tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60419509638642349782023-11-15T13:04:49.704-05:00Seek & Worship Jesus"You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." Jeremiah 29:13jscottkennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00110001212541577493noreply@blogger.comBlogger50125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6041950963864234978.post-41281721220222921292013-04-29T17:56:00.001-04:002013-04-29T17:56:06.681-04:00Footprints in the Sand<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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"Footprints in the Sand"</div>
<br />One night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord.<br /> Many scenes from my life flashed across the sky.<br /> In each scene I noticed footprints in the sand.<br /> Sometimes there were two sets of footprints,<br /> other times there were one set of footprints.<br /> <br /> This bothered me because I noticed<br /> that during the low periods of my life,<br /> when I was suffering from<br /> anguish, sorrow or defeat,<br /> I could see only one set of footprints.<br /> <br /> So I said to the Lord,<br /> ”You promised me Lord,<br /> that if I followed you,<br /> you would walk with me always.<br /> But I have noticed that during<br /> the most trying periods of my life<br /> there have only been one<br /> set of footprints in the sand.<br /> Why, when I needed you most,<br /> you have not been there for me?”<br /> <br /> The Lord replied,<br /> ”The times when you have<br /> seen only one set of footprints,<br /> is when I carried you.”<br /></div>
jscottkennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00110001212541577493noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6041950963864234978.post-84846276062039607402013-03-28T17:53:00.000-04:002013-04-07T23:48:37.721-04:00"That's My King" by Dr. S.M. Lockeridge<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">The Bible says My King is the King of the Jews.<br />He's the King of Israel.<br />He's the King of Righteousness.<br />He's the King of the Ages.<br />He's the King of Heaven.<br />He's the King of Glory.<br />He's the King of kings and He's the Lord of lords.<br />That's my King.<br /><br />Well, I wonder do you know Him.<br /><br />David said, "The heavens declare the glory of God and the firmament showeth His handiwork."<br />My King is a sovereign King - no means of measure can define His limitless love.<br />No farseeing telescope can bring into visibility the coastline of His shoreless supply.<br />No barrier can hinder Him from pouring out His blessings.<br />He's enduringly strong.<br />He's entirely sincere.<br />He's eternally steadfast.<br />He's immortally graceful.<br />He's imperially powerful.<br />He's impartially merciful.<br /><br />Do you know Him?<br /><br />He's the greatest phenomenon that has ever crossed the horizon of this world.<br />He's God's Son.<br />He's the sinner's Saviour.<br />He's the centrepiece of civilisation.<br />He stands in the solitude of himself.<br />He's august and He's unique.<br />He's unparalleled, He's unprecedented.<br />He is the loftiest idea in literature.<br />He's the highest personality in philosophy.<br />He is the supreme problem in higher criticism.<br />He's the fundamental doctrine of true theology.<br />He is the core and the necessity for spiritual religion.<br />He's the miracle of the age, He's... yes He is.<br />He's the superlative of everything good that you choose to call Him.<br />He's the only one qualified to be an all-sufficient Saviour.<br /><br />I wonder if you know him today?<br /><br />He supplies strength for the weak.<br />He's available for the tempted and the tried.<br />He sympathises and He saves.<br />He strengthens and sustains.<br />He guards and He guides.<br />He heals the sick.<br />He cleansed the lepers.<br />He forgives sinners.<br />He discharges debtors.<br />He delivers the captive.<br />He defends the feeble.<br />He blesses the young.<br />He serves the unfortunate.<br />He regards the aged.<br />He rewards the diligent.<br />And He beautifies the meek.<br /><br />I wonder if you know Him? Well, my King---<br />He is the key, He's the key to knowledge.<br />He's the wellspring of wisdom.<br />He's the doorway of deliverance.<br />He's the pathway of peace.<br />He's the roadway of righteousness.<br />He's the highway of holiness.<br />He's the gateway of glory.<br /><br />Do you know Him?<br /><br />Well, His office is manifold.<br />His promise is sure.<br />His life is matchless.<br />His goodness is limitless.<br />His mercy is everlasting.<br />His love never changes.<br />His Word is enough.<br />His grace is sufficient.<br />His reign is righteous and<br />His yoke is easy and<br />His burden is light.<br /><br />I wish I could describe Him to you.<br />But He's indes... Wooah, yeaaah! yeaahh,<br />He's indescribable - yes He is ! He's God.<br />He's, He's indescribable, yes, He's indescribable.<br />He's incomprehensible.<br />He's invincible.<br />He's irresistible.<br /><br />Well, you can't get Him out of your mind,<br />You get Him off of your hand,<br />You can't outlive Him, and you can't live without Him.<br /><br />Well, the Pharisees couldn't stand Him, but they found out they couldn't stop Him.<br />Pilate couldn't find any fault in Him.<br />The witnesses couldn't get their testimonies to agree.<br />Herod couldn't kill Him.<br />Death couldn't handle Him and<br />the grave couldn't hold Him. Yeah !<br />THAT'S MY KING !<br />THAT'S MY KING ! YEAH !<br /><br />And Thine is the Kingdom the power and the glory forever and ever<br />and ever and ever.<br />How long is that ?<br />And ever and ever.<br />And when you get through all the forevers, then<br />Amen !</span></b></span><br />
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jscottkennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00110001212541577493noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6041950963864234978.post-64418038393462891102013-03-16T15:59:00.002-04:002013-03-16T16:13:14.965-04:00"Head Into the Wind"A dearly loved brother from Midnight Cry Ministries graduated to the other side last night while he was resting. While today I've been praying for his family and thanking God for his life, I went back to see some of his recent messages online. In one of the last times I heard him speak (12/12) he read this devotional taken from Come Away my Beloved, titled "Head into the Wind" by Frances J. Roberts at the request of his wife Brenda. If you'd like to see/hear Bro Steve read it as you read below you can do so at : <a href="http://youtu.be/jq-jM56qLF0?t=4m40s" target="_blank">http://youtu.be/jq-jM56qLF0?t=4m40s </a><br />
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May God Bless you & Love you much today & always. May Peace be with you,<br />
jsk<br />
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<b><u><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: center;"><br /></span></u></b>
<b><u><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: center;">"Head Into the Wind" </span></u></b><b><u><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 19px;">by By Frances J. Roberts</span></span></u></b><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">taken from the <a href="http://books.google.com/books?id=xoMXGlEtsCIC&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false" target="_blank">"Come away my beloved" updated devotional</a></span></span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: center;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-style: italic; line-height: 19px; text-align: center;">Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-style: italic; line-height: 19px; text-align: center;">that He may exalt you in due time.</span><br />
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O My beloved, do not be anxious concerning tomorrow. You shall encounter nothing of which I am not already aware. My mercy is concealed within every storm cloud. My grace flows beneath every cross-current. My wisdom has conceived a solution to every perplexity.<br />
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I have deliberately set obstacles in your path to test your prowess. I will not always cause favorable winds to blow upon your life, for then you would be at ease and would soon grow soft and dull. It is when the wind is high and the waves are threatening that you become alert and keen, and then I can strengthen your spiritual fiber.<br />
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The storm is not a thing to fear but rather to welcome. As soon as you have made the discovery that in the time of stress and strain you have the clearest revelations of Myself, You will learn to head into the wind with sheer delight.<br />
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Was this not true of the disciples? Looking out across the raging waters, what did they see? Was it not Jesus? Jesus-<span style="font-style: italic;">coming to them</span>! To have had this happen only once would have been worth weathering many storms.<br />
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In the midst of the multiheated fiery furnace, what did the three Hebrew lads see? Was it not the living form of Jesus Christ Himself having come to join them? Yes, He shone so brightly to them that His brilliance obliterated the sight of the flames!<br />
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No, you need have no fear. You need not fear the fickleness of providence- for behind whatever looks to you like utter chaos, I have a plan working for your good.<br />
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You need never fear whether I will be faithful to you, for if I have never failed anyone else, why would I fail you? You have an innumerable company of spectators cheering you from the ramparts of heaven, reminding you of what I did for them and encouraging you that the struggle is not interminable; surprisingly soon it shall end in victory for you also- if you endure faithfully.<br />
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Do you dear the weakness within your own self? I have put it there to drive you to Myself. I may never answer your prayers to be made strong, but I <span style="font-style: italic;">will </span>give you the same promise I gave the apostle Paul, that in your weakness I will be your strength. It is still true that My grace operates most effectively when you have a conscious sense of need- yes, even a desperate awareness of your own complete helplessness.<br />
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Miracles burst forth out of the moist, cold soil of human tragedy. Moist with tears and cold with hopelessness. I never get a chance to do miracles for you when you are occupied with self-realization- while you are entertaining ideas about what wonderful thing I am going to make out of <span style="font-style: italic;">you</span>. I do not use <span style="font-style: italic;">you </span>for material for miracles; I makes miracles out of my own Being. I allow you to watch Me after you thoroughly understand that it is I who are supernatural, not you.<br />
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You do not have to be other than what I created you: human. You are only obligated to do that for which I created you: glorify Me. Stand back! Let God be God. Let man be man. Once you accept your limitations and settle the fact once and for all that I will never ask you to perform Herculean feats, you can begin to learn what I really have in mind for you.<br />
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I am not discouraged with you, but you will become discouraged with yourself if you are not able to comprehend the truth of what I taught through Paul, that it is the foolish whom I use to confound the wise, and the things which are nothing to shatter man's pride in the things he has made himself.<br />
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I <span style="font-style: italic;">am</span> the Ruler, and I <span style="font-style: italic;">will </span>reign. You can resist Me, but it shall inevitably be to your own destruction. Love Me and trust Me, and stay in a place of humility. Mind you, <span style="font-style: italic;">God </span>will exalt you. You need not exalt yourself.<br />
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You need only stay humble.</div>
jscottkennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00110001212541577493noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6041950963864234978.post-76587121373554500612012-06-14T22:41:00.000-04:002012-06-14T22:41:17.084-04:00Wit's End Corner<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><b>Wit's End Corner</b></span><br style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; line-height: 21px; text-align: -webkit-auto;" /><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; text-align: -webkit-auto;">Are you standing at "Wit's End Corner</span><br style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; line-height: 21px; text-align: -webkit-auto;" /><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; text-align: -webkit-auto;">Friend with troubled brow?</span><br style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; line-height: 21px; text-align: -webkit-auto;" /><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; text-align: -webkit-auto;">Are you thinking of what is before you,</span><br style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; line-height: 21px; text-align: -webkit-auto;" /><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; text-align: -webkit-auto;">And all you are bearing now?</span><br style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; line-height: 21px; text-align: -webkit-auto;" /><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; text-align: -webkit-auto;">Does all the world seem against you,</span><br style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; line-height: 21px; text-align: -webkit-auto;" /><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; text-align: -webkit-auto;">And you in the battle alone?</span><br style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; line-height: 21px; text-align: -webkit-auto;" /><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; text-align: -webkit-auto;">Remember-at "Wit's End Corner"</span><br style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; line-height: 21px; text-align: -webkit-auto;" /><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; text-align: -webkit-auto;">Is just where God's power is shown.</span><br style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; line-height: 21px; text-align: -webkit-auto;" /><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; text-align: -webkit-auto;"></span><br style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; line-height: 21px; text-align: -webkit-auto;" /><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; text-align: -webkit-auto;">Are you standing at "Wit's End Corner</span><br style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; line-height: 21px; text-align: -webkit-auto;" /><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; text-align: -webkit-auto;">Blinded with wearying pain,</span><br style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; line-height: 21px; text-align: -webkit-auto;" /><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; text-align: -webkit-auto;">Feeling you cannot endure it,</span><br style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; line-height: 21px; text-align: -webkit-auto;" /><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; text-align: -webkit-auto;">You cannot bear the strain,</span><br style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; line-height: 21px; text-align: -webkit-auto;" /><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; text-align: -webkit-auto;">Bruised through the constant suffering,</span><br style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; line-height: 21px; text-align: -webkit-auto;" /><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; text-align: -webkit-auto;">Dizzy, and dazed, and numb?</span><br style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; line-height: 21px; text-align: -webkit-auto;" /><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; text-align: -webkit-auto;">Remember-at "Wit's End Corner"</span><br style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; line-height: 21px; text-align: -webkit-auto;" /><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; text-align: -webkit-auto;">Is where Jesus loves to come.</span><br style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; line-height: 21px; text-align: -webkit-auto;" /><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; text-align: -webkit-auto;"></span><br style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; line-height: 21px; text-align: -webkit-auto;" /><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; text-align: -webkit-auto;">Are you standing at "Wit's End Corner"?</span><br style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; line-height: 21px; text-align: -webkit-auto;" /><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; text-align: -webkit-auto;">Your work before you spread,</span><br style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; line-height: 21px; text-align: -webkit-auto;" /><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; text-align: -webkit-auto;">A mountain of tasks unfinished,</span><br style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; line-height: 21px; text-align: -webkit-auto;" /><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; text-align: -webkit-auto;">And pressing on heart and head,</span><br style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; line-height: 21px; text-align: -webkit-auto;" /><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; text-align: -webkit-auto;">Longing for strength to do it,</span><br style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; line-height: 21px; text-align: -webkit-auto;" /><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; text-align: -webkit-auto;">Stretching out trembling hands?</span><br style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; line-height: 21px; text-align: -webkit-auto;" /><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; text-align: -webkit-auto;">Remember--at "Wit's End Corner"</span><br style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; line-height: 21px; text-align: -webkit-auto;" /><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; text-align: -webkit-auto;">The Burden-bearer stands.</span><br style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; line-height: 21px; text-align: -webkit-auto;" /><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; text-align: -webkit-auto;"></span><br style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; line-height: 21px; text-align: -webkit-auto;" /><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; text-align: -webkit-auto;">Are you standing at "Wit's End Corner"?</span><br style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; line-height: 21px; text-align: -webkit-auto;" /><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; text-align: -webkit-auto;">Then you're just in the very spot</span><br style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; line-height: 21px; text-align: -webkit-auto;" /><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; text-align: -webkit-auto;">To learn the wondrous resources</span><br style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; line-height: 21px; text-align: -webkit-auto;" /><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; text-align: -webkit-auto;">Of Him who faileth not:</span><br style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; line-height: 21px; text-align: -webkit-auto;" /><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; text-align: -webkit-auto;">No doubt to a brighter pathway</span><br style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; line-height: 21px; text-align: -webkit-auto;" /><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; text-align: -webkit-auto;">Your footsteps will soon be moved,</span><br style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; line-height: 21px; text-align: -webkit-auto;" /><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; text-align: -webkit-auto;">But only at "Wit's End Corner"</span><br style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; line-height: 21px; text-align: -webkit-auto;" /><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; text-align: -webkit-auto;">Is the "God who is able" proved.</span><br style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; line-height: 21px; text-align: -webkit-auto;" /><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; text-align: -webkit-auto;"></span><br style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; line-height: 21px; text-align: -webkit-auto;" /><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; text-align: -webkit-auto;">Poem by Antoinette Wilson</span></span></div>jscottkennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00110001212541577493noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6041950963864234978.post-58156004131186355982012-03-06T17:35:00.000-05:002012-03-06T17:35:38.823-05:00"Ye must be born again." John 3:7<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Blessings! I was reading over one of my daily devotions today, this one from Charles Spurgeon that many are familiar with titled "Morning & Evening". The text from today's devotional titled by scripture from John 3:7 "Ye must be born again" is below. I am posting it here because regeneration is very key to true Life & I want to read over this one time & time again. I pray that God through these words will shed Light into our lives, take root & grow by the Power of God.<br />
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Jesus said, “I assure you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit. Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life. So don’t be surprised when I say, ‘You must be born again.’ John 3:5-7 <br />
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From Morning & Evening on March 6, 2012: Ye must be born again." John 3:7 <br />
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"REGENERATION is a subject which lies at the very basis of salvation, and we should be very diligent to take heed that we really are "born again," for there are many who fancy they are, who are not. Be assured that the <i>name</i> of a Christian is not the nature of a Christian; and that being born in a Christian land, and being recognized as professing the Christian religion, is of no avail whatever, unless there be something more added to it--the being "born again," by the power of the Holy Spirit.To be "born again,- is a matter so mysterious, that human words cannot describe it. "The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit." Nevertheless, it is a change which is known and felt; known by works of holiness, and felt by a gracious experience.<br />
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This great work is supernatural. It is not an operation which a man performs for himself: a new principle is infused, which works in the heart, renews the soul, and affects the entire man. It is not a change of my name, but a renewal of my nature, so that I am not the man I used to be, but a new man in Christ Jesus. To wash and dress a corpse is a far different thing from making it alive: man can do the one, God alone can do the other. If you have, then, been "born again," your acknowledgment will be, <u>"O Lord Jesus, the everlasting Father, Thou art my spiritual Parent; unless Thy Spirit had breathed into me the breath of a new, holy, and spiritual life, I had been to this day dead in trespasses and sins.' My heavenly life is wholly derived from Thee, to Thee I ascribe it. My life is hid with Christ in God.' It is no longer I who live, but Christ who liveth in me."</u> May the Lord enable us to be well assured on this vital point, for to be unregenerate is to be unsaved, unpardoned, without God, and without hope."</div>jscottkennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00110001212541577493noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6041950963864234978.post-66922266476521673162012-02-27T21:34:00.003-05:002012-02-27T21:47:43.269-05:00"Perfect Love Casts Out Fear" 1 John 4:18<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span id="ctl00_ctl00_cpMainContent_ContentMasterBodyContentCPH_devotionalTitle"></span><br />
<h1 style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></h1>I was praying this morning and had this scripture come to my mind constantly, like a flood. So, I thought to go read it over in the Bible and then after some time I thought to google it to read some thoughts from others. I found this one right away by Joyce Meyer and it spoke volumes to me. I hope it will Bless you too!! jsk<br />
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<h1 style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.joycemeyer.org/articles/ea.aspx?article=perfect_love_casts_out_fear"><b>Perfect Love Casts Out Fear<span class="devotionAuthorDate" id="ctl00_ctl00_cpMainContent_ContentMasterBodyContentCPH_devotionalAuthorDate"> </span></b><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="devotionAuthorDate" id="ctl00_ctl00_cpMainContent_ContentMasterBodyContentCPH_devotionalAuthorDate">by Joyce Meyer</span></span></a></span></h1><br />
<div id="ctl00_ctl00_cpMainContent_ContentMasterBodyContentCPH_devotionalExcerpt" style="margin-top: 15px;">Do you suffer from fear or insecurity? What about the fear of lack? Are you worried that God won't come through for you? <br />
I have been there too.<br />
I have been literally <i>worried sick</i> about so many things, including my past, my future, my finances, what people thought about me. And because I couldn't get my mind off of my problems, I found myself in a place of <i>utter torment.</i><br />
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But we do not have to fear that God doesn't love us or that He won't come through for us in our time of need. We need to learn to accept the reality of His love for us, so that our fears do not control us.<br />
<a class="externalLink" href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20John%204:18&version=AMP" target="_blank">First John 4:18</a> says that perfect love casts out fear. If you're afraid of facing a person or a situation in your life, God's love can help you put your fears to rest.<br />
<h3>The Cure for Insecurity</h3>Because I had been abused in my childhood and was fearful of being hurt or taken advantage of, I became very insecure. And I spent many years trying to control everything and everyone in my life.<br />
Instead of trying to control and manipulate people, I needed to learn to trust God, pray, and believe that He would do what was best for me at the right time. Most of all, I needed to <i>abide</i> in His love.<br />
<a class="externalLink" href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20John%204:16&version=AMP" target="_blank">First John 4:16</a> points out that we should be conscious of God's love. It needs to be more than just a biblical fact for us…we need to <i>experience</i> it daily.<br />
Several years ago I was so desperate for a revelation of God's love that I began to keep a journal of the things He did in my life that I believed displayed His love. No matter how small they were, I recorded them.<br />
When people gave me things, I recorded it. When I was shown favor in situations, I recorded it. When God answered prayers and did things for me that I had requested, I recorded it…<br />
This process helped me become <i>conscious</i> of His love, and I began to heal. I found out that the love of God is the cure for the insecure.<br />
<h3>Overcoming the Fear of Lack</h3>Another major fear people face is the fear of lack. The fear that your needs won't be met—that God won't come through for you in time.<br />
You may be in a situation that you've never been in before, facing all kinds of new responsibilities. You may have needs that are beyond your resources and the spirit of fear is attacking you, telling you that you aren't going to make it. You may feel like nobody else cares. But God cares.<br />
In fact, <a class="externalLink" href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews%2013:5-6&version=AMP" target="_blank">Hebrews 13:5-6</a> says you can trust God to come to your rescue.<br />
Even when it seems that absolutely nothing is happening in your life, He is working. Beloved, God has a good plan for you, and He'll manifest it right on time.<br />
If you need financial support, He'll provide. If it's physical support you need, He'll sustain you. If you need emotional support, He'll comfort you. He'll nourish you and bring you back to a place of strength.<br />
God is <i>for</i> you. He is <i>not</i> against you. Satan is against you, but <a class="externalLink" href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20John%204:4&version=AMP" target="_blank">the greater One lives in you!</a><br />
<h3>Let Nothing Separate You from God's Love</h3>During hard times and moments of insecurity, Satan works overtime trying to convince us that God doesn't love us—that if He did, either we wouldn't be in this situation, or He would've delivered us by now.<br />
I confess with my own mouth the truth that God <i>does</i> love me during these attacks of fear. And I encourage you to say several times a day with confidence, "God loves me!" Don't allow the devil to steal this truth from you.<br />
<a class="externalLink" href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%208:38-39&version=AMP" target="_blank">Romans 8:38-39</a>, which I pray will comfort you right now (I am praying this as well.. jsk), says:<br />
<i>For I am persuaded beyond doubt (am sure) that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities, nor things impending and threatening nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. </i><br />
As long as you refuse to let anything separate you from God's love, you <i>will</i> have the victory.<br />
<hr />After reading this I read all of 1 John 4 in the Amplified version andit blew me away - mind, heart... soul.. All of me.<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20John+4&version=AMP">http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20John+4&version=AMP</a> </div><div id="ctl00_ctl00_cpMainContent_ContentMasterBodyContentCPH_devotionalExcerpt" style="margin-top: 15px;"><br />
I pray that it will do the same for you, that it will draw you closer <br />
to Him today.<br />
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For the Glory of God! <br />
jsk</div></div>jscottkennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00110001212541577493noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6041950963864234978.post-56327909369208685882011-10-30T23:48:00.000-04:002011-10-30T23:48:14.895-04:00Nick Vujicic Fully Living for Jesus Christ<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">This might be the best Nick Vujicic video. Very clear and anointed message. Thankful for Nick. If you do not watch any other video on him, please watch this one. May it Bless you richly according to God's Will.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b> <span style="font-size: large;"><span class="" dir="ltr" id="eow-title" title="Nick Vujicic Fully Living for Jesus Christ">Nick Vujicic Fully Living for Jesus Christ</span></span></b> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/qJ91fYMqR10?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br />
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</div>jscottkennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00110001212541577493noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6041950963864234978.post-52851521015018949592011-10-30T23:38:00.000-04:002011-10-30T23:38:35.004-04:00Nick Vujicic "No Arms, No Legs, No Worries!"<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">The first 3 videos make up my original introduction to Nick Vujicic. His video "No Arms, No Legs, No Worries!" was hugely inspirational to me at a time when I was asleep. I believe his story was part of a plan God had to wake me up. Hope that these Bless you. The 4th video is much newer and continues to display that God has and is doing a great work in/through Nick's life. Praise God for Nick. Thankful for him.<br />
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Nicks 3 Keys he discusses:<br />
1) Perspective<br />
2) Vision<br />
3) Choices<br />
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</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Nick Vujicic "No Arms, No Legs, No Worries!" Part 1</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><object width="320" height="266" class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://3.gvt0.com/vi/yo_24_qTNac/0.jpg"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/yo_24_qTNac&fs=1&source=uds" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/yo_24_qTNac&fs=1&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Nick Vujicic "No Arms, No Legs, No Worries!" Part2</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/6bL3GR4iAW0?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Nick Vujicic "No Arms, No Legs, No Worries!" Part3</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/oxJ8Sd2Z1Yk?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br />
<h1 id="watch-headline-title" style="text-align: center;"><span class="" dir="ltr" id="eow-title" title="Nick Vujicic Fully Living for Jesus Christ">Nick Vujicic Fully Living for Jesus Christ </span></h1><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/qJ91fYMqR10?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br />
</div>jscottkennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00110001212541577493noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6041950963864234978.post-24898635458134092462011-10-30T23:06:00.000-04:002011-10-30T23:06:10.183-04:00Nick Vujicic Testimony : Extraordinary<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Nick Vujicic has had a huge impact on my life. Thankful to Scott Lehr @ Southbridge who reminded me of Nick Vujicic today. I thought about Nick Vujicic a couple of weeks ago, but not since then. This is one guy that I hope to think about and pray for every day for the rest of my life. Very Thankful for Nick Vujicic. Thankful that god made Nick just as he is.<br />
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I first watched his video(s) titled "No Arms, No Legs, No Worries" a couple of years ago and learned about 3 keys to all situations from Nick. 1) Vision, 2) Perspective and 3) Choices. I hope that his video testimonial below will bless you. <br />
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"God Loves you. He hasn't forgotten you. He will never forsake you. Hope is in the name of God. In Jesus Christ. Don't give up on God, because God will not and has not given up on you." - Nick Vujicic<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Nick Vujicic Testimony : Extraordinary</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/UaIbym0hYtY?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><h4>John 9</h4><h4><span style="font-size: small;">Jesus Heals a Man Born Blind</span></h4><h5 class="passage-header"></h5> <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-26442">1</sup> As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-26443">2</sup> His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” <span class="woj"><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-26444">3</sup> “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,”</span> said Jesus, <span class="woj">“but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.</span> <span class="woj"><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-26445">4</sup> As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work.</span> <span class="woj"><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-26446">5</sup> While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”</span> <br />
<sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-26447">6</sup> After saying this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man’s eyes. <span class="woj"><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-26448">7</sup> “Go,”</span> he told him, <span class="woj">“wash in the Pool of Siloam”</span> (this word means “Sent”). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing. <br />
<sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-26449">8</sup> His neighbors and those who had formerly seen him begging asked, “Isn’t this the same man who used to sit and beg?” <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-26450">9</sup> Some claimed that he was. <br />
Others said, “No, he only looks like him.” <br />
But he himself insisted, “I am the man.” <br />
<sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-26451">10</sup> “How then were your eyes opened?” they asked. <br />
<sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-26452">11</sup> He replied, “The man they call Jesus made some mud and put it on my eyes. He told me to go to Siloam and wash. So I went and washed, and then I could see.” <br />
<sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-26453">12</sup> “Where is this man?” they asked him. <br />
“I don’t know,” he said. <br />
<h5 class="passage-header">The Pharisees Investigate the Healing</h5> <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-26454">13</sup> They brought to the Pharisees the man who had been blind. <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-26455">14</sup> Now the day on which Jesus had made the mud and opened the man’s eyes was a Sabbath. <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-26456">15</sup> Therefore the Pharisees also asked him how he had received his sight. “He put mud on my eyes,” the man replied, “and I washed, and now I see.” <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-26457">16</sup> Some of the Pharisees said, “This man is not from God, for he does not keep the Sabbath.” <br />
But others asked, “How can a sinner perform such signs?” So they were divided. <br />
<sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-26458">17</sup> Then they turned again to the blind man, “What have you to say about him? It was your eyes he opened.” <br />
The man replied, “He is a prophet.” <br />
<sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-26459">18</sup> They still did not believe that he had been blind and had received his sight until they sent for the man’s parents. <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-26460">19</sup> “Is this your son?” they asked. “Is this the one you say was born blind? How is it that now he can see?” <br />
<sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-26461">20</sup> “We know he is our son,” the parents answered, “and we know he was born blind. <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-26462">21</sup> But how he can see now, or who opened his eyes, we don’t know. Ask him. He is of age; he will speak for himself.” <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-26463">22</sup> His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders, who already had decided that anyone who acknowledged that Jesus was the Messiah would be put out of the synagogue. <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-26464">23</sup> That was why his parents said, “He is of age; ask him.” <br />
<sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-26465">24</sup> A second time they summoned the man who had been blind. “Give glory to God by telling the truth,” they said. “We know this man is a sinner.” <br />
<sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-26466">25</sup> He replied, “Whether he is a sinner or not, I don’t know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!” <br />
<sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-26467">26</sup> Then they asked him, “What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?” <br />
<sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-26468">27</sup> He answered, “I have told you already and you did not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you want to become his disciples too?” <br />
<sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-26469">28</sup> Then they hurled insults at him and said, “You are this fellow’s disciple! We are disciples of Moses! <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-26470">29</sup> We know that God spoke to Moses, but as for this fellow, we don’t even know where he comes from.” <br />
<sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-26471">30</sup> The man answered, “Now that is remarkable! You don’t know where he comes from, yet he opened my eyes. <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-26472">31</sup> We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly person who does his will. <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-26473">32</sup> Nobody has ever heard of opening the eyes of a man born blind. <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-26474">33</sup> If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.” <br />
<sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-26475">34</sup> To this they replied, “You were steeped in sin at birth; how dare you lecture us!” And they threw him out. <br />
<h5 class="passage-header">Spiritual Blindness</h5> <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-26476">35</sup> Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, and when he found him, he said, <span class="woj">“Do you believe in the Son of Man?”</span> <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-26477">36</sup> “Who is he, sir?” the man asked. “Tell me so that I may believe in him.” <br />
<sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-26478">37</sup> Jesus said, <span class="woj">“You have now seen him; in fact, he is the one speaking with you.”</span> <br />
<sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-26479">38</sup> Then the man said, “Lord, I believe,” and he worshiped him. <br />
<sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-26480">39</sup> Jesus said,<sup class="footnote" value="[<a href="#fen-NIV-26480a" title="See footnote a">a</a>]">[<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+9&version=NIV#fen-NIV-26480a" title="See footnote a">a</a>]</sup> <span class="woj">“For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind.”</span> <br />
<sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-26481">40</sup> Some Pharisees who were with him heard him say this and asked, “What? Are we blind too?” <br />
<sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-26482">41</sup> Jesus said, <span class="woj">“If you were blind, you would not be guilty of sin; but now that you claim you can see, your guilt remains.</span> <br />
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</div>jscottkennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00110001212541577493noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6041950963864234978.post-46539507208561045272011-10-23T00:11:00.000-04:002011-10-23T00:11:11.560-04:00"He's Alive"<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="writer"> Love this song. Hope it blesses it you. - jsk</div><div class="writer"> </div><div class="writer" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><u> David Phelps & Gaither Vocal Band - Singing "He's Alive" by Don Francisco</u></b></span>:</div><div class="writer"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/oYoZY9AEras?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="writer"></div><div class="writer"> </div><div class="writer" style="text-align: center;"><b><u><span style="font-size: small;">"He's Alive" by Don Francisco</span></u></b></div><div class="writer" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><div class="lyrics" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The gates and doors were barred<br />
And all the windows fastened down<br />
I spent the night in sleeplessness<br />
And rose at every sound<br />
Half in hopeless sorrow<br />
And half in fear the day<br />
Would find the soldiers breakin' through<br />
To drag us all away<br />
<br />
And just before the sunrise<br />
I heard something at the wall<br />
The gate began to rattle<br />
And a voice began to call<br />
I hurried to the window<br />
Looked down into the street<br />
Expecting swords and torches<br />
And the sound of soldiers' feet<br />
<br />
But there was no one there but Mary<br />
So I went down to let her in<br />
John stood there beside me<br />
As she told me where she'd been<br />
She said they might have moved Him in the night<br />
And none of us knows where<br />
The stone's been rolled away<br />
And now His body isn't there<br />
<br />
We both ran toward the garden<br />
Then John ran on ahead<br />
We found the stone and empty tomb<br />
Just the way that Mary said<br />
But the winding sheet they wrapped Him in<br />
Was just an empty shell<br />
And how or where they'd taken Him<br />
Was more than I could tell<br />
<br />
Oh something strange had happened there<br />
Just what I did not know<br />
John believed a miracle<br />
But I just turned to go<br />
Circumstance and speculation<br />
Couldn't lift me very high<br />
'Cause I'd seen them crucify him<br />
Then I saw him die<br />
<br />
Back inside the house again<br />
The guilt and anguish came<br />
Everything I'd promised Him<br />
Just added to my shame<br />
When at last it came to choices<br />
I denied I knew His name<br />
And even if He was alive<br />
It wouldn't be the same<br />
<br />
But suddenly the air was filled<br />
With a strange and sweet perfume<br />
Light that came from everywhere<br />
Drove the shadows from the room<br />
And Jesus stood before me<br />
With his arms held open wide<br />
And I fell down on my knees<br />
And I just clung to Him and cried<br />
<br />
Then He raised me to my feet<br />
And as I looked into His eyes<br />
The love was shining out from Him<br />
Like sunlight from the skies<br />
Guilt in my confusion<br />
Disappeared in sweet release<br />
And every fear I'd ever had<br />
Just melted into peace<br />
<br />
He's alive yes He's alive<br />
Yes He's alive and I'm forgiven<br />
Heaven's gates are open wide<br />
He's alive yes He's alive<br />
Oh He's alive and I'm forgiven<br />
Heaven's gates are open wide<br />
He's alive yes He's alive<br />
Hallelujah He's alive<br />
He's alive and I'm forgiven<br />
Heaven's gates are open wide<br />
He's alive He's alive He's alive<br />
- I believe it He's alive<br />
Sweet Jesus</span></div></div>jscottkennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00110001212541577493noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6041950963864234978.post-85109124741174684172011-10-21T22:05:00.000-04:002011-10-21T22:05:11.674-04:00I Never Heard This Before by Timothy Decker<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><h3>The Tragedy of a Perverted Gospel </h3><div class="text-left">Dick was a man in his late thirties whose wife had recently left him, plunging him into depression. He had come to me because he needed the Lord’s help and he didn’t seem to be getting it. Dick had enough sense to know that genuine faith in the Lord Jesus Christ should, in crisis circumstances, be marked by some degree of strength and victory. He had none. His salvation wasn’t working. “What could be wrong?” he wanted to know.</div><div class="text-left">So I asked Dick to tell me his spiritual history. He spoke of responding to an invitation and being baptized in a large church in Philadelphia. And he said he had been baptized in the Spirit among a group of charismatics in Reno. These were the outstanding details, and while there was more to his story, I never did hear what I was listening for. Finally, I asked Dick if he was sure that he had ever been converted to begin with. That, he acknowledged, had always been a haunting doubt.</div><div class="text-left">I dug deeper and asked if he believed in the Atonement — had he asked God to remove his sin by the Blood of Jesus Christ? Yes, he thought he had. Well, then, had he submitted to Jesus Christ as his Lord — the controlling authority of his life? And with that I struck a nerve.</div><div class="text-left">Dick, without hesitation, answered, “No.”</div><div class="text-left">It was a familiar scene. It had happened so many times before in my counseling: people, groping after spiritual reality, suddenly admitting that they were trying to know Jesus as Savior while avoiding Him as Lord. As I began to explain the scriptural conditions for salvation based on a relationship with the Lord, Dick interrupted, “I never heard this before.” And it is a sad fact that so many people have not heard it. They have been offered a gospel that sounds promising, but that leaves out the essential ingredient of saving faith: they have never really understood that Jesus Christ is Lord.</div><div class="text-left">“As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him.” There is no scripture anywhere that says we are to receive Jesus as Savior. He comes — when He comes at all — as Lord, and in His Lordship saves us from ourselves and our sin. It is no wonder that many so-called Christians in the best evangelical churches are leading joyless, defeated lives; they have tried to come into salvation through a formula, a plan of salvation, a prayer, a raised hand — or whatever. But the Lord Jesus Christ Himself is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. His name is above every name. He has all power in heaven and in earth. We embrace a deception unless we embrace the One whose authority conquers the very self-will that has damned us.</div><div class="text-left">People who try to have a salvation without submission have bought, as it were, a tree without roots — a Christmas tree that will look green and beautiful for a while, and that will display a quantity of light and ornament, but will wither and die in time. Only what is rooted and built up in Christ Jesus the Lord will last. Christmas-tree Christianity is the result of a gospel that deletes conditions set down by Jesus Himself: “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.” An expurgated gospel says, “If you want to be a Christian, just ask God to forgive you and everything will be fine; you will have happiness and remarkable answers to prayer and all things will work together for good. And, best of all, you will get to go to heaven instead of hell.”</div><div class="text-left">This gospel is accompanied by sentimental pleading and popular-style music; it is promoted by attractive and articulate religious salesmen who offer a congenial Jesus who accepts all corners. The real Jesus is kept out of sight because His message is too strong and it is feared He will discourage people.</div><div class="text-left">The real Jesus separates the human race into two categories: those who want to follow Him, and those who would rather not. There are those who hear the call to the Kingdom and draw near with true hearts in full assurance of faith. They count the cost and receive the promise. They endure as seeing Him who is invisible. They know that following the Lord Jesus Christ is the highest calling and the deepest fulfillment.</div><div class="text-left">As they say in the investment business, “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.” And a gospel that costs believers nothing is not only too good to be true, it is an insult to the Lord Jesus. He is the obedient Son who became the author of eternal salvation to them that, in turn, obey Him. The confession of the lips that Jesus is Lord, together with the heart-belief that God has raised Him from the dead, is necessary to salvation. But if we confess that Jesus is Lord, and continue to do as we please, we will be challenged by Jesus Himself: “Why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do the things which I say?”</div><div class="text-left">There is no way around it. The real Jesus offers a real gospel rooted in His authority. Jesus warned that the day of judgment will expose many who say “Lord, Lord,” but who will have this sentence handed down: “I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.”</div><div class="text-left">A great deal of attention is given to the doctrine of salvation by grace, rather than works, as though the two did not go together. Writing to Titus, Paul says, “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age.” Far from de-emphasizing or postponing obedience, the grace of God insists upon it. Obedience is what salvation is all about, as the famous passage in Ephesians actually goes on to say: “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works....”</div><div class="text-left">If the gospel makes plain that we are not saved by good works, it makes equally plain that we are saved for good works. Philippians 2 warns, “Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.” The meaning is clear: we do not work up our salvation, but God works it in — and we had best work it out! Otherwise we will be like those in Titus who “profess to know God, but in works deny Him.”</div><div class="text-left">It is high time for Christians who hold to the authority of the Bible and the personal experience of salvation as taught in the Bible to take a hard look at what we are offering to a lost world. An easy gospel may gain us more professions, and may fill our churches, but we will find after all that we have attracted the half-hearted, the uncommitted, and, to tell the truth, the patently unconverted. In a world characterized by compromise and infected with the quest for self-fulfillment, instant immortality claimed through a painless cross has its appeal. But the expediency will damn the very sinners it promises to save and will corrupt the Church it hopes to build.</div><div class="text-left">Our passion for souls must never outweigh either our passion for the truth or our confidence in Jesus Christ as Someone who knows what He is talking about. A gospel modified so as to soften the conditions of Lordship, attempting to win more souls for Christ, will in reality win none at all. It is better to face the facts that the gate is narrow, the road difficult, and the followers few, than to pretend that by tinkering with the truth we can somehow improve the disappointing odds.</div><div class="text-left">I say with Paul, let the real Gospel be foolishness to the clever and a stumbling block to the religious, that in its severity it will have the power to save those who believe it.</div></div>jscottkennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00110001212541577493noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6041950963864234978.post-87225027950484475892011-10-08T00:03:00.002-04:002011-10-08T00:08:09.303-04:00Encouraging words on the Book of Daniel<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: georgia,serif; font-size: medium;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: georgia,serif; font-size: medium;"> -------</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: georgia,serif; font-size: medium;">If you read the book of Daniel and only see a den of lions and strange visions, you have missed the main character in the book - the sovereign God! Daniel wrote this book not to glorify himself but to exalt the Lord. In every circumstance, in every crisis, Daniel points us to a God who is at work in human history.</span> <br />
<div><span style="font-family: georgia,serif; font-size: medium;">To say that God is sovereign simply means that nothing happens that is not planned or permitted by God. That is true of kingdoms and is true of our lives. Daniel's God is not a weak, frustrated deity who sits in heaven, wringing his hands, hoping that everything will turn out right. He is a God who orders all events according to his own will.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia,serif; font-size: medium;">The book of Daniel is written in a literary form know as apocalyptic literature. Apocalyptic books speak to us in those times when God seems to be absent. The crushed people of Judah in Daniel's day were saying, "Where is God?" Daniel answers their questions by showing them that even in a national catastrophe God is working out his plan and purpose.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia,serif; font-size: medium;">Daniel is able to resist compromise because of his relationship to the sovereign God. His obedience was simply an expression of God's kingship in his life. Daniel's courage to proclaim God's message came from his allegiance to the sovereign Lord who reigned as King, even above the kings of Babylon.</span></div><div></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia,serif; font-size: medium;"> From:</span><br />
<a href="http://www.ivpress.com/bible/daniel/%20"><span style="font-family: georgia,serif; font-size: medium;"></span></a><span style="font-family: georgia,serif; font-size: medium;"><a href="">http://www.ivpress.com/bible/daniel/</a> </span></div></div>jscottkennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00110001212541577493noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6041950963864234978.post-86548861086342447322011-09-27T14:22:00.001-04:002011-09-27T21:17:47.692-04:00Ed's Story<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Wow. God is Awesome. Last week Ed's Story premiered over at Flannel. I was previously unfamiliar with Edward Dobson, his life, and more importantly HIS life lived through him. Part 1 of Ed's Story is free over at Flannel and can be found at <a href="http://player.flannel.org/contents/66">http://player.flannel.org/contents/66</a> . Also, check out Ed's website at <a href="http://edsstory.com/">http://edsstory.com/</a> for more information. <br />
<br />
<br />
</div>jscottkennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00110001212541577493noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6041950963864234978.post-5413922763992044792011-09-27T14:17:00.000-04:002011-09-27T14:17:42.786-04:00Desiring God 2011 National Conference Video/Audio<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">I was able to check out several of these services over the weekend Live and was blessed tremendously. I highly recommend the Giglio and Platt messages. Giglio does a mashup of Whales, Stars and Chris Tomlin that is something that will only make sense if you watch it. Once you do, you will never be the same. Thankful for this conference and the Word of God and Praise to God that came forth from it.<br />
<br />
<br />
<header class="page_title col_12 " role="banner"> <div class="col_9 in"> <h1><span style="font-size: large;">Video and Audio from the 2011 Desiring God National Conference</span></h1></div></header><blockquote><strong>Session 1</strong><br />
<a href="http://www.desiringgod.org/resource-library/conference-messages/the-global-god-who-gives-the-great-commission">The Global God Who Gives the Great Commission</a><br />
Louie Giglio<br />
<strong>Session 2</strong><br />
<a href="http://www.desiringgod.org/resource-library/conference-messages/the-glory-of-god-the-lostness-of-man-and-the-gospel-of-christ">The Glory of God, the Lostness of Man, and the Gospel of Christ</a><br />
David Platt<br />
<strong>Session 3</strong><br />
<a href="http://www.desiringgod.org/resource-library/conference-messages/courage-christ-and-finishing-the-mission">Courage, Christ, and Finishing the Mission</a><br />
Michael Ramsden<br />
<strong>Session 4</strong><br />
<a href="http://www.desiringgod.org/resource-library/conference-messages/from-every-land-to-every-land-the-internationalization-of-missions-its-potential-and-the-price">From Every Land to Every Land: The Internationalization of Missions – Its Potential and the Price</a><br />
Michael Oh<br />
<strong>Session 5</strong><br />
<a href="http://www.desiringgod.org/resource-library/conference-messages/speaker-panel-david-platt-michael-ramsden-michael-oh-ed-stetzer-john-piper">Speaker Panel: David Platt, Michael Ramsden, Michael Oh, Ed Stetzer, John Piper</a><br />
David Mathis<br />
<strong>Session 6</strong><br />
<a href="http://www.desiringgod.org/resource-library/conference-messages/the-church-the-neighborhood-and-the-nations">The Church, The Neighborhood, and the Nations</a><br />
Ed Stetzer<br />
<strong>Session 7</strong><br />
<a href="http://www.desiringgod.org/resource-library/conference-messages/let-the-peoples-praise-you-o-god-let-all-the-peoples-praise-you">Let the Peoples Praise You, O God, Let All the Peoples Praise You!</a><br />
John Piper<br />
<strong>Speaker Interview</strong><br />
<a href="http://www.desiringgod.org/resource-library/conference-messages/interview-greg-livingstone-and-david-sitton">Greg Livingstone, David Sitton</a><br />
John Piper</blockquote></div>jscottkennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00110001212541577493noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6041950963864234978.post-13169015418411465882011-09-06T15:50:00.000-04:002011-09-06T15:50:40.372-04:00How to Glorify God @ Work - Dr. John Piper<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Reposting this Wonderful blog from John Piper. Appreciate him and the advice, consult he gives. Thankful to God for Dr. Piper. Can't wait to dance in heaven with him one day :)<br />
//jsk<br />
<br />
<br />
<header class="page_title col_12 " role="banner"> <div class="col_9 in"> <h1><span style="font-size: large;">How to Glorify God at Work</span></h1><div class="byline"> <i>by</i> <a href="http://www.desiringgod.org/blog/authors/john-piper">John Piper</a> <i class="pipe">|</i> <span class="date">September 6, 2011</span> </div></div><aside class="col_3 out"> <div id="subscribe"> <a class="button rss" href="http://www.desiringgod.org/blog/posts/how-to-glorify-god-at-work#" id="subscribe_btn" title="Subscribe options for the DG Blog">Link to Original Article<br />
<span class="arrow"></span></a> </div></aside> </header> <figure class="photofull"> <img alt="Permalink" class="photofull" src="http://dwynrhh6bluza.cloudfront.net/photos/images/3637/permalink.jpg?1315283177" /> <figcaption> </figcaption> </figure> Just home from two weeks in Australia, I am brimming with thankfulness to God for his people there, and for the pleasures of working with them in Brisbane and Sydney and in the mountains of Katoomba. <br />
One of the conferences was called <em>Engage</em>. It was focused on “young workers,” which, in their lingo, means young professionals in the workplace. I was asked in an interview if I thought this focus was a good idea. I said yes, because of 1 Corinthians 10:31, “Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” <br />
So they asked: How can young workers glorify God at work?<br />
Here’s the gist of my answer.<br />
<blockquote><em>Dependence</em>. Go to work utterly dependent on God (Proverbs 3:5-6; John 15:5). Without him you can’t breathe, move, think, feel, or talk. Not to mention be spiritually influential. Get up in the morning and let God know your desperation for him. Pray for help.<br />
<em>Integrity</em>. Be absolutely and meticulously honest and trustworthy on the job. Be on time. Give a full day’s work. “Thou shalt not steal.” More people rob their employers by being slackers than by filching the petty cash.<br />
<em>Skill</em>. Get good at what you do. God has given you not only the grace of integrity but the gift of skills. Treasure that gift and be a good steward of those skills. This growth in skill is built on dependence and integrity. <br />
<em>Corporate shaping</em>. As you have influence and opportunity, shape the ethos of the workplace so that the structures and policies and expectations and aims move toward accordance with Christ. For example, someone is shaping the ethos of <em>Chick-fil-A </em>restaurants with <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2v0RhvZ3lvY">this video</a>. <br />
<em>Impact</em>. Aim to help your company have an impact that is life-enhancing without being soul-destroying. Some industries have an impact that is destructive (e.g., porn, gambling, abortion, marketing scams, etc). But many can be helped to turn toward impact that is life-giving without being soul-ruining. As you have opportunity, work toward that.<br />
<em>Communication</em>. Work places are webs of relationships. Relationships are possible through communication. Weave your Christian worldview into the normal communications of life. Don’t hide your light under a basket. Put it on the stand. Winsomely. Naturally. Joyfully. Let those who love their salvation say continually, Great is the Lord! (Psalm 40:16)<br />
<em>Love.</em> Serve others. Be the one who volunteers first to go get the pizza. To drive the van. To organize the picnic. Take an interest in others at work. Be known as the one who cares not just about the light-hearted weekend tales, but the burdens of heavy and painful Monday mornings. Love your workmates, and point them to the great Burden Bearer.<br />
<em>Money</em>. Work is where you make (and spend) money. It is all God’s, not yours. You are a trustee. Turn your earning into the overflow of generosity in how you steward God’s money. Don’t work to earn to have. Work to earn to have to give and to invest in Christ-exalting ventures. Make your money speak of Christ as your supreme Treasure.<br />
<em>Thanks</em>. Always give thanks to God for life and health and work and Jesus. Be a thankful person at work. Don’t be among the complainers. Let your thankfulness to God overflow in a humble spirit of gratitude to others. Be known as the hope-filled, humble, thankful one at work.</blockquote>There are more things to say about glorifying God in the workplace. But this is a start. Add to the list as God gives you light. The point is: Whatever you do, whether you eat or drink or work, do all to make God look as great as he really is.<br />
<br />
<br />
</div>jscottkennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00110001212541577493noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6041950963864234978.post-40805359166849681502011-09-05T10:56:00.001-04:002011-09-05T10:57:43.391-04:00The River - Brian Doerksen - Live version<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/i2GPGnZd0x0?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br />
Such a blessed worship song. Worship Jesus today. Surrender all and Follow Him.</div>jscottkennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00110001212541577493noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6041950963864234978.post-41204293747407414712011-09-03T15:38:00.002-04:002011-09-03T15:38:45.364-04:00Majesty by Leeland<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/Ecv0ugxTaVw?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br />
</div>jscottkennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00110001212541577493noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6041950963864234978.post-29004866128229163082011-08-15T17:44:00.003-04:002011-08-15T17:52:16.607-04:00Prayer from Grammy!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">This is a precious prayer shared with me today by my Grammy. Much Love!<br />
<br />
"Invisible God, give us hearts to see the things our eyes overlook. <br />
Open our hearts to feel the things our hands can't touch. <br />
Open our hearts to hear the still, small voice which sounds like only silence to our listening ears. <br />
Teach us to know You for what You really are - not flash of thunder, but love, softly spoken, flowing like a fountain, bathing the soul and the skin. Amen" <br />
- Author Unknown (if you know pls let me know).<br />
<br />
</div>jscottkennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00110001212541577493noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6041950963864234978.post-43320888808803478772011-07-23T12:36:00.000-04:002011-07-23T12:36:22.584-04:00Your Adversary - by C. Parker Thomas<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><h3></h3><h3></h3><h3><a href="http://www.midnightcry.org/pubs/books/your_adversary/your_adversary.htm">"Your Adversary" by C. Parker Thomas</a></h3><h3>HOW WELL DO YOU KNOW YOUR ENEMY?</h3><div class="text-left">“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.” I Peter 5:8-10.</div><div class="text-left">In reality there are only two powers in the whole universe ... God and Satan. Light and darkness. Life and death. One brings order, peace, and life, the other brings chaos, torment and death. One gives clarity, sanity and peace of mind; the other anguish, and insanity. God is the author of health and happiness. Satan is the author of sickness, sorrow and death. All good is from God. All evil is from Satan. James 1:17; 3:14-17. God is the deliverer. Satan is the oppressor.</div><h3>THE TWO KINGDOMS</h3><div class="text-left">Under the reign of God we have his people and the myriad of angels that are ministering spirits sent forth to minister to the heirs of salvation. Heb. 1:14. Some of the angels are greater in power and wisdom than others. The talents and callings of God’s people vary also.</div><div class="text-left">Under the reign of Satan, who is a fallen angel of a very high order, there are also a myriad of evil spirits known as demons. The world of lost unregenerate men are likewise his instruments. Satan’s kingdom is organized and divided into various provinces with fallen angels called princes over these provinces.</div><div class="text-left">The evil prince of Persia that withstood the arch-angel, Gabriel, from coming to Daniel is an example of such an evil prince (Daniel 10:12-13). Of course Satan is the chief over all, called the prince of this world by Jesus and the prince of the power of the air by Paul. John 14:30; Eph. 2:2.</div><h3>GOD’S PEOPLE</h3><div class="text-left">God’s people are hated and oppressed by this evil adversary and his wicked host of evil spirits. This battle has been going on since the garden of Eden. The unregenerate world of men and their world systems (governments) to a great extent are under the control of Satan. That is the reason the world hates Christ and his people. John 17:14, 15:18-19, II Tim. 3:12, I John 3:11-15.</div><div class="text-left">The very first essential for God’s people in this great battle is to realize who the real enemy is. Ephesians 6:12 tells us that “We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, and against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” Though man is used of Satan as an instrument to cause much grief and sorrow, our real enemy is the unseen wicked forces of Satan. Failure to recognize this enemy has caused God’s people to suffer needlessly.</div><div class="text-left">In Hosea 4:6 the Lord says, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” How true this is of the people that do not know who their real enemy is.</div><h3>BIBLE EXAMPLES</h3><div class="text-left">There are many Bible examples where Jesus and the disciples met this enemy in the person of various evil spirits. They not only recognized these evil spirits but they also exercised authority over them in casting them out of their victims.</div><div class="text-left">No doubt many of the physical and mental illnesses of today are the work of demons or evil spirits. Malignancies such as cancer, tumors, etc., are caused by some sort of destructive spirit life. Even germs that can only be seen under a microscope have life in them. Of course this life is satanic and destructive because it lives at the expense of man’s life.</div><div class="text-left">In Mark 9 we have a young boy possessed with a spirit that caused him to foam at the mouth, gnash with his teeth and pine away ( a type of melancholy). This spirit often cast this boy into the fire and into the water. The symptoms of this condition sound exactly like what we know today as epilepsy. However, Jesus called it a deaf and dumb spirit.</div><div class="text-left">The woman in Luke 13 was all bowed over and Jesus called the spirit responsible for her condition a spirit of infirmity. Perhaps her condition today would be known as rheumatism or arthritis. Mary Magdalene had seven devils in her.</div><div class="text-left">In other instances these spirits were called foul spirits, unclean spirits, spirits of divination, and simply evil spirits. In some cases the victims were what we would classify today as mental cases such as the Legion in Mark 5. In others the victims were affected physically and morally.</div><div class="text-left">If we believe the Bible there is certainly abundant evidence that evil spirits are responsible for much of the ills (mental, physical and moral) that plague the human family. Perhaps some day we will be astonished to learn that this enemy either directly or indirectly is responsible for all of our troubles. However, let me inject this note of truth:</div><h3>OPPRESSION AND POSSESSION</h3><div class="text-left">There are two ways the enemy afflicts men. In some cases evil spirits actually take up their abode and live and dwell in a human being. At times such individuals appear normal but at other times they manifest the varied characteristics of the evil spirit that dwells in them. For instance if it is a covetous spirit the possessed person is very tight in money matters and is always on the alert and suspicious where money is involved. Sometimes they will stint and save at the expense of eating out of garbage cans to save money.</div><div class="text-left">One possessed of an alcohol demon becomes a hopeless alcoholic that is literally driven to drink even though he sincerely desires to give it up during times of sober reflection.</div><div class="text-left">One possessed of a sex devil cannot cease from trying to satisfy his abnormal lust. This terrible lust spirit will also drive his victims to commit terrible sex crimes which we so often read about in the papers.</div><div class="text-left">Any continual abnormal manifestation of the depraved nature of man such as jealousy, hatred, evil-speaking, lust, pride, physical uncleanness, various forms of insanity or mental delusions, may be caused by demon possession.</div><div class="text-left">Sometimes the oppression of the enemy is almost as great as demon possession. In fact, I personally believe it can be more tormenting at times than demon possession. Christians are especially subject to the oppression of the enemy. Only those that have grown up in Christ and understand the wily ways of this enemy can resist him effectively.</div><div class="text-left">I have personally dealt with several cases of severe demon oppression in the past few years and in most cases the victims were not even aware of the true source of their trouble. The greatest obstacle to overcome with most of them was to get them to understand and recognize their adversary. Most of them were suffering such mental anguish until they literally wished they could die. Some of them contemplated suicide. In every case they could not control their thoughts (Satan attacks through the mind). Sometimes they were filled with such fear of impending unknown disaster until they wanted to leave and go somewhere they were not known. They would have periods of great melancholy when they would not talk, laugh, or take an interest in things. They would want to be alone.</div><div class="text-left">In almost every case they had a dread of meeting people. Some of them thought they were losing their mind. Others were filled with fear of things that were pure imagination. Some were told by the oppressing spirit that they had committed the unpardonable sin and could not be saved. Still others were convinced in their minds that some strange disease was going to ravage their body and make them prematurely old.</div><div class="text-left">One such person got to the place where they would not go anywhere because they thought people were watching them. Sometimes the oppression was so great until they would weep and wish they could die. Such persons also often lose all interest in their home, their children, jobs, friends, etc. About the only relief they get is when they are asleep. One such person told me, “I wish I could go to sleep and never wake up.”</div><div class="text-left">The tragic thing about this awful condition is: these people could be delivered if they knew who their enemy was and how to resist him.</div><h3>HOW TO DEFEAT SATAN</h3><div class="text-left">“Finally my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 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. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” Eph. 6:10-13.</div><div class="text-left">In this second part of the article I shall try to give you some of the simple fundamental rules that God in His infinite wisdom has given us to go by if we would defeat this adversary of our souls. Knowledge of these truths is the first step in this direction. The Lord spoke through Hosea in his day because of their willful ignorance of Him and His Word and said, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” Hosea 4:6. And that is primarily the reason people are being destroyed by this enemy today, not because there is no deliverance, not because the Lord won’t deliver them, but simply their own willful ignorance of God and His Word ... and of course their own sinful disobedience and unwillingness to yield their lives to the Lord.</div><div class="text-left">Prisons, insane asylums, and institutions are filled with poor demented human beings that are suffering the horrors of hell on earth because they would not walk in the light as He is in the light. One poor wretch that destroyed her own life said the day she committed suicide, “I am so miserable I can’t stand to live.” Another, who was later delivered said, “I wish I could die and get out of it.”</div><div class="text-left">In addition to the multitudes in the various institutions there are millions of homes that are suffering because one or more of the household are victims of this adversary.</div><div class="text-left">And the alarming fact is, this condition is worsening and shall continue to grow worse until this age ends in the awful tribulation judgments that are coming on the earth.</div><div class="text-left">Nothing less than the “whole armour of God” will enable God’s people to stand this last great onslaught of the enemy as he temporarily sets up his kingdom and rules the world.</div><div class="text-left">Oh, that I might find words of such weight and urgency that men might take heed. Truly you must “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” I Peter 5:8.</div><div class="text-left">This is the message of the hour: get ready or perish.</div><div class="text-left">Casualties are falling on this battlefield all around us. Even while this article was being written we received the shocking news that one who made a profession of faith under our own ministry and at one time had a burning testimony, did personal work, and taught a Sunday School class; had taken her own life with a gun.</div><div class="text-left">We are no match for this adversary in our own strength; we must learn the secret of the Lord. Remember the Scripture says, “Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.” Eph. 6:10. Now the secret of the Lord is the necessary knowledge of your position in Christ, Satan and his ways, and God’s provision for your protection and deliverance.</div><h3>YOUR POSITION IN CHRIST</h3><div class="text-left">This great adversary defeats many because they are ignorant of their position and inheritance in Christ. Through one of his chief weapons, “the lie,” he keeps these in darkness and unbelief concerning these things lest they break his yoke of bondage and go free. John 8:44; II Cor. 4:3-4; Acts 26:18. This enemy doesn’t want you to know that in Christ you are legally free. The whole purpose of Calvary was to set men free. After having come to Calvary, the door of freedom, why believe Satan’s lie and turn back to bondage and death?</div><div class="text-left">“If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” John 8:36.</div><div class="text-left">“But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all. For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; break forth and cry, thou that travailest not; for the desolate hath many more children that she which hath a husband. Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise. But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now. Nevertheless what saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman. So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free.” Gal. 4:26-31.</div><div class="text-left">“Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherefore Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage,” Gal. 5:2.</div><div class="text-left">Now someone will say, “But this all has reference to the law.” That is true, but the club of condemnation and satanic power that blinds men to reality also consists of laws that shut men up in the prison house of despair and hopelessness. Satan has no legal right to keep them there because Christ hath set them free. The prison doors are open. He has blotted “out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; and having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.” Col. 2:14-15.</div><div class="text-left">We need to give “thanks unto the Father which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear son.” Col. 1:12-13.</div><div class="text-left">Praise God! this deliverance is not just for past sins alone. Paul triumphantly said, “Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.” II Cor. 2:14. Hallelujah! Thank God! for this eternal, all conquering grace.</div><div class="text-left">No wonder the great apostle penned these immortal words to the Christians in Rome, “What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things.” Rom. 8:31-32. Read also the rest of this chapter. The conclusion of the matter is we are free in Christ. Satan holds us in bondage only because we through ignorance and unbelief do not put him to flight and claim the blessings and benefits of our birthright.</div><div class="text-left">The next step to deliverance is to</div><h3>KNOW YOUR ENEMY</h3><div class="text-left">his ways, his various devices and cunning treachery. Here is where many fall, they underestimate this wily, treacherous, and persistent foe. Though man is Satan’s chief instrument in his warfare against Christ and His people, our battle is not against flesh and blood. Eph. 6:12 says, “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.”</div><div class="text-left">Yes, the unseen forces of darkness (Satan and his hosts of evil spirits and fallen angels) are the real enemy back of the world’s ills and our own personal troubles. That urge to kill, destroy, take your own life, drown your troubles with alcohol come to your mind from the realm of the spirit and may be, in reality, an evil spirit urging you to evil. Though unseen to the natural eye they are there and they are your enemy. As a roaring lion looking for prey this enemy is seeking those whom he can devour (destroy spiritually, physically and mentally).</div><div class="text-left">His ways are tricky and subtle, working through your senses and inherent weaknesses. One of the very first things in the Bible concerning him was that he was “more subtle than any beast of the field.” Gen. 3:1. He excels at putting doubt in men’s minds concerning God and His Word. And in order to deceive some he uses truth but he misapplies it. In other cases he mixes truth with error. His clever use of the lie is his best weapon. He doesn’t very often just bluntly tell you that God’s Word isn’t true. He rationalizes and uses the knowledge and wisdom of the world to instill unbelief. And in order to do this he uses not the ignorant and uneducated, but the intellectual, the professional, and often so-called ministers of the gospel.</div><div class="text-left">Never think that the devil will appear to you as a monstrous hideous creature with horns, forked tail and cloven hooves. More than likely he will appear “as an angel of light.” II Cor. 11:14. For this reason the Word of God must be the final and only authority in all matters for determining truth and error. But the thing I am concerned about here is not the satanically inspired deceptions of the pseudo-Christian and scientific world but the way Satan through evil spirits attacks the mind of man.</div><div class="text-left">The mind is the battleground. This is where the enemy must be recognized and defeated. Through the mind he enters your being and eventually takes control of your life. This is where the fiery darts of poison are hurled. This is where evil is conceived, murder, rape, theft, tyranny against God and man. Control your thought life and Satan is helpless. All negative and wrong thinking eventually leads to evil. Nip it in the bud and you save yourself much grief and sorrow. Constant and eternal vigilance must be maintained to keep Satan from gaining a foothold. All thoughts of evil, thoughts that bring unrest and fear into your heart are from the enemy. Thoughts of evil about your fellowman, suspicion, resentment-provoking thoughts, thoughts that cause discouragement, gloom, dissatisfaction with your lot in life, jealousy, hatred, lust, covetousness, and thoughts of doubt concerning the Word of God all proceed from Satan.</div><div class="text-left">Paul no doubt had reference to this control of our thought life when he said, “For though we walk in the flesh we do not war after the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal” (fleshly) “but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds; casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.” II Cor. 10:3-5. Any and everything that doesn’t agree with and honor the teachings of God’s Word with respect to attitudes and conduct toward God and man is to be rejected and counted as from Satan. You must not pamper, entertain or tolerate things that are contrary to God, faith, holiness and love. Even our enemies are to be loved and prayed for. Any spirit that would lead you otherwise is from Satan.</div><h3>RESISTING SATAN</h3><div class="text-left">James said, “Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” James 4:7. Isn’t that glorious! This enemy doesn’t just slink away from us, but literally flees from us when we resist him in faith. There are three things mentioned in the Bible that are used to resist or overcome Satan. The Word, the blood, and our testimony. Luke 4:1-13, Rev. 12:11. What is meant by our testimony is our confession of faith, or confessing what God’s Word declares.</div><div class="text-left">Because of the blood shed on Calvary’s cross you are free, not because you deserve it, not because you can earn it, but simply because He loved you and gave Himself for you. The cross is your guarantee of freedom. Satan has no legal right or authority over you. Point him to the blood and the cross. He hates it because it was there he was stripped of his power over you. It was there Jesus spoiled principalities and powers. Col. 2:14-15.</div><div class="text-left">The devil doesn’t want to be reminded of the blood because it spells his defeat. Tell him you have been cleansed and redeemed by the blood and Christ is your Lord and master, not him. Do this in faith next time Satan tries to intimidate you and see what happens.</div><h3>USING THE WORD</h3><div class="text-left">Please notice that in the temptation of Christ by Satan in the wilderness, Jesus met every advance of the enemy with the Word of God. Luke 4:1-13. In resisting the three temptations Jesus quoted the scriptures to Satan by saying, “It is written.” We likewise need to be fortified with the Word of God, the sword of the Spirit. If we know the Word we don’t have to give him any quarter when he attacks but meet him head-on and shout the victory while we cut him to pieces with our flashing two-edged sword. Heb. 4:12.</div><div class="text-left">Meet every thought, temptation and trial with the Word of God and see what happens. Now the last thing we mention in this battle against Satan is</div><h3>YOUR TESTIMONY</h3><div class="text-left">Upon first consideration this may not seem to be very important but such is not the case. It is actually that most important piece of armor referred to as the shield of faith in verse 16 of Ephesians 6. Please note Paul says, “Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.”</div><div class="text-left">Now the word of testimony spoken of in Revelation 12:11 is nothing more or less than confessing the truth of God in the face of faith-trying circumstances. It is the brazen audacity to believe and confess what God’s Word says rather than give in to adverse or contrary circumstances. It is going against the natural current of prevailing conditions to confess that God is true. Not only is it confessing that God is true but it is acting upon your confession. It is marching forward into the swollen waters of Jordan before the waters are parted. It is a faith that staggers not at the promise but believes so strongly it gives glory to God in advance. Rom. 4:20.</div><div class="text-left">Not only is it a faith that precipitates confession and action but it also withstands the onslaughts of the adversary when all visible hope and help is gone. It is believing and standing on the naked Word of God alone knowing He will vindicate it in due time; it is believing and confessing the promise of God while the enemy rages and hurls his lies, accusations, and sense laden thoughts of discouragement at you. It is like Jonah of old refusing to believe in lying vanities but rather the God of Israel who delivers even from the belly of the whale on the bottom of the ocean.</div><div class="text-left">But surely someone will think, “such phenomenal faith is not for me.” If that is what you are thinking you are right now listening to the voice of the enemy. Rebuke him this instant; tell him he is a liar and the father of it. Also tell him that you can do all things through Christ which strengthens you. Phil 4:13. It is true that you may not be able to exercise such faith right now but it is also true that “God will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able, but will, with the temptation also make a way of escape that ye may be able to bear it.” I Cor. 10:13. Just remember this, the Lord will always supply faith and grace necessary to meet the demands of every trial.</div><div class="text-left">As you exercise your faith it will develop and grow. Regardless of how little and meager you may think your faith is, begin to use it every opportunity you have. Confess with your mouth what God’s Word declares. Keep confessing it even if you think it’s only of the mind. Sooner or later it will enter your heart and become a valuable weapon in your arsenal to fight Satan with.</div><div class="text-left">How we need to realize that if the living Christ dwells in us, potentially, we have power to raise the dead, cleanse the leper, cast out devils, and heal the sick. Not only that but the Lord has given us power over all the power of the enemy. Luke 10:19. As far as God is concerned we that are in Christ have overcome Satan and the world. I John 4:4, 5:4.</div><div class="text-left">It is up to us to simply recognize these facts and confess and claim our rights in Christ. In closing let me say a few things about</div><h3>COMMUNION AND WORSHIP</h3><div class="text-left">which are necessary if you are to maintain a Spirit-filled life. Only Spirit-filled men and women are capable of recognizing this wily adversary and resisting him effectively. Regular seasons of prayer, praise and thanksgiving are necessary in maintaining a good spiritual condition as good food, rest, fresh air, sunshine, and bodily exercise are in keeping physically strong. This battle being in the realm of the spirit, we must be spiritually strong to wage war against the enemy.</div><div class="text-left">Prayer is your most potent weapon. Someone has rightly said, “Satan trembles when the weakest saint goes to his knees.” Through praise and thanksgiving we draw nigh to God and He in return draws nigh to us. James 4:8. Singing unto the Lord from your heart is a very effective form of praise and thanksgiving. It will work wonders in the lives of those being oppressed by evil spirits. God desires praise and worship and will bless you with his presence when you do so. By the same token Satan hates for you to worship the Lord and will flee from you when you do it.</div><div class="text-left">There is a direct connection between being filled with the Spirit and worshipping the Lord. Eph. 5:18-20. You cannot worship and praise the Lord from your heart without being filled with the Spirit. “God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.” John 4:24. Being Spirit, the Lord is approached through these spiritual exercises. “Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.” Psalms 100:4. It is while we are thus in His presence that we are strengthened in the inner man and spiritually fortified to meet and defeat our adversary the devil. May God bless and help everyone that reads this message to realize that, we are more than conquerors through Him that loves us. Rom. 8:37.</div></div>jscottkennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00110001212541577493noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6041950963864234978.post-79454751728002362302011-07-13T00:43:00.001-04:002011-07-13T00:48:00.138-04:00God's Power to Revive a Heart" Andrea Griffith TestimonyI had the Wonderful blessing of hearing this testimony Sunday while at the <a href="http://www.midnightcry.org/">Bible Tabernacle</a>. God is so Awesome and Faithful. I am Thankful He is very Alive and working in this late hour. Peace be with you.<br />
jsk<br />
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First a couple of good scriptures to read over that are covered in this testimony as well.<br />
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Isaiah 61 says, "The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; to grant to those who mourn in Zion—to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified (vv. 1-3)". <br />
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I preach repentance toward God; and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ” (Acts 20:21).<br />
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Each of these will take you to a page with the transcript. Right above the Post there is a "Listen" button that will allow you to download the MP3's. <br />
<a href="http://www.reviveourhearts.com/radio/roh/today.php?pid=10909">Part 1: More Than Calling Him Lord </a><b><br />
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<a href="http://www.reviveourhearts.com/radio/roh/today.php?pid=10901">Part 2: A Portrait of Personal Revival</a><br />
<a href="http://www.reviveourhearts.com/radio/roh/today.php?pid=10911">Part 3: Bitterness Is Harbored Hurt</a><br />
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With Scriptures and key notes/statements listed below:<br />
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<a href="http://www.reviveourhearts.com/radio/roh/today.php?pid=10909">Part 1: More Than Calling Him Lord </a><b> </b><br />
<b>That word <i>Lord</i> is more than a word. It indicates a relationship, His total possession of me and my total submission to Him. That’s salvation. That is Him being Lord of our lives.</b><br />
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Psalm 103 says "Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s (vv. 1-5)."<br />
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2 Timothy chapter 3. It says, [They] have the appearance of godliness, but [they] deny its power. Avoid such people. . . . [They are] weak , burdened with sins and led astray by various passions, always learning but never able to arrive at the knowledge of the truth (vv. 5–7).<br />
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“Not everyone who says to me Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven; but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven will enter” (Matt. 7:21).<br />
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“These people draw near to Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me” (Isa. 29:13 paraphrased).<br />
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Repentance is a change of mind. It’s a change of direction. It is a 180. <br />
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<a href="http://www.reviveourhearts.com/radio/roh/today.php?pid=10901">Part 2: A Portrait of Personal Revival</a><br />
Brokenness is simply my response of humility and obedience to the prompting of God’s Spirit and the revelation of God’s Word.<br />
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In Isaiah, 54:4 it says: Fear not for you will not be put to shame; and do not feel humiliated, for you will not be disgraced; but you will forget the shame of your youth.<br />
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Proverbs 28:13 Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and denounces them finds mercy.<br />
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<a href="http://www.reviveourhearts.com/radio/roh/today.php?pid=10911">Part 3: Bitterness Is Harbored Hurt</a><br />
"God's specialty. He loves to take the broken places in our lives, the places where we've totally blown <br />
it, the things that we are so ashamed of and hope nobody else knows, where we think we can never minister out of that—that failure was just too big. God loves to take those broken things and make them into something He can use to give us back beauty for the ashes of our lives." - Andrea Griffith <br />
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Characteristics of bitterness—how that when we're bitter, we're overly sensitive, that we assume negative, and that we have a critical fault-finding spirit. Bitterness shows up physically in your body as you having no rest and no strength.<br />
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In Hebrews it says, “See to it that no root of bitterness spring up among you defiling many” (12:15)jscottkennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00110001212541577493noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6041950963864234978.post-23639763934416518032011-07-10T23:40:00.007-04:002011-07-10T23:46:54.465-04:00Luther on Five Actions for Struggling Believers<figure class="photofull"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>Got this from <a href="http://www.desiringgod.org/blog/posts/luther-on-five-actions-for-struggling-believers">Piper's blog</a> and it blessed me much. Hope it does you as well!<a href="http://dwynrhh6bluza.cloudfront.net/photos/images/3468/permalink.jpeg?1309899453"><img border="0" src="http://dwynrhh6bluza.cloudfront.net/photos/images/3468/permalink.jpeg?1309899453" /></a><br />
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Jerome Weller was a theology student under Martin Luther's direct influence, living in his home and tutoring his children for nearly a decade. In July 1530, Luther wrote a letter of advice to Weller who was in the midst of a depression.<br />
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. . . Excellent Jerome, You ought to rejoice in this temptation of the devil because it is a certain sign that God is propitious and merciful to you. You say that the temptation is heavier than you can bear, and that you fear that it will so break and beat you down as to drive you to despair and blasphemy. I know this wile of the devil. If he cannot break a person with his first attack, he tries by persevering to wear him out and weaken him until the person falls and confesses himself beaten.<br />
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Whenever this temptation comes to you, avoid entering upon a disputation with the devil and do not allow yourself to dwell on those deadly thoughts, for to do so is nothing short of yielding to the devil and letting him have his way. Try as hard as you can to despise those thoughts which are induced by the devil. In this sort of temptation and struggle, contempt is the best and easiest method of winning over the devil. Laugh your adversary to scorn and ask who it is with whom you are talking. By all means flee solitude, for the devil watches and lies in wait for you most of all when you are alone. This devil is conquered by mocking and despising him, not by resisting and arguing with him. . .<br />
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When the devil throws our sins up to us and declares we deserve death and hell, we ought to speak thus: “I admit that I deserve death and hell. What of it? Does this mean that I shall be sentenced to eternal damnation? By no means. For I know One who suffered and made a satisfaction in my behalf. His name is Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Where he is, there I shall be also.”<br />
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Yours, <br />
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Martin Luther<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1573830925/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=desigod-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=1573830925">Luther: Letters of Spiritual Counsel</a>, trans. and ed., Theodore G. Tappert, 1960, (Vancouver, BC: Regent College Publishing, 2003), 85ff., paragraphing mine.<br />
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In review, Luther mentions five pieces of advice:<br />
<ol><li>Rejoice because temptation testifies of God's mercy to you. </li>
<li>Do not dwell on the deadly thoughts of the Devil. </li>
<li>Laugh your adversary to scorn. </li>
<li>Be around other believers. </li>
<li>Proclaim the good news of Jesus for you and your salvation.</li>
</ol>jscottkennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00110001212541577493noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6041950963864234978.post-82327797817450588762011-07-08T14:57:00.002-04:002011-07-08T14:57:35.971-04:00Recent InteractionsCouple of cool interactions within the last 30 days to share with you that might also be encouraging. I could go on and on as there have been many others but these are coming to mind to share with you right now..<br />
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1) Dennis - Homeless Ex-Con - Met this guy when out with Jim Hendren and the Bread of Life ministry feeding homeless downtown Raleigh. I was passing out some tracts and Dennis jumped up from eating his hot dog to come to me and request one of each type of tract I had! He shared with me that while he was in prison tracts like the ones I had in my hands changed his life. He indicated that he jumped on the chance to get some comics while in prison only to find God! He stated that the Word of God is in those tracts and changed his heart. This blew me away because I had always felt "funny" handing out tracts of which I had not read. Therefore, I had always only passed out Bibles. On this day, I didn't have any Bibles to pass out so had these tracts handed to me instead. God spoke very clearly to me through Dennis on this day. It was amazing. I left in awe, amazed and trembling. <br />
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2) Darrel Davis - I had learned of Darrel a month or two prior, but not yet met him. I had been praying for him as I had gotten one of his cards. After talking with Dennis above I was walking around and saw a guy I had prayed with at some point in the past and went to talk with him. He was wearing a new necklace - it was a Cross! While talking with him a lady came up that knew him and they started talking about how this guy had just opened her eyes and shown her something like she had never seen before. She pointed behind her to indicate who had helped her and there walking across the street was Darrel. He is a full time evangelist. We talked for 10-15 minutes about what he was up to, and what God was up to in His life. We met for breakfast a couple of weeks later and had great fellowship. He extended an open invitation for me to join him on any of his outreach/evangelism activities/events. Was very encouraging to meet him and get a direct witness from someone (the lady) as to the Life/Love of God being extended from him to them. He showed me this "EvangeCube" he was using that day and had showed this lady. I went and bought one that day.<br />
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3) Guy at Gas Station - I wish I could remember this guys name, but I can remember his face! I met him this past Monday evening while pumping gas in Cary in my wife's car. He saw me smiling and looking to the sky while pumping gas and started to communicate that we would not be having fireworks that night either because it was raining. He then mentioned, none other than "God's Fireworks"... I lit up on that as I had just had that thought of that the night before when the fireworks on the 4th had originally be canceled due to the storms. I chimed in that God's Fireworks are the best kind anyhow. He smiled and then walked over to be closer to me. He proceeded to ask me where I went to church... he indicated he had been attending First Baptist of Cary, and I had just learned they would be having an Answers in Genesis conference coming up really soon, so we talked about that for a minute. He then asked me if I was "Devout". I was taken back by this question as I hadn't been asked that ever to my recollection. I eventually answered "yes" after some quick thought and realization that this was going somewhere... He then asked me to pray for him, that God would send him a godly woman in his life, a companion. I told him I would pray for God's will in it and that maybe he needed to Seek God first and trust God with it. He then mentioned that God wants man to have a woman and started referring to a scripture. I further shared with him that maybe God's plan for his life was to rely totally on God in a different way than he had expected and that I had found in my life that we must bow our knee to God fully and then all else falls into place. He nodded and appreciated the chat. I put a recent program that I found in my wife's car on his windshield as he was in the gas station in hopes that maybe God would lead him to SouthBridge - if it be His will. I had shared with him that is where I attended locally and told him of it, but didn't have any cards on me, but was thankful for the program left in my wife's car. <br />
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4) Van full of Family from NYC at Park - For the Southbridge Serves event my family and I opted to go to the parks and hand out water. We thought this would fit perfect with something that an 8 year old and 1.5 year old could both take part in. Towards the end of our time for the day, Peyton and I were packing up the car when I noticed a van full of people with NYC tags. They had their windows down and looked to be a full family; Peyton and I went over to offer water. They were ecstatic to get the water and asked what we were doing, what we were about. I told them we were about Jesus, and that a whole bunch of people at Southbridge got together to spread His Love on that specific day. I told them of the many activities that were being carried out in the community. They listened like their life depended on it! I gave them the invite cards to Southbridge and continued telling them about Bridge Kids as they had a lot of kids in the car.. Peyton chimed in a bit with info about Bridge Kids to validate some info I had shared. They did ask me what kind of church we were, and I said Christian - we Love Jesus. They thanked us a lot and indicated they would be checking out Southbridge in the near future. I was so blessed just from this one family on that day, but there were a few other great and positive interactions. <br />
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5) Customer/Co-Worker #1 - I had a customer whom I had shared a "Case for Christ" DVD with a month or so ago along with the "Crazy Love" audiobook. He shared with me that both blessed him and he also shared them with others in need. Through a conversation with him over lunch this guy apparently felt very bold and indicated to me that God has something special in mind for my life. My immediate response was "what do you think this is!?". I said this really without thinking... it was really as though God put that thought and word in me right at that moment. This guy had gone to a Bible college and I came to learn of his long association with the God along with his long family line as many in his family had been in full time ministry. His name is Allen if you desire to pray for him by name. We talked a lot about what God was doing in our lives that day. Wonderful blessing and encouragement from God on a day that I really needed it.<br />
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6) Partner/Co-Worker #2 - Another situation with a co-worker of sorts. This guy is actually a partner of my company, but we work together a bit for success of our clients. He noticed that on LinkedIn I was in the "Christian Professionals" group. He praised this and told me it encouraged him to join also. We spoke for some time about God's plan in our lives. I later met with him and shared "Crazy Love" audio book with him as well. He has since encouraged me to have a "servants heart for the Lord". Very cool for me to just randomly get this call from a guy that noticed I was a member of a group... and how God used that all for His Glory.<br />
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God is definitely moving and VERY alive. I am so humbled and amazed at His Majesty. So Thankful to know Him. So very excited to see what He does each day, each minute sometimes! I often times pray for God to calm me down and to please please please make sure that I do not do anything of my own accord. I do not want to dishonor God and do not desire an Ishmael type situation.... Must always KNOW my only need is God and that need alone.jscottkennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00110001212541577493noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6041950963864234978.post-12775577349083993842011-07-06T14:15:00.001-04:002011-07-06T14:16:12.692-04:00Music: Kari Jobe "Healer" and "You are for me"These two songs encourage and bless me so much! God is sooooo good to me. All Praise to God!<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>"Healer" </b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/Yzejd6r9DwE?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>"You are for me"</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/UbSMfL5LuSo?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>jscottkennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00110001212541577493noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6041950963864234978.post-3420909702263643172011-07-06T14:03:00.000-04:002011-07-06T14:03:05.353-04:00Music: Laura Story "Blessings"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/1CSVqHcdhXQ?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br />
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Such a beautiful song filled with much truth. We should count our blessings and be thankful that God helps us to see where we are blessed! <br />
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BeLoved :)<br />
jskjscottkennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00110001212541577493noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6041950963864234978.post-22238521546210071382011-07-05T19:35:00.000-04:002011-07-05T19:35:20.159-04:00Never Turning Back<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">This post blessed me a lot today from over at <a href="http://bhglobalblog.org/2011/07/05/no-turning-back-no-turning-back/">Brook Hills blog</a>. I hope to one day be a part of something like what these guys are a part of.... if it be God's Will. May it reach your heart as well. God be with you. <div style="font-family: inherit;"><em>jsk</em></div><em>-----------</em><br />
<em> This post is from a pair of Brook Hills men teaching in South Asia. Due to security concerns, names have been changed and locations undisclosed. These men are teaching pastors of underground churches the Old Testament and then next week another pair of men will follow up with teaching the New Testament. Please pray for these men as they disciple pastors and equip them with the Word. Pray the Lord will produce great fruit for the advancement of the gospel in South Asia</em>.<br />
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Let me tell you what the Lord has done.<br />
First: the context. We were given the opportunity to come to a country in South Asia to teach underground house church pastors the Old Testament. We have 4 and half days to walk through 39 books, so needless to say, we have a lot to cover! But since arriving Wednesday night, we have been gathering with about 20 men, studying God’s Word, for 8 hours a day. It has truly been a joy.<br />
But let me tell you what the Lord has done in these men. We were asked to lead a devotion each morning before the teaching began. This is an excellent idea for past teams that came to teach Theology or Worship, but considering we were going to be in the Word for 8 hours a day, we thought we should mix it up a bit for our particular stay. So we decided to ask the men to share the story of how God saved them during the devotion time each morning. This was the first man’s story:<br />
This man is probably in his fifties. He recalled that after his country had been ravaged with war some forty years ago, he was forced with his family to evacuate to a nearby country. It was there, in a refugee camp, that this man first heard the gospel. Now his first inclination was that if he simply said he believed, he would get to go to America. However, after several years of being in the church, he realized that going to America was not going to be an option. It was then that he decided to go back to his home country with his family. When he returned, he continued to read the bible that he had been given for several years. However, after some time, he decided that he still didn’t believe any of it. He decided that the right thing to do was to return the bible to a local church and that he should even bring a financial offering as reparation for having faked his belief over the years. So, as he and his wife traveled with the bible to the church, they ran into a man that they had met in the refugee camp so many years ago. When they explained to the man what they were about to do, he pleaded with them to reconsider. He re-shared the gospel with them and begged them to repent of their sin and return to Christ. By God’s grace, their hearts were finally opened, and they responded. They went into the church together to celebrate. However, on that very day, authorities came to the church and arrested all who were worshipping. Their first day as Christians they spent in a jail cell.<br />
The man went on to explain that he and his wife have since been arrested over 60 times for being followers of Christ. This is the man’s life. Christ and prison. Now this is a story that many of us have heard versions of time and time again. We know very well that persecution is not unique for our brothers and sisters around the world. But to see this man standing in front of me, smiling from ear to ear in humble joy, speaking of the joys of being persecuted for the sake of Christ, was nearly overwhelming. It is amazing to me that, though we are brothers in Christ, we can live so completely different experiences of Him. This man is arrested every year for following His Lord. I will likely never even see the inside of a jail cell. He speaks of the joy of suffering for Christ; I wonder what he is even talking about. And then somehow, I am supposed to stand up and teach <em>him </em>about suffering in the book of Job!? No. It’s almost unacceptable.<br />
As we continue with the week, I look to my Lord in wonder. I long for the day when I will know Him more fully. I long for the day when I will stand with these brothers, palm branches in hand, giving the Lamb the glory He is due. I wonder if I will ever be given to privilege to suffer as they have for the Christ we worship together. Today the final song we sang was “I have decided to follow Jesus.” I realized for the first time that I have no idea what I mean when I am singing that song. “No turning back?” Why would I turn back? I have been singing this song for years and I never had any idea of the weight of the lyrics. “I have decided to follow Jesus. No turning back, no turning back.” The song is so simple. Yet if I were living <em>his</em> life I would understand that no greater complexity is needed in the lyrics. That statement alone suffices to ignite worship in his heart. Those words carry a whole new meaning when 60 arrests await you for following Him. So I sang with a new fervor, barely able to voice the words. I <em>have </em>decided the follow Jesus. I can only hope and pray that if I am ever given a reason to turn back that I will say with my dear brother, “no turning back…no turning back.”</div>jscottkennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00110001212541577493noreply@blogger.com