Opening my bible is like entering a portal into another dimension. Instantly I am transported to heaven, and my worldly worries and cares dissipate as I read more and more. By about 20 pages God has refreshed me at least, and at most done a lot more, and spoken to me with key specific verses targetting responses to my situations.

Reading the bible is like gazing at Gods face. You are quietly launched into His realm, presence and way of thinking and being. This is so far removed from the world’s ways and therefore most refreshing, and quite a relief.

During the hour or two spent in the word, time is well spent. Quietly and gently the Holy Spirit teases out and removes anything toxic during contact with the world. God is the best Companion and He does so much quietly that it is hardly noticeable. Freeing, healing, reconstructing and reprogramming you for the rest of the day. When I have daily contact with the world, I need the companionship of God. The Bible is an easy read and refreshes my soul quicker than say a stroll in a really beautiful place surrounded by trees and fields. Sure, nature revives, through sweet, melodious birdsong, and the flaming reds and orange colours of the sky. But it is the Bible that provides a different, stronger and very essential refreshing.

Also, the bible increases faith quickest out of the normally available disciplines available to me. Being out in the countryside refreshes me too, but the advantage of the Bible is the way it increases faith in ways nature cannot.After Bible reading faith is more alive, and I’m activated. My identity returns slowly and surely, and my soul has returned to its natural state in God.

I am looking at what God is writing to me and also hearing in my inner ear what God is saying through His still, small voice.

There is no book I can commend more than the Bible. I would urge you to read it over and over again. It will always build you up.

Michael Hume. Christian since 1987. Believe the Bible in original form is true, and in a daily personal relationship with Jesus. A freelance writer. Copyright belongs to author.

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THE LAW OF MOSES WAS ABOLISHED

Following the death of Jesus upon the cross and the condemnation which the Law of Moses brought on him, his Spirit became clothed with filthiness. There was therefore need for him to be cleaned up.

The Father then commanded: “Blotting 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” (Colossians 2:14). The hand writing against us (Christ and his body) had to be blotted out.

In keeping with the Father’s command, the Holy Spirit went to work, he abolished (annulled) the Law of Moses and nailed it to the cross of Christ. Once that Law was nailed to the cross of Christ, the Holy Spirit went to the temple and: “the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom” (Matthew 27:51).

The tearing of this veil was the physical evidence that God had made away with the Law of Moses: “Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuarythe priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God. But into the second went the high priest alone once every year..The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing” (Hebrews 9:1-8).

The torn veil indicated that the holiest of all has been made manifest to everyone; therefore the Levitical high priest has no more sacred role to play, in the order of God’s worship.

Indeed: “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death” (Romans 8:1-2); Christ death on the cross delivered the believers from the Law of sin and death.

To enforce the Law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus (the New Testament), the old had to be disannulled (abolished): “For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law. For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof” (Hebrews 7:12-18).

As if to answer the critics who would assume that what was abolished was simply the form of worship, Paul did also say: “But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away

For if that which is done away was glorious, much more that which remaineth is glorious. Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech: And not as Moses, which put a vail over his face that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished” (2 Corinthians 3:7-13).

What then was abolished? Is it the veil which Moses wore, the glory of the Old Testament or the entire commandments and ordinances mediated by Moses?

Answering the above question, Paul said: “For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances” (Ephesians 2:14-15).

The law of commandments contained in ordinances, including the ‘ministration of death written and engraved in stones’, were abolished. It was not the veil or the glory of the Law of Moses but the entire law, was abolished in order to give way for a better and perfect testament.

Therefore Christ: “is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises. For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second” (Hebrews 8:6-8); the first covenant was abolished in order to make room for the second.

REASONS FOR ABOLISHING THE LAW OF MOSES

Due to the deceptions which the forces of darkness have planted into the church concerning the Law of Moses, it will be pertinent to summarize the entire reasons which informed God’s decision to abolish that law.

FIRSTLY: The covenant of Mount Sinai contained holy laws demanding strict and wholesome compliance of its contents from an imperfect people. It therefore became a yoke of bondage upon the Jews. That was why it was named the ministration of death or the law of sin and death.

Abolishing that law was really a source of great liberty to the Jews. They were redeemed from the sentence of death that was hanging on each of them: “Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christfor by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified” (Galatians 2:16).

SECONDLY: Paul also said: “For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby” (Ephesians 2:14-16).

The Law of Moses made the Jews God’s people on earth while all other nations of the earth (called the Gentiles) were willed to the kingdom of darkness. Therefore the Law of Moses served as an instrument of enmity (separation) between the Jews and the Gentiles.

Although God was the God of the entire universe, the Law of Moses restricted him to the nation of Israel alone. This was why Jesus restricted his earthly ministry to only the lost sheep of Israel: “I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel” (Matthew 15:24).

Because this Law was a wall of demarcation between the Jews and the Gentiles, it had to be pulled down to make peace between them in order to reconcile the entire humanity to God.

The demise of the law gave birth to the church of Christ. One glorious body called the church (the body of Christ) came out of both the Jews and the Gentiles as a result of this act.

THIRDLY: Paul made a glorious revelation when he said: “For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law” (Romans 5:13); and that: “sin, getting a point of attack by the commandment, wrought in me every lust; for without law sin [was] dead” (Romans 7:8 Darby English Bible). Therefore: “the sting of death [is] sin, and the power of sin the law” (1 Corinthians 15:56 Darby English Bible).

Because the Law of Moses empowered sin to execute punishment against its offenders, the entire human race came under siege (captive) by the forces of darkness. The abolishing of the law destroyed this instrument of captivity and showered grace on humanity: “Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men” (Ephesians 4:8).

As a result of the demise of the Law, death has lost its sting: “O death, where is thy sting..But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:15-17). We now have victory over death, thanks to the demise of the Law of Moses.

FOURTHLY: Even Jesus was held a prisoner in hell; thanks to the Law of Moses. His death while hanging on a tree made him guilty of a clause of the ordinances of that law: “.for he that is hanged is accursed of God.” (Deuteronomy 21:23). Therefore Jesus became: “a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree” (Galatians 3:13).

Remembering also that James said: “For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all” (James 2:10), this means that Christ also became guilty of the entire Law of Moses.

Since that law could not have been amended, haven been confirmed, it means that any one upholding it, is demanding that Jesus should be brought back to hell. If that law had not been abolished, Jesus would not have risen from the death; death would still have had authority over him.

No wonder Paul said: “For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone that believeth. For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them. But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above)” (Romans 10:4-6). Why then should any believer desire to send Christ back to hell?

FINALLY: It is important to note that the Law of Moses (the gospel of Moses, the law of sin and death, the covenant of Mount Sinai or the Old Testament), is in all respect distinct from the Law of Christ (the gospel of Christ, the perfect law of liberty; the law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus or the New Testament).

While righteousness (right standing with God) was to be earned by the strict compliance to all the commandments, ordinances and statutes of the Law of Moses (about six hundred in all); under the Law of Christ righteousness (God’s divine nature) is of grace through faith (a gift to all that believe in Christ Jesus).

In the Law of Christ, righteousness is being freely imputed to all those that believe with their hearts the saving grace which is in the name of the Son of God, Christ Jesus. The implication of these differences is that operating the two laws together would have created confusion in the kingdom of light.

God is not the author of confusion. Since a confirmed law cannot be amended, one of them had to give way for the other. The Law of Moses haven fulfilled its mission (being the school master that led the Jews to faith); it had to give way for the Law of Christ (the law of grace or promise through faith) to take its place.

We were not given the authority to use the grace of God, in Christ Jesus, for the purpose of fulfilling in part or in whole; the Law of Moses. God’s abundant grace given to us is for the fulfillment of the Law of Christ (faith unto free gift of righteousness and loving each other as Christ loved us unto eternal reward in the kingdom of light).

So, our new garment of grace should not be used to patch the old garment of the Law of Moses; which haven waxed old, has been abolished (has vanished away).

It is therefore perfectly true to conclude that the death of Jesus was indeed the end of the Law of Moses and the beginning of the Law of faith (the gospel of Christ).

Therefore we must learn to stand fast: “in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace” (Galatians 5:1-4).

A Nigerian aged 44; Holds a BSc and an MBA degrees in social sciences. A devout christian and a scholar of the scriptures; an anointed teacher of the gospel of Christ. Married with two children

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JESUS said, “Let the children come to me.” And we can see why when our own children skip about in happy abandon, life precious to them; their innocence. The love they lavish on us is without hesitation. That is how we are to live, with zest, without bags of problems to hold us back.

I know from my own life experiences, it can be a challenge simply dealing with daily struggles; the bills, holding onto one’s job, and in many cases raising our own children.

Imagine the sacrifice God made on our behalf, to actually offer up His Son to redeem our sins, to have Jesus come into the world as a man, with the limitations of men. And that one day He would grow up and lead us into a new world. His guidance would free us from snares, which involve issues like offense, jealousy, and material wealth.

When my children were young, I tried so hard to be the perfect dad and husband; something impossible in today’s world. I would flit back and forth like a chickadee, from one child to another and another and another; my precious wife losing out at times with my time. Children always win over adults in the energy department and only recognized by myself in later years.

My marriage remains strong after thirty-five years, my wife and I enjoying our time together; just the two of us, with our four children living so far away. And the flavour of Jesus sustains us.

* * *

(c) Richard L. Provencher 2011

Richard & his wife, Esther, wish their (All Rights Reserved) writing encourages you in this awesome world. Pray for your families & friends, and forgive anyone who may have offended you. Any feedback on our work may be sent us via: http://www.writers.ns.ca/writers/P/provencherrichardl.html

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“Seeing Others as More Important Then You”

When we see this verse what comes to mind? Is it easy to think this way or do you struggle with this? Why is it so easy for some of us to agree with this statement? Could it be as simple as having a low self-esteem? I believe it is so, at least in my case.
I have always wondered were we got our opinion of ourselves from. Was it from your parents, maybe from your peers, or could it have been from a chance meeting with someone you though highly of and what they said has stuck with you. Whatever the source, our opinion was formed at a young time in our lives and we have lived with it since. If you were fortunate you received positive affirmation, if not then you have had an uphill battle.

As a Christian, I have study the scriptures and I have found a discrepancy from what the Word says and what I believe about myself. I believe we have got it all wrong when it comes to our opinions and until we get it right we will be struggling the rest of our life. Let’s see what the Bile says and begin to change our opinions.

Paul writes in Philippians that we are to have the attitude of Jesus. If you look at this statement in context, you would notice that Paul is showing that Jesus knew He was equal with God but He was not grabbing it and throwing it in our face; no, He was acknowledging His position and letting us know that He was willing to humble Himself to help us. Know we are to have the attitude, or mind, of Christ which means we are not to be afraid to acknowledge our importance in God’s Kingdom and begin to have a higher opinion of ourselves and yet to humble ourselves as well. This is the beginning!

I am a laymen with an advanced degree in Biblical Lit. I use the internet to speak of those things that touch my heart. You can freely use this article if my name and web site appears on document. http://www.iman-1.com

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If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer,” declares Matthew 21:22. Many Christians are aware of a type of prosperity Christianity that tells us if we have enough faith, we can receive from God whatever we desire. Such terms as “name it and claim it” depict that all we have to do it express our desires to God and He is just standing by to fulfill our every wimp and want.

God does want us to trust and put our faith in Him for everything we need; however, it’s just as important that when we ask, we give God the room to answer our prayers in the best way he sees fit. Often, in our limited understanding, we may ask for things according to our flesh and not the will of God for our lives. The Bibles says that we may not receive from God because we are asking amiss or out of our own lust. When God said he will give us the desires of our heart, he is also saying that he will plant the desires as well. The more in alignment we are with God’s spirit, the less we will ask for things contrary to God’s will for us. Have you ever asked God for something and once you got it, you wished you hadn’t- that job that you hated or that boyfriend or girlfriend that broke your heart? Waiting on God is more for our good and protection and never God’s way of punishing or torturing us.
When it comes to asking God to fulfill our desires it is also important that we surrender these affections to the Lord. Our motto should be, “if it’s not good enough for God, then it’s not good enough for us.” But in addition to giving God freewill to bless us in his own way and timing, it is equally as important that we leave the results to Him.

Leaving the results to God means detaching from the outcome of what we are requesting. That means once we ask, we let go and let God. We don’t try to make it happen. We don’t look for it under every nook and cranny. We don’t help God out or continue to pray and pray for its manifestation. Instead, we detach from the outcome knowing that God is in complete control and that we can trust him to do what is best both now and in the future. It means waiting on God with faith and expectancy knowing that God is working out all things for your highest good.

But many Christians have a hard time letting go and detaching from their desired outcome. Maybe you’ve had your mind on something for a longtime and the thought of waiting for it any longer is more than you can bear. I believe that most of the worry, anxiety, and frustrations we experience, come from our inability to live without immediate expectation. When we expect something and it doesn’t happen it leaves us feeling empty, fearful, and depressed. But if we look at it a little closer, what we have actually done is created an idol out of the affection. We believe that the desire will bring a source of fulfillment or happiness to our lives. We believe this item, situation, or person, will make us or our life more complete.

The problem with this type of thinking is that we’ve lost our first love which is Christ. We’ve allowed deception or seduction to enter our minds as well as our hearts and led us away from the love of our Lord. We begin to believe that something other than God can plug up the gaps or holes in our life. Our attention has been pulled away from Christ and within, to seeking solace, contentment, and peace from the external or without.

When we can ask for something and leave the results to God while we wait in expectancy on the Lord, we are following Jesus’s command, to “seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you.” When the Lord is the object of our affection, nothing outside of us can take the Lord’s place and if God grants us with such things, it is more like the icing on the cake, an added blessing that God bestows upon us because he loves us so.

When we make our request made known to God, and then detach ourselves from the outcome, we can live in peace, joy, and contentment while waiting on God to work all things out for our highest good. When our thoughts begin to lead us astray, we must continue to bring them under the authority and word of God. We must continue to confess that we are complete in Christ and that we have everything we need.

Christ-centered meditation or meditating on the scriptures helps us to hide God’s word in our heart and to continually practice his presence. The Bible says that in God’s presence is fullness of joy. Isn’t it wonderful that we don’t have to search for joy in people, places, or things? We can find joy in the fullness of God and that fullness resides within us, within our own hearts.

Whatever you are asking or believing God for today, believe that you have received it and it will manifest as God’s best and you don’t have to think about it a second longer.

Learn how to eliminate worry, negative thinking, and stress by meditating on the Lord. Visit http://www.thechristianmeditator.com for Christian meditation Cds and resources. Learn about health and wellness from a Christian perspective at http://www.christianhealthonline.com today.

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Hey, I just wanted to let everyone know that we’ve just put a book on for sale today.

The book is Grace before Meat: A collection of table blessings for all occasions

This book, originally published in 1903, is full of prayers that were said around the dinner table, at banquets or just about any place they were serving food.

We’ve added a few pictures, updated certain sections and made it so it’s an instant download after you’ve purchased it.  We’ve also priced it very inexpensively at only $4.99.

You could buy it from here or go to it’s page (look up above, just below the seaside picture, and click on the tab that says “Grace Before Meat a Collection of Table Blessings”) to read more about it.

Thank you again for coming in today and we here at The Holy Story wish you a very Blessed Day!

Man giving thanks for his daily bread

In the Body of Christ the fulfillment lies, the promise fulfilled.

In the Body of Christ God blesses us, God loves us, God protects us, God redeems us.

In the Body of Christ, God’s grace flows unto us, just as if we are Christ Himself, because we are in the Body of Christ.

God glorifies His Son, so also are we glorified. God raised up His Son, so also are we raised up by God. We are crucified and made new, our sins nailed to the cross with Christ and we are risen-up, without blemish in Christ, to be reconciled unto God, so that we can commune with Him, just as it was in the Beginning before sin in Eden.

We live in Christ, so we live in heaven. We live in Christ, so we wear Christ, we are under His protection, blessed by God through Christ our Redeemer; the Way, the Truth, the Life.

As God loves Christ His Son, so also are we loved in Christ and receive the FULLNESS of His glory and blessings.

When we wear the whole armour of Christ, we are as Christ Himself, no weapons formed against us shall prosper for God will not stand to see His Son destroyed. We are given power to command and to cast out for God’s sake, Amen.

Ephesians4v1-6: I therefore beseech you that you walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, with all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forebearing one another in love, endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

There is one Body and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one Hope for your calling; One Lord, one Faith, one Baptism, one God and Father of all, Who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

Copyright info: bjlopez ARR

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? Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you

Mathew 6: 32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.

33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

? Key is added. when we seek first Him and His will, He already knows what we have need of and will add all things in His way and time.flesh wants thingsGod says supplies our needs. If we can learn that our true life is in His presence alone, we can walk in victory no matter what we have or don’t have.

? Do we believe that they will be added?

Heb 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

? Seek God’s face, not His hand

? Focussing on His hand is strivingwe get consumed with what we are asking for. He said be careful for nothing

Php 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

? Being careful in the Greek means: AV-take thought 11, care 5, be careful 2, have care

1) to be anxious

1a) to be troubled with cares
? Being careful for things causes discontent, frustration, striving, fears, unrest and causes us to actually get out of His presence as our focus is on things, not Him.

? Ask and it shall be given..he says shall, not maybe

Mt 7:7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:

? You have not because ye ask not..ask..then let it lay..Focus on getting into His presence and pleasing Him..doing His will..all things will then be added

Jas 4:2 Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.

? Be content as Paul was with or without

Php 4:11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

? Life is not in what we possessit is the Spirit that gives to us life

Lu 12:15 And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things, which he possesseth.

2Co 3:6 Who also hath made us able ministers of the New Testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.

? Learn to minister to the Lord so that He may minister to us and through us as that is seeking first the kingdom. It is seeking what He wants instead of what we want. It is pleasing Him first, not our self. It is building His kingdom, not our own. His kingdom is eternal; ours is only temporal.

Ex 28:3 And thou shalt speak unto all that are wise hearted, whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom, that they may make Aaron’s garments to consecrate him, that he may minister unto me in the priest’s office. (One of many references about ministering to the Lord)

? Hebrews 12:1 says lay aside every weight and sin that so easily besets us..the key here is so easily. There are so many things that the devil and the world say that we need to focus on. Unfortunately that is to satisfy our flesh. The flesh does not give to us our life. In fact God says that we do not please Him when we are in the flesh. We are also told that there is a way that seemeth right unto man but the end thereof is the way of death. So many things we seek seem right. Yet we are duped into believing that they are our life, when in actuality the only thing that produces true life in us is His Spirit. We must focus on and feed our spirit man and not our flesh man. To be carnally minded is death: to be spiritually minded is life and peace. We wonder at times why we have no peace in our mind. It is because we are not spiritually minded. Peace is the fruit of the Spirit not the flesh or carnal mind.

Heb 12:1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

Pr 16:25 There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

Ro 8:8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.

Ro 8:6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

? We can seek a thing for us from His hand and it actually can become a stronghold in our mind as it consumes our thinking and us. We must stay focussed on Him, not what we desire from His hand.

2Co 10:4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)

? If we truly believe that God is a rewarder of them that seek Him and that He does know our needs before we ask, and He will supply, then we should just ask knowing that He hears us. We then leave the request with Him knowing that He will answer and then just seek His face and what he desires.

Heb 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

? He said that we are to cast our cares upon Him. When we constantly carry our cares we have not given them to Him. We are not fully trusting Him and believing that he has and will take care of them.

1Pe 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

? Faith, belief and trust are so closely related. Takes faith to please Him. Can’t have faith if you can’t trust or believe.

? Believe that you receive

Mr 11:24 Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.

need to contact me? r_king60@hotmail.com (note there is an underscore (_) between the r and the k in my email address. Thanks

I am a 60 year old Born-Again spirit filled Christian, that has been saved for 30 years. Jesus found me when I was suicidal. I learned real quickly that I was powerless to be in control of my life, so I let Jesus take over. He has chosen me to be a warrior for Him. WE win, if we fight His way.

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“You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marveloushow well I know it. You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered! I can’t even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand! And when I wake up, you are still with me!” ~ Psalm 139:13-18

Oh, what comfort these verses have brought and continue to bring me. Though I had heard the expression “God don’t make junk” before, I didn’t truly get it, until I read these verses again and again and again. I read them over, and over, and over, letting them take root deep inside my heart. I needed them desperately.

People who’ve grown up in abuse, poverty and dysfunction often struggle with feelings of inferiority. Self-worth is frequently associated with performance. There is often a feeling of not fitting in or measuring up. That’s how it was with me. Often through the years, my pain, anger, loneliness and oppression really got to me. I sometimes thought I was unlovable, to myself, to others, and to God. I didn’t think I was a bad person per se; it was more like I just didn’t matter. I wandered through life, determined to do and be better than my family. I worked hard and was pretty well liked, eventually, popular even. But all of that was superficial. Inside I was eaten up by insecurity and unworthiness.

I always was aware of God, always knew Jesus, but I never committed my life to Him. It wasn’t because I wasn’t interested. I just couldn’t find Him. I tried out various churches through the years, but never felt anything. Finally, when I was 30, I walked into the church that changed my life. God had been wooing me and I was primed. I was ready. I was tired of searching, I now wanted to find.

And find Him I did! God radically changed my life and more importantly, how I saw and valued myself. I realized I was beautiful, enjoyable, and purposeful simply because He made me that way. I had worth and value, because He created me, not because of where I came from or what I’d accomplished. The wonderful and amazing God of the universe, created me, thought about me, loved me, had a purpose for me.

It is truly astounding to me, that He has written all the days of my life in His book. That He has a very specific and unique purpose for me, one that only I can fulfill. He created me; giving me the looks and personality He wanted me to have to fulfill that purpose. I have learned that when I criticize myself, I am actually criticizing the work of God’s hands. That’s not to say I can’t or shouldn’t better myself, but rather I’m kinder to myself as I go about it. I may mess up from time to time, but God is still there. He still watches over me and thinks of me. He still loves me.

I now know that no matter what happens in my life, I am not alone. I am not unwanted. I am not unloved. Thank you, Jesus!

Lauryn Abbott is a wife and mother, with a passion for writing and a zest for life. Her writing has always been a private passion, but recently the Lord has been urging her to make it public. More of her writing can be found on her Seed Thoughts blog at:

http://takeck.blogspot.com

Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com-CHRISTIAN WRITERS-MAKE A WEBSITE

“I can never escape from your Spirit! I can never get away from your presence! If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to the grave, you are there. If I ride the wings of the morning, if I dwell by the farthest oceans, even there your hand will guide me and your strength will support me. I could ask the darkness to hide me and the light around me to become night but even in darkness I cannot hide from you. To you the night shines as bright as day. Darkness and light are the same to you.” ~ Psalm 139:7-12

Isn’t it good to know we are never alone? Though undoubtedly we may feel that way at times, the truth is that we are not. The thing is the Bible doesn’t ever say we’ll never experience the darkness, storms, sorrow, pain, betrayal, cruelty, evil or death. What it says, is that when we experience these things, God is right there with us.

Have you ever tried to flee the presence of the Lord? Times when you’re angry, doing something you know is sinful, wanting things your way and in your timing, or simply retreating into yourself? I have. It seems like the times that I need Him the most, are the times that I push Him away. Much like a petulant or pouty child. Nevertheless, He is always there for me. He is always waiting on me. He is always reaching out to me.

Have you ever felt as if God has abandoned you, that when you reach out to Him, He’s just not there? I have. There are times when the darkness is so dark and the storm is so violent that you feel you’ll never make it out, you feel like you won’t survive. You even wonder, where is God in the midst of it all? But we can’t rely on or trust our feelings. They are fluid, constantly changing, and influenced by our own limited and faulty perceptions. Feelings waver, truth does not!

The truth is that no matter what we feel, God is right there. Whether we are choosing to live righteously or in sin, whether we are joyful or heartbroken, content or dissatisfied, running to or from Him, He is always there. He supports us when we are frail and uplifts us when we fall. He strengthens us when we are weak and guides us when we are lost. However, we have to let Him. We can, and sometimes do, choose to turn Him down. But that doesn’t mean He’s not there He is. The darkness may last for a time, but the Light always pushes it back. Weeping may endure for the night, but joy comes in the morning. (Psa. 30:5)

I am so grateful that I don’t have to rely on my own strength, knowledge, wisdom or feelings. To think that the Lord of all creation is always with little ol’ me, no matter where I am, what I’m doing, or who I’m with, is too wonderful for words! Yes, the storms come and the waves crash down, but we don’t have to be overcome by them. We can trust in the Truth, rather than our feelings, and lean on the support and strength of Jesus to get us through. That’s what He wants. That’s what He offers. All we have to do is receive it.

“Thank you Lord, for always being with me, no matter what I’m going through. Thank you for offering me your love, mercy, grace, compassion, comfort, patience, strength and support. Thank you for driving out the darkness and showering me in Light. Thank you the hope and abundant life you have for me. You are everything to me and I praise you!”

Lauryn Abbott is a wife and mother, with a passion for writing and a zest for life. Her writing has always been a private passion, but recently the Lord has been urging her to make it public. More of her writing can be found on her Seed Thoughts blog at:

http://takeck.blogspot.com

Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com-CHRISTIAN WRITERS-MAKE A WEBSITE

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“O LORD, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I’m far away. You see me when I travel and when I rest at home. You know everything I do. You know what I am going to say even before I say it, LORD. You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to understand!” ~ Psalm 139:1-6

This Psalm (139) is probably my most favorite of all the Psalms. I have read it many times throughout my Christian journey. It has given me comfort and assurance in ways that are both deep and profound. It is Rhema to me, life-giving words to live by. Just today I read it again. Once more, it has jumped out at me, specifically the part posted above.

I’m the sort of person that can pretty honestly say, “What you see is what you get.” I’m not much of a faker. I never have been. This doesn’t necessarily mean I wear every emotion on my sleeve, but still, I try to be real, though not always deeply revealing (in that I do try to practice wisdom). That’s why it’s been so important for me to be real in my writing. As I go through the seasons of my life, I find I have to be real and honest about them. With both myself and God.

Reading the above verses, it’s good to know that in this, I’m right on target. Like the Psalmist, God knows me better than I know myself. He knows what I think, feel, say and do, whether I’m honest about it or not. Whether I’m aware of it or not. And even whether I am near or far from Him. He knows whether I will take the high road, or the low road, way before I even arrive at the road.

Recently I had another miscarriage. That makes three. And once again, with my latest miscarriage, as with my previous two, I felt anger. I was angry with myself, with God, with the world The thing I didn’t want to do was pretend that I was ok, because I wasn’t. I was hurting badly and downright mad! This is just me, being real. I spoke of my hurt and anger in person, on my blog, to others and to God. And you know what? I began to feel better. Yes, I’m still in the process of healing. But being real, rather than in denial, is both healing and freeing.

Sadly, there are too many Christians who aren’t real. Worse yet, there are “seasoned” Christians who try to influence “newer” Christians to not be real. I wonder who they think they’re fooling? Certainly not God! He knows us, loves us, and understands when life, and the storms of life, gets to us. That’s part of the beauty of the reality of Jesus. He’s fully God and fully man. He felt strong emotions; He loved, laughed and grieved. He experienced loyalty and betrayal. And He faced, and conquered, death. He gets us!

And because He gets us, He expects us to be real, even if that real is raw. He is there for us, waiting for us to come to Him, to receive the comfort, peace and love that only He can give. Like a loving Father, He welcomes us to come and sit on His lap and pour out our hearts to him. Even if it is after a temper tantrum. And as we sit with Him, being real with Him, and inviting Him to touch us in His own special way, He does. Tenderly, lovingly, He reaches out to place His hand of blessing on our head.

Thank you, Lord, for your healing-balm, tender-mercies and loving-kindness. Though it is too great and wonderful for me to fully understand, I thank you.

Lauryn Abbott is a wife and mother, with a passion for writing and a zest for life. Her writing has always been a private passion, but recently the Lord has been urging her to make it public. More of her writing can be found on her Seed Thoughts blog at:

http://takeck.blogspot.com

Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com-CHRISTIAN WRITERS-MAKE A WEBSITE

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Many people start out to read the Bible with good intentions but very few stay the course to make it a lifelong habit. Why is this? And what is so special about those who end up making a habit of it? I believe that the answers can be found in a few simple reasons which we will explore in this article.

At the outset, a lot of people don’t set aside the proper time to make a lifelong habit out of their Bible reading. Many people have a desire to read the Word regularly, but desire alone doesn’t do much. Just ask ten people who have tried to stick to a diet. So that you actually get something out of reading your Bible, you have to commit steady and regular time to it. I believe that in a thirty day cycle, scheduling twenty minutes a day should be your first step.

Next, it is important that you have a place where you can read the Bible without distraction. Get away from the TV, radio and the internet. Get away from noise and visual clutter. Find a place where you can read undisturbed.

Then, be sure to have a version of the Bible that is easily readable. It isn?t hard to find a modern English Translation. The New Living Translation (NLT) or the New International Version (NIV) are easy to read and solid translations. If you can?t comprehend the sentences you are reading, you won?t comprehend the main thought, so get a translation of the Bible that is easy for you to read.

Next, start choose a book of the Bible that is easy to understand. You don’t have to start reading the Bible from the beginning. the Gospel of John is a great place to start since it is very readable.

It?s always nice to have something to write with and a notebook handy as you read. Jot down thoughts or questions that you have about the passage. This will help keep you reading without pondering too much over one question or thought. You can ask a Pastor or a mature believer your questions later.

Finally, make sure you come to your reading with a submissive heart. The Bible is a special book, given to us by God himself. Reading it with an attitude of humility to grow in your relationship with God is the best way to read it. Before you begin your reading, stop for a moment and pray. Ask God to help you understand what you read and to allow it to change you. You will find that God answers this type of prayer.

The Bible is the best resource for growing spiritually. Armed with these helpful tools, you can learn to apply and understand the riches of the entire Bible for yourself.

Matt Tague is a pastor in California.  He loves helping people learn to love the Bible.  Visit his site if you want to (http://www.matttague.com/sales_page_template.html) learn to enjoy reading the Bible.  You can also visit this site to read his free 5 part series on (http://www.matttague.com) The Top 5 Mistakes People Make When Reading the Bible.

There are a great many Christians out there that think, just to pray at night just before you go to bed is all that God wants from us. But the truth of the matter is, He wants our memories all day long. Just in the same manner you think of your lover all day long. He refers us as his brides. He is in love with us. Are we in love with Him? Some times in our lives we feel God is a million miles away and doesn’t really care about us anyway. But the truth of the matter is, are we a million miles away from Him? Are we so full of ourselves that we don’t even try to contemplate the wonder, and love of a God like ours, in a child like manner.

When we speak to Him do we just call Him, God. Do we make attempts to call him my love, my one and only, my all! Most of us don’t. We see God so distantly because of self love most of the time. We usually just looking at all the bad things and not trying to think of the glorious things, Our Sweet God has done for us. When you are down next time, try to praise Him with all the sweetest names, you can think of and thank Him of all the wonderful things He has done for you, and see if that shifts your moods. Chances are you will feel a lot closer to God and you will feel much more loved by Him too.

Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com-CHRISTIAN WRITERS-MAKE A WEBSITE

Psalms 66:5

Come and see what our God has done, what awesome miracles he does for his people!

Miracles are awesome unexplainable events that occur by the divine power of God. The purpose of a miracle is to show the wonderful, mighty power of God. They provide great opportunities for testimonies and witnessing about God’s mercy, power, and love.

Miracles are life-changing events and can come at any time and in different forms. The type of the miracle depends on the individual need. Healing of an illness, deliverance from an addiction, and financial miracles are just some examples. The possibilities are endless. Regardless of the type of miracle given, it will always increase faith in God. The witnessing of these miracles has a strong impact on the doubter, who finds it necessary to see before they will believe.

Miracles provide opportunities for second chances, new outlooks, and better qualities of life. Miracles occur by faith, through prayer, and the moving of God’s Spirit.

There are countless miracles mentioned in the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, from a donkey that speaks, to the resurrection of the dead. God is still in the miracle working business. There are still blinded eyes receiving sight, crippled legs that are walking for the first time, and yes, even people being raised from the dead. Not just healings, but every sort of awesome event.

God has no respect of persons, so if He is healing one person, one group, one area, He can surely do it for another. If God is transforming situations in one place, He can do it in another. We are the ones who put the limits on an unlimited God. We are the ones that tend to bind the hands of the Miracle Worker with doubt and unbelief.

We must have full trust and faith in God to meet us at our needs and to answer our earnest prayers. We have to expect that He is going to work these miracles. Faith is the essential aspect in which these miracles can occur and be performed. Believe that God will deliver. Believe that the Great Physician can accomplish any task, and bring restoration to any broken area.

We serve an amazing God, who can do anything, at any time. The scriptures tell us that with God all things are possible, not some things, not the simple or easy things, but all things are possible. Never look at a situation, illness, or need as hopeless.

Personally, I have witnessed miracles. I have been a recipient of miracles. Members of my family have received miracles of divine healing and deliverance, among other extraordinary interventions from the Lord God Almighty. Was the power of God made manifest with strong impact? Absolutely! Was the experiences life-changing? Definitely! Do I believe in miracles? You better believe I do!

I have been a Christian for 18 years. I am one of the Sunday School teachers at our local church. I enjoy Bible study and growing in the knowledge of God’s word. I literally want to soak up God’s Word like a sponge.

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Hebrews 11 has been called the faith chapter and rightly so, because it is the one place in the Bible where all the heroes of faith are paraded for us to see.

This chapter has 40 verses, but most of us stop reading at 35. Though these 35 verses are exciting, uplifting and encouraging, the final five verses are also an integral part of the walk of faith. It is in these five verses that the balance in the faith life is brought about. It is in these verses that most Christians will find solace through a major part of their lives.

What happens when our faith is tested in the trials of life? What happens when faith does not alleviate our pain and suffering?

These are questions that gnaw at those who are in suffering, and those who watch others suffer, praying helplessly as it were for the suffering to be alleviated, and quickly moving from pity to condemning or judging the sufferer if it isn’t.

We sometimes even ask ourselvesHas faith gone awry?

I remember once during a trial that was long and intense, saying, ‘I don’t know what faith is anymore’, and this because my suffering was not being alleviated or my problem solved. I judged myself as being a person with little or no faith for my situation. I tried to whip up more faith, but it was not coming forth. I could not feel my faith. It discouraged me no end until God broke through and spoke to me, to keep going in the same way that I was. He told me I was on the right track and should not focus on my feelings but on the facts of His Word.

A look at verses 36 to 40 of Hebrews 11 shows us without a doubt that this is not God’s perspective of faith.

Heb 11:36-37 Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented.

Remember this is still in the ‘Faith’ chapter, and the ‘others’ mentioned here are those who ‘walked by faith’.

Jer 20:7; 37:15″O LORD . . . I am in derision daily; everyone mocks me . . . Therefore the princes were angry with Jeremiah, and they struck him and put him in prison”. Some “were stoned.”

2 Chr 24:21Zechariah was killed in this fashion for giving warnings from the Lord. “So they conspired against him, and . . . stoned him with stones”.

Tradition says that Isaiah was killed by being “sawn in two”.

Job 2:9Job was ‘tempted’ in the midst of his sufferings, by his own wife when she scolded “Do you still hold to your integrity? Curse God and die!”

Is 22:18King Saul had Doeg kill eighty-five priests who were loyal to David “slain with the sword”.

All these are examples of people who were living by faith! These are reminders to us that our trials and sufferings need not necessarily mean we are failing to trust God. Most often, these challenges mean that God is giving us an opportunity to draw from His strength in ways that we need to experience or others need to observe.

Here is the paradox of faith or the other side of faith that we need to examine.

Heb 6:12 By faith and patience we inherit the promises.

Heb 11:30 All these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise.

Why this dichotomy or seeming contradiction?

Because faith has a two-fold purpose in our lives.

Job’s response to his wife in Job 2:9 was, ‘Shall we receive good at the hand of the Lord and shall we not receive evil?’

The two-fold purpose of faith is

Heb 6:12 to give us our inheritance and

Heb 11:39… for us to obtain a good testimony.

Heb 11:1 says ‘Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.’ That is the promise. It is not seen and we hope for it.

But we need to look at verse 2 as well. The elders through faith obtained a good testimony! So the goal is for us to inherit the promises and in the process develop in us a good testimony.

The word testimony here is from the Greek work mar-too-reh-o, which is translated to be well reported of, to bear witness and to be a witness. This is the same word from which we get the word ‘martyr‘.

So we need to ask ourselves, ‘Are we willing to receive good from the hand of the Lord and are we not willing to receive evil?’ The question here is of trusting God’s Sovereignty. If we are going through suffering and it is not because of sin in our lives, then it is because God is doing something in our lives so that He can bear witness to our character and report well of us, like he did about Job, “Have you noticed my servant Job, that there is no one like him, honest and true, totally devoted to God and hating evil?”

So the other side of faith says If you are going through a trial that you cannot endure, if you are going through a sorrow that no one can share, if you are carrying a burden that only you have to bear, maybe, just maybe, God has put you on display for your honesty and truth, for your devotion to Him and your hatred of evil. Consider this

I love delving into God’s Word and finding out what He wants to say to me each day. Most of my studies stem from my early morning times with the Lord. Once the Lord begins to speak I keep searching until I reach the bottom of His treasure chest each time! No copyright on what He freely gives!

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