"Keep silence before me, O islands; and let the people renew their strength: let them come near; then let them speak: let us come near together to judgment." - Isaiah 41:1
"This is a noisy age, and the Church of Christ herself is too noisy. We have little silent worship, I fear. I do not so much regret the absence of silence from the public assembly as from our private devotions, where it has a sacred hallowing influence, unspeakably valuable.
Be silent, that you may hear the voice of Jesus, for when He speaks you will renew your strength. The eternal Spirit is with His people; but we often miss His power because we give more ear to other voices than to His, and quite as often our own voice is an injury to us, for it is heard when we have received no message from the Lord, and therefore gives an uncertain sound.
If we wait upon the blessed Spirit, His mysterious influence will sway us most divinely, and we shall be filled with all the fullness of God. Even as we have seen the frost yield suddenly to the influence of the warm south wind, so shall out lethargy melt before His sovereign energy.
How often have I felt in a moment my ice-locked spirit yield to the breath of the Holy Spirit. You have seen a cloud on high flying, as you thought, against the wind, driven on by some upper current of air which you did not feel below; even thus have we been carried on by the upper currents which flesh and blood cannot understand. We sang as Dr. Watts does—
“Look how we grovel here below, Fond of these trifling toys; Our souls can neither fly nor go, To reach eternal joys.”
But when the Holy Spirit came the lightening itself could not overtake us; we rode upon a cherub and did fly, yea, we did ride upon the wings of the wind, for God the everlasting One had caught us up and filled us with His power.
Be silent, then, that the Spirit may thus work upon you. Let other spirits be gone—let the spirit of the world, and the spirit of the flesh, and the spirit of self be banished, and let the Spirit of the Ever Blessed be heard speaking in your soul. Thus shall you renew your strength."
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Word of the day
Sanctification
[saynk’-tuh-fih-kay‘-shun]
(Latin sanctifare, “to consecrate” or “make holy,” from Greek hagiazo, “to purify”)
Refers to the state or process of being set apart for special use. In Christian theology, is in reference to the change brought about by God in the believer which began at the point of salvation (justification) and continues throughout the life of the believer until the final state of glorification. The word (hagiasmos=sanctifcation/holiness) occurs several times in the NT (e.g., Rom. 6:19,22; 1 Cor. 1:30; 1 Thess. 4:3,4,7; 2 Thess. 2:13; 1 Peter 1:2).
[saynk’-tuh-fih-kay‘-shun]
(Latin sanctifare, “to consecrate” or “make holy,” from Greek hagiazo, “to purify”)
Refers to the state or process of being set apart for special use. In Christian theology, is in reference to the change brought about by God in the believer which began at the point of salvation (justification) and continues throughout the life of the believer until the final state of glorification. The word (hagiasmos=sanctifcation/holiness) occurs several times in the NT (e.g., Rom. 6:19,22; 1 Cor. 1:30; 1 Thess. 4:3,4,7; 2 Thess. 2:13; 1 Peter 1:2).
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Anniversary
Today I have been married to my best friend Chad for 9 years~ how time flies but I couldn't have imagined life without him. Chad has been in inspiration and an encouragement to me and is a wonderful father to our children.
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY HONEY I LOVE YOU
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY HONEY I LOVE YOU
Sunday, June 7, 2009
The Emptiness of the American Dream
Until sinners submit to the truth about God, they will never acquire what it is they truly seek. They become like the Samaritan woman at the well, confusing the true remedy for spiritual thirst with the temporary satisfaction of an earthly spring (John 4:14). Sadly, the unbeliever attempts the whole of his life to quench the unquenchable with something other than God. So he pursues fame, money, power, wealth, fitness, work, wisdom, education, love, or any other created thing that can perhaps quiet the desperate cry of his empty soul. But none of the things he finds—whether politics or popularity or creativity or anything else this world offers—can ever answer the call of his heart. He can pursue happiness, but he will never find it. As soon as he acquires one desire it turns into dust; as does the next, and the next after that, until life finally ends in disappointment.
This is the cotton candy fate of the American Dream that befalls all who embrace the cult of celebrity. From a distance it looks so appealing—a big and beautiful ball of glistening spun sugar. But those who finally get it, and taste it, find that it isn’t very filling. Sure, it is sweet for a moment. But it doesn’t bring lasting happiness. After a quick melt in the mouth it is gone forever . . . then what?
King Solomon understood this perhaps better than anyone else ever has. He was the richest, most famous, and most powerful man of his day. He was also the smartest, because God had given him supernatural wisdom. He used all of the resources at his disposal in the pursuit of his own happiness. He experimented with pleasure (Ecclesiastes 2:1-3), hard work (2:4–6); material possession (2:7–8); popularity and prestige (2:9–10); and even his own wisdom (2:12–14), all in an effort to find lasting joy. Yet he found it all to be empty, finally concluding that true joy and fulfillment cannot be found in the things of this world, but only in God (2:24–26; 12:13–14).
As Solomon learned after a lifetime of trial and error, if you want happiness in this life you must look to God. You must deny everything you once thought could give you happiness for the sake of following the risen Lord. His salvation is the satisfaction you seek. It cannot be found in fame and fortune, any more than it can be found at the end of a rainbow. It is only found in embracing the true source of all satisfaction, God Himself.
From Shepherd's Fellowship By Tom Patton
This is the cotton candy fate of the American Dream that befalls all who embrace the cult of celebrity. From a distance it looks so appealing—a big and beautiful ball of glistening spun sugar. But those who finally get it, and taste it, find that it isn’t very filling. Sure, it is sweet for a moment. But it doesn’t bring lasting happiness. After a quick melt in the mouth it is gone forever . . . then what?
King Solomon understood this perhaps better than anyone else ever has. He was the richest, most famous, and most powerful man of his day. He was also the smartest, because God had given him supernatural wisdom. He used all of the resources at his disposal in the pursuit of his own happiness. He experimented with pleasure (Ecclesiastes 2:1-3), hard work (2:4–6); material possession (2:7–8); popularity and prestige (2:9–10); and even his own wisdom (2:12–14), all in an effort to find lasting joy. Yet he found it all to be empty, finally concluding that true joy and fulfillment cannot be found in the things of this world, but only in God (2:24–26; 12:13–14).
As Solomon learned after a lifetime of trial and error, if you want happiness in this life you must look to God. You must deny everything you once thought could give you happiness for the sake of following the risen Lord. His salvation is the satisfaction you seek. It cannot be found in fame and fortune, any more than it can be found at the end of a rainbow. It is only found in embracing the true source of all satisfaction, God Himself.
From Shepherd's Fellowship By Tom Patton
Saturday, June 6, 2009
I Still Believe
When my walk began with the Lord, this song spoke volumes to me. It's funny how we don't deserve the things that God has for us but yet, He pours His Grace like rain over us.
In Life's Moments...
Happy Moments....
Praise God
Difficult Moments...
Seek God
Quiet Moments...
Worship God
Painful Moments...
Trust God
Every Moment...
Thank God
Praise God
Difficult Moments...
Seek God
Quiet Moments...
Worship God
Painful Moments...
Trust God
Every Moment...
Thank God
Children
This week our daughter is finishing up middle school it is hard to believe that she is going to be in High School...She is a beautiful young girl who is extremely smart, where she got the from I have no clue... We are so proud of her!!
How quick they grow up.
"Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it."
Proverbs 22:6
Isaiah 12
Today I was having a talk with my husband and asking questions about my walk and is it me or is it God...my husband started to mention a few things like how without any coaxing or Godly things in my life at the time how one day I just stared to question things about God and wanted a bible and then one morning when I woke I keep thinking of Isaiah 12. Why Isaiah 12 where did the come from when I had just started to read the Bible and was only in the New Testament??? Well to my surprise it was a scripture that brought me to tears. Talking with my husband today he said something that made total sense but of course even though it was simple you never see it till someone says it to you and they may have said it a hundred times before. He said "Don't let the devil steal what God has shown you" Now that is what the devil is best at and he wont' quit till he is successful But on the flip side God the one who has control over everything is on my side.
And in that day you will say:
"O Lord, I will praise you; Though You were angry with me, Your anger is turned away, and You comfort me.
2Behold, God Is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; "For Yah, The Lord, Is my strength and song;He also has become my salvation.'"
3Therefore with joy you will draw water From the wells of salvation.
4And in that day you will say:
"Praise the Lord, call upon His name; Declare His deeds among the peoples. Make mention that His name is exalted.
5Sing to the Lord, For He has done excellent things; This Is known in all the earth,
6Cry out and shout, O inhabitant of Zion, For great Is the Holy One of Israel in you midst!"
Isaiah 12
NKJ
And in that day you will say:
"O Lord, I will praise you; Though You were angry with me, Your anger is turned away, and You comfort me.
2Behold, God Is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; "For Yah, The Lord, Is my strength and song;He also has become my salvation.'"
3Therefore with joy you will draw water From the wells of salvation.
4And in that day you will say:
"Praise the Lord, call upon His name; Declare His deeds among the peoples. Make mention that His name is exalted.
5Sing to the Lord, For He has done excellent things; This Is known in all the earth,
6Cry out and shout, O inhabitant of Zion, For great Is the Holy One of Israel in you midst!"
Isaiah 12
NKJ
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Christianity in our Society is Now Dying
Christianity in our Society is Now Dying
“Having absorbed the world’s values, Christianity in our society is now dying. Subtly but surely worldliness and self-indulgence are eating away the heart of the church. The gospel we proclaim is so convoluted that it offers believing in Christ as nothing more than a means to contentment and prosperity. The offense of the cross (cf. Gal. 5:11) has been systematically removed so that the message might be made more acceptable to unbelievers. The church somehow got the idea it could declare peace with the enemies of God.”
- John MacArthur
“Having absorbed the world’s values, Christianity in our society is now dying. Subtly but surely worldliness and self-indulgence are eating away the heart of the church. The gospel we proclaim is so convoluted that it offers believing in Christ as nothing more than a means to contentment and prosperity. The offense of the cross (cf. Gal. 5:11) has been systematically removed so that the message might be made more acceptable to unbelievers. The church somehow got the idea it could declare peace with the enemies of God.”
- John MacArthur
The Gospel
The Gospel
"The Gospel is the news that Jesus Christ, the Righteous One, died for our sins and rose again, eternally triumphant over all his enemies, so that there is now no condemnation for those who believe, but only everlasting joy. God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him. The essence of faith is being satisfied with all that God is for us in Jesus” - John Piper
"The Gospel is the news that Jesus Christ, the Righteous One, died for our sins and rose again, eternally triumphant over all his enemies, so that there is now no condemnation for those who believe, but only everlasting joy. God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him. The essence of faith is being satisfied with all that God is for us in Jesus” - John Piper
Spurgeon on repentance
Spurgeon on repentance
"Remember that the man who truly repents is never satisfied with his own repentance. We can no more repent perfectly than we can live perfectly. However pure our tears, there will always be some dirt in them; there will be something to be repented of even in our best repentance. But listen! To repent is to change your mind about sin, and Christ, and all the great things of God. There is sorrow implied in this; but the main point is the turning of the heart from sin to Christ. If there be this turning, you have the essence of true repentance, even though no alarm and no despair should ever cast their shadow upon your mind."
C. H. Spurgeon, All Of Grace, page 70.
"Remember that the man who truly repents is never satisfied with his own repentance. We can no more repent perfectly than we can live perfectly. However pure our tears, there will always be some dirt in them; there will be something to be repented of even in our best repentance. But listen! To repent is to change your mind about sin, and Christ, and all the great things of God. There is sorrow implied in this; but the main point is the turning of the heart from sin to Christ. If there be this turning, you have the essence of true repentance, even though no alarm and no despair should ever cast their shadow upon your mind."
C. H. Spurgeon, All Of Grace, page 70.
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