Tag Archives: God’s word

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God Values You

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What do you consider the most precious substance in the universe? Silver or Gold? Precious jewels? Star dust? The energy of the sun? For millions of us, we consider the Blood of Jesus as the most precious substance. Because it made a way for us to come back to the Father. God’s very own precious blood shed for us while we were still sinners, before we were ever born. Pretty cool right? Now think about this…God thinks we are more precious than that! He gave His blood for what? That’s right, for us! Don’t ever doubt that God loves you, or that person who seems so far gone.

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Just Imagine

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Job 1:6 NIV
“One day the angels came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came with them.
The Lord said to Satan, “where have you come from?”
Satan answered the Lord, “from roaming through the earth and going back and forth in it.”
Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job?”

I Peter 1:18-19 NAS
“Knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers. But with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ.”

Imagine with me for a minute, that after the fall, the angels came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan shows up…

“Where have you come from, Satan?” the Lord asks.
“I have come from going to and fro in my kingdom. The one your silly man gave to me. I have been looking over all I possess,” he brags.
“Yes, I do miss those quiet times walking with Adam and Eve in the cool of the evening,” replies God with a note of sadness. “What would you take in return for my children whom I love?”
“You will never get them back! There is nothing you have that I want,” sneered Satan. “There is nothing you can do. They are legally mine. They chose me over you,” he gloated.
“So be it. Leave my presence,” answered God solemnly.

Years later as God’s chosen people suffer under oppression and continued slavery, Satan again presents himself to the Lord.

“Where have you come from?” the Lord asks.
“I have come from my kingdom, from tormenting those rebellious, stiff-necked children of yours. You know it could all stop. All you have to do is say the word…” taunted Satan.
“What word would that be?” the Lord asks with a knowing smile.
“Surrender. Give me your throne so I can command heaven and earth, and they are yours,” weaseled the devil.
“You know better than that. My throne is forever mine. It can’t be given nor taken away,” replied God.
“So bet it. Off I go to torture your loved ones,” laughed Satan.

Much later when God’s children began calling out for a redeemer, looking with hope for the promised one, Satan again pays an unwelcome visit.

“Where have you come from?” the Lord asks.
“I have come from the earth, where I rule and reign over all principalities, powers, dominions and rulers of dark places. I am the Prince of the air, the Lord of the Flies, the Father of Lies and of many children,” he answered with his bloated pride.
“There are still a remnant that choose me, that forsake your lies and follow after the truth,” stated the Lord.
“What would you give me in exchange for them all-not just your little ‘remnant’ but all of them. The ones who curse your, who sacrifice their children to my idols, the ones who live in perversion and lust?” he asked.
“There is no thing in heaven or earth worth giving up for those ones,” the Lord calmly replied.
“You finally admit it! They are worthless, unloved, unwanted garbage!” exclaimed Satan in triumphant glee.
“No…you misunderstand,” God said quietly. “They are worth more than all the streets of gold in heaven, worth more than the sun, the moon and the stars. They are more precious to me than silver and Gold.”
“Then what else is there?” answered Satan in some confusion.
“There is myself. I will give myself”

Now fast forward to Satan’s victory party. He is expecting Jesus any moment into his hellish domain. He thinks he has killed the creator of the universe, his own creator. Then in the midst of the party Jesus descends into hell and before the enemy of our souls can lay a finger on him something happens. You see hell can’t hold Holiness. It wasn’t built for sinless, pure, incorruptible LOVE. We don’t know exactly what happened that day in the depths of hell, but we do know that Jesus didn’t come out alone, and he took the keys of death and hell with him. Ponder on this for a moment and let it put things in perspective…Satan doesn’t even have the keys to his own home.

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Book Review for “Talon’s Test and the Shield of Faith” – Christian Sci Fi

I was given a copy of “Talon’s Test and the Shield of Faith” by the author, Nicholas Downing, in exchange for an honest review. I happen to love sci fi, every since I was a child. Very little is out there with a Christian viewpoint. This one is full of biblical phrases, and morals. It’s like reading some of the stories of the old testament if it had happened in the future where there is life on other planets. There is a military element, romance, fighting scenes (that reminded me a lot of Louis L’amour books) and non-human life forms. Good writing. A very fun read. I give this book five stars. It is definitely clean enough for all ages.

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The Importance of Prayer

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1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 “Rejoice always; pray without ceasing. in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus”

Prayer for the Christian is important. Praying to God is simply any conversation you have with Him. There are different types of prayer. Sometimes we are requesting things or answers from Him, for ourselves and for others. (Philippians 4:6-7). Other times we are in dire straights and need some help. Psalm 145:18 “The LORD is near to all who call upon Him, To all who call upon Him in truth.” Prayer is also giving thanks for all He has done for us and for who He is.

No matter our circumstances, prayer should be our first step, before the doctor, before the lawyer, before the bank and credit cards, before counseling and self help books. First thing every day we should go to Him with a heart of Thanksgiving. The last thing we do before our eyes close to sleep is to end our day in conversation with Him. Notice I say conversation. Conversations are two sided. We have to be still and quiet enough to hear His voice. A great place to start is after a time of praise and reading His word, ask God how much He loves you. Then listen.

The verse in I Thessalonians tells us to “pray without ceasing”. I know the majority of us have jobs and obligations. Yes we need to verbally, out loud, pray to God. Use His word in our prayers. Recite His promises. But we can also pray silently, or pray in the spirit quietly. Another way to look at it, is that you are always open to hear from Him. Maybe your job takes a lot of concentration and you can’t let your mind go into prayer, but you can thank Him when you are done with a task, thank Him for helping you handle that difficult client. Be creative. Always pray before you eat. A trite, “Good bread, good meat, thank God let’s eat”, just wont cut it. You don’t have to pray until your food is cold, but be earnest and honest with God. Do you commute to work? Take that time to pray.

So maybe you are thinking, “my life is pretty good, I don’t have that much to pray for.” Here are some suggestions for you. Of course, always pray for yourself and your family. Name their names, be specific in what they may need. Pray for the lost ones especially.

Pray for our leaders and those in authority over us.
1 Timothy 2:1-4 KJV
“I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;”

We don’t have to like them, we don’t have to agree with them, but God says to pray for them. Pray for their salvation. Pray that they use Godly wisdom and pray for their protection.

Pray for our spiritual leaders.
Colossians 4:2-4 AMP
“Be earnest and unwearied and steadfast in your prayer [life], being [both] alert and intent in [your praying] with thanksgiving. And at the same time pray for us also, that God may open a door to us for the Word (the Gospel), to proclaim the mystery concerning Christ (the Messiah) on account of which I am in prison; That I may proclaim it fully and make it clear [speak boldly and unfold that mystery], as is my duty.”

Ask God to bless them financially, emotionally, physically and spiritually. Pray that they have time to rest, relax, and spend time with their families. Pray that they are led by the Spirit of God, and are upright in all their ways. Ask God to give them Godly wisdom and discernment.

Pray for one another.
Colossians 4:12 AMP
“Epaphras, who is one of yourselves, a servant of Christ Jesus, sends you greetings. [He is] always striving for you earnestly in his prayers, [pleading] that you may [as persons of ripe character and clear conviction] stand firm and mature [in spiritual growth], convinced and fully assured in [a]everything willed by God.”

Pray that they can stand in these evil days. Pray again for supernatural provision. That they lack no good thing. Think about the things you need and ask God to provide those things for your brothers and sisters in Christ. Pay attention to those around you, are they going through some hard times, go to God on there behalf. Again, make sure you take the time to listen to God. He may ask you to do something or direct you to pray in a certain way. A word of caution, if God reveals something to you so that you can pray, don’t go and gossip about it!

Pray for your enemies.
Matthew 5:43-45 ESV
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.”

Pray for their salvation. Ask God to open their eyes to their need of Him. Ask the Holy Spirit to prepare their hearts. “Get them”, “punish them”, “give them what they deserve” are all NOT good prayers. We didn’t get what we deserved. Ask God to forgive them.

Pray for the lost.
Acts 26:18
“To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.”
God’s desire is that all are saved. Jesus died for all men. We shouldn’t write off anyone.

Like most things you have to work at building a habit. Set time aside, on purpose to pray. You will see great changes take place. God’s word does not return unto Him void. When we pray according to His will, He does the miraculous.

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Confession From Romans

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I am dead to sin and alive in Christ.
Sin is not my master, for I am not under the law, but under grace.
I am free from sin and a slave of righteousness.
I will exult and triumph in times of trouble, and rejoice in my suffering knowing that it is working patience in me.
I am not condemned.
Because I am led by the Spirit of God, I am a child of God.
His Spirit bears witness with mine that I am his child.
I am an heir and a joint heir with Christ.
I will suffer with Him and be glorified with Him.
The suffering of this present time are not to be compared to the glory that will be revealed in me.
I will wait with patience and composure for those unseen things I hope for.
God causes all things to work together for my good, because I love Him and am called to His purpose.
I am predestined to be conformed to the image of Christ.
God is for me, so no one can be successfully against me!
I am convinced! Nothing can separate me from the love of God!

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Where is Your Treasure?

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“And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest? Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you. “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Luke 12:25-34

We are God’s treasure. He sold everything (laid down His life) to purchase the Pearl of Great Price (you and me.) He is the Good Shepherd who leaves the flock safe in the mountains, to go and search for the one lost little sheep. The very one who wondered off looking for something different, that greener pasture.
Where is your treasure? What is your treasure? Is it your fine education, your forty foot yacht, your modern day castle, or the latest technological toy? Or maybe it is the recognition you get on your job, or for doing your “good works?” Is your treasure something shameful that you don’t want anyone to know about? Is it simply money and possessions? What will you give for your treasure? What sacrifice are you willing to make? Your marriage, your kids, or your relationship with God?

When Jesus created everything-He created an order and a balance. God loves us and wants to give us good things. But our lives must have balance and order. First our desire should be for Him. Everything else comes after. Our greatest treasure should be Him. A passionate relationship with Him is the greatest thing we could ever hope to attain. When we do that, He adds all the other stuff to us-giving it freely.
When we hold back from Him or give our hearts over to other people and things, before Him, we lose. The sacrifices we make to keep those tarnished so-called-treasures, ends up being too much. We end up selling our soul and hurting so many others in the process. “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” (Mark 8:36).

Let’s get practical. The holiday season is fast approaching us. Thanksgiving-a time to thank God for all he had provided for us, a day spent with family sharing how thankful we are for each other. And quickly following that day comes Christmas. Christmas is a day set aside to remember a loving God who humbled Himself and came to us in the form of a mortal man. A Father who sent us gifts to make our lives better, the gift of life to a dying world. So we in turn give gifts to others in remembrance.

Sounds lovely doesn’t it? But for most people those days are not all “thankfulness” and “peace on earth.” They are stress and overspending, loneliness and depression. Some feel they have little to be thankful for, and some have little to eat while we all feast away. Many look at the expensive unnecessary toy, gadgets, clothes and merchandise (junk), displayed as the next-best-greatest-thing that will bring happiness, love, satisfaction, ease and envy. But it is all only stuff!

We are so shallow…and dare I say it? Foolish. Things may make us happy for a season, but most of the time they disappoint-or something newer and better comes along and we look at what we have with disdain. Who cares if the shoes I am wearing are five years old and not “in style?” Or if the phone I just paid extra for last spring, because the free one was too plain, is now obsolete? How many apps can one person use? We are calling wood, hay and stubble treasure! How disappointing that must be to the Father. We step over the homeless man who smell makes our eyes water, to hurry into the mall to purchase that sale item that is supposed to represent God’s gift to mankind. Seriously?

Ask Him what we can do to celebrate these special days. He’ll give you something wonderful (hard) to do. Like put away the charge card and only buy what you can pay for. Maybe invite someone to share your family only meal with. Maybe it will just be bringing some food, not your leftover things sitting in the back of your cupboard, to the local food pantry. This one is a favorite of mine; make some shoeboxes for “Operation Christmas Child.” All of these things build treasure in heaven, if our motivation is to please God and help others. Attend a Christmas Eve service. Not to show off your new clothes and jewelry, but to praise Him for who He is, to sit in His presence with a thankful heart.

We have Him! Is there anything that can compare to that? He is our treasure. Don’t you want to give Him to others? He’s the only treasure worth seeking. But He’s a treasure not to hide, or horde. He is to be shared. “Freely we have received, freely we give.”