Bernie Lutchman's Family Ministry

PERSECUTION COMES TO AMERICA Part 1

2012-02-10T06:26:00.000-06:00

Matthew 10:16 I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.

The people of God were never meant to be a part of this dying world system! That could not be more evident right now as we see the very tenets of religious liberty under attack in America. Some folks act as if this is new! There is nothing new about any of this!

Since Adam stood by and allowed his wife to be lied to and deceived by the serpent in Genesis 3, God's Will has been under attack...and it has been for the past 6000 of our existence here on Planet Earth. The difference is: the gig is up and the devil is pulling a Pat Benatar (i.e. "Hitting us with his best shot"!)

We see events spinning out of control all over the world. In the past year alone, we have witnessed live on worldwide television the following: 1000's killed in Tsunamis in Japan; earthquakes in Haiti and Tornadoes in Alabama and Joplin, Missouri among other catastrophic events. Even scarier is the collapse of almost every major financial system in this world - from the European Union to the United States.

This sort of thing does not happen in a vacuum. The seeds of disorder was planned long ago and executed in the past 70 years, for such a time as this. Go back to the late 1700's and we see that a goal of those evil Jacobins, who created the French Revolution to do away with the church and the Bible was to spread that revolution to America. They even had a unit set up in New York city to do what one of its proponents, Voltaire, said was "to kill Christianity" and to make the "bible obsolete"!

George Washington and some other patriots were so alarmed, they put a stop to it.

Fast forward from the 1790's to the late 1940's. The post World War 2 prosperity in the West allowed those brave souls, who survived the awful Great Depression and the long World War, to let their guard down. Their children started looking for comfort and new things to amuse and fast cars and the easy life. Back then the great Chicago Preacher A. W Tozer and others in the Bible belt were warning about the loss of our First Love - Jesus Christ. America would not listen, and began to play church.

Politicians and liberal judges from the lowest to the US Supreme Court waited their turn, until the weakened body of Christ were no longer able to be stand firm....and then gradually we have what we have today. They removed prayer and the Bible from school and the entire public arena.

Today, the American church has decided to fight back as the 'giver of modern day life' - the Government has decided to start telling church-based organizations just how they will operate. The latest outrage over the government-ordered mandated contraceptives and abortions pills (RU486) is the first major thing to strike a nerve with the general public. Before this, all kinds of persecution of Christians had begun in the United States military and gone on, completely unnoticed by most.

Just in the past two years or so, the following has come out of the now politicized Pentagon:

- Rev. Franklin Graham was kicked out and disinvited from a National Day of Prayer service inside the Pentagon in 2010 because of his solid stance for Christ!

- Rev. Franklin Graham runs the worldwide charitable SAMARITAN'S PURSE, which gave over 8 million shoeboxes full of gifts to poor children of all races and religion around the world. This past December, the US Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs kicked Samaritan's Purse off the Campus because two atheists complained! Yet this same Air Force Academy has given witches some high ground to build and conduct their Pagan rituals!!!

- US Chaplains are forbidden from praying in the Name of Jesus.

- Last fall, the brass at Walter Reed Hospital, the largest military one where wounded military from Iraq and Afghanistan are treated, sent down a written memo banning ALL bibles from Reed! After it was discovered and some US congressman started condemning the ban from the floor of Capitol Hill, the US government took back their memo and allowed families to bring bibles for their wounded sons and daughters again.

- Just two weeks ago, all Army chaplains were banned by the government from reading a letter from the Catholic bishops, where the bishops spoke against the fact the church was being made to buy and give employees medications for free, which violate the First Amendment of the US Constitution!

Yes, friends, this is not happening in a vacuum. There is a war against not just God, but this war resulted in the Son of God being crucified on a Cross. Jesus Himself predicted all of this and more. Here is an example: Therefore I send you prophets and wise men and scribes, some of whom you will kill and crucify, and some you will flog in your synagogues and persecute from town to town, so that on you may come all the righteous blood shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah the son of Barachiah, whom you murdered between the sanctuary and the altar. Truly, I say to you, all these things will come upon this generation. (Matthew 23:34-36 ESV)

Friends, Persecution of Christians is not just coming to America, it has already begun. This was predicted all through the Bible and should not be a surprise to the people of God. Sadly, most churches and their leaders are so squishy and wishy washy inside, they would rather sell out than fight the good fight for the Faith, as the Apostle Paul did in 2 Timothy 4:7.

You and I must not be caught flat-footed like those whom the Lord spoke about as the Ten Foolish Virgins. Tomorrow, we examine what that means, in these tense teams, when the church in America is finally facing what Christians worldwide, already live with.

Father in the Name of Jesus, give us the strength to make it through this day. Give us the courage to travel along Your Way. Give us the words that You would have us say. Father we, who are called by Your Name, are seeing an ever increasing hostility and hate for Christ which always existed, but which the devil is using in these last days, to divide and destroy those among us who are either weak or were never saved.

We ask Your Spirit to guide us into all Truth and give us the wisdom and discernment we need to get through these times and to do it with love, grace and under the Power of Christ that we may win many to Him because of our example, even in the face of persecution. We pray for those persecuted even more across the world that we be one as You are One in Heaven and we ask all of this, in the Mighty Name of Jesus, amen.

TOMORROW: THE TEN FOOLISH VIRGINS....IN 2012 AMERICA!

(image by google images)

ARE YOU TOM BRADY OR APOSTLE PAUL?

2012-02-09T04:19:00.003-06:00

This just-concluded Super Bowl 46 game between the New England Patriots and the upstart New York Giants was the most captivating for its worldwide audience, than most!

What stood out, to me, was how one man handled adversity and another lived. NY Giants quarterback Eli Manning, the latest of the successful Manning football clan, had become well-known for last minute comeback wins. This most exciting of Super Bowls was no different, as it went down to the last second! The super-rich and seemingly unbeatable Patriots quarterback Tom Brady was a different story.

Brady is a man who has everything: from three Super Bowl rings to a new $20 million dollar mansion outside Hollywood to a famous international supermodel wife. In Boston, he has almost the divine right of kings and treated as local royalty. So it was, after leading in the game, for most of it, after a rough start, Tom Brady soon got in a dazed and confused state. He was suddenly watching a team with no outstanding celebrity being led by a good old boy from Mississippi, who lives in the deep south as a regular guy in the off season!

Because of his superior talents, this man, Tom Brady, expected to win and win big. However, because football was his god, when things went south towards the end of his pending loss, Brady got in a surreal funk. This has also led his celebrity wife into a controversy of her own, when she used four letter words to blast Brady's fellow team members for costing her husband the game by dropping catches. The media seemed captivated by a beaten man, who could not even speak, as this loss shook him to the core.

None of these sports teams - from the Giants to the Patriots or even last year's baseball World Series winners St. Louis Cardinals - could be classified as full of born again Christians. In fact when they win, not one of them give credit to the Holy God Who gave them their gifts. But what is evident is that these teams are full of men who are narcissists and so full of themselves that they think themselves to be godlike.

Jesus said in Mark 8:36 NLT "And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul?" We have people here who, while possessing every worldly benefit and all the riches they desire, are unhappy to the core, because their joy and happiness is completely dependent on WHAT they do. The object of their happiness is their opinion of themselves. The core of their being is defined by how many trophies and wins they have over the other guy. They define winning by, well, winning this thing at all costs.

Because they have no core set of true beliefs....because their lives are not enriched by the knowledge of the wonder of the eternal God of Heaven....because their sins are not washed away by surrendering to the Blood of the Lamb of God, when it all goes south, they are devastated.

The Apostle Paul was the Tom Brady of the great Religious order of the day. He was on a path to be high priest of Jerusalem one day. But God had another plan. He took this man, then called Saul, knocked him off his high horse, just like Brady was, and humbled him to the point of blindness. Saul came to realize not just how spiritually blind he was, but how much he saw once he looked a life through the very Eyes of Christ! When God changed Saul's name to Paul, He gave him a new heart of flesh and hope in his heart which he carried through the end.

Nobody was persecuted, beaten and almost killed many times before his actual beheading in Rome, than the Apostle Paul. Yet he kept his eyes on the real prize - the Prize of Christ. Paul was the opposite of Tom Brady. How many men would have the following last words as they face execution for winning millions of souls to Christ from then until, now, with his writings. Here, we see Paul's final words "For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.(2 Timothy 4:6-8 ESV)

Now, the choice is before us, folks - do we chase after the world and its games, its fame and its disappointments or do we empty ourselves of ourselves then run the marathon of life well, while keeping our focus on Christ - the Author and Perfecter of our Faith???!!! Do we place our entire hope and faith in some team members catching our passes or sacking the other guy's quarterback, or do we fight the daily fight of Faith, knowing our Great God has already fought and won for us at the Cross, and all WE have to do is get to the finish line, completely in His Will, knowing our real Crown and Trophy is life in the Eternal Kingdom of God???!!!

We know what the world chooses. The question is - what do you choose? Is your happiness and hope is in what do you, or is your hope built on nothing else, than Jesus' Blood and Righteousness...and who HE says you are?! The choice is yours, and yours alone!

(photo from Reuters)

WHO SHALL I SAY?

2012-02-08T04:21:00.000-06:00

You and I may get this question occasionally from a friend or family member and a lot of times it is "I feel God is calling me to something, but I don't know what it is"! Sure enough, I, myself, had that same question go unanswered for years, after I had a Man to man encounter with the Lord Jesus Christ on August 16, 1988!

I grew up in church. Did the youth group/missions thing and even preached my first sermon at age 14 in front of adult church. But for over a decade, I walked away from it, until the Lord knocked me literally flat on my back in 1988, for two weeks. During that literal down time, I had more than enough opportunity to re-evaluate the fiery direction my life was heading. Fortunately for me, I made the right choice. I know now, that the Lord was waiting for me to come to my senses after He had His Hands on my life from when I was a boy.

This will sound strange to some people, and especially to the unredeemed, but it is possible for a mere worthless mortal like myself, to meet the Lord Jesus and live to tell about it! It is the Father, whom no living man will ever see in this life. On that fateful day at 4am in 1988, He revealed Himself to me specifically and spoke directly to me. I have come face to Face with Him, once in 1988 and then again- last June. I will never forget His deep, loving, powerful, Voice which sounds like the dulcid tones of a huge waterfall! The Lord Jesus is also deadly serious about Himself. When I see Him again in Glory, I will have no trouble picking out my Master, Savior, Jesus - because He know His Voice in a very personal way.

The two encounters I had with Jesus in my life are modern examples of how the Lord reveals Himself to a person...and then calls them to His Service. Let us therefore look at Moses in Exodus 3, as the Biblical standard of "the Call"

Moses was up on the west side of Mount Horeb with his flock of sheep and saw a bush on fire, yet it did not burn to the ground. The Bible picks it up here "When the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.” Then he said, “Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.” And he said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God (Exodus 3:4-6 ESV).

Here we see, God calling the incredibly strong and powerful 80 year old Moses out! Here is how He did it:
- He got Moses' attention with the burning bush.
- He got Moses to make a choice - which was to turn towards the Bush and seek out its origin.
- He called Moses to a specific task.
- He set down His conditions (when God calls a person, we play by HIS rules, not OURS!)
- He set Moses apart by making him remove the shoes or things of this world and COME to God in the Presence of His Holiness. The great Apostle Peter reminds us in 1 Peter that God is Holy,Holy, Holy and NO ONE will see Him, without being Holy, consecrated and set apart.

The good news is that while none of us live holy lives in this world, when God gets a hold of us, and if we let Him, He will wash us clean through the regenerative power of the Blood of Christ, the Holy Spirit and the Living Word of God!

Moses did not just happen to be in the wilderness and then all of a sudden get called to be the great Deliverer of Israel, from the land of captivity in Egypt! No! He spent 40 years in the desert with Jethro, his father-in-law, raising sheep and no doubt, praying to the one true God of the Hebrews, Whom he (Moses) knew from his days as Prince of Egypt.

Later on in that Exodus 3 passage, the Word says " Then Moses said to God, “If I come to the people of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ what shall I say to them?” God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’” (Exodus 3:13-14 ESV)

Moses did not hesitate and instead rose to the occasion. God did not reveal EVERY aspect of the Great Rescue from Egypt right there by the Burning Bush, when Jesus (Who IS YahWeh) spoke with Moses. God won't or may not tell us immediately when He calls you and I.

What God is most interested in is our Obedience and willingness to do whatever He says, no matter how small or large the task. He wants us to know the Simplicty and sheer honor and joy of knowing him. YahWeh wants it so that, when we are called out to our own burning bush, we too can say as previous stated by the Prophet Isaiah when he saw the glory of the Lord in His Temple (Isaiah 6) "HERE I AM, SEND ME!!!"

Most of all, when we obey and take the first step, we do have the Power and Authority to proclaim, when asked "Who sent YOU anyway?" You and I can reply "I AM THAT I AM" sent me (or YAHWEH)...which is the Holiest Name yet, for the Lord Jesus Christ! Amen!

THE HEAVENS DECLARE HIS GLORY

2012-02-07T02:37:00.003-06:00

....from a personal tour of the Holy Land...THE SEA OF GALILEE!!

The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork.

Day unto day utters speech, and night unto night reveals knowledge.

There is no speech nor language where their voice is not heard.

Their line has gone out through all the earth,

and their words to the end of the world.

Psalm 19:1-4

CARLA MCDOUGAL
REFLECTIVE LIFE MINISTRIES

Approaching His destination brings a sigh of relief. Rest is near. The aroma drifting off the Sea of Galilee rejuvenates His soul. Peace and quiet call to Jesus, if even for a moment. His weary body feels the effects of traveling for miles. Looking down at His feet, He notices His swollen ankles. All of a sudden, He sees the source of the sharp pain in his feet. The bulging blisters seem to awaken every nerve in His body. He seeks a solitary spot rest. Finding a place for the night brings relief. Using a rock for a pillow, Jesus is lulled by the sound of the water hitting the shoreline. He begins praying, Father, I need some time alone with you! Time to be refreshed. The throng of people are draining my physical, mental and spiritual life. I am tired and my spirit needs replenishing. Closing his eyes, Jesus experiences a sweet union with His Father.

Jesus awakes the next morning while it's still dark. He craves quiet time with His Father. The Sea of Galilee brings Him comfort. Strolling along the shore memories roll in like ripples from the sea. A smile appears as he recalls meeting His first disciples in this very place. Encouragement overwhelms Him.

The crisp breeze gently blows through His cloak. Jesus scans the scenery and notices the sun barely peeking over the mountains casting a reflection on the water. A picturesque moment to behold.Immediately, He recalls His prayer from the night before. He knows His Father is reminding Him of their time together creating the universe. God begins speaking,

Good Morning my son! I miss you. You will be with me soon sitting at my right hand. You are doing a wonderful job. Keep it up! I can't wait for you to return home. But first you have work to accomplish. Continue to listen to me every minute and I will give you the words to speak. I love you!

With hands raised and tears flowing Jesus quotes Psalm 19:5-6,

In the heavens He has set a tabernacle for the sun,

which is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber,

and rejoices like a strong man to run its race.

Its rising is from one end of heaven,

and its circuit to the other end;

And there is nothing hidden from its heat.

A hush comes over the sea. In that moment He experiences a tender touch. An answered prayer. A refreshment without words!

Are you in need of replenishing your walk with the Lord? Are you tired, worn out and weary? Ask God for refreshment. Recognize the times throughout your day He is giving you a touch of encouragement. And remember... The heavens declare the glory of the Lord!

(photos & message by Carla, Author/Speaker from Magnolia, Texas

Reflective Life Ministries)

CARLA MCDOUGAL: "FROM A MAMA'S HEART"!

2012-02-06T17:27:00.001-06:00

If you are a parent, you will love this short video by Carla, from Reflective Life Ministries!

BUT WE SEE JESUS by LYNN MOSHER

2012-02-06T03:53:00.001-06:00

“In putting everything under him, God left nothingthat is not subject to Him. Yet at presentwe do not see everything subject to Him.But we see Jesus.” (Heb. 2:8b-9a NIV)

Don’t you love it when a familiar scripture leaps off the page at you as if you’ve never seen it before?

LYNN MOSHER

As I read the above scripture the other day, this part bounced up and crashed right into my heart, “Yet at present we do not see everything subject to him. But we see Jesus.” (Heb. 2:8b-9a NKJV)

Though some circumstances may not be subject to our control, they are always subject to the Lord’s control, even when, at times, they do not appear that way to us.

Without the same point of view as God, the same Spirit-realm vision, we fail to see God’s hand in action or His Word at work. We wonder why He is taking so long to remedy our circumstances or why He doesn’t answer our prayers.

But, no matter...

No matter what others say about us, we see Jesus.
No matter how discouraged we become, we see Jesus.
No matter what trials and afflictions pursue us, we see Jesus.
No matter how dark the night’s grief enshrouds us, we see Jesus.

As David said, “I lift my eyes to you, O God, enthroned in heaven.” (Ps. 123:1 NLT)

Whatever comes our way...we see Jesus!

FOR LYNN'S WEBSITE CLICK HERE

AM I A HYPOCRITE?

2012-02-05T03:19:00.000-06:00

PART 2 - ON THE INSIDE?

We live in a world of pretend. Pretend cops on TV. Pretend millionaires. Pretend heroes in movies. Pretend wizards of smart on Wall Street. We have fake hair. Fake nails. Fake Rolex watches on NYC streets for $20. We drink fake sugar in soft drinks. We buy fake diet pills...fake...fake...fake...Almost everything is FAKE!

The culture elevates fake over real.

The culture bows down to people you won't even let into your living room, were it not for the fact they appeared in some movie.

The culture worships at the pagan altar of glitz and flashing man-made light, while ignoring the True Light of the World - Jesus Christ.

The culture uses Him as a swear and cuss word, all the while twisting His Words to fit their ungodly secular agenda....and the culture has crept both inside the church, and inside of us!

The reason why the church is dead, dead, dead....and therefore ineffective in both Canada and America is this - the culture; and the secular world can't tell the difference between them and us!

The seeker-sensitive movement of the 1990's accelerated the slide by watering down the True Truth (as Francis Schaefer called it) so as to bring people by the numbers. Many followed this formula to the letter, and even removed crosses from their sanctuaries. They drew millions into their buildings....and what buildings they were!

They put up huge structures with multi-millions dollar mortgage debt. They put in high priced coffee and book shops and restaurants. The House of Prayer became First Corporation of Suburban USA Church, with multi-campus satellite feeds of the main preacher, who stays in one "main campus", while the sheep adores him on the jumbotron TV screen!

There is one deadly problem with all that MTV styled "worship" chock full of celebrity pastors and contemporary rock band stars on "christian" radio - IT IS BUILT ON SAND! Bill Hybels, who created the Seeker-sensitive movement that led many over the cliff, finally had to man up and admit in 2007 it was a complete failure. Hybels admitted they had failed to make Disciples of Christ. (By the way, Hybels never went back to Biblical standards to correct this error!)

Nowhere in the Bible, does it say to 'go become like your rich celebrity culture; remove the Cross of Christ; water down your bible translation to the Message; bring unintelligible hard rock music into your church platform; run up and down the aisle and call it prayer and worship the man supposedly representing behind His pulpit'!!!!

Instead you will find two things:

1. And He was saying to them all, "If anyone wishes to come after (or be a disciple) Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me" Luke 9:23 NASB.

2."Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” Matthew 28:19-20 NASB.

The modern church has failed on both counts! The Persecuted underground church in China has the most Christians in the world - over 300 million real ones. If anyone wishes to know why - it is because it is set apart from its culture...and not just that...it faces daily death for the Cross, by following Christ completely in an evil, godless Communist regime.

Look at the picture above. It is "fake Jesus". If we really search our own hearts, we will find some of that in all of us. One line always struck me from the movie ELMER GANTRY starring Burt Lancaster. This movie is about a charismatic charlatan drunk Gantry who sure could preach up a storm, and charm his way into the hearts of many. But at the end of the movie, when the rubber hit the road, he walked away from Christ and said "When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me". Elmer Gantry did not mean it as Paul did in 1 Corinthians 13:11. He meant it as his true core belief as he walked away and walked straight into an eternity, separated from Heaven.

Search your hearts right now....in the Name of Jesus. Are you plastic banana, good-time rock and roll fake Jesus with a godly smile....or are you a true disciple of Christ?

Father in the Name and Power of Jesus, I ask You to reach down inside of me and let Your Spirit search all of me to see what is left of me which belongs to the world. Lord, I do not want to be like them, even while living temporarily alongside them. Lord, let me be always mindful of the fact that this world is not my home, I am just a-passing through.

My citizenship is not in this land, but the GloryLand.

My calling is not from central casting, but the Cross of Christ.

My commitment is to Jesus and Him alone.

My commission is therefore to tell the Truth and reach others in Love!

Let me remember that You are light and there is NO darkness in You.

Let me therefore have NO fellowship with the fake light of this world which hides their dark intent.

Let me also never lie to others and myself by walking in the light of the culture when I should live in the Life of the Cross.

Let me fellowship with the saints of the Living God, who are like-minded and not the lost and dying...even if they populate churches by the millions across this land.

Let me not follow the lies of popular TV preachers who say we have no sin and are deceiving millions, into believing if we just think and act positive, we too can have all the material wealth - houses and cars and no bills - because "this is the best life now". Lord, anyone who believes that, the Truth is not in them and they bring judgment unto themselves!

Let me be honest with myself, and know I am a sinner saved by Grace and as I repent and seek forgiveness, Jesus Christ is faithful and just to cleanse, purify, remove and forget all of these sins as long as I don't keep doing them over and over and over again!

So Lord, let the Word reveal who I really am, so that I will not appear to be a hypocrite to those around me. Let me be aware daily of my commitment to walk in Truth and Light because this is way Christ would want me to. Let my talk match up with my walk and when I drift and tend to think about or dwell on the passing pleasures of sin for season, above the Timeless Glory and Joy of Jesus, pull me back into line, love and discipline me that I may remain worthy of Your calling to me, as one of Your adopted children for eternity, in the Mighty Name of Jesus, amen and amen!

(image by google images)

ARE YOU A HYPOCRITE?

2012-02-04T05:03:00.000-06:00

PART 1 - ON THE OUTSIDE

A hypocrite is a person who pretends to have virtues, moral or religious beliefs, principles, etc., that he or she does not actually possess, especially a person whose actions belie stated beliefs. He or she can also be someone who feigns some desirable or publicly approved attitude, especially one whose private life, opinions, orstatements belie his or her public statements.*

A charge commonly made against us Christians is that we are a bunch of hypocrites! In fact, this is the excuse given by secularists and humanists as to why they - the atheist - do not go to church or are not a child of God. Of course, they do not see the light poles sticking out of their own eyes.

Billy Graham has a good question for those who blame a lack of any relationship with the one true God of heaven on those of us whom the world accuses of hypocrisy. He said "if you got a bad glass of milk one time, would you quit drinking milk?" Or to paraphrase, if you get a cheap gallon of gas at a QuickMart gas station and it evaporates quickly, would you stop going to any filling station forever? No you won't, or you would not be able to drive anywhere.

The world looks at the sensational headlines or some perverted, greasy, money-grubbing individual behind a pulpit with a bible and willfully associates us with that prosperity gospel from hell. I can't tell you the amount of times I have to defend the Bible or my own beliefs in Christ against unbelieving co-workers. These people use the any example of religious double-speak; womanizing or some rich preacher with an arrogant attitude to paint EVERY Christian as one of those.

Sometimes, it does not have to be a national religious figure who falls in disgrace like Ted Haggard or Bishop Eddie Long, but some who accuse us of hypocrisy, are more up to speed on some local pastor in town who owns two spanking new Cadillacs and goes on cruises every winter with his family, while he or his church are never seen downtown, showing any compassion for the homeless and/or hurting. They look at him on local TV with the fancy glittering stage and rock band, hawking books while talking about "the Love of Jesus" and wonder "what planet is this guy even on?"

Whether these local churches actually have great outreach ministries or not (usually they do), is not the question. The perception is one of "these churches only want my money".

Therefore, Father in the Name of Jesus, You are not tolerant of those who profess and call on Your Name in Public, but whose father is the god of this world - the devil. The Lord Jesus called out the pharisees in Matthew 23:15 when He said "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel across sea and land to make a single proselyte, and when he becomes a proselyte, you make him twice as much a child of hell as yourselves."

Lord God, this is the state of most of us in the modern church who could not stand the scrutiny of the Light of day, but who will be accountable on the Day of Judgment here on earth. We are the modern day copies of those pharisees.

Lord we confess our sins as a body of Christ for all the lost of this world we have turned away, because we have not functioned as You expected we would or as You laid out in Your Holy Word. For this sin, we seek and beg Your forgiveness.

Lord, we confess ours sins for each time we have held large public events and proclaimed the Name of Jesus and God, yet live like the devil the rest of the week. For this sin, we seek and beg Your forgiveness.

Lord, we confess our sins for every missed opportunity we let slip to be the good Samaritan to a homeless person with sign, and looked down our noses at them. We could have well failed a test and disrespected an angel from heaven by our foolish self-righteousness! For this sin, we seek and beg Your forgiveness.

Lord we confess our sins for the countless times we 'felt sad' as a church when our poor neighbor's ministry or building just up the county burned down....and all we did was say we would "pray for them"...and then never do pray or lift a finger to help or donate a penny to help that brother or sister out of a jam! For this sin, we seek and beg Your forgiveness.

Lord I personally repent for being part of any body or organization, which has committed all these shortcomings and sinned before You, as the church. Lord, no one is pure in this regard.

I repent personally as a former church and now a ministry leader, for missing both the forest and trees because I was too busy to see Your Hand at work. Forgive me oh God. Search me and correct my thinking so that no matter what the lost and evil world may say, at least in this corner of Your Kingdom, we will not be found wanting and being hypocrites on the Outside, when called to account, in That Day...in Jesus' Name, amen

TOMORROW: PART 2 (ARE YOU A HYPOCRITE?) - ON THE INSIDE

Credits:

* www.dictionary.reference.com

image by google images

UNFORGIVENESS - SPIRITUAL POISON

2012-02-03T05:17:00.001-06:00

Freedom into your destiny only begins when you have broken free from the stronghold of sin, which has held you down. This is not some charismatic mumbo-jumbo, but truth released from the Word of God.

Christians too can be bogged down by strongholds to the point of distraction where it becomes a major distraction in life. This will rob you of your favor, your destiny and your complete rest in the Arms of the Savior.

The strongholds of sin, sex and the flesh are not the only ones which will rob you of your peace of mind or Shalom (rest). There is the stronghold of Unforgiveness! This is a stronghold which will hold you back so much that it can make you the most unpleasant human being to be around.

Have you ever seen people, and most of them 'go to church', who are so negative over everything and everybody that you cannot stand to be around them? They bust on every national of local event. They are annoyed by every little kid running down the church hallways. They comment on every short dress worn by some young married mom. They can't see the reason why the church just bought a new snowblower to clean off the sidewalks to the parking lot. No matter what they reason, they find no joy in life.

If you speak to them long enough, you will find a cause for this effect - they really hate another person. It could be their boss, supervisor or co-worker. It could be Mary Sue across the aisle who stole her boyfriend in high school. It could be Frank down the street who got the promotion at work over you, even if you have been a loyal employee at the office longer than he was. Then you come to find out Frank and the boss' son play in the same golf league and go to the same sports bar! More hate....more opportunity to gripe and complain...more..more...more.....

Have you heard the Name of God in any of these situations? No! The reason is people like this have consumed the spiritual poison of Unforgiveness. They refused to share the pardon and the grace which God has so richly demonstrated for and to them (and us) .....in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. These two examples may well be examples of people who were saved, but their growth is stunted by a lack of joy and love for their fellow human being. These two living examples are reasons why non-christians refuse to join us in corporate worship (notice I did not say 'church'). These two people are reasons non-believers call us 'hypocrites'.

Scripture says in Ephesians 4:26-27 (NIV) "In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold."

This is an example of what we were talking about yesterday (on Strongholds). Refusing to give Grace or listening to counsel to love one another gives the devil an opportunity to put anger in your spirit. This then causes you to sin...and boom - he has a foothold on you...and it's all because you refuse to let it go!

So Father in the Name of Jesus, I come to You now and ask You to search my heart now. Right now, dear God, I know in my own heart, You are constantly revealing sins I committed 30-40 years ago, when I was much younger, so I can be forgiven of them after repentance.

So now, oh God search my very inner core and reveal any spirit of unforgiveness towards anyone which may live in me. If it is something I swept under the carpet so I won't have to deal with it, expose it with the Light of Christ right now, so I can go make peace with that person...even if that person is a close family member or now a former friend who lives 1500 miles away. Lord, let me make it right today. Let today be the beginning of the healing of my soul.

Let me not be consumed, my Father, with the spiritual poison, which may destroy the amazing blessings of true peace, joy and contentment which You have for all Your true children, who have been called to salvation according to the Riches of Christ Jesus the King.

Let me not be carried away by pride and hate and arrogance, which goeth before the fall.

Let me not cut up on the inside while wearing the mask of righteousness, when You know the spiritman or woman in us, is not right with another person...and therefore You.

Holy Spirit, I ask You to now have access to root all that cancer out of my spirit which has spread its tentacles all inside of me. Pull it out by its roots that the fruits of my salvation may be fulfilled and I can live the truly anointed life of Favor and blessing in the Mighty Name of Jesus, amen!

TOMORROW: ARE YOU HYPOCRITE?!

(image by google images)

TAKE EVERY THOUGHT CAPTIVE

2012-02-02T06:24:00.000-06:00

BREAK FREE!!!

The word stronghold has two contexts or connotations throughout the Bible. The literal meaning of "stronghold" is fortress; refuge; helmet or protection. The LORD is called that in Psalm 27:1 when it says "The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? (ESV)

In this verse, the LORD's man or woman testify to the Mighty Saving Power of God, Who can and does do good things for His people. Because God is mighty to save, being our Shield and Protector causes us to live fearless lives for Him!

The other meaning of the word "stronghold" is not so good! In fact it is completely the opposite of the protection of the Lord! In short, this kind of stronghold is a pattern of thinking or a mindset; reasoning or rationale...through a certain belief...which is resistant to or rebellious against the Person and Knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ!

This stronghold is a stubborn, sinful idea which has 'fortified' itself in its own fortress. The main difference is this castle is a prison which keeps the person in bondage to whatever sin has grabbed him or her. This stronghold does not just happen but began simply as a sinful thought that got a 'toehold' in the person's life. If we use pornography as an example, it started as a simple visual or photo which popped up when you mistyped a word in "Google" while doing a research paper for, say, college or even a sermon!

That image then gets stuck in your mind. I know of a woman, of all people, who worked in sales and found herself innocently enough having to sell these laptops. The more she was around them and fellow computer sales folks, the easier it was for them to lead her astray into "oh it's nothing, it's just harmless fun". The next thing you know, this toehold got a foothold in her consciousness and she started going to internet porn sites at home.

Now this was a married woman! Her husband caught her on the computer at home watching the filth after seeing charges on the credit card for strange sounding websites! At first, she tried to rope him in to "enjoy" the experience with her. The moment she started using grocery money for her habit, it had moved from having a foothold to being a demonic stronghold in her life. They are now in divorce court.

The Apostle Paul wrote: "For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ" (2 Corinthians 10:3-5 ESV).

This stronghold of pornography, adultery, drugs, alcohol or anything which takes you away from a right relationship with Jesus and your loved ones cannot be easily swept aside; dealt with or destroyed. It did not become a stronghold overnight as it was the end result of a sinful process. The good news is God has given us the weapons to pull it down and destroy it!

So Father in the Name of Jesus, I come to You now, knowing that the evil one has set out to seek, kill and destroy each and everyone of Your saints. He has set his stinking thinking to the ruin of the best of us by putting, what some call, just a "little seemingly harmless pleasurable" thought in our mind. Lord but we know, that the pleasures of sin are only for season.

Lord give us strength therefore to resist these thoughts and as the Scriptures says, let us then take EVERY single thought captive and refuse to participate in it. You give us the Word of God to do that, if we only recognize that we have the authority to use it to fortify ourselves. The Psalm says "Thy Word oh God, I have hidden in my heart that I may not sin against You" (Psalm 119:11).

There it is, You have given us Your living, breathing Word - found in the Bible - to fight these thoughts before they become footholds leading to strongholds. You have given us Your Holy Spirit to know an discern these things and see when the enemy is coming after our minds, our marriages or our families. The Spirit has already prepared a way out which You, in Your all-knowing Mind, have prepared for us!

Let us therefore be mindful of that Truth and use the Divine Power, which You have already sub-contracted out to us, to resist and defeat the evil one. Father in the Name of Jesus, if something has already become a stronghold in our lives, let us seek out a more mature believer than us, who can come alongside us and counsel with and pray with us to pull these strongholds down and destroy them through prayer, fasting and confrontational intercession with these demons.

Lord we thank You that You have given us the Spirit of Christ to deal with these awful challenges in life and we claim that Authority now, given to us in John 1:12, under the Power of the Holy Spirit, in Jesus' Holy, Mighty and Powerful Name....as we are now victors in the battle; overcomers and more than conquerors in and through the Word and in Truth, in Jesus' Name, Amen and Amen!

(image by google images)

GOD, PRAY NONE ARE FOOLISH

2012-02-01T00:44:00.002-06:00

Art work by Sean Seal Written by Rick Stassi

Author of Emanating Joy!

1 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.
2 And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.
3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:
4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
5 While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.
6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.
7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.
8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.
Matthew 25:1-8 (KJV)

…regarding our relationship with Jesus Christ, our promise from our Father, and the anointing we have received of the Oil that is the Holy Spirit. We solemnly and keenly read this discourse from our Savior regarding the Kingdom of Heaven. For this discourse is about a bride and bridegroom who, under Jewish custom, are: 1) engaged; 2) betrothed; 3) married. Thus we are likened in parable to this in our walk and pilgrimage to the Celestial City – most high heaven!

The Bridegroom is Our Savior, Jesus Christ with whom we have committed our lives to in love under our repentance and grace of God. In this commitment is our engagement with Him, commitment to Him, and submitting of all of ourselves to Him

We are betrothed in ceremony first asking with sincerity for Him to intercede in our lives as we repent our sin nature. We begin our sojourn at this point as we are baptized in the Holy Spirit, anointed with His oil, sanctified by the blood of our Savior.

We await our marriage day. We do not know the time nor place of the Bridegroom’s arrival. So, we are prepared always. Some are prepares and some are not. For those who are not, the oil of the Spirit’s anointment is not communal in nature, but maintained by us individually between our self personally with the Father.

So, we prepare. We search our hearts, we commune with God. We pray for others we ask God’s favor over us and others. At the same time we account for our commitment to His authority in our lives through our searching in our desire for obedience.

As we walk we seek knowledge and desire of our sanctification. Who we are is who God made. We need to see our position in our walk for the path can become dark and the light of the lamp will lead those who possess the oil. Without light we stray. Our path is straight but to remain on the straight course, we sail with the wind but are mindful of the rudder that steers. A boat without a rudder is hapless and aimless in its pursuit of a straight direction. We see the Sun setting on the horizon, yet without our rudder, we drift as the current ebbs and flows. We drift. We stray. The place on our head that once was glistening with the shine of fresh oil, our Help, is turning to a matte finish of a spent walk powered in our strength. We need God’s strength.

Our priority, our heart, our walk. All are culminated in Jesus, the Bridegroom, who awaits us at the right hand of God in heaven. Today is a day of inventory. Seek God and ask Him to expose the darkest, deepest parts of your heart. What He exposes, we then know where we need to change.

This is preparation: A personal relationship with God, belief that He will expose our heart as we search and ask Him to take a lighted lamp into the cavernous depths of our hearts. We want to change and continually grow.

We encourage the 5 foolish virgins who stray: “Please, God, an anointing anew!” My heart thus prepared. My forehead now glossy with the shine of the sanctifying Oil. We await His return.

PRAY THE NAMES OF GOD BONUS - DAY 31

2012-01-31T02:47:00.002-06:00

JEHOVAH-SABAOTH - THE LORD OF HEAVEN'S ARMIES!
The great hymn "A Mighty Fortress is our God" has a verse that goes like this:
Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing;
Were not the right Man on our side, the Man of God’s own choosing:
Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is He;
Lord Sabaoth, His Name, from age to age the same,
And He must win the battle.
This was written over 500 years ago by the great Reformer Martin Luther and is still sung in churches worldwide! It stands as the battle cry of the Christian who recognizes the God of the universe as the One Who will fight for us...and not just FIGHT, but WIN! Lord or Jehovah-Sabaoth means "The Lord of Hosts". Hosts is a military term which is found 240 times in the Bible! Some bible translations like the New Living, translates the phrase "Lord of Hosts as the Lord of Heaven's Armies!

Then we have the Christmas Carol - "Hark the Herald Angels"....with the line that says "with angelic hosts proclaim, Christ is born in Bethlehem"! Same thing - hosts means a multitude or organized group of heavenly beings, under the command of the Lord Jesus or...Jehovah Sabaoth!

The Name itself exudes the Fragrance of Dynamic Eternal Power, which cannot be trifled or messed with! The World will see this fearsome sight one day soon, and it will NOT be pretty! At the final return of Christ, to reclaim His Creation and sit on His Throne in Jerusalem for 1000 years, the full force of these hosts - Heaven's armies will descend on planet earth, with a vengeance!

At this point, the Wrath of God will be revealed, as predicted in the book of Revelation. The Lord of Heaven's Armies, which will have warriors like King David in it, will descend from Heaven to fight against the kings and rulers of this world. He will completely destroy them. The church and all believers will have been raptured or taken out, by then.

Before we get to that point though, we as believers should realize that He is fighting for us as well....and it's happening right now! We should realize that no matter what the Trial, Tribulation or family or personal crisis we are experiencing, He has defeated it already! All we have to do is go to Him, pray, ask and receive!

So, Father, in the Name of Jesus, I thank You, oh Mighty God, my Fortress and my Deliverer, that You, oh God are the Commander in Chief of the Universe. God, there is none like You in Power, Strength and I am in complete and total awe of You!

You fought the battles of Moses in the desert against Amalekites and Sihon and Og the King of Bashan. You led Joshua into Canaan and with Caleb, Your amazing warrior, you gave them the Promised Land. With three hundred men You gave Gideon the victory. You gave David the victory. You gave Hezekiah the victory. You gave the Maccabees the victory when the Lamp burned with oil for 8 days, giving us Hanukkah.

Lord, all of these in the Old covenant had one thing in common – they believed You completely..as they should! Dear Lord, in these days, before the Final Battle when Jesus returns to fight the forces of evil and world leaders, presidents and dictators, You still fight for those who believe in You!

I know it personally, dear heavenly, how much You have fought for me. I know how much You have done for me. I know how much You will still fight for me in days to come. And Lord, not just for me personally, but thank You for fighting for my entire family who live under the Leadership of Christ in our home. Lord You bring aid and assistance to Your children who are suffering under oppression of persecution around the world.

Lord You fight for and free those who are in the prison of sin, self, sex and stress here in the United States, Canada and here in the western world! I thank You for that as well, dear Heavenly Father!

Oh Lord, I also thank you for Your executing judgment against me when I sin, which You do, so that I may live a life worthy of being in Your presence….and that I may live a life worthy of living under the permanent and eternal guidance and protection of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies – the Lord Jesus, Sabaoth is His Name and it is in His Name I pray, right now, for all the saints who love His Appearing, in Jesus’ Name, amen and amen!

(image by google images)

THIRTY DAY PRAYER CHALLENGE - DAY 30

2012-01-30T06:37:00.001-06:00

PRAY THE NAMES OF GOD

DAY 30
GOD IS JEHOVAH SHAMMAH

"Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there" goes the well known auto insurance commercial! The implications is that no matter what the cost or the consequence, whenever you have an accident or issue which calls for insurance coverage, you can more than depend on the integrity and full faith of State Farm Insurance Company! In fact, you can rely on them being there, no matter what the reason.

Of course, this is only valid if you pay the high premiums regularly. If your teenage kids have a couple fender benders while they are still young, watch how fast some of these auto insurance companies drop you from their roster!

God is not like that (thank God)! First of all, there is no cost to being covered by the Blood of the Lamb. Jesus Christ paid it all on the Cross of Calvary. He is always THERE for us, when we are in pain, trouble or just need a friend.

Unlike the temporary coverage of any type of insurance companies, God's Coverage is forever. He gives Fire Insurance. If you are truly saved and born-again by repenting, believing and accepting His Sacrifice for Sin on the Cross, His Blood is the only True "Insurance" mechanism by which you and I can avoid going into the Lake of Fire for all eternity. The majority of the world does not have that eternal guarantee or protection from the fires of Hell!

This "Fire Insurance" is free, but it should cost US something which we should willing pay....not because God demands it of us, but because we want to KNOW HIM better and desire that closer walk with Him! If someone rescued you from a burning house, should it ever accidentally catch fire, you and I would be forever grateful to the brave fireman or neighbor who pulled us out of the inferno, just before the entire house exploded out of control. So we should be with Almighty God.

Many times, from beginning to end, God says to His people "I will never leave nor forsake you". He said it in Deuteronomy 31:6; Joshua 1:5 and Hebrews 13:5. Jesus Himself said it at the end of Matthew 28 "lo, I am with you, even unto the end of the age "(verse 20). There are other Promises from the Holy God, Who cannot lie, and Who made this promise!.

You can count on Him. No matter what trial or tribulation, You can count on Him. No matter what you are facing, you can count on Him. From the rising of the sun, to the going down of the same, He is there for you. From the moment you are born until the second you leave this earth and cross into eternity, He is there for you.

He is Jehovah Shammah, the God Who is just - THERE! He is everywhere. You can't run from Him and you do not really want to, either! Praise God. Trust Him; fall on Him; fall before Him; surrender to Him and you will never regret it.

Father in the Name of Jesus, I just surrender my entire life into Your capable Hands, not only because You have the free Fire Insurance policy called Salvation, which saved me from eternal separation from You, but because I want to. Lord, I want to know You, the God Who is always There, better. Lord I want to learn Your Ways to love you more and more each day. Lord I want to know Your Word to learn all Your attributes, which are more than just Names, they are the every essence of You, Almighty and eternal Father.

You are my Creator and Sustainer and I come to You to not just know the One True God, but to live my life fully aware of His Presence in my life and my very being as Your Spirit lives in me. I release the Power of Your Spirit in my life and give Him full access to every area of my life so He can wash, cleanse, instruct, guide, convict and then lead me on to the path of full revelation of Who You are and what a complete Joy it is to have been adopted into Your Eternal Kingdom!

Jesus gave us this promise before He left earth the first time and He said “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also." (John 14:1-3 ESV)

Father, I not only believe this Promise, I know in my very being that it is completely True. He said it, I believe it, the Spirit confirms it! Lord, I rest in that knowledge You are always there fore me, from the moment I was created in the womb, until I breathe my last earthly breath - You are there! And I know, because of the Promise from Your Son, Who is my Advocate and Savior, when that last breath comes, I will be there with You forever!

What an amazing thing that is, Father! What peace...what true joy in the inner man...what revelation...what a saving knowledge to know that You, Abba Father, are always there for me. And because of that and because You live forever, I can face today, tomorrow and all through this life with a song in my heart and Your Word on my lips. Thank You, Lord, in Jesus' Holy and Mighty Name, amen!

THANKS FOR PRAYING THE 30 DAY PRAYER CHALLENGE WITH ME!

THERE ARE MORE NAMES AND ATTRIBUTES, AND TOMORROW - A BONUS ONE!

(Image by Google Images)

THIRTY DAY PRAYER CHALLENGE - DAY 29

2012-01-29T03:56:00.001-06:00

PRAY THE NAMES OF GOD

DAY 29
GOD IS INTERCESSOR

We have all prayed for someone else, at one point or another. That is called Intercession...i.e. pleading their cause before God.

If and when God answers our prayers to the benefit of that person, it is His Will. If He does the opposite, it is still the Will of God! His Will and His Ways are perfect, whether we like it or not. But we press on.

In the Old Testament, believers had to go to the synagogue and have the priests pray for them. Since Christ, we now have direct access to the Throne of Grace and can press into and pray ourselves.

Even so, Romans 8:26-27 says "Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God" (Emphasis mine).

Therefore, this is how it works: we immediately know in the Spirit man or woman, if our prayers are meeting with agreement with Holy Spirit! Trust me! We do! If a christian is walking the Spirit-filled life, she or he will be sensitive to Holy Spirit's promptings and, if we are really fortunate, He allows us to have prophetic insight into whether the person you just prayed for will be healed or have a broken heart mended or whatever the issue is!

This is the dynamic power God gave us as He revealed in John 1:12! We pray in the Spirit, Who IS God and then transmits to Father God, in Jesus' Name!

There is a stunning example of Jesus interceding for Simon Peter in Luke 22:31-32a "Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” (Emphasis mine)

Here is God the Intercessor, in the Person of Jesus Christ! Notice Jesus did not pray for Satan to leave Peter alone! He prayed that Peter's Faith does not fail! So what happened not too long after that? Well, Peter boasted about his loyalty to Christ...and then denied Him thrice with curses! So, friends, you and I must be careful about the things we do and say when engaging in spiritual warfare....which is what is actually happening, depending on the level of Intercession.

Jesus' High Priestly prayer is the perfect living example of God as our Intercessor...or Prayer Warrior Advocate! I urge you to read John Chapter 17, by clicking here. In this chapter, Jesus first prayed for Himself (verses 1-5). Then He prayed for His disciples (verses 6-19). Jesus then prayed for all believers until the End of Time (verses 20-26).

Father God, in the Name of Jesus, I thank You, oh Most Holy and High God, that You are God and seated on the Throne. Father, I love, adore, praise, worship, magnify, glorify and lift up Your Mighty Name above all Names this day, which You have anointed to live fully in the Spirit - man for You...and You alone, in Jesus' Name.

I thank You most Holy Father for sending Your Spirit to live in us - all who believe in Your Son as the Lord of Heaven. I thank You that You gave Holy Spirit instructions to lift up our prayers and intercessions on behalf of others in a such way, that those prayers will be acceptable unto You.

I thank You that Jesus is our Intercessor and Prayer Advocate before the Throne! Lord, with Christ praying that our Faith not fail, how can it?! Lord, when Jesus prayed for us in John 17, He prayed that the glory You have Him, may now be ours! He prayed for unity between us believers and You, Almighty Abba in Heaven! Therefore, Lord I pray, in response, for Your church worldwide to stay on our knees, in one accord, until He comes!

He prayed for that unity to be so dynamic and powerful - that the World will see the Power of the Testimony of You living in and through us and therefore, come to know you and the Wonder of the Most High God. Therefore Lord, make me a living Bible to those with whom I come into contact.

He prayed and still prays that You, Father, continue to love us as You love Him! Lord I receive that Grace and Love! Thank you, Father.

Lord, Jesus used the word love or loved five times in three verses, Lord. He used the word know or known five times in the same three verses. Lord, for Your Glory, I accept that unconditional love You gave Your Son, when He prayed this, and which He passed on to us, because You so freely gave it to Him before the world even began! We now KNOW that Love and respond in complete awe, amazement and submission to Your will, oh God.

Father, I gave Holy Spirit permission to cleanse from within that I may be ready to intercede for someone else as Christ did, for us, in John 17 and still continues to, until He comes in glory, some day soon, in the Mighty Name of Jesus, amen.

TOMORROW: GOD IS JEHOVAH SHAMMAH

(image by google images)

THIRTY DAY PRAYER CHALLENGE - DAY 28

2012-01-28T14:58:00.000-06:00

PRAY THE NAMES OF GOD

DAY 28
GOD IS THE HEAD

The head of anything moved the entire rest of the body...whether it is a physical body; an organization or a family. The tail can't wag the dog. The feet can't say to the hands "I don't need you".

Yet, many in the church act like they don't need the real Head of the Church - Jesus Christ! American culture has made celebrities out of pastors and worship leaders. We have thousands, even tens of thousands following this TV preacher, buying his books/dvds or cds. Supporters of a well known multi-campus church preacher in the south got really mean with me, years ago, because I questioned something his pastor said in a video right here in this blogsite!

I was the Southern Baptist Convention in North Carolina in 2006 and saw another multi-campus Texas preacher with a least three bodyguards, signing books just like any other secular rock star author...and on and on. Some of the worship leaders and christian artists are no different than their secular music counterparts.

Being involved in organizing Christian concerts for many years, I refuse to be involved in anything which brings any more big name artists to our city. I would rather give a boost to local church musicians than the better known names...which I will not name.

What all these people have in common if they forgot one thing - Who the Head of the Church is! It is not Pastor Joe or John or Mike....or worship band leader Mark, or Sean or Jaimie. It is JESUS - the Christ.

This is what the Word of God says about that: "And He put all things under His feet and gave Him as head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all".(Ephesians 1:22-23 ESV)

The church is His. Father God set it up for His Son. He, as the Head, is the Good Shepherd. Any pastor of any church is an UNDER-shepherd and WILL be held accountable to God for every person who EVER sat in his church! He will be held accountable for all who were lost, while we were playing church.

But the Good news is that Jesus is our Mediator....meaning that He has paid the price for the church, at the Cross. 1 Timothy 2:5 says "For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time".

As the Head Shepherd or Pastor, Jesus is the High Priest of Heaven! Hebrews 2:17 says "Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people".

Colossians 1:18 also proves it "And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent".

Therefore, Father, I thank You in the Name of Jesus that You ordained Christ as the High Priest of Heaven Who lives and ministers for the saint, forever before Your Throne!

I thank You that Jesus is our Advocate Who will stand for us before You on Judgment Day.

I thank You that Jesus is our Prayer Warrior, Who constantly prays for us before the Throne of God.

I thank You that Jesus is the Good Shepherd Who has leads us in worship, even when His under-shepherds - or our pastors - fall short. He does this through Holy Spirit Who directs us in the way we should.

I thank You that Jesus is still using many officers - prophets, evangelists and the sent-ones, to reach the lost around the World, so that He can return as He promised.

Father I pray for the church to fulfill the mission given it by Christ.

I pray for all pastors and leaders worldwide, who were called by you, or even if they are self-appointed, I pray they seek Your Face and blessing on their congregations and families always.

I pray for those who minister in hard to reach places. I pray for those who are persecuted in China, Africa and all moslem countries. I pray for those who minister in the inner cities of the western world and in increasingly restricted conditions here in the US and Canada.

Bless the Church oh Lord. I pray for us all who preach and teach the Gospel that it will reach hearts, minds and souls for Christ from here to the ends of the Earth...until He comes, in Jesus' Name, Amen!

TOMORROW: GOD IS INTERCESSOR

(image by google images)

THIRTY DAY PRAYER CHALLENGE - DAY 27

2012-01-27T06:49:00.003-06:00

PRAY THE NAMES OF GOD

DAY 27
GOD IS ABBA (FATHER)

A childless couple adopts a baby, let us say, around 1960. Then the baby grows up to be a great kid, with straight A's in school and plays shortstop on the Varsity baseball team. His name is Scott.

After graduating, he goes to the local Junior college where he excels both in math, chemistry and still plays baseball for their team. After transferring his credits to the big four year state college, he graduates Magna Cum Laude and decides to accept a job offer with a local bank, whose manager has seen his name in the town weekly, ever since he played High School baseball.

This young man then falls in love and marries the boss' daughter, around say 1985. They have three kids, buy a home in a new subdivision and live happily ever after!

Now, Scott was adopted. The first thing his permanently new parents did was give Scott THEIR last name, because he belongs to them as a member of their family. Scott has all the rights, privileges and yes, responsibilities of being a legitimate member of that family. He is no less loved by Jack and Diane Smith, than if they had their own biological twins.

Scott is no less a member of the Smith family than Kristen, their miracle daughter who was born five years after Scott was adopted. In fact, no one would have ever known Scott was adopted until he himself mentioned it, when he became Mayor of his little town in 2010 and was honoring his dear parents!

Scott is us. His natural born sister, Kristen, is the Jewish people whom God called His chosen people. We are now all the same family in God. When God sent Jesus Christ to be the Jewish Messiah and they rejected Him, the second part of God's plan was revealed - save the rest of the world. Jesus sent one of His disciples biggest persecutors - Saul - to accomplish that job. Christ did that when He knocked him blind, off his horse when Saul was heading to Damascus to kill more Christians.

Saul met the Living Jesus in the Third Heaven, as he said, and promptly became Paul - the greatest evangelist the world has ever seen. Here is what Paul wrote about his OWN adoption (and ours) into God's family, as a result of his Conversion on the Road to Damascus:
"For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. (Romans 8:15-17 ESV)

That is correct - we are adopted sons and daughters of God and He is our Abba - our Daddy! The word Abba represents the father side of the equation of the father-child relationship in a family. It literally means just that - Dad! This Spirit of adoption which Paul talks about is the Holy Spirit - the Comforter - Who descends into us. The Spirit does that once we are saved and moved from a child of hell, to being a child of the Real God, sealed with the Blood of Christ, Which washed us clean!

Only the Christian, born-again through the Lord Jesus Christ, can legitimately claim to be an Adopted Daughter or Son of the Living God! Only we have the right to cry out to Him "Abba, Father"...and know He will hear us! Now, aren't you glad you are His?!

So Father, in the Name of Jesus, YOU are my Father in Heaven! You are my Daddy! You are my Creator; Provider; Protector; Nourisher; Healer; Banner...in fact I can go on and on until the end of time and still find amazing names to call You! You, oh God, are my All in All!

My Father in Heaven, hallowed, holy, righteous, pure and GREAT is Your Name! I thank You Lord for calling me out of the darkness which the Power of Sin had me living in, into the Kingdom of Your Marvelous Light.

I thank You, Lord, that You sent that Light, Jesus Christ, to be Savior of the World, because YOU, Oh God, are the Father of Lights Who giveth all good things to all Your people.

I thank You, Lord, that You sent the Spirit of that significant event of my salvation through the Cross. That Spirit is not only purely God, but wholly and Holy You! He not only testifies to the Truth of the Gospel and the Full Counsel of Your Word, He has sealed me until the Day of Redemption, when Jesus my Advocate stands before You as my Kinsman Redeemer and says "this one's Mine"! WOW!! PRAISE YOU, PRAISE YOUR HOLY NAME!! WOOHOO!! AMEN!

I thank You, Lord, that this same Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Adoption as well as my Teacher and Guide because He testifies daily that I am truly a member of YOUR family...of YOUR Kingdom...and that I am truly saved by YOUR Son - Jesus, the King!

I thank You, Lord, that because of that Adoption, You have made me a joint Heir with Christ in the Eternal Kingdom where we will live together, learning and rejoicing and worshiping and thanking You forever and ever! Amen!

Thank You, Father, for just being You and loving me, even when I am at my most unlovable as Your adopted son, according to the Love and Works and Sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ, in Whom all perfection and glory resides...and it is in His Name I pray, amen.

TOMORROW: GOD IS, WELL, EVERYTHING!

(image by google images)

THIRTY DAYS OF PRAYER - DAY 26

2012-01-26T06:27:00.000-06:00

PRAY THE NAMES OF GOD

DAY 26
GOD IS EL SHADDAI

Whenever you see the word "EL" used as a prefix before another Hebrew word in the Bible, it is there for a reason. Those two letters mean God and come from a root word whose meaning is "power, might and strength"!

God is saying this about His Own Name: "you in the world have all your pagan gods but I AM THE ALL POWERFUL, THE ALL MIGHTY and THE ALMIGHTY GOD....and I can and will do anything I want!" When you read through the Old Testament, this is how the way it was....and still continues today...and will be through eternity!

Some examples of how the letter EL are:
El Echad - THE ONE TRUE GOD
EL Hanne'eman - THE FAITHFUL GOD
El Emet - THE GOD OF TRUTH and so one.

Just briefly, today EL SHADDAI means "The All-Sufficient God ALMIGHTY"! In Genesis 17:1 God says to Abraham " When Abram was ninety-nine years old the LORD appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am God Almighty (El SHADDAI); walk before me, and be blameless, that I may make my covenant between me and you, and may multiply you greatly".

The word Shaddai is a combination of "Sha" (who) and "DAI" (enough). In other words, God is saying He, and He along is sufficiently powerful enough set up the system for Abram (Abraham), in the passage above. He is saying "I am all powerful" but I can do just whatever I want...and I am choosing to make this Abrahamic Covenant with you, Abram".

This Almighty God can do the same for you and I today as He did for Abraham, Isaac and Jacob 4000 years ago! He is still in the business of Salvation, Protection, Provision and Nourishing us - those who believe in Him, through His Son Jesus Christ.

El Shaddai has given us the past 2000 years and until He comes, to get things in order, not just for our souls if we repent, make peace and are saved by Him. But He also gives us our Daily Bread and health and everything we have. We did not get this on our own. We may be the ones who earn the paycheck. But He got us that job. The house we live in, did not get here accident or the safe travel on the highway to and from work. That was all God. So pray with me right now....

Father in the Name of Jesus, what do I have that You, in Your Power and Strength did not give to me? The very clothes that I wear...the very food that I eat...the very car that I drive...the very home I live in...the very job I work at...the very spouse and children in our home... they are ALL from You, Abba Father.

You are the Maker, Provider and Sustainer of all things. You ordain, create and then nourish all things and all people. You gave Grace to the humble, but You also give good things to the entire world and especially those who do not believe in You and may even blaspheme You! In Your Power and Grace, You have mercy on the World, prospering and blessing them with good things, that some may be saved. Lord, they continue to deny Your very existence, but I know You, oh Lord!

The time is coming soon, when all this will end, when the world systems will be destroyed under the Power and Might of Your Word and when the Lamb returns to deal with those who have misused Your gifts of life and temporal happiness.

But Lord, I, choose to thank You, knowing where my very existence and provision come from - You...and You did because You could and wanted to. So this day, I bless You, in the Name of Jesus.

May I bless others as well, from my own family and our children and if You allow it, my children's children. I bless them like the blessing of Jacob in Genesis 49. I bless that mightily - "up to the bounties of the everlasting hills" (verse 26) and may that blessing be upon their brow....and may this blessing extend to all who read this and all my extended family.

Lord, I only do this because I have been touched by You, called by You and loved by You to serve and anoint others with Your Goodness. El Shaddai, oh God Most High, I love You, worship and I adore You, now and forever more, in Jesus' Name, amen.

TOMORROW: GOD IS FATHER (ABBA)

THIRTY DAY PRAYER CHALLENGE - DAY 25

2012-01-25T06:44:00.000-06:00

PRAY THE NAMES OF GOD

DAY 25
GOD IS COMFORTER

A comforter is a person or thing which provides consolation. A comforter is also an encourager or even, a counselor! A comforter is one who runs to our side and picks us up when we are down.

In this life, you and I may have such a person in our lives - a spouse; a mentor; a brother or sister in the Lord; a sibling and more. You can call that person in the middle of the night, when things are down....when tears are in your eyes...and you need a friend...you can count on them to be your friend, your sounding board, your bridge over troubled waters!

Do you have such a friend? Do you have someone who would fight for you...and advocate, if you will? Every man or woman should have a trusted friend of a mature age, on whom we can count. If you do not, I pray the Lord sends you one!

Jesus is such a friend. When He went back to heaven, Hebrews 7:25b says "He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf (our behalf...we who are saved)" It says Jesus "intercedes" for us. That means He is our Advocate! He stands up for us and pleads our case in Heaven before Father God...even now!

However, He did something more and this is the mystery of our Faith which no other cult or religion can come close to matching...because those other things do not exist! Jesus sent His Personal Representative be His Liaison from us, to Him!

The Holy Spirit - the actual Spirit of God - when He comes to reside in the live and spirit of the Believer, is in us for several reasons...and number one is Comforter.

In John 16:7, Jesus says "Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you".

Jesus knew His saints, His true saints, will face persecution and hard times all through Christian history. Being God Who became man, He also knew the human condition and our tendency to drift away or say and do stupid things. The Apostle Peter is a prime example! Peter was bombastic and boastful. He walked on water with Jesus....then sank when he took his eyes off him. Peter boasted he will not allow Jesus to go to the Cross. Jesus told him "Get thee behind me Satan". Peter cursed and denied Jesus three times. Yet Jesus chose Peter to be the Rock and the Head of His church!

So we have not been through things which others have not endured before. This is why the Holy Spirit - the Comforter - was sent to us. Jesus called Him our "Helper" because Jesus knew, man, these people are going to need so much help that only God Himself could help them!

Jesus said the Holy Spirit is our Counselor. The Lord Jesus Himself spoke Aramaic and this verse from Jesus in John 14:26 is from the Aramaic Bible itself as it perfectly translate what the Lord actually said....as opposed to our modern English Bibles "But He, The Redeemer of the accursed, The Spirit of Holiness, whom my Father sends in My name, He will teach you all things and He will remind you of everything whatsoever I have told you.”

That is powerful, my friends! When we don't know where to turn - Holy Spirit knows. When we don't know what to do - Holy Spirit knows. When we don't know whom to trust - Holy Spirit knows. When we don't know what His Will is - Holy Spirit does. When we don't know how to pray - Holy Spirit does. He just does...this and more.

You can have His revelation. You can also stifle and quench and shove Him in the background. Because He is a gentleman, He will not force Himself on you. However, if you wish to have the best life possible, free from chains, bondage and confusion, it is my joy to tell you -LET HOLY SPIRIT do it! Let Him have full reign of your life, because He knows you better than you know yourself and He knows what Father God has in mind for you. He knows as Jeremiah 29:11 says "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope". Amen

So let us pray:
Father, in the Name of Jesus, I come to You now in all sincerity and truth to express my wonder, amazement and complete gratitude that You, the Eternal God of Heaven, would even consider to allow Your Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Holiness and Truth, to descend from Heaven after Christ saved me, to live inside of me.

Father, we know all believers have the same Spirit of all Excellence, of all Truth, of all Majesty and of all Holiness.

We know You sent Him to be our Counselor when we doubt. Our Comforter when we are without and our Advocate when useless prayers we spout.

We know we can shove Him aside so we can enjoy, no matter how temporary, the fleeting things of this world.

We know that many of Your people are not taught the true Attributes and Power of the Spirit because modern religion has become another business or means to empower a few.

We know because of that, many cannot access that dunamis, that Dynamic Power which You have given us in all Your Wisdom, Father.

So now, this day, in the Name of Jesus, I ask You activate my Spiritual Heart for Truth! By activating it, my spirit will be lined up with the Person and Power and Presence of Holy Spirit Who lives RIGHT NOW in me! By activating it, I can see the ways and wonders You have in store for me. By activating it, I can grow into the person YOU designed me to be.

Lord and not just activate it, but set my spiritual heart on fire! Set it on fire for You! Let me burn with the Fire of Your Holiness to shine the Light of Christ all around me in a dark and evil world. Set it on fire that many may see and want to know the same God You sent to live in me Who represents You!

I am ready, Lord God. I am ready to be set on fire for You. I am ready to fight the good fight. I am ready to finish the race and bring glory to You, in Jesus' Name amen!

TOMORROW: GOD IS EL-SHADDAI

EXPLORATION OF JEREMIAH'S VISION OF CREATION

2012-01-24T18:55:00.001-06:00

Truth is relative to an individual’s maturity level. While God is the Truth, his children are all in a process of learning and growing in Him. Some of God’s children are breastfed while some are milk drinkers, and others have graduated to meat. We are all in a different level of learning so to one person truth may be at the milk level while to another person truth is at a meat level. With that understanding in mind it takes a willingness to love people where they are in this process.

Some people can be quite intolerant but that is not how we are to walk in love. God is calling his people and we are all in a process of learning about Him, therefore we should endeavor, personally, to study, as the word tells us, to show ourselves approved of God as workmen, needing not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. We all are required to push ourselves to learn, rather than be spoon fed.

by Lori Clayton

As we explore other scriptures relating to our creation story, we find a section in Jeremiah that is quite interesting. In the context of this section, Jeremiah is prophesying to the Israelites that watchers, or gentiles would come and raise their voices against Israel because they have been rebellious toward God. Jeremiah 4:16-ff. God through Jeremiah says that destruction is coming because they did not know God. Then Jeremiah gives us a vision of the entire earth. What he sees is the destruction that happened in Genesis 1:2. Some might say that this is a future event but there are flaws in that argument which we will see later. After the vision, Jeremiah prophesy’s again that the Lord says the whole land shall be desolate. The first thing we have to take note of is the tense changing.

First Jeremiah prophesy’s in present tense, then tells us a vision in past tense (saw, was, were) then Jeremiah prophecies again in the future tense (shall, will). If we keep our tenses straight we can understand what he is saying. For our purposes we will look at Jeremiah’s past tense vision, which is not a prophecy, just the explanation of a vision. This is an example of understanding scripture in light of the context.

Jer 4:23-31 I beheld the earth, and, lo, it was without form, and void; and the heavens, and they had no light.24 I beheld the mountains, and, lo, they trembled, and all the hills moved lightly.25 I beheld, and, lo, there was no man, and all the birds of the heavens were fled.26 I beheld, and, lo, the fruitful place was a wilderness, and all the cities thereof were broken down at the presence of the Lord, and by his fierce anger.

Remembering Genesis1:2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.KJV The same Hebrew words for without form and void are used in Jeremiah’s vision.

Jeremiah sees the earth, not a city, not Israel, he sees earth formless and void, without light. There were mountains that moved and hills that moved which speaks of earthquakes. Then he says he sees no man, and birds fled, and the gardens and the ranchlands became a wilderness, and the cities were broken down. This means there were cities, that someone made, but there were no men anymore. The earth became empty, wasteland, and dark because the Lord was angry.

Let’s look at this section of scripture from two other translations

Jeremiah 4:23 I looked at the land - it was unformed and void - and at the sky - it had no light. 24 I looked at the mountains, and they shook - all the hills moved back and forth. 25I looked, and there was no human being; all the birds in the air had fled. 26 I looked, and the fertile fields were a desert, all the land's cities were razed to the ground at the presence of ADONAI, before his burning anger. (Complete Jewish Bible http://www.biblestudytools.com/cjb/)

READ THE REST OF THIS AMAZING ARTICLE BY CLICKING HERE

THIRTY DAY PRAYER CHALLENGE - DAY 24

2012-01-24T04:47:00.000-06:00

PRAY THE NAMES OF GOD

DAY 24
GOD IS GRACE

I heard about an experience a man had at the local mall several years ago, when he backed his huge car out of a parking spot during the busy Christmas season. The problem was, he said he was not paying attention and promptly backed into the front of another car coming up the aisle! From all accounts, this old piece of Detroit steel, which seniors are known to drive, did little or no damage to the fairly new car he plowed backwards into!

The driver of the other car, got out and proceeded to tell the aging gentleman not worry about it as there was no damage! The man told me, immediately the Holy Spirit spoke these words over and over to him "Great Grace....Great Grace"! This man could have gotten a ticket or worse, even sued by the car owner he backed into...because we live in such a time. But it WAS the Grace of God that nothing happened and both men parted in well, grace and peace!

This is how God is with us. We do stupid things and commit sin knowingly. We commit sins of the flesh and thought and everything imaginable. God could easily wipe us off the face of this map with one word and in the blink of an eye. But He chooses not too, because He is Grace.

The definition of Grace is unmerited favor. We do nothing for it. In fact, if we get our just desserts, we'd be in a world of hurt. But, God....woohoo...but, God - He looked down and had compassion on us and gave Grace. His Name is Grace. His Character is full of Grace. He IS the GOD of GRACE.

Grace has been described as God's Riches At Christ's Expense...and it is! It is THE most expensive gift ever! It cost GOD the SON EVERYTHING! He poured Himself out from heaven to be abused and killed by the scum of the Earth, so that we may have reconciliation with Heaven...because of GRACE. It cost Christ EVERYTHING! It costs us nothing to obtain!

It was Grace, Grace God's Grace, Grace that is greater than ALL my sin which brought me out of darkness into Light...and it all happened at the Cross!

God resists the proud but gives Grace to the humble. Are you humble today? Do you need a touch of His Hand today? Are you even under Grace or under Law? Are you saved by Grace alone through Faith alone in Christ alone...or are you trusting in your own so-called Goodness?

Do you have Saving Grace which rescues us from Judgment?
Do you have Sustaining Grace which lifts you up?
Do you have Sanctifying Grace to grow in Him?
Do you have Serving Grace to help others?
Do you have Sovereign Grace to glorify Him?

If you do...or wish to, let's pray right now:

Father, in the Name of Jesus, I thank You for being God Who gives Grace and offers Grace to the lost and formerly arrogant! I thank You that You have given us of Yourself rather than what we deserve, which is death and destruction!

Lord, You said in Ephesians 1:5-8 that You "predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of YOUR will, to the praise of YOUR glorious GRACE"....for that, I am in awe and throw myself at Your feet in gratitude.

You said in that same passage that You "blessed us in the Beloved (Jesus) and that in Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses".... Lord, thank You for Calvary and the Precious Blood of the Lamb, which was shed for all mankind on that day....and the Blood whose Crimson flow comes in like a tide to make us as white as snow!

You said again in those verses that it was "according to the riches of HIS GRACE, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight"...and Father, that wisdom and insight was Yours. YOU came up with that amazing plan to rescue men and women from the pit we were heading to, because of Adam's sin.

Father God, I am eternally grateful and surrender all to you, because Your Saving Grace sustains me daily. Your Sustaining Grace energizes and carries me through difficult times so that your Sanctifying Grace could grow me into the person YOU wish me to be.

Lord, let me serve others with the Sovereign Grace You imparted to me when You called me to be Your son that they may see You, in me, and proceed to Glorify You, my Father in Heaven....to the Power and Majesty of His Name, the Name above all Names, amen and amen!!

TOMORROW: GOD IS COMFORTER

(image by google images)

LORA ROSSI'S WRITINGS - FAMILY, FUN, WELLNESS, RAISING BOYS & MORE

2012-01-23T17:12:00.002-06:00

Many of you have asked for an easy place to access my published work outside of my blog, and since I am a freelance writer & blogger, I wanted to put together a page outlining the magazines, sites and organizations for which I am a Contributing Writer in some way, shape of form.

These links will take you to post(s) that talk about these awesome companies/organizations that noticed my work and have given me much needed exposure - and in some cases, are paying me for my writing!

(I will also continue to do occasional "guest blogger" posts on a number of sites and that will continue, but these will not be listed here. maybe another page is needed for that!)

Much gratitude to the fine folks at the following organizations!

What's Up Magazine (National Family Magazine, both in print and online) - Regular Contributing Freelance Writer

Compassion2One (US-based Charity helping children get out of the horrible sex trafficking trade) - Canadian Awareness Director / Editorial Writer & Blogger - currently working on an important series about the sex trafficking trade in Canada

Vividlife (Huge, Canadian website dedicated to helping people live their best, authentic lives) - Contributing Writer

Wellx (Otherwise known as WellnessX, a US-based hub for wellness professionals) - Regular Contributing Writer

Yummy Mummy Club (One of Canada's largest websites for moms and founded/owned by Canadian celebrity Erica Ehm, this site aims to communicate that moms are also dynamic, vivacious women) - Contributing Writer, Yummy Mummy Member Blogger, Proud Member

Raising Boys World (US-based website aimed at providing resources for parents of boys) - Contributing Writer

Women Business Owners Today (Canadian-based on-line network for women business owners) - Contributing Writer

I will add to and change this list as things happen, but here is a start!

For more information on my freelance writing, please e-mail me at lora.rossi@hotmail.com

Smiles,

Lora

Lora Rossi

Owner/Founder

Writer/Blogger

The Hugging Home

THIRTY DAY PRAYER CHALLENGE - DAY 23

2012-01-23T05:47:00.000-06:00

PRAY THE NAMES OF GOD

DAY 23
GOD IS WRATHFUL

Think about this for a second - Holy Father, the Lord Jesus and the Holy Spirit are up in heaven looking down on the unformed mass called planet Earth. Jesus speaks our world into existence and then all Three say "Let Us make man in Our Image".

Adam the perfect man is breathed into existence, given everything and a beautiful woman....except one thing - Do not eat from that Tree! Sure enough, Adam broke covenant with the Maker and all hell has since broken loose! It got so bad around the time of Noah that God Himself regretted publicly that He even made mankind (Read Genesis 6).

There was not just vile and evil acts of men - murder, mayhem, greed, pride, idolatry, devil-worship etc.. - but the fallen angels were committing a no- no! Angels, who were created before man, began having sexual relations with women, because they saw how beautiful women were. This created the Nephillim as well as a breed of giants.

In His Wrath, God destroyed the earth once by the Great Flood, when only Noah and his family were spared.
In His Wrath, God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, not just for sexual perversion, but for the sins of pride, greed and idolatry.
In His Wrath, God destroyed the northern Kingdom of Israel, after they abandoned Him and committed the worst acts any human can devise.
In His Wrath, God destroyed Judah and Jerusalem by sending the Babylonians, after they did the same and both ignored prophets Jeremiah, Ezekiel and Isaiah.

This is God's Corporate Wrath, where He judges an entire people. But what mortal men and women should be concerned about is His Personal Wrath! For 2000 years, the world has ignored the plain-as-day Message of Reconciliation brought from Heaven by Holy God, in the form of the Lord Jesus. The Ancient of Days, stepped off His Throne, gave up all His Rights to be born a baby in Bethlehem and lived for 33 years as a lowly man.

He showed us the Father in Heaven.
He showed us the Love of God.
He showed us the Salvation of God.
He showed us the Way to God.
He showed us the Grace of God.

He was beaten. He was humiliated. He was persecuted and then killed by religious men. Yet He said not a word except "IT IS FINISHED". For that living Sacrifice of God, Who gave the explicit way back to Him, so that Adam's sin can be paid for, through all time, has been trivialized by evil men and women until today.

The majority will continue to rebel against Him. While they see no judgment coming, they live in perpetual sin and degradation. They mock God. They blaspheme God. They spit in His Eye. They curse Him. They deny Jesus Christ and more. They have no idea they are storing up Wrath for themselves. But a day is coming, declares the Lord. Read the following two distinctive passages from the prophet Nahum and then pray with me:

The LORD is a jealous and avenging God;
the LORD is avenging and wrathful;
the LORD takes vengeance on his adversaries
and keeps wrath for his enemies.
The LORD is slow to anger and great in power,
and the LORD will by no means clear the guilty.
His way is in whirlwind and storm,
and the clouds are the dust of his feet.
(Nahum 1:2-3 ESV)

Who can stand before his indignation?
Who can endure the heat of his anger?
His wrath is poured out like fire,
and the rocks are broken into pieces by him.
The LORD is good,
a stronghold in the day of trouble;
he knows those who take refuge in him.
But with an overflowing flood
he will make a complete end of the adversaries,
and will pursue his enemies into darkness.
(Nahum 1:6-8 ESV)

Father in the Name of Jesus, I thank You that You are patient with us. I thank You that You did not destroy us again, after the Great Flood, where You gave Your rainbow as a covenant You will never flood the earth like that again to wipe out evil man and his sin.

I thank You that You gave a way of escape from the coming Wrath and Judgment through the Passover Lamb, Who died on the Cross for my sins. I thank You that You gave us the church age so that we may be saved, before the Day comes when it is no longer available.

Lord, day after day, night after night, many of all ages, including those who call themselves Christians die in their sins because, for their own stupid personal reasons, they refuse to come to You, to seek forgiveness and make their peace with You. Countless billions will spend eternity in Hell and the Lake of Fire, away from You, because they believed the Lie from the Pit.

They believed the Lie that it's okay to believe what they want.
They believed the Lie that they can say what they wish against the Lord Jesus.
They believed the Lie that there are other ways to You and Heaven apart from Jesus.
They believed they Lie that they can live as they wish, with no cost..."because in the end, it will all work out"!
They believed the Lie that a "Loving God won't send me to hell", while rebelling against You all the days of their lives.

While they believe all those Lies, Father, they stored up Wrath for themselves, which they will realize on the moment of their death, means eternal separation from You. Still, while they stored all of that up, You gave them the way of escape through Belief and Forgiveness through the Son, Jesus...and they continue to ignore it. You could wipe all that away, if they would just come to the Cross!!!!

Father, in these last days, I pray many will open their eyes and hearts, before it is too late for them...and I pray many will see the signs of the Times and confess with their mouths and believe in their hearts that Jesus Christ is Lord....and BE SAVED through His Blood and His Name, amen and amen! Oh God, let it be so, in Jesus' Holy and Precious Name, amen!

TOMORROW: GOD IS FULL OF GRACE

(image by google images)

THIRTY DAY PRAYER CHALLENGE - DAY 22

2012-01-22T05:41:00.000-06:00

PRAY THE NAMES OF GOD

DAY 22

GOD IS FAITHFUL

There was once a king, who grew up in the presence of a family who bowed down to both pagan gods and Jehovah God Himself. This king remained faithful. In the midst of the enemies of God, he drew a line and never crossed it.

When the enemy surrounded him, he and his spiritual advisor cried out to God and reassured their people that they should "be strong and courageous, because the Lord our God will go before us and fight their battles"! This occurred during Year 14 of his reign.

This leader, King Hezekiah, prayed a childlike prayer which both you and I should remember. He prayed the following: 2 Kings 19:14-19 Hezekiah received the letter from the messengers and read it. Then he went up to the temple of the LORD and spread it out before the LORD. And Hezekiah prayed to the LORD: “O LORD, God of Israel, enthroned between the cherubim, you alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth. Give ear, O LORD, and hear; open your eyes, O LORD, and see; listen to the words Sennacherib has sent to insult the living God.
“It is true, O LORD, that the Assyrian kings have laid waste these nations and their lands. They have thrown their gods into the fire and destroyed them, for they were not gods but only wood and stone, fashioned by men’s hands. Now, O LORD our God, deliver us from his hand, so that all kingdoms on earth may know that you alone, O LORD, are God.”

This leader, King Hezekiah, remained faithful to the Lord. God sent His Angel, who killed 185,000 of the enemy in their tents over that same night. When the enemy's leader, Sennacharib, woke up that morning and saw all his men dead, he retreated to Assyria.

Now here is where it got interesting. Right at that time, Faithful King Hezekiah became deathly ill with what many of us believe to be an extreme form of skin cancer (or the Bible calls is a boil on the skin). God sent His prophet Isaiah to tell King Hezekiah to put his house in order, because he was going to die!

Hezekiah again prayed another child-like prayer in tears and supplication! He prayed this simple prayer: "Then Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the LORD, and said, “Please, O LORD, remember how I have walked before you in faithfulness and with a whole heart, and have done what is good in your sight.” And Hezekiah wept bitterly.(Isaiah 38:2-3 ESV)

God proved Himself FAITHFUL to those who are faithful to Him! In the very next two verses of Isaiah 38, Jehovah Rapha - God Who Heals, sent a message to King Hezekiah via Isaiah "Go and say to Hezekiah, Thus says the LORD, the God of David your father: I have heard your prayer; I have seen your tears. Behold, I will add fifteen years to your life". (Isaiah 38:5 ESV)

Scripture and secular history books from both Egypt and Assyrian, confirmed that Hezekiah lived another 15 years after it was well known, the king had a deadly disease, from Judah to Babylon!

God's Name is Faithful!

So Father, in the Name of Jesus, Numbers 23:19 says God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it? God You proved that when You fought the battles for King Hezekiah.

You not only fought the battle against Sennacharib and Rabshakah and destroyed evil, but You fought the battle against cancer and delivered Your Faithful servant Hezekiah from it. Because You gave him 15 more years to live, many in the ancient world came to Jerusalem to visit him and saw Your Glory and witness Your Sovereign will and power.

Father, today, that Faithfulness to Your promises to never leave and/or forsake us, no matter what battles in life we face, stands. You are Eternal Father, All Creation worships You. I do. I will. I always will. Even if you never add 15 or 20 or 30 years to my mortal life, I will. Even if you never destroy those who persecute me, I will. Even if You heal the enemy and cause me to fail, I will.

I will adore You. I will glorify You. I will magnify Your Name through all the Earth.

Psalm 145:13 says "The Lord is faithful to all His promises and loving toward all He has made". Father God, I believe that. I know You love me, because You sent Your own son to die for me and then called me to His Salvation.

2 Corinthians 1:20 says "For no matter how many promises God has made, they are "YES" in Christ. And through Him the "Amen" is spoken by us to the Glory of God"!

Wow, Father! Thank you for that Precious Precious Word.

You, oh God are Faithful! Your mercy endureth forever, oh God! Because Your promises are Yes and Amen, I can rest secure in my Faith in Christ and my faithfulness to You, just as Your servant Abraham! Father, I count on Your promises because when You say it, I believe it.

Lord, I believe that, right now, in the Name of Jesus, there is someone reading this who is going through a major health or relationship issue. Father, I pray right now...right now, that they will turn to You in tears and supplication and pray this same prayer King Hezekiah prayed “Please, O LORD, remember how I have walked before you in faithfulness and with a whole heart, and have done what is good in your sight.”

Father, may they pray that prayer, with all submission of a heart committed to the Lordship of Jesus Christ and may they believe, in His Name, that You will never leave or forsake them in their marriage, their health, their parenting (if a parent) or their relationship with peers (in school, business or community).

God Your Name is Faithful. When the Lord Jesus returns on His Great white horse of Heaven, Revelation 19:11 says "Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True"...Faithful and True! And it is in this Only One True Faithful and Wonderful Son of God I believe, pray and obey, Jesus Christ NOW AND FOREVER.....Jesus Christ - YES AND AMEN, amen and amen!!!!

TOMORROW: GOD IS WRATHFUL

(image by google images)

THIRTY DAY PRAYER CHALLENGE - DAY 21

2012-01-21T03:21:00.000-06:00

PRAY THE NAMES OF GOD

DAY 21

GOD IS WISE

The Bible says that God has chosen the foolish things of this world, to confound the “wise”. The prophet Isaiah recorded the fall of the Lucifer, the most beautiful angel ever created and how he tried to elevate himself above the Creator. The full account can be read HERE. As a result, Man in his arrogance has assumed the position of knowing more than Almighty God Who created him!

This happened long before God created the heavens and the earth in Genesis 1. Therefore, when Satan the serpent, approached Eve in Genesis 3 and tricked her into eating the Forbidden Fruit from the Tree, from which God has warned then to partake, there was already trouble in paradise. God had already sworn that He would destroy the wisdom of the wise and frustrate the intelligence of the intelligent (1 Corinthians 1: 18-19)!

What God has ordained, said and preached in Heaven, Jesus confirmed – it will NEVER be broken. God is not a man and cannot lie. His Word is established in the Heavens. He has already said that “His Ways are not our ways”.

God is Wise. His Wisdom cannot be fathomed. If we wish to be in on what He is doing, in these last days, there is a simple requirement – THE FEAR OF THE LORD IS BEGINNING OF WISDOM. We shall discuss more on the Fear of the Lord on a different day.

The Wisdom of God is far superior to all the riches and intelligence of man. All the Harvards, Princetons and MITs of this world could come close to an inkling of the Imagination and the Infinite Wisdom of the One True God. All the books; movies; theories; educators; politicians and scientists of this world have a fraction of true wisdom, compared to the amazing Mind Who created, for example, the Human Body or the life support system we have all around us.

We take it all for granted. We talk endlessly about our accomplishments. We boast about our "power". We even oppressed fellow citizens to hold on to that power. But the Lord has a Word for all of this, from His Psalm 2:

Why do the nations rage

and the peoples plot in vain?

The kings of the earth set themselves,

and the rulers take counsel together,

against the LORD and against his Anointed, saying,

“Let us burst their bonds apart

and cast away their cords from us.”

He who sits in the heavens laughs;

the Lord holds them in derision.

Then he will speak to them in his wrath,

and terrify them in his fury, saying,

“As for me, I have set my King

on Zion, my holy hill.” (Psalm 2:1-6 ESV)

He proves by His Eternal and Unbroken Word that He is watching, He is wise and He will judge. He will judge those who are not of the King, Jesus. But He also gives even evil rulers and subjects another chance at eternal Life, if we will just obey and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. From the same Psalm 2, God says:

Now therefore, O kings, be wise;

be warned, O rulers of the earth.

Serve the LORD with fear,

and rejoice with trembling.

Kiss the Son,

lest He be angry, and you perish in the way,

for His wrath is quickly kindled.

Blessed are all who take refuge in Him....(Psalm 2:10-12 ESV)

Two things to notice about our Only Wise God:

1. He wants us to have the wisdom of Heaven.

2. He wants us...and all mankind...to be on the alert, that if we do not "Kiss the Son", fear and seek salvation from Him, the Wrath of God will be the result and all these geniuses and elites from Academia, Media and politics will be cast straight into hell!

Note, when God says "Kiss the Son" in Psalm 2:12 above, the actual Hebrew word "nashaq" means to "fasten" or "attach" oneself to the Son - the Lord Jesus!

Father in the Name of the Son, I thank You that You made the offer here in Psalm 2:12, in Your everlasting and eternal Wisdom and Grace, for all mankind to Kiss the Son. You made that offer when You sent the Lord Jesus to die on the Cross outside Jerusalem in 33 AD for all the sins of mankind, for all time.

Lord, in Your Infinite Wisdom, You looked down the road at our helpless estate, from the fall of Adam and Eve, felt pity on us and then provided the Way, in Truth, back to Life in You!

Father God, right now, I attach myself, I fasten myself to the Son, the Lord Jesus. Lord, nothing in this world I bring, only to Thy Cross I cling. I love You and worship and praise and adore and magnify Your Name above all the earth.

You have taken the foolish things of this world to confound the "wise".
You see the entire forest and not the trees or the busy body things which perishing and lost souls chase after in their folly.

You see the beginning to the end, and observe the evil plots and designs of mortal men.

You scoff at them in Your True Wisdom.

Lord, I bow down before You. I seek to be like You. I seek to have as close to the Mind of Christ as I can as any mortal man can and live, because I wish to see with His Eyes.

I wish to love with His Heart.

I wish to act as He does.

I can only do that, Father, if I completely committed and sold out to the Person and the Lordship of the Son, to Whom I belong.

Thank You, that in my sin and lost state, You looked down from Heaven and pulled me out of the quicksand and gave me Your Spirit, that I may discern and begin on the Road to the Authentic Wisdom of Heaven. I thank You and sing Glory to You forever more, in the Name of the Son and King of Heaven - the Lord Jesus Christ Who is coming to rule one day from Mt. Zion. Amen and amen.

TOMORROW: GOD IS FAITHFUL

THIRTY DAY PRAYER CHALLENGE - DAY 20

2012-01-20T02:20:00.002-06:00

PRAY THE NAMES OF GOD

DAY 20

GOD IS JEHOVAH-NISSI (THE LORD IS MY BANNER)

The practice of going into battle with a banner or a standard before you, is as old as the Bible - literally!

The book of Exodus, Chapter 17:8-16 records the famous battle between the Israelites and the Amalekites. It is famous because it contains the account of Moses high up from the battle. Whenever Moses held his hand up, the Israelites would be winning the war. When his arms grew tired and fell to his side, the Israelites started losing and would be beaten back!

Finally Moses' brother Aaron and Hur, came up to Moses and both men held up Moses' hands so he won't get tired. Aaron and Hur did that until sundown and the great Joshua, God's General, had completely beaten the evil Amalekites!

The Lord told Moses to write down this account in a book (now called Exodus). Moses built an altar to the Lord and called it "THE LORD IS MY BANNER" or Jehovah-Nissi! He declared "He is my Banner, a Hand upon the Throne of the Lord!! The Lord will have war with Amalek from generation to generation"!

Amen.

As a side note, God did war against Amalek again in the Bible. There was a man in the book of Esther named Haman who tried to destroy the Jews again, just like his ancestors - the Amalekites. This was when God chose both Mordecai and Esther to save his people. God's woman - Esther- became the Queen of Persia!

THE LORD IS MY BANNER (or Standard).

His Standard goes before us today. You and I, who are saved, follow the Blood-stained banner of the Cross of Christ. The Cross is our Standard. Our spiritual hearts are the altars. Our bodies, the Temple (of the Holy Spirit). We sacrifice ourselves at this altar daily to our one True God.

Father in the Name of Jesus, I thank You, oh God Most High, that You have given us the Victory against our own Amalekites - the modern day demons of sin, lust, greed and the flesh.

God, my Father, You are the Standard, the Plumbline of Truth, the Banner of Truth, Who goes before me and fights all my battles and wins them, just as You did for Your great general Joshua, who took Your people into Canaan, the Promised Land.

Lord, Moses held up his hands and Your Servant Joshua won the Battle. But, Lord, he needed help, because his hands got tired! Today, of Father in Heaven, we who wait upon You will never get tired, if we follow You as You said. We will run and never get tired. We will soar like the eagles.

Today, oh Lord, we fly under the Blood-stained banner of the Lord Jesus Christ...my Lord and Savior. Jesus set the standard when He gave all at the Cross, that we might be saved and grafted into the Kingdom. I accept that Standard for my life.

Jesus told me take up my own Cross daily and follow Him. That banner of the Cross goes before me as a symbol of my undying surrender to Him and my perpetual dying to the deeds of my flesh.

Jesus told me His Word is Truth and the Scripture cannot be broken. That banner of the Word of God is embedded on my heart and mind and goes before me as the Living Bible and Word in action, as I seek to walk in Christ's Light daily.

Jesus told me the Counselor, the Helper will come to lead me unto all Truth. That banner of the Holy Spirit has firm hold of my eternal soul and access to the very core of my being, in order that all 9 Fruits of the Spirit will shine through me, as a banner of Christ's Love and Salvation living within me.

I thank You God for that privilege.
I thank You God for that honor.
I thank You God for that Truth.
I thank You God for that free gift from You!

I lift up my hands in Praise as Moses did.
I will never tire of worshiping You in everything.
I will lift up my heart in Praise.
I will lift and exalt Your Holy Name daily, for it is Good and I will seek to inspire many to come to Faith and Trust in You, in the Mighty Name of Christ Jesus, the King, amen.

TOMORROW: GOD IS WISE

(image by bing images)