I AM THE FRUIT AND YOU ARE THE VINE

Source: by ChristArt.com

WORD OF WISDOM
VINE ~ One of the most important products of Palestine. The first mention of it is in the history of Noah (Genesis 9:20). It is afterwards frequently noticed both in the Old and New Testaments, and in the ruins of terraced vineyards there are evidences that it was extensively cultivated by the Jews. It was cultivated in Palestine before the Israelites took possession of it. The men sent out by Moses brought with them from the Valley of Eshcol a cluster of grapes so large that "they bare it between two upon a staff" (Numbers 13: 23). The vineyards of En-gedi (Cant. 1:14), Heshbon, Sibmah, Jazer, Elealeh (Isaiah 16:8-10; Jeremiah 48:32, 34), and Helbon (Ezek. 27:18), as well as of Eshcol, were celebrated.
The Church is compared to a vine (Psalm 80:8), and Christ says of himself, "I am the vine" (John 15:1). In one of his parables also (Matthew 21:33) our Lord compares his Church to a vineyard which "a certain householder planted, and hedged round about," etc.

Source: Easton's Bible Dictionary

There are seeds inside of us that can be planted and they in turn can grow. Our seeds are God given from the vine, they are talents and gifts. By using these seeds to glorify God, we are in turn planting our own seed.

Which is greater to plant seed God has blessed you with materially such as money or to plant the seeds that He gave inwardly inside you.

It would appear to me that to nurture and plant the seeds within yourself would be the greater gift because we have birthed them for them to grow.

A little research on the development of a grape vine shows us exactly how humans are when it comes to growing our seeds.

Each variety varies in how vigorous the growth is. Low vigor vines must be planted closer than high vigor vines that need more space. Sometimes vines become tangled into a mess. Vines need maximum exposure to the sun to be able to ripen the grapes. If allowed to grow without control, the vines begin to shade the vine and this allows for disease and insects to set in. Vines must be pruned properly for maximum fruitfulness and health. Pruning means removing 75 to 90% of the previous years growth. This might seem drastic but it maintains the health and vigor of the vine; It also means the maximum production of fruit and the best ripening conditions. Some varieties need to be long pruned and some require short pruning.

Harvesting too early is the major problem that is seen in backyard gardeners. People think that as soon as the grape begins to color it is ripe. This can be far from the truth. Coloring actually occurs weeks before the grape is actually ripe. If picked to early the grapes will not have reached the taste that they can acquire. Grapes need to attain a good sugar content and acid balance otherwise the taste will be a disappointment.

By not allowing the grapes to ripen correctly the vines can become overgrown, tangled and never ripen properly. This can often lead to the death of the vine or disappointment at the least.

Every seed that is planted in people grows differently. If the seed is not properly taken care of it can and will become a tangled mess. This will lead to disappointments or even death of the seed.

Just because you know you have a seed does not mean go plant it. Many great people have talked about the visions and dreams that God gave them, yet it was years before they saw a harvest or even the beginning of growth of that seed. That does not mean that the seed should be sitting on a shelve. No when the Lord starts a work in you He knows the perfect timing for it. He knows when you are ready. We though can fail because we want to step out and run with the seed. No we are to nurture that seed within us, prepare for the day that it will come to life. We can carry a seed for years, but be pruning ourselves and things around us so that when the timing is right, that seed can go into the ground and grow as it is intended to grow.

Timing is very important with seeds. to early and the frost will weaken or kill it, to late and it will not have time to get good roots. The sun can burn a plant that is placed incorrectly, as the rain can soak it or the wind can blow it down. A seed planted in the right time with the right tools will be able to stand and produce fruit.

Jeremiah 2:21 God planted us a noble vine, Jesus a seed of the highest quality. When we turn from God we become as a degenerate plant on an alien vine. Jesus was the highest quality seed ever created. We are to look up and be noble.

John 15:1 Jesus is the vine, God is the vine dresser. We, created in the likeness of Christ, are also vines. For our seeds to grow they must be properly tended to.

God Bless,
rECj/LJG

SUNDAY EDITORIAL

Source: Christian Computer Art www.CC-Art.com

WORD OF WISDOM
(Matthew 6:33; Mark 1:14, 15; Luke 4:43) = "kingdom of Christ" (Matthew 13:41; 20:21) = "kingdom of Christ and of God" (Ephesians 5:5) = "kingdom of David" (Mark 11:10) = "the kingdom" (Matthew 8:12; 13:19) = "kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 3:2; 4:17; 13:41), all denote the same thing under different aspects, viz.: (1) Christ's mediatorial authority, or his rule on the earth; (2) the blessings and advantages of all kinds that flow from this rule; (3) the subjects of this kingdom taken collectively, or the Church.

Source: Easton's Bible Dictionary

WILL WE BE SURPRISED?

Will we be surprised by who we see in heaven? We have to only look at the news on TV, Internet or our local paper to read accounts that shock us speechless.

We are surrounded by horror stories of drive-by shootings, murder-suicides of entire families and serial killers of all kinds, women as well as men.

Hitler comes to mind as the worst killer of all times. Charles Manson, still alive, has never accepted responsibility for doing anything wrong.

I watched a taped interview of a man who had accepted responsibility for his actions. He talked of how he felt that there was nothing other then life, as he knew it. Evolution, life was, life ended and that was that. His father spoke of how he himself had left God and never told his son about God or having a relationship with Christ. After his son’s arrest he sent a book to his son about the creation of the world by God. The son after reading and studying came to the realization that we will be held accountable for our actions. He asked Jesus into his life to be his Lord and Saviour.

He might have just been talking, but if he was sincere then he will be in heaven, washed as white as snow, he has been forgiven. God is his judge not you nor I nor anyone else. Just as with us, it is personal between that person and God. No bodies else opinion matters.

Who will we be surprised to see in heaven? The man’s name is known very well, he is a serial killer responsible for the death, dismemberment and cannibalism of 18 men. He is Jeffery Dahmer.

The invitation is open to all, forgiveness is for all. I have a feeling many of us will be surprised who we see in heaven.

God Bless,
rECj/LJG

SATURDAY EDITORIAL

Source: Christian Computer Art www.CC-Art.com


WORD OF WISDOM
Remember that the Gospel is not good news if you do not share it with them...
Source: Pastor John Sweat
It was the season of harvest, when the fields were ripe and full, and ready to yield their bounty after hard work and a long winter. Each man had his assigned rows in the field of peas, and would only be paid for full baskets they delivered to the buyers -- who stood by their trucks at the end of the field. As the day of harvest drew to a close, they had to finish their rows before the sun when down and the buyers left with their loads. This meant that the last picker would probably miss the trucks if they didn't finish in time.

One picker had been working hard in the field since early morning, trying to gather as much as he could, but he was falling behind the others. Soon, it became evident that he wouldn't finish in time, and he began to panic. As he picked up the pace, and tried desperately to catch up, his work became sloppy. He tried his best to meet the deadline before the trucks pulled away. Fear and anger made him work feverishly, but he knew there wasn't any way he could finish. Almost ready to pass out, the man noticed another worker standing in the opposite end of his row, picking his peas, and putting them into his own basket. But there was no time to stop and argue, no time to fight about his territory. So he just kept picking, until the two met in the middle of the row. When they did, the poor man was ready to fight, and he angrily challenged the poacher. The poacher simply smiled, and dumped his full load into the poor man's basket. He they told the man, "Now it's your turn. Someday, give someone a basket of peas when they need it."

I hope that you enjoyed the story and know that we are all in the giving and receiving end of the basket at one timeor another. At times we can be overwhelmed at work with a project that seems will never be completed, and someone steps into the fray and lends a hand to get everything done.

At other times we may feel that our personal lives are overflowing and someone steps in and calms the nerves.

I hope that we all continue to be both giver and receiver because it is just as blessed to give as to receive.

This was sent to me by my dear friend Claire. I feel that it is something that we really need to think about. Sometimes we get so caught up in the every day business of our own lifes and so often we forget they are others all around us who need a basket of peas more than we do. Lets resolve today to think about others a little more and share with them the same love that God has bestowed on us. Act 20:35 I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.

God's Blessings to each of you,

LJG/rECj

TAKING COUNSEL

Ezekiel prophesying to the elders who had visited him - Ezek.14.1

WORD OF WISDOM
COUNSEL ~ Spoken of counsellors who sat in public trials with the governor of a province (Acts 25:12).
The Jewish councils were the Sanhedrim, or supreme council of the nation, which had subordinate to it smaller tribunals (the "judgment, " perhaps, in Matthew 5:21, 22) in the cities of Palestine (Matthew 10:17; Mark 13:9). In the time of Christ the functions of the Sanhedrim were limited (John 16:2; 2 Corinthians 11:24). In Psalm 68:27 the word "council" means simply a company of persons. (R.V. marg., "company.")

In ecclesiastical history the word is used to denote an assembly of pastors or bishops for the discussion and regulation of church affairs. The first of these councils was that of the apostles and elders at Jerusalem, of which we have a detailed account in Acts 15.


Isaiah 30:1 (King James Version) 1 Woe to the rebellious children, saith the LORD, that take counsel, but not of me; and that cover with a covering, but not of my spirit, that they may add sin to sin:

Who are we to take counsel from? Rebellion is usually thought of as an attempt to overthrow government or authority by force. Rebellion is also any opposition to or defiance of authority, accepted moral codes, or social conventions.

Samuel 15:23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king.

The bible speaks of rebellion when someone turns from the counsel of God to others. The Word plainly says that rebellion is as witchcraft. Now I am sure that those of us reading this do not knowingly partake of witchcraft, but rebelling against God is just as bad as witchcraft.

Have we rebelled against God? When we do not follow the Word of God, yes we are in rebellion. The accepted moral codes that we are to live by is the Word of God. Our social conventions are the Laws laid down by the Bible. Our authority is God.

None of us are perfect; we all fall short at times. When we fall short in obeying God, then we are in rebellion to Him. When we take counsel from those who are not anointed by God to counsel us, we are in rebellion to God.

People we have to be careful of whom we turn to for advice. This is looking for counseling, and if not from God then we are in rebellion. The Lord in the Old Testament used prophets to tell His people what He wanted them to know. Today because of our relationship with Christ we can and should talk to the Lord Himself. There are times though that the Lord will guide us to someone who can counsel us.

God approved counseling lines up with the Word of God. It is not the talks you have with your best friend, when she agrees with you, or tells you she has been there. Do not misunderstand what I am saying here. Counseling is something that is needed by all, but it has to be God anointed counseling from a God anointed person who will lead you to follow what God says to do about any even situation.

The next time you need advice think about whom you are going to talk to. Be sure that the person you seek advice from is going to guide you to follow the teachings that have been laid down by God.

God Bless,
rECj/LJG

I WILL LOVE YOU, O LORD

WORD OF WISDOM
ROCK ~ (Hebrews tsur), employed as a symbol of God in the Old Testament (1 Samuel 2:2; 2 Samuel 22:3; Isaiah 17:10; Psalm 28:1; 31:2, 3; 89:26; 95:1); also in the New Testament (Matthew 16:18; Romans 9:33; 1 Corinthians 10:4). In Dan. 2:45 the Chaldaic form of the Hebrew word is translated "mountain." It ought to be translated "rock," as in Habakkuk 1:12 in the Revised Version. The "rock" from which the stone is cut there signifies the divine origin of Christ.

Source: Easton's Bible Dictionary

Psalm 18:1-3 KJV 1 I will love thee, O LORD, my strength. 2 The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. 3 I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.
AMP 1 I LOVE You fervently and devotedly, O Lord, my Strength. 2 The Lord is my Rock, my Fortress, and my Deliverer; my God, my keen and firm Strength in Whom I will trust and take refuge, my Shield, and the Horn of my salvation, my High Tower. 3 I will call upon the Lord, Who is to be praised; so shall I be saved from my enemies.
JEWISH BIBLE 1 And he said: I love thee, O HaShem, my strength. 2 HaShem is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my G-d, my rock, in Him I take refuge; my shield, and my horn of salvation, my high tower. 3 Praised, I cry, is HaShem, and I am saved from mine enemies.

I like looking at the different translations. The only difference we see here is that the Jewish translation does not use the word God. How odd isn’t it, when you think about it. Here the chosen people of God, those that do not even believe Jesus has arrived yet, will not speak His name.

Have we reached a place where we do use His Name without thought? I am not speaking of cussing. Are we using His Name with the reverence of respect, and fear that we should?

We should be comfortable with talking to Christ. We are to have a personal relationship with Him. We are to come to Him with any and everything that is in our life’s, good and bad. What I am asking is do we speak His Name with the reverence that is due Him?

Oh my God, yes I think we have all said it. Lord would you look at this! What now Lord? I think you get the idea. These expressions can be used in quite a good way, and in a bad way. It depends on how it is spoken. We use God’s Names too easily. Kind of like the word love.

I intend to monitor myself the next few days and see just how I do use His Names. If I catch myself I will repent, ask forgiveness and ask for deliverance from carelessly using His Names. How about you?

God Bless,
rECj/LJG

KNOWING THE VOICE OF GOD

WORD OF WISDOM
BLESS ~ God blesses his people when he bestows on them some gift temporal or spiritual (Genesis 1:22; 24:35; Job 42:12; Psalm 45:2; 104:24, 35).

Source: Easton's Bible Dictionary

How do we know the voice of God? How do we know that it is Him that is truly guiding us? We need to learn to know the sound of His voice. And how do we do that? Be still and know that He is God, wait for Him to speak to you.

To each his own and that is pretty much what we have here. What God sounds like to me is not necessarily what He will sound like to you. Maybe you think you don’t hear Him at all.

I think back to hearing someone say if God appeared would we change, the immediate response is yes. But of course we know this is not true. Jesus came and walked and talked, and many did not pay Him any attention, and some who heard got angry, and turned away. Some who heard Him wanted Him dead.

But, how can we hear Him, or at least know if He is guiding us. We have to stop and ask first. God will not push His way into our life’s, anymore then He will push us into harm. It all comes down to us. I have had periods of time where I heard an audible voice, and times were I heard nothing. I have had times where my entire body tensed up as thought it was saying stop. I have talked to people who have seen and felt many different things. One thing I do believe is He will show His ways plain in a way that we will understand, which is not always a way another would understand.

So how can we know it is Him, how can we hear and know that it is Him?

Start agreeing with Jesus. Start believing and agreeing with the Word. Say, "The Word says I can hear God's voice and I believe it! I do hear the voice of God!"

Then put your faith into action. Open the ears of your heart and start listening for the voice of the Spirit, especially when you're reading the Word. Pay attention not to the activity in your brain but to the quickening in your inner man (primarily the area just below your chin, or chest area).

If you're not sure where to locate those stirrings, just think back to a time when you had what we sometimes call a "hunch." Suddenly something just dawned on you and you knew or understood something you hadn't known before. Those kinds of dawning’s come from your born-again spirit.

Purpose to become more aware of the prompting's that arise from your spirit because they are the leading of God. Learn to trust them. The Holy Spirit will help you to step out on them a little at a time.

Initially He won't be giving you risky, world-shaking kinds of leading's. When you're first learning to identify God's voice, it will be mostly yes and no answers, not to go sell everything you own and invest it in some off-the-wall business venture. He'll begin by showing you simple truths from the Word that you can act on. He'll reveal from the Word, for example, how you can obey more fully the law of love. He'll show you ways to bless the people around you.

The more you trust His voice and follow His leading's, the more clearly you'll find you can hear from Him. Before long, hearing from God won't be an occasional event but an everyday part of life. And when someone asks you, "What is the Spirit of God telling you today?" you won't hesitate a moment.

You'll know exactly what to say.

God Bless,
rECj/LJG

HELP ME TO STAND

Source: Christain Clipart

Isaiah 53,7 “He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows…He was oppressed and afflicted, yet He did not open His mouth.”

Oh, Lord help me to be as strong as You were.
When troubles come my way, let me stand.
When my heart is broken, let me stand.
When the world turns against me. Let me stand.
The attacks are strong and long. Let me stand.
When death comes to my door. Let me stand.
Pain comes to greet me. Let me stand.
When it seems there is no way out. Let me stand.
The bills are past due. Let me stand.
Clouds burst into rain with thunder over my head. Let me stand.
Be my example let me stand.
In your strength let me stand.
By Your power let me stand.
In Your comfort let me stand.
Wrapped in Your peace let me stand.

Let me stand in the present of the Almighty God of heaven and earth.
No matter what comes my way let me stand in You.
Let me open not my mouth with one word or complaint.
Help me to stand in You.

God Bless,
rECj/LJG

LIVING IN THE WORLD

WORD OF WISDOM
TRUTH ~Used in various senses in Scripture. In Proverbs 12:17, 19, it denotes that which is opposed to falsehood. In Isaiah 59:14, 15, Jeremiah 7:28, it means fidelity or truthfulness. The doctrine of Christ is called "the truth of the gospel" (Galatians 2:5), "the truth" (2 Timothy 3:7; 4:4). Our Lord says of himself, "I am the way, and the truth" (John 14:6).

Source: Easton's Bible Dictionary

Living in the world today is hard. We face many challenges. I was told yesterday I was a scrooge when I answered how I was spending the day, which is Easter. My plans, time alone with the Lord. What no family, no get together, no eggs? No, time with the Lord.

The person told me they are glad they can have that time, any time, any place. They have God with them all the time. I said yes I know that, but what about one on one time with God. They walked away. Did that bother me, yes I admit deep down for a second. What hurt more is the Christian who sat across from me and agreed with that person. Okay she is fairly new to the Lord, but they both profess to be Christians.

Am I a radical? Yes I guess I am. I refuse to compromise what I know to be the truth. Am I hard, well yes I would say I am? Sometimes I even call my self a basher. I will write something and e-mail LJG, well here I am bashing again. Am I a basher, well if the truth hurts that is on you? What is even better is if it opens your eyes to ask questions and not just accept what you have always done as right, then Thank You Jesus.

From the very first article that was posted on our first site we have said and continue to say: do not accept any man’s word, seek the Lord, read and study, pray. Let the Lord lead you. LJG and I are not perfect. We have started writing articles of something we thought were right, to have God stop us and show us no it was not. One day while looking for a scripture we found it wasn’t in the Bible. One of those saying that we quote all the time and think is in there and it isn’t. We spend the day looking up every quote like that we could think of. Many of those old sayings were not in the Bible, they are misquoted. That is just one of the reason’s we check and double-check each other.

To say life is hard in the world today is wrong. Oh I might be called a scrooge, and we have been told we are wrong, but we have persisted. Compared to what has happened to others who stood their ground I think we have it pretty easy.

Stephen was stoned to death. James the brother of John was beheaded. Phillip was crucified head down. James the brother of Jesus had his brains beaten out with a club. Matthias [the one who took Judas place] was stoned and then beheaded. Andrew was crucified spread eagle. Mark was dragged to pieces, by the people of Alexandria. Peter, crucified upside down. Paul was beheaded with a sword. Jude was crucified. Bartholomew was beaten and then crucified. Thomas was killed with a spear. Luke was hanged. Simon was either crucified or hacked to death depending on which records you read. John the beloved of Jesus was boiled in oil and lived, he went on to write Revelation and then died in his sleep. Matthew either fell asleep or was slain with a sword. These are the disciples.

Nothing much has changed through the years. People have been killed, beaten, put in prison. Living for God is the normal except to everyone who isn’t. I would rather be a scrooge than keep my mouth shut, or not stand for what I know is truth. If being called a scrooge means that I believe in Jesus, then so be it.

The disciples did not willingly die for something that they did not believe. They knew that without resurrection there is no life at all.

Scrooge, well some might call it that. I call it a child of the Living God. Who are you?

God Bless,
rECj/LJG




A FAMILY THAT PRAYS TOGETHER
STAYS TOGETHER

Source: Watton on the Web ~ Christain Resource Center

LIVING IN THE WORLD

SUNDAY EDITORIAL

WORD OF WISDOM
EASTER ~ Originally a Saxon word (Eostre), denoting a goddess of the Saxons, in honour of whom sacrifices were offered about the time of the Passover. Hence the name came to be given to the festival of the Resurrection of Christ, which occured at the time of the Passover. In the early English versions this word was frequently used as the translation of the Greek pascha (the Passover). When the Authorized Version (1611) was formed, the word "passover" was used in all passages in which this word pascha occurred, except in Act 12:4. In the Revised Version the proper word, "passover," is always used.

Source: Easton's Bible Dictionary

Where were the disciples on Easter Sunday? They were waiting on Jesus in the Upper Room.

What will you be doing today? Yes we understand that family will be gathered today. A lot will attend church services, which they don’t normally attend. Then everyone will go home to a table loaded with lots of food. The Easter egg hunt will follow, and prizes found and awarded. Everyone will be dressed in his or her best. Even the cars will be freshly washed. Everything must be clean and fresh for this day.

How much time will be spend on the Person who is the reason that the day is celebrated?
Will you take the time to get clean and fresh and go before the Lord? Will you wait on Him today as He waited on you?

The stores have all been busy. Beauty shops and manicures, clothing stores, retail stores with baskets and plastic grass, and oh yes the grocery stores have made a lot of money. How much money did you set aside for the Lord?

The reason for the celebration will be completely ignored for the most part. If Jesus had not died for us, and risen from the dead, if He had not sent the Holy Ghost to reside in us, what would we do today?

We pray that each of you will take the time today to tell your families outside of church what all this is about today.

Our prayer for each of you today: Heavenly Father we thank You for sending Your son for us, for letting Him be the sacrifice that done of us could do for ourselves. We thank You for the Holy Ghost being here at our beck and call, to comfort us, protect us, answer us, in every area of our life’s. Lord we pray that you will continue to bless each one of our readers as we all continue to seek you to grow and prosper in every area of our life’s. Thank you is really not words enough for all you have done and continue to do in our life’s. We give you all the praise and all the glory in your most awesome Name, the Name of our Salvation, Jesus Christ. Amen So Be IT.

God Bless,
rECj/LJG



Source: http://www.christart.com/legal/credits

SATURDAY EDITORIAL

WORD OF WISDOM
APOSTLE ~ A person sent by another; a messenger; envoy. This word is once used as a descriptive designation of Jesus Christ, the Sent of the Father (Hebrews 3:1; John 20:21).
Our Lord gave them the "keys of the kingdom," and by the gift of his Spirit fitted them to be the founders and governors of his church (John 14:16, 17, 26; 15:26, 27; 16:7-15). To them, as representing his church, he gave the commission to "preach the gospel to every creature" (Matthew 28:18-20).
Judas Iscariot, one of "the twelve," fell by transgression, and Matthias was substituted in his place (Acts 1:21). Saul of Tarsus was afterwards added to their number (Acts 9:3-20; 20:4; 26:15-18; 1 Timothy 1:12; 2:7; 2 Timothy 1:11).

Source: Easton's Bible Dictionary

1 Timothy 1:12 “I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that He considered me faithful, appointing me in His service.”

Each one of us has been appointed a service to do for the Lord. Just because you do not know what it is, doesn’t mean that the task is unimportant. It merely means you have not sought the Lord concerning your service.

I know a wonderful pastor’s wife who would refuse all help to clean our little church building. With a voice so lovely she did not need music, why would she want to clean toilets. As we became close I asked her one day. She said it humbled her. Everyone wanted to hear her sing, and she was invited to sing for different gatherings. She found though that the time alone in the sanctuary was her quite private time with the Lord.

People someone has to clean the toilets, not just at your house, but at church also. The grass needs to be mowed, weeds pulled. The furniture needs to be dusted, pamphlets printed. There is something for you to do.

Let us also remember that if we don't or won't do the calling of the Lord, whatever it may, God will find someone else to do it. And then, guess what, they will get the blessings that were originally intended for you. Is that what you want or need? Mar 10:21 Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.

How many blessings have we all missed out on simply because we won't get pride and wrong thinking out of our heads?

God Bless,
rECj/LJG

PRAYER

WORD OF WISDOM
PRAYER ~ Acceptable prayer must be sincere (Hebrews 10:22), offered with reverence and godly fear, with a humble sense of our own insignificance as creatures and of our own unworthiness as sinners, with earnest importunity, and with unhesitating submission to the divine will. Prayer must also be offered in the faith that God is, and is the hearer and answerer of prayer, and that he will fulfil his word, "Ask, and ye shall receive" (Matthew 7:7, 8; 21:22; Mark 11:24; John 14:13, 14), and in the name of Christ (16:23, 24; 15:16; Ephesians 2:18; 5:20; Colossians 3:17; 1 Peter 2:5).

Source: Easton's Bible Dictionary

Many people claim to pray, but not everyone does. Prayer is one of the best free gifts we receive. There is no cost but a lot of reward. Make sure you pray, and pray believing that God will answer. May today be all that you need it to be today. May the peace of God and the freshness of the Holy Spirit rest in your thoughts, rule in your dreams tonight and conquer all your fears. May God manifest Himself today in ways that you have never experienced. May your joys be fulfilled, your dreams be closer and your prayers be answered. I pray that faith enters a new height for you; I pray that your territory is enlarged and I pray that you step into your destiny within your ministry. I pray for peace, health, happiness and true and undying love for God.

God's Blessings to each of you,
LJG/rECj

FIVE, SEVEN, TEN STEPS TO SUCCESS

Sovereignty ~ Of God, his absolute right to do all things according to his own good pleasure (Dan. 4:25, 35; Romans 9:15-23; 1 Timothy 6:15; Revelation 4:11).

Source: Easton's Bible Dictionary

[Please read entire article, this is not an advertisement.]

We have seen and probably even read some of these programs that tell us that by following their steps we can and will have success.

We are told to write it down, set a dead line, make a list, organize the list, take action, and do something everyday. Depending on which one you are looking at, that is the basics for success. Most all of them tell you to look within yourself, practice self discipline, decide what you want and go for it.

These programs will even tell you that any one who does achieve their goal follows this plan or one like it.

Well today for the first time I can offer you the program that will in fact change your life for the better. With this plan you can and will achieve the goals that are for you. This is a 5-step program that will in fact work every time it is used, in all areas of your life. Are you ready to succeed?

First: Identify your Vision; without a vision you don’t know where you are suppose to go. Hab 2:1,2 Write it down.

Second: Locate your scriptures; without a scripture you have nothing but yourself to stand on. 2 Peter 1:1-4 Write it down.

Third: Establish your heart; if your heart isn’t right, you will have many problems. Psalm 1:1-3

Fourth: Get in agreement; if you are not in agreement, well you are out of line. Matt 18: 19,20

Fifth: Walk in faith; without faith you are faithless. 2 Cor 5:7

Yes, write it down, write each and everything you think or feel, and date it. God is never late and always on time. By writing it down you can look back and see where it all fell in line. We should all keep a journal of our prayers.

It does not matter what it is in your life, it can be the corn on your toe, or the home you dream of for your family. It can also be the vision that God has for your life. If you do not have a plan, you are wandering around not accomplishing what you could have. God did everything He has done and is doing with a plan. As our Father we can look to Him to see the correct way to do something.

Pray and earnestly seek God on what ever it is. Next locate scriptures, if one is good, then two or more is better. When you establish your heart, you are getting yourself in line with all that God intends. Get in agreement, it God tells you that your home is going to be blue, then you will need to pray and see if it is okay to paint the yellow one you fell in love with. Walk in faith, faith is believing what you do not see, that means knowing for a fact that it is yours. If you know for a fact that it is from God then nothing or no one will be able to change your direction.

So there you have it 5 steps to a successful life. It works and comes with promises:
Isaiah 55:11 KJV So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
Mark 11:23 KJV For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.

God said it, and Jesus confirmed it. In Isaiah God tells us that where He sends it, His word shall prosper. Jesus tells us in Mark that if we say [not ask-but SAY] and not doubt but believe, he shall have what he asks. His word shall prosper and so shall ours. If we seek God to see where we should SAY His word, then our words shall prosper just as His did, because we are of Him.
The keys to success, right there in black and white. The choice is yours.

PS: One of the things these programs end with is for you to determine the price you will have to pay to achieve this goal and then get busy paying the price, whatever it is. Usually they will start off offering their program for 49.95, but for this first time offer they will let you have it for 39.95 and will even include an extra book.

Our cost has been paid in full, the only Book we need is the Bible. Any information we need will be given to us free of charge, just for asking. You can’t get a better deal then that.

God Bless,
rECj/LJG

AND THE REST OF THE STORY

WORD OF WISDOM
JUSTIFICATION ~ A forensic term, opposed to condemnation. As regards its nature, it is the judicial act of God, by which he pardons all the sins of those who believe in Christ, and accounts, accepts, and treats them as righteous in the eye of the law, i.e., as conformed to all its demands. In addition to the pardon (q.v.) of sin, justification declares that all the claims of the law are satisfied in respect of the justified. It is the act of a judge and not of a sovereign. The law is not relaxed or set aside, but is declared to be fulfilled in the strictest sense; and so the person justified is declared to be entitled to all the advantages and rewards arising from perfect obedience to the law (Romans 5:1-10).
It proceeds on the imputing or crediting to the believer by God himself of the perfect righteousness, active and passive, of his Representative and Surety, Jesus Christ (Romans 10:3-9). Justification is not the forgiveness of a man without righteousness, but a declaration that he possesses a righteousness which perfectly and for ever satisfies the law, namely, Christ's righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21; Romans 4:6-8).

Source: Easton's Bible Dictionary

Hebrews 12:16-17 KJV 16 Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. 17 For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.

After the fact we shall answer for that which we do. How easy it is to sell your birthright. For a grain of meat? We though have repentance, though many do not take full benefit of that offer. How so, by holding onto that which we have the right to be forgiven. With tears we can seek the face of God and get repentance that is rightfully ours. Are you holding onto anything?

Psalm 103:10 KJV He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.

He is just and right to forgive us our sins when we ask for forgiveness. He will not deal with us after those things that He has forgiven us for, nor does He reward us according to those things. How much more mercy can we ask for? Do all of us realize just what that means? Can we accept that God does not make us pay for our sins? Jesus paid the price, we do not have to. If you are carrying around the belief that you need to be punished for some past things in your life, you are putting Christ back on the cross. Forgive yourself after you ask God to forgive you.

We need to get to a place in our life’s where we know and accept that He is just and right to forgive you or anyone. We have to remember that when He died on that cross He had all the sins that had been committed and all that ever would be committed on Him. That means that the sin you do next year have already been paid for. Could that be the reason He is fast to forgive since He has already paid for it? Think about that for a bit. Jesus is standing there just waiting for you to say forgive me. He is standing there saying, “I got that, it’s on Me.”

He has not dealt with us according to our sins, or our iniquities, Jesus paid the bill in full.

God Bless,
rECj/LJG

GROWING I FEEL CLOSER TO THE ONE I SERVE

WORD OF WISDOM
FALL ~ An expression probably borrowed from the Apocryphal Book of Wisdom, to express the fact of the revolt of our first parents from God, and the consequent sin and misery in which they and all their posterity were involved.
Commenting on John 9:3, Ryle well remarks: "A deep and instructive principle lies in these words. They surely throw some light on that great question, the origin of evil. God has thought fit to allow evil to exist in order that he may have a platform for showing his mercy, grace, and compassion. If man had never fallen there would have been no opportunity of showing divine mercy. But by permitting evil, mysterious as it seems, God's works of grace, mercy, and wisdom in saving sinners have been wonderfully manifested to all his creatures. The redeeming of the church of elect sinners is the means of `showing to principalities and powers the manifold wisdom of God' (Ephesians 3:10). Without the Fall we should have known nothing of the Cross and the Gospel."

Source: Easton's Bible Dictionary

looking back at times past
seeing the baby who has crawled
and then walks now standing,
but knowing that without leaning on His arms
I shall fall
knowing that each day I stand I am stronger
but never enough to not lean on His arms
always leaning onto and into the arms of the One I love
He holds me as tenderly as a butterfly
never, never letting go
it is I at times who steps out of His embrace
sinking though I know it not at the moment
as soon as I realize the consequences of what I have done
I turn and He with loving arms says come home to My arms
I look I see a baby trying to take steps
wanting to offer my hand, they refuse it
thinking they know more then me
No I want to shout I am still learning
but I have crawled, I know the pain of scraped knees
let me help
no they will not take my help
Lord what can I do
having offered my help
they refuse saying they don't think I know You
Help them Lord
no one wants to see one of Yours stumble and fall
but still they shut me out
I can only offer and be refused
mistakes they are making will only hurt them more
oh Lord I have felt Your loving rebuke
not always welcoming your chastisement
in the endknowing You did it out of loving kindness
reaching again for the hand that has never let go
help them my Lord
open their eyes and heart
let them see they can only change them and not me

rECj 9/5/07

Today I just want to take a few moments to thank God for all the blessings that He has given to LJG and myself. The rain of His love fell down on us this evening as we were IMing each other. It was as if diamonds of rain were raining down onto us and into our hearts, which are joined with His. Oh what a joy to spend that special time with Him. There are so many that we want to reach out to, not for ourselves but for Him. We know His mighty love. We know His great compassion. We would stand on the rooftops and shout it, if He told us to. That is our desire to be a servant of the Most High God.

For all those who read our sites, Lord touch each one of these precious children of Yours in a mighty way to let them know that You and You alone are the Saviour. Let them know Lord that as You love them so do we. We do not wish to see any go into the pit. We do not wish to see any of our brothers or sisters make some of the same mistakes that we have made. If we can help any one not fall, or help encourage them to continue when they have fell, then we have served a purpose in their life’s.

God bless,
rECj/LJG

MY COMPANION, MY FRIEND

All of us desire to have that special someone that will be there for us no matter what comes our way. It is easy to look at Job, and be thankful that we do not have friends such as these. We can also look at Jonathan and David, and know that it is possible to be blessed with someone endeared to us. It is also quite possible for different genders to have a relationship that exceeds the norm.

The greatest relationship that any of us can have is that relationship with Christ that is without barriers. Men and women alike can have the bridegroom, bride relationship with Christ that He intended. We have but to look at His Word to see that He desires for us all to love Him intimately.

He tells us He is a companion. Psalm 119:63 He is a friend closer then a brother. Proverbs 18:24 The Lord tells us that He has chosen us to be called friend. John 15:15,16 Jesus tells us that He will come in and sup with us, and us with Him. Revelation 3:20 He tells us to love others as He has loved us. John 15: 12-14 He tells us He will come to us. John 14:18

There is no love greater then the love that God had for us in giving His Son. There is no greater love then the Son giving His life for us. They are equal. It might be hard for some to comprehend the love that God became flesh and blood and let Himself die for us. We know that is a fact; we know it is pure truth. How many of us accept that and walk in it? Be honest with yourself, do you treat Him as though He is your very best friend?

Companions in this world are good, LJG and I have written on having mentors in your life’s. Those mentors are in fact companions and should be chosen by God, not us. The greatest companion we can have though is the companionship of God through Christ. God will direct people into our life’s that enlighten us, encourage us, and yes we can just enjoy being around. It is so nice to have friends that we can talk to about the Lord, conversations that we cannot have with those in the world, as they do not understand the relationship that we share with the Lord.

When it comes down to the best of the best, there is only One, He stands above all the rest. Take the time today and everyday to spend time with Him as the best friend you have.

God Bless,
rECj/LJG

SUNDAY EDITORIAL

This has been an outstanding week for me, I have truly been blessed going out and coming in. Depending on whom you speak to this day is celebrated by many as Palm Sunday: The Sunday before Easter [that is next Sunday] the sixth and last Sunday in Lent and the first day of Holy Week. Palm Sunday recalls the entry of Jesus riding into Jerusalem on a donkey.

Now that we know that, why are these people celebrating it? According to the Bible? No, I do not think so. Again man has made things to please himself.

Matthew, Mark, Luke and John all inform us about the last supper and the crucifixion. Mark and John let us know the next day the Sabbath was the day after the crucifixion. All four inform us that the resurrection took place on the first day of the week, that day being the day after the Sabbath. We could list all the scriptures but I think you get the idea. What none of them do in these books are any other is tell us to celebrate any of these days.

Easter is the name of a spring goddess, surely God would not want us to celebrate this, and doesn’t He tell us not to worship any other gods?

To be sure I was on the right track I looked up what each of the celebrations during this week meant.

Holy Week is the week before Easter. It includes the following:
Palm Sunday (or Passion Sunday), the entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem.
Holy Thursday (or Maundy Thursday), the institution of Communion and the betrayal by Judas. Thursday is the day that four events are celebrated. The washing of the disciples feet, which we are told to do to others. The mystery of the bread and wine at the last supper. No mystery to me, the scriptures tell us plainly what it is all about,and yes we are told to do it also. Christ’s agony in the Garden of Gethsemane, well there is nothing there that tells me to celebrate it. Nor, can I think of a reason to celebrate the betrayal of Judas, but it is included in the four things that are commemorated on Thursday. Good Friday, the arrest, trial, crucifixion, death, and burial of Jesus Christ. Holy Saturday, Holy and Great Saturday, is also called The Great Sabbath since it is on this day that Christ "rested" physically in the tomb. But it is also believed that it was on this day He performed in spirit the Harrowing of Hell and raised up to Paradise those held captive there.
The time from sundown on Holy Thursday to sundown on Easter Day is also known as the Triduum, which is Latin for “three days.”

Easter Sunday is the first day of the new season, referring to the time between Pascha [Easter] and Pentecost. The new clothes, the bunnies and the eggs, they also have meaning. The new clothes show newness, white signifies purity. The bunny is a symbol of God’s plan to be fruitful and multiply, and the renewed exuberance of all creatures in cooperating with God in creating new life. The egg is a symbol of the resurrection; the shell represents the tomb, which could not contain the resurrected Lord. The chick bursting forth from the lifeless shell is a metaphor for the mystery of Christ’s resurrection. This one I love “we could think of the eggs the Easter rabbit carries in a basket as representing Christians carrying the message of Christ into the world.”
I guess it just shows that the more you read, the more you know? It was enough to make me want to laugh, but there are people that actually believe all of the above.

Jesus told us in His Words what we were to do and not do. We were also told not to add or take away from that Word, which is the Bible.

I think everyday should be a Holy Day to the Lord. I am thankful that He was born, that He died for all our sins, that He rose again. I am thankful for the day of Pentecost. I am thankful that my day to celebrate the Lord is each day that I am living for Him.

God Bless,
rECj/LJG

SATURDAY EDITORIAL

March 9 1843 - Scottish clergyman Robert Murray McCheyne wrote in a letter: 'You will never find Jesus so precious as when the world is one vast howling wilderness. Then he is like a rose blooming in the midst of the desolation, a rock rising above the storm.'

Source: Today in Christian History

Can't you just see this scene in your minds eye, absolutely nothing but barren land as far as you can see and then all of a sudden you see this beautiful rose standing there all alone and just a few feet beyond there is a rock. Oh think about it my friends, He has provided all we need to get past whatever we are going thru at this time in our lives.

Now this rock isn't so big that we can't climb up on it. Once we get on it we are cradled in His precious loving arms, safe, sound and secure. Oh how glorious that thought is.

How sad that we allow ourselves to be tossed to and fro for so long a time before we look for the only safe place there is for us. When you think about it, it really is so simple that we fail to see Him there waiting for us. So simply that we can't comprehend. We think that it has to be hard. But it isn't.

rECj and me was talking last night about a dearly loved family member who is on the verge of losing everything. God doesn't want them to lose, He wants them to win. The only problem is they have failed to keep Him foremost in their lives. So, He had to do something to bring them back to their first love. They have found the Rock, climbed up on it and are holding on to the Rose with dear life. He is going to restore them to greater heights.

It isn't God who has failed or forsaken us, it is us who have worked so hard to do it ourselves that has caused us all the troubles we have or will have. We just lose sight of the Rock. The only requirements He has given us is that we come to Him believing on Him as the only true God and have a child like faith. That gives us the privilege to rest on His bosom for all eternity.

Are you finding yourself walking thru a wilderness right now? Then stop, stop right where you are and look for the Rose and Rock. Run to it as fast as you can, there you will find the peace and love that you are so desiring. No all our troubles won't go away but they shore will be a lot easier to bear. Let us today determine to keep less of ourselves and a whole lot more of God, Jesus and the Holy Ghost in our live.

Keep this thought in your head, when you are down to nothing, God IS up to something.

God's Blessing to each of you,
LJG/rECj

JESUS IS

Our Saviour, Lord, Love, Peace, Forgiveness, Righteousness, Deliverer, Fellowship, Example, Companion, Brother, Guardian, Security, Sufficiency, Fulfillment, Everything.

We, who know Jesus, know that He is all of the above. There is not a day of our life’s that goes by that we cannot see His presence all around us. There are times in the rush of doing the things we have to do that we do not stop and look around us.

As I look over the past week, I can see Him in every step that I have taken. He has restored, made clean, forgiven, healed mind and body. He has surprised me with blessings, blessed me with new friends, given me a rose bud. He has allowed me to pass along some of the blessings that He gave to me.

He has showed me things that I did not know, brought to light things I knew but didn’t fully comprehend. He has opened some doors in my life, and closed some others. He has caused me to laugh and comforted me about those things that were sad.

Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return there. The Lord gave and the LORD has taken away; Blessed be the Name of the Lord. Job 1:21

One day 18 years ago the Lord brought that verse to life for me. I was naked taking a bath when a knock came on the door. Naked I peeked out of the curtain and no one was there, it happened more then once. As I retreated back to the bathroom, I heard His voice telling me naked I came into the world and naked I stand before Him. When we go before the Lord there is nothing between us, everything is laid out in the open. But Jesus is an all-knowing God that knows everything, even those things we do not share with Him.

With all that He shares and does for us, isn’t it wonderful that we can go to Him anyway we are at the moment. And even though this week there were things that I was growing and learning, and something’s that are still the same, He my wonderful, gracious Lord was there blessing me, loving me.

Oh what a Mighty God we serve. Look at your past week, and thank Him for all the wonderful things He has done for you.

God Bless,
rECj/LJG

SAD BUT TRUE

Many people do not even think twice about accepting Jesus and living a life for Him. With all their being they want to be close to God, they have no questions, no concerns, just here I am Jesus, take me, mold me, shape me, let me be all you want me to be. Some people don’t even think about that, it is just a feeling of wanting to have Him in their life. Isa 64:8 But now, O LORD, thou [art] our father; we [are] the clay, and thou our potter; and we all [are] the work of thy hand.

The sad part is so many people don’t want or won’t accept Christ as their Saviour and personal companion. Why? They want to get right first. They don’t want to make a commitment they don’t feel they can live up to. Then there are those that want God, but also want the world. There are also people that say they are Christians, they love the Lord and they say they are living for Him, but nothing has changed in their life’s. 1 John 2:15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

All of us reading this know at least one person who thinks in such a way. These people know there is one God, that His Son Jesus died for us. They know some of the truth, but fear has stepped its ugly head into their life’s. Mat 10:28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

At one time I did not want to be two faced, trying to live for the Lord, while still having and doing things that I knew were wrong. Hey guess what, I was not perfect then, and still am not. You cannot get it right without God; He is the only way to get it right. Rom 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what [is] that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Let’s be honest, we do not make a promise thinking of how we will fail in keeping it. God is gracious and merciful to forgive us when we do make mistakes, and we will.

There are lots of things in the world that we like. God created the world, and all that is in it. It is people that took that good and made it bad. We have found that the Lord take’s away the desires of the world that do not line up with His Word. It does not say He takes the desire to live in the world away from us. He created this world for us His children.

For those who have accepted Christ and nothing has changed, I blame some Pastors. I see Pastors that will not tell their members that something they are doing is wrong. They would rather grow and collect the money, than tell the truth and set someone free, then maybe lose some body or some money. I have seen known homosexuals playing the piano in church, and teaching classes. Couples living in sin openingly and no one says a word. I have even heard a Pastor tell the church to do as he says and not as he does. Why, both his wife and mistress came to church each Sunday, and sat on different sides of the church on the front roll. No body has ever told them their life style is wrong, and some so-called Pastors life’s aren’t much better.

It is easy to see the reason why some people will not make the decision to just let go and let God. We are not to give up on these people. We are to pray or continue to pray for them. We are to let them see our walk. That walk includes falling down and getting up. Yes we do make mistakes but we have an advocate in Christ. We need to let people see that.

Before I close I would like to share with you what God blessed me with this morning. I walked outside to see one tiny bloom on the rose bush by my apartment. I picked it for my daughter who was taking me to work. As I waited for her I looked at the bud and this is what I saw. Dewdrops of various different sizes glistening on the many colors of pink that where on the bud. God formed and placed each drop of dew on that rose with His fingers. He stroked the colors of pink for that one bud differently then any other bud on this earth. The fragrance of that rose is unique to that plant alone. God did all that for me to share with my daughter this morning. That is just one of the reasons why I love Him so much.

God Bless,
rECj/LJG

YOU ARE ONLY HUMAN

I think we have all heard that remark, sounds innocent enough, after all we are only human. Wrong, if we have asked Jesus into our life then no we are not just human.

Colossians 1:22 22 In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:
Psalm 65:4 (King James Version) 4 Blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and causest to approach unto thee, that he may dwell in thy courts: we shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house, even of thy holy temple.
2 Samuel 7:14 14 I will be his father, and he shall be my son.

Psalm 34:4 4 I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.

Psalm 27:5 For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.

No we are not only human, we are part of the family of God. By the death of Christ Jesus, He can present us holy before God. We are blessed, able to dwell in His courts, even His holy temple. He is our Father, we are His children. We can seek Him, and He will hear us, and deliver us from our fears. In times of trouble He will hide us, He will set us on a rock. He will hear our prayers and answer them.

What a mighty God we serve. We live in a body, which will come to an end. Our soul which is bonded with Christ and not human, will live forever.

I would like to thank P for inspiring this.

As always LJG and I love you and thank you. God bless each and everyone of you today. You are not only human, you are children of the Most High God, and you are our brothers and sisters now and for always.

God Bless,

rECj/LJG

EVEN AS YOUR SOUL PROSPERS

3 John 1 (King James Version)
1 The elder unto the well beloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth. 2 Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. 3 For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth. 4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. 5 Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest to the brethren, and to strangers; 6 Which have borne witness of thy charity before the church: whom if thou bring forward on their journey after a godly sort, thou shalt do well: 7 Because that for his name's sake they went forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles. 8 We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellow helpers to the truth. 9 I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not. 10 Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church. 11 Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God. 12 Demetrius hath good report of all men, and of the truth itself: yea, and we also bear record; and ye know that our record is true. 13 I had many things to write, but I will not with ink and pen write unto thee: 14 But I trust I shall shortly see thee, and we shall speak face to face. Peace be to thee. Our friends salute thee. Greet the friends by name.

John is writing here to his beloved friend Gaius. Gauis was a man who lived in and lived out the truth of Jesus. John speaks of Gauis’ faithfulness in whatever he does, not only for his brothers but also for strangers.

This letter could be written to any one of us today, by one of our elders. We are to encourage others, when we know their walk is true. Not to long ago one of our writers sent us an award. We are very much aware that God is our source and we give Him all the credit. That award said to us, job well done. It did not lift our feet off the ground; we continue to write as we always have. It let us know that we are encouraging others.

LJG and I had talked were we reaching anyone, we saw nothing, and we heard nothing. Okay maybe we don’t but we will not stop until the LORD tells us to. Within days of that conversation people started leaving messages and comments. LJG and I have had these sites up for close to two years, no responses. Did it matter; no we knew in our hearts that the Lord had led us to do them.

What is important is we listened to the Lord. The award would seem to some to be simple, not a real award. To us it was God saying well-done good and faithful servant, you stuck it out, you stood. We need to encourage others in their walk for the Lord. What to you might be the simplest remark could be just the word that person needs to hear. Even as your soul prospers. Everyone wants to hear that they have accomplished something. I encourage you today to take a few minutes and call some people, write a note, send e-mail, let someone know that that you have seen the walk they walk. Let someone know that they have encouraged you.

Now to each one of you our readers; thank you, thank you for the part you are in our life’s. May our Father above bless you going out and coming in. May you receive encouragement in the walk that He has given you. If you do not know the walk He has for you, we pray that He will open your eyes to that special assignment that is for you and only you. May you continue to grow in Him, and of Him. May the blessing of our Father give you joy in every area of your life. As your soul prospers so shall your life. May your soul grow in strength and knowledge. God bless you each according to the riches that our Father has. Amen

rECj and I are in touch with each other daily. We do tell each other about ourselves when are beginning to get out of line in our walk with God. But the important things that come to my mind is that she never fails to give me joy, peace and most important love. It is the love that only God can give. We keep each grounded. We always know that the other is there no matter what. No, we do not allow agree but we are able to say what is important to us knowing that the other one will understand and give us the help that we are so in need of.

rECj's words for today brings back to mind a good friend of mine. Last year she was going thru a really bad time. Her own mama had rejected her because of the life she was living. So she came to me. As we sat at my dining room table, I listened to her and her troubles, and all of a sudden God put these words in and out of my mouth, "I'm not here to judge you, I am here to love you." She really broke down then and came to me and we hugged each other til she had composed herself. Jesus said, Ye judge after the flesh; I judge no man John 8:15., and And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world John 12:47.

Our soul will never prosper until we put God's love in our hearts. Please reach out to someone today. We love each of you.

God Bless,

rECj/LJG

2 PETER 3:15-18

15 And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; 16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. 17 Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness. 18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

I want to look here at one of the stories within the story. Peter speaks here of his beloved brother Paul. Let us go back to the 2nd chapter of Galatians. I will only write a few of the scriptures here, but encourage you to read the chapter for yourself.

Galatians 2:2 And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain.
7 But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter; 8 (For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:) 9 And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision.
11 But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed. 12 For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision. 13 And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation. 14 But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews? 15 We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles, 16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

Paul had publicity opposed Peter, yet in 2 Peter, Peter speaks of Paul his believed brother. “in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction” Peter was willing and able to accept that he was still learning and growing. He understood that some things are hard to understand, and the unlearned will wrestle with things to their own destruction. He goes on to say that, ”beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.” We being Believers of Christ should know that we are to pray, and seek the Lord in all things concerning Him, Who is our Salvation. We are not to stick to what we think is right, but be willing to accept change as we grow in the Lord.

Concerning the last days we are to be prepared at all times for His coming, and He shall come again as He said He would. We might not be able to understand all of the scriptures about the second coming. What we do know is He said He would send His Son, and He did. He told us how Jesus would be born, live and die. Both God and Jesus have told us that Jesus will come again. I might not understand how God does everything, but this I do know, He does what He says He will do.

Jesus is coming again; I plan on taking that trip. How about you?

God Bless,

rECj/LJG

SUNDAY EDITORIAL

Today at work I was blessed with a book. After arriving home I glanced through it, and must admit the only thought I had was to crawl up in bed and read. There are people in this world that have a deep abiding love of the Lord and want, desire to share it. That is what this book is. The name is Prayers, and there is a notation to please feel free to copy and redistribute in any way. They also have a web site where the entire book can be downloaded free. I cannot begin to list all the prayers included, nor to print the introduction. We will simply ask you to go to the web site at the bottom of the page and take a look. We sincerely believe that you will be blessed. The following is the insert that is in the front of the book. We believe that just reading it will be movation to go to the site and read the book. As for me, the house will not get cleaned tonight, I am crawling into bed and reading. May God bless each and everyone of you. Sincerely Yours in Christ rECj/LJG

“Daily Confession of Faith”

In Christ I am anointed and a powerful person of God.
I am a joint-heir with Jesus and more than a conqueror.
I am a doer of the Word of God and a channel for His blessings.
If God be for me, who can be against me?
I am blessed coming in and I am blessed
Going out. My enemies are fleeing before me. God has commanded
His blessing on my storehouses. He has opened His
Good treasures and I shall lend and not borrow.
I am the head and not the tail.
He has given me power to make wealth.
I dwell in the secret place I have
His protection and provision. God is my refuge, my fortress
I am not afraid of the snare of the fowler. No
Evil shall befall me and no plague shall come nigh
My dwelling. God has given His angels
Charge over me and they are bearing me up in their hands lest
I dash my foot against a stone, as declared in Psalms 91.
I Peter 2:9 establishes I am a chosen generation,
A royal priesthood, a holy nation.
I am a peculiar person called out of darkness
Into His marvelous light.
I Peter 2:24 states, I have been healed by the stripes of Jesus.
Cancer, sugar diabetes, heart disease, sickness,
Afflictions, infections, or any other disease can not enter my body.
I am without spot or blemish,
An intercessor, the righteousness of God, saved, and washed in the
Blood of Jesus.
“No weapon formed against me shall prosper, and every tongue
Which rises against me in judgment You shall condemn.
This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their
Righteousness is from Me," Says the LORD.
I am saved from wrath by Him and justified
by the Blood of the Lamb.

Lord I pray that those may prosper that love Jerusalem and that peace will be within them and prosperity in their houses according to Psalms 122:6-9.

Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah!

Source: www.christianword.org

This just plain makes me want to get up and shout. You have to admit it is wonderful. LJG

SATURDAY EDITORIAL

Titus 1:15 Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.

This week I have been doing research on a couple of Jewish sites. Now before you get the wrong idea, I am not brow beating these people. As Believers, we have been adopted as a Jew. So we must think on that fact and it is interesting to see that they aren't really that different from any of the rest of us. Yes it is very true that they don't believe that Jesus has ever come. But that is something that is between them and God Almighty.

So now I would like for ya'll to think for a minute about this thought of mine. If someone was to start talking about one of our loved ones, what would we do? Well let me just tell you that we wouldn't stand there and let it go on. We would bow up and let them just plain know they are walkin and talkin on very dangerous ground and they had better back off and shut up. Ok that is what I would do anyway.

I know they on live by the Words in the Old Testament. So, therefore, they can't see and understand the change that came about with the coming of Jesus.

The Jews, like so many others walkin around today, believe that there are certain food and drinks that we can't consume. Hog wash! Jesus plainly said that whatever He made is clean and not uncommon.

Paul shows in the above scripture, in few words, that purity consists not in any outward worship, and that which is according to the old Law (as indifference of meats, and washings, and other such things which are done away with the coming of Jesus) but in the mind and conscience. And whoever teaches otherwise, does not know what true Godliness really is, and also is not to be heeded. If our minds and consciences are unclean, what cleanness is there in us before we come to believe in God?

It is not food that makes one impure. To the pure all things are pure. When one is unbelieving and defiled, no food can make him pure. All kinds of meat; the Mosaic distinction between clean and unclean meats being now taken away. The apostle joins defiled and unbelieving, to imply that nothing can be clean without a true faith: for both the understanding and conscience, those leading powers of the soul, are polluted, so is the man and all he does.

Let us all remember that it is not what goes into the body that defiles us but what comes out of our mouths.

God's Blessings to each of you,

LJG/rECj

ALL THESE THINGS

2 Peter 3:11-14 (King James Version) 11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, 12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? 13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. 14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.

Seeing that all things will be dissolved without restriction or limit, earth and the heavens as we know it will be done away with, in a moment, a blink of the eye, what of us? What manner of people should we be? Our conversation should be holy, and our life’s holy unto God.

We should be looking forward to the day and hasting, by your earnest desires and prayers the coming of the day of the Lord. Yes we should be praying that God would come.

Those that belong to Him should live in righteousness, looking forward to the day of His return. Seeing that we should look for his return, we should live our life’s as though He will come at any moment. Clean and pure without blemish, at peace, waiting for Him to arrive.

We will then live in the new earth as God intended us to live when he created it all in the beginning.

God Bless,

rECj/LJG

THE END/THE BEGINNING

2 Peter 3: 10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

The Lord will come as a thief, not that He wants to steal anything from us. But as with a thief we have to be on guard, prepared, ready. I pray that done of you has ever woken to the sound of glass breaking, your reaction, your timing has to be together. The Lord does not let us know the hour or minute when He will come. For that reason we have to be ready at all times.

And the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and everything shall melt with a great heat, that includes the earth and everything that is left here. Burned!

We are foretold in the Old Testament by the prophets of the first and second coming of Christ. Christ told us that He would come again.

Zechariah 13:9 And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, it is my people: and they shall say, the LORD is my God.

1 Peter 1:7 That the trial of your faith, being more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
Burned just as we must so through the fire to be purified, so shall the earth, as we shall return, so the earth will, it shall be as God intended it to be. As water washed away our sins, so does God put us through the fire. The earth and all shall go through the fire. All the impurities shall be refined as gold.

Science has given us much information that can make it easy to appear that the earth had a big bang, and could have another. “The inner core of the Earth is a primarily solid sphere about 1220 km in radius. It is slightly larger than the Moon and it is warmer than the Sun's outer surface. The inner core is a solid ball of nickel and iron, which has the pressure of the whole earth situated at Earth's center. It is not known why the earth’s core is not, but there are lines of evidence. The changing thickness of the earth's crust indicates a constant cooling, which indicates that the heat was created at the beginning of the earth's formation.”

“It's quite significant that a large number of coral reefs are dying from over-heating. Humans are not causing the oceans to over-heat; it appears to be caused by heat from the earth's core. Galaxies supposedly moved to their present vicinity in a fraction of a second before the laws of physics began.”

“The big bang does the same things God does, except God does it through the laws of physics, and the big bang doesn't. Why didn't the laws of physics begin when matter got half way to its present location? What caused the laws of physics to begin? The whole purpose is to deny the existence of a creator.”

“It is obvious from observations that everything in the universe is about where it always has been, and it doesn't move very much. But physicists cannot explain how it got there. They have a terrible need to justify their atheism by denying that God could have create galaxies and stars where they are, so they synthesize absurdities to prove that it didn't happen. Trying to prove that God did not do what he did is not science, it's corrupt religion. Religion needs to stay out of science. This means that if science cannot determine how the universe got where it is, there is no justification in contriving absurdities such as the Big Bang Theory to explain it.”

That said the Bible says: “in which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.” The Bible says it, then it will be so. The rest of the story: Read verse 13.

MY NOTES: I have studied how the Bible tells me how to study it and understand its message, rather than inventing my own principles. I have found that people who have other views on prophecy neglect many important Bible Study principles that the Bible teaches. People say, "The Bible is easy to understand and that God wouldn't hide things from us". The Bible says otherwise. (Prov 25:2) People say, "There can only be one meaning in a given passage." The Bible says otherwise. (Galatians 4:24, Hosea 12:10)

The Bible contains "some things hard to be understood" (2 Peter 3:16) And "It is the glory of God to conceal a thing!" (Proverbs 25:2)

The Bible tells you how to understand the Bible: Fear the Lord, Prayer, the Holy Spirit's guidance, diligently seeking, rightly dividing, comparing spiritual with spiritual.

The Bible tells you how to interpret Bible Prophecy: (1) Stories & parallels are prophecies. (2) There are multiple fulfillments and unmentioned time gaps.

God Bless,

rECj/LJG

BIBLICAL PROPHECY

We have not forgotten 2 Peter 3, before we go back there we wanted to share some of the things we have found in our research of this chapter.

Just as the Old Testament foretold of the first coming of Jesus, both Old and New tell of His second coming. There are 1,845 references to the second coming of Christ in the Old. As for the New there are 318 references in 260 chapters, twenty-three of the 27 New books refer to this event. For every prophecy speaking of the first coming, there are 8 that speak of the second coming.

Proof of Christ second coming can be confirmed by the fact that all the prophecies of His first coming have happened with absolute accuracy. The rest will also happen, God keeps His promises, His Word is true and not one “jot or one title” shall pass away until it is all fulfilled. Matthew 5:18.

The biggest lesson we can learn is that if the prophecies of His first coming have been fulfilled so the rest will be fulfilled in the second coming.

Jesus in Luke 4:18-19 was quoting Isaiah 61:1,2. 1 The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; 2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD,
Luke 4:18-19 (King James Version) 18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, 19 To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.

To preach the acceptable year of the Lord. Read that again and think on it, as always the Bible tells us the truth. Jesus came to fulfill the prophecies of His first coming with signs, suffering and offering His life as a sacrifice to reconcile man to God. But, look at the rest of the 2nd verse “ and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;” The NIV says it this way: to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn.” Jesus is coming back again as the triumphant Lord and all His enemies shall be made his footstool [Matthew 22:44].

To have an even better understanding of what this second coming is about look at the next few verses of Isaiah 61:3 To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that He might be glorified. 4 And they shall build the old wastes, they shall raise up the former desolations, and they shall repair the waste cities, the desolations of many generations. 5 And strangers shall stand and feed your flocks, and the sons of the alien shall be your plowmen and your vinedressers. 6 But ye shall be named the Priests of the LORD: men shall call you the Ministers of our God: ye shall eat the riches of the Gentiles, and in their glory shall ye boast yourselves.

We are not Gentiles, we are heirs to the throne of Jesus, we have been adopted into His family, we are Jew’s and being Jew’s all the promises made to them belong to us.

We pray that you do know who you are and that you know all the promises belong to you. We also pray that you know what those promises are.

God Bless,

rECj/LJG

TRUST AND OBEY

I loved the comments that we received today. I am including them in part: one of my biggest issues is trusting the Lord even though he is soooooo faithful, betty; What a beautiful way to describe a spiritual truth!! - Barbara

We were the caterpillars, we can become the butterflies. Trust is a real big deal to all of us. It is something that we grow up learning and losing, to trust. We human beings desire to think with our mind, we have done it our entire life. Not an easy habit to break, but one that we need to, to have the full honest relationship with God that He desires from us.

Trust with and for God is nothing compared to the trust that we have in this world. There are people in our life’s that we trust, but honestly we all know they can turn that trust around, after all it has happened before, to all of us. I believe we have all had that friend that we shared so much with to only wake up one day and wonder how could we ever have told them all that we did.

As close as LJG and I are there are things that we have not shared. We can talk about a lot of things but there are some things that are too personal, no we do not go there. As much as we do know we can trust the other, we are very much aware that the one we can trust the most is God.

Do I at all times trust in Him? No I forget, and try to do things myself, or at the least try to help Him alone. And then there are times that I forget who I am and forge ahead, to have to take a step back repent, and look for my axe head, before letting go and letting God.

I know God can do it, I know He will do it on time, I know that He will not give me more then I can bare, I know He will strengthen me in all things. Most of all I know that He is gracious and merciful to forgive me when I do forget to trust Him.

Trust with God is a day-by-day journey. As we learn to trust Him with the small things, it becomes easier to trust Him with the big things, and then the bigger things. One thing I do know the more you know the more you trust, the more you trust the more you know.

God bless each of you for your comments and your thoughts. We must add here that as always we operate with God knows best. Last night the article I was working on would not come together. I was blocked, LJG tried to help and still it just was not right. Okay what do we do? The Lord knew that Betty needed to hear this word this morning. We didn’t know that at the time, but we both said let’s put that on the site. It is not the first time that has happened and we are sure it will not be the last. I will also add we have actually tried to write articles ahead of time, it doesn’t work. We wait on God and follow His lead. That said be blessed in the LORD. Amen.

If you are wondering about the axe head, just ask, LJG will explain it again.

God Bless,

rECj/LJG

SUNDAY EDITORIAL

Today when I left work I went with my ride to the cemetery to meet another young lady at the grave of a young man who passed away not quite a month ago. The facts of what happened to him will probably never be known. What will not change is the fact that he was shot and is dead. That part is final.

The problem one young girl is having is accepting the fact he is gone. Everyone is telling her to “get it together,” “accept that he is gone.” She is a Christian and has prayed for peace concerning his passing and that she has received to a point. She needs time to heal from the lost of her best friend.

As for myself I got angry, as I do each time I hear of the dumb thoughtless things people will say when someone dies. It has gotten to the point that I do not attend funerals. I am the one that goes by the house and tells the person go ahead and cry. I visit afterwards and laugh and cry as we talk about the memories that we share.

Why do people say the things they say? I believe it is because they do not know what to say, but feel they should say something.

Both of the young ladies told me today that they cry everyday. And as tears flowed down their faces I told them of how 30 years after my Granddaddy’s death I found myself crying one day after smelling cut grass; it will get better but the memories will always be there, and yes years from now they might cry and there is nothing wrong with that.

Do not misunderstand me if someone is in a deep depression, or denial then help should be sought. What I am speaking of is letting people heal in their own way, in their own time. The lost of a loved one is tragic, and there is nothing wrong with mourning that lost. People need to mourn, which means crying. It is better to say nothing then to stick our foot in our mouths.

Some people have a gift for saying the right thing. All are not gifted as such. If it is not one of your gifts, then offer your sympathy, prayers, let the family or person know you are thinking about them and leave it at that.

One time that stands out in my mind is a father had died and the children were gathered outside the funeral home just before the ceremony. Everyone was on edge and trying not to cry. Knowing that two of this man’s daughters had prepared poems to read, it was becoming apparent they would not be able to do it in the state they were in. A simple question asked kindly “What is the funniest thing you remember about your Dad?” I can not put into the words the looks that came across their faces as they looked to each other and then and there smiles started to appear as two said together “Daddy Dancing.” Every one of those family members starting talking about how the man loved to dance and at each family gathering he would always grab one of his children to start off the dancing. The thing is Daddy could not dance. As they spoke of this they relaxed and both girls were able to go in the building and speak lovingly of their Dad. A simple question asked the right way, brought about a peace as they talked of their Dad.

We will all at some point and time be in a position where we can comfort someone. You would be surprise at what saying nothing can mean to a grieving family. Stop think and if you don’t feel lead by God to say something, then stand by. Sometimes the best thing we can do is just stand.

God Bless,

rECj/LJG