YOU HAVE TO FIGHT!!!

If you think life it supposed to be easy, then you are sadly mistaken.

You have to fight!!!  You have to fight for the life you want!!! 

We have to have dreams and goals!!!  Everyone has to have a dream; a vision of what they want in life!!!  And then we have to fight to see that those dreams come to pass!!! 

Without a dream or a vision, you won’t go anywhere in life and your life will become meaningless.  God wants us to have dreams!!!  He says so in His Word!!!

Proverbs 29:18 (KJV) Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.

Proverbs 29:18 (AMP) Where there is no vision [no redemptive revelation of God], the people perish; but he who keeps the law [of God, which includes that of man]--blessed (happy, fortunate, and enviable) is he.

When we take our dreams, and plans to God and honor HIM by sharing them with HIM, we please HIM.   

And when we please God, it doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks!!!!!!!!  HE will honor us and bless us because we have pleased HIM!!!   

 

We must learn to trust God and seek Him to find out what HE has planned for us.  This is where the fight begins.  The devil will do anything he can to keep us from seeking God’s Will and learning God’s Word!!!   

For when we seek GOD and get in HIS WORD, we please God and we learn how to fight the devil.  He will do ALL that he can to discourage us, to keep us from being blessed, and to keep us from living holy!!! 

So, yes, living for God and living holy is definitely a fight!!!  But it is a good fight of Faith in God, and His WORD!!!  

As long as we are fighting and striving to move forward in God, as long as we are pursuing GOD, we will catch HIM!!!  

HE WILL MAKE SURE THAT WE CATCH HIM!!! 


Philippians 3:14 (AMP) I press on toward the goal to win the [supreme and heavenly] prize to which God in Christ Jesus is calling us upward.

 

THE TRUTH IS…  IF IT ISN’T WORTH FIGHTING FOR, THEN IT ISN’T WORTH HAVING!!! 

We have to fight for EVERYTHING WE WANT, ESPECIALLY PEACE!!!  And part of the fight is learning to stand on God’s Word!!!

 

We have to stand on God’s WORD!!!  And the more we STAND on HIS WORD, the easier it becomes to win the fight!!!  But we can’t ever let our guard down!!!  Because the minute we do, that sly ole fox, the devil will try to sneak in!!! 

He wants to catch us off guard!!!  He wants us to leave our post!!!  He wants us to get discouraged and feel hopeless!  He wants us to quit fighting!!!

NEVER!!!  NEVER, EVER QUIT!!!!

 

I want to be able to say as Paul said, I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 2 Timothy 4:7 (NKJV) 

2 Timothy 4:7 (AMP) I have fought the good (worthy, honorable, and noble) fight, I have finished the race, I have kept (firmly held) the faith.

 

For me to be able to keep on fighting each day, I have to stay in the WORD!!!  I have to renew my mind daily in THE WORD OF GOD!!! 

 

Romans 12:2 (NKJV) And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

Romans 12:2 (CEV) Don't be like the people of this world, but let God change the way you think. Then you will know how to do everything that is good and pleasing to him.

I like knowing that I am being TRANSFORMED BY THE WORD-TRANSFORMED AND CHANGED FROM THE PERSON I ONCE WAS INTO A NEW CREATURE IN CHRIST JESUS!!!  

Change me Lord!!!  Transform me Lord!!!  Change the way I think, Lord!!! I want to be pleasing in YOUR SIGHT!!!

2 Corinthians 5:17 (NKJV) Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

 

 

There’s a Fight Going On!!! But I AM Going to Win!!!

 

Do you ever wish your life was perfect???  Do you ever wish you didn’t do stupid stuff???

Well, welcome to the club!!!  Me, too!!!

I was really having a tough time because I felt like I had royally messed up, but then someone stopped by and we talked a few minutes about life and the Lord!!!

And this is what I heard myself telling that person.  “I don’t know what you are going through, but I do know that God loves ALL of us even when we do stupid stuff and make mistakes.”  

So, when you mess-up, repent, ask God to forgive you, then forgive yourself, and ask God for his help.  Find out what you should do next and go on!!! 

I am going to give you a really good piece of advice!!!  When you do wrong and you know you did wrong, and you feel bad, DON’T WALLOW IN SELF PITY, AND GUILT!!!  That is what the devil wants you to do!!! 

That is why the devil is always telling us what dirty ole’ sinners we are!!!  That is why he wants us to feel bad about ourselves and feel guilty ALL the time!!!  

One time many, many years ago, I had done something really stupid!!!  And I felt so bad about it that I kept crying and repenting over and over!!! 

So, one day I was in my bathroom fixing to clean-up and I was saying, God I am so sorry!!!  And GOD said to me, Haven’t you already repented for this???  And I said yes, but I am so sorry!!! 

And GOD said to me, Well, I don’t know what you are talking about!  When you have repented and I have forgiven you, I no longer remember the things that you did!!!  So, now you have to forgive yourself and go on!!! 

We have to learn to ignore ALL the lies that the devil tries to tell us!!!  

When we fall or when the devil trips us, we have to pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and ask God to forgive us and help us go on with our lives. 

It is so important that we forgive ourselves and NOT walk around with our heads hung low!!!  (If people see us walking around like that they are NOT going to want to know our Jesus!)

God can’t use us when we act like that and further more, who wants to live like that.  We have to know that Jesus died so that we could and would be forgiven!!! 

So, GET UP!!!  Put a SMILE on your face (even if you don’t feel like it!!!) 

When the devil brings his lies to you, just say, OH NO, devil I am forgiven!!! 

Then go on with Jesus!!!  Keep on walking because soon you will come across someone who is worse off than you. 

Encourage them and help them up!!!   Encourage them to walk on with Jesus!!!  And know that you are giving the devil a black eye!!!

 

In Romans 7:18-25 (CEV), Paul says this.

 

¹⁸I know that my selfish desires won't let me do anything that is good. Even when I want to do right, I cannot.

¹⁹Instead of doing what I know is right, I do wrong.

²⁰And so, if I don't do what I know is right, I am no longer the one doing these evil things. The sin that lives in me is what does them. 

²¹The Law has shown me that something in me keeps me from doing what I know is right.

²²With my whole heart I agree with the Law of God.

²³But in every part of me I discover something fighting against my mind, and it makes me a prisoner of sin that controls everything I do.

²⁴What a miserable person I am. Who will rescue me from this body that is doomed to die?

²⁵Thank God! Jesus Christ will rescue me.  So with my mind I serve the Law of God, although my selfish desires make me serve the law of sin.

    

Romans 12:21 (NKJV)  Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Romans 12:21 (CEV) Don't let evil defeat you, but defeat evil with good.

   

GOD’S GOT A SENSE OF HUMOR!!!

Don’t you know that God has a sense of humor?

If you really don’t think that God has a sense of humor, then just take a look around you at ALL the people that HE created and tell me that HE doesn’t have a sense of humor!!

I really do feel sorry for ALL those folks who have been taught that laughing and cutting up and having fun is a sin!!!

God does have a sense of humor!!!  That is why HE put ALL these scriptures in the Bible!!!  He wants us to know that He has a sense of humor and HE wants and expects us to enjoy our lives!!!

Proverbs 17:22 (CEB) A joyful heart helps healing, but a broken spirit dries up the bones.

Proverbs 17:22 (AMP) A happy heart is good medicine and a cheerful mind works healing, but a broken spirit dries up the bones.

 

We need to know for ourselves what THE WORD OF GOD says!!!  This is one of the reasons that we are told to study the Bible for ourselves!!! 

Proverbs 15:13 (NKJV) A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance, But by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.

Proverbs 12:25 (NKJV) Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, But a good word makes it glad.

Proverbs 15:13-15 (AMP) ¹³A glad heart makes a cheerful countenance, but by sorrow of heart the spirit is broken.

 

    ¹⁴The mind of him who has understanding seeks knowledge and inquires after and craves it, but the mouth of the [self-confident] fool feeds on folly.

    ¹⁵All the days of the desponding and afflicted are made evil [by anxious thoughts and forebodings], but he who has a glad heart has a continual feast [regardless of circumstances].

 

Here is the scripture that some preachers use to say that you are NOT supposed to be having fun, making jokes and cutting up.

Ephesians 5:4 neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. 

If you read the verses before this one, they tell us as saints (saved folks) to walk in love.  It also tells some other things that saved folks are NOT supposed to be doing then it comes to verse 5.

So, I looked up jesting, and I found that the Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary says, 1: an utterance (as a jeer or quip) intended to be taken as mockery or humor. 

Then in the Free Online Dictionary it shows, 3. An object of ridicule; a laughingstock. 

So, both of these dictionaries verify the thought that came to me.  Jesting is making fun of someone or something someone does.  We ALL know that doing that is NOT the WILL of GOD!!!  He wants us to WALK IN LOVE!!!   

So, NO!!  God does NOT want us to go around making fun of folks and hurting their feelings!!!

But HE does NOT have a problem with us being good natured and teasing and cutting up with others as long as everyone is happy, light hearted and having fun!!! 

As long as we are walking in LOVE, then we don’t have to worry!!!  If we do something wrong or hurt someone GOD will tell us!!!  

And that’s when we go back and apologize!!!

LAUGHTER DOETH GOOD LIKE A MEDICINE!!!

Just remember that GOD DOES HAVE A SENSE OF HUMOR!!!  He made me and you!!!  Laugh a little bit!  Have fun!!!  Enjoy life!!!

I've Found Jesus!!!

 Original Posting 10/19/2011 - Was posting this last night before

midnight and just as I hit “POST,” the time changed.

 

The chorus to this song by Delirous has been running through my mind all day long and the same thought that I had last night keeps coming to me. 

WHO FOUND WHO???

When we first get saved, we are so excited and we can’t wait to tell every one that we got saved!!!  We want ALL of them to know that we found Jesus!!! 

We’ve found the Lord!!!

I know that we are so very excited to have found the precious gift of SALVATION that God has given us in Jesus Christ, His Son. 

That we want to tell everyone how WE’VE FOUND JESUS!!!

We want to tell everyone how wonderful it is!!!  We want to celebrate!!!  We want to shout it to the roof tops, WE’VE FOUND JESUS!!!

And that is what this song is about!!!  By now you are saying, “DUH!!!!”

I guess I am just trying to find a nice way to say that WE, ALL OF US have it so turned around!!! 

Let me put it this way.  Who was lost?  NOT JESUS!!!    

Just think about it for a minute and then we will start celebrating again!!!  I just want each of us to think about it for just a moment!!! 

In truth, we were lost and Jesus Found Us!!! 

So, maybe this song, should be “Jesus Found ME!!!”

Because Jesus Did Find Me and OH!!! How HE Set Me Free!!!

And the day I came back to HIM, ALL HEAVEN REJOICED!!

Luke 15:7 (CEB) In the same way, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who changes both heart and life than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need to change their hearts and lives.

 

So, who knows!!!  Maybe they are singing this same song in heaven.  

I definitely agree that there is cause for dancing and rejoicing when we meet Jesus!!!  There is no doubt about that!!!

I just think that we have it a bit turned around!!!  I think there is just this little bit of pride there when we say that we’ve found Jesus or we’ve found the Lord!! 


And I know that God is thinking, “You didn’t do any thing!”

But I also know that GOD is sitting up there in Heaven with a big ole grin on His face listening to us sing about how we found Jesus; how we found the Lord!!! 

And HE chuckles as HE thinks, I AM SO GLAD THAT YOU FOUND ME, and then HE chuckles again!!!  

So, come on everyone let’s celebrate!!!

I've found Jesus
I've found Jesus
I've found Jesus
I've found Jesus

Well I hear they're singing in the streets that
Jesus is alive
And all creation shouts aloud that
Jesus is alive
Now surely we can all be changed 'cause
Jesus is alive
And everybody here can know that
Jesus is alive

And I will live for all my days
To raise a banner of truth and light
To sing about my Saviour’s love
And the best thing that happened
It was the day I met you

I've found Jesus
I've found Jesus
I've found Jesus
I've found Jesus

Well I feel like dancing in the street 'cause
Jesus is alive
To join with all who celebrate that
Jesus is alive
Well the joy of God is in this town 'cause
Jesus is alive
For everybody's seen the truth that
Jesus is alive

And I will live for all my days
To raise a banner of truth and light
To sing about my Saviour’s love
And the best thing that happened
It was the day I met you

I've found Jesus
I've found Jesus
I've found Jesus
I've found Jesus

Well you lifted me from where I was
Set my feet upon a rock
Humbled that you even knew about me
Now I have chosen to believe
Believing that you've chosen me
I was lost but now I've found...

Written by Martin Smith ©1995 Curious? Music UK

Friends Are Friends Forever

I met some truly amazing people tonight.  The kind of folks that God loves and is pleased with because they share what little they have with others!!! 

So, as I traveled home from visiting with these fine folks, I thought of ALL of my wonderful friends and ALL their prayers for me!!!  And I remembered yet once again, how blessed I am to have true friends.

As I was thinking about the friends that God has purposely placed in my life, this song came to my mind:  Friends Are Friends Forever.

So, here is the chorus that I kept hearing in my head.   

And friends are friends forever
If the Lord's the Lord of them
And a friend will not say never
'Cause the welcome will not end

Though it's hard to let you go
In the Father's hands we know
That a lifetime's not too long
To live as friends

I must admit at first I was a bit leery about posting this song, but the Lord reminded me that the 1st 2 lines say, And friends are friends forever, If the Lord's the Lord of them.

So, if the Lord is truly "The Lord of a person," then HE is in complete control of that person’s life.  And that person lives with the intent to please God!!!   

When I say, complete control, I mean that that person is trying to make sure that they ALWAYS listen and follow HIM.  It means that they are NOT continually doing things their own way!!!

It also means that when they miss God, they get back up and dust themselves off and continue on.  And of course, repent!!!

It means that they are a “WORK IN PROGRESS!”           

It means that they are changing and growing in Christ Jesus!!!

If I am God’s Child, then I should never remain the same, year after year!!!  Something’s wrong if I always stay the same and I always have the same problems!!!

The WORD of God says, ²³The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.

 ²⁴Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand.  Psalm 37:23-24

Proverbs 3:5-6 (KJV)

 ⁵Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

 ⁶In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

I want to know that everything I do is PLEASING TO GOD and that HE IS ORDERING MY STEPS!!!

This song is truly God Inspired!!!  It has touched my soul!!!

You can click on the following link to find the lyrics to this song and others, as well as watch a video of Michael W. Smith singing this song.   http://www.stlyrics.com/songs/m/michaelwsmith2601/friendsarefriendsforever543922.html

Friends Are Friends Forever - Lyrics

Packing up the dreams God planted
In the fertile soil of you
I can't believe the hopes He's granted
Means a chapter of your life is through

But we'll keep you close as always
It won't even seem you've gone
'Cause our hearts in big and small ways
Will keep the love that keeps us strong

And friends are friends forever
If the Lord's the Lord of them
And a friend will not say never
'Cause the welcome will not end
Though it's hard to let you go
In the Father's hands we know
That a lifetime's not too long
To live as friends

And with the faith and love God's given
Springing from the hope we know
We will pray the joy you live in
Is the strength that now you show

We'll keep you close as always
It won't even seem you've gone
'Cause our hearts in big and small ways
Will keep the love that keeps us strong

And friends are friends forever
If the Lord's the Lord of them
And a friend will not say never
'Cause the welcome will not end
Though it's hard to let you go
In the Father's hands we know
That a lifetime's not too long
To live as friends

And friends are friends forever
If the Lord's the Lord of them
And a friend will not say never
'Cause the welcome will not end
Though it's hard to let you go
In the Father's hands we know
That a lifetime's not too long
To live as friends

To live as friends

Though it's hard to let you go
In the Father's hands we know
That a lifetime's not too long
To live as friends

No a lifetime's not too long
To live as friends

Amazing Love!!!!!

I have listened to the Newsboys sing this song over and over again on my mp3 player at work.

Isn’t it amazing how something that you have heard over and over again can suddenly become so meaningful and so awesome!!! 

The Lord brought this song back to me the other night and I could hear it play over and over in my head.  Then tonight when I went to write this, so that I could post it, I could NOT remember a thing!!! 

So, I finally said, Lord, I can’t find the song that you gave me and he said, “Amazing Love.”

To me God’s Love is SO AMAZING!!!

So, here are the lyrics!!!

You Are My King (Amazing Love) - Newsboys

I'm forgiven because You were forsaken
I'm accepted, You were condemned
I'm alive and well, Your Spirit is within me
Because You died and rose again

I'm forgiven because You were forsaken
I'm accepted, You were condemned
I'm alive and well, Your Spirit is within me
Because You died and rose again

Amazing love, how can it be
That You, my King, should die for me?
Amazing love, I know it's true
It's my joy to honor You
In all I do, To honor You

I'm forgiven because You were forsaken
I'm accepted, You were condemned
I'm alive and well, Your Spirit is within me
Because You died and rose again

Amazing love, how can it be
That You, my King, should die for me?
Amazing love, I know it's true
It's my joy to honor You
In all I do, To honor You
In all I do, To honor You

You are my King
You are my King
Jesus, You are my King
You are my King

Amazing love, how can it be
That You, my King, should die for me?
Amazing love, I know it's true
It's my joy to honor You

Amazing love, how can it be
That You, my King, should die for me?
Amazing love, I know it's true
It's my joy to honor You
In all I do, To honor You

In all I do, To honor You,
In all I do, To honor You,
In all I do, Let me honor You.

Bless the LORD, O my soul…

Psalm 103 (KJV)

¹Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.

²Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:

³Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;

⁴Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;

⁵Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.

⁶The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed.

⁷He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel.

⁸The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.

⁹He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever.

¹⁰He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.

¹¹For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.

¹²As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.

¹³Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.

¹⁴For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.

¹⁵As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.

¹⁶For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.

¹⁷But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children;

¹⁸To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them.

¹⁹The LORD hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all.

²⁰Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.

²¹Bless ye the LORD, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure.

²²Bless the LORD, all his works in all places of his dominion: bless the LORD, O my soul.

I WILL SEE THE GOODNESS OF THE LORD!!!

As I read my Bible today, the Lord showed me this scripture!!!  And as I read it again and thought about it, I realize how encouraging this scripture really is. 

 

Psalm 27:13-14 (NKJV)

 ¹³ I would have lost heart, unless I had believed
         That I would see the goodness of the LORD
         In the land of the living.
      
 ¹⁴ Wait on the LORD;
         Be of good courage,
         And He shall strengthen your heart;
         Wait, I say, on the LORD!

 

 

You know, this scripture just totally blows out of the water, ALL the words of those who think that we are supposed to live in poverty or lack here on this earth!!!

You know, those folks that say, “When I get to Heaven I will have ALL those things that I did not have on this earth!!!” 

 

NO!!!!  NO!!!!  NO!!!! God is saying in this scripture that WE CAN live in prosperity NOW-ON THIS EARTH!!! 


We can see the GOODNESS of THE LORD on this EARTH!!! 

 

A lot of folks want to preach that we are NOT supposed to have “anything” here on this earth.  They will say, “God will provide for your needs, but now don’t expect for God to give you what you want!!!

 

They seem to forget Ps. 37:4 (NKJV) which says, Delight yourself also in the LORD, And He shall give you the desires of your heart.  Or maybe they simply do NOT know about this verse.

 

I NOT only want some Heaven to go to Heaven in. 

 

I WILL HAVE SOME HEAVEN HERE ON EARTH!!!

 

And I say today, that we can ALL have some Heaven to go to Heaven in!!! 

We can see the GOODNESS of THE LORD on this EARTH!!! 

 

If you don’t have today, I say to you, GIVE out of your lack and WATCH GOD BLESS YOU ABOVE ALL MEASURE!!!   

 

But if I don’t have, how can I give? 

Ask the Lord to bless you with money to give and then GIVE IT!!!  Or rake up some change from around your house and ask the Lord where to give it!!!  And when HE tells you where to give it, you GIVE IT!!!

 

I stand on these 2 scriptures today, as I say you, GIVE!!! 

You can break the back of lack and want, IF YOU WILL STAND ON THESE SCRIPTURES AND GIVE!!!  You can kick that ole’ devil in the teeth by giving!!! 

AND WHEN YOU GIVE WITH A CHEERFUL HEART, EXPECTING TO RECEIVE FROM THE LORD, YOU WILL BE BLESSED!!!!

Luke 6:38 (KJV) Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.

 

Malachi 3:10 (NKJV)

Bring all the tithes into the storehouse,
That there may be food in My house,
And try Me now in this,
Says the LORD of hosts,

“If I will not open for you the windows of heaven
And pour out for you such blessing
That there will not be room enough to receive it.”

 

PRAISE YE THE LORD!!!

Psalm 100 (KJV) 

 

 ¹Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. 

 ²Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing. 

 ³Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. 

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

 ⁵For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.

 

Psalm 117 (KJV)

 

 ¹O praise the LORD, all ye nations: praise him, all ye people.

 ²For his merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of the LORD endureth for ever. Praise ye the LORD.

 

Psalm 148 (KJV)

 

 ¹Praise ye the LORD. Praise ye the LORD from the heavens: praise him in the heights. 

 ²Praise ye him, all his angels: praise ye him, all his hosts. 

 ³Praise ye him, sun and moon: praise him, all ye stars of light. 

 ⁴Praise him, ye heavens of heavens, and ye waters that be above the heavens. 

 ⁵Let them praise the name of the LORD: for he commanded, and they were created. 

 ⁶He hath also stablished them for ever and ever: he hath made a decree which shall not pass. 

 ⁷Praise the LORD from the earth, ye dragons, and all deeps: 

 ⁸Fire, and hail; snow, and vapours; stormy wind fulfilling his word: 

 ⁹Mountains, and all hills; fruitful trees, and all cedars: 

 ¹⁰Beasts, and all cattle; creeping things, and flying fowl: 

 ¹¹Kings of the earth, and all people; princes, and all judges of the earth: 

 ¹²Both young men, and maidens; old men, and children: 

 ¹³Let them praise the name of the LORD: for his name alone is excellent; his glory is above the earth and heaven. 

 ¹⁴He also exalteth the horn of his people, the praise of all his saints; even of the children of Israel, a people near unto him. Praise ye the LORD.

God is so merciful!!!

You know, I keep hearing about ALL these people who claim to know and love God, but it is so sadly, obvious that they are preaching HATE, AND NOT LOVE!!!

The Word of GOD says, He who does not love has not become acquainted with God [does not and never did know Him], for God is love.  1 John 4:8 (AMP)

I see ALL these folks with their signs proclaiming that God hates and quite frankly, it makes me mad to see them lying on God!!!  I really would like to tell them a thing or two, but God says that HE LOVES THEM, TOO!!!

I can only hope that some day they truly get to know the Lord God Almighty, the one who in HIS INFINITE WISDOM AND MERCY has NOT cast them aside for telling lies, the one who keeps giving them chance after chance (just like the rest of us) to get it right!!!

Some of these folks are protesting at funerals and others have shown up to protest a presidential candidate with signs saying that God hates you!!!  I even saw a sign that said God caused the 9-11 attacks because HE hates America!!! 

ALL THIS makes me so sad that so many folks believe ALL these lies!!!  And that ALL these folks are TELLING LIES ON GOD!!! 

Well, folks, let me tell you what the WORD of GOD SAYS!!! 

First of ALL, John 3:16 (NKJV) says, For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

 

Then Hebrews 13:8 (CEV) says, Jesus Christ never changes! He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

 

So, to sum it ALL up, God loved the world so much that HE sent Jesus to die on the cross and Jesus chose to give his life for the world, and HE never changes!!!  

Therefore, there is NO WAY that anyone who knows THE WORD of GOD can say that HE hates the world or even America, because it is part of the WORLD!!!  

1 John 4:20 (CEV) But if we say we love God and don't love each other, we are liars. We cannot see God. So how can we love God, if we don't love the people we can see?

 

So, what does GOD hate???

God tells us what HE hates in HIS WORD!!!

Proverbs 6:16-19 (NKJV): 

¹⁶ These six things the LORD hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him:  ¹⁷ A proud look, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood,  ¹⁸ A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that are swift in running to evil, ¹⁹ A false witness who speaks lies, And one who sows discord among brethren.

To make this as clear as possible, here is that same scripture in the Common English Bible.  Proverbs 6:16-19 (CEB)

¹⁶ There are six things that the LORD hates, seven things detestable to him: ¹⁷ snobbish eyes, a lying tongue, hands that spill innocent blood, ¹⁸ a heart set on wicked plans, feet that run quickly to evil, ¹⁹ a false witness who breathes lies, and one who causes conflicts among relatives.

You know, I don’t see where it says that God hates any one person, but it does say that HE hates certain things and certain actions!!!

I mean, if we are going to say that GOD hates someone, then that person that GOD WOULD HATE would be the liar!!!  But that doesn’t mean the liar is going to hell.  God is in the forgiving business!!!  If the liar repents, he can be forgiven and he can go to Heaven!!!

1 John 2:2 (AMP)  And He [that same Jesus Himself] is the propitiation (the atoning sacrifice) for our sins, and not for ours alone but also for [the sins of] the whole world.

Acts 3:19 (AMP) So repent (change your mind and purpose); turn around and return [to God], that your sins may be erased (blotted out, wiped clean), that times of refreshing (of recovering from the effects of heat, of reviving with fresh air) may come from the presence of the Lord;

Psalm 136 (NKJV)

¹ Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good!
         For His mercy endures forever.

 ² Oh, give thanks to the God of gods!
         For His mercy endures forever.

 ³ Oh, give thanks to the Lord of lords!
         For His mercy endures forever:

 ²⁶ Oh, give thanks to the God of heaven!
         For His mercy endures forever.

I could have shown ALL 26 verses of this psalm, so that you could see that in each verse that the Lord says, FOR HIS MERCY ENDURES FOREVER.  
  

There are 26 different times in this one psalm that the Lord says, FOR HIS MERCY ENDURES FOREVER.      

So, I say to you today, 

OH, GIVE THANKS TO THE LORD, FOR HE IS GOOD! 
FOR HIS MERCY ENDURES FOREVER. 
OH, GIVE THANKS TO THE GOD OF HEAVEN! 
FOR HIS MERCY ENDURES FOREVER.

Peter Walked on The Water!!!

Matthew 14:22-33 (KJV)

 ²²And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away.

 ²³And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone. 

 ²⁴But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary. 

 ²⁵And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. 

 ²⁶And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. 

 ²⁷But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. 

 ²⁸And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. 

 ²⁹And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. 

 ³⁰But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. 

 ³¹And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? 

 ³²And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased. 

 ³³Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.


As we just read, Peter walked on the water, and he didn’t begin to sink until he took his eyes off Jesus!!! 


This is exactly what happens to most of us today!!!  

We will be doing JUST FINE as we look to Jesus and walk on toward HIM!!!    

But when we take our eyes off Jesus, we begin to sink because we look at the problems and the situations around us. 

 
If we would only continue to look at Jesus!!!  If we keep our eyes on HIM, we can walk right over ALL the waves and the water that tries to flood us and overwhelm us!!! 


It is very overwhelming to look at the situations in life and feel “the waves are lapping at our heels and the wind is blowing hard against us!!!”


BUT WHEN WE KEEP OUR EYES ON JESUS, EVERYTHING WILL BE OKAY!!!


HE will provide for us!  He will help us!  JESUS IS ALWAYS THERE FOR US NO MATTER WHAT SITUATION OR PROBLEM WE FACE IN LIFE!!!



Are you looking at your problems or your situations, or are you looking at Jesus today?

Forgive and It Shall Be Forgiven You!!!

Mark 11:25-26 (KJV) ²⁵And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.

²⁶But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.

 

Have you ever had someone be so mean and hateful to you that it makes your hair curl and sets your teeth on edge?  Do you feel like this person took a knife and stabbed you and stabbed you and then left you wounded, bleeding and dying?  

Well, this happened to me recently!!!  And I have been struggling with my feelings ever since.  I don’t want to hate this person or even dislike this person.

It is very hard right now, because I am hurt and I am trying so hard to love this person and NOT be mean and vengeful to this person!!! 

You see, I know that I must forgive them and I am trying so hard NOT to be hurt!!!  I don’t want to feel this way!!! 

But I would like to never see this person again.  I would like to never have to talk to this person or deal with this person, ever again.  You see, I thought this person was my friend.

Friends do NOT treat you like that!!!  They do NOT take your dreams and trample on them.  Friends love you and pray for you and take care of you.   

Friends are good to you and they cry with you if you are hurt.  Friends pray for you when you are down and they lift you up!!!

They do NOT make you cry on purpose and if they do make you cry, then they apologize!!!  A true friend will laugh with you and cry with you and even wipe away your tears!!!! 

So, today, right now, I cry out to my God and I say, FATHER, PLEASE HELP ME!!!  I NEED YOU, LORD GOD!!!

TODAY, RIGHT NOW FATHER, I CHOOSE TO FORGIVE THIS PERSON FOR HURTING ME!!!  PLEASE HELP ME!!! 

I NEED YOUR HELP, FATHER BECAUSE I AM STILL IN PAIN!!!  PLEASE FATHER, TAKE MY PAIN AWAY!!!  I FORGIVE THIS PERSON AND I GIVE ALL MY HURT, ALL MY HEARTACHE AND ALL MY PAIN TO YOU!!!   

It is such a relief to forgive someone and give it ALL to GOD!!!  Sometimes it is very hard to let go of ALL the pain.  Now that I have prayed this prayer, I feel so much better!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

Please know and remember, that the devil will do his best to bring back the pain and the heartache and the anguish because he knows that if you do NOT forgive someone their wrongs, then God cannot forgive you of your wrongs. 

When this first happened to me I was so very stunned!!!  And I said to the Lord, I just can’t believe that this person said those things to me!!!  This is the scripture that God gave me.   

Matthew 5:43-45 (KJV)  ⁴³Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.

⁴⁴But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

⁴⁵That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.

 

All over the Bible it tells us to love one another and to forgive others. 

Luke 6:37 (CEB) “Don’t judge, and you won’t be judged. Don’t condemn, and you won’t be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.

Matthew 7:1-2 (CEV) ¹Don't condemn others, and God won't condemn you. ²God will be as hard on you as you are on others! He will treat you exactly as you treat them.

In looking at ALL these scriptures about forgiving, you can’t forget to include this one!!! 

Matthew 18:21-22 (CEB) ²¹ Then Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, how many times should I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Should I forgive as many as seven times?”

²² Jesus said, “Not just seven times, but rather as many as seventy-seven times.

Don’t you just love Peter!!!  He inspires me!!!  His question here lets us know that any time we have a question or we are in doubt about something, we can go to the Lord.  The Lord will not leave us wondering!!! 

I can take my questions to the Lord!!!  And HE will answer them!!!

And could Jesus have made it any plainer!!! 

There is NOT any time where you are allowed to hold a grudge!!! 

Romans 12:19 (AMP) Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave the way open for [God's] wrath; for it is written, Vengeance is Mine, I will repay (requite), says the Lord.

DON’T HOLD ON TO PAIN, HEARTACHE AND UNFORGIVENESS!!!

Just forgive the people who treat you wrong and go on!!!  And pray for them!!!  Only hurting people hurt people!!!  And those people need lots of HELP from GOD!!! 

Here is the FORGIVENESS TEST!!!  CAN YOU TALK ABOUT THE PERSON THAT HURT YOU WITHOUT GETTING MAD???

If you can, then you have passed the TEST!!! 

But, if every time you think about the person who hurt you, you become angry and are hurt ALL OVER AGAIN, then you have NOT given ALL your pain, your hurt, and heartache to the Lord!!!

Ask the Lord to help you today!!!  Allow Jesus to take away ALL OF YOUR PAIN, YOUR HURT, AND HEARTACHE!!!

THEN YOU WILL FEEL HEALED AND WHOLE AGAIN!!!

And when the devil tries to bring it back, say, NO!!!!  I HAVE FORGIVEN THAT PERSON, DEVIL!!!!!  YOU ARE A LIAR!!!  I RESIST YOU AND YOU MUST FLEE!!!  James 4:7