JUDE 1:3-25
"...Dear friends, I've dropped everything to write you about this life of salvation that we have in common. I have to write insisting—begging!—that you fight with everything you have in you for this faith entrusted to us as a gift to guard and cherish. What has happened is that some people have infiltrated our ranks (our Scriptures warned us this would happen), who beneath their pious skin are shameless scoundrels. Their design is to replace the sheer grace of our God with sheer license—which means doing away with Jesus Christ, our one and only Master.
I'm laying this out as clearly as I can, even though you once knew all this well enough and shouldn't need reminding. Here it is in brief: The Master saved a people out of the land of Egypt. Later he destroyed those who defected. And you know the story of the angels who didn't stick to their post, abandoning it for other, darker missions. But they are now chained and jailed in a black hole until the great Judgment Day. Sodom and Gomorrah, which went to sexual rack and ruin along with the surrounding cities that acted just like them, are another example. Burning and burning and never burning up, they serve still as a stock warning.
This is exactly the same program of these latest infiltrators: dirty sex, rule and rulers thrown out, glory dragged in the mud.
Allow your FAITH in God and His Word to be the driving force of your life and you will lead a victorious and effective life!
Saturday, May 22, 2010
UNFAZED!
Word for today:
"An empty-head thinks mischief is fun, but a mindful person relishes wisdom. The nightmares of the wicked come true; what the good people desire, they get. When the storm is over, there's nothing left of the wicked; good people, firm on their rock foundation, aren't even FAZED." Proverbs 10:23-25
Know the promises of God's word, stand firm in faith and nothing will FAZE you!!!!
Praise God for His Word! His Word is ALWAYS relevant, no matter what new doctrine or method comes along to undo the validity the Word! God's Word remains the same yesterday, today, and forever -- "For ever, O LORD, your word is settled in heaven." (Ps. 119:89) When the storms of life try to move and shake your foundation, just dig in even deeper into the Word and the promises of God and stand firm! Be strong and courageous because God is with you! He will never leave you and He will never forsake you... don't let the devil's smoke screen attack get you off track -- he is just a bunch of puff and fluff!!!!! Stand firm and remain UNFAZED!
God's Richest Blessings on You,
JRT
"An empty-head thinks mischief is fun, but a mindful person relishes wisdom. The nightmares of the wicked come true; what the good people desire, they get. When the storm is over, there's nothing left of the wicked; good people, firm on their rock foundation, aren't even FAZED." Proverbs 10:23-25
Know the promises of God's word, stand firm in faith and nothing will FAZE you!!!!
Praise God for His Word! His Word is ALWAYS relevant, no matter what new doctrine or method comes along to undo the validity the Word! God's Word remains the same yesterday, today, and forever -- "For ever, O LORD, your word is settled in heaven." (Ps. 119:89) When the storms of life try to move and shake your foundation, just dig in even deeper into the Word and the promises of God and stand firm! Be strong and courageous because God is with you! He will never leave you and He will never forsake you... don't let the devil's smoke screen attack get you off track -- he is just a bunch of puff and fluff!!!!! Stand firm and remain UNFAZED!
God's Richest Blessings on You,
JRT
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
What happened to the GOOD NEWS?
Today I was righteously angered when I heard the following song playing on the Christian radio station ... No wonder people aren't eager to be Christians! Will someone please tell me how this is the Gospel/GOOD NEWS?????????
Held
Two months is too little
They let him go
They had no sudden healing
To Think That Providence
Would take a child from his mother
While she prays, is appalling
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
WOW! Benny Hinn addresses the Seeker-Friendly Churches in America!
Glad that someone with a voice has the boldness to address what is happening in the church today! Thank you Benny Hinn, Kenneth W. Hagin, and others who BOLDLY proclaim the truth in a time of so much deception!
“The seeker-friendly move in America is destroying america… Those seeker friendly churches are not of God! When they are ashamed, when they don’t want to offend people, then they don’t have the Holy Ghost in them! Who cares if you offend people? Jesus offended people!”
“They worry more about crowds than getting in people in heaven. They are clubs.”
“Pentecostals are losing Pentecost. They have full churches of dead people.”
“The seeker-friendly move in America is destroying america… Those seeker friendly churches are not of God! When they are ashamed, when they don’t want to offend people, then they don’t have the Holy Ghost in them! Who cares if you offend people? Jesus offended people!”
“They worry more about crowds than getting in people in heaven. They are clubs.”
“Pentecostals are losing Pentecost. They have full churches of dead people.”
Monday, December 7, 2009
Press In
It is not the time to draw back, it is the time to press in!!!
Dec 7 - Press In
By: Kenneth Copeland
"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly...."(Colossians 3:16)
Things in this old world aren't getting any better, and in recent times, the Holy Spirit has been speaking an urgent message to my heart. He's been saying, "Press in. Draw into a more intimate relationship with your heavenly Father. If you don't, you won't make it. If you do, you will see more glorious outpourings of God than you can imagine."
That message isn't just for me. It's also for you--and for every other believer on the earth today. We are in the last of the last days of this age. Jesus is coming soon. It's an exciting time, but it's also a dangerous time. Those who don't do what the Spirit says, who don't press into the Lord, are going to go from disaster to disaster. But those who do will defeat the disasters and turn them into glory, in Jesus' Name!
Your first step in drawing closer to God is to realize that you know God first in His Word. Time spent meditating in the New Testament is time spent with Jesus.
Most people don't realize that. So, instead of getting to know the Lord through His Word, they try to know Him through their feelings and that just won't work.
Letting the Word dominate your thinking is to allow the Holy Spirit to have control over your mind. As you do that, your feelings will eventually fall in line.
Remember this: John 1 tells us that Jesus is the Word. That means, when you spend time in it, you're spending time with Jesus. When His Word is dwelling in you richly, then Jesus is dwelling in you richly too!
Don't go from disaster to disaster. Take those disasters and turn them into glory, in Jesus' Name. Press into Jesus. Press into the Word and you'll make it through these dangerous days just fine!
Scripture Study: John 1:1-14
Kenneth Copeland MinistriesFort Worth, TX 76192-0001
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
Dec 7 - Press In
By: Kenneth Copeland
"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly...."(Colossians 3:16)
Things in this old world aren't getting any better, and in recent times, the Holy Spirit has been speaking an urgent message to my heart. He's been saying, "Press in. Draw into a more intimate relationship with your heavenly Father. If you don't, you won't make it. If you do, you will see more glorious outpourings of God than you can imagine."
That message isn't just for me. It's also for you--and for every other believer on the earth today. We are in the last of the last days of this age. Jesus is coming soon. It's an exciting time, but it's also a dangerous time. Those who don't do what the Spirit says, who don't press into the Lord, are going to go from disaster to disaster. But those who do will defeat the disasters and turn them into glory, in Jesus' Name!
Your first step in drawing closer to God is to realize that you know God first in His Word. Time spent meditating in the New Testament is time spent with Jesus.
Most people don't realize that. So, instead of getting to know the Lord through His Word, they try to know Him through their feelings and that just won't work.
Letting the Word dominate your thinking is to allow the Holy Spirit to have control over your mind. As you do that, your feelings will eventually fall in line.
Remember this: John 1 tells us that Jesus is the Word. That means, when you spend time in it, you're spending time with Jesus. When His Word is dwelling in you richly, then Jesus is dwelling in you richly too!
Don't go from disaster to disaster. Take those disasters and turn them into glory, in Jesus' Name. Press into Jesus. Press into the Word and you'll make it through these dangerous days just fine!
Scripture Study: John 1:1-14
Kenneth Copeland MinistriesFort Worth, TX 76192-0001
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
Sunday, November 29, 2009
I’m Behind You One Thousand Percent
The following is a great story that I shared with my youth group tonight as I taught on encouragement and the power of our words and the effect our words and attitudes have on others!
"Therefore encourage (admonish, exhort) one another and edify (strengthen and build up) one another, just as you are doing. Now also we beseech you, brethren, get to know those who labor among you [recognize them for what they are, acknowledge and appreciate and respect them all]--your leaders who are over you in the Lord and those who warn and kindly reprove and exhort you. And hold them in very high and most affectionate esteem in [intelligent and sympathetic] appreciation of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. And we earnestly beseech you, brethren, admonish (warn and seriously advise) those who are out of line [the loafers, the disorderly, and the unruly]; encourage the timid and fainthearted, help and give your support to the weak souls, [and] be very patient with everybody [always keeping your temper]. See that none of you repays another with evil for evil, but always aim to show kindness and seek to do good to one another and to everybody. Be happy [in your faith] and rejoice and be glad-hearted continually (always)..." 1 Thes. 5:11-16
"I’m Behind You One Thousand Percent" –
The Power of an Encouraging Word
As a youngster I developed a thoroughly annoying and humiliating problem of stuttering. Any person afflicted with this puzzling menace can tell you that certain letters and sounds are especially hard to say. Two troublesome letters for me were L and P. My name is Larry and I attended Plymouth-Whitemarsh junior and senior high schools in Pennsylvania.
In the ninth grade, I was elected president of our junior high student body. During an assembly of the seven, eighth, and ninth grades – several hundred students – I was beckoned by the principal to join him on stage for the induction ceremony.
Standing nervously in front of the squirming, bored crowd, I was told to repeat after the principal the words, "I, Larry Crabb of Plymouth-Whitemarsh Junior High School, do hereby promise…" That’s how the principal said it. My version was a bit different: "I L-L-L-L-Larry Crabb of P-P-P-P-Plymouth-Whitemarsh Junior High School, do hereby p-p-p-promise…"
The principal was sympathetically perplexed, my favorite English teacher wanted to cry, a few students laughed out loud, most were awkwardly amused, some felt bad for me – and I died a thousand deaths. I decided right then that public speaking was not for me.
A short time later, our church celebrated the Lord's Supper in a Sunday morning worship service. It was customary in our congregation to encourage young men to enter into the privilege of worship by standing and praying aloud. That particular Sunday I sensed the pressure of the saints (not, I fear, the leading of the Spirit), and I responded by unsteadily leaving my chair, for the first time, with the intention of praying. Filled less with worship than with nervousness, I found my theology becoming confused to the point of heresy. I remember thanking the Father for hanging on the cross and praising Christ for triumphantly bringing the Spirit up from the grave. Stuttering throughout, I finally thought of the word "Amen" (perhaps the first evidence of the Spirit's leading), said it, and sat down. I recall staring at the floor, too embarrassed to look around, and solemnly vowing never again to pray or speak aloud in front of a group. Two strikes were enough.
When the service was over, I darted toward the door, not wishing to encounter an elder who might feel obliged to correct my twisted theology. But I was not quick enough. An older Christian man named Jim Dunbar intercepted me, put his arm on my shoulder, and cleared his throat to speak.
I remember thinking to myself, "Here it comes. Oh well, just endure it and then get to the car." I then listened to this godly gentleman speak words that I can repeat verbatim today, more than thirty years later.
"Larry," he said, "there's one thing I want you to know. Whatever you do for the Lord, I'm behind you one thousand percent." Then he walked away.
Even as I write these words, my eyes fill with tears. I have yet to tell that story to an audience without at least mildly choking. Those words were life words. They had power. They reached deep within my being. My resolve never again to speak publicly weakened instantly.
Since the day those words were spoken, God has led me into a ministry in which I regularly address and pray before crowds of all sizes. I do it without stuttering. I love it. Not only death, but also life lies in the power of the tongue.
God intends that we be people who use words to encourage one another. A well-timed word has the power to urge a runner to finish the race, to rekindle hope when despair has set in, to spark a bit of warmth in an otherwise cold life, to trigger healthful self-evaluation in someone who doesn’t think much about his shortcomings, to renew confidence when problems have the upper hand.
From Encouragement: The Key to Caring by Larry Crabb Jr. and Dan B. Allender, Zondervan.
Source: 1000 Percent
"Therefore encourage (admonish, exhort) one another and edify (strengthen and build up) one another, just as you are doing. Now also we beseech you, brethren, get to know those who labor among you [recognize them for what they are, acknowledge and appreciate and respect them all]--your leaders who are over you in the Lord and those who warn and kindly reprove and exhort you. And hold them in very high and most affectionate esteem in [intelligent and sympathetic] appreciation of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. And we earnestly beseech you, brethren, admonish (warn and seriously advise) those who are out of line [the loafers, the disorderly, and the unruly]; encourage the timid and fainthearted, help and give your support to the weak souls, [and] be very patient with everybody [always keeping your temper]. See that none of you repays another with evil for evil, but always aim to show kindness and seek to do good to one another and to everybody. Be happy [in your faith] and rejoice and be glad-hearted continually (always)..." 1 Thes. 5:11-16
"I’m Behind You One Thousand Percent" –
The Power of an Encouraging Word
As a youngster I developed a thoroughly annoying and humiliating problem of stuttering. Any person afflicted with this puzzling menace can tell you that certain letters and sounds are especially hard to say. Two troublesome letters for me were L and P. My name is Larry and I attended Plymouth-Whitemarsh junior and senior high schools in Pennsylvania.
In the ninth grade, I was elected president of our junior high student body. During an assembly of the seven, eighth, and ninth grades – several hundred students – I was beckoned by the principal to join him on stage for the induction ceremony.
Standing nervously in front of the squirming, bored crowd, I was told to repeat after the principal the words, "I, Larry Crabb of Plymouth-Whitemarsh Junior High School, do hereby promise…" That’s how the principal said it. My version was a bit different: "I L-L-L-L-Larry Crabb of P-P-P-P-Plymouth-Whitemarsh Junior High School, do hereby p-p-p-promise…"
The principal was sympathetically perplexed, my favorite English teacher wanted to cry, a few students laughed out loud, most were awkwardly amused, some felt bad for me – and I died a thousand deaths. I decided right then that public speaking was not for me.
A short time later, our church celebrated the Lord's Supper in a Sunday morning worship service. It was customary in our congregation to encourage young men to enter into the privilege of worship by standing and praying aloud. That particular Sunday I sensed the pressure of the saints (not, I fear, the leading of the Spirit), and I responded by unsteadily leaving my chair, for the first time, with the intention of praying. Filled less with worship than with nervousness, I found my theology becoming confused to the point of heresy. I remember thanking the Father for hanging on the cross and praising Christ for triumphantly bringing the Spirit up from the grave. Stuttering throughout, I finally thought of the word "Amen" (perhaps the first evidence of the Spirit's leading), said it, and sat down. I recall staring at the floor, too embarrassed to look around, and solemnly vowing never again to pray or speak aloud in front of a group. Two strikes were enough.
When the service was over, I darted toward the door, not wishing to encounter an elder who might feel obliged to correct my twisted theology. But I was not quick enough. An older Christian man named Jim Dunbar intercepted me, put his arm on my shoulder, and cleared his throat to speak.
I remember thinking to myself, "Here it comes. Oh well, just endure it and then get to the car." I then listened to this godly gentleman speak words that I can repeat verbatim today, more than thirty years later.
"Larry," he said, "there's one thing I want you to know. Whatever you do for the Lord, I'm behind you one thousand percent." Then he walked away.
Even as I write these words, my eyes fill with tears. I have yet to tell that story to an audience without at least mildly choking. Those words were life words. They had power. They reached deep within my being. My resolve never again to speak publicly weakened instantly.
Since the day those words were spoken, God has led me into a ministry in which I regularly address and pray before crowds of all sizes. I do it without stuttering. I love it. Not only death, but also life lies in the power of the tongue.
God intends that we be people who use words to encourage one another. A well-timed word has the power to urge a runner to finish the race, to rekindle hope when despair has set in, to spark a bit of warmth in an otherwise cold life, to trigger healthful self-evaluation in someone who doesn’t think much about his shortcomings, to renew confidence when problems have the upper hand.
From Encouragement: The Key to Caring by Larry Crabb Jr. and Dan B. Allender, Zondervan.
Source: 1000 Percent
A God of Limitations?
God is only a God of limitations, when we place limits on Him because of our underestimation of His ability and lack of knowledge in who He is! He is still the God who supercedes our expectations, desires, needs, etc. He is still the God of the Bible! He NEVER changes, so if He doesn't look mighty to you, check your thoughts!
"Now to Him Who, by (in consequence of) the [action of His] power that is at work within us, is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly, far over and above all that we [dare] ask or think [infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams]--"
Eph. 3:20 AMP
"Now to Him Who, by (in consequence of) the [action of His] power that is at work within us, is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly, far over and above all that we [dare] ask or think [infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams]--"
Eph. 3:20 AMP
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