Friday, July 1, 2011

If the Son therefore shall make you free, you shall be free indeed.

[John 8:36]

FREE!!!

 

Happy Friday!  What a beautiful day!  This weekend there will be celebrations everywhere.  Freedom is in the air!  Monday, our nation will be celebrating its 235th birthday! YAY! .. We live in a free society.  Some of have abused that freedom, by living outrageous lives without much personal restraint.  Freedom is priceless, but it is also a huge responsibility.  Most of us don’t think much on a daily basis about the freedoms we have.  We are fast moving toward a nation where “anything goes”.  This is purely my opinion, but I believe that those who live in “free-thinking” societies and choose to live God-honoring lives are the most blessed.  We don’t “do right” because we’re afraid we’ll be arrested or ostracized.  We live to the best of our ability, and by the Spirit of Christ that lives in us to glorify our Heavenly Father.  Contrary to the believe of some, the Holy Ghost will never force anyone to do anything.  We want nice, neat situations.  If someone does something wrong, the first thing some of the saints will say is that they were never saved in the first place.  I’m here to say that it is not as easy as that.  Paul said, “when I would do good, evil is always present“.  That is not to say that we should live loose, immoral, unethical lives because we know God will forgive us.  It should serve to let those who have stumbled know that there is forgiveness available to them.  People need to know that God is not trying to see how many people He can keep OUT of Heaven, but rather how many He can get IN!  God is willing that “any should perish, but that all might come to repentance“. Regardless of how WE feel about the person, or even how wicked they have been, God loves them and He wants to totally transform their lives, and bring them to His side.  Once we realize what a mess we were in the Holy Eyes of God, and how precious we are to Him, we can extend that same grace to others.  Ahh… freedom.  There is nothing like it.  There are countries where I could not even wear my cross jewelry… it is considered contraband and illegal.  I carry my little bible with me everywhere I go.  I can’t do that in certain areas.  I am free to love Jesus, wear t-shirts, and hats and place bumper stickers on my car if I want to.  It is definitely not something I take for granted.  I want to go on record saying that I love my country… warts, problems and all.  I’m glad I was born here.  I appreciate the freedom I have.  Democracy is a beautiful thing.  Even more, I am thankful to have been born-again into the Kingdom of God.  I love my Righteous Judge, Sovereign Lord and Master of All… Lord or all Lords and King of all Kings JESUS.  I’m honored to have been given the chance to accept His precious gift of FREEDOM.  I can choose death or life~ blessing or cursing and while it sounds like a “no-brainer”, you would be surprised how many say “no” to this great invitation.  Those who have been enslaved and deceived by the enemy to believe that there is no God, He doesn’t exist, isn’t all powerful, is irrevelent or doesn’t care. Folks have been hood-winked, tricked, and bamboozeled for centuries, but as the days are getting shorter, and His appearing draws nearer, the forces of hell have “amped” up their efforts to keep people for knowing the True and Living God.  True freedom is knowing and accepting Jesus… He knows what is now and what shall come in the future.  We are secure when we are securely HIS!

Y Stress!  …   U Blessed!

  “Awesome Wonder”, Trent Cory

http://youtu.be/pCo04_puOJ0

“Free”, Darwin Hobbs

http://youtu.be/enFsX8SxmUM

“Make Me Over”, Tonex

http://youtu.be/ycvBl9tsOrk

“Restored”, J Moss

http://youtu.be/RXRQYV3Y-JQ

“No Weapon”, Fred Hammond

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2EfFVnP6DO0

“Everything To Me”, Fred Hammond

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6tKA_sztiDE

“Just To Be Close To You”, Fred Hammond

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

“You Are The Living Word”, Fred Hammond

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OyTYEeZdhK8

“I Give Myself Away”, William McDowell

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

“Holy of Holies”, Kutless

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

Friday, January 30, 2009

 
Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ has made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

[ Galatians 5:1]

Time to Clean House

Good Morning Beloved,

Happy Friday!

Remember the little nursery song:

Clean-up, clean-up
Everybody get some toys.
Clean-up, clean-up
All the little girls and boys.
Clean-up, clean-up
Everybody do your share.
Clean-up, clean-up
Everybody, everywhere.

It is a good place to start as we’re taking inventory of our situation.  Identifying the areas in our lives that need a little ‘tidying up’.  Cleaning up our act so to speak.  Spiritually (that is the first order of business).  Jesus bought our freedom with His own blood.  He placed us in right standing with Almighty God and now we are sons and daughters of God.  We have so many options, but with choices come greater responsibilities.  We are endowed with the power of God by His Spirit, we are loved by God, we have been cleansed by God … we are ready.  We have been given the tools we need to live successful Godly lives, and now we have work to do… internally and externally.  Sitting at the feet of Jesus and soaking in His Word, and then putting into practice what I’ve learned is working on the inside.  Now, I am on the hunt for the excessive, and unecessary in my life on the outside.  Little faith, time, energy and money stealers that must be firmly dealt with.  I am looking over bills, in order to trim the fat off of them.  I noticed a charge on one bill that I don’t even remember agreeing to…. it will be cut.  What is not being used, has got to go.  Clothes not worn, unused stuff, clutter…. gotta go, gotta go, gotta go.  It is amazing how suffocating a cluttered life is.  I watched a talk show many years ago, where the guests had been very wealthy at one time, but gave their money away.  They established foundations and lived simply.  Why?  The wealth had become overwhelming, and they no longer wanted to deal with it.  Now, that has never been my issue, but clutter has.  We are a sentimental family that has a tendency to hold on to things. We are getting better.  I’ve found if it doesn’t come into the house, we don’t have to worry about getting rid of it later.  We have chosen items and services that we really want, and those that we can live without… gotta go… gotta go… gotta go!….. ahhhhhh… freedom….

… that my friend is Good News!

“Shackles”, Mary Mary

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

“My Soul Is Anchored”, Trin-n-tee 5:7

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0XOGD9M3Ox0

Don’t Worry -Matthew 6:26,27 12 of 109   It can be easy to let yourself fall into the trap of worrying about money. We must learn to trust that God will take care of us, and provide for us, just as He takes care of the birds

Dynamite -Mark 11:22 13 of 109   The power of God can remove any obstacle that is preventing you from getting to where God wants you to be. Our faith allows God to release His power in our lives, to remove the mountains in our way.

Don’t Open That Door -Genesis 4:7 14 of 109   Temptation may seem harmless, but it will lead to sin, which is not harmless at all. If we confess our sin, we will be forgiven (I John 1:9), but that doesn’t mean that we will escape all of the consequences for our sin. January 20, 2007

Friday, December 12, 2008

The next day there was a wedding celebration in the village of Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, and Jesus and His disciples were also invited to the celebration. The wine supply ran out during the festivities, so Jesus’ mother told Him, “They have no more wine.” “Dear woman, that’s not our problem,” Jesus replied. “My time has not yet come.”  But His mother told the servants, “Do whatever He tells you.”  [John 2:1-5]

“Celebration”

Happy Friday!   

Nothing like a good celebration.  I find it interesting that the very first public miracle that Jesus performed was at a wedding celebration. Turning water into wine().  A wine so good that,

“When the master of ceremonies tasted the water that was now wine, not knowing where it had come from (though, of course, the servants knew), he called the bridegroom over.  “A host always serves the best wine first,” he said. “Then, when everyone has had a lot to drink, he brings out the less expensive wine. But you have kept the best until now!”

Somehow, somewhere along the way in the history of the church, Gods’ people became viewed as dry, lifeless, no smiling creatures with no joy.  Fun was a ‘dirty’ word… having a good time synonymous with doing something wrong, and dancing was strictly frowned upon.  If anybody should have joy it should be those who serve a God as wonderful as our God.  Balance.. Ecclesiastes reminds us that there is a time a place for everything … Focus… years ago, I was attending a service where the minister asked everyone to take out a dime.  He told us to hold the dime up in front of us.  In the broad scope of our vision the dime did not take up much space, but when we moved the dime closer to our eyes our whole perspective changed until the dime was all that would could see.  That is how life is at times.  Something or someone can fill our vision to the point we can’t see anything beyond it.  I believe that is the reason many people commit suicide or generally check out of life… either mentally or emotionally.  They could not see or imagine life beyond where there were. Breakthroughs are happening constantly… don’t miss yours. The bible assures you that if you seek God… you will find Him….. Enjoy today.

Some Assembly Required -Proverbs 3:5,6     Life is complicated, and it can be hard to fit all of the pieces together. The Bible is our instruction manual from God for how to put our lives in order. December 7, 2008

(a Father/son dance-this is a video you don’t see everyday )

Friday, October 17, 2008

Good Morning Beloved,

Happy Friday! 

We’re hearing a lot about change lately……. change takes some getting used to, however change can be not only good, but vital to our growth, well being and development.  The most crucial change is accepting God’s love gift and allowing Him to change us from the inside out.  We are to be reflections of God… we are after all made in His image and after His likeness.  The closer we get to God, the more of His fragrance we take on…. like hugging someone that smells really good…it sticks to you right?  In the same way, if we get too close to something that stinks…. we’ll stink too.  Having said that, God is able to take stinky situations, use them for His Glory and make something sweet come out of them.

…. and that is Good News!

Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God. But this fragrance is perceived differently by those who are being saved and by those who are perishing.

2 Corinthians 2:15

U Blessed

Have A Fabulous Day and a Wonderful Weekend!

Regina

 Tamela Mann “Step Aside” from the stageplay What’s Done In The Dark…. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yaG-2z1M-dc

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

My cousin Diane sent this email to me and it really spoke to me:

STOP!

Oh Lord, help me not to cuss anybody out today
Freeze my tongue, if somebody gets in my way
Fill me with Your grace, so that I might stay cool
I‘m trying to do right, but I ain’t nobody’s fool
Cause me to humble myself, before I get fired
Even a saint like me sometimes gets tired

Praise your name, because You’ve saved me, many times before

Cartoonist’s Comment:

Jesus said in John 6:36 “I am the bread of life”. It is up to the believers to take the Bread of Life (Jesus) out of the Bakery (the church building), to where the hungry people are. After eating “Satan’s Garbage”, the aroma of the Bread of Life will certainly smell good.

Good Morning Beloved,

Tomorrow we celebrate Independence Day …America’s “Birthday”.  It started me thinking of freedom and liberation.  Freedom of a nation…. freedom of a people…. freedom of an individual.  Even in 2008, freedom is a foreign concept to many.  They have no idea what it is like to speak out against injustice, and not be beaten, arrested, tortured or killed.  In 2008 there are people being bought and sold into slavery.  Children sold, maimed and killed.  We are blessed.  Freedom.  Freedom has a cost, and comes with great responsibility, but it is our most valuable treasure. Our responsibility at the very least should be…. appreciation.  Many of our children cannot truly appreciate our freedom, because they do not personally know of anything different.  When I was in school, we were inundated with books, and films that taught of our history.  We learned that we live in a free society, that it was not always the way that it is now, and that while not perfect, our nation has come a long way.  Even in this age of mass media.  People are detached … as though, while they see what is happening in other places, it does not affect them or their lifestyle.  The images shown are like watching another reality television show.  I really appreciate being free today.  I appreciate all those who gave up their freedom, and even their very lives, so that I could live and be free.  Remember this…

Have a Fabulous Day and a Safe and Happy 4th!

Regina

Cartoonist’s Comment:

I don’t know if anyone ever really escaped from a prison by smuggling in a file hidden inside a cake. But it makes a good illustration of how when we share the Gospel with people, we are giving them the means to their own escape from sin and death.