that final day - it's a choice you must make today - either to accept Jesus or reject Him.
God loves you and wants you to spend eternity in heaven with Him. Make the decision today to accept Jesus as your personal Lord and savior. Here's how simple it is.
- Come to Him just as you are (don't wait until you feel "good enough")
- Admit your need (I am a sinner)
- Be willing to turn from your sins (repent)
- Believe in your heart and mind that Jesus is the Son of God, that He died on the cross for you and was raised back to life (accept Him as the only way to God)
- Talk to Jesus and invite Him to come into your heart and life and save you from your sins (receive Him as personal Savior)
Here's what to pray:
"Dear Lord Jesus, I know that I am sinful and in need of Your forgiveness. I repent of my sinful lifestyle and I want to turn from it and follow You. I believe that You died to pay the penalty for my sins and that You rose from the grave. I invite You to come into my heart and become my Lord and Savior. I ask this in Your name. Amen."
Friday, August 13, 2010
TRUST IN JESUS AT ALL TIMES
You called out to me and I came hurrying to youYou are worrying much more than I ever knew
The burdens you bear are more than just a few
And I am here to listen, that's what friends do.
And I am here to listen, that's what friends do.
You say you are a sinner but aren't we all after all
You say you are heartsick and feel so very small
Well, I can't forgive sins or change water into wine
But I know a man, a precious friend of mine.
Well, I can't forgive sins or change water into wine
But I know a man, a precious friend of mine.
I can't move the mountains that stand in your way
And I can't bring you sunshine for a brighter day
But I know a Redeemer and Jesus is His name
Oh what a friend The Lord has became.
And I can't bring you sunshine for a brighter day
But I know a Redeemer and Jesus is His name
Oh what a friend The Lord has became.
Through valleys of darkness you've walked alone
Until now you are helpless and feel hope is gone
Until now you are helpless and feel hope is gone
I can't lift you from the darkness out of the shame
But I know someone and Jesus is His name.
But I know someone and Jesus is His name.
You can lean on me as long as you need to talk
But I can't heal you or raise the lame to walk
But I can't heal you or raise the lame to walk
It is Jesus who sustains, His love will ease your pains
And His blood on the cross washed away your stains.
And His blood on the cross washed away your stains.
You feel your life is over and there's no use to carry on
You believe you are forsaken and left on your own
Well, I am here because I care and that's at least two
For The Lord who loves me also loves you.
For The Lord who loves me also loves you.
I can't calm a sea or the angry tempest in your head
Or multiply fishes or raise the living from the dead
But I know a man who can and Jesus is His name
Or multiply fishes or raise the living from the dead
But I know a man who can and Jesus is His name
The worker of miracles and hopes eternal flame.
Lord Jesus is light on the darkest day when you pray
He is endless love and salvation for those who stray
I love you too but I can't promise God's plan
I can't save your soul but Jesus Christ can
HEAR MY CRY, O GOD
It shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear. (Isaiah 65:24)
Quick work this! The Lord hears us before we call and often answers us in the same speedy manner. Foreseeing our needs and our prayers, He so arranges providence that before the need actually arises He has supplied it, before the trial assails us He has armed us against it. This is the promptitude of omniscience, and we have often seen it exercised. Before we dreamed of the affliction which was coming, the strong consolation which was to sustain us under it had arrived. What a prayer-answering God we have!
The second clause suggests the telephone. Though God be in heaven and we upon earth, yet He makes our word, like His own word, to travel very swiftly, When we pray aright we speak into the ear of God. Our gracious Mediator presents our petitions at once, and the great Father hears them and smiles upon them. Grand praying this! Who would not be much in prayer when he knows that he has the ear of the King of kings? This day I will pray in faith, not only believing that I shall be heard, but that I am heard; not only that I shall be answered, but that I have the answer already. Holy Spirit, help me in this!
As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.
--James 2:26
As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.
--James 2:26
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
LET GO, LET GOD
From the Biblical account of the history of Saul, whose name was laterchanged to Paul after his encounter with God; we see he was probably unheard
of during his three years in Arabia. Until he became as "a basket case" while
escaping death, and then going to preach in Jerusalem; he was not known
by the Christians there. However, as Barnabas came to Paul's rescue
and explained Paul's declaration of the Lord to the disciples at Jerusalem
(Peter and James), they came to accept Paul, and his ministry.
If they had heard of the change in Paul's life previous to this time, they had no
proof of it, until Barnabas came to Paul's defense. God had a man in the right place
and at the right time to defend His servant and strengthen him. Our Lord
will always send an Encourager and one who will support His servants,
in their time of need. It's great to have friends who are not afraid to help
in time of trouble, who will help make things right. We should all be
encouragers to others. Those like Barnabus see through eyes of faith,
what others may not see, and then act on the revelation of God.
Have you ever felt like a "basket case" or know of others who may feel this way?
Maybe you have even been called this by others or used this expression yourself.
We hear this statement from people many times who feel unworthy, or who feel
they cannot accomplish anything, for the Lord. We also hear this said about
people who are misunderstood or rejected by others.
Take heart today as you read the story of the great Apostle of the Lord. He was
also misunderstood, thought to be a false disciple, persecuted, doubted, and
had to flee for his life. Keep on "keeping on" for the Lord, as Paul continued on
by faith. Nothing could stop Paul in his vision to proclaim God's Word. He
always pressed on for the Lord and God's power was with Him.
What men put down, God picks up and uses for His glory. Paul started off
being doubted by many, facing many dangers .and was rescued by
being let down in a basket to a place where he could go for help. Yet we
know Paul was much more than just a man who escaped by way of a basket.
"Blessed was his spiritual basket and blessed was his store." Not only was
he blessed, but because of His determination, dedication, and words; we are
also blessed and grow in grace today.
In spite of persecution, stripes, stonings, false accusations, and other misfortunes
by false brethern, Paul had victory in Jesus. He was spiritually blessed beyond
measure, as he fought a good fight and finished his course. A crown of
righteousness was laid up for him in heaven which he received. Will we be able
to say the same as we near the end of life's journey? Hopefully, we all will keep
on pressing on in life's race, and know the best is yet to come for God's children.
Take courage today and keep on fighting the good fight of faith! God's children are more
than a basket case! If God holds the 'basket' of our lives, it doesn't matter what
others think, as long as the Lord is in control. "If God brings you to it, He will surely
see you through it." Let go and let God! He will take care of you until the very end.
We are blessed to be able to have the mind of Christ, renewed by His grace and
mercies, and kept by His awesome power. May He be glorified today and always!
Blessings In Christ,
Jo Ann Kelly � 2010, 2005
J. P.'s Inspirations
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
MORNING PRAYER
MorningThou [art] all fair, my love; [there is] no spot in thee.
The whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint. From the sole of the foot even unto the head [there is] no soundness in it; [but] wounds, and bruises, and putrifying sores: they have not been closed, neither bound up, neither mollified with ointment.--We are all as an unclean [thing], and all our righteousnesses [are] as filthy rags.--I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing.
Ye are washed, . . . ye are sanctified, . . . ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.--The king's daughter [is] all glorious within.--Perfect through my comeliness, which I had put upon thee, saith the Lord GOD.
Let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us.
These are they which . . . have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.--A glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but . . . holy and without blemish.--Ye are complete in him.
OPEN to God's REVELATION
Open to God's Revelation Selections from Revelation 1
I, John, your brother and partner in the tribulation, kingdom, and perseverance in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos because of God's word and the testimony about Jesus. I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet saying, "Write on a scroll what you see."... I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me. When I turned I saw seven gold lampstands, and among the lampstands was One like the Son of Man.... When I saw Him, I fell at His feet like a dead man. He laid His right hand on me, and said, "Don't be afraid! Write what you have seen, what is, and what will take place after this." HCSB
Stranded on the island of Patmos, about as far away as he could be from everything he'd ever known, John never thought he'd be used by God again. But he continued taking time on the Lord's Day to meet with God in worship. And one day, something unbelievable happened.
Even when I am old and gray, God, do not abandon me. Then I will proclaim Your power to another generation, Your strength to all who are to come" (Psalm 71:18). The cry of the psalmist, longing to be used until his dying breath, seeing the lasting importance of passing down a godly heritage to his children and grandchildren, reveals the kind of heart we all should have. Even when we're old and gray, Lord, use us. Keep us open. Keep us right where you want us to be.
Look At It This Way
All of us are faced with two realms of reality. We deal with the visible, the tangible every day. We know that it is real. But there is another world, another realm of reality which vies for our attention. The spiritual, the heavenly, and the eternal! The door which John saw open was the door between earth and heaven, the aperture between the visible reality and the invisible reality. Amid all that bids you run and hide and flounder in hopelessness, don't you see that same open door? Don't you hear that same thunderous voice bidding you to come and see? Don't you see that throne and He who sits upon it? He is not wringing His hands over a world catapulting into oblivion. He does not walk around the throne with furrowed brow and worried look. He is the Sovereign God. He is running the show! Get your philosophy of history in line with that, and you will be prepared to praise. Repent of the sin of believing that things are as they appear to be. Ask God to reshape your whole perspective around the vision of God on a throne. - Jack Taylor
A Final Thought
Make it your goal in old age to keep your ear tuned more sharply to God's voice, following Him faithfully all the way to the end. This is a lifetime deal. No quitters need apply.
This devotional is courtesy of the One Minute Bible for Men of Character.
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Monday, August 9, 2010
2 of my most favorite prayers
The Serenity Prayer by Reinhold Niebuhr
God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.
Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as He did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it;
Trusting that He will make all things right if I surrender to His Will;
That I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with Him Forever in the next.
Amen.
Prayer by Thomas Merton
My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going.
I do not see the road ahead of me.
I cannot know for certain where it will end.
Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think that I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so.
But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you.
And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing.
I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire.
And I know that if I do this
you will lead me by the right road
though I may know nothing about it.
Therefore will I trust you always
though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death.
I will not fear, for you are ever with me,
and you will never leave me to face my perils alone.
Friday, August 6, 2010
GOD PURPOSE.... PEACE AND LIFE
1. God's Purpose...Peace and Life
  | God loves you and wants you to know Him so He can fill you with peace and give you real life -- forever. The Bible says::
Jesus said:
Since God planned for us to have peace and real life right now, why are so many people hurting or angry inside? |
Monday, August 2, 2010
Increase THE LIGHT
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The INNER VOICE of LOVE Spiritual Author Henri Nouwen
In "The Inner Voice of Love," spiritual author Henri Nouwen writes:
You can look at your life as a large cone that becomes narrower the deeper you go. There are many doors in that cone that give you chances to leave the journey. But you have been closing these doors one after the other, making yourself go deeper and deeper into your center. You that God is waiting for you at the end, just as you know that he is guiding you as you move in that direction. Every time you close another door--be it the door of immediate satisfaction, the door of distracting entertainment, the door of busyness, the door of guilt and worry, or the door of self-rejection--you commit yourself to go deeper into your heart and thus deeper into the heart of God.
I demonstrate this a little, as usual. Enjoy the show!
The Seed's of the Parable of Matthew.
We must keep our eyes fixed on God in everything we say, do, or undertake. We must make a firm resolution to overcome, with God's grace, all the difficulties inherent in the spiritual life.
When we undertake the spiritual life we must seriously consider who we are, recognizing that we are worthy of all scorn and subject to all kinds of miseries, and a multitude of setbacks. These disturb us and make our health, our moods, our inner dispositions, and their outward manifestations changeable; in all, we are persons God wants to humble by means of a multitude of internal and external troubles and trials.
God's help is necessary at every moment because without it the soul can do nothing. The world, nature, and evil wage war so fiercely and so relentlessly that, without this special help and this humble, necessary dependence, they would carry off the soul against its will. This seems contrary to nature, but grace finds pleasure and peace therein.
Well that's good to know. That if my seed accidentally gets dumped on the concrete, as it often does during a day, that I am promised some help relocating it to the fertile ground, where it can grow a hundredfold, that God has my back. Sort of. As long as I'm humble about taking direction.
Read more: http://blog.beliefnet.com/beyondblue/2010/08/mindful.html#ixzz0vWdmv15y
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