Who Was Your God During Christmas
Today is the day after Christmas, a day recognized and celebrated as the birthday of Jesus.
I have two thoughts regarding this day.
1. Nowhere in the gospel, acts, or the New Testament does Jesus or the disciples celebrate his or their birthday. So who's idea was this? Jesus said, if you want to come after me, then deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow me. If we are doing this or at least, seeking his face, then why do we celebrate his birth, when he did no such thing, neither did the disciples.
2. On the day that many accredit to the celebration of Jesus' birth, where did Santa Claus come from. The common practice is to tell our children that Santa Claus knows if they've been good or bad and if you're bad, then won't get any presents. But if your children are good, then Santa will bring them lots of presents. This is one great big lie.
How is God glorified in this. He isn't, this is a pagan holiday. You use his name to justify fulfilling your own desires. You're salvation doesn't give you the authority to take a pagan holiday and make it Christian. Simply put, you can't cover an apple with an orange peel and expect the apple to be an orange.
The celebration of birthdays is not a Godly thing, because it's the celebration of self, not God.
God bless.
Judged By What You Say
God's word says we curse and bless with our mouth and this shouldn't be. In Matthew it says on judgment day we'll give an account of every idle word we speak. It also says we'll be justified and condemned by our words.
The Word Web dictionary defines the word idle as;
a. silly or trivial - "light idle chatter"
b. lacking a sense of restraint or responsibility - "idle talk"
With the definition in mind, think about all the words you've spoken and what it will cost you on judgment day and what it's costing you today. You also need to think about what it's costing those you've cursed, it doesn't matter if you meant to or not. Kingdom principles exist whether you know them, follow them or not. They're like gravity in that, it doesn't matter if an infant or an adult steps off of a cliff they'll both fall. Now the infant doesn't understand gravity, but he'll still fall, just like an adult who understands.
So often we, God's children, curse ourselves and others without realizing it. Most in the church aren't aware of the evil spirits that attack us. Some believe Christ's first coming replaced the need for spiritual gifts and truths, not realizing that it was Christ who told us of the Holy Spirit, sent by God to indwell us and give us power.
The thoughts in our minds are not originally ours, the source of our thoughts are God, the evil spirits, and our carnal nature.In actuality, thoughts that come from our carnal nature, are thoughts from our past, which mean they originated either from God or the evil spirits.
Ok, that being said, we need to rebuke the evil thoughts in our mind, because what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart and this defiles a person. It's important that we start walking in the authority that God gave us.
Simple Obedience
We are always tempted by the enemy, God turns these temptations into tests. As hard and difficult as they sometimes are, we must always put God first. We say, to God be the glory, this should be our way of life, not just some cute little thing we say. God's glory is EVERYTHING and is what we should be seeking, ALWAYS. We are the hands and feet of the Lord, everything He does own earth, He does in and through us. There are many different parts of the body, yet only one body. Each part of the body compliments the other and when operating in unity, works like a well oiled machine, actually, like a body. When one part of the body hurts, the rest feel it, when one part of the body makes a mistake, the rest suffers. Our goal should be, to do what He says. If something drastic happens, though the rest of the body feels it and suffers from it, they must keep doing there part or else the body will stop. For example: If someone breaks a finger, the hand will feel it and be tender, the other fingers will feel it and be cautious, but they must keep doing their part.
We are children of God, when one of us falls or suffers an attack, the rest will feel the pain and suffer loss, but we must keep going. Many will pray and some will intercede, because it's their calling, it's their job. The other parts of the body can't take a day off, because one got hurt. This is simple obedience, to do what God says. This is an elementary doctrine, to obey God.
This is what I want, simple obedience. I want to do what God says, always. I don't care about some great calling or gift. I want God to use me how He will, when He will. I want to be someone God can count on. When He tells me to do something, be it great or small, I want to be one who will do it. I want to obey God. I believe I have some obedience, though, I'm far from where I want to be and where, I believe, He wants me to be.. I'm trusting God to bring to the place He wants me and it'll be by His power, not mine.
I pray God will bring us all to the place, where our desires are simple and selfless, they are to obey God and everything He says. Amen.
God bless
Casting Crowns Shining the Light of Jesus in North Korea
This article is a reprint from Breaking Christian News
by Aimee Herd : Jun 11, 2009 : Gary Lane – CBN News
http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2009/June/Casting-Crowns-Casting-Nets-in-North-Korea/
"I knew I wasn't going to preach sermons, and I knew I wouldn't be able to share openly about my faith, but you don't necessarily preach to empty tummies. You fill tummies, and you show the love of Jesus through what you do. And after that comes those opportunities."
One of the most popular Christian bands today is Casting Crowns. Recently, CBN News caught up with frontman Mark Hall, to talk about his recent trips into North Korea, where the band was invited to perform.
The invitation came through the NGO Global Resource Services (GRS), which works inside the country helping with food distribution, agriculture, children and families.
Casting Crowns in North KoreaAccording to Hall, every other year the Friendship Arts Festival is held in Pyongyang where artists from around the world are invited to perform—not normally from America. But God "opened the doors" for Casting Crowns to not only go, but to perform their songs each containing a strong Christian message. (Photo: CBN News)
Hall said, "They had our lyrics, they had our music—if you've listened to our songs [the Christianity] is not exactly hidden—and they invited us anyway."
Hall talked about how he feels about North Korea in light of recent events including multiple missile launches and the recent arrest of two US journalists.
"For me, my prayers are really more about the people," he explained. "I've gotten asked questions like, 'How could you go to a country where all these terrible things are happening?' And all I could think was, 'How could you not go…?' It's one thing to be over here and be angry about it; it's another thing to go over with a group that's actually doing something about it.
"I knew I wasn't going to preach sermons, and I knew I wouldn't be able to share openly about my faith, but you don't necessarily preach to empty tummies. You fill tummies, and you show the love of Jesus through what you do. And after that comes those opportunities."
Mark Hall of Casting CrownsWhen asked if in preparation to going over to North Korea, the Lord spoke anything to his heart about the country, Hall replied, "Many times. When you first get there, there's a hopelessness…it's hard to describe. But we were on the 33rd, 34th floor of our hotel, and the sun was setting… I was looking out the window. I was leaning out the window, praying over the city. Every light I saw inside a building was a family—it wasn't this dark, ominous country—these were people who need Jesus. (Photo: CBN News)
"It really fills your heart, and at first you feel helpless; like you can't do anything. But, being a Believer, and knowing how big God is, I just know that I'm doing my part and I'm doing what God's called me to do. That's all we can do. We lay our burdens at His feet, and we do what we're gifted to do—what our calling is. I'm praying that God does a major work there, and I'm glad we got to be part of it."
We Must Pray For Our Leaders
Acts 23:5 And Paul said, “I did not know, brothers, that he was the high priest, for it is written, ‘You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.’ ESV
I opened up my Bible to read, to learn and to be cleansed. Not knowing what to read, I remembered a brother speaking on something from Acts 23 the other night. So, I chose to read that chapter and let the Lord teach me what He will.
To begin with, let inform you that what Paul said, he quoted from Exodus 22:28 which says,
“You shall not revile gods, nor curse a ruler of your people. ESV
The KJV says gods, but the ESV, my latest version of choice, says God. The word used is Elohim H430 means God and gods, it also means judges, angels and occasionally applied by way of deference to magistrates and sometimes as a superlative. I believe it is in reference to a human and not a god, whether false or True.
So, my reason for writing is the revelation God gave me in reading that verse. It says, "You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people."I realized how popular making fun of Obama is and thanks be to God, I now know, that this is not part of His plan for me or you.We're told to pray for our leaders in1 Timothy 2:1-4
1 First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people,
2 for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.
3 This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior,
4 who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. ESV
How many people in the church do you think pray for Obama or others in gov or govs of other countries, not many I'm sure. This is the reason our country and world are in such a bad state. Lack of prayer gives the enemy ground to do what he wants and so he has. We grumble and complain, because we don't always get what we want and we're told to do more than we desire . We are told not to grumble and complain, this is a command from God, yet we do it anyway. For this reason, we deserve what we get.
Phil 2:14 Do all things without grumbling or questioning, ESV
Starting now, today, we must stop complaining about what we've been told to do by God. We must lift up all gov officials in prayer to our God. We are to pray as told, not to use vain repetitions, but letting the Holy Spirit lead us. We know not what to pray, but God does and He will tell us if we ask. We must sit quietly and listen, ask nothing and offer nothing, just let Him tell you what to pray.
I believe this is what God wants. This will bring unity to the body of Christ. In unity there is power. When we start walking in power, through us, God will make things happen.
I'm ready for this, how about you?
Please share you thoughts. I welcome all comments, whether encouraging or critical.
God bless.
While Laughing Uncontrollably, God Told Us, “You’ve Just Entered The Highest Realm Of My Glory!”
This article is a reprint from The Elijah List
by Bill Yount
"...Father, the hour is come; glorify Thy Son, that Thy Son also may glorify Thee...And now come I to Thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves...And the glory which Thou gavest Me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and Thou in Me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent Me, and hast loved them, as Thou hast loved Me."—John 17:1, 13, 22-23 (emphasis added)
We hadn't planned on this. We just wanted to get together for fellowship over a meal. Just a few couples, and one we hadn't seen in years. I am sort of a caveman when it comes to getting together with people for fellowship. Being tired and feeling I needed a vacation away from planet earth, I forced myself to go, since we were invited.
I wasn't feeling spiritual and I wasn't in the mood to hear how God might be blessing others when I felt so spiritually dry.
"That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ. And these things write we unto you that your joy may be full...if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the Blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin."—1 John 1:3-4, 7 (emphasis added)
"Our 'Downs' Became Our 'Ups'"
It seemed to begin at the table right after we had eaten. There came such freedom to share our ups and downs in our life as well as in ministry. Even as we shared our discouraging times and even the bloopers we made in ministry, something began to take place...A joy unspeakable and full of glory began to descend upon us!
Such a freedom to share our hearts and become real people to each other seemed to untie heavy yokes that had somehow wrapped around us through everyday life and the mundane stuff that goes with ministry. This joy began to trickle down from on high and, amazingly, our "downs" became our "ups" as the joy of the Lord began falling like an avalanche! I sensed the Lord saying, "You have just entered into the highest place of fellowship with Me!"
I Saw Us Inside a Huge Washing Machine Being Washed in Laughter as the Gentle Cycle of "MERCY AND GRACE" was Being Pushed!
"But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the Blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin."—1 John 1:7 (emphasis added)
It was dawning on me the power of being in fellowship not only with God—but with one another! I believe there is a cleansing stream that is released as we fellowship one with another in the Body of Christ.
In the old days, they used to have to wash one piece of clothing at a time with a scrub board. The clothing got a rough washing and that one piece of clothing could be seen getting washed by everyone. I am learning late in life that even in ministry and having God in my life, I better not be alone but connected in close fellowship with others so the Lord doesn't have to wash me by myself where others can see my dirty laundry! We will get dirty at times, for we live in a fallen world. But God's plan to wash us is so different.
When my wife washes our dirty clothes, she tosses them all in together into the washing machine. As they are being tossed around inside the washing machine, you can't really tell one piece of dirty clothing from another because they seem to become one as they become meshed together. No one piece of clothing can point to another and say, "You are dirtier than I." Likewise, we are all being washed and cleansed together. This often happens through fellowship without us even being aware of it. God's love in us for one another is perhaps the most powerful cleansing agent on earth besides the Blood of His Son, for "love covers a multitude of sins."
"And above all things have fervent love for one another, for 'love will cover a multitude of sins.'"—1 Peter 4:8
It's easy to judge the dirty laundry of others when you are standing outside of the washing machine. But beware, for the scrub board may be on its way to your ministry and doorstep! "Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall" (1 Corinthians 10:12).
Even Two Are Better than One
"Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up."—Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
"Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity...for there the LORD commanded the blessing, even life for evermore."—Psalm 133:1-3
As an earthly father I am so blessed when love flows freely between my children and me. But my joy is complete when I see my children loving one another and having a great time. When they are loving one another they are actually loving me, since they are bone of my bone and flesh of my flesh! The closer they become in their relationships, the closer they get to my heart. For my heart for them is to love each other.
Bill Yount
Blowing the Shofar Ministries
Email: theshofarhasblown@juno.com
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He’s My Father
I was saved in 1990-91. I didn't start going to church until the middle of 2001 . I went to a church for a year and a few months, where I learned little or no Spiritual Truth.
In September of 2003 I attended a different church. I now know and understand that this was a move of God and I'm grateful for it. As soon as I moved to this church, I started hearing things that I didn't know or understand. I was taught Spiritual Truths, my Spiritual eyes and ears were opened and I was allowed some understanding. Thank You Father. Since I've been at this church, I've learned so much that proves everything in the Bible is for today. Not only do I have book knowledge, I also have a good bit of experiential knowledge. I've seen and done what most people in the church, say and believe is impossible or was for another day.
I also know now, that God is my Father. This isn't because I heard it or read it, but because He showed me and He told me and He let me understand and feel how much He loves me and cares for me. I call God Father, He is both my God and my Father, but right now He's my Father and that's what I need Him to be.
What I want and one day will have, is to be in total surrender to Father and to have a level of intimacy with Him that is so intense and pure. I want to be in total surrender to Father. A relationship this close to Father, is something I've only dreamed of, when I get there, maybe then I'll call Him Dad, but now is not the time. I was told several years ago, that I was calling God Dad for the wrong reason. Maybe that's true, but I'm in a better Spiritual place now, than I was then. Maybe my intentions were selfish and I was looking out for my own gain. That's just one of the bumps in the road of my past, that are apart of me.
How close are you to God? Is He your Father? Would you like Him to be? Are you afraid of Him? Think about it. I'd love to hear your thoughts. I'd love to pray with you or for you.
God bless
Colleen and I are a couple
This is just a little short msg to tell y'all that Colleen, facing the sharks, and I are a couple. My blog is about my life experiences and a girlfriend is a great and important life experience. Colleen and I have known each other for about a year, we started off as acquaintances, then became friends, then good friends, then best friends, and now we're boyfriend, girlfriend and one day we'll be husband and wife, yea us. Our entire relationship has been divinely laid out. We were put together by God Almighty and we continually thank Him and bless Him and love Him. We will always be seeking His Face and His Kingdom. I hope y'all are as excited as we are.
I had to delete the previous short msg which said the same thing, sort of. For some reason it didn't fully show on the page, you could only read a few lines. I'm sorry it took me so long to correct this problem.
God bless
By Their Word
John 17:20 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; KJV
I'm reading “Placebo”, a book by Howard Pittman. In it, he uses the phrase “mouth-professing Christians” and this got me to thinking. Mouth-professing are those that believe in God and Christ, but not the Holy Spirit. They don't believe in the Power and Authority of God being given to us through the Holy Spirit in this day. We are warned to stay away from such people.
2 Timothy 3:5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. KJV
How can we read the Bible, God's Word, and dismiss what He tells us to do, actually, what He commands us to do . In the Word are directions from God on how we should live, what we should and shouldn't do. We see this, though we're already believing a lie from the enemy. So we justify our choices, saying, “That's just for them. God doesn't do that anymore.” Says who? I've thought this my entire life, because someone who loved me and who I loved told me this. But guess what I learned almost five years ago? Everything in the Bible is for today. God does today what He did then. The Holy Spirit is very much alive today as He was yesterday. Through Him comes great Power and Authority, in which we should be walking. If we seek first the Kingdom of God and do what Jesus said in Matt 16:24, then we'll see and experience the Power and Authority of God. It is for us and it is for today.
Matt 16:24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. KJV
Ok, who do you think Paul was referring to in 2 Timothy 3:5? This verse speaks of people who believe in God by the word of their mouth. But they don't believe in God's Power and Authority through the Holy Spirit. They think what was done in the Bible, by Jesus and His disciples, was for that time only. They believe that healing the sick, casting out devils, and raising the dead aren't viable today.
Jesus told us what to do in the Gospels and He even showed us by being our example.
Matt 10:8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give. KJV
We are in the latter days spoken of in the Bible and the Church is far from ready because there are too many spots and blemishes and wrinkles.
I'd love to hear what you think.
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