CHLOE'S PICTURE OF JESUS

Chloe and I were having 'class' (as she calls it) which included a craft, a surprise and a Bible Story.  My intent was to show an Easter story online - but since I couldn't access the internet I had to revert to the old fashion way and tell the story myself.  The story was about Jesus, His Birth, His Death on the Cross, His Resurrection....and that He Is Alive!   As the story progressed she became more animated. I was trying to conclude the message when she pointed her finger up in the air as far as her little arm would reach and declared, "I have a picture of Him!"  With this she rushed to her bedroom and returned with her picture from children's church - colored and framed.  Excited and proud? Yes, she was!

I don't know what your picture of Jesus looks like, but I know that at the time He was placed in the tomb many were fearful that His followers would move the stone, snatch His body, and deceive the people by declaring He was alive.   

"Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day, lest his disciples come by night, and steal him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead:....." Matthew 27:64

Much of our society today refuses to recognize that He has RISEN.  They are attempting to keep Him from rising from the grave, but it is too late.  In their darkened minds they have the stone in place so that they can proceed with their own agenda.  Keeping the sepulchre guarded allows freedom to sin.  In other words, keep Jesus Christ guarded and contained...but allow the devil to rule and reign.  But, no matter how tightly you secure the sepulchre in your heart, the fact remains, HE IS RISEN.  The grave did not hold Him simply because sinners refused the resurrection!  He will do what He was sent to do!  He is alive. 

Matthew 28:7 - "And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead..."

Today we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ.  Easter Sunday.  I celebrate the nearness of Jesus, the presence of the Holy Spirit, and  I celebrate the fact that He hears my prayers.  I celebrate His touch,  His love, and His concern for people.  I celebrate the great truth that His shed blood cleanses us from sin.  I celebrate Him. 

Now, when asked the question:  "Why do we celebrate Easter?"  Chloe's answer is:  "Because He Is Alive."

Do you picture Jesus as Healer, Savior, Baptizer....or do you picture Him as being distant from your life, unconcerned about your situation?  He is alive.  He sits at the right Hand of the Father.  He absolutely can redeem your life from destruction.  If you view of Jesus does not portray Him as a Resurrected Redeemer or Savior, perhaps...

... you need a new picture of Him....
...

No, Moses was Not Muslim

The following article is from an Aish.com. newsletter which I receive via email.  

Rewriting history seems to be the craze. If it doesn't read the way you want it ... rather than conform to the truth of  that history, just put a totally different SPIN on it.  Isn't this what some in America are doing as well?  We're in a battle to preserve the accuracy of American history and the Christian principles upon which it was founded,  But then, Satan did the same thing as he misquoted scriptures to Jesus in the wilderness.  Jesus replied to Satan:  IT IS WRITTEN.  Maybe we need to do as Jesus did...to those attempting to misrepresent our American history.

From:  Aish.com - Israel Update

As Jews around the world prepare for Passover - the celebration of Moses leading the Jews out of Egypt - Palestinians are working overtime to rewrite history by presenting Moses as "the great Muslim leader who liberated Palestine."

On Palestinian Authority television, Dr. Omar Ja'ara, a lecturer at Al-Najah University in Nablus, declared:
"We must make clear to the world that David in the Hebrew Bible is not connected to David in the Koran, Solomon in the Hebrew Bible is not connected to Solomon in the Koran… and unfortunately, many researchers deny the Exodus of those oppressed people who were liberated by a great leader, like Moses the Muslim, the believing leader, the great Muslim, who was succeeded by Saul, the leader of these Muslims in liberating Palestine. This was the first Palestinian liberation through armed struggle to liberate Palestine…"

This outrage is the latest Palestinian effort to dismiss Jewish nationhood, a corollary to the repeated denial of any Jewish connection to the Holy Land. "The claims of historic and religious ties between Jews and Palestine are incompatible with the facts of history," reads the Palestinian National Charter (Article 18).

 First, Palestinians claim that Moses was a Muslim leader and that Jews never lived in Israel. Then before you know it, standard media references to the Jewish Temple - accepted as historical fact by every legitimate archaeologist and scholar - is deemed debatable.

 With these outrageous pro-Palestinian views reinforced in the media, Palestinians sense the momentum predisposed in their favor, and harbor the illusion of bringing these demands to the negotiating table. Inevitably, Palestinians get a rude awakening every time that Israel - secure in their 4,000-year history and connection to the land - refuses to allow these skewed perceptions to dictate terms of an agreement.

BOOK SERIES by Steven James

If you are not acquainted with Steven James, may I introduce you to his best selling Patrick Bowers series...

       

Reviews shed a small light on his talent:  Steven James is a master Storyteller that knows how to deliver a top-notch thriller.  Each book begins strong, hits hard, and never lets up.

Steven James locks you in a thrill ride and he doesn't let up.

I read The Pawn (thanks Anne, for your facebook post - where I first heard of the book) and immediately bought the next two:  The Rook and The Knight.  I will purchase The Bishop and the Queen...after I catch my breath! 

Raw talent is:  When an author can hold your attention with people, place, and plot - and yet there is an absence of foul language.

James includes God in his books...ahhh...refreshing!  A christian author, yet a brilliant suspense writer.  This is exactly what we have looked for in pleasure reading!  Fiction? Yes.  Riveting? Absolutely.

This series is a must read.  Add them to your collection - ebooks (as mine are) or hard copy.  You won't be disappointed!

So....check out the video of The Pawn:
http://www.stevenjames.net/resources_pawn.htm


Then be prepared to shop! 
.....

Make the Enemy Beg!

Moshe Yaalon

We Will Retaliate Until They Beg Us to Stop  (Deputy PM Moshe Yaalon vowed no mercy for Gaza terror gangs who continue to fire rockets at Israel's south.)

I love that statement.  It shows guts!  It says, enough is enough!  It states: Enemy, you don't know who you are dealing with!  That is not a declaration of a wimp!  It is a powerful, yet small,  nation of God saying that they will make their enemy beg them to leave them alone!   I love it!

As believers, we must acknowledge the complete work of Jesus Christ when He came to earth as a baby in a manger, shed His blood on the cross, defeated the devil and snatched the keys of death, hell, and the grave.  Remember that Jesus has been given ALL authority in heaven and earth and that believers have authority to resist, rebuke and withstand the enemy! 

The Bible tells us that we struggle not against flesh and blood, but against demonic forces. Ephesians 6:12, "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."

John 10:10  The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.  The enemy of our soul fares far to well - as he plots, plans and promotes our destruction.

Two paragraphs from a study by Bob Deffinbaugh provides vital information.

As Hitler’s appetite for power and territory grew, his army began to march across Europe. In some cases, the fight could hardly be called a battle. The German army advanced, with its tanks and with technologically advanced weapons. In some of the underdeveloped nations, their armies made a futile effort to resist Hitler’s aggression, fighting back with spears and even rocks. It was no contest at all, because these nations were not equipped for the battle.

The same could be said of Satan, and those whom he opposes. Many of his victims do not even know there is a war going on. They make easy prey. Christians should know that we are in the midst of a great spiritual struggle, although many seem not to believe it. And even more distressing is the fact that many who consider themselves “in the war” do not understand the nature of Satan’s schemes, of the weapons which he employs, or of the weapons which God has provided for our defense.

Luke 10:19  Look, I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy, and you can walk among snakes and scorpions and crush them. Nothing will injure you.  

Spiritual warfare is resisting, overcoming and defeating the enemy's lies (in the form of deception, temptations and accusations) that he sends our way.

Yaalon continued:

"Anyone threatening us is risking his life. We will retaliate until they beg us to stop," "They have to realize that the consequences of the rocket fire are not worth it.”

We have a raging enemy and we are sleeping, spiritually.  We throw rocks and pebbles made of complaints and criticism - when we should be declaring the Word of God with boldness.  By utilizing our authority in Christ, we can bravely shout to the one hurling rockets of abortion, drugs, strife, depression, weariness,and hopeless.... We Will Retaliate Until They Beg Us to Stop.

Take courage:  The devil can tolerate only so much Truth.  Know that he will flee when resisted!

Instead of falling apart...Instead of wringing your hands...Instead of giving up on your children...Instead of being destroyed over finances...Instead of being an easy prey...
Pick up the Sword of the Spirit and quote it until the enemy begs you to stop!!

Believers, be brave. Put the enemy under your feet!   Put your foot on his neck and make him beg!

Arise Church!  You are a giant on this earth!  Seize the moment!  Retaliate in the Spirit Realm with "It is Written"....Make the adversary beg you to S T O P !

FLOW with the Spirit of God

Flowing in the Spirit will change your life dramatically.  The word FLOW simply means to proceed continuously and with smooth movements...as characteristic of fluids.  God made it possible (through Jesus Christ) for us to live, not only the life He has designed for us, but also to live the life we dream about and this is done by flowing in the Holy Spirit on a daily basis.

Psalms 139:16 (New Living Translation)
You saw me before I was born.
Every day of my life was recorded in your book.
Every moment was laid out
before a single day had passed.

Acts 17:28 "in him we live and move and exist."  The key to flowing with God is found in Galatians 5:18, "...if you are led by the Spirit."
Romans 8:14, ...for all who are led by the spirit of God are children of God."
God has great plans for you but in order to experience His provision, you must flow with Him.  You do this by "Yielding".  Yielding means:  To give up, as to supserior power or authority - Yield to the promptings of the Spirit of God. 

Philippians 4:7 ...then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand.  His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus."
If you have that peace that passes all understanding, there will be a lack of strife in your life. Can you imagine the change in your home, in your job, in your own spirit if there is a peace that passes all understanding?

Determine:
I'm going to Live inside of God's plan.
I'm going to be Led by the Spirit of God.
I'm going to Follow the life plan God has for me.

Maintaining an active flow with the Holy Spirit will relieve stress, calm fears and lessen anxiety. How you start your day will determine your flow for that day.  To flow in the Spirit we must make quick adjustments, moves, or shift our weight in order to follow the flow of the river...as a boater in the rapids.  When an obstacle arises, it can block your flow. That means it's time to make that shift - or adjustment in your thought process. 

Here are three points to use in maintaining a flow in the Spirit:
1.  Start the day by praying in the spirit...
2.  Take checkpoints every couple of hours....say..."Lord, all I want is your will today...all I want is to flow with you today."
3.  Maintain that spirit of meditation and prayer so that you can listen to the voice of the Lord and he can direct you.

The greatest change will be in you and around you as the Spirit of God helps you to flow with what He is doing.

When God opens the heaven, when He starts creating, it is always in abundance because He can do exceedingly, abundantly above what we can ask or think.  In fact, everything about God is continuous action, continous creation.  There can be a continuous flow of strength inside of you simply because you have been designed by Him to Flow in His Spirit. 

Search these examples from the Word and you will gain great understanding of the flow of creative energy:
...The multiplying of bread and fish
...The continuous flow of oil in the widow's vessel
...The Universe is continously in existence
...The sands on the sea are placed for a perpetual decree as a boundary to the oceans
...In tithing, God says that he will pour out a blessing you cannot contain, coming from the open windows of heaven...

There is a beautiful, consistent flow of the Spirit of God...in creativity, in sustaining creation, and in guiding you toward a rich life...yes,even  while you are on this earth.

Jeremiah 31:12 The Message Bible:
...the people will climb up Zion's slopes shouting with joy,
their faces beaming because of God's bounty --
Grain and wine and oil,
flocks of sheep, herds of cattle.
Their lives will be like a well-watered garden,
never again left to dry up.
Young women will dance and be happy,
young men and old men will join in.
I'll convert their weeping into laughter,
lavishing comfort, invading their grief with joy.
I'll make sure that their priests get three square meals a day...
and that my people have more than enough.  God's decree.

You can flow in the Holy Spirit.  Your life can be better.  You can change.  You can become all that you long to become.  God is closer than you believe - and He does want to connect with you.  Nothing would please Him more than to be your constant companion....flowing in the anointing of His Holy Spirit. 

Jump into that river. 
Make adjustments as needed during the day. 
Move and exist in Him....and flow.

Do it.
#
(Portions of this study was found many moons ago - not a clue as to the author of a few points mentioned here...not a clue...therefore, it is not possible to give credit where credit is due)
.

90 Yr Old Pastor... Going Strong

I certainly didn't intend to write another blog born out of  the AG News email that I receive, not this soon, anyway... but this one is too good to pass up.  It is about a 90 year old pastor who has served for 72 years already and is not about to retire. He leads a congregation of 125 and has an international ministry!!!

The AG News article reported that DiBiase travels several times a year, taking the gospel to Italian and French audiences around the world.  In 2011, DiBiase visited Germany, Holland, Belgium and Italy.    

Carmine DiBiase  has no plans to slow down, much less retire!   If you respond as I did...it will take a few minutes to recover from the shame of using age as an excuse to be lazy in serving the Lord.  I included a few paragraphs from the article just to fill you in a bit on this remarkable man who has a passion for sharing the gospel.

"Almost a year ago, DiBiase transferred his credentials to become an ordained Assemblies of God minister.  He received his initial AG credentials at the oldest age of any currently official AG U.S. minister.

DiBiase, senior pastor of the Church of Philadelphia in Pennsylvania, was previously associated with the Pentecostal Assemblis of Canada and the International Fellowship of Christian Assemblies.

DiBiase worked closely with the AG during his 72 years of ministry.  He has supported and promoted Teen Challenge for many years, recently helping found a Teen Challenge Center in Belgium.

What keeps him going at age 90?  He stated that it is his passion that keeps him going.  Obviously, he lives in the love of the Lord.  His passion must be one that is enthusiastic, fervent, personal and endearing!

Passion is defined in Webster’s Dictionary as an intense, driving, or overmastering feeling or conviction; a strong liking, desire for, or devotion; ardent affection; love.

A “big” passion for God means that every fiber of our being is drawn to God and given to God.

Now I understand what drives this 90 year old pastor to continue serving the Lord with such zeal...and it may be his passion that has extended his profitable life to age 90 and going strong.

Passion.  It's something to think about.  We know whether we have it or not.  Could passion be the missing element in our life?  It sure is something to think about...

This Ole House

This ole house once knew my children
This ole house once knew my wife
This ole house was home and comfort
As we fought the storms of life
This ole house once rang with laughter
This ole house heard many shouts
Now she trembles in the darkness
When the lightnin' walks about

This ole house is a-gettin' shaky
This ole house is a-gettin' old
This ole house lets in the rain
This ole house lets in the cold
On my knees I'm gettin' chilly
But I feel no fear or pain
'Cause I see an angel peekin'
Through a broken window pane

Now this ole house is afraid of thunder
This ole house is afraid of storms
This ole house just groans and trembles
When the night wind flings its arms
This ole house is a-gettin' feeble
This ole house is a-needin' paint
Just like me it's tuckered out
But I'm a-gettin' ready to meet the saints

And my old hound dog lies a sleepin'
He don't know I'm gonna leave
Else he'd wake up by the fire place
And he'd sit down, howl and grieve
But my huntin' days are over
Ain't gonna hunt the coon no more
Gabriel done brought in my chariot
When the wind blew down the door

Ain't a-gonna need this house no longer
Ain't a-gonna need this house no more
Ain't got time to fix the shingles
Ain't got time to fix the floor
Ain't got time to oil the hinges
Nor to mend no window pane
Ain't gonna need this house no longer
I'm a-gettin' ready to meet the saints
I'm ready to meet the saints

This Stuart Hamblen song, takes me  waay  back .... I remember it well...Hamblen wrote this for RCA Victor in1954.  But the greater story about Hamblen is this:  After a measure of success he became involved in gambling and alcohol....But in 1949, Stuart's wife, Suzy, persuaded him to attend a prayer meeting which was held by Billy Graham in Los Angeles.  There he made a decision to follow Christ.  He began traveling across the country - involved in Youth for Christ rallies .... various churches....and Billy Graham crusades.

The old house in the above photo caught my eye.  I snapped the picture and immediately thought of the song, This Ole House.  It's fitting.  So are the few lines written by Hamblen:

When you see me fall asleep,

say amen but don’t you weep,

I’ve got so many million years

that I can’t count them.”

Mr. Hamblen, we'll see you one day - and we'll join you in celebrating for all those many million years....so many we can't count them.

God Brought Atheist Group to Pentecostal Meeting!

When you read about God doing something exciting and different, so different that you know it was God,  it's worth sharing.

Assembly of God NEWS #2053: February 8, 2012

The Non-Theist Society at Purdue University recently held a provocative fundraiser called the "Send an Atheist to Church" food drive.  Apparently recognizing that churches and Christian groups are the target audiences when it comes to raising money for the needy, the group promised they would attend a service of whichever church or Christian student organization donated the most money to its food drive for Food Finders (a local pantry).

"Our students seized the opportunity and together donated more than $300 to win the challenge," says Linda Seiler, director of the Chi Alpha group at Purdue.  "That's the most money any group on campus has given since the food drive began several years ago."

Seiler says that they invited the Non-Theist Society to attend the January 13th meeting - the first Friday night meeting of the semester.  She says she was only expecting a few to show, but the president of the group said he had been  impressed by the enthusiasm of Chi Alpha and had encouraged his entire group to come.

With Chi Alpha students warmly welcoming and intermingling with non-theist members, Seiler says there was little doubt God had orchestrated the event.  "When worship began, it was powerful as the presence of God was undeniable," Seiler says.  "The students couldn't stop praising God for His goodness.  Waves of His presence washed over us again and again. . . what better argument for the existence of God than His tangible presence manifesting among us?"
  
Following worship, Seiler spoke on the goodness of God based on Genesis 3 and the gospels.  "The non-theists were incredibly attentive, and there were moments where I could tell God was speaking directly to them,"  Seiler says.  After the message, students were to divide into groups to talk for 10 minutes or so, but those conversations continued until Seiler had to close the room for the evening.

After the meeting, the president of the non-theist group approached Seiler.  "He told me he loved it (the meeting and that he had never been anywhere where he felt such passion in the room, especially during worship," Seiler says.  "He said, 'I know I experience it in a different way than you do, but when you all were singing songs, I could tell it was powerful."

Another non-theist group member showed Seiler a list of questions he now had and wanted to know if he could join a Chi Alpha Life Group to talk more; a third non-theist met with a Chi Alpha intern a week later to ask more questions.
 
"I recently learned that one of our Chi Alpha members started attending the Non-Theist Society meetings in order to maintain a connection with them," Seiler says.  "The young man is a former atheist and has a heart for reaching people for Christ - and he's inviting them to attend "The Problem of God Symposium" we're helping to host later this month."
Seiler says that she is excited about the possibilities and the doors that have opened to communicate the gospel to students.  "Many of these students are hearing and experience the gospel message for the very first time in their lives," Seiler says.  "We're praying that the seeds planted with come to fruition in the lives of Nick and the rest of the non-theists."
For more information about the Chi Alpha at Purdue, see http://www.xapurdue.com. To learn more about the national Chi Alpha program, see http://www.ChiAlpha.com.
--Dan Van Veen

TALK YOUR WAY OUT OF IT

"There was nothing left for Satan to do, but leave...
then angels came."

We read in Matthew 4 about the temptation of Jesus in the wilderness.  He was enticed by the enemy ....  

1.  To fail in His destiny.
2.  To fail in His purpose.
3.  To fail in His focus.
4.  To fail in His authority.
5.  To fail in His testimony.
6.  To fail in His future.
7.  To fail in His obedience to the Father.

But for every negative word spoken by the enemy; Jesus responded with "THE TRUTH".  No debating - no contention - no argument - no difficulty - no struggle...Jesus just said to him: "IT IS WRITTEN" and nothing more.

How simple.  How powerful. 

Jesus went into the testing season full of power, and He walked out full of power by simply talking His way out!  The difference between us and Jesus.... is:  He Only Spoke Truth from the Word.  In fact, Jesus knew that was all He needed to speak!  Satan is a liar and the father of lies and the truth is not in him, therefore, he can't handle TRUTH.

Speaking the Truth ( what God says ) will gain a victory over every test / trial you may encounter. 

You can Talk Your Way Out Of Whatever You are Going Through.... Jesus did.

After truth was spoken by Jesus in response to every suggestion made by His adversary:
Satan had nothing else to use - he had nothing else to say - he could do no damage - he ran out of options - and the only action remaining for him was to simply 'leave'.....

"Then angels came to Jesus and ministered to Him"

It's simple.  Why don't we try it?  We've nothing to lose and everything to gain.   

Matthew 4:11    "Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him."

Start talking!  Angels are drawn to Words of Truth.  You might even have visitors today.
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Why Christians Should Not Celebrate Halloween

!
The origins of Halloween lie deeply rooted in the occult, and Christians should not participate in this celebration. The October 31st holiday that we today know as Halloween has strong roots in paganism and is closely connected with worship of the Enemy of this world, Satan. It is a holiday that generally glorifies the dark things of this world, rather than the light of Jesus Christ...The Truth

October 31st has long been known as "The Festival of the Dead." The Celtic tribes and their priests the Druids celebrated this day as a marker for the change from life to death.

Those involved in witchcraft use the night for their rituals.  It is a festival of the dead and it's a time
when witches attempt to communicate with the dead.

Christians should absolutely NOT be involved with occultic practice or divination. Note God's command against divination in Deuteronomy 18.

Occultists believe Halloween is a time of transition between life and death. Some occult practitioners practiced divination and believed you could learn the secrets of life and wisdom by lying on a grave and listening to the messages from the long-departed.

They also taught that spirits and ghosts left the grave during this night and would seek out warmth in their previous homes. Villagers, fearful of the possibility of being visited by the ghosts of past occupants, would dress up in costumes to scare the spirits on their way. They would also leave food and other treats at their door to appease the spirits so they would not destroy their homes or crops but instead move on down the road. That is the real reason why kids dress up in costumes today and go door-to-door seeking treats.

Occultists also would try to scare away the spirits by carving a scary face into a pumpkin. This horrible appearance of the scary face would hopefully move the spirit on to another home or village and spare that home from destruction. Sometimes the villagers would light a candle in the pumpkin and use it as a lantern (Jack-o-Lantern).

Participating in Halloween says we agree to a holiday that promotes witches, divination, haunted houses, and other occultic practices.

Christians should not endorse or promote Halloween.  The real reason we don't agree with Halloween is not that we are against people who have different opinions about the event -  but we stand "against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places" (Ephesians 6:12,  NKJV).

1 Thessalonians 5:21-22 ("Test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil.")
James 1:27 ("keep oneself from being polluted by the world")
3 John 1:11 ("do not imitate what is evil")
Romans 12:9 ("abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good.")
Deuteronomy 18:9-14 (do not learn to imitate detestable ways, including spiritists, sorcerers and witchcraft)