INSPIRED BY THE HOLY GHOST

1 Corinthians 14:6-9

But now brethren, if I come to you speaking with tongues,
what shall I profit you unless I speak to you either by
revelation, by knowledge, by prophesying, or by teaching.
Even things without life, whether flute or harp, when they
make a sound, unless they make a distinction in the sounds,
how will it be known what is piped or played? For if the
trumpet makes an uncertain sound, who will prepare for
battle? So likewise you, unless you utter by the tongue
words easy to understand, how will it be known what is
spoken? For you will be speaking into the air.

The Bible contains such wisdom and beauty, as well as
plain common sense. Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit,
writes with just that kind of common sense in these verses.
He writes that the sounds that come out of our mouths must
make sense in order to be helpful, just as the sounds that
come out of the trumpet must make sense in order to call
the troops to battle. Who enjoys listening to someone bang
indiscriminately on a piano? But everyone enjoys hearing
the beautiful harmony of a piece well played! May the
words that come out of our mouths make sense to the glory
of God.

God Bless You!

Annie

mailto:annie@gophercentral.com
Email Annie

JOYCE MEYERS SAYS:

PLEASANT WORDS ARE SWEET "The mind of the wise instructs his mouth, and adds learning and persuasiveness to his lips. Pleasant words are as a honeycomb, sweet to the mind and healing to the body" (Prov. 16:23-24).

Words and thoughts are like bone and marrow--so close, it is hard to divide them (see Heb. 4:12).

Our thoughts are silent words that only we and the Lord hear, but those words affect our inner man, our health, our joy and our attitude. The things we think on often come out of our mouths and sometimes make us look foolish.

Judgment, criticism and suspicion never bring joy. Jesus said that He came in order that we might have and enjoy life (see John 10:10). Begin to operate in the mind of Christ, and you will step into a whole new realm of living.

Read more: http://charismamag.com/index.php/blogs/joyce-meyer/23801-who-are-we-to-pass-judgment#ixzz0y5wlukhe

SUNDAY EDITORIAL

SOWING AND REAPING The Scriptures plainly tell us that we will reap what we sow (see Matt. 7:1-2; Gal. 6:7). This also applies to the mental realm.

We can sow and reap an attitude as well as a crop or an investment. Many times we are reaping in our lives what we have previously sown into the life of another.

The devil loves to keep us busy, mentally judging the faults of others. That way, we never see or deal with what is wrong with us!

We cannot change others; only God can. We cannot change ourselves either, but we can cooperate with the Holy Spirit and allow Him to do the work.

When we have our thoughts and conversation on what is wrong with everyone else, we are usually being deceived about our own conduct. Therefore, Jesus commanded that we not concern ourselves with what is wrong with others when we have so much wrong with ourselves (see Matt. 7:3-5). Allow God to deal with you first, and then you will learn the scriptural way of helping your brother grow in his Christian walk.

Besides reaping judgment ourselves when we criticize others, the Scriptures tell us that we ourselves do the same things for which we criticize others (see Rom. 2:1). The Lord gave me a good example once to help me understand this principle.

I was pondering why we would do something ourselves and think it was perfectly all right but judge someone else who does it. The Lord said, "Joyce, you look at yourself through rose-colored glasses, but you look at everyone else through a magnifying glass."

We make excuses for our own behavior, but when someone else does the same thing we do, we are often merciless. Doing unto others as we want them to do to us (see Matt. 7:12) is a good life principle that will prevent a lot of judgment and criticism, if followed.

A judgmental mind is an offshoot of a negative mind--thinking about what is wrong with an individual instead of what is right. Being positive and not negative will benefit others, but you will benefit more than anyone.

Read more: http://charismamag.com/index.php/blogs/joyce-meyer/23801-who-are-we-to-pass-judgment#ixzz0xNm4OlpC

SATURDAY EDITORIAL

Chucking the Comparisons
by Melinda Doolittle

One of the most important things you can ever learn is to appreciate who you are. Other people may try to pigeonhole you or force you into their preconceived notions of who or what you should be, but God created you to be unique.

Sometimes in the media I get compared to other singers. Of course, at times it is extremely flattering to see my name in the same sentence with Gladys Knight, Aretha Franklin or Tina Turner. Certainly, I'm beyond honored to be compared to these great female artists. Yet if I were to take those press reports seriously, those statements could produce enormous, unnecessary pressure and take my focus away from who I'm really supposed to be.

I can’t step onto a stage thinking, The audience is expecting Aretha Franklin and Gladys Knight to walk out there – with a side of Tina Turner thrown in for good measure. They’re going to get Melinda. When I perform, I can only be myself. Of course I respect every one of those amazing singers and have learned so much from each of them, but I can only be Melinda.

Obviously, we live in a world of constant comparisons, and many of us work in extremely competitive environments. It is always tempting to allow comparisons to other people to dictate how we will look, act, speak, or even think. We can’t escape comparisons – American Idol is comparison to the max – but we don’t have to let those comparisons change our core values.

It’s easy for people to base their worth on what others say about them; they use the opinions of other people as a barometer to gauge how well they are doing. But that gauge is unreliable and sometimes even dangerous. When I find myself falling into that trap, I love to look at one of my favorite Scripture passages, from Psalm 139:

For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place.
When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,
your eyes saw my unformed body.
All the days ordained for me
were written in your book
before one of them came to be.
(Psalm 139:13-16, NIV)

To me, that passage says that we matter to God: He made us, and even before we were born, He established a plan for our lives. We cannot base our estimation of ourselves on the fickle opinions of other people.

That’s why I believe I am only in competition with myself. Certainly, I want to be the best “me” possible, so I work at my craft. I try to take good care of my body, mind, and spirit. But I don’t base my self esteem on someone else’s idea of who I should be. Funny, many images of celebrities or models in magazines nowadays are “computer enhanced,” altered to look better by someone who is handy with a mouse. The images themselves are not even real, much less valid comparisons.

So rather than comparing yourself to anyone else, simply relax and enjoy being the person God made you to be. You are your own competition. In fact, you are your only competition.

Adapted from Beyond Me: Finding Your Way to Life’s Next Level by Melinda Doolittle, © 2010 Melinda Doolittle, Zondervan.

"THE SIN OF FORNICATION"

Probably won't be a lot of readers on this one. Read at your own risk. LJG/rECj

I know this next article will be a very sensitive one for many single Christian men and women. Many single Christians I have met over the years who were fornicating with their steady partners were hoping that God was going to turn a blind eye to this act and was going to cut them some slack on this sin due to the laxness and permissiveness of our society, along with the fact that everyone else is doing it these days.

However, when you see the 9 verses I will list in this article on fornication, you will see that God will not be turning a blind eye to this sin, and this is another one that is very serious in His eyes. There is one verse in particular that I did not know was in the Bible that really draws the line in the sand on this sin. It is the very last verse I have listed.

For those of you who would like to see what God's opinion really is on fornication in this day and age, here is the link to this new article:

http://www.bible-knowledge.com/the-sin-of-fornication/

Again, I know this will be a very touchy topic for many, but I felt I had to do this article for those of you who would really like to see what God's opinion is on this act, since so many are now doing it due to the laxness and permissiveness of our society in general.

God's blessing to you,
LJG/rECj

CROSSES

A friend sent this to me - it is what I'd call a BOLD statement and one I agree with.

When driving to, from, and through Frankenmuth,Michigan.I'm always intrigued with the many small simple crosses in the front yards of the homes we pass by. Those crosses are a statement of support for Frankenmuth's Christian foundation. Two years ago an atheist living there complained about two crosses on a bridge in town. He requested that they be removed and the town removed them.

He then decided that, since he was so successful with that, the city shield should also be changed since it had on it, along with other symbols, a heart with a cross inside signifying the city's Lutheran beginnings. At that point, the residents decided they had enough. Hundreds of residents made their opinions known by placing small crosses in their front yards. Seeing this quiet but powerful statement from the community, the man removed his complaint. Those simple crosses remain in those front yards today.

After passing those crosses for two years, it finally hit me that a small cross in millions of front yards across our country could provide a powerful and inspiring message for all Americans passing them every day.

I think it might be time to take this idea across America. We have an
administration that says "we are not a Christian nation" and everywhere you look the ACLU and others are trying to remove from our history and current lives any reference to God, prayer, or the fact that our country was founded on Judeo-Christian principles. Our administration can't bring themselves to talk about "radical Muslims or Islamic terrorists" for fear of offending them, but they can talk about Americans "clinging to their guns and their religion", or insinuate that our own military troops coming home from service overseas might turn into terrorists. The majority of Americans are Christians, why are we letting this happen to us?

IT'S TIME TO STAND UP AND MAKE A STATEMENT. A SMALL, QUIET, BUT POWERFUL STATEMENT.
IF YOU AGREE, PLACE A SMALL WHITE CROSS IN YOUR FRONT YARD OR GARDEN FOR ALL TO SEE THAT THEY ARE NOT ALONE.

It would be a beautiful thing to see crosses all across America.
Let's tell everyone who we are. We like these pages due to the deep message they have for our Lord and Saviour. Just think about them when you have a spare minute or two.

God's blessings to you,
LJG/rECj

GOD'S GRACE

It is a shame but this message is very true. Hope you are all as blessed as
I was by this story. I wonder how many people will delete this without
reading it because of the title.

There once was a man named George Thomas, pastor in a small New England
town. One Easter Sunday morning he came to the Church carrying a rusty,
bent, old bird cage, and set it by the pulpit.
Eyebrows were raised and, as if in response, Pastor Thomas began to
speak....

"I was walking through town yesterday when I saw a young boy coming toward
me swinging this bird cage. On the bottom of the cage were three little wild
birds, shivering with cold and fright.

I stopped the lad and asked, "What do you have there, son?"

"Just some old birds," came the reply.

"What are you going to do with them?" I asked.

"Take 'em home and have fun with 'em," he answered. "I'm gonna tease 'em and
pull out their feathers to make 'em fight. I'm gonna have a real good
time.."

"But you'll get tired of those birds sooner or later. What will you do
then?"

"Oh, I got some cats," said the little boy. "They like birds. I'll take 'em
to them."

The pastor was silent for a moment. "How much do you want for those birds,
son?"

"Huh?? !!! Why, you don't want them birds, mister. They're just plain old
field birds. They don't sing. They ain't even pretty!"

"How much?" the pastor asked again.

The boy sized up the pastor as if he were crazy and said, "$10?"

The pastor reached in his pocket and took out a ten dollar bill. He placed
it in the boy's hand. In a flash, the boy was gone. The pastor picked up the
cage and gently carried it to the end of the alley where there was a tree
and a grassy spot. Setting the cage down, he opened the
door, and by softly tapping the bars persuaded the birds out, setting them
free. Well, that explained the empty bird cage on the pulpit, and then the
pastor began to tell this story:

One day Satan and Jesus were having a conversation. Satan had just come from
the Garden of Eden, and he was gloating and boasting. "Yes, sir, I just
caught a world full of people down there. Set me a trap, used bait I knew
they couldn't resist. Got 'em all!"

"What are you going to do with them?" Jesus asked.

Satan replied, "Oh, I'm gonna have fun! I'm gonna teach them how to marry
and divorce each
other, how to hate and abuse each other, how to drink and smoke and curse.
I'm gonna teach them how to invent guns and bombs and kill each other. I'm
really gonna have fun!"

"And what will you do when you are done with them?" Jesus asked.

"Oh, I'll kill 'em," Satan glared proudly.

"How much do you want for them?" Jesus asked.

"Oh, you don't want those people. They ain't no good. Why, you'll take them
and they'll just hate you. They'll spit on you, curse you and kill you. You
don't want those people!!"

"How much? He asked again.

Satan looked at Jesus and sneered, "All your blood, tears and your life."

Jesus said, "DONE!" Then He paid the price.

The pastor picked up the cage and walked from the pulpit.


Note:
Isn't it funny how simple it is for people to trash God and then wonder
why the world's going to hell? Isn't it funny how someone can say "I
believe in God" but still follow Satan.
Isn't it funny how you can send a thousand jokes through e-mail and
they spread like wildfire, but when you start sending messages regarding the
Lord, people think twice about sharing?
Isn't it funny how we can be more worried about what other people think
of us than what God thinks of us?

BILLY GRAHAM'S PRAYER FOR OUR NATION

THIS MAN SURE HAS A GOOD VIEW OF WHAT'S HAPPENING TO OUR COUNTRY!

'Heavenly Father, we come before you today to ask your forgiveness and to seek your direction and guidance. We know Your Word says, 'Woe to those who call evil good,' but that is exactly what we have done. We have lost our spiritual equilibrium and reversed our values. We have exploited the poor and called it the lottery.. We have rewarded laziness and called it welfare... We have killed our unborn and called it choice. We have shot abortionists and called it justifiable. We have neglected to discipline our children and called it building self esteem.. We have abused power and called it politics... We have coveted our neighbor's possessions and called it ambition.. We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it freedom of expression. We have ridiculed the time-honored values of our forefathers and called it enlightenment. Search us, Oh God, and know our hearts today; cleanse us from every sin and Set us free.. Amen!'"
This is one man that the media had never been able to throw dirt on.

PAGE FROM INTERNET

THE NEW SCHOOL PRAYER

Now I sit me down in school
Where praying is against the rule
For this great nation under God
Finds mention of Him very odd.

If Scripture now the class recites,
It violates the Bill of Rights.
And anytime my head I bow
Becomes a Federal matter now.

Our hair can be purple, orange or green,
That's no offence; it's a freedom scene.
The law is specific, the law is precise.
Prayers spoken aloud are a serious vice.

For praying in a public hall
Might offend someone with no faith at all
In silence alone we must meditate,
God's name is prohibited by the state.
We're allowed to cuss and dress like freaks,
And pierce our noses, tongues and cheeks.
They've outlawed guns, but FIRST the Bible.
To quote the Good Book makes me liable.

We can elect a pregnant Senior Queen,
And the 'unwed daddy,' our Senior King.
It's 'inappropriate' to teach right from wrong,
We're taught that such 'judgments' do not belong.

We can get our condoms and birth controls,
Study witchcraft, vampires and totem poles

But the Ten Commandments are not allowed,
No word of God must reach this crowd.

It's scary here I must confess,
When chaos reigns the school's a mess.
So, Lord, this silent plea I make:
Should I be shot; My soul please take!
Amen !

Jesus! Said, ' If you are ashamed of me,' I will be ashamed
Of you before my Father.'

SUNDAY EDITORIAL

Start to Do Good

Famed philosopher and orator Edmund Burke once said, “All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” It’s true. Doing nothing is easy, but it’s also dangerous. Where there is no opposition to evil, evil will multiply.

We all fall into the trap of complaining about the things that are wrong. But complaining does nothing except discourage us even more. It changes nothing because there is no positive power in it.

Imagine what a mess the world would be if all God did was complain about everything that has gone wrong since He created it. But the Father doesn’t complain. He continues to be good and work for justice. Evil is powerful, but good is more powerful.

We need to stop and realize that God has chosen to work on this earth through His children—you and me.

It’s humbling to realize that He could do so much more if we would be committed to love and do good at all times. We need to remember Jesus’ instruction in Matthew 5:16, “ ‘Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven’ ” (NKJV).

The more we respond to evil with evil, the more it increases. Jesus is a true king, and He is good, kind and merciful to all. Can we do any less than follow His example?

Right now, can you think of anyone to whom you could show mercy? Is there someone who has treated you wrongly that you can be good to? Being merciful and good, especially to your enemies, may be one of the most powerful things you have ever done.

Imagine how different the world would be if each one of us who claims to know Christ would do one kind thing for someone else every day. The results would be astonishing. The world would change rapidly because we really could overcome evil with good if we all made a commitment to live the way Jesus tells us to live.

The idea of encouraging others to be aggressive in doing good works is not new. Hebrews 10:24 says, “And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works.”

We should actually study and think about how we can stir others to do good works and loving, helpful deeds. And remember, doing the right thing will require forming new habits and developing aggressive acts of love. The results will be wonderful!

Joyce Meyers

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

SATURDAY EDITORIAL

Take Your Foot Off The Brakes
By Bishop Vashti McKenzie
This week's topic: The Holy Spirit


How much of what you do everyday is by your own inclination, or by the power of the Holy Spirit? Everyday we make direction and destination decisions. We make them based on our own knowledge, learning and understanding, or we make them based upon the truth of God’s Word.


E. Stanley Jones writes that most people plot and plan themselves into mediocrity. The Holy Spirit will tell the believer, however, when to speak up, when to be quiet, what to say, where to go, when to leave, and will give direction to our daily movements.

It’s like the bitter cold winter race, the Iditarod. Dogsled teams race between Anchorage and Nome, Alaska. It is a brutal test of the skill and endurance of both humans and dogs.

There is an often-told story about a novice in the race excited to be apart of a race that could cost you your life. Excitement didn’t last long against the elements and he came in last. He asked an experienced racer to critique his efforts. The experienced racer responded that the dogs know where to go. You kept trying to tell the dogs where to go and you kept your foot on the break.

We are limiting our direction and destination efforts of this Christian race when we are led by our own inclination instead of being led by the Holy Spirit.

In the epistle to the Roman Christians, Paul, the attributed author, makes a masterful argument that three walls surround all of humanity. All of us have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. This is the wall of universal guilt. The good we try to do, we don’t; and the sin we don’t want to do, we do. This is the wall of sinful nature. Whosoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved represents the wall of sovereign election.

Paul references the Holy Spirit many times in this chapter. The Holy Spirit breaks through the walls of sin, guilt and shame because there is now no condemnation. The Holy Spirit elevates our view off of earthly things and onto the things of God, spiritual things that are eternal. The Holy Spirit assures us of this new relationship as inheritors or heirs with Christ to both his suffering and glory.

Being led by the Spirit is taking your foot off of the brakes. It is allowing yourself to be led because the Holy Spirit knows the way just like the Huskies know the way to Nome.

Jesus promised us another comforter and the day of Pentecost has fully come. The Holy Spirit was given to us. He is fruit to conform us to the character of Christ and gifts that transform and empower to edify the body of Christ.

Scripture Of The Day: "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God." - Romans 8:14

CLEAN THIS OUT OF OUR HEARTS

Proverbs 25:23 The north wind driveth away rain: so doth an angry countenance a backbiting tongue.

"Slanders would not be so readily spoken, if they were not readily heard.

A froward heart, one that delights to be cross and perverse, is not fit for society, the bond of which is Christian love. Nor will he countenance slanderers, those who take pleasure in wounding their neighbour's reputation. Also, God resists the proud, and false, deceitful people. Let every one be zealous and diligent to reform his own heart and ways, and to do this early; ever mindful of that future, most awful morning, when the King of righteousness shall cut off all wicked doers from the heavenly Jerusalem

The man who has no command over his anger, is easily robbed of peace. Let us give up ourselves to the Lord, and pray him to put his Spirit within us, and cause us to walk in his statutes." Matthew Henry/Easton's Bible Dictionary

VICTORY IS OURS

Isaiah 59:19 So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him.

"It is generally thought to describe the coming of the Messiah, as the Avenger and Deliverer of his church. There was none to intercede with God to turn away his wrath; none to interpose for the support of justice and truth. Yet He engaged his own strength and righteousness for his people. God will make his justice upon the enemies of his church and people plainly appear. When the enemy threatens to bear down all without control, then the Spirit of the Lord shall stop him, put him to flight. He that has delivered, will still deliver. A far more glorious salvation is promised to be wrought out by the Messiah in the fulness of time, which all the prophets had in view. The Son of God shall come to us to be our Redeemer; the Spirit of God shall come to be our Sanctifier: thus the Comforter shall abide with the church for ever, Joh 14:16. The word of Christ will always continue in the mouths of the faithful; and whatever is pretended to be the mind of the Spirit, must be tried by the Scriptures. We must lament the progress of infidelity and impiety. But the cause of the Redeemer shall gain a complete victory even on earth, and the believer will be more than conqueror when the Lord receives him to his glory in heaven."

Matthew Henry/Easton's Bible Dictionay

DISABLED

This was on my Facbook Page. I think it is something that each one of us should think and pray about.

Jesus Christ Jesus spent 2/3 of his ministry with the hurting and disabled. Ironically, only 5% of churches today attempt to minister to those same people. Our priorities as a collective church are upside down.

My answer:

It is so sad that some of our brothers and sisters in Christ do not understand that sometime those of us who are disabled can not attend church or the church every service or meeting. So many don't know, care or realize that we love the Lord our God with all our hearts and souls and He means more to us than anything. Another sad thing is that these very same brothers and sisters have made not any attempt to get to know the disabled of their churches. And why is that you reckon? Because they don't want to know us. But God as well as myself and many others love them anyway.

LJG/rECj

JOY FROM WITHIN

By Dr. Michael Youssef
This week's topic: The Fruit Of The Spirit

Polls and surveys consistently show that the top three things people want the most in life are love, happiness, and peace. So often we confuse happiness with joy. There is a difference.

Happiness is the result of getting what we want. We tell ourselves that we'll be happy when we get a newer home. Or life will be great if we get a promotion at work and a pay increase.

However, getting what we want only offers a temporary form of happiness that fades over time. We get our new home, and we are so happy until we realize that we, in order to remain happy, must have all the furniture and decorations to go with it. This kind of happiness is dependent on our circumstances, and can be accompanied with a fear that we may lose whatever it is we feel has made us happy.

Joy, however, is a fruit of the Spirit. It comes from within and not from external conditions. Jesus said that we are to abide in Him so that our joy can be complete (John 15:9-11). We can experience the joy of the Lord regardless of our circumstances because joy is dependent on our relationship with Jesus Christ.

The apostle Paul instructed the Philippians to rejoice always in the Lord (Philippians 4:4). While this group of believers was anxious about their material needs, Paul reminded them that their joy came from God. They were oppressed and persecuted by the Romans. They suffered economic hardships. Yet they had a reason to be joyful—their lives belonged to the Lord.

The world tries to persuade us that joy is found in material possessions, worldly achievements, and social status. However, true joy comes from the knowledge that we are saved through the death and resurrection of Christ Jesus.

Scripture Of The Day: "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love." John 15:9 (NIV)

THE ARMOR OF GOD

Ephesians 6:13-16

Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be
able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all,
to stand.

Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth,
having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having
shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
above all taking the shield of faith with which you will be
able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.

One reader wrote to comment about the seeming contradiction
between Solomon's killing of his father's enemies and the
commandment that says "Thou shall not kill." The difficulty
here is that the Hebrew word traditionally translated
"kill" should be translated "murder."

"Murder" means to take someone's life in hatred for personal
reasons, which is different from "killing" as in time of war
or punishment for some crime. Many times God instructed the
Israelites to kill entire nations, sometimes even including
livestock because of their rampant wickedness.

The word in Hebrew clearly means "murder" and not "kill";
there is a different word to describe killing as in time
of war. With this understanding, there is no contradiction.

The Bible does not present Solomon's act as something bad
but rather as justice done. As a righteous king, Solomon
killed his father's enemies who had done evil things and
gotten away with them under David's reign.

God Bless You!

Annie
mailto:annie@gophercentral.com
Email Annie

SUNDAY EDITORIAL

1 Kings 12:13-14

Then the king answered the people roughly, and
rejected the advice which the elders had given him,
and he spoke to them according to the advice of the
young men, saying,

"My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add to your
yoke; my father chastised you with whips, but I will
chastise you with scourges!"

King Rehoboam had this beautiful opportunity to do good
by lightening the heavy load that Solomon had placed
upon the people, but he chose to reject the wise advise
of the elders.

This decision triggered a lasting split, dividing the
nation of israel from then on. The people who followed
Jeroboam made up the northern kingdom and the people who
followed Rehoboam made up the southern kingdom.

God Bless You!
Annie

mailto:annie@gophercentral.com
Email Annie

ZEAL VS KNOWLEDGE

Proverbs 19:2 Also, that the soul be without knowledge, it is not good; and he that hasteth with his feet sinneth.

So many of us have the zeal, to be on fire for the Lord God. But many lack the knowledge to walk slow and watch where their feet go. Reckon why there is such a lack of knowledge? The anwser is really very simple, there is a lack of study. Without study there will be no knowledge.

Knowledge gives us the right to go boldly before the throne of God and to go boldly out into the world and proclaim the saving, loving grace of our God, who wants to be the Father of all people.

Yes, zeal for the Lord is a wonderful thing to have. But SLOW DOWN..'Seek ye first the kingdom of God and all these things will be given unto thee. By seeking the kingdom of God is where we get the knowledge to go forth to witness and the ability to watch where our feet want to take us.

Our Preacher at Crossroads Baptist Church in Middleburg, Florida put a wonderful statement on his facebook site yesterday. It simply states: Opportunity may knock only once, but temptation leans on the door bell.

With the knowledge we have obtained from searching and studying God's Words we will be able to control the haste of our feet and let God do the answering for us.

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

A NEW SEASON

As Christians, we can turn our losing season around quickly. But the first thing we must do is swallow our pride and admit that we have to start doing things differently. The Bible calls this “repentance”. It is simply admitting we were wrong and turning away from the things that are causing us defeat.

The next thing we must do is call on the expert. We must go with a proven winner and ask Him to make some changes in our lives. Jesus said, “I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in…” Here we have the ultimate coach standing outside our locker room door! This is the guy who wrote the playbook that is guaranteed to win and He wants to coach us, but we have to let Him in.

Finally, we must give up control. If we truly want God to make changes in our lives, we must give Him full control. It may require some emotionally difficult sacrifices. But God sees the whole picture. He knows how to make us winners. We need to back off, shut up and let go.

All of us have losing seasons. It’s a part of life. But we are not meant to stay there, repeating the same failures over and over. Are you tired of losing more battles than you win? Then admit your mistakes (confession), turn from your failed ways (repentance) and give God control (submission). When you do that, you’re ready for a new season – a winning one.

by Randy Robison

ARE WE FAITHFUL?

There is neither holy or royal cities that have been or are faithful to their trust, because God does not dwell in them. Impurity may shine like silver, and the wine that is mixed with water may still have the color of wine.

Those people and nations have a great deal to answer for, that do not help the oppressed, but oppress them even more. Men may do much by outward restraints; but only God works effectually by the influences of His Spirit, as a Spirit of Judgment.

Sin is the worst captivity, the worst slavery we could ever be in. The redemption by the righteousness and death of Christ, and by His powerful grace, is what is fully meant here. Utter ruin is threatened.

The Jews should become as a tree when blasted by heat; as a garden without water, which in those hot countries would soon be burned up. It looks like there are many nations and cities today that are being blasted by the very same heat. Thus shall they be that trust in idols, or in an arm of flesh.

Even the strong man shall be as tow, something that is drawn, pulled or allow themselves to be lead; not only soon broken, and pulled to pieces, but easily catching fire. When the sinner has made himself as tow and stubble, and God makes himself as a consuming fire, what can prevent the utter ruin of the sinner? Only by turning to Christ and accepting Him, truly believeing in His every word, and forsaking our sinful life, can the sinner be kept from utter ruin.

God's Blessing to each of you,

LJG/rECj

HOW MANY ARE WILLING TO ATONE?

Isaiah 1:10-20

Judea was desolate, and their cities burned. Look around, what is happening in our very world today. Not only are cities being burned but the ones that stands for Jesus are being killed. This made them want to bring sacrifices and offerings, as if they would bribe God to remove the punishment, and give them the right to go on in their sin. How many today try to bribe God? Many who will readily part with their sacrifices, will not be persuaded to part with their sins. They and us rely on the simple task of going to church and throwing a little money in the offering plate as a service deserving a reward.

The most costly devotions of wicked people, without thorough change of heart and life, cannot be acceptable to God. He not only did not accept them, but He hates them. All this shows that sin is very hateful to God. If we allow ourselves to continue in secret sin, or forbidden indulgences, and if we reject the salvation of Christ, our very prayers will become an abomination.

Not only feel sorrow for the sins we have committed, but break off the practice. We must be doing the good the Lord our God requires. It is plain that the sacrifices of the law could not atone, even for outward personal or national crimes. But, blessed be God, there is a Fountain opened, in which sinners of every age and rank may be cleansed. Though our sins have been as scarlet and crimson, though we have often dipped into sin, by many backslidings; yet pardoning mercy will take out the stain.

Are you ready to to atone and accept Jesus today?

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

OUR COUNTRY IS BEING DEVOURED!!!

Isaiah 1:2 - 9 Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth: for the LORD hath spoken, I have nourished and brought up children, and they have rebelled against me. 3 The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master's crib: but Israel doth not know, my people doth not consider. 4 Ah sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, children that are corrupters: they have forsaken the LORD, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel unto anger, they are gone away backward. 5 Why should ye be stricken any more? ye will revolt more and more: the whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint. 6 From the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in it; but wounds, and bruises, and putrifying sores: they have not been closed, neither bound up, neither mollified with ointment. 7 Your country is desolate, your cities are burned with fire: your land, strangers devour it in your presence, and it is desolate, as overthrown by strangers. 8 And the daughter of Zion is left as a cottage in a vineyard, as a lodge in a garden of cucumbers, as a besieged city. 9 Except the LORD of hosts had left unto us a very small remnant, we should have been as Sodom, and we should have been like unto Gomorrah.

Isaiah, The salvation of the Lord; a very suitable name for this prophet, who prophesies so much of Jesus the Saviour, and His salvation. God's professing people did and does not know or consider that they and us owed their lives and comforts to God's fatherly care and kindness. How many are very careless in the affairs of their souls? Too many then and now. Realize what we do know about God, does us as much harm, as ignorance of what we should know. The wickedness was and is universal. From the sole of the foot to the head; from the meanest to the greatest, there is no soundness, no good principle, no true love for God, for that is the health of the soul.

There was and is nothing but guilt and corruption. Human nature is in total corrupted acts, practices and there is no integrity, virtue, or moral principle. While sin remains unrepented, nothing is done toward healing these wounds, and preventing fatal effects. But the Lord had a small remnant of faithful servants at Jerusalem, just as He does in our times. But, yes, they are few and far between.

It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed. The evil nature is in every one of us; only Jesus and His cleansing Spirit can restore us to spiritual health.

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

SUNDAY EDITORIAL

THE PROBLEM IS PRIDE

Judgment and criticism are actually the fruit of a deeper problem--pride. The Bible repeatedly warns us about being high-minded (see Rom. 12:3).

Whenever we excel in an area, it is only because God has given us a gift of grace for it. If we have an exaggerated opinion of ourselves, it causes us to look down on others and value them as "less than" we are.

This type of attitude or thinking is detestable to the Lord, and it opens many doors for the enemy in our lives. We must have a holy fear of pride and be very careful of judging others or of being critical of them (see Gal. 6:1-3).

Each of us belongs to God, and even if we have weaknesses, He is able to make us stand and to justify us. We answer to God, not to each other; therefore, we are not to judge one another in a critical way (see Rom. 14:4).

The devil stays very busy assigning demons to place judgmental, critical thoughts in people's minds. I can remember when it was entertaining for me to sit in the park or the shopping mall and simply watch all the people go by as I formed a mental opinion of each of them--their clothing, hairstyles, companions and so on.

We cannot always prevent ourselves from having opinions, but we do not have to express them. I believe we can even grow to the point where we do not have so many opinions, and those we do have are not of a critical nature.

I frequently tell myself, "Joyce, it's none of your business." A major problem is brewing in your mind when you ponder your opinion until it becomes a judgment.

The problem grows bigger the more you think about it until you begin to express it to others or even to the one you're judging. It has then become explosive and has the ability to do a great deal of harm in the realm of relationship as well as in the spiritual realm. You may be able to save yourself future problems by simply learning to say, "This is none of my business."

Judgment and criticism were rampant in my family, so I "grew up with them," so to speak. I wanted to do things God's way, but I couldn't. It took many years of misery before I learned about the strongholds in my mind that had to be dealt with before my behavior could change.

Matthew 7:1-5 are some of the classic Scriptures on the subject of judgment and criticism. When you are having trouble with your mind in this area, use these Scriptures and others as weapons against the devil who is attempting to build a stronghold in your mind. He may be operating out of a stronghold that has already been there for many years.

Read more: http://charismamag.com/index.php/blogs/joyce-meyer/23801-who-are-we-to-pass-judgment#ixzz0vOuOQJpk

SATURDAY EDITORIAL

WORDS OF LIFE

Regret: A Matter of Perspective
by Stephen Arterburn

We should be clear about one thing, right off the bat: There is no way to be alive and avoid doing and saying foolish and even idiotic things, things you’re bound to later wish you hadn’t done and said at all.

Not being able to forgive yourself for your boneheaded, arrogant, and selfish actions is one of the biggest inhibitors to living the life God wants you to live. If you’re always dragging yourself down with the past, how is God going to lift you up in the future? It’s easy to kneel in church and hang your head, praying for God to forgive you, but you must also face what you’ve done and deal with it in a direct and forthright manner. You have to cleanse and prepare yourself so that you’ll always be as ready as possible to be the man or woman God intends you to be.

One of the most dramatic biblical examples of personal regret occurred in connection with the Bible’s most terrible event, the crucifixion of Jesus Christ:

“When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty silver coins to the chief priests and the elders. ‘I have sinned,' he said, 'for I have betrayed innocent blood.’
“’What is that to us?’ they replied. ‘That’s your responsibility.’

“So Judas threw the money into the temple and left, then he went away and hanged himself.” (Matthew 27:3-5, NIV)

Most people believe Judas went to hell for his sin against the Lord. And he may have – we won’t know on this side of heaven. Even though he did just about the most awful thing anyone has ever done, we have no place judging Judas than we do anyone else. The job of ultimately judging anyone belongs to God alone.

Nonetheless, from the passage above we can see clearly that after his evil deed, Judas’s attitude about what he’d done changed a great deal. Soon thereafter he fell on his knees, desperately despondent over his eager choice; he was “seized with remorse.” He was so distraught over his deliberate betrayal of Jesus that the only way he could think to end his suffering was by ending his own life.

What happened to Judas? How did he go from being a craven opportunist to being consumed by burning remorse? How did he go from wanting only money to being utterly desperate to possess what money can’t buy? What changed in the man?

What changed in Judas is the same thing that needs to change in any of us seeking to come to terms with past regrets and learn how to avoid creating new ones: perspective.

At first Judas’s perspective was, “What’s best for me? What can I do that most benefits me? Who can I come out ahead?” He didn’t care who got hurt on his way to self-satisfaction; he just wanted to know what he had to do to get what he wanted.

But that sure wasn’t his perspective after he saw the results of what he’d done. Suddenly his tragically limited, shamefully selfish perspective became markedly broadened. With the force of a piano being dropped, Judas realized he hadn’t been looking at a picture anywhere near big enough.

Put simply, perspective is everything. In my work at New Life, I’m made aware every day that the perspective people have on their problems is easily the most deciding factor on how effectively they’ll be able to deal with them. In fact, I largely think of my mission as helping people to broaden their perspective. Take anyone with a problem. I want to show them the value of changing their perspective from one in which they’re the center and star of the universe to one in which they realize that their world does, or should, revolve around the Son.

When assessing and evaluating a situation that led to your present regret, imagine yourself back in it – and then try to see the whole of what happened not through your eyes but through God’s. Meditate on bringing the peace of the Holy Spirit to the situation that ultimately concluded so poorly. Picture yourself back with that other person in the relationship, and then lift your perspective so that it rises above the two of you here on earth. Strive, in other words, for a heavenly perspective from above.

“Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.” (Romans 12:3, NIV)
Practice that – employ it when looking back on your regretful behaviors – and you’ll be well on your way to feeling better about things you might have thought you could never feel comfortable with at all.

Adapted from Regret-Free Living: Hope For Past Mistakes and Freedom From Unhealthy Patterns by Stephen Arterburn, © 2009 Stephen Arterburn, Bethany House Publishers, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

EXERCISE YOUR RIGHTS

As a believer, you shouldn't have to try faith. Just exercise your rights as a member of the body of Christ. You have a right to anything in the Bible.
It's amazing to me how many times---with all the power and authority we've been given---the body of Christ is beat down and destroyed. There's no excuse for that.
"I'm just suffering these things because God is trying to show me something."
Yeah, He's trying to show you something. He's showing you how to live in the Word of God and claim your rights as a citizen of Heaven. Those rights are blood-bought. Jesus suffered and died to give you the rights of our new Covenant.
He has raised you up with Jesus and seated you in heavenly places. He has given His name, His blood, His authority, His power, and His Spirit.
He has given you His rights and privileges.

The Voice of the Covenant by Jesse Duplantis
Don't wait another moment. Claim them today!

THE BIBLE IS AN AMAZING BOOK

Ephesians 5:18-21

And do not be drunk with wine in which is dissipation; but
be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another is psalms
and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in
your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things
to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
submitting to one another in the fear of God.

The Bible is an amazing book. It contains the answers to
all the spiritual questions God wants us to know. It is
just a matter of reading, studying, praying, listening,
and obeying.

Jesus said that if we seek, we will find; that we can
know the truth, and the truth will set us free. We can
depend on Him and on His Word!

God Bless You!

Annie

YOU'VE BEEN LIBERATED FROM SIN

One of our liberties is freedom from sin. Romans 6:14 promises, "For sin shall not have dominion over you, for ye are not under the law but under grace."
Yet, churches have preached that you're a sinner, saved by grace. I'm just an old sinner, Brother Jesse."
No, if you are born again, you're not an old sinner. The Bible says that sin will not have dominion over your. The words sin and satan are synonymouse. If you call yourself an old sinner, you're actually saying, "satan has dominion over me."
If you're sinning every day, you've got a sin problem, and you'd better get to the altar and make Jesus the Lord of your life---in deed, not just in word.
Romans 6:15-16 says it this way, "What then? Shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid."
"Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom you obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto rihteousness?"
People need to learn to take preventive medicine every day through the Word of God. The Bible says that it is health to your flesh. It also says that a merry heart does good like medicine. You need to learn to laugh.
"What if there isn't anything to laugh about?"
Sit down and look in the mirror. If you sit there long enough, something will strike you funny.

The Voice of the Covenant by Jessus Duplantis

THE WEALTH OF HEAVEN IS YOURS

There is no excuse for spiritual weakness and poverty in the famiy of God when the wealth of Heaven is ours. Your're not suppsed to come to God like a tramp. You've got to come to Him legally---as a son.
Most churches have a tramp attitude with God. "Now, Lord, you know my shoes are bad. We don't have anything; the devil took it all away from us."
Don't come to the Lord like Freddy the Freeloader. You're not a tramp, and you won't impress God by acting like one.
Remember the story of the prodigal son? The elder brother had a tramp attitude. He was as much a son as the prodigal, but he had a servant's attitude. He owned everythinng his father had, but he whined. 'You won't even give me a goat to have a party with my friends.'
His daddy just looked at him. 'What's the matter with you? Don't you know everything I've got is yours?'
Listen do you know why he never took a goat or a cow? He didn't know his rights and priviledges in the family. Yet, he had the audacity to walk out of the party. His daddy loved him so much that he followed him outside to try to talk sense into him. How many times have you and I acted that way toward God?
If somebody isn't saved, he's a slave. The Bible says that you're either a child of God or a child of the devil. So what do you get if you're a child of God?
All power.
"What do you mean Brother Jesse? Nobody has all power except God."
Really? Then let's look at Matthew 28:18, "And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, ' All power is given unto Me in Heaven and earth.'"
"Sure, Brother Jesse, all power has been given to Jesus, but it hasn't been given to us."
Hold onto your religious spirits and look at the first chapter of Ephesians, beginning in verse seventeen
Ephesians 1:17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you (That's you and me He's prayng for!) the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:
18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, (That's us!)
19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,
20 Which he worked in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,
21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:
22 And has put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,
23 which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.
No demon from hell has the right or authority to bring any of satan's curse to you. Your weren't bought by the devil. You were bought by Jesus Christ. You are sitting with Him in heavenly places.
"Brother Jesse, I'm not seated in Heaven. I'm right here on earth reading this article."
Your physical body may be seated here, but your spiritual authority is seated with Jesus in heavenly places. All you have to do is claim it.

The Voice of the Covenant by Jesse Duplantis

THE REDEMPTION OF ISRAEL

Isaiah 29:17-24 Is it not yet a very little while, and Lebanon shall be turned into a fruitful field, and the fruitful field shall be esteemed as a forest?
18 And in that day shall the deaf hear the words of the book, and the eyes of the blind shall see out of obscurity, and out of darkness.
19 The meek also shall increase their joy in the LORD, and the poor among men shall rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.
20 For the terrible one is brought to nought, and the scorner is consumed, and all that watch for iniquity are cut off:
21 That make a man an offender for a word, and lay a snare for him that reproveth in the gate, and turn aside the just for a thing of nought.
22 Therefore thus saith the LORD, who redeemed Abraham, concerning the house of Jacob, Jacob shall not now be ashamed, neither shall his face now wax pale.
23 But when he seeth his children, the work of mine hands, in the midst of him, they shall sanctify my name, and sanctify the Holy One of Jacob, and shall fear the God of Israel.

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

THE REDEMPTION OF ISRAEL

Isaiah 29:17-24 Is it not yet a very little while, and Lebanon shall be turned into a fruitful field, and the fruitful field shall be esteemed as a forest?
18 And in that day shall the deaf hear the words of the book, and the eyes of the blind shall see out of obscurity, and out of darkness.
19 The meek also shall increase their joy in the LORD, and the poor among men shall rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.
20 For the terrible one is brought to nought, and the scorner is consumed, and all that watch for iniquity are cut off:
21 That make a man an offender for a word, and lay a snare for him that reproveth in the gate, and turn aside the just for a thing of nought.
22 Therefore thus saith the LORD, who redeemed Abraham, concerning the house of Jacob, Jacob shall not now be ashamed, neither shall his face now wax pale.
23 But when he seeth his children, the work of mine hands, in the midst of him, they shall sanctify my name, and sanctify the Holy One of Jacob, and shall fear the God of Israel.

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

CLAIM YOUR RIGHTS

What do you have the right to claim?
Eternal life.
A home in Heaven.
God's protective care.
Victory over sin.
The indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
Divine health.
Prosperity.
To be translated in the rapture.
To live with the Father throught eternity.,
And every other promise in the Book, from Genesis to Revelation.
One of our right is liberty, and not just the liberty guaranteed in the Constitution.
II Corinthians 3:17 promises, "Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty."

The Voice of the Covenant by Jesse Duplantis

SUNDAY EDITORIAL

OUR RIGHTS ORIGINATED IN THE GARDEN

Eons ago, when God created the angels, Lucifer was the Prince of the Morning. He worshiped the Lord, walked with Michael and Gabriel, and played music from the tabrets God formed in him. The angels were inmumberable, and they sang and glorified God. All Heaven and earth were in a perfect state, that is, until iniquity was found in Lucifer.

Do you know what great sin he committed? The Bible said he sowed discord among the angels. He flapped his lips and caused a third of the angels to fall.

We need to stop and think before we sow discord anywhere---in our homes, in the workplace, and especially in the Church, God doesn't take it lightly.

Lucifer ascended into Heaven to bring destruction to God's Kingdom. They had a great war, and Jesus said, "...I beheld Satan as lightning fall from Heaven" (Luke 10-:18). If you look in the book of Revelation, you'll find that the lightning that proceeds from the throne is the anointing. When Lucifer got booted from Heaven, God stripped him of his anointing.

That's the price you'll always pay for discord. It'll cost you the anointing.

Lucifer became spiritually dead, full of malice and hatred, and the father of lies. He began defaming everything God created, especially man.

Adam was the smartest, most beautiful man who ever lived. God gave him power and dominion over everything He created. Eve ruled and reigned with him.

I want you to understand that God did not look over His shoulder checking on them to make sure they did everything right. He let them do exactly what they wanted to do. Then in the cool of the day, He showed up to walk and talk with His creation.

When they committed high treason through sin, it brought three judgments in the Garden of Eden. One judgement came upon the snake, one upon the woman, and one upon the man.

In those days, the serpent could walk. It had legs. But God said because the serpent listened to Satan, it would eat dust the rest of its life. That judment is still in effect today. Snakes still crawl on their bellies. And all the animal kindom came under the curse because of sin.

For Eve, not only would the woman's great blessing of bearing children painful to her, but she'd also live her life desiring to equal with her husband, but he would rule over her.

For Adam, the curse was also very harsh---the ground, which was what Adam tended, was cursed. In other words, Adam's job would be much more difficult. His occupation would cause him to sweat and work all the days of his life.

Galatians 3:28 "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male or female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus." Christ's sacrifice over two thousand years ago on the cross brought salvation from the curse for Christian men and women. Our way out.

From the Covenant Magazine by Jesse Duplantis