The Thirsty Heart

The Cross

noreply@blogger.com (Lola) — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 16:28:00 +0000

This gospel

the gospel of peace

the gospel of hope

it is able to deliver

it is able to heal

On the cross

Jesus bore your sins.

On the cross

He paid the eternal sacrifice.

On His hands and feet

are holes so deep
and in Him you'll find

Everlasting life.

For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He [even] gave up His only begotten (unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life.

- John 3:16 (AMP)

Have a blessed week!

Claim Token: CY5CW5HUXF57

I'm Still Coming!

noreply@blogger.com (Lola) — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 12:16:00 +0000

Jesus says,

"And behold, I am coming speedily..."

"Behold, I am coming soon..."

"[Surely] I am coming quickly (swiftly, speedily)..."

- Rev 22:7, 12, 20 (AMP)

****************************
The Dreams

It’s 12 noon and I’m standing outside looking up into the sky, I see the sun,but It looks like it’s covered up by a thick black shadow (just like when there’s a total sun eclipse) with two large angels standing beside it. It was day, yet it looked like night. I suddenly realized that I wasn’t the only one beholding this strange sight; there were lots of people who were there puzzled just like me…

Like a curtain folding in a play, the scene ends and then, another begins…

I’m standing in an open land, there are no plants, trees or vegetation, just empty dry red dusty land; at a distance, I hear people cheering, so I walk towards them, what could they be cheering at in a place like this?, I wondered. As I pushed my way through the crowd, I noticed that they had made a circle and right in their midst was a creature so hideous, that it made chills run down my spine! The creature was humongous; bigger than the mountains behind it, it had the body and feet of a lion with seven snake-like heads, it’s skin was rough, red and dry…The people just stood there gazing in adoration, clapping, and cheering the creature on.

I look at the creature in horror and the faces of those I was standing close by. I couldn’t understand their delight, all I wanted to do was run away…I looked behind me and I saw a door, I grabbed the arm of the person closest to me. Hurry! I said, there’s a way out of here! Hurry!! He looked at me like I was insane and pulled his arm from mine as I ran out through the door..The door slammed shut, I woke up, Then I heard the Lord say,

“Tell them, I am coming soon”
****************************************

I remember about 20 years back, there was a lot of fuss about Jesus coming soon, predictions were made by lots of people concerning the end times. Most Christian movies were about the rapture, antichrist, and the mark of the beast. Cults rose up with leaders who took advantage of their followers by making false predictions about the end of the world.

However, as the years have gone by with 'the end' not in sight, many have stopped anticipating His return. Jesus gave us an illustration concerning this:

“When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah’s day. In those days before the flood, the people were enjoying banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat. People didn’t realize what was going to happen until the flood came and swept them all away. That is the way it will be when the Son of Man comes."

- Matt 24:37-39(NLT)

As believers of Jesus, we have to be cautious of the times we live in, and do as Jesus instructed;"You, too, must keep watch! For you don’t know when the master of the household will return—in the evening, at midnight, before dawn, or at daybreak. Don’t let him find you sleeping when he arrives without warning.I say to you what I say to everyone: Watch for him!” - Mark 13:35-37(NLT)

And for those who don't have a personal relationship with Him, I implore you to do so now. He is waiting with open arms to accept you just as you are (Please click here to find out more).

With Joy and expectation in my heart, I join the heavens to say; Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!

Stay Blessed.

Trust Me

noreply@blogger.com (Lola) — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 22:45:00 +0000

"Trust Me"

A word that stands alone

a word that is said

by a God who is true

Explanations are not necessary

How, when, or where

May not be answered

but all that is said

is to be accepted with calmness and peace

with a knowledge

of His unfailing faithfulness.

For His Words are true

and will come through for you.

I've been pondering on a question for a couple of days now, and would like to throw it open to you;

Can God be trusted?

Before you answer hastily, pause, take a deep breath and think about it.

According to Webster’s online dictionary, trust is an assured reliance on the character, integrity, ability, strength, or truth of someone or something. In essence, before someone can be trusted he must be trustworthy, or in other words, deserving of trust.

Since knowledge provides a platform on which trust (or distrust) can be built, the Holy scriptures are packed full with information required to understand the true nature of God. I say 'true' nature because, over the ages many assumptions have been made about His personality. It is little wonder then, that many find it difficult trusting Him.

Hear what the scriptures say;

God is not like people. He tells no lies.
He is not like humans. He doesn’t change his mind. (GW)

Whatever he promises, he does;

He speaks, and it is done. (GNB)

- Num 23:19

Open your mouth and taste, open your eyes and see— how good God is.
Blessed are you who (run to, trust in) him.

- Psalm 34 :8 (MSG)

The works of His hands are [absolute] truth and justice [faithful and right]; and all His decrees and precepts are sure (fixed, established, and trustworthy). They stand fast and are established forever and ever and are done in [absolute] truth and uprightness.

- Psalm 111:7-8 (AMP)

...it is impossible for God to lie…

- Heb 6:18 (NLT)

God wants you to trust Him, so take out time to study His word, and allow it to paint a masterpiece on the canvas of your heart.

My answer is Yes! God can be trusted!

The Throne Room

noreply@blogger.com (Lola) — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 23:41:00 +0000

I lift up my eyes to the heavens,
And I see the feet of the One;
The Almighty One.
He is seated on a throne,
High and lifted up

The heavenly host worships Him
one worship after another fills the air
one says, "Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come."
another says, "Heaven and earth are full of your glory!"

The twenty-four elders around the throne
cast down their crowns and fall down to worship Him,
not because they have to,
but because they are drawn to.
What else can they do?
For the Great God
sits before them.
and words are not enough
so, in awe they bow down,
in awe they worship

His glory fills the room,
Colors and lightening surround His throne.
I gaze at His awesomeness,
And all I can do is lie with my face down at His feet
No words can express what I feel
And at that instant, everything is forgotten
And nothing else matters.

Could it be that this is my father?
Is this the One who seeks to bless me?
Is this the One who loves me unconditionally?
Is He the One who holds me close when I need embrace?
This God who is so mighty and full of glory?

How awesome is this God
How majestic are your ways
How mighty O God
How mighty!
My heart cries out, "Holy, Holy, Holy!"
(Further Study: Revelation 4:1-11)

You know sometimes, it's easy for us to get entangled with a lot of 'stuff' that take up all our time and attention. We get carried away, and often forget that we were created (fashioned) to worship Him.

As a child of God, you have been granted direct access through the blood of the Lamb, Jesus Christ (Hebrews 10:19, 21). So take out time to visit the throne room with the sweet fragrance of worship today because your Heavenly Father is waiting for you. And as you do so, you will find out that all your cares, anxieties and fears will be drowned in His presence.

Stay blessed!

"I Love You"

noreply@blogger.com (Lola) — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 10:46:00 +0000

I love you
That's all I came to say
That's why I agreed to die
To die on the cross for you

I love you
Though many times you don't realize it
I reach out for you each moment
Trying to catch your attention

Why don't you see me?
I am calling
Your heart hears me
But your head says "no"

"It can't be God"
Your thinking says.
"God doesn't love me"
You say again and again

But the holes in my hands,
And the hole in my side
Tell a different tale

My heart bleeds
It bleeds when you hurt
Because I love you so

I love you
Nothing can change that
There's nothing you can do
That tampers with my love for you

I love you
Turn around and see
I am here with open arms
To carry you to where I am.

But God shows and clearly proves His [own] love for us by the fact that while we were still sinners, Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One) died for us.
- Romans 5:8 (AMP)

And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord
- Romans 8:38-39 (NLT)

This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. God didn't go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again. Anyone who trusts in him is acquitted; anyone who refuses to trust him has long since been under the death sentence without knowing it. And why? Because of that person's failure to believe in the one-of-a-kind Son of God when introduced to him.
- John 3:16-18 (MESSAGE)

Have a blessed weekend!

A Thirsty Heart

noreply@blogger.com (Lola) — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 23:00:00 +0000

Have you ever being thirsty? I mean really thirsty. You could do just about anything to get a drink.

I remember when I was five, I loved going into my mum’s room. It was my favorite room in the whole house because there was a very large mirror there (so it seemed because I was only about 3feet tall anyway :-)). Often, I would sneak away into the room to take a look at my reflection; standing and staring into my eyes for a couple of minutes at a time. One day, while on my quest as usual, these thoughts raced through my mind as questions, “What if there was no floor to stand on, would I fall endlessly forever?”, “What existed before God?”, “Who created God?”, “Where and how was I before God created me?”, “Where would I be If I wasn’t born?”, “What if God didn’t exist, then how would everything look like?” and I would go on to imagine how it would be like if God hadn’t created the earth and I was the only one in it! Big questions for a little girl you may say, but looking back at that time in my life, I now realize why I had all those questions.

You see, every man is born with an innate thirst for God; a longing so intense that we go through life trying to satisfy it. We have a lot of questions and many are unanswered until unconsciously, everything we do is centered on it.

As I grew older, I realized that the void can only be filled by the One and Only living God through the salvation that is offered by Jesus Christ. You can search everywhere else and not find Him, because He can only be reached through His Son Jesus. He will see you through all the time and will guide and lead you through the path of life. It is impossible to know Jesus and not love Him for He is Love. God says in Jeremiah 29:13, “You will search for me. And when you search for me with all your heart, you will find me [I will make you find me]!” emphasis in square brackets are mine.

Who is Jesus? You may ask, the bible tells us that he is the Only way to the Father. He is gentle and loving and ever ready to accept you. It doesn’t matter what you’ve done in the past because He knows all about it and still wants you to come to Him. Jesus is the express image of God, and He is God’s way of expressing the extent of His love for you. He came to this earth as a man to die for your sins, and on the third day he rose again. So stop groping in the dark and let Jesus into your heart if you haven’t done so. How? You may ask. Simple, the bible says that “If you declare with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and if you believe in your heart that God raised Jesus from the dead, you will be saved. We believe with our hearts, and so we are made right with God. And we declare with our mouths that we believe, and so we are saved.” Romans 10:9-10 (NCV). Just say this prayer:

Heavenly father, I come to you today in obedience to your word. I believe so strongly in my heart that Jesus Christ is your Son and He died and you raised Him up from the dead. I therefore confess with my mouth that Jesus is my Lord and savior. From this day, I am saved and free from the condemnation of sin and I receive the Holy Spirit as You promised. I walk in the new life with the help of your Spirit. Thank you Father! Amen.

For those of you like me, that have been born again for a while, ask the Holy Spirit to reveal Himself to you and make you thirst for Him each day. There are levels in God that words cannot express. Levels and depths that are available for you to explore. Don’t live a boring and ordinary life because there’s more! There’s sooo much more!!

Stay Blessed.

Blessed

noreply@blogger.com (Lola) — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 09:03:00 +0000

1 BLESSED (HAPPY, fortunate, prosperous, and enviable) is the man who walks and lives not in the counsel of the ungodly [following their advice, their plans and purposes], nor stands [submissive and inactive] in the path where sinners walk, nor sits down [to relax and rest] where the scornful [and the mockers] gather.
2 But his delight and desire are in the law of the Lord, and on His law (the precepts, the instructions, the teachings of God) he habitually meditates (ponders and studies) by day and by night.
3 And he shall be like a tree firmly planted [and tended] by the streams of water, ready to bring forth its fruit in its season; its leaf also shall not fade or wither; and everything he does shall prosper [and come to maturity]
- Psalm 1:1-3 (AMP)

The law of the Lord is a collection of rules, guidelines, teachings, and instructions contained in the Bible, that the children of God live by. No wonder David said, "Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path" Ps 119:105

You are blessed when you choose above all else, and at all times to make your decisions guided by these laws.

You can only learn these laws if you take out time to study and understand the scriptures, by the help of your teacher, the Holy Spirit.

When you understand the word, it will bring you great delight.

Before you can meditate on the word, you have to understand and believe what it says.

You can only remember to apply these laws when needed, if you habitually meditate on what you have studied.

It's never too late to start doing it God's way. God says that when you live this way, EVERYTHING you do shall prosper and come to maturity. (Who wouldn't want that?! :-) )
So as you go through each day, find out what the bible says about that situation and act appropriately.

You are blessed indeed!

Silent Laborers?!

noreply@blogger.com (Lola) — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 15:38:00 +0000

A few years back, a friend of mine and I got talking one morning and she made a statement that pondered in my heart. She said; "The harvest is ripe and plenty" just as Jesus had said, and then added, "...but the laborers are many and are keeping silent"
What she said, I'm sure struck me more than it struck her. 'The laborers are silent' I thought. It includes both of us! She then said, "We have stopped praying" and I added, "We have stopped preaching"
The book of Ezekiel gives us a clear and specific warning in its 33rd chapter and 6th verse.

But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet to warn the people and the sword comes and takes the life of one of them, that man will be taken away because of his sin, but I will hold the watchman accountable for his blood. (NIV)

Scary right? In all truth, a very small portion of us have been doing our jobs as watchmen. God doesn't expect us to hold a placard all day, He knows that most of us have responsibilities, busy schedules, work long hours, face traffic jams and have little or no time for family and ourselves...He knows, God knows. Remember, He is your Father and friend.
It all begins from within, our heart. Take the first step; It can be as simple as a heart-felt prayer for a friend who needs Christ, or a kind word to someone who doesn't 'seem to deserve it', or a smile, or a loving hand of help to someone in need. For Jesus said,

Let your light so shine before men that they may see your moral excellence and your praiseworthy, noble, and good deeds and recognize and honor and praise and glorify your Father Who is in heaven.
- Matthew 5:16(AMP)

Allow the Light inside of you to shine..It's there! And when the need arises for you to speak the Lord will place the right words in your mouth with the grace and ability to do so.

Have a blessed week!

Rhapsody of Grace

noreply@blogger.com (Lola) — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 10:34:00 +0000

My God
You are so wonderful
so beautiful
it's hard to find words to describe You
Your mercy, grace, and favor overwhelms me

Did I do anything?
Anything to deserve your full attention?
You have showered me with your love
and bathe me in your forgiveness

You have made me a part of your family
born into riches
Yes!
I was born into royalty
and abundance

Robed with the finest purple
and adorned with the most precious of stones
covered in humility
and radiating with grace

I sit where You sit
Eat where You eat
I lean on your strong arms
content in knowing that You love me

I am above reproach
and rule where Christ rules...
All for the praise of your glory

Mysteries (secrets) are revealed
only to the children of the King
High and mighty
His reign will NEVER end

Deep secrets are understood
not by those who label themselves as 'wise'
but by the offspring of Jehovah

Yes, two kinds of beings walk this earth:
the 'Human-beings’ and the 'God-beings'
A new race and specie
that the world cannot understand

They look ordinary
so ordinary
that they themselves are sometimes deceived
but with the eye of the Spirit
it is seen
that these creatures
are a rare breed

It starts with its conception;
the Word meets the Spirit
as sperm meets an embryo
The birth is instant
and the growth gradual

Same hair, same eyes
same mouth, same legs
same height, same voice
but NEW

A newborn-spirit
with authority
don't be deceived,
the old never existed
and the new
is here to stay

I will praise You my God
for the great kindness You have shown
even angels marvel
at how much You love man

As part of your family,
I pray that I always live as You live
because I have the Life that You have. Amen.

Therefore if any person is [ingrafted] in Christ (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old [previous moral and spiritual condition] has passed away. Behold, the fresh and new has come!
- 2 Corinthians 5:17 (AMP)

Just One Way?

noreply@blogger.com (Lola) — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 13:50:00 +0000

Some years back, someone asked a question; Is Jesus the ONLY way, or Is Jesus the only way to him that believes so? So many thoughts raced through my mind as I pondered on the question: "... God was a loving God and would be kind to all who seek him, He wouldn't mind if man used different ways to reach Him. What about those born into other religions with a heart to seek him? Would they be condemned just because they didn't believe in Jesus?" After much thought, I finally made the conclusion that, Jesus is the only way to him that believes so...

I was holding my bible at that time and breezing through the pages when, amazingly, the millisecond I made that conclusion in my heart, my eye caught a verse of scripture which read;

There is one God and one mediator so that human beings can reach God. That way is through Christ Jesus, who is himself human.
- 1 Timothy 2:5 (New Century Version)

My mouth hung open in awe; I wasn't even looking for a scripture! God Himself spoke to me through His Word what He thought about it; He wanted me to discard the wrong thought immediately. I thankfully obeyed. Jesus is indeed the ONLY way to God!

Jesus said to him, "I am the Way and the Truth and the Life; no one comes to the Father except by (through) Me".
- John 14:6 (Amplified Bible)

Closer than you think

noreply@blogger.com (Lola) — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 08:39:00 +0000

Where is God
when it hurts so bad, and
you feel all is lost?

Where is He,
when dark storms seem to fall
and you can no longer stand tall?

Where is He,
when you are overblown with sickness
or when you lose someone so close
to death?

Where is He, when someone breaks your heart,
and throws it all in your face?
or when depression wraps it's heavy cloak
about your soul,
when God seems so distant and you,
all alone -

God is closer than He has ever been,
much more closer than you can ever imagine.
Stretch out a finger of faith,
and stand still,
for God feels all you feel,
and is eager to see you through,
one step at a time.

Real Faith

noreply@blogger.com (Lola) — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 10:45:00 +0000

I was going through my notes today and stumbled upon this write-up by Reinhard Bonnke and it made me think of how true his words are, Enjoy!

Faith is a decision; it is a matter of attitude;
Real Faith is faith in Christ Jesus, not just faith in the power of faith,
but faith in the power of God.
Not faith in ourselves, that we can do this or do that, or that something marvelous will happen,
but faith in God.
Faith is not in miracles, but in Jesus who makes them happen - and
faith means still believing when He does not make them happen.
Faith is believing God more than we believe in our feelings, more than our apprehensions.
True faith is always in someone - in Jesus,
in what He said, is saying, and is doing.
The more faith we have, the less we notice it;
it's just letting God do what he says He will do.

-culled from 'How to receive a miracle from God'