True Thanksgiving...

Long before the Pilgrims landed in America in 1620, there was a band of Biblical Pilgrims called Israelites who left a land of bondage headed for a promised land where they could worship their God in truth and not be forced to worship Idols and false gods.  These Pilgrims had the real first Thanksgiving.

Leviticus 7:11-15 (KJV)

 11And this is the law of the sacrifice of peace offerings, which he shall offer unto the LORD.

 12If he offer it for a thanksgiving, then he shall offer with the sacrifice of thanksgivingunleavened cakes mingled with oil, and unleavened wafers anointed with oil, and cakes mingled with oil, of fine flour, fried.

 13Besides the cakes, he shall offer for his offering leavened bread with the sacrifice ofthanksgiving of his peace offerings.

 14And of it he shall offer one out of the whole oblation for an heave offering unto the LORD, and it shall be the priest's that sprinkleth the blood of the peace offerings.

 15And the flesh of the sacrifice of his peace offerings for thanksgiving shall be eaten the same day that it is offered; he shall not leave any of it until the morning.

Thanksgiving means - the offering of thanks, especially for gifts received.  Scripture empasises the importance of giving thanks to God for all His gifts and works both as an expression of our dependance ON Him and our gratitude TO Him.

Jonah 2:9  (KJV)

 9But I will sacrifice unto thee with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay that that I have vowed. Salvation is of the LORD.

In the Bible, thanksgiving is linked with praise:

Psalm 69:30  (KJV)

 30I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving.

1 Chronicles 16:4 KJV)

 4And he appointed certain of the Levites to minister before the ark of the LORD, and to record, and to thank and praise the LORD God of Israel:

Psalms 100:4  (KJV)

4Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.

Psalm 50:14 (KJV)

 14Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the most High:

We have so much to be thankful for - everyday.  If we take the limits off God, we are going to see Him do even greater things than we ever have. 

We have at least 3 things to be thankful for:

#1) Common blessings - (things we take for granted such as the sunrise, sunset, life, hearing, seeing, feeling).

#2) Special blessings - (breath of life, family, friends,)

#3) The greatest blessing of all - Jesus Christ who gave His life that we might be saved and spend eternity with Him.

We have a duty to offer thanksgiving to God (everyday)

1 Timothy 4:3-4 (KJV)

 3Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.   4For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving:

Psalm 107:8-9 (KJV)

 8Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!

 9For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.

Psalm 147:7-9 (KJV)

 7Sing unto the LORD with thanksgiving; sing praise upon the harp unto our God:

 8Who covereth the heaven with clouds, who prepareth rain for the earth, who maketh grass to grow upon the mountains.  9He giveth to the beast his food, and to the young ravens which cry.

So many times we ask, take and forget!

Like the story of the 10 lepers in Luke 17.  Out of the 10 only 1 returned to thank Him for their healing.

We should give God thanks and praise everyday.  So much of the world only remembers to thank Him certain times of the year if then.  As a child of God we can celebrate Thanksgiving everyday - Thanksgiving is OUR response to HIS grace.

Thanksgiving is responding to God's grace even in the midst of turmoil and trouble.  In "everything" Paul wrote, "give thanks".  It's easy to celebrate and give thanks when everything is going our way.  Real thanksgiving, biblical thanksgiving goes deeper than our circumstances!!  It's based on God's provision - not our performance.  

In the movie, FACING THE GIANTS, the coach told his team, "We are going to praise God when we win and we are going to praise God when we lose".  That's the mindset that we as God's children should have - We are going to praise God when we win (when things go our way) and we are going to praise God when we lose (when we think they aren't going our way).  One thing is for sure, if you have read the back of His book, you know we win :-)

Paul says in 1 Thessalonians 5:18, In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

I know it's hard to be thankful when you have recently lost a loved one, have a loved one sick unto death, facing divorce or other marital problems, in financial hardships etc., and it's hard if you have a bunch of little problems troubling your mind.  Real thanksgiving is when we praise God IN SPITE OF the circumstances.  In 2 timothy 1:11-12, Paul shows us what real thanksgiving looks like:  He is in a dungeon, chained to a Roman soldier, looking back over 30 some years of serving Christ.  He could have whined and cried, "Lord look what I've done for you, why are you doing this to me?"  But instead he said:   11Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.

 12For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

He gives 2 reasons for his confidence, even while in the dungeon.  If we can claim these same reasons, we can celebrate real thanksgiving.

#1)  I can be confidant because I know God personally - There is a huge difference in knowing about God and really knowing God.  Even the devil knows about God and trembles because of what he knows.  To know God personally is to love and serve Him as your Savior, leader, counselor and friend.  It is not enough to know about God.  It is not enough to be an excellent studier of His word.  In order to celebrate real thanksgiving, you must know God personally.

#2)  I can be confident because God is able to guard all that I entrust to Him.

If I was the primary caretaker of all the people and possessions that are important to me - I would be in big trouble because my wisdom and power are limited (to what God gives me).  I can't save anyone or anything.  But when I entrust to God all those people/things that are important to me, then I have enlisted the all-wise, omnipotent God.  This doesn't give me an automatic safety net but I know that He has my best interests in mind, that His plans are for my good and He knows my heart.  When I enlist Him for instance by praying His hedge of protection, I believe, I have faith that He is fully capable of taking care of everything and protecting everything, something I cannot do.  He will be there to fight my battles for me.  I have His promise that nothing can happen tomorrow that He and I can't handle.  

NO TRAGEDY CAN ERASE GOD'S SUFFICIENCY (I didn't write that but wish I had :-)

So here we are on the brink of Thanksgiving "day" and we don't have a clue what tomorrow holds, but praise God, we know WHO holds tomorrow!  So we can dare to give thanks to God and say with Paul, "for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day".  

When Ralph Waldo Emerson lost his son, he wrote in his journal - "all that I have seen teaches me to trust God for all that I have not seen".  To me that may have been the most beautiful thing he wrote!  

Hebrews 11:1 (KJV) Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

But, if we believe with our whole heart, "all that we have seen teaches us to trust God for all that we have not seen", our faith will grow - then we know the secret of our confidence and we are ready for "thanksgiving".

References. and excerpts: The Secret of our confidence - Bill Bouknight, Bible gateway, King James Bible

First published in facebook, November 20, 2011 at 1:11am

Have You Grown Cold?

My heart is breaking because of things I see going on around me.  The world is infiltrating our churches, the hearts of christians are turning cold, just as the Bible said it would.  It's one thing to read about it, it's another to see it happening right before your eyes and to people you care about.  To all of you, not just blood family, not just family at all, not just friends but everyone, I love you too much not to pass this on and if any of it applies then just know I am writing what God has laid on my heart.

You may or may not realize but if you are a christian and have read the Bible, (and even those who do not claim to be christian have read the Bible and believe, the Bible says even the demons believe and tremble), you are starting to see a lot of prophecy come true.  Much more than our parents, grandparents etc.
NOW IS NOT THE TIME TO TURN AWAY FROM GOD, or to let your guard down.  Nothing in and of this world is worth going to hell for.  There is so much that God has laid on my heart I am having trouble even writing it all down.  The first verse HE gave me was this one:
Matthew 15:8, NASB
8‘THIS PEOPLE HONORS ME WITH THEIR LIPS, BUT THEIR HEART IS FAR AWAY FROM ME.
      9‘BUT IN VAIN DO THEY WORSHIP ME, TEACHING AS DOCTRINES THE PRECEPTS OF MEN.’”
Many claim to love the Lord, many spread the verses they read around to others in a semblance of spreading the gospel, while their lives and their actions are far from it.  If the world sees you acting like them WHY would they want to change anything, all they have to say is "I believe" and continue living in sin.  NOW if YOU are the one they are watching and you are the one they are patterning their christian life after, YOU are responsible for them, their blood WILL be on your hands come judgement day.  One of the saddest things I witnessed one time was a young man in his 30's give his life to Christ, and then leave the church mentored by one "friend" who continued to tell him dirty jokes, cuss like a sailor and try to entice him to go to the bars and into other things.  This friend was "supposed" to be a christian.  This friend had worked on him for months and months to come to church, to give his life to God, to become a "new" man.  Then this same friend led him out the door and right back down the same path.  He ended up as lost when he walked out as when he walked in.  No one else could get through to this young man because he had so much respect for the friend that "led him to Christ".  He had never been to church, knew nothing about how your life is supposed to change, yet he felt something wasn't right, he felt that continuing to do the things of the world after confessing his sins was wrong, but he wasn't seeing a change in anyone else so he thought he had this christianity thing all wrong and he wondered what took him so long to confess because he wasn't having to give anything up.  Surely this friend of his, who had been a christian for so long would know how a christian is supposed to act?  He tried talking to his friend but the friend told him, he was okay that God didn't expect him to be so "clean cut and straight laced".  That was old fashioned. He wanted to talk to the pastor but didn't want to make his friend feel like he didn't trust him.  He ended up feeling like he was just being to hard and judgmental and eventually he ended up back on the streets and ultimately in prison.  I realize the friend wasn't the only one in the wrong here.  Someone else should have tried to step up, some did, and yes I was one of those.  We tried to talk to him, to show him Christ's love, tried to teach him but with his friends on the other side saying those older people don't know, that is the old way etc. etc. it only left him more confused.
I have said all that to say this.  I see many many people who have been in church most if not all of their lives, who have claimed to be Christians, taught church classes, sang in the choir, appeared to be following God and know the truths of God.  I've heard them quote scripture, say "I would never do this, or never do that" and I see them now only honoring God with their lips.  Their hearts are turning cold, just as the Bible foretold.
The witness they are presenting is far removed from the witness they were.  There are things of this world that have NO place in the life of a Child of God.  There was a time when these same people would have been appalled if you tried to tell them that they would do the things they are doing now.  God will not be mocked.  What HE says HE means.  His promises AND HIS warnings.  He says stay away from ALL appearance of evil.  1 Thessalonians 5:22.   That means stay away from witchcraft or ALL appearance of witchcraft.  Stay away from discerning the stars (horoscopes), stay away from filthy lewd talk and actions, stay away from bars, strip clubs, other peoples husbands and wives!  I'm not going to tell you that you cannot drink a glass of wine etc that is between you and God, however, when you promote liquor and drinking you are destroying your witness.  Facebook is a good venue to witness, but what kind of witness are we being.  People know we are Christians and yet they see horoscopes, Jack Daniels advertisements, jokes about getting drunk or getting "laid", cussing, sexual innuendos, half dressed men and women, lustful comments.  ALL APPEARANCE OF EVIL.  God says what HE means and means what HE says.  Don't let the devil destroy you.  You've run a good race so far, don't quit, the finish line is too close.
Galatians 5:1
1It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.
Galatians 5:7-8
7 You were running well; who hindered you from obeying the truth? 
8 This  persuasion did not come from Him who calls you.
TO ALL OF YOU:  God knows when I say I love you and I pray for you that I truly mean it, whether you are family, friend or acquaintance.  If I did not tell you the truth of God's word then I would only be honoring that love with my lips and not with my actions and it would be meaningless.
1 Thessalonians 5:1-11
1 Now as to the times and the epochs, brethren, you have no need of anything to be written to you. 2 For you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night. 3 While they are saying, "Peace and safety!"then destruction will come upon them suddenly like labor pains upon a woman with child, and they will not escape. 4 But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day would overtake you like a thief; 5 for you are all sons of light and sons of day. We are not of night nor of darkness; 6so then let us not sleep as others do, but let us be alert and sober. 7For thosewho sleep do their sleeping at night, and those who get drunk get drunk at night. 8 But since we are of [the] day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope of salvation. 9 For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, we will live together with Him. 11 Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing.
You know yourself how your witness has changed, how you have changed.  I beseech you, get back on course, don't just talk the talk, get back on the path and walk the walk.  HE wanted you to read this, HE wanted you to know that HE'S noticed and that HE'S waiting.  The Bible says he would leave the 99 to find the one lost lamb, are you the lamb HE is talking to?  I pray you aren't but if you are, please turn back, right now, don't come this far to lose it all over "worldly" fun.  Being a child of the most High God is the greatest honor and privilege there is.  There is nothing that feels better or more worth doing than serving God and making it into eternity.  You might not have another chance.  HE loves you, I love you.  Come home.
Originally written January 16, 2014 at 10:54pm

A Picture is Worth A Thousand Words

This is my disclaimer!  I am not judging anyone for what they like or what they have.  God is our judge, always has been, always will be.  How does God judge us?  Very plainly BY HIS WORD.
I read in Leviticus 26:1 You shall not make for yourselves idols, nor shall you set up for yourselves an image or a sacred pillar, nor shall you place a figured stone in your land to bow down to it; for I am the LORD your God.
By this I know how He will judge "me".  As for me and mine, we will serve the Lord.  Many people wonder why I don't like and try not to post pictures of Jesus.  Let me say, I used to before I realized that the pictures were not only not really Him but also pretty much not remotely what He would have looked like "back in the day".  Then as I kept studying I found that the pictures/drawings of Jesus changed.  They were only "imagined" likenesses to begin with but later on they were actually likenesses of a totally different person. (you can read all about it just by googling, "real face of Jesus" or following the link below.  I have included the link below for you to read for yourself and decide for yourself what is best for you.  Many people will say, "well, we don't know what He looks like so what does it matter?" That is my point, we don't know but as for me, I will wait, and I will pray that one day I get to look upon His face and see Him for real.  I don't want illusions to cause me to miss Him :-)
Love you all, God bless.

Exodus 20:4 You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth.
Jesus painting modeled after Ceaser Borgia   (NOTE:  there are more links below).

Depiction_of_Jesus
http://www.giveshare.org/BibleStudy/217.realfaceofjesus.html

Son of Pope Alexander VI.

The Rest of the Story - The Truth Will Set You Free, Jesus IS That Truth

Here's the thought for the day: How much do you REALLY love your family, friends, 
parents, kids, spouse, etc? Enough that you are concerned about their souls? Have you 
shared Jesus with them? Do you care if they split hell wide open?


and here's my answer.... I love each and every one of you enough to tell you the truth. The
 truth is... If you don't get your life right and get a real personal relationship with God and
 seek Him and His approval rather than man's (or woman's), you will miss the Kingdom of 
God and living throughout eternity. That thought may not bother some people but it's 
where you will spend eternity that is the problem. A relationship with Jesus is not just a 
word here and there. It's not yelling, "Oh Jesus" when a car almost sideswipes you, it's not 
being sick or having a loved one that is sick and praying for healing one day and forgetting
WHO healed as soon as you/they are well. When you are in a true relationship with God,
 you strive to live according to HIS will. You stay away from evil and "all appearance" of 
evil. You follow HIS laws. Some people think that because they don't kill they haven't sinned or that telling "a little white lie" isn't as bad as killing or stealing, well from what I read in the Bible, SIN IS SIN, there is NO big sin, little sin. Yes I love you and yes I care about your soul. Please get your life right with God and then strive daily to keep it that way. We aren't perfect any of us, it's a daily walk not just a one time thing.

The first thing you have to do is accept Jesus into your life.  Accept that HE IS the Son of God and HE DID come to die for all of our sins.  Then you must confess your sins to God, and yes HE does already know them but true repentance comes when you yourself acknowledge them as sins.  The Bible says if you will ask for forgiveness HE will grant it, doesn't say might or maybe but that HE will.  

1 John 1:9(NASB)

9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Many people today think the Bible is "just a good book of morals".  It is a good book of morals to live by but it is so much more than that.  It is the living breathing Word of the Most High God.  The instructions laid out in the Bible are not just "good words to live by", they are the life of a Child of God.  You can't pick and choose what you want from it.  When Jesus died on the cross He completed all the man made laws in the Bible, but HE did NOT do away with God's laws.  Those laws being the 10 Commandments.  Even Jesus followed those.  He said, "if you love me, keep my commandments".  He added two commandments that people today think override God's 10 but they don't, they add to.  

My point is that not only do you need to confess Jesus and confess your sins to God but you need to read and study your Bible to learn the ways of God and what He wants and expects.  The Bible tells us that sin cannot enter into God's Kingdom.  The Bible goes on to tell us what sin is, not just with the 10 commandments but in other verses too.  Sin and unrighteousness are the same thing.  

Read this: Proverbs 6:16-19, 16 There are six things which the Lord hates,Yes, seven which are an abomination [i]to Him:

17 17 Haughty eyes, a lying tongue,And hands that shed innocent blood,
18 18 A heart that devises wicked plans,Feet that run rapidly to evil,
19 19 A false witness who utters lies,And one who [j]spreads strife among brothers.

Broken down this means pride, lying, killing, trouble making, looking for evil.  

There are other things the Lord hates, adultery, idolatry, fornication, drunkenness, stealing, coveting, fighting.  Most of these don't need explanations but some people try to justify what they do.  (Example:  my husband/wife doesn't give me what I want/need, I love them but I'm not satisfied so I go elsewhere, but I always come home to them.- That is adultery.  Example 2:  NOTHING, I mean NOTHING gets in the way of my football game, or my exercise class, or my soap opera, etc. etc. - that is idolatry; Example 3:  We can have sex, it isn't adultery because we aren't married. - that is fornication.  Drunkenness, stealing, lying, fighting I think needs no explanation.  Coveting - I want to keep up with the Jones, Rockefellers, etc.  I want that car that he has or that dress she has or that husband, that job etc.)  Sin = unrighteousness.  

The Bible says we have all sinned and fallen short of the glory but it doesn't say we are hopeless.  It is a daily walk.  We stumble, we fall but we need to get up and move forward, never looking back.  Ask forgiveness as often as we realize we have sinned.  Ask forgiveness again during prayer even if we aren't sure.  Talk to God all the time, not just when we need something.  What family member or best friend would stick around if we only talked to them once or twice a year or when we needed something and especially if we never came back and said thank you.  

Being a Child of God isn't hard, you don't give up anything, you gain everything.  

Do you love your family, your friends, etc?  This is only a part of the truth you MUST share with them, you must care about where they will spend eternity. You must care about their soul.  You must love them, even if you don't always like them.  You are responsible for what you tell them AND what you DON'T tell them AND what they see you do.  YOU will answer to God one day.  When HE says, what did you do with MY Son?  What will you say? When HE says what did you do for those you love to help them make it into the Kingdom and into Heaven? How did you show your love? What will you say?

As Jesus told Peter, "If you love me, feed my sheep". 

John 21:17(NASB)

17 He *said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you [a]love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you[b]love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I [c]love You.” Jesus *said to him, “Tend My sheep.

John 21:17 (KJV)

17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
If you love HIM, feed HIS sheep, if you love them, feed them. HE doesn't mean physical food, HE means Spiritual.
Love you all.  

I truly love you.  If you are committing any of the above sins, you WILL NOT make it into Heaven.  I truly love you, if you do not confess your sins, accept Jesus and live your life for God, you WILL NOT make it into Heaven.  I truly love you, if you continue to live in sin, you will die in sin and you WILL NOT make it into Heaven.  
I truly love you, I want us both to walk this walk and talk this talk for the Lord and make it into not only Heaven but the Kingdom of God that is coming.  I'm not perfect by any means, it is a daily walk and sometimes a daily struggle but the key is to keep on keeping on.  

Matthew 24:13(NASB)

13 But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved. 

When God Has Another Plan

Jeremiah 29:11 (King James Version)

 ¹¹For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
This translates to:  I know the plans I have for you.
God knows us from the beginning to the end, the Bible says He knows the very hairs of our head.  So why do we not realize His plans for us are perfect?  We seem to think we can do a better job with our own lives.  A little bit like our children do us isn't it?
Proverbs 16:9 says, "A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps."   This tells me that I can do "nothing" on my own without the Lord's help.  Even when my steps falter and I turn in the other direction, He is STILL with me. PTL!
God's plans for us have always been for us to prosper and flourish.  If we aren't it isn't God that is directing us!  The Bible says satan goes around as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour.  When we turn away from God's plan for our lives, satan believes he has won.  However, we can rest assured that when we are ready to turn back to God, He will be right where we left Him.   The other part of that is that He will finish the work He started in you if you will allow Him.  You see God will never force our will but His plans DO NOT change.  We can remove ourselves from those plans but the minute we come back to God the plans remain the same.  He doesn't come up with "another plan"  He continues the original plan He had for our life.  Then is when you start to realize what a perfect plan it was.
Do you like a hot shower?  Most of us do.  What happens if you stay in the shower too long?  What happens when the water starts to get cold?  You can tell it's going to and you can tell if you keep standing under it that it's going to go completely cold.  It goes from really hot to completely cold!!  That's how some Christians are today!  We start out hot, on fire for God, then we stay in the world too long and we start to get lukewarm, if we keep staying in it, soon we are cold.  Now I don't know about you but once my water starts getting cold I have to get out.  That's just common sense, right?  Being a Christian is the same way.  It takes a little faith (the size of a grain of mustard seed), and at least a smidgen of common sense.  Now if you know what either of those are, you know they are tiny, very tiny.  It takes such a small amount to be a Christian, at least in the beginning.  Hebrews 11:1, Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.  Common sense is what tells you that if you lie down with dogs, you are going to get fleas!  Common sense tells you to get out of the shower (the world) before you get cold!  Common sense tells you that you have to be in this world but you don't have to be "of" this world.
Revelation 3:16 says, "So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth."  If you stay in the ways of the world to long, you will grow first lukewarm, then cold.  It really doesn't matter if you are lukewarm or cold, either way you will NOT be walking with God.
Again, God knows the end from the beginning - He knows the plans He has for us.  His will be done.  His will, His ways are perfect.  The fun and happiness that satan offers in this world are only fleeting.  He can imitate some of what God gives us but he can't carry through.  Here today, gone tomorrow.  It was never, ever part of God's plan for any to perish.  However, just like satan, many think they are the God of their own lives and they can run it better.  Soon they grow cold and it's too late to step out of the shower.  You see, satan knows the plans he knows for you also.
Which plans do you choose?  God's perfect plan for your life or satan's plan of destruction.  If God is speaking to your heart right now, don't let the water grow cold.
God bless,
til next time,
TawanaB
(3-13-11a.m.)

My Sacrifice

I had (past tense) been having what I considered bad days because it seemed like my prayers weren't getting through and nothing was going right, we've all those days right?  When talking to God I would have to ask Him to forgive my unbelief because even though I believe nothing is impossible with Him, I was doubting that some of the things I asked for were of His will.  Anyway, I was down and the depression was worsening.  I attended a revival and the pastor kept speaking "Lord make a way where there is no way".  That got through to my Spirit inspite of my fleshly depression!  All week he kept saying that.  Sunday morning our Pastor was preaching and He says, "Lord, make a way where there is no way".  That evening we had a visiting Pastor, during prayer he said, (you guessed it), "Lord, make a way where there is no way".  I thought okay Lord I hear you, You can make a way where I can't possibly see one!  Even in my depression when I am battling to get out of it, You can lift it because I'm letting circumstances dictate my life.  Lord, in my mind, in my heart, make a way where there is no way.  I commit this lie from the devil to You.  The change was amazing.  Immediately it lifted, immediately my Spirit was rejoicing.  I have an excitement that I can't explain, I just know something good is going to happen, I can barely sit still it is so strong.  Two days later, to make sure I am paying attention, my daily message from, (you can subscribe here if you like), "What the Lord Is Saying" a prophetic/inspirational email that I receive, said this yesterday:

July 14, 2010.  So you had a bad day.  This doesn't mean you will have another one today.  Remembering what made it bad gives impetus to having the beginning of good days, beginning today.  Don't rehearse what went wrong.  Start thinking of things you will do to make it right, and do them.  When things go a little bad that is your sign to turn it around the next time.  You have seen at times before when you asked for wisdom and I poured it out when you needed it.  Do the same thing again.  This will stop the downward spin.  Don't dwell on the bad.  Fix your mind on Me and My goodness.
Romans 12:1-2 (MSG) "So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life-your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life-and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. ² Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you."  Bev Robinson 

Do I think He is talking to me, most definitely!  In this email both her and her husband write what the Lord is saying, this was His:

July 14, 2010.  You are sensing a rush in your spirit man.  It is as if something very important, exciting and good is about to happen.  I have sent to you ministering angels to prepare your heart for the outpouring of blessings I am bringing.  I have noticed of late that you  are down in your spirit a good bit.  You should begin paying more attention to the angels.  They minister under my authority and direction.  You know there are myriads upon myriads of them everywhere.  Welcome their ministry to you and those important to you.  Learn to speak My word in faith and be prepared for the angels to carry out My word that you have spoken.  Humble yourself and begin to work with them side by side.Psalms 103:20-21 (NLT) "Praise the Lord, you angels, you mighty ones who carry out his plans, listening for each of his commands. Yes, praise the Lord, you armies of angels who serve him and do his will!" Ras Robinson

God is sooooooo awesome.  Not only does He give me direction but just to make sure I've understood He always gives me confirmation.  I love Him so much, I hope and pray that You who are reading this do also and are walking in His blessings.  My "joy" does not come from my circumstances, my "joy" comes from the Lord.  Thank you Lord for saving me and adopting me.

The song playing right now is, "When I Can't See His Hand, I Can Trust His Heart".  He will lift You up in ways the world just can't do if you commit ALL things to Him.

God bless,

His Servant

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem

Learn the truth, use the authority and break the bonds

BONDAGE:

And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage: Galations 2:4 (false teachers)

Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Matthew 18:18 (think about that, if we are in bondage on earth, we are bound in Heaven also!!)

TRUTH:

And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. John 8:32 (John 14:6Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.)

AUTHORITY:

Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Luke 10:19

When we know the truth, we can break free of our bonds (break out of bondage) using the truth and the authority that God gave us through Jesus Christ. Can I get a big amen :) That excites me. There is absolutely NOTHING that God did not make provision for us already!! Our God is truly morethan enough!!

Think of some of the synonyms for saved: rescued, delivered, liberated, set free. Can we add out of bondage after each word? Yes we can!

A true christian believes inwardly and outwardly that Jesus death has allowed God to offer them forgiveness and eternal life as a gift. They have "accepted" that gift through "faith" and are seeking (desiring - not forced) to live a life free of bondage and a life of obedient "gratitude" for what God has done for them.

Many are being led astray by every wind of doctrine and cunning craftiness of men.(Ephes. 4:14)

Mankind is in bondage. Some are in bondage to satan and thus to self and sin. Others are in bondage, held captive by the enemies lies because they don't know the truth. Still others are in bondage to the law or to a legalistic style of Christianity that snuffs the life and joy out of their walk with the Lord Jesus Christ.(excerpt, FREE FROM BONDAGE - GOD'S WAY by Kay Arthur)

Sin has everyone in it's grip. We are trapped (bondage) by sin, beaten down by past mistakes, and choked by desires we know are wrong. God knows we are sin's prisoners, and He has provided a way of escape - faith in Jesus Christ. All are caught in sin's grasp and only those who place their faith in Jesus Christ ever get out of it. Look to Him. He has already paid the price to set you free.

Don't be tossed around by "every wind of doctrine", don't be one of those who only wants to hear the good news of the gospel, don't be a man pleaser (another blog God is giving me). Pray, read, study to show thyself approved - to God, not man. Learn the truth, use the authority, break those bonds. Do not let satan dull your sword, it's your only weapon of defense, he would have you stay in bondage and the more you study and spend time with God, it's guaranteed the more satan will attack. He's had thousands upon thousands of years to plot and plan, compared to our 20, 30, 40, even 70 years some of us have lived. That's why we need Jesus, we need God as our refuge.

God gives us the authority through Jesus to fight the good fight, to overcome and to claim victory, over sin, over death, over bondage. All we have to do is learn it, use it, believe it. Have faith.

Learn the truth, use the authority, break the bonds. In Jesus name.

until next time

His servant

Lord give me an "attitude" of "gratitude" in Jesus name. Amen

Did I Say That?

Did you ever try to talk to someone and give them encouragement only to end up saying some things that you really did not intend to say? Unfortunately I have. I end up letting "my thoughts" come out instead of what the Lord has directed me to say. James 3:10, out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren these things ought not to be so.

I will admit, (not proud of it), that I talk to much sometimes. When I get to talking I don't stop to "hear" what I'm saying, then later when I reflect back on the conversation I have to ask myself, "did I say that?" The words we speak can never be taken back, they vanish like vapour from the air but the scars they leave remains forever.

The Bible tells us that we speak life and death with our tongues Proverbs 18:21, Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

We are human and our lives do get busy but we constantly have to be on guard. Satan uses the tongue to divide people and pit them against each other. Idle words are damaging because they spread destruction quickly, and no one can stop the results once they are spoken. I can't be careless with my words, thinking I can apologize later because the damage is already done and the scars remain forever. Before you speak, remember that words are like fire - you cannot control nor reverse the damage they do.

The tongue gives us a picture of our basic human nature, of our hearts. What we see, what we listen to, what we participate in goes into our hearts and comes out our mouths. James 3:8, but the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. (God can tame it). James 4:7, Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

We also need to remember that it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles us, it is what comes out of our mouths that defiles us. (Matthew 15:10). It is for this reason that we should all kneel and pray at the beginning of every day for God to help us guard our tongues and help us to speak life instead of cursing, it will make us more accountable for ourselves during the day. Proverbs 16:23, The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth and addeth learning to his lips. When we pray, we also need to pray for wisdom and knowledge. We cannot do anything of and by ourselves but God can accomplish all things that includes bridling our tongues.

Lord, help me today to keep watch diligently over my mouth. Create in me a pure heart so that I think before I speak and even when I don't nothing will come out that does not praise and edify. Help my words to be soothing and comforting to those who need it, not a sharp knife that cuts to the bone (soul) and leaves scars. Create in me a pure spirit to walk in your way, saying only what You would have me say. Help me not to participate in idle conversations, gossip and backbiting. Remind me that I am no better than anyone else and in talking about them, condemning them, judging them, I am bringing that judgement down on myself. Help me to lovingly steer the conversation away from gossip and backbiting and on to something good, wholesome and edifying. Live through me Lord, speak through me. Help me to remember your instructions and my parents teaching that "if I can't say anything good, not to say anything at all". Your word says "out of the same mouth proceeds blessings and cursings, let everything I say be blessings and praises to you for without you - I am nothing. Thank you Lord for your Grace and Mercy. In Jesus name, Amen.

I hope that what I've written has been encouraging and want to leave you with this:

Phillipians 4:7-9, And the peace of God which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 8) Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. 9) Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

God bless

pray for the peace of Israel

in love, tawanab

The Bell

I don't know who did this but they spent a lot of time and it has an awesome message so I had to share. If you know who created it, feel free to leave their name in comments so they get credit for it. God bless.

THE BELL
I KNOW WHO I AM
I am God’s child (John 1:12)
I am Christ’s friend (John 15:15 )
I am united with the Lord (1 Cor. 6:17)
I am bought with a price (1 Cor 6:19-20)
I am a saint (set apart for God). (Eph. 1:1)
I am a personal witness of Christ. (Acts 1:8)
I am the salt & light of the earth (Matt 5:13-14)
I am a member of the body of Christ (1 Cor 12:27)
I am free forever from condemnation ( Rom. 8: 1-2)
I am a citizen of Heaven. I am significant (Phil 3:20)
I am free from any charge against me (Rom. 8:31 -34)
I am a minister of reconciliation for God (2 Cor 5:17-21)
I have access to God through the Holy Spirit (Eph. 2:18)
I am seated with Christ in the heavenly realms (Eph. 2:6)
I cannot be separated from the love of God (Rom 8:35-39)
I am established, anointed, sealed by God (2 Cor 1:21-22 )
I am assured all things work together for good (Rom. 8:28 )
I have been chosen and appointed to bear fruit (John 15:16 )
I may approach God with freedom and confidence (Eph. 3: 12 )
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Phil. 4:13)
I am the branch of the true vine, a channel of His life (John 15: 1-5)
I am God’s temple (1 Cor. 3: 16). I am complete in Christ (Col. 2: 10)
I am hidden with Christ in God (Col. 3:3).. I have been justified (Romans 5:1)
I am God’s co-worker (1 Cor. 3:9; 2 Cor 6:1). I am God’s workmanship (Eph. 2:10)
I am confident that the good works God has begun in me will be perfected. (Phil. 1: 5)
I have been redeemed and forgiven (Col 1:14). I have been adopted as God’s child (Eph 1:5)
I belong to God
Do you know
Who you are?

When Is Enough, Enough?

Lately all you hear is about Christmas. Things pop up all over facebook and MySpace saying keep Christ in Christmas, but we can't even keep Him in our schools!! God is banned from our schools but Santa can go to church! When is enough, enough? What is wrong with that picture? Everyone keeps saying Jesus is the reason for the season but what about the rest of the year? What about in our everyday lives. Jesus is worth more than an honorable mention once a year. I hear parents say, "we are trying to teach our kids the true meaning of Christmas", and while they are talking, they are piling their shopping baskets full of playstations, wii's and all the other paraphanalia that goes with them for little Johnny or little Susie. Another is, "our kids know that it's Jesus' birthday and it's all about giving." They are right about one thing - Jesus, was all about giving. He gave the ultimate gift, everything else pales in comparison. There is absolutely nothing we can ever do or give that would come close to equaling what He gave for us. One day a year is not enough to thank Him, not enough to honor Him. Where are thoughts of Jesus when Little Johnny is sitting in Santa's lap asking for a new bicycle or a 600.00 computer? Where is Jesus when people are fighting for one item at a Wal-mart black Friday sale and one person gets mad and hits the other person? Where is Jesus? Waiting patiently for us to call on Him. Time is short and He won't/can't wait forever.

Jesus does not want us to remember His birthday. If that were important it would be listed in the Bible, there would be no guessing as to when He was actually born. He wants us to remember WHY, He came, HOW He died and WHAT He died for or more importantly WHO.

That would be you and I. It's not important when He was born, He doesn't want/need birthday parties or Christmas to celebrate His birth. He needs us to remember and honor Him everyday. The best gift we can give Him is ourselves. The best way to show Him we are remembering and honoring Him is to follow His commandments to love the Lord and love one another, everyday.

Spiritual Atrophy

Have your spiritual muscles atrophied?

Atrophy: degeneration, decline, or decrease, as from disuse.

How many of us have let our spirits atrophy? We try to ride on past gifts, past ministry, past Bible reading, past praying. We cannot get by on what we used to be or what we used to do. I've heard many people say, "I used to read my Bible", "I used to pray everyday", "I've been a christian all my life." Being a christian all our lives doesn't necessarily mean we are going to make it into the Kingdom of God. What are we doing with Christ right now? Who is He to us right now? Are the works we did 10 years ago, 5 years ago, even 6 months ago going to get us into the Kingdom of God? Not necessarily. The Bible says we will be known by our fruits. If we are not continuously bearing fruit then how will we be known. I believe God will make exceptions for those who are ill or have real problems that keep them from working for Him but what about the rest of us? We have to be about the Father's business and we cannot rely on our past works to carry us through.

I've heard an old expression, "once a preacher, always a preacher" and theoretically that may be true but if a preacher doesn't get fed, continue to study his bible and pray, eventually he will start preaching the same messages over and over again. As preachers, teachers and children of God we need to be continuously searching the word of God for revelation from the Holy Spirit. If we don't we stagnate. There is more in the Bible than one person can possibly remember or get the first time through. God has many messages for us. The first being to have no other Gods before Him. The second to love our neighbor as ourselves. However, there are many, many things God wants us to know and share with others and the only way we will know is by continously studying His word. Sometimes what He wants to reveal to us is the truth behind an old belief we have carried around all our lives.

We are told in the gospel of Luke, chapter 9 vs 23 - And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. The key word here is "daily" not once in a while, not serve me for six months and then coast, not serve me for 40 years and then coast but DAILY. Paul did not cease to teach and preach the gospel. Jesus taught until His death. We are not once saved always saved, we must continue to fight the good fight.

1 Timothy 6:14 That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ: Until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ! Does that sound like we are supposed to sit back and rest on our laurels until the Lord comes. No, we must be about the Father's business. We've got to exercise our spiritual muscles. How do we do that? By hitting our knees, reading God's word, teaching, preaching and testifying until Jesus Himself splits the clouds in glory and the trumpet sounds. Then my friend, we can rest, not only that, we can rest for eternity with Jesus Christ our Lord when He says to us, "Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord." Praise God! What a day, glorious day that will be!

Until next time, may God richly bless and keep you and yours,

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem

Tawana