"A Child of God"

The Armor of God (Part - 2)

2011-10-07T22:59:00.000-03:00

Please read Part 1 if you haven't already!

"Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes." (Ephesians 6:11).

3. SHOES OF PEACE.
Our guide keeps our feet from stumbling and us from straying from God. "Away from me, you evildoers, that I may keep the commands of my God!" (Psalm 119:115). When we walk in the truth of the word (abide in it), it brings a sense of peace, joy and comfort that keeps us firmly standing in the face of a spirititual storm. It is the enemy's greatest desire and goal to rob us of this peace each day, because a lack of thereof, proceeds to rob us of our joy and in exchange...it instills fear, distress, depressing thoughts, and false delusions based on lies... etc. into our lives. "Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." (1 Peter 5:8)

A lack of peace and joy eventually leads us onto a path that diverts us from the perfect will of God for us, because it gives the enemy easy access to us. Just as physically walking without shoes leaves us vulnerable to bruising, or cutting, the soles of our feet by harmful objects, so is it in battling without our spiritual shoes of peace. Once the enemy robs us of our shoes of peace, we become susceptible to spirital injury, which then leaves us weak and feeling incapable of standing in the presence of God and His will in our lives! However, just us wearing shoes in the natural realm protects our feet from this very incident, so does walking with our shoes of peace. When we walk in peace, it keeps us strong and firmly rooted from falling prey to the enemy's traps to taunt us with 'time-outs' (ie. Laziness, nonexistent prayer life, etc). Bare-feet are dangerous! Keep your shoes on!

So! Are you wearing your shoes?

4. The SHIELD OF FAITH
Our cloak, just as a blanket covers us in cold weather, providing our bodies with warmth, our shield of faith protects us from fearful situations and the reminders the enemy throws at us. The devil knows our innermost fears and desires and knows how to make sure we are presented with situations that magnify them. Having our shield of faith helps us to protect ourselves from being "hit" with those fears and desires or allow them to affect us in any way. Faith activates God in our lives. "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." (Hebrews 11:6)

When we respond to fear with faith, it disolves immediately. Lifting our shield of faith against the enemy's "arrows of fear" and "stones of empty delusions and lies" it causes them to boomerang back to its source. Our faith weakens the enemy, because it boasts about all The Promises That God has for us. We threathen the enemy when we are well informed AND confident about what is rightfully ours through Christ. Faith is a powerful weapon. Walk in faith. Run in faith AND Excercise it!

So! Are you holding your shield up?

Learn how to apply them and live with them as your armor! Pray long and hard. Don't let anyone fall behind or drop out. Hold on to your brothers and sisters in Christ and fight united! And, fight the Good fight!

PART 3 COMING SOON..!

The Armor of God - Part 1

2011-09-19T15:15:00.000-03:00

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." (Ephesians 6:10-17)

With all my wife and I have been through over the last few years this has been such an empowering piece of scripture! We live in a fallen world sadly, but yet we are no longer to be of this wold as Christians. This is a fight to the finish and God has not left us unarmed! God is strong and He wants us to be strong as well. We are up against so much more than we can handle, or even see, on our own in this life. We must take all the help we can get. All the help God has granted us with His great love and mercy.

Truth: The belt of Truth buckled around your waist.

Righteousness: The breastplate of Righteousness in place.

Peace: The feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of Peace

Faith: Take up the shield of Faith.

Salvation: Take the Helmet of Salvation and the Sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

"Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes" (Ephesians 6:11).

It is vital for us to be fully clad with our spiritual armor day in and day out, because it is our only way of defeating and revoking the enemy’s strategies against us. Just as a soldier cannot enter the battlefield half-armed, neither can we begin our day without our spiritual armor fully shielding us from the cunning works of the enemy. Being half armed will leave us partially vulnerable to being wounded, and not being armed at all, would leave us in total peril (think of stepping out of your house during a snow storm undressed for a day) this is why it is a MUST to always have on our...

1. BELT OF TRUTH

Our belt is equivalent to knowledge of our identity in Christ Jesus. Knowing what He says about us, feels about us, and has promised to us in His word. The devil is a liar and the father of all lies…and because this is true of him, he constantly seeks ways to whisper lies laced with fears into our ears, and plant them in our hearts in hopes that a manifestation will bloom in our lives. He will often inject negative thoughts about ourselves into our minds, magnify small (temporary) problems that we encounter throughout the day as huge and permanent, and often "hits us below our belts" bringing up hurtful mistakes of our pasts etc. Just as a belt upholds a pair of jeans--preventing them from falling, and also gives shape to a beautiful dress, so does our spiritual belt shape our minds with the truth, transforming it with the Light of the word.

Wearing the belt of truth protects us from being engrossed in the enemy's lies and allowing them to distract us from our main focus - Jesus! When we view ourselves from God's perspective, have extensive knowledge and BELIEF in what HE says, WANTS for, and THINKS of us, the enemy's lies will be nothing more than a mere annoying fly on a summer day. We will SQUASH it with GOD's truth.

So! Is your belt fastened?

2. BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS

In the ancient times, soldiers never stepped out on the battlefield without a protective armor fully shielding their frontal body and back. This amor was usually made of an impermeable material such as brass or bronze, and covered the soldiers’ most sensitive and vital organs (Heart, Intestines, Kidneys, Liver etc...). Our spiritual breastplate does the same. It first and foremost covers our heart.

Our heart is what regulates our life. Without it, we die. With a corrupted one, we get ill. Knowing this,our opponent, the enemy, often likes to stir up situations that will spew negativity such as bitterness, anger, envy, unforgiveness into our hearts, and when the heart is spiritually contaminated with these things, it then spreads to the other vital organs, causing our spirits to slowly decay with sin...which eventually leads to a spiritual coma or death. Donning the breastplate of righteousness is equivalent to living in God's TRUTH and in HOLINESS. By meditating on His word and harboring it in our hearts, we prevent the filth and venom the enemy spits out from penetrating it and destroying us.

"I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you." (Psalm 119:11).
Not 'wearing' the breastplate leaves us very vulnerable to spiritual 'heart attacks'. In our natural physical condition, we are said to be healthy when our heart is. And, just as maintaining a healthy heart requires water, exercise and healthy foods, the same is true of our spirit. We must feed it DAILY with the Word of God, in order to keep the unhealthy things the enemy feeds from clogging up our arteries. "Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life." (Proverbs 4:23)

So! How is your heart?

PART 2 COMING SOON..!!!!

Learn how to apply them and live with them as your armor! Pray long and hard. Don't let anyone fall behind or drop out. Hold on to your brothers and sisters in Christ and fight united! And, fight the Good fight!

YOUR TONGUE

2011-08-24T20:08:00.003-03:00

YOUR NEIGHBOR'S REPUTATION AND YOUR TONGUE

“You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.” (Ex. 20:16).

This 9th Commandment has to do with controlling One's tongue. A very important, but extremely difficult task. James tells us the tongue can be tamed by no man, (James 3:1-8). However, Jesus reminds us that we can do all things through Him, (Phil. 4:13). Therefore, there is absolutely no excuse for a big mouth! We have an altar that is about 60 feet across. This should be sufficient space for just about anyone to lay their tongue on and get it under control.

Few people realize the incredible, destructive power of the human tongue.

Because of a few miss-spoken words:

Homes and families have been splintered,
Reputations shattered,
Careers shredded, and
Lives literally destroyed or even ended.

That little piece of muscle that lies in your mouth behind your lips and your teeth can bless or bruise, heal or hurt, love or lambaste. It all depends upon how you use it.

God says that we must never be guilty of lying on our neighbor thereby causing him to suffer. We are exhorted to always be truthful and absolutely honest when dealing with another person. As we consider some of what God has said about the tongue, may He help us to understand that every time we speak of another, we literally hold that person's reputation in our hands.

NOTE:“Let us now turn to the topic of today: namely, gossip and slander. I'll begin by giving you some basic facts about these words and their appearance in the NASB

The word gossip, or a variant of it appears, 7 times; once in the Old Testament, and 6 times in the New Testament.
1. 3 of the New Testament occurrences are in the form 'malicious gossips', which translates the Greek word diabolos – “devil”. This word occurs 34 other times; in all of those it is translated as devil. This perhaps provides some clue as to what God thinks of this activity.
2. The other 3 NT occurrences translate Greek words that mean either whispering or babbling.
3. The OT word means something like 'to be spacious, wide, or open.'
The word slander or its variants (including talebearer) occurs 29 times, 17 in the Old Testament, and 12 in the New Testament.
1. The 17 OT occurrences are translations of 8 different Hebrew words, with basic meanings including 'going about on foot', 'whispering','tearing apart', and 'evil report'.
2. The 12 NT occurrences include translations of a word that is also translated 'blasphemies', and other words with the basic meanings of 'speaking evil', and 'abusive speech'. “
3. As was mentioned above, the LXX often translated the Hebrew word for satan with the Greek noun diabolos. That is where the English word "devil" has its root – it comes from the old Greek word diabolos which was used in such meanings as "slanderer" and "enemy".

C. Michael Holloway
11 October 1998

How To Handle Your Neighbor's Reputation?

Or Better Yet

How Do You Handle Your Own?

1. A REPUTATION IS A VALUABLE POSSESSION

According to the Bible, one's "good name", or reputation, is far more valuable than riches or expensive ointments, (Pro. 22:1; Eccl. 7:1).

Your reputation determines the level of respect you receive - No one puts much confidence in a person who is dishonest, deceptive, or otherwise living his life in a sinful, shameful manner. I really respect people about whom I never hear a negative remark. Jesus was such a man - (Luke 2:52). We should do all that is in our power to see that we never allow our names to be associated with that which is disrespectful and shameful. It will undermine your good name and cause people to lose respect for you. Your life ought to be a beacon of integrity and decency.

Your reputation determines the level of the response you receive - Every Christian wants to be respected as a Christian and have his/her testimony be respected and responded to in a positive manner. The type of response that we can expect will always be determined by the kind of life others see us living! It has been said, "What you do speaks so loudly that I cannot hear what you are saying." In other words, the world will never believe what we say until they can see what we believe!

Your reputation is important, because what people perceive you to be is usually a fair indicator of what you really are. You see, your reputation is what others think you are and character is what you really are. However, people can misread us and misunderstand us and cause us to be something less than we actually are. However, as a general rule, your reputation is a direct result of your character. In other words, men think the way they do about you because of the way they see you act and live before them.

Your own reputation is valuable. Therefore, guard it with your very life. And, pray that others will do the same.

Now, you cannot be responsible for what others do with your reputation, but you are responsible for what you do with theirs.

Keep this in mind as we go forward with this message.

2. A REPUTATION CAN BE VANDALIZED PUBLICALLY

It is a serious thing - When we undermine the reputation of another by the words we speak, or write, we are guilty of destroying that persons respectability and credibility before others. We are guilty of doing unspeakable damage to a person's life and or ministry in life by the words we say about them.

I remember reading of a woman who was guilty of gossiping about another person. She was convicted and went to him to apologize to him and to try and make restitution for her wrongdoing. The person graciously accepted her apology and then told her that if she wanted to make it all right again, that she should take a pillowcase full of feathers to the top of the highest building in town and cast its feathers to the four winds. When this was done she was to return to him. She carried out his request and returned to him. He looked at her and said, "Now go and collect every one of those feathers." She replied, in horror, "That is impossible!" He said, "So, it is impossible for you to fully take back all those wrong hateful things you have said about me."

On another note a Pastor was having trouble with a gossip in the church. Every time she would see his car parked anywhere strange, she began immediately to spread the word that their Pastor was having an affair. There was no truth to her rumors, but she kept it up until the pastor, in an effort to stop her mouth, left his car parked in front of her house, day and night for a week. To say the least that cured the problem.

A lady was looking out her window, watching her neighbor hang her wash on the clothesline. As she watched, she remarked to a friend, "Our neighbor sure isn't clean. Why, just look at those streaks on her laundry." Her friend replied, "Those streaks are on your windows, not her clothes!" Sometimes, it is the sin in our own heart that makes us look for the evil in others!

The words of a false witness can be forgiven, but they will never be forgotten by those who are touched by their poison! Whether through wordy verbal gossip, email or Facebook, which seems to be today's arena of choice. Eternal damage can be done to reputations, relationships and ministries. People can even wind up in Hell because of the lies of a foolish person. I don't know about the rest of you, but I have absolutely no use for a gossip and a talebearer! I don't think the Lord does either!

It Is A Sad Thing

It is a sad day when one person thinks they have to repeat something on another. Embellish a false lie and involve others as joyful partakers in the conversations and afflictions. This is behavior that is hateful to God and demeaning to people! There are several ways in which people are guilty of using their tongues against another.

Slander – defined as, "Communication of false statements injurious to a person's reputation." We are guilty of slander when we knowingly lie about another person in an effort to harm their reputation.
Libel – defined as “Defamation by written or printed words, pictures, or in any form other than by spoken words or gestures. Anything that is defamatory or that maliciously or damagingly misrepresents.”
Lying – "A false statement deliberately presented as being true. We all have heard this one - “You know,?”, “Roomer Has It", “I've Been Told”, “You'll Never Guess What I Saw”, etc.
Talebearing – This is the practice of spreading gossip and rumors about others. It may be that the rumors are true. But, even that does not give us the right to tear down another's reputation. If we learn a secret about our neighbor, then we had better tell no one but God. He knows how to deal with their need and with them. I will promise you that He knows how to handle the gossip as well! Gossip is always a sin!
Insinuation – This is the practice of insinuating or hinting that something may be wrong in the life of another. When we are guilty of making people doubt another's reputation, we are guilty of sin before the Lord. This is the tactic that Satan tried to use against Job - (Job 1:11; 2:5).
Flattery – Flattery is saying something to a person's face that we would never say behind their backs. Usually flattery is given in an attempt to gain something from that individual. Flattery is lying!
Exaggeration – This is an easy lie to tell. We stretch numbers, statistics, etc., to make things look better. What fisherman is there who has not been guilty of stretching the size of the one that got away? When we exaggerate, we are lying!
Silence – When we here an untruth told and we remain silent, we are guilty of the "slander of silence." We become a party to the deception by not setting the record straight.
"Loose lips sink ships!" – This old saying is appropriate to the church today. Many churches are in turmoil because of gossiping and foolish talking today. God will deal with the gossip. Notice what the Word has to say about the trouble a gossip can cause - [Pro. 26:20-28].

This; whether we admit it or not, we are all guilty of lying. It's no wonder when 67% of North Americans do not believe in "absolute truth anymore”. It is said that 91% of us lie regularly. Most never make it through a week without lying, and 1 out of 5 cannot even make it through one day without telling a lie. But, we have gone way too far when we tell things on others that we know are untrue.

So... It Is A Sinful Thing? – When we practice any of these methods in regard to another, we are guilty of sin before the Lord! (Pro. 12:22; Lev. 19:16-17; Eph. 4:25).

In fact, God includes abuses of the tongue as three of the seven things He hates the most - (Pro. 6:16-19.) Are you guilty of using your tongue to harm another? If so, then you need to repent of that sin and get right with God! When you use your tongue to attack another, you are opening up your life to the judgment of God. James is exactly right when he says the tongue is a "World of iniquity."

So the question today now becomes; What shape is your world in?

Basically, God is saying that speaking evil is a big deal to Him. We humans may take it lightly, thinking "everyone does it" or "sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt them." God doesn't see it that way. He even compares speaking ill of others to murder!

Every Child of God needs to search his/her heart and determine for whose glory are we using our tongues.

3. REPUTATIONS SHOULD BE VIGOROUSLY PROTECTED

Confront The Gossip - Be quick to stand up for those who are being torn apart by the mouth of a gossip. We are just as guilty as the one talking when we stand there listening and do, or say, nothing in our brother or sister's defense. Be ready though, most gossips are sneaky, conniving people. They will be just as ready to turn their sharp tongue on you as they would on anyone else! In fact, if a gossip will gossip to you, he/she will probably gossip about you!

Conceal The Guilty – This does not mean that we condone sin in the lives of believers. It does mean, however, that we hesitate about bringing it out into the open. Many lives have been destroyed because people talked about others behind their backs and condemned them instead of praying for them and letting God work it out in His time and in His way.

As usual, God has a word about this matter also, (Pro. 11:13; 17:9; 1 Pet. 4:8).

Here is a good practice for living when it comes to what you will say or refrain from saying. We can form an acrostic from the word THINK. We should THINK before we speak of another.

T - Is it True?
H - Will it Help?
I - Is it Inspiring?
N - Is it Necessary?
K - Is it Kind?

If what you have to say fails in any of these categories, then it is pretty safe to say that you would be better off not using your tongue for damage. A good habit to fall into is that of saying nothing about anyone unless it is good!

Are you guilty before the Lord today of using your tongue in a manner not pleasing unto Him?

If so, then I invite you to come to the altar and get that thing made right with the Lord. If you have been hurt by the long, wicked tongue of another, then I invite you to bring that injury to Jesus and let Him heal your heart.

My prayer today is simple really:

“May our almighty God help us to do and say the right things!” Amen.

The Test!

2011-08-15T13:01:00.000-03:00

There's a Reason for That Test, You Know

via Answer for the Ailing Ministries by ** Michelle ** Answer for the Ailing Ministries on 7/23/11

Blessed are those who endure when they are tested ... James 1:12

We're always being tested - by major changes, delayed promises, impossible situations, unanswered prayers, undeserved criticisms, etc.

When you understand that all of life is a test, you realize that nothing is insignificant. Every day is an important day and every second a growth opportunity to deepen your character, demonstrate your love and make you depend more on God.

Are you in a time of testing? If so, know that God NEVER allows the test you face to be greater than the GRACE He provides. God won't allow you to be tested beyond your power to remain firm; at the time you're put to the test, He'll give you strength to endure it. 1 Corinthians 10:13
Every time you pass a test, God notices and makes plans to reward you. James wrote in James 1:12, 'When they pass the test, they will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love Him.'

HANG IN THERE, for God WILL bring you THROUGH the tests of life and make you stronger and wiser.

Prayer: Father, where would we be if it weren't for Your grace? Thank You for equipping us with what we need to go through, for going before us, and for holding our hand through our journey. Wash away the disappointments and discouragements with Your love, Lord and renew our hope in You and the good plan that You have for our life. In Jesus' name, amen.

So... Do You Have Faith?

2011-06-09T17:31:00.004-03:00

Scripture tells us that without faith, it is impossible to please God. It also tells us that even a tiny amount of faith pleases Him.

"(Jesus) He replied, "Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."
Matthew 17:20 (NIV)

A mustard seed is tiny, but once planted, grows into a large tree.
Jesus replied, "Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and it will be done. If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer."
Matthew 21:21-22 (NIV)

We all have faith right?
We go to a doctor we hardly know. They hand us a prescription we cannot read. We take that prescription to a pharmacist we have never met. They gives us a medication we do not recognize or understand and we take it ... all in faith right?

Just as in everyday life faith comes through a number of steps. Faith in God does not come all at once neither. Faith is a step-by-step process that begins with one small step and increases as we go.

An Old Testament story found in Joshua 3 illustrates this truth.

The Israelites are camped on the bank of the Jordan River. Forty years earlier, they had escaped from Egypt and have been wandering around in the wilderness ever since. All of their needs have been met by God. They have seen miracle after miracle and now they can see Canaan, the Promised Land.

However, there is a problem.

A huge river stands between them and the Promised Land and there is no way around it. To make things worse, it is flood season and the usual places to cross are covered with deep, rushing water. The Israelites knew God could stop the river right before their eyes or He could throw a bridge across it - but He doesn't. Instead, He gives Joshua some very strange orders.

First order - The people are to keep an eye on the Ark of the Covenant.
Second order - As soon as they see the priests carrying the Ark, the people are to fall in behind them.
Third order - Joshua tells the people to expect amazing things to happen.
Fourth order - Joshua commands the priests to pick up the Ark and stand in the river.

God told His people that He would make a dry path through the river but the priests had never seen that happen. In fact, they hadn't even been born when the Red Sea was parted and there were no reruns of the Ten Commandments at the local Desert Wilderness Theatre. The Israelites had spent their entire adult lives in the wilderness and finally, they could see a way out. Oh, and one more problem - the priests couldn't swim. This was probably the first river they had even been close to in their lives. I can imagine their fear and questions. God was asking them to step out in faith as never before.

I don't imagine the Israelites had a great deal of faith in God at that very moment, but they had just enough faith to take that first step. And that was enough.

Let's look a little closer at this reading;
"Now the Jordan is at flood stage all during harvest. Yet as soon as the priests who carried the ark reached the Jordan and their feet touched the water's edge, the water from upstream stopped flowing. It piled up in a heap a great distance away, at a town called Adam in the vicinity of Zarethan, while the water flowing down to the Sea of the Arabah (that is, the Dead Sea) was completely cut off. So the people crossed over opposite Jericho. The priests who carried the ark of the covenant of the Lord stopped in the middle of the Jordan and stood on dry ground, while all Israel passed by until the whole nation had completed the crossing on dry ground."
Joshua 3:15-17 (NIV)

Notice that God did nothing until those toes touched the water. That first step was all God needed to see. Many times, we won't take the first step because we're afraid we won't be able to make the whole journey. I know it has been a big part of my growing pains in faith.

So...what is your first step?

Don't wait until you believe it all.
Don't wait until you can see it all.
Don't wait until you understand it all.

Step out in childlike faith and put your trust in God.

Some people say it doesn't really matter where we place our faith, as long as our faith is real. I could not disagree more, and here's why!

A United Press release told of a mid-western hospital where officials discovered that the firefighting equipment had never been connected. For 35 years, the medical staff and the patients had believed and had faith in this system, but it had never been attached to the city's water main. The pipe that led from the building extended 4 feet underground -- and then stopped. The expensive equipment was adequate for the building, but, it lacked the most important thing -- the water hook-up.
Yes, their faith was also real, but it was dangerously misplaced."

Our faith is worthless unless it is placed in God and God alone. We have no hope apart from a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

Now It's Your Turn!
Faith begins with one small step.
It's simple really. Begin by praying a simple prayer even like the following:

"Father, I come to You today in faith. I want to know You. I want to follow You for the rest of my life. I am afraid because my faith is small, but I am placing the faith I do have in You, Lord. I trust You to strengthen and grow that faith and help me become a fully devoted follower that pleases and honors You.
In Jesus' Name,
Amen."

Jesus said a little faith can have incredible results. We don't need a lot of faith - just as much as a mustard seed to produce great results. Why? Because our God is an awesome God and our faith depends on Him!

Did the Biblical Characters, Places, and Events in the Books of Moses Really Exist?

2011-03-11T20:37:00.002-04:00

This secret footage took my BREATH AWAY! - It was smuggled out across the boarders at GREAT RISK!!!

Did the Biblical Characters, Places, and Events in the Books of Moses Really Exist? Yes!
It always amazes me when people, places, and artifacts/sites are exposed in accordance with biblical writings and teachings. All too often it seems in today's world, with its vast base of technology and knowledge accessible at our fingertips, true biblical findings just get pushed off away from the mass media, destroyed or kept away from the local tourist and truth seekers. Most "non-christians" and its critics along with other various relegions are quick to judge, bury, block access and even distroy these findings, sites and evidence. Could it be that the Bible is so accurate from it bodies of doctumental evidence that even futher physical evidence and finding are deemed a treat. So, the question is did the Biblical characters involved with I'll let this litte video treasure speak for itself. This video was smuggled out of the country at a great risk.

Why Does God Allow Natural Disasters?

2011-03-11T19:15:00.002-04:00

"Why does God allow natural disasters, i.e. earthquakes, hurricanes, and tsunamis?"

Why does God allow earthquakes, tornados, hurricanes, tsunamis, typhoons, cyclones, mudslides, and other natural disasters? Tragedies such as Hurricane Katrina in 2005, the 2008 cyclone in Myanmar, the 2010 earthquake in Haiti, and the 2011 earthquake/tsunami near Japan cause many people to question God’s goodness. It is distressing that natural disasters are often termed “acts of God” while no “credit” is given to God for years, decades, or even centuries of peaceful weather. God created the whole universe and the laws of nature (Genesis 1:1). Most natural disasters are a result of these laws at work. Hurricanes, typhoons, and tornados are the results of divergent weather patterns colliding. Earthquakes are the result of the earth’s plate structure shifting. A tsunami is caused by an underwater earthquake.

The Bible proclaims that Jesus Christ holds all of nature together (Colossians 1:16-17). Could God prevent natural disasters? Absolutely! Does God sometimes influence the weather? Yes, as we see in (Deuteronomy 11:17) and (James 5:17). (Numbers 16:30-34) shows us that God sometimes causes natural disasters as a judgment against sin. The book of Revelation describes many events which could definitely be described as natural disasters (Revelation chapters 6, 8, and 16). Is every natural disaster a punishment from God? Absolutely not.

In much the same way that God allows evil people to commit evil acts, God allows the earth to reflect the consequences sin has had on creation. (Romans 8:19-21) tells us, “The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.” The fall of humanity into sin had effects on everything, including the world we inhabit. Everything in creation is subject to “frustration” and “decay.” Sin is the ultimate cause of natural disasters just as it is the cause of death, disease, and suffering.

We can understand why natural disasters occur. What we do not understand is why God allows them to occur. Why did God allow the tsunami to kill over 225,000 people in Asia? Why did God allow Hurricane Katrina to destroy the homes of thousands of people? For one thing, such events shake our confidence in this life and force us to think about eternity. Churches are usually filled after disasters as people realize how tenuous their lives really are and how life can be taken away in an instant. What we do know is this: God is good! Many amazing miracles occurred during the course of natural disasters that prevented even greater loss of life. Natural disasters cause millions of people to reevaluate their priorities in life. Hundreds of millions of dollars in aid is sent to help the people who are suffering. Christian ministries have the opportunity to help, minister, counsel, pray, and lead people to saving faith in Christ! God can, and does, bring great good out of terrible tragedies (Romans 8:28).

Source http://www.gotquestions.org/natural-disasters.html

Our Christian Educational Background.

2011-02-16T15:13:00.005-04:00

If somebody asks about your Christian educational background proclaim bodily that:

Church is my college,
Heaven is my university,
Father God is my chancellor,
Jesus is my principle,
The Holy Spirit is my teacher,
Angels are my classmates,
The Bible is my sylabus,
Trials and temptations are my exams,
Overcoming Satan is my hobby,
Winning souls to Gods Kingdom is my assignment,
Recieving eternity is the degree, AND, Praise and Worship is my Major.

Peter - "A Child of God"

A Word About Prayer

2010-11-27T16:13:00.003-04:00

I have been asked what is REAL prayer? Well it's like I always say...

What does God's Word say?

"And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. Pray then like this: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." [Matthew 6:5-21] ESV

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." [Phil. 4:6-7] ESV

"Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you." [James 4:8-10] ESV

So... What do I say... Well?

Prayer is the practice of the presence of God. It is the place where pride is abandoned, hope is lifted, and supplication is made. Prayer is the place of admitting our needs, of adopting humility, and claiming dependence upon God. Prayer is ...the needful practice of the true Christian. Prayer is the exercise of faith and hope.... Prayer is the privilege of touching the heart of the Father through His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Father, in Your mercy, and Grace hear our cries and prayers. Amen.
Until the next Blog. May God bless you.

What do REAL Christians do?

2010-11-04T19:32:00.001-03:00

Simple Really Pray!

Men used by God to liberate His people, slay giants, restore life to a dead boy and bring sight to the blind. The "miraculous power of God" demonstrated through their lives came, not because of the words they uttered, but because they had consecrated their lives to God, humbled themselves before Him, trusted in His provision for sin, and chose to seek and do His will with all their heart and without compromise.

Therefore God forgave their sins, offered His strength in their weaknesses and -- through the Holy Spirit in them -- put prayers in their hearts that expressed His will. Because these men took time to know His Word and will, God "spoke to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend." (Exodus 33:11) No less amazing, He called David "a man after My own heart, who will do all My will." (Acts 13:22)

That's what we Christians do... for anyone.
So why does this upset some people? Why do they feel offended? I haven't hit anybody with a bible yet...durring prayer!

Limiting God

2010-11-02T15:27:00.001-03:00

There are many people these days that have reached a place of hopelessness and are giving up, I know I've been there, but we must never let them give up. We must continue to give hope to the hurting and lost, otherwise we are Limiting God. The Lord had me write this so that we could all see that giving up does have consequences.

Giving Up Has Consequences - We limit God:
When we say we are giving up on someone, we are saying that we are giving up on God and thereby limiting with we will allow Him to do. God the Father created everyone on this earth. Let's see.

“And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.” (Gen. 1:26-27)

The Word says that God created man in His own image after His likeness. Would God give up on His own image? Father God believes in His own creation. We who are born of God should desire to see all walk in the image after the likeness of God and allow the Christ (anointing) in us to bring them to that place by breathing life into them.

He did not put man in a class. He said man was created in His own image and that means that even the unsaved were created in His image. This includes prostitutes, drug addicts, gamblers, murderers - everyone... sinners including me. The point is God created everyone. They may not look or act like we want but that does not change what the Word says. They are potential family and that is the way we should see it. God sees each one as a part of His family. We know that the Father wishes that none perish but we know according to the Word that some will perish.

We as Family members of God the Father should never be quick to give up on anyone. Love will keep seeing them the way the "Word" sees them. We are totally opposite of the way the world is. The world always talks failure but the Kingdom of God always speaks Life into another. The world gives up on people but God does not and neither do we. He always sends hope. If we do not give the lost and hurting hope we are doing exactly what the world does. Hope is the blueprint of a person’s life. We create that blueprint within them.

We are talking of God’s creation - the Kingdom of God and not a man made system. We know that the day of wrath is coming upon the Earth and many will not make it, but God will continue giving them the choice to be saved and the choice to change. It is their choice but if we continue believing and praying for God’s people things will change.

Many have been given nothing but hopelessness. Every direction they turn people turn their backs on them. We are to be their Faith. We have to believe for them. If we give up on them and they have no Faith, God cannot move in their lives because He moves on Faith and therefor we limit God if we don't move in Faith. Someone has to stand in the gap on his or her behalf. The one to stand in the gap is you and me, the born again believer. Jesus stood in the gap for us. He never gave up. His love for us drove Him to the cross.

“The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed. For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.”

(Matt. 8:8-10)

The Lord keeps showing more in this scripture. The centurion did not believe for his healing but for another person. He had the faith for another person to be healed. It doesn’t say whether the servant believed to be healed or not. The point brought out was that the centurion was standing in the gap believing on someone else’s behalf. The servant was healed. The centurion gave Jesus something to move on. Faith was activated.

This shows if we continue speaking God’s Word in Faith for someone it WILL manifest, maybe not as quick as we would like, but the Word does not return to the Father void. His Word puts pressure on the person and circumstances for which you are standing in the gap.

If we say that a person is not going to amount to anything, we are going against God’s Word and speaking the opposite of the Word, and "Really Limiting God". When we speak opposite of His Word, we are saying that we have given up on God and given into the god of this world, the producer of hopelessness Satan.

My encouragement to you is to never give up on anyone. See them the way Jesus sees them and Love them the way Jesus loves them. We are separate from the way the world thinks and sees people and must act accordingly.

God the Father will show you how to pray for His people. If there is someone in your life that seems to have had everyone give up on them be the one to stand in the gap and bring forth fruit in their lives.

Ask the Christ to show you if you have given up on anyone because of the circumstances that you see for that person, repent and change your thinking. Our Heavenly Father forgives you. Change the news in the life of that person. Give them that blueprint.

It is neither God’s nature to give up, but it is His nature to give. If you are born of God that is to be our nature as well, or we limit God.

God Still Hears and Still Heals

2010-10-22T01:35:00.001-03:00

There is power in God’s Word! Psalm 107:20 tells us that He (God) sent His word and healed them, And delivered them from their destructions. God’s Word created the earth. He spoke into existence the sun, moon, stars, land and water as well as the flying, creeping, and every kind of creature, and then finally, the first man and the first woman. Do you think there is anything too hard for Him to do…to fix…to heal?

There are numerous cases of people being ill, deciding to put their faith in God and being healed. Some people no longer have seizures; others have had tumors disappear, leaving doctors scratching their heads. Some have even claimed to have missing limbs grow back. God heals when the time is right. If it is His will, God will do healing miracles; the Lord Jesus said "to who believeth will do greater works than that I do." A couple of times in the Gospels, Jesus was in an area where people knew Him from when He was growing up. This caused these people not to believe in His miracles, and the Bible says He could not do many miracles there because of their unbelief.

The same is true for us today. When we don't trust God and are hardened by life, we become unable to receive or even see the miracles around us. In the Bible God heals people like He raised Lazarus from the dead He made the lame to walk and caused the blind to see. He still heals people today through prayer. God identifies himself as the God of healing in Exodus 15:26 where He says, "I am the Lord who heals you (Yhwh Rapha)." When you get a cut on your finger it heals. When you get a bruise it heals. Most of the healing that takes place in the world is done with out the use of science or medicine. God created our bodies to heal themselves. So yes, God does still heal.

Do you think that your circumstances – whether suffering with a headache or cancer, a son on drugs or a pregnant daughter, a wayward husband or a nagging wife, an empty bank account, loss of job or a pending home foreclosure – are beyond God’s ability to handle?

Think again!

Bible Prophecy

2010-10-22T01:33:00.001-03:00

Everyone on the Internet is interested in what the future holds. Only in biblical prophecy do we have any assurance of what will truly take place however.

God has given us a roadmap to what the future holds for humanity. It is not easy to understand prophecy however, just as many Jews missed the coming of Jesus despite all of the Old Testament prophecies concerning Him. Fortunately the Bible has an abundance of passages that clearly do tell us what will take place in the future.

Every time a major disaster happens, some people get swept up in wondering whether we are facing the end of the world. The wise student of prophecy keeps a close eye on Israel and the Middle East as they play an important role in prophecy. Today the pieces may be coming into place for the return of Christ but we cannot know for sure. All we can truly know is that Christ's return may come at any moment and that we have signs to look out for.

Prophecy scares some people but it should give us hope. We know that God wins. Jesus is victorious over sin, death, and Satan. No matter what confusion people may have about prophecy, we can all rest assured in this fact.

Hologram of Prince Charles?

2010-10-22T01:15:00.001-03:00

The Hologram of Prince Charles was created by Musion Systems to project a life-size, three-dimensional image of the Prince onto the stage of the World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi, in the United Arab Emirates. "His Royal Hologram" as he was dubbed by press, delivered a powerful speech on the environment to the world's leaders before vanishing into thin air. By using the Eyeliner System instead of attending the summit in person, he significantly reduced his carbon footprint, saving an estimated 20 tons of carbon waste.

Reduced his carbon footprint...hmmmm...right...

Simple really; Job 27:9-10

2010-10-22T00:55:00.001-03:00

"Will God hear his cry when trouble cometh upon him? Will he delight himself in the Almighty? will he always call upon God?"
(Job 27:9-10)

When it's the darkest, when it's the hardest to praise Him, that is when you need to praise Him the most, because praise is that blinding light from heaven that dispels the darkness and banishes your enemy.

October is Pastor Appreciation Month

2010-10-22T00:52:00.001-03:00

October is Pastor Appreciation Month, sad really, it's kind of like waiting for Valentine's Day to say I love you. Please let us remember not to wait until next October!

"Pastors, when we are all called together in God's Great Kingdom you will understand just how much you meant to us because you showed us the Lamb", Peter Dugas.

All too often the Pastors are the "Unsung Heroes" in the enemy's direct line of fire. They are the Earthly Shepherds helping to keep the church, Christ Body, in ...motion. They bear the daily heartaches and sorrows of the church family, managing the finances, budgets, staffing, carrying the burdens of leadership, and continually deal with overwhelming odds of... coming through for their flock... 24/7. Year in. Year out. Talk about being tireless, stretched, dedicated, and committed. By the Grace of God Thank YOU!

Sometimes we never truly see our pastors as just another human being with their own personal needs as well. They step out with Accountability, Credibility, Integrity, depending on prayer to Jesus our Lord. They seek His guidance from His Holy Spirit, completely alone sometimes, walking in the darkness with the Lord rather then in the light of this world. They put on the Whole Armour of God... (Ephesians 6:10-1) Every single day!

Ever wonder if maybe, instead of chipping at our Pastors' armour, the flock should be helping to polish it? I know I should.

"For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us..." (Romans 12:3-7) KJV

As I have read the letter "R" in the word Pastor "R= Remember, the most effective pastors are not the great preachers, outstanding administrators or learned scholars. They are ministers who love people and wish to relate eternal truths in a compassionate way."

Seeing how this is "Pastor Appreciation Month", I felt the least I could do is say PRAISE GOD!!!!! for each and every Pastor that You have sent my way, I pray many a blessing God, send your way.
Thank you Pastors, THANK YOU!

Pastors, when we are all called together in God's Great Kingdom you will understand just how much you meant to us because you showed us the Lamb. My Pastors I have been blessed with knowing you over the years. You have ALL been great mentors, preachers, teachers, counsellors, and leaders, and a shining light for God's Word. I am honoured to call you a Pastor and a "Friend". It's clear you do your service for the Glory of God and not the thank you's, BUT, Again... THANK YOU!!! Praise God!! Amen!!

P.S.- One last thought for today... If the Pastors (Shepherds) feeds the flock, I pray the flock feeds the Shepherds as well.

"A Child of God"

2010-10-21T23:10:00.001-03:00

This Blog, "A Child of God", is a Christian Ministry devoted to spreading the Inspired Word of God our savior the Lord Jesus Christ. My goal as "A Child of God" is to bring some subject matter that can be shared in thought provoking ways through media and other insightful messages.

So let me put the call out - to all - who want to become, "A Child of God."

When it's the darkest, when it's the hardest to praise Him, that is when you need to praise Him the most, because praise is that blinding light from heaven that dispels the darkness and banishes your enemy. What has God had to say to you as - "A Child of God?"

How can I become "A Child of God?"

Answer: "Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God" (John 1:12).

"A Child of God"

The Armor of God (Part - 2)

The Armor of God - Part 1

YOUR TONGUE

C. Michael Holloway 11 October 1998

The Test!

There's a Reason for That Test, You Know

So... Do You Have Faith?

Did the Biblical Characters, Places, and Events in the Books of Moses Really Exist?

Why Does God Allow Natural Disasters?

Our Christian Educational Background.

A Word About Prayer

What do REAL Christians do?

Limiting God

God Still Hears and Still Heals

Bible Prophecy

Hologram of Prince Charles?

Simple really; Job 27:9-10

October is Pastor Appreciation Month

"A Child of God"

C. Michael Holloway
11 October 1998