YOUR NAME

Acts 4:12 "Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."

John 14:6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

Acts 10:43 "To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins."

Acts 15:10-11 10 "Now therefore, why do you test God by putting a yoke on the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?11 "But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved in the same manner as they."

Matthew 1:21 "And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins."

John 1:29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, "Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!
1 Corinthians 5:7 Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed

Exodus 12:5 'Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year. You may take it from the sheep or from the goats.
Exodus 12:13 'Now the blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you are. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you; and the plague shall not be on you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt.

Job 19:25 For I know that my Redeemer lives, And He shall stand at last on the earth;

John 10:1-2 "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber. (2) But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.
John 10:7-10 So Jesus again said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. (8) All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. (9) I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. (10) The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

1 Corinthians 1:30 But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God; and righteousness and sanctification and redemption;

1 Corinthians 3:9-11 " For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, you are God's building. According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ."

1 Corinthians 10:1-4 Moreover, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware that all our fathers were under the cloud, all passed through the sea, (2) all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, (3) all ate the same spiritual food, (4) and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ.
Deuteronomy 32:15 "But Jeshurun grew fat and kicked; You grew fat, you grew thick, You are obese! Then he forsook God who made him, And scornfully esteemed the Rock of his salvation.
Psalms 18:2 The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

Ephesians 2:12 that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.

Ephesians 2:19-20 Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, (20) having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner stone,
("apostles and prophets" being one foundation points to one way of salvation throughout history [pre-cross & post-cross] ; faith in Christ's finished work on the cross. Thus emphasizing one flock - Jew & Gentile believers) [... and there will be one flock and one shepherd. (John 10:16.)]

John 3:36 "He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him."

Romans 4:16 Therefore [it is] of faith that [it might be] according to grace, so that the promise might be sure to all the seed, not only to those who are of the law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all

Romans 5:1-2 " Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God."

Romans 5:8-11 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. 10 For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. 11 And not only [that], but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.

Romans 6:11 Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Ephesians 1:7 In Him (Jesus Christ) we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace
Hebrews 10:4 For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.

Colossians 1:27 To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

Hebrews 1:3 who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,

1 Peter 2:24-25 who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness; by whose stripes you were healed. (25) For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

John 3:17-18 "For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. "He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God."

1 John 5:11-12 11 And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.12 He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.

1 John 2:22-25 " Who is a liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist who denies the Father and the Son. Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father either; he who acknowledges the Son has the Father also. Therefore let that abide in you which you heard from the beginning. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, you also will abide in the Son and in the Father. And this is the promise that He has promised us--eternal life."

Revelation 5:6, 9 6 And I looked, and behold, in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as though it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent out into all the earth. 9 And they sang a new song, saying: "You are worthy to take the scroll, And to open its seals; For You were slain, And have redeemed us to God by Your blood; Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation

JESUS

JESUS

He is the First and Last, the Beginning and the End!
He is the keeper of Creation and the Creator of all!
He is the Architect of the universe and
The Manager of all times.
He always was, He always is, and He always will be...
Unmoved, Unchanged, Undefeated, and never Undone!
He was bruised and brought healing!
He was pierced and eased pain!
He was persecuted and brought freedom!
He was dead and brought life!
He is risen and brings power!
He reigns and brings Peace!
The world can't understand him,
The armies can't defeat Him,
The schools can't explain Him, and
The leaders can't ignore Him.
Herod couldn't kill Him,
The Pharisees couldn't confuse Him, and
The people couldn't hold Him!
Nero couldn't crush Him,
Hitler couldn't silence Him,
The New Age can't replace Him.
He is light, love, longevity, and Lord.
He is goodness, Kindness, Gentleness, and God.
He is Holy, Righteous, mighty, powerful, and pure.
His ways are right,
His word is eternal,
His will is unchanging, and
His mind is on me.
He is my Redeemer,
He is my Savior,
He is my guide, and
He is my peace!
He is my Joy,
He is my comfort,
He is my Lord, and
He rules my life!
I serve Him because His bond is love,
His burden is light, and
His goal for me is abundant life.
I follow Him because He is the wisdom of the wise,
The power of the powerful,
The ancient of days, the ruler of rulers,
The leader of leaders, the overseer of the overcomers, and
The sovereign Lord of all that was and is and is to come.
He will never leave me,
Never forsake me,
Never mislead me,
Never forget me,
Never overlook me.
When I fall, He lifts me up!
When I fail, He forgives!
When I am weak, He is strong!
When I am lost, He is the way!
When I am afraid, He is my courage!
When I stumble, He steadies me!
When I am hurt, He heals me!
When I am broken, He mends me!
When I am hungry, He feeds me!
When I face trials, He is with me!
When I face persecution, He shields me!
When I face problems, He comforts me!
When I face loss, He provides for me!
When I face Death, He carries me Home!
He is God, He is faithful.
I am His, and He is mine!
God is in control, I am on His side, and
That means all is well with my soul.
(edited, author unknown)

HAVE YOU BEEN HURT?

When I look at Job, he had friends that were so hard on him, with friends like this who needs enemies? His friends failed him horribly in their efforts to ease his pain. Instead of showing sympathy, they threw accusations that made things even worse. Yet Job was able triumph over this even though he was in a state of pain and was very confused. I think if we take a look at Job and all he went through, we can find the example we need in our struggle with relationships with others. He prayed for his friends, with all he was going through he took the time to pray for his friends.

Hebrews 42:7 And it was [so], that after the LORD had spoken these words unto Job, the LORD said to Eliphaz the Temanite, My wrath is kindled against thee, and against thy two friends: for ye have not spoken of me [the thing that is] right, as my servant Job [hath].
42:8 Therefore take unto you now seven bullocks and seven rams, and go to my servant Job, and offer up for yourselves a burnt offering; and my servant Job shall pray for you: for him will I accept: lest I deal with you [after your] folly, in that ye have not spoken of me [the thing which is] right, like my servant Job. 42:9 So Eliphaz the Temanite and Bildad the Shuhite [and] Zophar the Naamathite went, and did according as the LORD commanded them: the LORD also accepted Job.42:10 And the LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before.

Jesus also prayed for His friends even though they failed Him. (John 17:6-19) when you look at how Jesus prayed for Peter even though He had the heaviness of the cross on His mind, even though He knew Peter would deny Him not just once, but three times, He still took the time to pray for him. Jesus prays for us (John 17:20-26) and will continue to pray for us always, even when we act like His enemy, sometimes. He still intercedes for us.

So when we have a conflict with a brother or a sister, we need to forgive them and pray for them. If we need to confront him, we do it is a loving way, a gentle way. If he is offended by it and shuns you, then pray for the situation, if you feel you have done everything possible to restore this friendship, then you need to just leave the rest to the Lord.

I feel it is so much harder to be hurt by a brother or sister in Christ then the world because you know what to expect from the world, you do not expect to be hurt by believers, but we have to remember, we are still in the flesh. When I look back at what Job went through, how difficult his friends made it for him, I want to remember to pray for those around that have hurt me. I think if we do not forgive and do not pray for them, our relationship with our Savior is not as strong as it should be. It is sometimes hard to let go of the hurts because they can be very deep, but I know friendships can be restored because we all know this is what the Lord wants.

We need not climb into heaven to see whether our sins are forgiven; let us look into our hearts, and see if we can forgive others. If we can, we need not doubt but God has forgiven us - Thomas Watson

(1 Pet 2:18 NRSV) Slaves, accept the authority of your masters with all deference, not only those who are kind and gentle but also those who are harsh

(Rom 12:17-20 NRSV) Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. 18 If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God; for it is written, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord." 20 No, if your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink; for by doing this you will heap burning coals on their heads.

Spurgeon, "Ripe Fruit" #945. Micah 7:1
As we grow in grace, we are sure to grow in
charity, sympathy, and love. We shall, as we
ripen in grace, have greater sweetness towards
our fellow Christians. Bitter spirited Christians
may know a great deal, but they are immature.
Those who are quick to censure may be
very acute in judgment, but they are as
yet very immature in heart.
He who grows in grace remembers that he is
but dust, and he therefore does not expect his
fellow Christians to be anything more.
He overlooks ten thousand of their faults,
because he knows his God overlooks twenty
thousand in his own case. He does not expect
perfection in the creature, and, therefore, he
is not disappointed when he does not find it.
When our virtues become more mature, we shall
not be more tolerant of evil; but we shall be more
tolerant of infirmity, more hopeful for the people
of God, and certainly less arrogant in our criticisms.

Cristina

ARE YOU SECURE?

Romans 8:38-39 38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord

“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand.

It is a marriage bond that will never be broken. When we vowed our lives to Him ,He stamped it "FOREVER"! Some say it is a licence to sin, Oh how wrong they are.

"Though he stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with his hand (Psalm 37:24, NIV.)"

"Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. 2When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. 3For I am the LORD, your God (Isaiah 43:1-3, NIV.)"

We are not to fear that we will loose our salvation because we have committed sins. Romans 8:15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

A child that was adopted by God may sin against Him, but that does not make them less His child. He loves us with an Abounding Love, a Eternal Love, a Everlasting Love. It is so comforting to know, that Jesus is there to intercede in our prayers and to be our Advocator. He is our Guarantee that we will have eternal security. He went to the cross, and laid down His life, for His Sheep, the Elect. We should celebrate Eternal Life, we should thank Him every day for what He did on the cross, the suffering He endured, the ridicule He sustained, His death. All this, so that we could be saved and in turn have Eternal Security. We should have the desire to please Him and do God’s will because of this great Sacrifice.

The sovereign and eternal choice of persons (Eph. 1:4), infallibly secures all embraced in God's election, and which believers now know (I Thess. 1:4). They cannot perish, for they were chosen in Christ before sin entered, or the course of human responsibility commenced, hence neither the state of the creature nor his doings can frustrate God's eternal choice of individuals.
"If you are a child of God, you are that forever. The relationship is an eternal one. A failed and failing child has an advocate with the Father (I John 2:1). Can anyone pluck the saved sheep out of the hand of the Son (John 10:28)? Can man or devil pluck the believer out of the hand of the Father (v.29)? Are not the Father and the Son absolutely one in counsel and purpose in the eternal preservation of every sheep (v.30)? Is not eternal life the gift of God (Rom. 6:28)? And the gifts and calling of God are without repentance (Rom. 11:29), that is without change or recall." --Walter Scott.

Now let Your unfailing love comfort me, just as You promised me, Your servant. Psalm 119:76

Cristina

LOOK AROUND

A old woman pushing a cart, filled with treasures of her life,
A little boy screaming with joy, runs by
A prostitute selling her self, another day of strife
a young man fighting for his life, about to die

A neighbor pulling out the weeds, so her prize Roses will bloom,
A teacher working overtime to prepare for the next day,
A bum in the street sleeping , his life such doom
A young woman, pushing a needle in her arm, in such dismay.

A desperate man walking in circles, after losing his job today
A doctor trying to save his patient after being hit by a bus,
A wife crying because she may loose her husband , not knowing what to say
A Bus driver with his head hung over, as people look with him in disgust.

A baby that starving with flies all around it’s head
A father that can not provide for his family, with suicide on his mind
A terrorist ready to murder thousands , he is like the walking dead
Look all around you, this is the world, this is mankind.

A Christian who calls Christ his own, walking down the street
A Christian whose neighbors, know him so well
A Christian who can tell of Christ with everyone they meet
A Christian that has the chance to tell about heaven and Hell

So many lost people we meet every day
That prostitute ,thats trying to feed in her son
So many chances and we throw them away.
What will you do…………Before it’s all said and done.

TAKE UP MY CROSS AND FOLLOW ME

Take up my cross and follow me...........Eph 4:1-7 - I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, entreat you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing forbearance to one another in love, 3 being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all. 7 But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ's gift.

We are here to walk worthy of the calling we have been given, we are to take up our cross and follow Him. He has given us the means to do just that. Being humble and gentle are a couple of the characteristics the world can not fight against or understand at times. It's easier to reach out to the world when we are hold our heads up in humility, instead of looking down our noses. Our love for one another is another characteristic that the world sees in us. If the world sees us squabble amongst one another, what should they think of christian love?

John 13:35 - "By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."

O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together. (Psalms 34:3)

Romans 12 I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters,* by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual* worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world,* but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect. 3 For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of yourself more highly than you ought to think, but to think with sober judgement, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. 4For as in one body we have many members, and not all the members have the same function, 5 so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others

I Thessalonians 4:9-12 But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another. And indeed ye do it toward all the brethren which are in all Macedonia: but we beseech you, brethren, that ye increase more and more; And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing.

Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

I want to be that candle that shines so bright that folks ask why, I want to be the salt of the earth and do everything purely for God. Lord, I want to always bear my cross so that maybe others will see my example of You, in me and want to take thier cross and follow you.

Humility is were it all starts, giving up self, to serve God. Examining ourselves and seeing the sin that holds us back from so much. When we are self-serving ...how can we serve God? Humility does not start when we serving others, it starts when we are ready to receive it. Humility is from the Lord, it is when we deny ourselves and let the Lord work in our lives. It is when glory is given only to Him, and Him alone.

Col 3:12 (NRSV) As God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.
Cristina

THE SOVEREIGN SUPREMACY OF JESUS

I had a day off so I had the chance to listen to this message by John Piper and I say a GREAT BIG AMEN TO THIS MESSAGE. If you have a chance please listen to it and then at the end I promise you will say a GREAT BIG AMEN TOO!



Cristina

REFLECTION AWARD

Awhile back my dear sister Rita at "Jungle Hut" gave me an ward and I want to thank her for it. It was very kind of you Rita. I have not put it on my side board because I am still trying to figure how to do it, same with Sarah's thoughtful Award. S I will thank you here. I apoligize for taking so long to thank you.

Cristina

THE NICE MEME AWARD

My dear friend Sarah at "Sarah's Journals" gave this Award to me. Thank you Sarah, that was very kind of you to think of me.

Cristina

I'VE BEEN TAGGED

My dear friend Susan tagged me awhile back and I have been so busy lately I have not been able to respond. Susan has asked to “Post that verse or story of scripture which is important to me, which I find myself re-visiting time after time.”


"The Lord lives! Blessed be my Rock! Let God be exalted, The Rock of my salvation!" (2 Samuel 22:47).

David praise God no matter what. I want this for my life,no matter what I face, I want to thank God for it and praise and exalt Him. We will never have a perfect life, there will always be trials and tribulations, but we know that "The Rock of our Salvation" is right there with us through these times and in knowing that I give Him Praise and Glory. He is my Rock!

"Revelation 4:11 "You are worthy, O Lord, To receive glory and honor and power; For You created all things, And by Your will they exist and were created."

This verse speaks for itself, You o Lord are only worthy of Glory, you alone should be exalted, you alone are Sovereign, you alone are the Creator, You alone deserve Glory and Honor, You alone save. You alone have the power to do what you want to do and and it is Good. Thank you Lord.

Cristina

SIN

My Lord and Savior, how I ache inside because of the sin in my life. Please help me be more like you. I disappoint you so much when I sin. Sometimes I try to justify my sin and there is no justifying anything that goes against what the bible teaches. We battle the Flesh,I sometimes think the Flesh is more of enemy then Satan himself.

Christians use "Christian Liberties" as excuses sometimes. I wonder sometimes, do we really need to be doing the things we do in the name of "Christian Liberties"? I am asking myself the same thing, I am not pointing fingers. Do I weep enough for the sin in my life? If there is no weeping, I would question my salvation. Sin can be such a ball and chain, it can hold you back from doing the things you want to do for Christ. How can I say to the world, "I am a child of God" and they see no difference in them or me? Lord you know the sins in my life that I struggle most in and that alone should humble me. We sometimes forget that He sees all and knows all. He knows what we think, when others don't. He knows what we say, how we gossip, He knows all and in knowing this, we should fear Him and get down on our knees and ask for forgiveness.

I know I need to be broken, I hate the sin in my life, but not enough to stop it completely. I know no one is sinless, but I know we can be less sinful then we are.I wanted to this blog on Sin because I need prayer about the sin in my life. Please pray for me.I want the balls and chains removed, I want to freely go the Christ without the guilt.I know the Lord has forgiven our sins, but as His child I want him to be proud of this child. God is not against us because of our sin. He is with us against our sin..He can help us fight it, He gives us His Word to meditate on, He gives us Pray to go before Him, He gives us fellow brothers and sisters to go to. Please forgive me Lord for I have sinned against you, I want to walk in your footsteps.

If there is no sorrow for sin, there will be no joy in salvation.

I found this at GraceGems and I encourage you to read it all....

(i) The sin of a justified person is odious—because he acts contrary to his own principles. He sins not only against the rule—but against his principles, against his knowledge, vows, prayers, hopes, experiences. He knows how dearly sin will cost him—yet he adventures upon the forbidden fruit!

(ii) The sin of a justified person is odious, because it is a sin of unkindness (1 Kings 11:9). Peter's denying of Christ was a sin against love. Christ had enrolled him among the apostles. He had taken him up into the Mount of Transfiguration and shown him the glory of heaven in a vision. Yet after all this dazzling mercy—it was base ingratitude, that he should deny Christ! This made him go out and "weep bitterly" (Matt. 26:75). He baptized himself, as it were, in his own tears! The sins of the godly go nearest to God's heart. The sins of others anger God; the sins of the godly grieve him! The sins of the wicked pierce Christ's side! The sins of the godly wound his heart! The unkindness of a spouse, goes nearest to the heart of her husband.

(iii) The sin of a justified person is odious, because it reflects more dishonor upon God. "By this deed you have given great occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme" (2 Sam. 12:14). The sins of God's people put black spots on the face of piety. Thus we see what cause there is why a child of God should weep even after conversion. "Can whoever sows such things refrain from tears?"

Now this sorrow of a godly man for sin, is not a despairing sorrow. He does not mourn without hope. "Iniquities prevail against me" (Psalm 65:3)—there is the holy soul weeping. "As for our transgressions, you shall purge them away"—there is faith triumphing.

Godly sorrow is excellent. There is as much difference between the sorrow of a godly man, and the sorrow of a wicked man—as between the water of a spring which is clear and sweet, and the water of the sea which is salt and brackish. A godly man's sorrow has these three qualifications:

(a) Godly sorrow is INWARD. It is a sorrow of soul. Hypocrites "disfigure their faces" (Matt. 6:16). Godly sorrow goes deep. It is a "pricking at the heart" (Acts 2:37). True sorrow is a spiritual martyrdom, therefore called "soul affliction" (Lev. 23:29).

(b) Godly sorrow is SINCERE. It is more for the evil that is in sin—than the evil which follows after sin. It is more for the spot—than the sting. Hypocrites weep for sin only as it brings affliction. Hypocrites never send forth the streams of their tears, except when God's judgments are approaching.

(c) Godly sorrow is INFLUENTIAL. It makes the heart better: "by the sadness of the countenance, the heart is made better" (Eccles. 7:3). Divine tears not only wet—but wash; they purge out the love of sin!

Use 1. How far from being godly are those who scarcely ever shed a tear for sin! If they lose a near relation—they weep. But though they are in danger of losing God and their souls—they do not weep. How few know what it is to be in an agony for sin, or what a broken heart means! Their eyes are not like the "fishpools in Heshbon", full of water (Song 7:4)—but rather like the mountains of Gilboa, which had "no dew" upon them (2 Sam. 1:21). It was a greater plague for Pharaoh to have his heart turned into stone—than to have his rivers turned into blood.

The wicked, if they sometimes shed a tear—are never the better. They go on in wickedness, and do not drown their sins in their tears!

Use 2: Let us strive for this divine characteristic. Be weepers! This is "a repentance not to be repented of" (2 Cor. 7:10). It is reported of Bradford, the martyr, that he was of a melting spirit; he seldom sat down to his meal but some tears trickled down his cheeks. There are two lavers to wash away sin: blood and tears. The blood of Christ washes away the guilt of sin; our tears wash away the filth of sin.

Repenting tears are precious. God puts them in his bottle (Psalm 56:8). Repenting tears are beautifying. To God—a tear in the eye, adorns more than a ring on the finger. Oil makes the face shine (Psalm 104:15). Tears make the heart shine. Repenting tears are comforting. A sinner's mirth turns to melancholy. A saint's mourning turns to music! Repentance may be compared to myrrh, which though it is bitter to the taste—is comforting to the spirits. Repentance may be bitter to the flesh, but it is most refreshing to the soul. Wax which melts is fit for the seal. A melting soul is fit to take the stamp of all heavenly blessing. Let us give Christ the water of our tears—and he will give us the wine of his blood!

Cristina

FOR HIS GLORY

GOD'S first and greatest object is his own glory.

There was a time, before all time, when there was no day, except the Ancient of days- when God dwelt alone in the magnificence of his sublime solitude.

Whether he should create, or not create was a question depending upon the answer to another question- "Would it be to his honor or not?"

He determined that he would glorify himself by creating; but, in creating, beyond all doubt, his motive was his own glory.

And since that time, he has ever ruled the earth, and blessed it with the same object in his infinite mind-his own glory and honor.

A lesser motive for God to have, would be less than divine.

The very highest virtue of God is for him to magnify himself in all his greatness as the Infinite and the Eternal. Whatever, then, God permits or does, he does with this one motive- his own glory.

And even salvation, costly though it was, and infinitely a benefaction to us, had for its first object, and for its grand result, the exaltation of the Being and of the attributes of the Supreme Ruler.

It is the highest position to which you or I could attain--to live for God.


"The evil and suffering in this world are greater than any of us can comprehend. But evil and suffering are not ultimate. God is. Satan, the great lover of evil and suffering, is not sovereign. God is.
“He does according to his will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand or say to him, ‘What have you done?’” (Daniel 4:35)
He declares “the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose.’” (Isaiah 46:10)
“Who has spoken and it came to pass, unless the Lord has commanded it? Is it not from the mouth of the Most High that good and bad come?” (Lamentations 3:37-38; see Amos 3:6)
“Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.” (Proverbs 19:21; see 16:9)
“The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord.” (Proverbs 16:33) .. Therefore, “if God is for us, who can be against us? . . .Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written, ‘For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.’ No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us” (Romans 8:31-37).




Cristina

IS IT ALL ABOUT HIM?

"Grieve Not the Holy Spirit" Eph. 4:30.

Some Christians live and act and talk as if there were no judgment to come; toiling for wealth as if this world were all. They are as careless of souls, as though hell were a dream.Unmoved by eternal realities, unstirred by the terrors of the Lord, indifferent to the ruin of mankind, many professors live like worldlings, and are as unchristian as infidels. This is an indisputable fact, but one to be lamented with tears of blood.We are the purchase of Jesus' death upon the tree- he has bought us dearly, and he should have us altogether for himself.It should be the one end and object of our desire, to crown that head with gems, which once was crowned with thorns.~Spurgeon, "Grieve Not the Holy Spirit"~
Jesus deserves our best!
Every wound of his claims us, and every pain he bore,and every groan that escaped his lips, is a fresh reason for our holiness and complete devotion to his cause.
How must he grieve over us because we have not that tenderness of heart,that melting of love, that vehemence of zeal, that earnestness of soul which we ought to exhibit!

Set your affections on things above,
not on things on the earth." Col. 3:2

It's all about HIM! IS it?....Do we give Him the adoration He truly deserves. Do we share the love to others that He has shares with us. Do others see a difference in us, do they see the stillness in us, only found in HIm. Do they see our faith that whatever happens we have a calmness that we have draw from Christ. As we go out into the world do we let others know about the saving grace found in Christ? Do we take every opportunity to share the saving grace of God to those around us? Do we draw strength from Him when we are down in the valley? Do we pray enough? I have been asking myself these questions more and amore and I finding myself more ashamed of my walk. I need to make it more about Him then about me. Is it for His glory..or for mine?

The love of Jesus has a gracious influence on the life,conduct, and conversation of a true believer. The tree is known by its fruit; and those branches alone which bring forth fruit unto God, are in manifest union with the only true Vine.

Love to Jesus is the constraining principle of all holy obedience."If you love Me,keep my commandments,"was His dying injunction to His disciples. As,then,
His bleeding love is experimentally known, there will be . . .
a conformity to His image,
an obedience to His will,
a walking in His footsteps.

Cristina

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MY DEAR SWEET MAN

May your day be filled with joy dear!
Cristina

To My Dear and Loving Husband
by Anne Bradstreet

If ever two were one, then surely we.
If ever man were lov'd by wife, then thee;
If ever wife was happy in a man,
Compare with me ye women if you can.
I prize thy love more then whole Mines of gold,
Or all the riches that the East doth hold.
My love is such that Rivers cannot quench,
Nor ought but love from thee, give recompence.
Thy love is such I can no way repay,
The heavens reward thee manifold I pray.
Then while we live, in love let's so persever,
That when we live no more, we may live ever.

BLOG BREAK

I am going on a little break from blogging..a week or two. I have a few books I would like to read and a few other things. See you when I return.

Cristina

A SONG WE SANG AT CHURCH TODAY

These are the days of Elijah
Declaring the Word of the Lord

And these are the days of your servant Moses
Righteousness being restored

And though these are days of great trials
Of famine and darkness and sword

Still we are the voice in the desert crying
Prepare ye the way of the Lord!

Behold He comes! Riding on the clouds!
Shining like the sun! At the trumpet call
Lift your voice! It's the year of Jubilee!
And out of Zion's hill salvation comes!

And these are the days of Ezekiel
The dry bones becoming as flesh

And these are the days of your servant David
Rebuilding a temple of praise

And these are the days of the harvest
The fields are as white in the world

And we are the labourers in your vineyard
Declaring the word of the Lord!

Behold He comes! Riding on the clouds!
Shining like the sun! At the trumpet call
Lift your voice! It's the year of Jubilee!
And out of Zion's hill salvation comes!

There's no God like Jehovah!

There's no God like Jehovah!

There's no God like Jehovah!

There's no God like Jehovah!
(Repeat 3 times)

Behold He comes! Riding on the clouds!
Shining like the sun! At the trumpet call
Lift your voice! It's the year of Jubilee!
And out of Zion's hill salvation comes!

Behold He comes! Riding on the clouds!
Shining like the sun! At the trumpet call
Lift your voice! It's the year of Jubilee!
And out of Zion's hill salvation comes!

And out of Zion's hill salvation comes!

And out of Zion's hill salvation comes!

A CHEAP SALVATION

I read this by Tozer and thought it was wee said.....

Evangelism: A Cheap Salvation

But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness and handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. --2 Corinthians 4:2

Here again is seen the glaring discrepancy between Biblical Christianity and that of present-day evangelicals, particularly in the United States (And Canada)....

To make converts here we are forced to play down the difficulties and play up the peace of mind and worldly success enjoyed by those who accept Christ. We must assure our hearers that Christianity is now a proper and respectable thing and that Christ has become quite popular with political bigwigs, well-to-do business tycoons and the Hollywood swimming pool set. Thus assured, hell-deserving sinners are coming in droves to "accept" Christ for what they can get out of Him; and though one now and again may drop a tear as proof of his sincerity, it is hard to escape the conclusion that most of them are stooping to patronize the Lord of glory much as a young couple might fawn on a boresome but rich old uncle in order to be mentioned in his will later on. Born After Midnight, 17.

"Lord, don't let me fall into the trap of offering a cheap salvation. Remind me often that redemption that cost the life of Your Son should never be so cheapened. Amen"

REPENTANCE

Isa 57:15 (NLT) "The high and lofty one who inhabits eternity, the Holy One, says this: "I live in that high and holy place with those whose spirits are contrite and humble. I refresh the humble and give new courage to those with repentant hearts."


I have often loved darkness,
observed lying vanities,
forsaken thy mercies,
trampled underfoot they beloved Son,
mocked thy providence,
flattered thee with my lips,
broken thy covenant,
It is of thy compassion that I am not consumed.
Lead me to repentance, and save me from despair;
Let me come to thee renouncing, condemning, loathing myself,
but hoping in the grace that flows even to the chief of sinners.
At the cross may I contemplate the evil of sin, and abhor it,
look on him whom I pierced,
as one slain for me, and by me.
- From The Valley of Vision.

A Bennett

If you're headed in the wrong direction, God allows U-Turns. He is a God of Grace, a God of fogiveness. He loves His own, so much. His gift of eternal life to us and the promises associated with it are never in jeopardy. We are His children Forever, for Eternity. There is no greater love found, then the love found in Our Savior Jesus Christ and no greater forgivness found,then from Him and Him alone.

If you have sinned, do not lie down without repentance; for the want of repentance after one has sinned makes the heart yet harder and harder.-- John Bunyan

An error gracefully acknowledged is a victory won. Caroline Gascoigne

Let any man turn to God in earnest, let him begin to exercise himself unto godliness, let him seek to develop his powers of spiritual receptivity by trust and obedience and humility, and the results will exceed anything he may have hoped in his leaner and weaker days. ... A. W. Tozer

Repentance is a grace of God's Spirit whereby a sinner is inwardly humbled and visibly reformed. -- THOMAS WATSON

I have to admit I sometimes watch American Idol. I love to see new talent, but I do not like how Simon Cowell demeans people. There is a British show just like American Idol and Simon Cowell also is on this show. I was checking You Tube out and for the first time Mr. Cowell was speechless and it took an ordinary man, no one special to fool this man.

I love Opera and Paul Potts is the name of this man and please listen to this beautiful voice. It made me cry, listening to him.

Cristina

THE SEASONS OF LIFE

It is mid-autumn as I write, and another year is dying before our eyes. The greenery of June has faded and changed into the colors of decay. At the merest breath the leaves loosen and fall to the ground like rustling rain. The wind gathers them in circles on the lawn, or scatters them in the clouds, or drive them along the open road. Helpless and worthless-the remains of the glory of summer soon to be buried out of sight-the withered leaves affect one with sadness and sympathy. They are a parable of human life, which also has its fleeting seasons and its final disappearance. First comes the spring-time, when the buds burst on the the branches, and life is a boundless possibility; then follows summer, when life rises to its fulness and strength; by-and-by autumn checks the flow of sap, and begins to detach us from life; and, last of all, winter, with a timely kindness, covers our lives and our faults beneath the cold pure snow. For a day our neighbours speak of us; for a short while man who served with us in the great enterprise of life miss our presence; for a longer time our friends will recall us; and all her life, till the faithful heart grows cold in death, a woman will keep our memory green. Then the last who knew us will also be covered by the snow, and our remembrance will cease the earth.

While we was in Grand Rapids, we visited a store called "Bakers". It is a wonderful christian book store that I could easily get lost in and not mind one bit,there are books apon books, the best part is the used sections. As I was checking out all the authors, I came across a book Called "The Life of the Master", by John Watson. The book is 100 years old and still in pretty good shape. I paid $8.50 for it, Thank You Lord!

What I posted above is from the book and I wanted to share with you all. As I read it, I thought to myself that I guess I am in the Autumn, of my life. I have fewer days ahead of me, then I do behind me and realizing this, I have fewer days ahead of me to share Christ Crucified, fewer days to be that example that Christ wants me to be, fewer days ahead before I meet my Maker, my Lord, My Master. When it is time for the winter to come, I want to be the child of God that the Lord will say Well done my fine servant, well done. I would like to have folks that knew me, know that I knew Christ and know that I loved Him with all my heart.

Thank you Lord for taking this wretched soul and making me your child. May I honor you for the Season, I have left in my life.

Cristina

TRUSTING

Lord I need thee every hour...



I think we all have a time or times in our walk with Christ where we have a hard time trusting in the Lord. I hope I am not coming across like I am looking for attention, or any pity, I am not…
I have to be honest about my prayer life, I use to have a hard time asking folks to pray for me because I felt I was seeking attention, when the truth is Attention is the last thing I ever enjoyed. I have always been shy, the funny thing is my husband is the total opposite of me, he is very out going…anyway back to praying and trust. There has been a lot going on in my families life this past 6 months with illness and it has been hard on the family. We are a close family and when one is hurting, we all hurt. As far as I know I do not think anyone in my family knows the Lord, my youngest sister says she does but I am not 100% sure.

Also, my husband and I have been feeling a lot of stress with our jobs in the past year, my husband is a Traffic Manager for a Medical company and also the Facilities Manager. Also when the Warehouse Manager is away from the office (Vacation, out of town, on courses etc) my husband is expected to fill his position. In the past year my husband is getting more stressed and tired and it worries me. My job has got stressful this past year because one of my families is a single parent family and the father, who has the children, had to go on Afternoon shifts and so I have his children from 12 noon Monday until Friday each week. And I have to be honest I am really feeling so tired. I am doing this because the mother of his children is not in the picture very much. I finally had to tell him today that I can not do this anymore come September and that was so hard to do because I've had these 2 children in my care since they were babies. The boy is almost 10 and the little girl is 6.

With all this going on, my husband and I are starting our vacation this Friday and we had planned to go Grand Rapids for 4-5 days and we really do not know what to do? It is so hard to go away with problems happening at home. I know my family and friends tell us GO, GO, but I am going to be honest, it is so hard to go…..I know I have to trust the Lord, but in situation I am really finding it hard to go and enjoy myself and not worry.
Please pray for me and my family and about our time away, Jim and have not been away together since we were first married, 24 years ago, I know we both really need this so much..and the trials that have faced my family this past week have made me realize How much I need to draw strength from the Lord..I am so tired.

Cristina

SURRENDING TO GOD

When we surrender to God, we are are saying that what we "own" actually belongs to Him. By surrendering to God, we are saying, "He is in control of our every move."
We can not do it on our own.


Romans 8:7-8 "For this reason the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God's law; indeed it cannot, and those who are in the flesh cannot please God."

Every Christian faces two very deadly enemies each and every day. The first enemy is our carnal nature and the second enemy is the devil. Every day our carnal nature is a self resurrecting monster which begs for attention. And the devil knows this. Our carnal nature demands to be first and the devil preys on this. And this happens each and every day of our lives. That is why Paul said he had to put his carnal nature to death every single day.1 Corinthians 15:31, "I die every day." We can only do this by surrending to Christ.

1 John 1:5. "God is light, and there is no darkness at all when in union with him."

Psalms 85:13 "Righteousness will go before the Lord, and he will make a path for my steps."

I surrender all

Spurgeon, "Weak Hands and Feeble Knees"

Bring all you have and give it
entirely unto God, and say,
"There, Lord, I surrender all to you;
do with me as you will;
take away from me what you will;
give me what you please;
or withhold what you choose.
I leave all in your hand;
I can trust you entirely;
I know you will make no mistake;
I know you will not treat me harshly;
I leave all to you;
without word, or thought, or wish,
I surrender all."


Christians who love and obey the Lord will be led to the joyous certainty that, "If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him."
For those that fully surrender, verses like Psalms 143:10 become very important. "Teach me to do Your will, For You are my God.

Isaiah 41:10 “Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”

Isaiah 41:13 "For I, the Lord your God, am grasping your right hand. I am the one saying to you, Do not be afraid for I myself will help you."

Andrew Murray quoted in his book "Absolute Surrender" ...separate from the world; we are called to come out from the world that hates God. Come out for God... given up... by divine grace... acknowledge that you have grieved the Holy Spirit by your self-will, self-confidence, and self-effort. Bow humbly before Him in the confession of that, and ask him to break the heart and to bring you into the dust before Him. Then, as you bow before Him, just accept God's teaching that in your flesh "there dwelleth no good thing," and that nothing will help you except another life which must come in. You must deny self once for all. Denying...Isn't that the truth..

John 5:30,states, "I can do nothing on my own".

Romans 6:13 Nor must you surrender any part of yourselves to sin to be used for wicked purposes. Instead, give yourselves to God and surrender your whole being to him to be used for righteous purposes

...humble ourselves. ...There is deliverance. ...death was the path to glory for Christ... --death to self, and fellowship with Christ

Cristina

JUST A LITTLE HUMOR

THE PAINTER

There was a painter named Wayne who was very interested in making a penny where he could, so he often thinned down his paint to make it go a wee bit further.

As it happened, he got away with this for some time, but eventually the Baptist Church decided to do a big restoration job on one of their biggest buildings.

Wayne put in a bid, and, because his price was so low, he got the job.

So he set about erecting the scaffolding and setting up the planks, and buying the paint and, yes, I am sorry to say, thinning it down with turpentine.


Well, Wayne was up on the scaffolding, painting away, the job nearly completed, when suddenly there was a horrendous clap of thunder, the sky opened, and the rain poured down washing the thinned paint from all over the church and knocking Wayne clear off the scaffold to land on the lawn among the gravestones, surrounded by telltale puddles of the thinned and useless paint.



Wayne was no fool. He knew this was a judgment from the Almighty, so he got down on his knees and cried:

"Oh, God, forgive me; what should I do?"



And from the thunder, a mighty voice spoke...



(you're going to love this)



"Repaint! Repaint! And thin no more!"


Cristina

DO YOU SEE A DIFFERENCE?

John Angell James (June 6, 1785 - October 1, 1859) wrote this.I look at the church today and think, this is what is needed to be heard, today.

"For I have given you an example that you also should
do just as I have done for you." (John 13:15)

It has long been my conviction, that there is a great
deficiency in evangelical churches--of the practical
enforcement of Christian duties in detail; especially of
what may be emphatically called the Christian virtues
--the passive graces of the Christian character, the
exercise of brotherly kindness and love.

It is not so acceptable to have all the special and difficult
duties of the Christian's life, or man's conduct to his fellows,
set clearly before the understanding and enforced upon the
conscience. Men do not like to be followed through all the
labyrinths of the heart's deceitfulness, beaten out of every
refuge of lies, and made to feel the obligation to love where
they are inclined to hate; and to forgive where they desire
to revenge.

And we ministers pander too much to this taste. The pulpit
has not done its duty. We have preached to the intellect, to
the imagination, and to the taste--but not enough to the
heart and to the conscience. In our endeavor to please, we
have not been sufficiently intent upon the greater object--to
profit. We have not preached justification too much--but
sanctification too little. We have urged faith--but not love. We
have descanted upon the evil of licentiousness, and falsehood,
and dishonesty, and covetousness--but have said far, far
too little about malice and bitterness. We have urged men to
zeal and liberality--but not enough to humility, forbearance,
and forgiveness. We have rightly led men to view the cross of
Christ--but we have not sufficiently urged them to take up their
own cross. We have properly entreated them to view Jesus as
their Righteousness--but not sufficiently as their Example.

O, Christians . . .
study that wondrous character,
contemplate that illustrious pattern,
dwell upon that beautiful model,
until the frosty incrustations of your cold, hard
heart have all melted, like icicles before the sun!
How wonderful and how ennobling is the conception, and what an ambition should it raise in the mind of the Christian, to consider and say, "Men may see something of God in me!" Yes, we
can teach them what God is, as to His moral character, and let them see in 'our merciful disposition' a ray of the infinite sun of His own glory.

These sweet relentings of our nature, these soft and genial currents of our soul, these effusions of love--these, we can remind them, are but the overflowings of His goodness, His own love, into our hearts, and the reflection of His infinite mercy to us.

"The one who says he abides in Him should walk
just as He walked." (1 John 2:6)

"Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example,
so that you should follow in His steps." (1 Peter 2:21)

HOPELESSNESS WITHOUT CHRIST

There is so much pain throughout the world and hopelessness-without Christ.When I open up the Newspaper or go to the New's Site on the internet, all I see is hopelesness. Wars, Famine, Murder, Forest Fires, Floods, Earth Quakes etc.

There are so many folks wondering why is this happening? What am I going to do if it happens to me? Who is going to help me? Christ is the only answer, in HIm we will find comfort and safety, only in HIM will we not feel all alone, Only in HIM will we find Eternity.

There is so much happening all around us, so many folks suffering and are in need of Hope....only found in Christ.

Psalm 46:1, "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble."

When darkness veils His lovely face, I rest on His unchanging grace.
In every high and stormy gale, my anchor holds within the veil.
His oath, His covenant, and blood, support me in the whelming flood.
When every earthly prop gives way, He then is all my Hope and Stay.
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand; all other ground is sinking sand.

My heart broke watching this clip, there are so many hurting people...


Cristina

I was thinking of doing a Post on self-reliance and the effect it has on a believer, when I came across this and thought how appropriate....I encourage you to read this, it is very, very good.

Disappointment With God

Many church people seem to be saying with their actions what they would never admit with their mouths. Even the expressions on their faces suggest that they are unhappy and bored. Their behavior makes it difficult to believe that their faith gives them any real satisfaction. How can others be expected to trust a God who hasn't lived up to the expectations of His followers? One answer offered by the Bible is that some who claim to be followers of Christ are not authentic. For a while they look genuine. But they are not (Matthew 7:21-23; 13:24-30; 1 John 2:18-19). The infiltration of impostors, however, is not the whole story. The Bible does not hide the fact that real people of faith also have been disappointed with God. Both Old and New Testaments give examples of people who were distraught and even angry with God because He allowed them to suffer circumstances they expected Him to protect them from (Numbers 14:1-4; Psalm 73 ).

Distraction

Under pressure, and even in times of prosperity, real Christians can be distracted from the confidence that their ultimate well-being doesn't lie in the hands of other people or circumstances. Because of ever-present diversions and distractions, the Bible urges the people of God to renew their minds continually by remembering what God has done for them (Romans 12:1-2). The Scriptures urge believers to keep their hope and faith alive by stirring up the memories of what they already know (see 2 Peter 1:1-15). The reason is clear. A lack of basic Christian behavior can often be attributed to a critical lapse of memory (Deuteronomy 6:10-12).

Dangerous Relationships

Jesus was known by the company He kept. He ate and drank with people other religious leaders wouldn't think of associating with. But Jesus did not eat and drink with such people because He was attracted to their way of life. He did it to be the best friend a sinner ever had. With the wrong motives, the relationships He cultivated would have been dangerous. Without His strong and loving purposes, the accusation that He was a "friend of sinners" would have been more damaging. His own apostle Paul would later write, "Do not be misled: 'Bad company corrupts good character.' Come back to your senses as you ought, and stop sinning" ( 1 Corinthians 15:33-34 NIV ). Even the wise King Solomon paid dearly for such forbidden relationships ( 1 Kings 11:1-13). The resulting confusion caused him to act like someone who had never known God ( Ecclesiastes 1-12).

Unchanged Tendencies

Genuine Christians have made decisions of faith that signal a change of direction in their thinking about God and themselves, but they have not overcome their struggle with self-centeredness. Neither are they morally superior to non-Christians. Their capacity to be self-centered remains unchanged (Romans 7:14-25). The downward pull of desire remains as predictable as the law of gravity. When real Christians stop living under the influence of the Spirit and the Word of God (Galatians 5:16-26), it becomes as natural for them to revert to self-interest as for a kite to drift slowly to earth when the wind stops blowing.

Self-Reliance

The God of the Bible asks His people to trust Him on His terms rather than their own. He urges them not to rely on their own understanding but to use their best judgment and sense of reason to rely on Him. He invites His children to let Him live His life through them. Those who forget this principle of God-dependence fail in practice to distinguish themselves as genuine Christians. Even the original disciples of Christ learned about the danger of self-reliance the hard way. On the night of Jesus' arrest, one of His closest followers, a tough-minded fisherman named Peter, announced that he was ready to follow his teacher to prison or to death (Luke 22:33). But within a few hours, he found himself denying repeatedly that he even knew the man from Galilee.

Prayerlessness

His mistaken confidence was recorded for our warninLook-alikes have a reputation for being hypocritical in their prayers (Matthew 6:5-8). People of genuine faith use prayer, not as a means of impressing others but as an honest means of giving thanks, confessing sins, and asking for direction and help. They know that prayerfulness is not optional for anyone who wants to develop a personal relationship with God. When followers of Christ do not show their dependence in prayer, they can end up acting like anyone else (James 4:1-6). Jesus warned His disciples about this likelihood on the night of His arrest. Pausing from His own struggle in prayer, He urged, "Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak" (Matthew 26:41). They didn't understand. They slept instead of praying, and within a few hours all had abandoned Him.

Carelessness

King David was a man of authentic faith. By his love for the law of God, he distinguished himself as someone committed to avoiding moral and spiritual failure (Psalms 1; 119:11). The Bible itself acknowledges that he was a man after God's own heart (Acts 13:22). His record of spiritual accomplishments, however, did not keep David from becoming an adulterer and murderer. One night, as others fought his battles, and as he stood in apparent security on his own palace rooftop, David used the power of his office to pursue another man's wife. In an unguarded moment, David discovered the meaning of the statement, "Let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall" (1 Corinthians 10:12).

An Unexamined Heart

As a teacher of the heart, Jesus reminded us that unexamined motives can result in complicated forms of self-deception. Many years earlier, the prophet Jeremiah acknowledged the dangers of "inner darkness" when he wrote, "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it?" (Jeremiah 17:9). Modern psychology has confirmed our tendency to avoid emotional pain through subtle forms of transference and denial. It has documented habits of the heart by which we attempt to blunt the pain of real or false guilt. Psychology, however, cannot change the heart. We all have reason to join King David in his prayer: "Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my anxieties; and see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting" (Psalms 139:23-24).

An Unseen Enemy

The people of Christ have a spiritual enemy who is attempting to confuse them and neutralize their impact. This adversary is fighting a war of attrition. There are many casualties. Countless numbers of real Christians are rendered ineffective by one who is far more subtle and clever than they think. While he can't make Christians sin, he and his demons are constantly looking for weaknesses that give him an inroad into the lives of genuine believers (Ephesians 4:27; 6:10-20). Like a predatory animal, he looks for vulnerable prey (1 Peter 5:8).

A Lack Of Accountability

People don't develop into spiritually mature persons by doing what comes naturally. Neither do they grow in Christlikeness by being left to themselves. Even the strongest Christians were never meant to go it alone. Jesus taught His disciples not just to make converts, but to train them thoroughly in His ways (Matthew 28:19-20). A few years later, the apostle Paul likened followers of Christ to a human body where all members are dependent on one another (1 Corinthians 12). While many in our day have developed a spirit of independence, such an attitude does not reflect the original intent of Christ for His church. He made it clear that He calls people not only to Himself, but also to one another.

You're Not Alone

You're not alone if you doubt the genuineness of church people who do not act like followers of Christ. Keep in mind, however, that it's wrong to assume that people who claim to be Christians aren't authentic just because their current behavior doesn't measure up to their claims.
The good news is that God saves people by grace (undeserved kindness) on the sole condition of faith in His Son (Ephesians 2:8-10). While there is never a good excuse for any genuine Christian to live in sin, the fact that God saves people who sin against Him both before and after they believe in His Son is good news for all. If God can save people like this, He can save us as well. He offers forgiveness and eternal life to all who will acknowledge how wrong they have been to live independently of Him. He offers heaven to all who will believe that Christ died for their sins, and that He rose from the dead to live His life through anyone who believes (Romans 4:5).

RBC Ministries

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CANADA

Many Canadians do not know the whole song

of "O Canada"

It is so beautiful!

O Canada! Our home and native land!
True patriot love in all thy sons command.
With glowing hearts we see thee rise,
The True North, strong and free!
From far and wide,
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
God keep our land glorious and free!
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.


O Canada, glorious and free!
We stand on guard, we stand on guard for thee.
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee!
O Canada! Where pines and maples grow.
Great prairies spread and lordly rivers flow.
How dear to us thy broad domain,
From East to Western Sea,
Thou land of hope for all who toil!
Thou True North, strong and free!


O Canada, glorious and free!
We stand on guard, we stand on guard for thee.
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee!
O Canada! Beneath thy shining skies
May stalwart sons and gentle maidens rise,
To keep thee steadfast through the years
From East to Western Sea,
Our own beloved native land!
Our True North, strong and free!


O Canada, glorious and free!
We stand on guard, we stand on guard for thee.
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee!
Ruler supreme, who hearest humble prayer,
Hold our dominion within thy loving care;
Help us to find, O God, in thee
A lasting, rich reward,
As waiting for the Better Day,
We ever stand on guard.


O Canada, glorious and free!
We stand on guard, we stand on guard for thee.
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee!

Cristina

IN THE STORM

"Before I was afflicted I went astray,
but now I obey Your word." Psalm 119:67

In Scripture, the afflictions of believers are represented as . . .
appointed,
numerous,
transient,
and when sanctified, beneficial.

Afflictions . . .
wean from the world;
work submission;
produce humility;
excite to diligence;
stir up to prayer;
conform us to the divine image.

To bear afflictions with patience, we should consider . . .
our own unworthiness;
the design of God in sending them;
the promises of support under them;
the real good they are productive of.

The afflictions of a believer never come without
a cause, nor are sent but upon a divine errand.

Let us, therefore, quietly submit to God's Providence.

Let us conceive this life to be the winter of our existence.
Now the rains must fall, and the winds must roar around us;
but, sheltering ourselves under Him who is the "shelter from
the tempest," let us wait with patience until the storms of
life shall terminate in an everlasting calm.


"In faithfulness You have afflicted me." Psalm 119:75

Charles Buck

We can always find strength in the Storms!

Psalm 28:7 The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him. (KJV)
Cristina

ONE OF THE MANY ROADS TO DESTUCTION

The Roman Catholic Church is leading many, many folks down the path of destruction. It has its idol worshipping, Its works idology, it Sacraments and so much more. It is a church that is growing quickly , and many folks are steeped in their Catholic traditions. I find when talking to a Catholic , they put up a thick wall when you try to share the true gospel with them. If we are not prepared to answer their questions, we don't have much hope of them hearing the gospel from us. Many are brought up in Catholic families, and they taught from a very young age what dogma the Catholic Church teaches. God wants us to study His word so that when confronted with the lost we are ready to answer the questions they are asking. The Catholic Church has probably led more folks to hell then most religions.

C. H. Spurgeon says it very bluntly here.....

Give no glory to this rubbish!

Alas! alas! It makes a Christian's blood boil to see
glory given to a pack of scamps who call themselves
priests!

Does it not make a man feel, when you see pictures
of 'his holiness' and the cardinals, and so on, scattering
their benedictions at the Vatican, or at St. Peter's, while
admiring crowds fall down and worship them, that it were
infinitely better to bow to the devil himself?

We give glory unto God, but not a particle of glory to
anything in the shape of a man, or an angel either.

Have I not stood and seen the crowds by hundreds fall
down and worship images and dressed up dolls? I have
seen them worship bones and old teeth; I have seen
them worship a skeleton, dressed out in modern costume
said to be the skeleton of a saint.

I have marveled to see people so infatuated as to think
that such idolatry was pleasing to the most high God.

We, brethren, the people of God, who know Christ, can give
no glory to this rubbish, but turn away from it with horror!

Our glory must be given to Christ, and to Christ alone!

Christ and Christ only must be the grand object of the
Christian; the promotion of His glory must be that for
which he is willing to live, and for which, if needs be,
he would be prepared to die.

Oh! down, down, down, with everything else--but up,
up, up, with the cross of Christ!

Down with your baptism, and your masses, and your
sacraments! Down with your priest-craft, and your rituals,
and your liturgies! Down with your fine music, and your
pomp, and your robes, and your garments, and all your
ceremonials!

But up, up, up, with the doctrine of the naked cross,
and the expiring Savior!

C.H. Spurgeon

THERE IS NOTHING......

"There is nothing -- No circumstance, No trouble, No testing that can ever touch me until, first of all, it has gone past God and past Christ. Right through to me if it has come that far. It has come with great purpose, which I may not understand at the moment - but as I refuse to panic, as I lift my eyes up to Him and accept it as come from His throne for some great blessing of purpose of blessing to my heart. No sorrow will disturb me, no trial will ever disarm me, no circumstance will cause me to fret, for I shall rest in the Joy of what my Lord is - that is the rest of Victory." Unknown - on I Cor 15:57

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY

The Man on the Shore

Walking around a small lake, I watched the butterflies flutter before my eyes. I smelled the clean air and sat down on the roots of a grand old tree. The roots of this tree had "popped" out of the ground just like the veins in my hands had "popped" out from old age. Off in the distance, I could hear two voices. The first voice was gruff, much like my own, speaking pleasant words in an overtone that would have frightened away most creatures of the lakeshore. The other voice, small and timid, was incessantly inquiring about the rhyme, reason and reality of everything in the lake. To get a better look, I moved closer to where the water met the land and saw two people in a small boat out on the lake. It was a father and his child, with fishing poles hanging over the sunny side of the boat. The child looked very sad, because no fish had taken his bait all day. Of course, the young, ever-questioning voice was asking why the fish did not like THESE worms. The father said, as gently as he could, that the fish are picky, very much like some children are picky about eating all of their green veggies. I could still hear the father's voice, straining in the pain and frustration of not being able to help his child catch a fish.

Taking pity on the father's predicament, I yelled over to the people in the boat, "Throw your lines over the shadowy side of the boat, under the shade of the tree." I thought I heard the child ask why there was an old man on the shore that they had not seen before, but the father was too busy dropping his line in the water on the shadowy side of the boat. Only a few minutes after their hooks hit the water, the father began feeling a tug on his pole, and exclaimed, "Looks like it's going to be a big one!" He handed the pole to the child and guided him through the motions of catching the fish successfully. I watched as they pulled the large fish out of the water and put it in a net. The child smiled gleefully at his fish, the one for which he had been waiting all day. The father and his son then looked for me, to express their thanks, but I was already walking in the brush surrounding the water, out of their view. I could see their smiles from a distance as they rowed the boat into the dock. I remember the "old" days of taking my own son to the lake, teaching him how the fish moved and why they sometimes did not like the worms. I remember teaching him that it is not always up to the worms; sometimes the fishermen just need to know where to drop their lines.

Jesus, when He lived on earth, guided His associates, (John 21:1-14) much like the man on the shore guided the father and his child in the above parable . Today, Christ stands at the shores of our lives and asks the fathers and their children, "How's the fishing? Any luck? Are you catching the worthwhile abundant life I intended you to have when I created you?" Christ stands ready to show us where to "drop our lines" and how to find joy in our lives through the guidance of His Word and local congregations. What a difference it makes! Fathers, to experience the joy of Christ's leadership, keep looking for the guidance of "the Man on the shore." He stands ready to give you direction that can bring awesome results and joy to both you and your children. Our love and best regards to you this Father's Day.

DOES THE WORLD HATE YOU?

The world hates John MacArthur…
Keith Olbermann from a show called Countdown called John MacArthur the second “Worst Person of the World” on his June 8th show. Why? Because he said God would be just for destroying an entire city in America. Olbermann’s response? “Just let God speak for himself, pal.”

OLBERMANN said “Pastor John MacArthur of Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California, whose sermon, broadcast by those fine, tolerant folks who work for the Father Coughlin of the 21st century, James Dobson, says that because America has, quote, “illicit sex, adultery, every form or immorality”, and, quote, “you know a society has been abandoned by God when it celebrates lesbian sex,” therefore, quote, “God would be just in any calamity that he brought on us”, including, quote, “the destruction of an entire city.”


"Then you have Rick Warren, from the book "The Purpose Driven Life" The world loves Rick warren….He is so popular in the world and in the church. He preaches a message that draws the seeker friendly folks. In The Purpose-Driven Life book He writes, "We obey God, not out of duty or fear or compulsion, but because we love him and trust that he knows what is best for us. "So we do not fear God?

Who, in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications, with vehement cries and tears to Him who was able to save Him from death, and was heard because of His godly fear. (Hebrews 5:7)

Let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. For our God is a consuming fire. (Hebrews 12:28-29)

Rick Warren makes the gospel look like everything is so simple. Everyone that enjoys his books lift him up high, that includes the lost and the saved. They love what he represents.

So you have a man like Mr. MacAruthur that the world hates, and you have man like Mr. Warren who the world seem to love, whowould you say was following the Word of God?

Jesus said, John 15:18, "If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you."

" Mt 28:19 , "If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you."

Mr. MacArthur is not a perfect man, but he is a man that will preach all of the gospel even if it offends people because he know truth offends.

Mr Warren does not preach the true gospel at all, at least not according to the Bible. He preaches what folks want to hear, "Seeker friendly" messages. He knows that the truth offends, so he thinks, why offend people? Hmmmmm

I would like you all to meet my Grand daughter
Jessica. She is one my greatest joys!

Cristina

WHAT AWAITS US

When we loose a loved one that is a brother or a
sister in the Lord .... these are some comforting
words to meditate on

"TODAY you shall be with Me in paradise." Luke 23:43
The same moment in which I close my eyes on a
world of sin and suffering, I open them in glory!

The gate of death, and the gate of glory, are one!

The uncaged spirit will all at once fly upwards
to nestle in the golden eaves of Heaven!

Let me look forward, then, with bounding heart,
to the hour of death, as the hour of my entrance
into endless bliss; the birthday of eternity!

Oh, if there was "joy in heaven among the angels
of God" at the hour of conversion, what will it be
at the hour of glorification!

If God the Father even on earth has joy in seeing
His returning prodigal; what will it be when He
welcomes him to his everlasting home!

"He will rejoice over him with joy; He will rest in
His love; He will rejoice over him with singing!"
(Zeph. 3:17.)
The Redeemer utters His intercessory prayer over
the death bed on earth, "Father, I will that this
one whom you have given Me be with Me where
I am, to behold My glory."

The prayer is heard; the angels are sent down;
and,swift as lightning leaps from the cloud,
THAT HOUR,and forever,he is "with Jesus in paradise!"

"TODAY you shall be with Me in paradise."

-John McDuff

ABOVE ALL

I woke up at 4 this morning and I found this on "You Tube" and as I listened to it I thought to myself, HE took the fall for me. I am so unworthy of such love. Even now as a Christian I can be such a disappointment. I do not always walk a perfect walk yet HE died for me, even now when I fail HIM. I am sit here with tears in my eyes and a humbled heart thinking there is no greater love then the love of Christ.
I do not deserve such love.

Some songs just say it all......


Above all powers
Above all kings
Above all nature
And all created things
Above all wisdom
And all the ways of man
You were here
Before the world began

Above all kingdoms
Above all thrones
Above all wonders
The world has ever known
Above all wealth
And treasures of the earth
There's no way to measure
What You're worth

Crucified
Laid behind the stone
You lived to die
Rejected and alone
Like a rose
Trampled on the ground
You took the fall
And thought of me
Above all

Above all powers
Above all kings
Above all nature
And all created things
Above all wisdom
And all the ways of man
You were here
Before the world began

Above all kingdoms
Above all thrones
Above all wonders
The world has ever known
Above all wealth
And treasures of the earth
There's no way to measure
What You're worth

Crucified
Laid behind the stone
You lived to die
Rejected and alone
Like a rose
Trampled on the ground
You took the fall
And thought of me
Above all

Crucified
Laid behind the stone
You lived to die
Rejected and alone
Like a rose
Trampled on the ground
You took the fall
And thought of me
Above all
Like the rose
Trampled on the ground
You took the fall
And thought of me
Above all
You took the fall
And thought of me
Above all

LOVE THAT WILL NOT LET GO

Love That Will Not Let Me Go

1. O Love that will not let me go,
I rest my weary soul in thee;
I give thee back the life I owe,
That in thine ocean depths its flow
May richer, fuller be.

2. O light that followest all my way,
I yield my flickering torch to thee;
My heart restores its borrowed ray,
That in thy sunshine’s blaze its day
May brighter, fairer be.

3. O Joy that seekest me through pain,
I cannot close my heart to thee;
I trace the rainbow through the rain,
And feel the promise is not vain,
That morn shall tearless be.

4. O Cross that liftest up my head,
I dare not ask to fly from thee;
I lay in dust life’s glory dead,
And from the ground there blossoms red
Life that shall endless be.

George Matheson(1842-1906)

http://www.igracemusic.com/hymnbook/authors/george_matheson.html

This my husbands favorite Hymn. It is so beautiful.

Cristina

AT THE CROSS

I think we should always remind one another about what He did on the cross for us....

"For God bought you with a high price."
1 Cor. 6:20

Refresh in your souls a sense of the fact
that you are "bought with a high price."

There in the midnight hour, amid the olives ofGethsemane, kneels Immanuel the Son of God;he groans, he pleads in prayer, he wrestles.See the beady drops stand on his brow, dropsof sweat, but not of such sweat as pours from men when they earn the bread of life, but the sweat of him who is procuring life itself for us.It is blood! It is crimson blood! Great gouts of it are falling to the ground! O soul, your Savior
speaks to you from out Gethsemane at this hour, and he says: "Here and thus I bought you with a price." Come, stand and view him in the agony of the olive garden, and understand at what a cost he procured your deliverance.

Track him in all his path of shame and sorrow until you see him at Gabbatha. Mark how they bind his hands and fasten him to the whipping-post. See, they bring the scourges and the cruel Roman whips; they tear his flesh; the ploughers make deep furrows on his blessed body, and the blood gushes forth in streams, while rivulets from his temples, where the crown of thorns has pierced them, join to swell the
purple stream. From beneath the scourges he speaks to you with accents soft and low, and he says, "My child, it is here and thus I bought you with a price."

But see him on the cross itself when the consummation of all has come. His hands and feet are fountains of blood, his soul is full of anguish even to heartbreak; and there, before the soldier pierces with a spear his side, bowing down he whispers to you and to me, "It was here and thus, I bought you with a high price."

O by Gethsemane, by Gabbatha, by Golgotha, by every sacred name collected with the passion of our Lord; by sponge and vinegar, and nail and spear, and everything that enlarged the pain and increased the anguish of his death, I implore you, my beloved
brethren, to remember that you were "bought with a high price," and "are not your own."

C. H. Spurgeon

I'VE BEEN TAGGED

Literary MeMe

How it works:
1.grab the book closest to you
2.open it to page 161
3.find the fifth full sentence
4.post the title of the book and the author's name
5.post the text of the sentence to your blog
6.don't search around for the coolest book you have, use the one that is really next to you
7.tag five people to do this meme

"If the Resurection never happened, what power or experience transformed that small band of terrified disciples into men and women who were willing to suffer torture and horrible deaths because of their refusal to renounce the Resurrection?"

The Author's name is Ronald H. Nash.
The title of the book is WORLD VIEWS IN CONFLICT
(Choosing Christianity in a World of Ideas)

I will tag

Beverly
http://highcalling.blogspot.com/
and
Connie
http://connies-thoughts.blogspot.com/

Cristina

HOPE

Rejoice in the hope of that glory to be revealed, for it is no uncertain glory that we look for. Our hope is not hung upon such an untwisted thread as, "I imagine so," or "It is likely," but the cable, the strong tow of our fastened anchor, is the oath and promise of Him who is eternal verity. Our salvation is fastened with God's own hand, and with Christ's own strength, to the strong stake of God's unchangeable nature. Samuel Rutherford

I always wonder what hope someone has without Christ in their lives? A lot of the times when problems seep into the lives the of lost, they will resort to prayer, I know I did when I was not saved. Even though I did pray I still remember feeling at some sort of loss. I remember the only time I really reached out to God, is when I was down and out and when things turned around I felt it was God that fixed those problems. I know the bible teaches that God does not hear the prayers of the lost but I know He uses certain things or certain people in our lives to draw us to Him. I just know one thing is that that before I was saved there was a feeling of hopelessness in me. . When the Lord drew me and I was saved life seemed so much different. I had hope, I had someone that I could go to anytime and I know He listens to my pain and hurts and shared in my joy. My Father, My Teacher, My Lord loves me like no one else will love me. He knows me for who I am and still loves me. He is slowly molding me into His image.

"Cast your burden upon the Lord, and He shall sustain you." Psalm 55:22.

Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up. -- Ps. 71:20

"Child of My Love! Lean hard! Let Me feel the pressure of your care. I know your burden, child! I shaped it- I poised it in My own hand and made no proportion of its weight to your unaided strength. For even as I laid it on, I said I shall be near, and while she leans on Me, this burden shall be Mine, not hers. So shall I keep My child within the circling arms of My own love. Here lay it down! Do not fear to impose it on a shoulder which upholds the government of worlds! Yet closer come! You are not near enough! I would embrace your burden, so I might feel My child reposing on My breast. You love Me! I know it. Doubt not, then. But, loving me, lean hard!"

"I could never myself believe in God if it were not for the cross......In the real world of pain, how could one worship a God who was immune to it? I have entered many Buddhist temples in different Asian countries and stood respectfully before the statute of Buddha - - his legs crossed, arms folded, eyes closed, the ghost of a smile playing round his mouth, a remote look on his face, detached from the agony of the world. But each time, after awhile, I have had to turn away. And in imagination, I have turned instead to that lonely, twisted, tortured figure on the cross -- nails through his hands and feet, back lacerated, limbs wrenched, brow bleeding from thorn pricks, mouth dry and intolerably thirsty, plunged in God-forsaken darkness. That is the God for me ! He laid aside his immunity to pain. He entered our world of flesh and blood, tears and death. He suffered for us. Our sufferings become more manageable in light of his. There is still a question mark against human suffering, but over it we boldly stamp another mark, the cross, which symbolizes divine suffering. The cross of Christ is God's only self justification in such a world as ours." John Stott

I am so thankful I have eternal hope, thanks to what Christ accomplished on the cross for us.

"And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain." Revelation 21:4

Cristina