Friday, September 3, 2010

And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid.
[Matthew 17:7]

 So Jesus had compassion on them, and touched their eyes: and immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed Him.
[Matthew 20:34]

 And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will; be thou clean. And as soon as He had spoken, immediately the leprosy departed from him, and he was cleansed.
[Mark 1:4]

When the other disciples saw what was about to happen, they exclaimed, “Lord, should we fight? We brought the swords!” And one of them struck at the high priest’s slave, slashing off his right ear. But Jesus said, “No more of this.” And He touched the man’s ear and healed him.

[Luke 22:49-51]

“TOUCHED”

HAPPY FRIDAY!!!

God’s touch will bring that joy that is unspeakable! … oh .. and we can touch Him too… and when we touch Him… He’ll touch us back!

…. and that Beloved is Good News!

Y Stress? … U Blessed!

Have A Fabulous Day and a Wonderful and Safe Labor Day Weekend!

“Lay Your Hands On Me Jesus.. I Don’t Mind”, Rev. Timothy Wright

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qqc5a5AI4Cs

“One Touch”, Nicole C. Mullin

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJVd6KDf6oU

“Jesus Is The Best Thing That Ever Happened”, Rev. James Cleveland

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7A0dE9spbbg

“Where Is Your Faith?”, Rev. James Cleveland

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17wIwcXUPv8

“For Every Mountain”, Kurt Carr Singers (J2IM Mime)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRnVqQsmJuU

“Never Seen Your Face”, Melvin Williams & K&K Mime

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kp3OLpBXIAI

“God Is Here”, Kurt Carr.. (K&K Mime)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YHUwZXnjAtc

“I Give Myself Away”, William McDowell

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J4v5IXbEauM

 

Thursday, March 11, 2010

So the promise is received by faith. It is given as a free gift. And we are all certain to receive it, whether or not we live according to the law of Moses, if we have faith like Abraham’s. For Abraham is the father of all who believe. That is what the Scriptures mean when God told him, “I have made you the father of many nations.” This happened because Abraham believed in the God who brings the dead back to life and who creates new things out of nothing.  Even when there was no reason for hope, Abraham kept hoping—believing that he would become the father of many nations. For God had said to him, “That’s how many descendants you will have!” And Abraham’s faith did not weaken, even though, at about 100 years of age, he figured his body was as good as dead—and so was Sarah’s womb.  Abraham never wavered in believing God’s promise. In fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this he brought glory to God. He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever He promises.  And because of Abraham’s faith, God counted him as righteous.  And when God counted him as righteous, it wasn’t just for Abraham’s benefit. It was recorded for our benefit, too, assuring us that God will also count us as righteous if we believe in Him, the One who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. He was handed over to die because of our sins, and He was raised to life to make us right with God.

[Romans 4:16-25]

BE ENCOURAGED!

A 90 year old pregnant lady!  That really excites me.  Wow!  Can you imagine the headlines… computer message boards would be on FIRE all over the world!  I can almost hear them, “is she crazy?” Why lady… give it up?  Isn’t that how many in our culture view the miracle of childbirth… as a burden instead of the greatest blessing God enables a human body to perform.  Well, you may not be called to parenthood in your golden years, but isn’t it wonderful to know that God is not “slack concerning His promises”.  If He spoke something 20 years ago, it will happen.  Sometimes, we much like Abraham and Sarah, have a part in the delay.  I know there are areas in my own life where I should be further along, but my OWN procrastination has slowed me down.  Whether out of fear, anxiety, laziness, or lack of trust, I own my part of it, ask God to forgive me, and move forward.  There is absolutely nothing we can ever do to get back “lost” years (actually those years weren’t really lost, everything in our past has prepared us for where we are now, where we are going or someone else’s deliverance) It is unproductive to lament over “coulda-shoulda-woulda’s”… we have right now.  This second.. what are we going to do with this blessed moment?  Are we listening to that still quiet voice, or are we “loud-talking” it with doubt, debate, unbelief, murmuring and complaining?  Be encouraged and thank God for right now… right now.  He knows what He is doing, and He knows what we are doing… or not doing.  He knows us so much better than we know ourselves.  He is with us through life’s challenges and life’s triumphs.  What He is pulling out of us is priceless.  Be encouraged!  Don’t wait for someone to encourage you.. sometimes you just gotta encourage yourself.  Everyone is not going to understand the place you are in all the time.  I once worked on a job where one of the employees was angry because he didn’t receive a cake in celebration of his birthday like everyone else did for theirs.  He was smiling, but I knew he was angry about it, how? because he talked about it EVERYDAY for the entire two weeks I was there.  What baffled me was that he had told his boss during the party for his co-worker months before, that he didn’t eat cake, was raised Jehovah’s Witness, and didn’t celebrate birthdays.  Question?  What was the problem?  I suspect it was less about cake, and principle and more about offense.  Listening to him everyday, I could hear how he felt that others were favored over him.  We need to get a hold of ourselves when we feel ourselves slipping into self-pity and discouragement.  The Bible tells us to encourage one another, and we can’t give what we don’t have.  Feeling a little low?  Go to the Source… He will gladly fill you to overflowing with what you need.. exactly when you need it…

STOP!

…what you are doing right now, and give God some Praise for what He’s already done!

 

“Balm In Gilead”, Karen Clark Sheard

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j5y0mUayAkM

“Jesus Is A Love Song”, Karen Clark Sheard

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vs0mB-RSV0c

“Pure Gold”, The Clark Sisters

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4H5E3PxkL8Y

“Endow Me”, The Clark Sisters

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wkkTWq8XevM

“Its Your Time”, Donald Lawrence w/Vanessa

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wuOcIigwVhs

“All I Need”, Brian Courtney Wilson

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ztCZ1NMhNPU

“I Need Thee”, Bishop Paul S. Morton

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MiLHo2oFNHg

“Cast Your Cares”, Donald Lawrence w/Lejeune Thompson

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTQwem9kQjw

“He’s Preparing Me”, Daryl Coley

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XpJ_0IxNoUM

“Yes”, Shekinah Glory

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obIT-By1VOU

“Let It Rain”, Bishop Paul S. Morton

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ApjyAnt4-qE

“Moving Forward”, Israel Houghton

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQfc7iQecw8

 

 

I’m Praising Him with ya!

HALLELUJAH! 

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon.  Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.

[Philippians 4:4-8]

NO JESUS NO PEACE… KNOW JESUS KNOW PEACE

Good Morning Beloved,

Awwww….. “peace”.  Just the word alone seems to come with it’s own built in sign of relief.  I thought about that word “know”.  In the biblical sense, it speaks of intimacy and closeness.  When the bible talked about a man “knowing” his wife, it spoke of their physical union.  Likewise, when we are spiritually intimate or “united” with our God, things happen.  Even as the outside world seems to remain the same, something happens to us on the inside.  Life begins to well up within us… the beginning of that “abundant life” Jesus promised us.  A life not predicated on what we have or don’t have, but rather “WHO” has us.  The situation may not be moving or changing as fast as we would like it to, but WE are changing.  Becoming more patient, more calm, more fervent in our faith..more like Him.  Ever been in a situation and thought…“wow.. when this happened last year, I went off.. today I just laughed!”  Change is here my friend.  Congratulations!  You “know” Jesus.  Celebrate the victories, no matter how “small” they may seem to be to you.  Every one of them is a stepping stone, taking us one step closer to where God purposed for us to be.  It all starts in our spirit, but it is worked out through our mind.  The mind is our “control tower”.  It dictates where we will go and what we will do.  If left to its own devices, no telling where that could be.  BUT, if our spirit, filled with the Holy Spirit, has control over our mind, we will live the “good” life. Too often we think of the good life as being rich, successful and hanging out with the beautiful people.  The real “good” life is like the life God created for Adam and Eve in the garden.  Remember, God said that everything was “good”.  Do you have food? .. water?.. clothes?.. shelter?.. love?.. family? .. at least one friend?… than my friend …welcome to the good life.  There are millions of people all over the world who would change places with you in a hot second.  On top of all that finery that you possess… you know Jesus.  Never forget that He is the peacemaker.  He has given you a personal invitation to come into His presence and fellowship with Him.  Dine with Him.. reason with Him.  To participate in a Holy exchange… our ashes for His beauty.. our weights for His strength… our weariness for his rest…. awwww…. PEACE….

…. that Beloved is Good News!

Y Stress? … U Blessed!

Have A Fabulous Day

Tuesday, August 31, 2010

In Caesarea there lived a Roman army officer named Cornelius, who was a captain of the Italian Regiment. He was a devout, God-fearing man, as was everyone in his household. He gave generously to the poor and prayed regularly to God.  One afternoon about three o’clock, he had a vision in which he saw an angel of God coming toward him. “Cornelius!” the angel said. Cornelius stared at him in terror. “What is it, sir?” he asked the angel. And the angel replied, “Your prayers and gifts to the poor have been received by God as an offering! Now send some men to Joppa, and summon a man named Simon Peter. He is staying with Simon, a tanner who lives near the seashore.” As soon as the angel was gone, Cornelius called two of his household servants and a devout soldier, one of his personal attendants. He told them what had happened and sent them off to Joppa.
Acts 10:1-8 (New Living Translation)

What God Has 4 U .. it is 4 U!

I love this story because, this was a man outside of the covenant of God, but who recognized and reverenced God.  Not only him, but everyone in his household honored God.  The respect this man received!  His was a man of prayer, and blessed those around him.  What he didn’t know was that Holy Eyes were watching him from Heaven, and he was about to receive the greatest blessing of his life.  Not just him.  But everyone in his household.  EVERYONE.  His family, his servants everyone. (I heard Bishop Jakes say that “when you come out everything in your house is gonna come out”).  There was a tailor made blessing especially for each and every one of them.  Remember that song, “What God Has For Me, It Is For Me”?  That song has been playing in my spirit.  It is so true.  Now, just to balance things out a bit, because I love balance()… I do not mean to imply in anyway that the whole world revolves around us.  It revolves around The True and Living God.  Sometimes, I feel the need to lean a little more on one side for a while, because so many people have such a dim, cloudy view of God.  They make Him seem so harsh, cold and unloving when that could not be farther from the truth.  Their perception is off because of the smooth, subtle, lying lips of the adversary.  He is jealous of God (remember He wanted to usurp God’s Throne) … and he is jealous of us, and our position in God.  We want balance.  Balance is good.  We need to know how much God loves us and that “no good thing will He withhold from them who walk upright”.  He also wants us to live in purity and honor; not hesitating to offer our bodies as “a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto God which is our reasonable service”.  Settling our mind on an issue is the toughest part.  Once we have decided in whom we’re going to believe, the rest gets easier.  I made a conscious decision not to drink in my teen years, because I had seen the devastation alcoholism wreaked in our family and I did not want to take any chances.  I was teased and called lame and boring, but I really didn’t care.  I had made my choice and that was that.  Every person needs to know their own limitations.  I felt in my heart that it would not be something I would be able to put down easily… so I never picked it up.  It was the same with drugs.  I knew people who did drugs.  I never wanted to.  I didn’t like what it did to them and I didn’t want any part of it.  A made up mind.  Others indulged and made it through… some did not.  Some are still struggling with a habit they’ve had since their younger days and it has really taken its toll.  Shattered lives, broken dreams, missed opportunities, humiliation, pain, regret.. all to fit in, or to anesthetize some area of pain in their life.  The good news is that this is a new day.  Trials come… trials go, but for those who have made Jesus their choice, and accepted His life-giving, life-changing sacrifice… the blessing of God is upon you no matter what is going on around you.  This is a brand new day to recognize the saving, healing, cleansing power of the Blood of Jesus.  Fresh start … fresh insight … fresh anointing.. new life… everyday…

A penguin would be quite sad and frustrated if he tried to use his wings to fly like other birds.  But a penguin in the water is quite content because there he can use his wings to swim gracefully.  Likewise, we will not find contentment and joy until we stop comparing ourselves to others, and instead, inquire of the Lord as to the place he has for us in his plan.
[Mike Waters]

 

 

Monday, August 30, 2010

And behold, I (Jesus) come quickly; and My reward is with Me, to give every man according as his work shall be.

Revelation 22:12

UNFATHOMABLE REWARD

HAPPY MONDAY!    

 “holiness, without no man will see the Lord”. 

Regina

 

 

“Worship Medley”,  Darwin Hobbs

“Work On Me”, Tonex

“God Didn’t Give Up On Me”, Deitrick Hadden

“He’s All Over Me (and He’s Keeping Me Alive)”, Georgia Mass Choir

“I Love The Lord”, Georgia Mass Choir w/Whitney Houston (The Preacher’s Wife Soundtrack)

“Just To Be Close To You, Fred Hammond

“You Were Much Closer”, Fred Hammond

“Give Me A Clean Heart”, Fred Hammond

“Show Me Your Face”, Fred Hammond

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6CGdwBrIvww http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJ22a–zHLs http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WpEIrIJFTHs http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MsAK8xQS0CU http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WcjP4LgW0Rw http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ya3TbkAentU http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kcTqTYSUHRQ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqI_K2RC7pU http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D3TqOMLlk9M

 Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. And when they saw Him, they worshipped Him: but some doubted. And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

[Matthew 28:16-20]

The Promise…

Good Morning Beloved!

Happy Friday!  … Jesus said that He would “never leave us nor forsake us”.  How long is never?  No matter where we are… there He is.  Sometimes so silent we wonder if He didn’t turn His head away from us.  I’ve heard the heart cry of many of God’s people who want to know “why?”.  Why are they going through what they’re going through.  Why is the wicked seemingly prospering even as they curse and mock the name of God at every turn.  We are not alone in that sentiment.  All throughout the Bible God’s own have had the same question… from Job to Jesus.  Why?  We have the benefit of seeing how their stories turned out, but our own story isn’t finshed yet.  God is turning situations around, and strengthening us in the middle of where we are.  On my job I have been stretched and tested for the past two weeks.  The blessing of having God’s Word in me, is that in the midst of whatever-it speaks to my heart and encourages me.  I am learning things that will stand me in good stead.  Valuable information.  Keeping in mind that God has promised that He would be with us always.  He will never leave nor forsake us.  How many have said that they could not have deserted Jesus, if they saw Him with their own eyes.  In the text, we learn that some of Jesus disiciples that were with Him, who witnessed His miracles first-hand.. doubted.  We have the benefit of not only knowing what they knew, but we have had our own experiences.  Didn’t He make a way before?  Remember, His “ways are not our ways, nor His thoughts our thoughts”.  “All things” really will “work together for our good” … it may not BE good, but it will work out FOR our good.  I am typing this offering of love, but our story, even though it is still being written out in our everyday life, in the eyes of the Master it is already finished… and it is a best seller.  He knows that.. He’s just waiting for us to catch up with Him and know that too.

… and that Beloved is Good News!

Y Stress? … U Blessed!

Have A Fabulous Day and a Wonderful Weekend!

Regina

 

Tuesday August 24, 2010

 

  “Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged. “And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own? How can you think of saying to your friend, ‘Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye? Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye.

[Matthew 7:1-5]

 

Excuse me … you got a lil somethin’ in your eye

You shall do no unrighteousness in judgment: you shall not respect the person of the poor, nor honor the person of the mighty: but in righteousness shall you judge your neighbour.

[Leviticus 19:15]

 

Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.

[John 7:24] 

 

Our hearts desire is to see a radical depletion in the number of souls headed to hell.  Notice what the Word does NOT do .. it doesn’t stop with “judge not”.  It gives some instructions.  Get the plank out of your eye so that you can see clear enough to help your brother (or sister).  Those who have been sanctified and cleansed by the blood of Jesus have an obligation to share what was done for them.  The person who was delivered from a whacked out lifestyle needs to point the person who is still struggling, to the One who delivered them.  God is no respecter of persons.  What He has done for one, He can do for another.  Don’t fall under condemnation.  Close family and friends will be the first ones to try and use that argument with you.  “How can you judge me, you used to do the same thing” .. exactly… that is exactly how I can tell you.. because I’ve been there.  I know first hand where that road leads and I’m trying to spare you.  It boils down to the condition of our heart. A renewed mind and a transformed spirit is not trying to embarrass.  It is not arrogant or mean.  It wants the best for the other person.  Our vision has been sharpened better than 20/20.  Our insight is steady because we have seen what God has done in our life and we want everyone to experience the same.  God has given us sight to see the vision He purposed for us.  That joy in the midst of chaos.. Peace in the midst of the storm…  Love in the midst of hatred that we experience… well… we want everyone to experience that too! .. and they can.. they just may not be able to see that …. yet… but by God’s grace many will.

“He Wants It All”, Forever Jones

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z3lyJkYnkzo

 

“Lifter”, Ted Winn

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zemg9MnkURw

 

“Awesome Wonder”, Trent Cory

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pCo04_puOJ0

 

“All Honor, All Glory, All Power”, Ron Kenoly

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A12sXTVag88

 

“Take Me In To The Holy Of Holies”, Kutless

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q0cuOawD_I8

 

“All I Need”, Brian Courtney Wilson

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_SKO_pCn1A

 

“All Consuming Fire”, Hillsong

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FaQokpi4D7E

 

“Ancient of Days”, Ron Kenoly

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UOe5GpqFJrE

 

“The Presence Of The Lord Is Here”, Byron Cage

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2c1TFqruUAU

 

 

 

Thursday, August 19, 2010

LORD, You have heard the desire of the humble: You will prepare their heart, You will cause Your Ear to hear:
[Psalm 10:17]

You have given him his heart’s desire, and have not withholden the request of his lips. Selah.
[Psalm 21:2]

Delight yourself also in the LORD: and He shall give you the desires of your heart.
[Psalm 37:4]

 Is That What You Want?  Are You Sure?

 

 

 

 

 

Good Morning Beloved,

 

Have you ever prayed for something, and received it only to discover you really did NOT want that.  I am convinced that the God of our salvation KNOWS us.  In my own experience, He has given me things so that I can see that I did not want the thing in the first place.  Sometimes, we unwittingly allow other people’s desires to influence us.  Sometimes, it is in small ways.  A hairstyle, an outfit.  At other times it can be something as life-altering as a career choice, who to marry or whether or not to marry at all.  No matter what it is, we should be prayerful at all times.  Study the Word of God and study ourselves.  Find out what really makes us tick.  What are our strengths?.. What are our weaknesses?  God knows.  Prayer is still our most powerful resource.  Seek the face of God.  The bible says that, “men ought to always pray and not give up” (Luke 18:1).  Prayer will draw us closer to God.  The closer we get to Him, the more affected by Him we become.  Our desires begin to shift into what pleases Him.  The love we have for Him, who we’ve never seen, spills over to those that we see everyday.  Our eyes are opened and we see the world as He meant for us to see them-kidnapped royalty.  Our heart’s cry for them should be, as my good friend Arlene sang, “Lord, they’ve been taken captive by an enemy, taking them to distant shores..Father, can you turn their hearts around” (“Rachel’s Lament”, Love Will Last by Arlene Ross Music Ministries).  Question to ask.  What lasting value is this thing, I think I want going to have.  Will it be temporary or eternal?  Will it impact someones life for the better, or just make me feel good for a minute?  Shopping can be fun.  Getting new stuff is nice, but new stuff gets old really fast.  My “new” car is now almost 7 years old!  It seems like only yesterday I was driving it off the lot.  The car I had before that one, practically disintegrated like the car in the “Blues Brothers”… and yet I can remember when that too was new… to me. The excitement of the “new” may wear off, but the excitement of seeing a transformed life is something that never gets old… It is “DELIGHTFUL”!

 

… and that Beloved is Good News!

 

Y Stress? … U Blessed!

Have a beautiful day… keep the Family in prayer

Regina

 

 

 

“Here I Am To Worship”, Israel & New Breed

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lkkhhlKrrkc

“Well Done”, Tye Tribbett & GA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GeMiXvKGvwM

“Chasing After You”, Tye Tribbett & GA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jrDqi7HQzUc

“Bread of Life”, Fred Hammond & RFC

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FVPLTB_72fE

“Just To Be Close To You”, Fred Hammond & RFC

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ya3TbkAentU

“Hear My Cry”, Fred Hammond & RFC

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=deQNmb7gPqM

“Breathe Into Me”, Fred Hammond & RFC

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7hpl_906fqk

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thursday, August 12, 2010
 

   This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.

[1 Timothy 1:15]

Trash?!…  No …Treasure!!!

Picture this… two innocent creatures in a garden of breathtaking beauty.  Bathed in light …saturated in love.  Covered by their Creator.  Not even one single care .. no fear.. no insecurity.. no doubt.. do debt.. no death just complete one-ness with each other and with God.  Friendship with all sorts of interesting creatures… lion and lamb alike, all living in perfect harmony with each other.  Unbeknowst to them another creature was watching them with jealous eyes and evil intent. Satan, once called Lucifer “son of the morning”, who stood before the face of God, now cast out of his position because of his rebellion.  Here he stands, now, looking at these two annoying little creatures, his mind was consumed with one thought… destroy them!  I truly believe he thought by getting Adam and Eve to follow his voice and rebel against God, they would suffer the same fate he did.  Misery loves company.  Imagine his surprise when his plan only reaped half the benefits he thought it would.  Yes, Adam and Eve lost their blissful home, but they never lost the love of God.  He still talked to them.  He still watched over them.  He still blessed them.  He even multiplied them with children.  Astonishingly, God even prepared a plan for them to return to the state from which they had fallen.  This plan did not spell good news for the evil one for it involved crushing his head ..which meant demolishing his power.  He would only be permitted to “bruise his heel”.  From the very first day he laid eyes on the happy couple to this present  day, we have had an enemy.  Whether you know it or not.. whether saint or sinner.. redeemed by the blood or not.. you are an enemy to the condemned one.  His fate is sealed.  Your worst unsaved loved one’s is not.  At any point while there is breath in their body, they can turn to the Father, repent and be forgiven.  There is no redeption for Satan and he knows it.  He knows that his time is short and it is his intent to take as many of Adam and Eve’s kids with him as possible.  Race, social standing, gender, culture, age all irrelevent.  Every “ism” and “skism” is merely a diversion.  Evil sets up smoke screens to get us so focused on external non-essentials, that our eyes are not fully on the One who really matters.  What if the person we view with suspicious eyes is really the one God has assigned to bless our life… The enemy of our soul has become a master at separation.  He has convinced people that they are worthless.  That someone else hold more value than they do.  God says not so.  Evil has some believing that they are “trash”, and so they act that way.  The Spirit of God would have you to know that you are not what you do or what have gone through.  He sees you through the blood covering of His Son as complete and beautiful.  He knows your flaws and they were covered.  Our responsibility now is to walk in what He already did.  Accept His love, accept His forgiveness, accept His life-changing Spirit working in our spirit.  Our sins, faults and weaknesses are none of the enemy’s business.  I’ve known of too many in the body, that have become discouraged and walked away, thinking that there was no hope for them when they sinned.  They believed the lie of the adversary.  The truth is God knew they were going to sin from the beginning.  Jesus’ work on the cross was complete… when He said “it is finished”.. that’s what He meant.  This is not a green-light to say, “whoo-hooo, well I’ve got some sin-catching up on to do”.. no … anyone with that thought in their heart has another problem that they need to take to the cross.  I’d like to believe that blood-bought believers want to live a life that is pleasing to God.  It is comforting to know that we serve a God that doesn’t give up on us.  No matter where we are right now, whatever junk we’ve accepted from the evil one, we are not trash… we are God’s special treasure.

Have A Fabulous Day!

 

Thursday, July 29, 2010

I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring you 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.
[Acts 20:35]

**************

Is my living in vain
Is my giving in vain
Is my praying in vain
Is my fasting in vain

Am I wasting my time
Can the clock be rewind
Have I let my light shine
Have I made ninety-nine

No, of course not
Its not all in vain
No, no LORD, no
Cause up the road is eternal gain

Is my praying in vain
Is my labor in vain
Is my singing in vain
Is my speaking, is it in vain

Is my playing the organ in vain
Is my praying in vain
Is my, is my, is my labor in vain
Is my singing, singing, singing, in vain

No, of course not
No, of course not
No, of course not
No, No, no, no, no, no, of course not
No, No, no, no, no, no, of course not

Its not all in vain
Up the road is eternal gain.

Is my praying in vain
Is my, is my, is my labor in vain
Is my singing, singing in vain
I know I’m speaking in vain

Is my playin this organ in vain, at the temple
At the cathedral, at all these churches
Is my praying, my praying, my praying, in vain oohhhh,
Is it in vain?
Is it in vain?
Is it in vain?
Is it in vain?
No it aint in vain
No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no

No, no of course not
No, no, no, no, no, no
No, no, no, no, no, no
Of course not
No, no, no, no, no, no
Of course not
No, no, no, no, no, no
Of Course not
Its not all in vain repeated 5 x
Cause up the road, is eternal gain
*******************************************
 

Why are so many people so miserable?  Someone may answer … the economy is bad.  Well, I know a lot of people, myself included, that were broke BEFORE the economy started going through its changes.  I grew up in a house where my mother struggled; working full-time, while earning her bachelor’s degree.  My grandmother lived on social security… in the 70’s/80’s so that wasn’t much.  We had bare necessities at times.  We bought water by the gallon from our neighbor.  About a year before I moved in with my mom at 16, we finally got running water.  In the midst of all of that, I can say that I had a good childhood.  The only unhappiness I suffered was at the hands of ”mean” kids my age, and the creepy crawly critters… but that’s another post.  Why is it that generally speaking we have ‘more’, but are not satisfied.  What do we really want?  Is it attainable?  Wonder if the answer does not lie somewhere in our response to the needs of others.  When we take our focus off of our own circumstances, and do what we can to help somebody else in their situation, I believe we’ll actually feel better.  Remember our Lord said “it is more blessed to give than to receive”.  Did you know that the word “blessed” means ‘to be made happy’?  Now, look at that phrase again.  I will be made happy when I give… wow.  Talk about prospective.  It does not negate what we’re going through.  It does not tell us to ignore our situation. It simply takes the power out of the thing, by allowing our mind to shift to someone else’s predictament.  On an episode of “Clean House’, Niecy and her crew tackled what was deemed the “messiest house in America“.  This house was unbelievable.  Fabulous mansion on the outside, but the inside was incredible.  Literally piles and piles of stuff in every single room.  What struck me was that this was a beautiful, intelligent, professional family, with sweet, well educated, immaculate children.  Seeing them on the outside of their house, you would never in a million years imagine the horror they lived in everyday.  The house had at least 3 bathrooms, but they could only get to one.  The mom had taken sick and during her recovery, received no help for anyone in the house.  The daughter was also diagnosed with an illness.  The father is a flight attendant and is gone 20 days out of a month, so to compensate he buys ’stuff’ to show his love for his family.  The mother was also a ’shop-a-holic’.  Niecy and the crew really worked with this family and had really impressive results. They found out the basement was covered with black mold and everything down there had to be destroyed.  They tried to save a few pictures but that was basically it.  What struck me was when the mother cried over how “wasteful” they had been. She said that the money could have done so many other things, and now the items were ruined.  They swept up the “loose money” and it added up to .. are you ready?  $5000! .. YES! .. $5000 literally laying around the house for years.  She had boxes of things she had ordered that were never opened.  She had no clue what was in them.  The son had a pile of unopened Christmas presents.  Needless to say, theirs was the biggest yard sale in “Clean House” history.  Many people were “blessed” on that day.  We are blessed too.. We have more to give than we think… 

 

               
(202) 465-9923 {cell}

 

 

 

 

 

*Charitable Organizations that accept clothing donations:

 

http://www.charitychoices.com/whoaccepts.asp

 

Dress for Success:  http://www.dressforsuccess.org/supportdfs_donate_clothing.aspx

Dress for Success Worldwide                                                      
32 East 31st Street
7th Floor                                      
New York, NY 10016
Ph: 212.532.1922
Fax: 212.684.9563

worldwide@dressforsuccess.org
Attention: Dress for Success Washington DC Volunteers 
101 Q Street NE
Washington, DC 20002

 

 

Bread for the City:

http://www.breadforthecity.org/Page.aspx?pid=214&srcid=205

Northwest Center

1525 Seventh Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001
Phone: 202.265.2400
Fax: 202.745.1081 (Legal, Medical);

202.518.0545 (Social Services, Food, Administration);

202.386.7613 (Development, Finance)

Southeast Center

1640 Good Hope Road, SE
Washington, DC 20020
Phone: 202.561.8587
Fax: 202.574.1536 (Social Services, Food);

202.587.0537 (Legal, Administration)

Staff Directory:Contact BFC staff

Directions:Visit Bread for the City

E-mail:  info@breadforthecity.org

 

 

Goodwill:

http://www.dcgoodwill.org/

Goodwill Industries International 
(Tel: 202-636-4225 | Vehicle Donations: 866-492-2770)

 

 

Salvation Army:

http://www.satruck.org/search

Schedule a pickup by phone at 1-800-SA-TRUCK