Your roots are in Christ!

                                         Your roots are listed in God's word!
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"But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;"
                                     ( I Peter 2:9)


                  This verse says it all. A holy nation (singular), not nations! If we were to take this to heart, racism within the church would be wiped away. There is no separation of races because all are one in Christ. It is interesting that when God revealed his plan to Abraham that he was to become the father of all nations, he started with the stars. That indicates the spiritual seed came first in God's mind.
                  If we were to so identify ourselves with Christ, we would enjoy a trainload of blessings. It is amazing how ancestry.com can promote and make money just by stirring up people's curiosity of where they came from and their roots. Many of them take pride in being related to a famous person. Nothing wrong with searching for your natural roots. I did search for my roots and found a blend of etnic backgrounds in my family. I have to admit it was interesting what I found out through ancestry.com.
                How much more in Christ?  I, for one, am happy to be related with Christ Jesus--God in the flesh! The one who created the universe. You can't get better than that! If you want to find your roots in the natural, read Noah's life in Genesis. I am sure you can find your etnic background in there. Again, nothing wrong with trying to find your roots, but when you spend time searching  your roots in Christ, you will be astounded at what you see. First, Acts 17:26, says that when we accepted Jesus, you and I are of the same blood.
                 Some of us don't like the sound of the word blood. To some, it brings bad memories of an acccident or a tragic event. But, blood can be a good thing. How many of you would like to be from a  family with blue blood? Blue blood means coming from royalty and  I Peter 2:9 says it all! A royal priesthood. You and I came from royalty!
                   Second, sickness and generational curses travels through the blood. How many of you would like to have Christ's blood flow through your veins and kill all the germs, sicknesses and bacteria? It can be done through communion and remembering what Christ done for us! Meditate on your roots in Christ. It can be a life-changing experience! God bless!

Bible verses by www.biblegateway.com

                        

Be careful with your feelings!

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 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (Heb 4:12)

                           Many times, when we hear the word soul, we, automatically, think of the spirit and yes, in some bible verses it may imply that.  In others, the soul is completely different. One thing to see is that man was created in three beings---Spirit, soul and body. (I Thess 5:23) The soul implies the mind, thoughts and feelings. In the above verse (Heb 4:12), we see that the word helps us to see the difference between our thoughts (Soul) and God's thoughts (Spirit).  You see, Brethren, we need to be so Christ-inside minded that our very thoughts are in line with his thoughts. We need to have discernment on identifying our feelings and if its in line with the word. Remember, you have the mind of Christ!
                      A case in point was Noah. God gave them a command. Let's look at the verse below--
            " And God blessed Noah and his sons, and said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth. " (Gen 9:1)
                  Sounds familiar? Of course! That is the same command given to Adam and Eve. God had allowed a flood to come in the form of rain and destroy mankind, except for Noah and his family. Now, Noah and his family were given a charge---Be fruitful and multiply and replenish the earth!
Sounds simple, right? Wrong. If you continue to read the accounts, Noah and his family did not follow through on God's command. How do I know this? If you read Gen 11:4, we see Noah's seed. They wanted to build a tower whose top may reach heaven, make a name and finally the words....Lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of this earth! It started with one act of disobedience and grew into defiance and pride.
          Defiance because of making a tower whose top may reach heaven. Brethren, they were building this tower in case another flood came. They knew about God and heard about his works, but they fell into the same carnal mindset of the past before the flood. Sin multiplied and it was contaminating society. They knew that God was going to judge them and prepared themselves for the flood---just in case.
                    They were, also, prideful. They wanted to have the glory and not give it to God. Pride comes before a fall. The root of this was the first command of God --To be scattered about the earth and they were not about to do this. What happened? They dwelt in Sinar, which was Babylon. Babylon means confusion. When you depart from God's command in your life, you dwell in confusion.
             What happened after this? God had an ace up his sleeve. He did not judge them with the flood, but with confusion of their language. Before this, they spoke one language, now their language was split into different dialects and words and they could not communicate. Are you relying on your feelings? Seek God's face and get some godly counsel. Yes, there are times in which God speaks through feelings, but be careful that it does not contradict the word nor God's direction for your life. Failure to follow through can not only affect you but your family and generations to come. God bless.

Bible verses courtesy of www.biblegateway.com

                     

By my Spirit!

                                                             Gen Edmund Allenby




Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the Lord unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts. (Zech 4:6)

                       Last night, I was saddened by a remark from the Virginia attorney general. He stated that he favored Homosexual marriage and would be open to enforce it  as a right upon the population. Why was I sad? Because when I moved to Virginia 35 years ago, I found an oasis. Churches were springing forth and you could feel the spirit of God throughout the place. Somehow, as progress came to Virginia, so did complacency. Now, we are facing some serious family issues knocking on our doors.
                    I have read some posts in response to this issue. Some are getting discouraged with the ballot box and calling for bloodshed. Some are saying that a revolutionary war is about to take place. Beloved, please do not get duped into this mindset, for we are in a fight, but it is not with flesh and blood. I am convinced that what is about to happen in America is a great revival that will shake the White House and high government officials.
                     When a great move of God is about to take place, Satan starts to kill the little babies. Why? Because God has some champions in hiding. Take some time to read the accounts of the Jews in Egypt, when Pharaoh was killing the babies. What happened? Years later, Moses came on the scene and saved a nation. When Jesus was born, what happened? Herod tried to kill him. Sadly, in his mad search, he killed many innocent infants. Years later, God's champion surfaced and his name was Jesus. His teachings  has affected many nations until now!
               God's champions, in these days are coming out. They will shake this nation and others as never before. It may seem that the church has its back against the wall, but God is going to rise up and show himself strong! Last night, I was encouraged by God, as I sat pondering upon this nation's future. I thought about Gen Edmund Allenby. Gen Allenby was a strong Christian, raised up by a godly mother. Every night they would pray for Israel and the Jews. They prayed that they may return to their land.
                  Years later, Gen Allenby joined the British army. The Turks had occupied Palestine (Israel)for years. England was at war with Turkey. Allenby, being a Godly man, did not want to see any further bloodshed. The night in which his troops were going to invade that land, he spent the whole night in prayer. The next day, when he and his troops arrived, the Turks had fled. What happened?
                      It is believed that when the Turks heard the name "Allenby", it meant the scourge of God in their language.(1)This put fear in their hearts and they winded up fleeing Palestine. Beloved, can not God strike fear in his enemies here in our own back yard without bloodshed? Yes, he can. So, beloved, be not moved by evil tidings, but seek God's face. Let's learn to do warfare and see our God arise and his enemies be scattered. God bless.


Verses provided by www.biblegateway.com

(1) http://books.google.com/books?id=MyfFicpGSBUC&pg=PT8&lpg=PT8&dq=general+allenby++++Turks+flee+because+of+what+Allenby+name+means&source=bl&ots=r4eF-0L32a&sig=qbtptGECfLK6hXli4xX7HB4jmP0&hl=en&sa=X&ei=klfiUoe2OK2-sQTAm4CAAQ&ved=0CDsQ6AEwAg#v=onepage&q=general%20allenby%20%20%20%20Turks%20flee%20because%20of%20what%20Allenby%20name%20means&f=false


                        

The Rest of the Lord!

                                When you rest in the Lord, you are assured victory!

"That your days may be multiplied, and the days of your children, in the land which the Lord sware unto your fathers to give them, as the days of heaven upon the earth." ( Deut 11:21)


                             This sounds too good to be true, but it is. Religion and tradition have taught us that if everything is going fine, you must be out of the will of God. Brethren, that is not true. Yes, we are going to go through trials, testings and tribulations. We are going to have our desert and wilderness experiences, but we can, also, have rest and enjoy God's best here on earth.
                                 In fact, this was written under the Old Testament, which is the Old covenant. The word states that we have a better covenant with better promises. So, get it out of your religious mind that this was only meant for the Jews. True be told, we are actually, spiritual Israel. Which means that if God would bless one group of people and not another, then he is a respecter of persons and we know that is not true. (Heb 8:6/ Acts 10:34)
                                 It is amazing to see Christians walking around with sad faces saying--"I am going through." Even when we are going through tough times, we need to drink of the new wine. The alcoholic drowns his sorrows and is happy for the moment. He sings and even dances for the most part. Some would even get brave and pick a fight with someone near them. However, the next day, he has a hangover.
                        The new wine is different. The new wine will give us courage and face up to our problems. I remember seeing the movie Scarface at the end scene, when he is fighting against impossible odds. He takes a powerful rifle and says---"Say hello to my little friend!" When you are drunk on the new wine, you can say---"Say hello to my big brother Jesus!" He will fight your battles.(Eph 5:18)
                        The new wine will make you rest in his promises and give you a high on a vision. Like the alcoholic, you won't feel life's toughest blows but you will laugh and say--"I got the victory!" As you do this, you will enter into your land of milk and honey. There, when you arrive, God will give you rest. God will show you what it is to live days of heaven upon the earth and you will be able to enjoy your salvation. Then, after a certain period of rest, you will be prepared to fight the next battle onward to victory and unto your next rest. God bless.

Pray for those in authority!

I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;

For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour (I Tim 2:1-3) 

                  My question to you is----Have you prayed for those in authority? Our President, Congress and judges have been placed over us in authority. True, the system is not perfect. There are laws that many of us consider silly and stupid, but that does not give us license to not pray for them. In fact, God cares so much for our government, that he includes the word first. First, before you pray for your family or friends, pray for your government. 

                   Why is this? Because change will come if we pray in faith. Notice the words...that we (you and me) may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. God wants to bless his body, the church, with peace and quiet. The Rev Billy Graham went through a lot of ridicule and humiliation when he charged the Christians in Russia to pray for their leaders. Many were laughing at him and making fun of him in editorials in newspapers back in the '50's-80's (1)

      Now, if you know your history, you will see that Christianity was not tolerated in Russia and many Christians were jailed for their faith. Many thought that religious freedom was not possible in Russia, but years later, what happened? God opened a door for the Christians to preach in the streets openly and without fear of being put in jail. Why? God changed the hearts of the government and as a result, the word grew and churches were established.

          It is no different in America. Laws may be passed against the churches and their freedoms. They made even put us in jail, but if we are faithful to pray....Change will come. So, friends, in this day, start praying for our leaders. They need it. 

Bible verses courtesy of www.biblegateway.com

(1) http://www.ccel.us/billy.ch26.html

       

What kind of an impact will you make for God?

                                                           Can you count the stars?
                                               Picture provided by www.freedigitalphotos.net

                         "That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies" 
                                       (Gen 22:17) 

           
                    Obedience has its rewards. When Abraham stepped out in faith, God gave him a promise---To multiply his seed. One thing that I see is that when God referred to seed, he spoke of the stars and then he referred to the sands of the sea. The stars speaks of the spiritual, which is the body of Christ. Notice how God mentions the spiritual first. He had you and me in mind. Next, is the sands of the sea which is the natural seed, which are the Jews. 
       What does that show us? It shows us how one act of obedience can impact your family and generations to come! (Gal 3:14-29) We are the spiritual seed of Abraham and heirs according to the promise! Notice when in Gen 22:17, it says that thy seed (Jesus) shall posses the gate of his enemies. (Rev 1:18) That means that Jesus, our elder brother, has the keys of heaven and of death. He has delegated that authority to us!(Matt 18:18) 
             That means that we can come into the enemy's camp and bring back our loved ones. We can get our stolen goods back. We can get our health back. Why? Because Jesus has given us power over the enemy! Praise God!!
               Did you know that as you grow in the Lord, Beloved, your spiritual family increases? Many of you reading this may be called to be spiritual Dads or Mothers. There are many children in this world that unless they are mentored right or looked after will go astray and break hell wide open. I am, presently, reading a book by Reinhard Bonke entitled--"Plundering Hell-to populate Heaven" and it is an eyeopener. 
               So, let's get rid of this traditional saying that many are called, but few chosen. God has a vision of multitudes of souls and he has called us to plunder hell to populate heaven. Let the word of God burn deep like fire in our bones. (Jer 20:8) Let's start being bold in our faith and make an impact for the Lord. Pray for this nation, community and family.Let's be kingdom-minded so that God can have his way in our lives. God bless.              
                


                     


                         

Are you an Aaron?

 And the Lord spake unto Moses and Aaron, Because ye believed me not, to sanctify me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore ye shall not bring this congregation into the land which I have given them.(Num 20:12)


                    In the above passage, we see that Aaron, as well as Moses, could not enter the promised land because of their disobedience. Aaron was quite a character. An eloquent man who knew how to speak.                                   When Moses and the Jews were in the wilderness, he went up the mount to seek God's face. He took longer than usual and the people were
getting desperate. They turned to Aaron, who was second in command. Let's look at the verse below... 

 " And when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down out of the mount, the people gathered themselves together unto Aaron, and said unto him, Up, make us gods, which shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him." (Exo 32:1)

If you read the rest of scripture, you will see that Aaron complied with their demands. A sad state of affairs. The amazing thing that I see in all this episode is Aaron's response to Moses---

And Aaron said, Let not the anger of my lord wax hot: thou knowest the people, that they are set on mischief. For they said unto me, Make us gods, which shall go before us: for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him. And I said unto them, Whosoever hath any gold, let them break it off. So they gave it me: then I cast it into the fire, and there came out this calf.

                           (Exo 32:22-24) 

Notice the words...I cast it into the fire and there came out this calf. Not only was this funny, but it was a lie. Aaron had fashioned the jewelry into a molten calf. (Exo 32:4) He was trying to "wash" his hands from his responsibility as a leader. If you read the rest of the accounts of Aaron's life, he did not have much character to take a stand on issues that matter. One good thing about him was that he was quick to repent. This is shown in. Num 12:11. Eventually, his ways caught up with him and he was judged alongside of Moses.
              If you are an "Aaron" and lack character, ask God to help you build backbone. Yes, God forgives sins and gives grace, but a continual sinning will, surely, catch up with us and will cost us dearly. If you know an "Aaron", pray for him or her. We need each other especially in these end times. God bless.