The Book of Ruth is part of the third section of the Old Testament called the writings.  It is also sometimes considered a book of Wisdom, and this is as it should be for it has within some hidden wisdom or truth often overlooked.

The story opens with a famine in Judah so Elimelech and his wife Naomi remove themselves to Moab which was something they were not suppose to do but people will often move to where they figure they will be better off.  By and by, Elimelech passes away and Naomi's two sons marry Moabite women.  Sadly her sons pass away too.  These deaths must have been devastating to the ageing widow Naomi, but she was comforted by a loving daughter in law, named Ruth.

Because the land of Judah had became fertile once again Naomi decides to go back among her people near Bethlehem, and Ruth decides to come with her for she loves Naomi as her own mother.  Naomi and Ruth settle near a prosperous farmer named Boaz, a kinsmen of Naomi. (Ruth 2:20). Most people overlook the fact that Boaz is a "kinsmen-Redeemer" (Goel) who is somewhat obligated to take as wife the widow of his near relative or brother.  Naomi pushed Ruth in the direction of Boaz because she knew Boaz was such a Goel.  Boaz had sometimes observed Ruth and Naomi gleaning in the fields and was attracted to Ruth but was at first a little stand offish toward Ruth because he was not the nearest relative.  He did give much grace and kindness toward Ruth and offered Ruth both Bread and Wine.  After several appeals from Naomi Boaz decides to take Ruth as his wife. Good things often come out of unfortunate situations.  Ruth and Boaz are part of the genealogy of the ultimate redeemer: Jesus Christ.

To Note!!!!!

Some probably read the story many times and overlook a few things in the story. Note how the Goel or Kinsman Redeemer is heaping grace upon grace on Ruth as she gleans in the fields and he gives both Bread & Wine to the widow Ruth.  He asks her to dip the bread in the wine and in this way she shares communion with Boaz and his servants...  Does this not bring to mind the fact that Yeshua called himself the "Bread of Life" (John 6) and also the last supper where the bread represents his flesh and the wine his Blood? Does this not remind us how the believers are the bride of the redeemer?  And does it not remind us of the ultimate harvest at the end of the age?

Pastor Zomok

World Peace - One can only weep at these atrocities.

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This is important because war is intrinsically evil and results in the deaths and dismemberment of tens of thousands of innocent victims, both civilian and military.  War epitomizes the dark side of mankind and his basest nature.  Even beasts do not calculate murder, slaughter and destruction on such a scale except to respond to their natural instincts to survive.  This is also important because we are becoming immune to the atrocities of war and because we are deceived by governments and presidents into thinking that various nefarious acts are necessary for our own security.  It now appears that whatever is declared as "in the strategic interest" of the United States we have an unchallenged right to it. 

When we mistake targets and our drones kill whole families because they were mistaken for enemy combatants the spokesperson for the President comes forth to tell us of the President’s deep sorrow.  It is then dismissed as so much more flesh and blood scattered upon the heap of collateral damage.  This means little to us because it is someone way far off in a foreign land, somebody’s brother or sister or mother or father, child or grand-parent but surely not mine.

When I say ... "I am a Christian"
I'm not shouting, "I'm saved"
I'm whispering, "I get lost!"
"That is why I chose this way"

When I say ... "I am a Christian"
I don't speak of this with pride
I'm confessing that I stumble,
and need someone to be my guide

When I say ... "I am a Christian"
I'm not trying to be strong,
I'm professing that I'm weak,
and pray for strength to carry on

When I say ... "I am a Christian"
I'm not bragging of success,
I'm admitting that I've failed,
and cannot ever pay the debt

When I say ... "I am a Christian"
I'm not claiming to be perfect,
my flaws are way too visible
but God believes I'm worth it

When I say ... "I am a Christian"
I still feel the sting of pain
I have my share of heartaches
which is why I seek His Name

When I say ... "I am a Christian"
I do not wish to judge
I have no authority,
I only know I'm loved!

- Carol Wimmer


So Be proud of being a Christian!

More Important than God?

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. - 1 John 2:15


If you have ever planted a seed and watched weeds grow around it, then you know that weeds don't suddenly lunge out of the ground and start violently shaking the plant. It is a gradual process—so gradual that you wouldn't even be able to see it if you were watching. But if you were to place a camera by the plant and set it on time lapse, you would see the weed in action, strangling the plant in slow motion.

Jesus told a parable about seed that fell on different types of soil. The seed that had been scattered on ground that was imbedded with weeds was choked out as it began to grow. Jesus explained, "The seed that fell among the thorns represents those who hear God's word, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life and the lure of wealth, so no fruit is produced" (Matthew 13:22).

There are some people who reject Christ for no good reason—just excuses. For some, it may be a concern over their career. They have a living to make. They have responsibilities. They have things to do. And sometimes those things can be more important to them than God.

Others will choose people over Jesus. Peer pressure doesn't end with high school; we still care about what people think. We still want people to like us. We want them to approve of us. And sometimes we make the worst compromises imaginable out of fear of what others think. Peter denied Jesus for fear of what a complete stranger thought of him.

But if you give up some friends or a position or some pleasures or any other thing for the sake of Christ, know this: God will more than make it up to you.

The "Right Time" Is

For He says: "In an acceptable time I have heard you, and in the day of salvation I have helped you." Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation. -2 Corinthians 6:2


Though she was raised in a Christian home, my mother rebelled against God for most of her life. And whenever we got into any serious discussion about life or its meaning or the afterlife or God, she would always say, "I don't want to talk about it."

One day, she was very ill, and I felt especially impressed to go and have a conversation with her. So I went to see her. I said, "I want to talk to you about your soul, and I want to talk to you about the meaning of life and what happens after we die."

And she replied, "I don't want to talk about it."

"Today we are going to talk about it," I said. And we talked. The result of that conversation was that she made a recommitment to the Lord. She died a month later. I am so glad we had that conversation, although it was not an easy one to have.

A few years passed, and I got word that her husband Bill was very ill, and I was asked to go see him. I was getting ready to leave for a speaking engagement, so I planned to visit him the next day. But again, I felt impressed by the Lord to go see him right away. We had a candid discussion, and I once again presented the gospel. Bill said he wanted to put his faith in Christ, so we prayed together as he committed his life to Him. I caught my plane, and when I landed, I received a text that Bill had died.

I know it is awkward and difficult to broach these subjects with unbelievers—especially family members. But you have to do what is right. And you will be glad you did

A Continual Looking Forward

 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth -Colossians 3:2


C. S. Lewis wrote, "A continual looking forward to the eternal world is not (as some modern people think) a form of escapism or wishful thinking, but one of the things a Christian is meant to do."

In Colossians 3, Paul tells us we need to be thinking about the afterlife: "If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth" (verses 1–2).

"Set your mind" means to engage in a diligent, active, single-minded investigation. This could be translated "think" or "have this inner disposition." In other words, Paul was saying, "Think heaven. Think about heaven more." The verb Paul used was in the present tense. So Paul was saying that we need to constantly keep seeking and thinking about heaven.

Our feet must be on earth, but our minds must be in heaven. But sadly, some of us seldom have a single thought about heaven or eternity. Yet if we are living as we ought to live as Christians, then we will think about it.

How do we think about a place we have never been before? By finding out what the Bible says about it. Heaven is not a metaphor for a state of mind; heaven is a real place, according to Scripture. And it is the dwelling place of God himself. Jesus said, "I go to prepare a place for you" (John 14:2).

What is troubling you right now? There is always hope, and the hope is in God. If you have put your faith in Christ, then you have the ultimate hope of heaven. One day, you will be with the Lord. And that should put everything in perspective.

Between Two Worlds

So he answered, "Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them." -2 Kings 6:16


We may envision heaven as being so distant, so far away. But the Bible never says heaven is distant. There is a supernatural world around us, and I think heaven is not as far away as we may think.

The Bible says, "The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him, and delivers them" (Psalm 34:7). Angels are actively doing the work of God in our lives.

We see this in the story of the prophet Elisha in 2 Kings 6. The enemy had surrounded the city where Elisha and his servant were. His servant saw the great military force and started to panic. But Elisha said, "Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them" (verse 16). Then Elisha prayed, "Open his eyes that he may see" (verse 17).

Suddenly Elisha's servant looked up and saw the mountain "full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha" (verse 17). That servant saw the unseen angelic armies of God. Can you imagine if God gave us just a glimpse of the other side? How it would change the way we think! It would change our priorities. It would help us look at our problems in a new way.

A woman who had a severely handicapped child once told me, "His life has placed one of my feet in heaven and one on this earth."

When a crisis happens in your life, it opens your eyes to the eternal world. You suddenly start living in two worlds, in a sense. You are thinking in light of eternity. You are planning and living your life accordingly. And that is a good place to be.

We all should be looking forward to that day—with one foot on earth and the other in heaven.

Our Final Authority

Although we don't know a lot about heaven, I think heaven knows more about Earth. In other words, although I don't really know what my loved ones are doing in heaven right now, I think they may be more aware of what I am doing here.

We have to be very careful in this area, however, because if someone we love has gone on before us to heaven, we tend to wonder what it is like. We want to know more. Maybe this is why there are books on the bestseller lists written by people who say they have gone to heaven and have returned to tell the story.

Maybe you have read some of these books. I was looking at one the other day and was concerned to find (only a few pages in) some discrepancies. I found things that did not line up with Scripture. What concerns me is that I have met Christians who have formed their views about heaven based on what they have read in books like these.

Perhaps the authors did go to heaven and returned to tell us the story. On the other hand, maybe the authors never went to heaven at all. I don't know. All I know is that I have only one source to measure these things by, and that is Scripture. God has given us one Book to tell us about heaven, and that is the Bible.

Do you think God was waiting around for someone to have a return-from-death experience so they could come back and suddenly enlighten the rest of us? I don't think so. Everything we need to know about heaven is in God's Word. Remember, if it is new, it is not true. If it is true, it is not new. So proceed with caution.

Nov. 28, 2011

Songs: Alabaster Jar

Cry Holy

Dwell in Your House

Word of God:

1.      Jeremiah 10:23-25 (Jeremiah's Prayer)

Man's life is not his own, not for me to direct my paths

Devour the people and nations who do not acknowledge God

2.      Jeremiah 11: 1-17 (Covenant Broken)

Cursed is the man who does not obey the terms of God's covenant

I need to obey God and do everything that He commanded and I will be His people and He will be my God.

He will fulfill His promise a land flowing with milk and honey

Listen to God's terms and covenant

"OBEY ME" says the Lord

If not, God will bring disaster

My prayer:

Lord, please help me. I do not know what to do.

I have so much cares. I am afraid of the future. Help me give up the things You did not like that I wanted. Lord, please forgive us for all the things we done that is not pleasing to you. Lord Jesus, show me your ways, help me clear my ears to hear your instructions.

Lord Jesus, it is so difficult living in a life wherein all people expects so much from you. They cannot see you sin for they will gossip about you. They get discouraged when they see You sin and causes them to stumble for some people would just look at my mistakes. Lord, help me do the right thing. Lord, give me leadership skills and make a model to them.

Lord we are facing financial difficulties. We needed your help. Lord Jesus, bless me. Pour out your blessings towards me and my mother, to nanay Linda Ramos and family , to Cano family, Cinco family, Lonzon family, Cezar family, Lucinario family, Tero family, Antonio family, Gornot family, Tumulak family, Pino family, Alfarero family, Juntilla family and all the people in the church. Let Your divine blessings flow to all of us Lord, we know we are not worthy of any of it Lord but I pray that you remember us always and look at our situations Lord. Lord i pray that our church would have a drum set. Lord, but the most important thing of all is that You give us eternal burning passion to serve and obey You.

Lord, give me the courage to bring souls to You.

Lord, please bless Israel. Give them peace and blessing. Let the land of Israel be only for them Lord. Let them know You Jesus as their Messiah. Let them not be fooled of the coming false messiah. Lord let them know you deeper and understand and accept that You are their God.

Lord, please bless India. You have prophets there Lord. They were such wonderful people, Bro. Sadhu and Vincent. Lord let Your Gospel be spread in the entirety of India and let there be mighty visitation of Your Holy Spirit in their land. That many people would cry out and repent their sins to You oh Lord Jesus Christ and know and acknowledge You as the only and sovereign most high God.

Lord, please save America. If there will be 50 or 40 or 30 0r 10 righteous people in America Lord, please save the entire America.  Save them from their sins. Save them from the shame they had, save them from the sins of their young men, save them from the sins of their fore fathers and save them Lord especially Your children from the end time tribulation. Let Your will be done in their land and in all of the entire world but save Your people Lord. Let your people in America Lord not sleep but wake up and arise for Your truth even if it will cost their lives.  Save them Lord from the coming years. Let the people cry and repent and relinquish all their sinful activities.

Lord, let there also be revival in the Philippines, please heal our land. Lord let your greatness be seen in the Philippines that as the other nations sees us, they will bow down to You and say that "it is true, the God of Philippines is a mighty God, He blesses those who trust and worship Him alone. So we will also bow down to the God of the Philippines, His name is Jesus."

Lord, please save us, the Philippines, from the shame that we had been through, from the slavery that my people went through, from the hunger that my children and my forefathers has gone and will be going through, from the wrong gods that we have been worshipping, from the wrong acts that our young people has been doing, from all of our sins please forgive us. Pour out Lord your mercy. Forgive us from the stubbornness of our hearts. Save us Lord from the curses of sins. Lord, do not let us suffer anymore. We do deserve all the punishments but when You died on the cross You already saved us Lord. Lord, I don't want to see another children scavenge on the streets and begging for food, I don't want to see older people on the streets sleeping on the sidewalks with nothing to eat, having no shelter and family, I do not want to see young women during midnight on the corner of the streets, I do not want to see any people die because of hunger, I do not want to see any young men astray, I do not want to see any people behind bars, I do not want to see any more suffering oh God. Let there be peace in Mindanao. Let there be mutual living amongst our Muslim and Christian brothers. It has been hurting me oh Lord. Remember Your mercy in the times when You are about to strike us with your judgment. Lord, make me an instrument to reach out these peopl. I pray that every Christians do not just sit in their comfort zones but go to the streets and do Your commands. I also pray Lord that Your churches do not go and disunite other churches. Let there be unity among the pastors and your servants, let there be caring for each other even if we belong to different churches. Lord Jesus, let Your burden be our burdens, let Your heart be our hearts, let Your compassion be our compassions, and Lord, let Your plans be our plans. Let there be awakening in the land. Let there be love for each other even towards the people having the least. Help us not choose the people we want to bring to You but help us to share Your Words to everyone, not only to the people we like but also to the people we do not really want.

Thank You Jesus for listening to my long prayer.

In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

2 Great New Books That Will Forever Change Your Lives For The Best.

Two Great New Published Books.

These are two great new published books from Amazon. com and Kindle.

The Christ in me wants me to invite the Christ in you to pick up a copy at Amazon. Com and Kindle; I assure you that these books will forever change your life for the best, and will certainly bring you closer to the Most High God.

Hallelujah! 

You can also pick up a copy at Createspace, which is an Amazon company.

I love you with the love of the Messiah and bid you peace in the Christ that is Jesus.

Titles:

Commentary On Jesus' True Identity (featuring comments left by people on FanBox).

 This is a commentary about Jesus' true identity. Comments from a few readers have been included to further show the confusion that surrounds Jesus Christ, and the venom they spew when their beliefs are challenged. Is Jesus the Almighty God or the Son of God or both? Read Okela's shocking revelation about Jesus Christ.

A Psalm Of Okela

 Okela King is a devout spiritual adviser and leader to many people in and out of his community. He is also an award winning documentary filmmaker, motivational speaker and success coach. Mr. King's greatest love is the Almighty God.

"And when He had finished speaking, He said to Simon, 'Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.' And Simon answered, 'Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at Your word I will let down the nets.' And when they had done this, they enclosed a large number of fish, and their nets were breaking. They signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, 'Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.' Luke 5:4-8

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Devotional Thought For The Day
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Peter was the expert fisherman; ostensibly, Jesus knew nothing of fishing - He was only trained in carpentry, and apparently preaching. Peter must have been thinking that Jesus was merely testing his patience, that this was a labor of futility. After all, he had been fishing all night and knew that there was nothing out there to catch. Nonetheless, Peter at least had enough faith in Jesus, or devotion to Him, to submit to His Word and let down the nets. The result was an unbelievable financial boon.

We don't know how the Lord financially blessed those who supported Him and His disciples during their three year ministry through Israel and Galilee. We do know that Jesus and His disciples lived from the contributions of others - and that Judas kept the "purse," the treasury. [Luke 8:3; John 13:29, John 12:6] We know that Jesus knew about finances and monetary resources, and could supply them at will, even in seemingly ridiculous ways. [Matt. 17:27] He was a living example of "seeking first the kingdom of God" and "taking no thought for the things of the morrow" [Matt. 6:33,34], of trusting God to provide all that was necessary for earthly life and existence.

He continues to invite His people of faith to do the same. He instructs us to follow Him, to abide in His Word, to have faith and trust in God, to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and to generously support the work of the kingdom - the preaching, the making of disciples by His baptism and by the teaching of the Word of God [Matt. 28:19,20], and to do so out of our "substance." This is our privilege, our highest privilege, to take part in God's great work of bringing people into His eternal, glorious, heavenly kingdom through faith in Jesus - even if we are not full time preachers and teachers of His Word. And this is work that follows us forever, on into eternity, for when we rest from our labors "their works do follow them." [Rev. 14:13]

Peter did have to "put out into the deep and let down the nets for a catch." So also the Lord bids us to continue on in our chosen field of employment, our field of expertise. There will be times when we fish all night and catch nothing, and also times when He blesses us to the point of bursting nets. We may think that we are the experts at our chosen field, and that we know even better than God how to make profits and succeed, that He and His servants are naive and ignorant about "business" and the ways of the world. Nothing could be further from the truth! God knows how to take care of His own, to not only provide for all of our basic needs, and enough to enable us to participate in supporting the work of His kingdom, but also great financial boons [in accordance with His will and in His timing, not our own desires and wishes].

I can't help but call your attention to the fact that Peter and the disciples were able to stay awake and pay attention to Jesus' preaching even after laboring the entire night. They did not consider their labor more important than the Word of God, nor did they allow their fatigue to get in the way of hearing the Word of God. It was this Word that moved them to obey Jesus - which led not only to their financial boon, but to the deep humility and faith expressed by Peter. It is such humility and faith that commends us to God, and Jesus did not subsequently "depart" from Peter, but immediately called him to follow Him and be His disciple, to "catch" men. His Word, the preaching, had this blessed effect on the hearts of these men, and brought about the circumstances of their financial bonanza. We too should think on and ponder these things, that God's Word might produce similar effects in our lives.

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Prayer For The Day
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Dear Lord Jesus, help us to trust Your Word that You are taking care of us, so that we need not be weighed down by worries and concerns about the cares and riches of this life. Grant us joy in hearing the preaching of Your Word, and in participating in the upbuilding of Your kingdom. Set our hearts on things above, even as You richly bless our labors and endeavors in this life. Amen.

"Do not move an ancient landmark or enter the fields of the fatherless, for their Redeemer is strong; He will plead their cause against you." Proverbs 23:10,11

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We have heard both of these prohibitions and warnings before. They are provided in God's Word - objective and irrefutable - because of the evil inclination of human hearts. Every day millions of people are trying to figure out ways to get money and possessions that do not belong to them, and that they have no right to. It is not only outright physical theft, but now we have all kinds of "electronic" thieves with the internet. Worse, perhaps, is the massive industry of advertising and its myriad ways of distorting, changing, and even creating "reality" in people's minds - all to denude them of their possessions and money.

Taking advantage of the weak and defenseless [the fatherless] has long been a preferred strategy of the wicked. Whether the person is young and naive or old and senile, the wolves of humanity have always been around, lurking in the shadows, ready for the right moment to take advantage of the opportunity. They forget one thing - "their Redeemer is strong; He will plead their cause against you." Yes, they may appear to get away with it for a while, but an accounting is coming, and the strong Redeemer will demand justice. Only wretched atheists could practice some of the wickedness that is perpetrated against those who are weaker, evil people who have no concerns whatsoever that there is a Supreme Being, Almighty God, Who loves and cares for all people, especially those who are too young or feeble to defend themselves.

Nor can the strong always protect themselves from the clever plotting of the wicked. Sometimes they are isolated and ganged up on. At other times they are fooled and tricked by some clever ruse. But when we are on the naive and victimized end, we must remember that our Redeemer is watching out for our interests, and has promised to work all things together for our good. So we do not have to stoop to wickedness to protect ourselves; God stands guard over us. And when temptations to take advantage of others come along - especially in business deals and transactions, let us remember that even though we might outsmart and take advantage of another God is watching it all, and He will certainly press their cause against us if we do evil to them. We should all know the kind of strength and power that He has to discipline, correct, and even punish evil-doers.

Such thievery and evil does not in itself totally bar a person from the Kingdom of God - you remember that Zacchaeus, the dishonest and thieving tax collector, was brought to repentance and faith in Jesus, and to eternal life [Luke 19:8-10]. Jesus' blood cleanses us from all sin. However, such repentance and faith bars people from continued engagement in such wickedness. Indeed, it moves them to restore anything they have stolen from others. Knowing God's love for us, that He is our Redeemer, moves us to a deeper love and care for others, especially the weak and vulnerable - and confidence that by His strength and power He will take care of our interests.

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Prayer For The Day
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Dear Lord Jesus, our blessed Redeemer, remind us of Your constant watchfulness over Your dear children who are vulnerable and cannot protect themselves. Keep us mindful of Your strength and power, that we put full trust and confidence in You. By Your loving care for us free us from all temptations to take from others. May we also be among those who stand up for the defenseless. Amen.

"How often they rebelled against Him in the wilderness and grieved Him in the desert! They tested God again and again and provoked the Holy One of Israel. They did not remember His power or the day when He redeemed them from the foe, when He performed His signs in Egypt and His marvels in the fields of Zoan. He turned their rivers to blood, so that they could not drink of their streams. He sent among them swarms of flies, which devoured them, and frogs, which destroyed them. He gave their crops to the destroying locust and the fruit of their labor to the locust." Psalm 78:40-46

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We divided up this long recitation of the wonders of God's power, His loving deliverance of the children of Israel, when He poured out the plagues upon Egypt and a heart-hardened Pharaoh. It is a rather shocking and dismal read, what the children of Israel did once they were freed from slavery and fear of the Egyptians. In many respects it is hard to understand; on the other hand, it resonates clearly with the kind of sin and wickedness that exists in all human hearts, our own included. The history of the children of Israel is the history of every human being, every nation.

Take for example the United States. The establishment of our nation was rather miraculous - there is no reasonable way to explain how Washington was able to escape the British and finally gain the upper hand. Many of the wars our nation has fought had similar dynamics - the civil war should have crippled the nation, in WWII we faced defeat in both arenas, and could easily have lost. The general prosperity of America is chiefly due to our unlikely victories in WWII - prior to that life was difficult for the vast majority of Americans, and certainly not filled with ease and luxury. What has happened over the past 50 or 60 years in America fits perfectly into the description of our text: "How often they rebelled against Him and grieved Him . . . They tested God again and again and provoked the Holy One of Israel." Drunkenness, sexual promiscuity, abortion, divorce, homosexuality, greed, drugs, pride, arrogant self-confidence, desertion from the churches, idolatry, secularism, atheism, gambling, false religion, foul language, pornographic entertainment, prostitution. In many respects we appear to be bent on this same self-destruction.

We tend to play out the same scenarios in our own personal lives as well - even if our sins are less overt and egregious than those of the many around us. We have become "tainted" with an acceptance of these wretched behaviors - one would go hoarse objecting to all of the obscene behavior we must endure every day. So we grow less indignant, less vocal, more accepting - and more indulgent of our own sins, which we view as less rebellious and offensive to God. We allow our commitments to God to weaken and grow cold - church attendance, Bible study, our offerings, participation in the work of the church, supportive fellowship of others in the church. We're very busy, important people carrying on important tasks - we have little time or energy for these things, but we "reason" that God will understand. However, our own life-style conveys to others around us an underlying belief - that these things don't really matter that much, and so they are emboldened to press on even further away from God. The words of the Lord Jesus to the church at Ephesus seem apt: "You have abandoned the love you had at first." [Rev. 2:4]

God has not changed, and His gracious forgiveness, mercy, and love remain as strong and firm as ever. It is people who change - who move away from His love, who begin excusing their behavior rather than repenting, who eventually choose to live without God rather than in devotion to Him. It is a daily existential determination for each human being, but the Lord Jesus continues to encourage each of us: "Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first." [Rev. 2:5] May God continue to renew our hearts and minds, so that we choose Him and His love, regardless of the dissonance this creates with the people around us.

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Prayer For The Day
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Dear Lord Jesus, You know our hearts and minds, that the same rebellion common to all people continues to push us away from You. The world and its ways allure us - it is hard to swim against the current. Grant us godly repentance and Your forgiveness, that we be drawn more and more powerfully to You. Amen.

1. Give to Caesar (government) what is Caesar's, and give to God what is His, which is our very lives. Jesus was consumed with His Father's Kingdom being brought to the earth. We must focus on Christ and His Kingdom rather than being overly concerned with political processes. Pray for governmental change, but let's look to God and not government to provide for us.

2. God is raising up new leaders who will stand for righteousness in the realms of government. This generation of Daniels and Josephs will continue to take their place in leading nations with Father's influence, presence, and wisdom in governmental offices.

3. Father continues to shake all foundations that are not built upon the Rock of Himself. Stand out with His light in the midst of the shaking all around us.

4. Utilize what we do have and be busy doing what we must do. Surrender all paralyzing fear and worrying about what we don't have or cannot do.

5. Understand and activate true repentance in every area of our lives, truly turning away from sin instead of just feeling sorry for our patterns of sin.

6. Swiftly move to forgiveness for every wrong committed against us. Allow His presence to eradicate bitterness from the depths of our souls. Forgive ourselves and move on past the shame simply because Jesus has forgiven us, and His work in forgiveness is complete and has made us whole.

7. We are not victims, for in Christ we are victorious. Choose to not ever live as a victim, because the revelation of Christ and His grace suffices for us daily. Live as a victor and flee from the victim mindset.

8. Let's accept and believe with all of our heart, soul, and mind that Jesus loves us, accepts us, and is for us in every moment of every day.

9. Remain overwhelmed by the love and acceptance of God where we are presently. We are children that are continuing to grow but we are also complete in Him NOW!

10. Acknowledge that our lives follow the way of the Cross, knowing persecution and trials will come. Choose to die more to self, knowing that it is the narrow way He has asked us to follow. As we die to self more, Christ lives through us and our joy is made complete in Him.

11. Enter the rest in God, in the rest of who we are in Christ. Rest from running around doing religious activities that He never called us to do. As we enter in His rest, trusting and relying on Him, we continue to be more than we can ever do!

12. Confident and humble leaders need to continue to train and release every member of their organizations into the ministry that the Lord has called them to. This training and releasing goes beyond the four walls of organized church.

13. Citywide transformation will expand as each individual realizes his or her purpose and calling, and is released to fulfill it in everyday life.

14. God's servant leaders will continue to be recognized and promoted because they seek to serve others with no concern of ever having to be served. Corporate vision never controls or usurps God's purpose for each person.

15. The Lord owns everything we have and asks us to steward everything He has given us. Ask Him how much to give and to where, always willing to give 100% if He were to ask that of us.

16. Kingdomized people will continue to bring godly influence and leadership to all the gates of the city. Kings and priests of God will lead by serving His wisdom and authority in the spheres of government, business, health care, media, law, church, and the educational jurisdictions of our cities.

17. Accept others and the blessing that they are, rather than being offended by them in their differences. Live with unoffendable hearts hidden in Christ. We do not need to see eye-to-eye in order to walk hand-in-hand.

18. Choose to see the good in people, pray for them, and love them regardless of if they change and conform to our ways. Believe for the best in others.

19. Every Believer must understand their journey and the continual process they walk in. Humbly come alongside others who may not be as far along in their journey or process.

20. Convergence can come as we truly love and become excited about the uniqueness of each other's differences, and value each expression of God's people.

21. Spiritual Fathers will have a heart of giving to their spiritual sons that surpass any thoughts of what they might receive in return through their relationship.

22. Seek to trash every idol in our life to be free in serving effectively in the army of our Lord. The greatest idol that we battle is the idol called "self." Continue to lay down self and become selfless in our pursuit of Christ and His Kingdom.

23. See the Kingdom of God beyond race, gender, or age, and seek to unite through all the diversity and expressions of His glorious Kingdom. In the Kingdom male, female, Greek, and Jew can work together in the fullness and likeness of Christ.

24. Prophetic accountability in the Body of Christ will increase as prophetic people move beyond subjectivity. As a Body, we will collectively hear the "sound" of God through the multiplicity of voices.

25. The earth will continue to be filled with the glory of the Lord as more of His people move from religion to relationship while continuing to become one with God and one with each other. We will love as He loves, speak as He speaks, and do what He does, and we will be changing the world together, "AS ONE."

Blessings,

"A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, Loving favor rather than silver and gold." Proverbs 22:1

Friends may you receive this WORD with encouragement, maintain a good name as it has more value than earthly wealth. Friends whatever you do, do it with a good heart, diligently, truthfully, to the best of your ability. Attitude is the make or break of all situations, and sadly many have this attitude of its "MY RIGHT" to have, to say, to do, but this is not TRUE in the spirit of grace. Humble yourself and doors will open by the grace of GOD.

"Remember the quality of life you have is dependent on you, and it's your choice, so choose wisely."

"When pride comes, then comes shame; But with the humble is wisdom". Proverbs 11: 2

Friends be encouraged to be HUMBLE and have FAITH in the LORD our GOD and live by HIS WORD, with all your heart, mind, and spirit. AMEN.

One day a very wealthy father took his son to a very humble farm home. The father wanted the son to see and appreciate everything they have because the the son was never near poverty. The father decided to spend one day and one night with his son at this very humble home. On the next day after spending the night and returning to their beautiful mansion, the father wanted to hear his son's reaction towards the educating trip.

Father: So son what do you think about the trip. Did you see how poor people live?

Son: Yes, father.

Father: What do you think? What have you learn from this trip?

Son: I have learned that they have four dogs and we only have one. I have learned that we have a small garden and they have an entire forest. I have learned that we have a small stream on our back yard and they have a full river that has no end. I have learned that our back yard goes to the end of our property and they have an entire horizon. I have learned that we have lamps on our back yard to keep us from the dark and they have the stars.

The son continues his reply and said: Thank you father for showing me how poor we really are.

We sometimes don't realize the TRUE blessings we receive from our Heavenly Father because we're blinded by material things and what society deems to be worthy. Remember that true riches aren't what we have, it's Who we have. And we have Jesus. :)

A man was sleeping at night in his cabin when suddenly his room filled with light and the Savior appeared. The Lord told the man he had work for him to do and showed him a large rock in front of his cabin. The Lord explained that the man was to push against the rock with all his might.

This the man did, day after day. For many years he toiled from sun up to sun down, his shoulders set squarely against the cold, massive surface of the unmoving rock, pushing with all his might. Each night the man returned to his cabin sore and worn out, feeling that his whole day had been spent in vain.

Seeing that the man was showing signs of discouragement, Satan decided to enter the picture by placing thoughts into the man's mind such as: "You have been pushing against that rock for a long time, and it hasn't budged. Why kill yourself over this? You are never going to move it."

Thus giving the man the impression that the task was impossible and that he was a failure, these thoughts discouraged and disheartened the man even more. "Why kill myself over this?" he thought. "I'll just put in my time, giving just the minimum effort, and that will be good enough."

And that he planned to do until one day he decided to make it a matter of prayer and take his troubled thoughts to the Lord. "Lord," he said, "I have labored long and hard in your service, putting all my strength to do that which you have asked. Yet, after all this time, I have not even budged that rock by half a millimeter. What is wrong? Why am I failing?"

To this the Lord responded compassionately, "My friend, when I asked you to serve me and you accepted, I told you that your task was to push against the rock with all your strength, which you have done. Never once did I mention to you that I expected you to move it. Your task was to push. And now you come to me, with your strength spent, thinking that you have failed. But, is that really so? Look at yourself. Your arms are strong and muscled, your back sinewed and brown, your hands are callused from constant pressure, and your legs have become massive and hard. Through opposition you have grown much and your abilities now surpass that which you used to have. Yet you haven't moved the rock. But your calling was to be obedient and to push and to exercise your faith and trust in My wisdom. This you have done.

"I, my friend, will now move the rock."

At times when we hear a word from God, we tend to use our own intellect to decipher what he wants, when actually what God wants is just simple obedience and faith in him...

By all means, exercise the faith that moves mountains, but it is still God who moves the mountains.

A story is told about a soldier who was finally coming home after having fought in Vietnam.

He called his parents from San Francisco.

"Mom and Dad, I'm coming home, but I've got a favor to ask. I have a friend I'd like to bring with me."

"Sure," they replied, "we'd love to meet him."

"There's something you should know the son continued, "he was hurt pretty badly in the fighting. He stepped on a land mined and lost an arm and a leg. He has nowhere else to go, and I want him to come live with us."

"I'm sorry to hear that, son. Maybe we can help him find somewhere to live."

"No, Mom and Dad, I want him to live with us."

"Son," said the father, "you don't know what you're asking. Someone with such a handicap would be a terrible burden on us. We have our own lives to live, and we can't let something like this interfere with our lives. I think you should just come home and forget about this guy. He'll find a way to live on his own."

At that point, the son hung up the phone. The parents heard nothing more from him.

A few days later, however, they received a call from the San Francisco police. Their son had died after falling from a building, they were told. The police believed it was suicide. The grief-stricken parents flew to San Francisco and were taken to the city morgue to identify the body of their son. They recognized him, but to their horror they also discovered something they didn't know, their son had only one arm and one leg.

The parents in this story are like many of us. We find it easy to love those who are good-looking or fun to have around, but we don't like people who inconvenience us or make us feel uncomfortable. We would rather stay away from people who aren't as healthy, beautiful, or smart as we are.

Thankfully, there's someone who won't treat us that way. Someone who loves us with an unconditional love that welcomes us into the forever family, regardless of how messed up we are.

Tonight, before you tuck yourself in for the night, say a little prayer that God will give you the strength you need to accept people as they are, and to help us all be more understanding of those who are different from us!!!

There's a miracle called -Friendship- that dwells in the heart. You don't know how it happens or when it gets started. But you know the special lift It always brings and you realize that Friendship Is God's most precious gift!

Friends are a very rare jewel, indeed. They make you smile and encourage you to succeed. They lend an ear, they share a word of praise, and they always want to open their hearts to us.

By : Curt Klingerman

Psalms 113:4-6 The Lord is high above all nations, and his glory above the heavens. Who is like unto the Lord our God, who dwelleth on high, Who humbleth Himself to behold the things that are in heaven, and in the earth (emphasis added, KJV)!

When one thinks about it, this is an astonishing passage of Scripture. First we find that the Lord is high above all nations and that His glory is exceeds that of the universe; nevertheless, verse six declares that He humbled Himself. He is God and He can do as He well pleases; yet, in all His splendor, God still humbles Himself. Because of His great love, He even humbles Himself to reach out to us.

Verses seven through nine says, He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth the needy out of the dunghill; That he may set him with princes, even with the princes of his people. He maketh the barren woman to keep house, and to be a joyful mother of children. Praise ye the Lord” (KJV). Verses seven through nine are preceded by verse six, which reveals that he way God raises people up is through humility. Not only does it reveal His humility, but it also reveals the Trinity. Look at Philippians 2:5-9:

“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross” (emphases added, KJV).

Before Jesus asked us to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Him, He did it first (see Matthew 16:24). He denied Himself, took up His Cross, and led the way to the Father. He took on the weakness of our flesh, endured the same temptations as we face (yet without sin), restrained Himself from destroying those who insulted Him, and those who beat Him beyond recognition. He even allowed us to nail Him to the Cross-, as He was crucified for all our sins. Nevertheless, He does not demand anyone to repent, ask for forgiveness, and receive Him as Savior and Lord. God gave us the freedom to decide. In His humility, God restrains Himself everyday, which is something that many either are completely unaware of, or take for granted. Here is a question for all to consider: God humbled Himself, will you? As you consider this question, consider this passage of Scripture as well:

If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others (Philippians 2:1-4, KJV).