______________*****In nEeD Of MuSiC*****_____________

Sunday, February 26, 2006

Receiving the Holy Spirit

by David WilkersonSeptember 13, 2004

“According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue” (2 Peter 1:3).

For years I’ve claimed to be filled with the Spirit. I have testified that I’ve been baptized in the Spirit. I’ve preached that the Holy Spirit empowers me to witness, and that he sanctifies me. I’ve prayed in the Spirit, talked to the Spirit, walked in the Spirit and heard his voice. I truly believe the Holy Spirit is the power of God.
I can take you to the place where I was filled with the Spirit, at eight years of age. I still remember my tears and my heart’s cry to the Lord. I recall the incredible vision of Christ I received. And I remember the passion for Jesus that resulted from that experience. The Holy Spirit has been my friend and close comfort ever since.

I’ve read everything that Scripture says about the Holy Spirit, from Genesis to Revelation. I’ve preached on Pentecost, on the need to be filled with the Spirit, on our bodies being temples of the Spirit. And I trust that the Spirit has spoken through me to his church.
Yet, lately, I’ve found myself praying, “Lord, have I truly received your Holy Spirit? Do I really know this incredible power that lives in me? Or is the Spirit just a doctrine to me? Am I somehow ignoring him? Am I not asking him to do for me what he came to do? Am I still carrying things, still doing things on my own, that he came to do for me?”

The fact is, you can have something very valuable and not know it. And you can’t enjoy what it is you have, because you don’t understand how valuable it is.

There’s a story about a farmer who worked his small farm his whole life. For decades he tilled the rocky soil, living poor and finally dying in discontent. At his death, the farm was passed down to his son. One day, while plowing, the son found a gold-streaked nugget. He had it appraised and was told it was pure gold. The young man soon discovered that the farm was full of gold. Instantly, he became a wealthy man. Yet that wealth was lost on his father, even though it was on the land his whole life.

So it is with the Holy Spirit. Many of us live in ignorance of what we have, of the power that resides in us. Some Christians live their entire lives thinking they have the Holy Spirit, yet they haven’t truly received him in fullness and power. He isn’t accomplishing in them the eternal work he was sent to do.

Now, I’m not talking about manifestations. Often, some believers seek the Spirit only when they’re in trouble and want him to manifest himself. They hope he’ll come down and sweep away their problems. But Peter says that’s not the truth about the Spirit. According to him, we have the treasure within us: “His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness” (2 Peter 1:3, italics mine).
At the Jordan River, John the Baptist told the Pharisees, “I baptize with water: but there standeth one among you, whom ye know not” (John 1:26). Those religious leaders saw Jesus in the flesh, and they heard him speak. But they had no understanding of who he was. They didn’t know about his power and glory.

Likewise, Jesus asked his own disciple, Philip, “Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip?” (14:9). I want to ask you a similar question: how long have you testified that you’ve been filled with the Holy Spirit? Could the Spirit possibly say to you, as the Lord did to Philip, “Have I been with you all these years, yet you really don’t know me”?

I sometimes wonder if Christians today aren’t measuring up to the believers of Paul’s day

Something seems to be missing in the church today. We all know that Christians in the first century faced great afflictions. They endured severe testings, hard times, persecutions that were life-and-death. But they didn’t break down under the stress.

Paul says the church in Thessalonica endured the loss of their homes and possessions, everything they owned. Yet these believers weren’t rocked by the experience. He attributes their strength to the power of the Holy Spirit: “Our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance … and ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost” (1 Thessalonians 1:5–6).

Paul then describes the testimony that came from their joyful endurance: “Ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia. For from you sounded out the word [the testimony] of the Lord … [and] in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad [spoken of all around]” (1:7–8).

These believers had been “much afflicted,” yet they possessed true joy. They faced hardships and sufferings like no other body of that time. They lived with pressures you and I can’t possibly fathom. Surely their marriages were tested during those hard times. The devil must have come against those families at their weakest, stirring up problems of all kinds.

But the pastors and saints in that church wouldn’t quit. They didn’t complain about their circumstances. And they didn’t question God’s testings. Instead, there was rejoicing among that body of believers. And Paul told them, “You’re the talk of the nations! Your joy during your hard times has amazed and touched others, near and far.”

These Christians had truly received the Holy Ghost. I wonder: what did they know about the power of the Spirit that so few Christians today seem to know? What is missing? Where is the joy of the Holy Ghost in our times of trial and affliction?

Never in church history have so many believers been so discouraged.

In all my years of ministry, I’ve never seen so many believers under such affliction. There has never been a time like this, with families facing financial crises, enduring marital struggles, despairing over children in rebellion.

Right now, pastors all over the world are becoming disillusioned. They’re exhausted by their labors and heavyhearted because they see so little fruit. And their wives and families are being overwhelmed. These men are quitting by the hundreds in every nation. The leader of a large Pentecostal denomination recently told me, “Pastors are leaving left and right, and churches are closing by the dozens.”

Here is a typical letter we receive from ministers: “I pastor a good-size church. But my labors are so unfulfilling, so discouraging. I’m growing desperate to see something happen, some kind of breakthrough. I don’t know why I’m so anxious, or even what I want to see. But there has to be more than this. What am I missing?”

My son Gary and I travel the world conducting gatherings of pastors and their wives. Yet everywhere we go, we see pandemic despair. Most pastors in poor countries have to work secular jobs to support themselves. There is little or no money for their families or even their ministries. And their poverty is worsening.

Over the past few months, our advance team has met with pastors in very poor nations. At one meeting, ministers came from various denominations. Within minutes after our videotaped presentation began, those men started to weep. The sight brought tears to our team’s eyes. The broken pastors explained, “We’re so discouraged. We work so hard, yet we see so little results. And we have no finances. Even if Brother Dave were to come to our country and speak, we couldn’t afford to travel to the meetings. We can’t even pay for our families’ necessities. And our work is so hard, so trying. We’re seeing many suicides, especially among young people. We feel so abandoned.”

Our ministry rents buses so these ministers can travel to our gatherings. But many are so poor, they can’t afford lodging, so they camp outside in tents. Last year, in South America, one man traveled ten hours to get to our meeting. He didn’t have money for the return trip, so our team prayed and was led to give him $1,000. When the pastor heard this, he wept. “That’s a year’s salary,” he told us.

In America, the great problem is stress. There is widespread anxiety about the future, about job security. Some families are on the verge of losing everything. It’s causing stress at work and at home, and people are succumbing to despair.

As a pastor, it’s absolutely heartbreaking to see the many troubles facing Christians. Fathers and husbands are demoralized because they don’t have jobs or are underpaid. They can’t possibly support their family, and they’re falling deep into debt. Multitudes of elderly people are in excruciating pain because they can’t pay for their medications. The government can’t solve these problems. Politicians hold only empty promises.

As we survey all these needs, all these pressing trials, we’re driven to our knees. Day after day, we cry out to God, “Lord, what message can we offer? What can we preach to bring healing and encouragement to afflicted believers?” We feel the awful pain, yet we know we can’t simply offer platitudes. We refuse to bring a shallow message of human sympathy, saying, “Don’t be down. The sun will rise soon.”

No, more is needed than mere pity or a pep talk. The Word of God must come forth, giving power to withstand every onslaught of trials.

This is not the message I started out to deliver.

As I pondered the afflictions, despair and suffering, I thought, “This is all because of satanic attack.” Immediately, I began working on a message called, “War on the Saints.”

In Revelation, we find Satan giving power to something called “the beast.” “It was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations” (Revelation 13:7).

As I put the words together — “Power to make war … against the saints … to overcome them” — I began to reason: “That’s it. This is why God’s people are being so afflicted right now. It’s the power of the beast. That’s who is behind all the poverty, all the problems in families and marriages. A mad dragon is empowering a wicked government. Our leaders are being manipulated by wicked coalitions and special interest groups. The devil is forcing his agenda on our society.

“This is outright war against God’s elect. It’s about a mad enemy overcoming the faith of the saints, causing them to lose all trust in God. Multitudes of believers have become stagnant in their faith. And others have already been overcome. Their faith is shipwrecked. They became so discouraged, they finally gave up.
“As I look around at what’s happening in our country, it can’t be denied. The devil has spewed out of his mouth a flood of iniquity. He has brought forth a flood of afflictions against God’s people. And many are being carried away in that flood.”

Jesus spoke of an “hour of power” that would take place for the rulers of darkness. When he was led from the garden, he told his captors, “This is your hour, and the power of darkness” (Luke 22:53). The Greek word for “hour” here means “a short season.” In that hour of darkness, the beast would overcome Peter for a short season. Christ had warned him, “Satan is going to come against you, to sift you and try you.”
Yet here is the question Jesus really was asking: “Yes, an hour of darkness will come, not just upon Israel but on the whole world. I will not be here then, but my Spirit will. I am sending him to sustain you through every trial. He will abide in the hearts of all who believe in me. So, when that time of darkness comes, will you believe?”

We are now seeing the beginning of Satan’s last hour of power.

Both in Daniel and Revelation, we’re warned about this last hour of gross darkness, which will cover the whole earth. And for a short season, it will look as if Satan is winning on all fronts.

Even now, there are ominous signs of such darkness. Our nation seems to be spinning into chaos. Television and the Internet spew filth into homes. Institutions that have undergirded our society appear to be crumbling and falling. Think about the recent controversy over the institution of marriage between a man and a woman. It seems hell has gained victory on this battlefront, casting aside all moral restraints.

Most tragic of all, Satan seems to have brought down the church in defeat. He has cast a spirit of death over God’s house, so that multitudes cry, “I can’t find a church where the Spirit is at work. Everywhere I look, there’s no fire, no conviction. It’s dead.”

You may say, “Brother Dave, you make it sound so bleak. It all seems so discouraging.” But the truth is, Satan has been given only a short time. That’s why he’s bringing forth everything of hell he possibly can.
Yet God foresaw it all. He wasn’t taken by surprise by any of the wickedness we’re seeing. No, he’s had a plan in place for his people all along. He formed this plan before Creation. And it’s a plan not just for our survival, but for us to overcome.

Only one thing conquers and dispels darkness, and that is light. Isaiah declared, “The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light” (Isaiah 9:2). Likewise, John stated, “The light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not” (John 1:5).

Light represents understanding. When we say, “I see the light,” we’re saying, “Now I understand.” Do you see what Scripture is saying? The Lord is about to open our eyes, not to see a victorious devil but to receive new revelation. Our God has sent us his Holy Ghost, whose power is greater than all the powers of hell: “Greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world” (1 John 4:4).

Now, in Revelation we read of hell spewing forth locusts and scorpions that have great power. We read of a dragon, beasts, horned creatures, as well as a coming Antichrist. Yet, we don’t know the meaning of all these creatures. The fact is, we don’t have to. We don’t need to worry about the Antichrist or the mark of the beast.

You see, there is living in us the Spirit of Almighty God and his Christ. Paul declares that the power of the Holy Spirit is working in us. In other words, the Holy Ghost is alive in us at this very moment.

So, how does the Spirit work in us in the midst of our hard times? His power is released only as we receive him as our burden bearer. The Holy Spirit was given to us for this very reason, to bear our cares and worries. So, how can we say we’ve received him if we haven’t turned over our burdens to him?

Think about it: the Holy Ghost isn’t shut up in glory, but here, abiding in us. And he’s waiting anxiously to take control of every situation in our lives, including our afflictions. So, if we continue in fear — despairing, questioning, going deeper into anxiety — then we haven’t received him as our comforter, helper, guide, rescuer and strength.

You may object, “The Holy Spirit was sent to empower us to be Christ’s witnesses.” That’s true, but what comprises our witness? Is it merely telling people about Jesus? Is it simply quoting the Bible? Is it just praying for people? These things are all a part of our witness, to be sure — but they don’t comprise all of it.

No, the witness to the world is the Christian who has cast his every burden on the Holy Spirit. Like the Thessalonians, this believer sees overwhelming problems all around, and yet he has the joy of the Lord. He trusts God’s Spirit for his comfort, and for guidance out of his affliction. And he has a powerful testimony to a lost world, because he embodies joy despite being surrounded by darkness. His life tells the world, “This person has seen the light.”

Such a Christian has truly “received” the Holy Spirit, because he allows the Spirit to provide everything he needs to overcome. A downcast believer simply isn’t a testimony.

Consider the example of Paul’s life. This great apostle spoke of having the “sentence of death” upon him: “We had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead” (2 Corinthians 1:9). He explains, “We were pressed down, burdened, beyond strength. We even despaired of life. We were utterly at a loss, with no way of escape.”

As Paul looked at his dire situation — afflictions, troubles, hunger, persecution, cold, nakedness, imprisonment, a thorn in his flesh, cares and anxieties over churches, plots and attempts on his life — his response was, “This is the end. There’s no way out. Humanly speaking, there’s only one response I can see, and that’s death. The only way out of this trial is to die and be with Jesus.”

Beloved, God allowed every one of Paul’s trials. And it forced the apostle not to rely on himself, but to fully trust the Holy Spirit to deliver him. Scripture says, “And having done all, to stand” (Ephesians 6:13). We’re being told, in essence, “You’ve exhausted all your human efforts. You’ve tried to solve your own problems, and you’ve come to the end of yourself. Now let God do it all. He will accomplish your deliverance, by the Spirit who lives in you.”

Paul is talking about more than a passive sigh of, “Oh, I’ll trust God with this.” No, he’s speaking of being so helpless, so resigned, that you have to rely on a “God which raiseth the dead” (2 Corinthians 1:9). His conclusion was, “God alone is able to deliver me from this hopeless ‘death’ situation. Only his Spirit can resurrect an entirely new way of deliverance.”

Paul trusted the power of the Spirit, and God delivered.

“Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us” (2 Corinthians 1:10). What an incredible statement. Paul is saying, “The Spirit delivered me out of a hopeless situation. He’s delivering me even now. And he will continue to deliver me, in all my afflictions.”
Let me sum it all up: receiving the Holy Spirit isn’t evidenced by some emotional manifestation. (Yet I do believe there are manifestations of the Spirit.) What I’m talking about is receiving the Spirit through a quiet, ever-growing knowledge. Receiving him means having an ever-increasing light about his delivering power, his burden bearing, his provision.

I repeat Peter’s words: “According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue” (2 Peter 1:3). According to Peter, the divine power of the Spirit doesn’t come as a manifestation. He comes first “through the knowledge of him that hath called us.”

“And of his fullness have all we received” (John 1:16). Moreover, the Holy Spirit is not fully received until he is fully in charge. We simply haven’t received him if we haven’t given him complete control. We have to cast ourselves totally into his care.

Let me give a final example, to illustrate this. In Genesis 19, we find Lot and his family in a terrible crisis. Judgment was about to fall on their city, Sodom, and so God had sent his angels to deliver them. Lot opened his door to these messengers of the Lord, and they entered the house. They had the power of heaven to deliver that whole family. But the angels weren’t received.

You see, Lot’s wife couldn’t conceive of changing her life. As she heard the angels urging her husband to leave Sodom, she must have thought, “I don’t want to leave my nice house, my furniture, all my friends. Surely that can’t be God’s will. I’ll pray that the Lord delays his judgment. He has to work a miracle for me.”

In the end, the angels had to force their will on Lot and his family, dragging them out of Sodom. God’s plan all along was to deliver them in the process of fleeing. He was going to feed and clothe and take care of them. But, as we all know, Lot’s wife looked back and died, turning into a pillar of salt.

The angels’ message was clear: “If you want God to be in control, then you have to give up the reigns. If you look to him for deliverance, you’ve got to let go of your plans and be willing to go his way.” In short, the Holy Spirit doesn’t use his power to deliver doubters. Unbelief aborts his work. We have to be willing to let him make changes in our lives, if that is God’s chosen way of delivering us.

In my opinion, many believers today haven’t experienced deliverance because they’re holding onto their own plans. I ask you: are you willing to let the Holy Spirit lead and guide you? You haven’t received him unless you’ve gone to him with every burden you have. I urge you, go to prayer and name every crisis you’re facing: “Here it is, Holy Spirit. I turn this situation over to you. And I trust that your power abides in me. I’m not going to lose sleep over this matter. I give it to you.” Then trust!

You simply have to take your eyes off your condition. Yes, there is darkness all around. But you have seen the light. Are you willing to trust the Lord to carry you through? Believe the Word he has given you: “Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us” (2 Corinthians 1:10).

10:24 PM

Thursday, February 23, 2006

The Cross

What's at the cross?

Death to self

Few Love the Cross of Jesus

JESUS always has many who love His heavenly kingdom, but few who bear His cross. He has many who desire consolation, but few who care for trial. He finds many to share His table, but few to take part in His fasting. All desire to be happy with Him; few wish to suffer anything for Him. Many follow Him to the breaking of bread, but few to the drinking of the chalice of His passion. Many revere His miracles; few approach the shame of the Cross. Many love Him as long as they encounter no hardship; many praise and bless Him as long as they receive some comfort from Him.

TO MANY, the saying, "Deny thyself, take up thy cross and follow Me seems hard, but it will be much harder to hear that final word:"Depart from Me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire."

What's at the cross?Not my will but yours be done

Luke 22:42 (KJS) Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. willing, remove: Gr. willing to remove}

How may of us cry out to God : I don’t care what I want , I want to be doing what you are doing.
· I want the lost to be found just as you do
· I want to love those that hate me
· I want to hate sin just as you do
· I want my flesh under subjection to the Holy Spirit
· I want the mind of Christ Jesus
· I want what is best for the Kingdom of God

What's at the cross? Power to overcome

Reve 12:10 (KJS) And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

The power to overcome started at the Cross.
· The power to overcome is in the blood of Jesus
· The power to overcome is in your testimony
· The power to overcome Satan has been given to you
· The power to overcome Death
· The power to overcome Sickness
· The power to overcome Poverty
· The power to overcome the rule of the flesh - the carnal mind

What's at the cross? God's Righteousness

1Pet 2:23 (KJS) Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed [himself] to him that judgeth righteously:24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
When Jesus went to the Cross he went as one who was in right standing with God!

· His right standing before God is now our right standing
· We can stand before God Almighty as righteous
· It is not our righteousness, but Jesus’ righteousness
· It is our sins, but he took the blame· It is His righteousness, but we received it at the CROSS

What's at the cross? Reconciliation

2Cor 5:18 (KJS) And all things [are] of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
Hebr 2:17 (KJS) Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto [his] brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things [pertaining] to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.

Of all the Priest over all the thousands of years not one could reconcile the people to God. They had to use the blood of bulls , goats, heifers, birds etc. but none of these sacrifices were to reconcile! ,--- [they were for atonement of sins.]

Priesthood of JesusBDB/Thayers # 26432643 katallage kat-al-lag-ay'}from 2644; TDNT - 1:258,40; n fAV - reconciliation 2, atonement 1, reconciling 1; 41) exchange1a) of the business of money changers, exchanging equivalent values2) adjustment of a difference, reconciliation, restoration to favour2a) in the NT of the restoration of the favour of God to sinnersthat repent and put their trust in the expiatory death of Christ

Priesthood of the LevitesBDB/Thayers # 372203722 kaphar kaw-far'}a primitive root; TWOT - 1023,1024,1025,1026; vAV - atonement 71, purge 7, reconciliation 4, reconcile 3, forgive 3,purge away 2, pacify 2, atonement...made 2, merciful 2, cleansed 1,disannulled 1, appease 1, put off 1, pardon 1, pitch 1; 1021) to cover, purge, make an atonement, make reconciliation, coverover with pitch1a) (Qal) to coat or cover with pitch

Gala 4:4 (KJS) But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.

At the cross is punishment torture shame all legal & lawful for mans action towards his God and his brothers. No person could take the punishment nor the shame of the cross, because if he could then everybody on the face of the earth would have to go through the same thing. But this action would be futile and meaningless, because he would not be without sin his payment to the law would be justified. But Jesus did nothing to deserve the punishment or shame of the cross, but because of his life the law could find no hold upon him. The death the law demanded and the shame the law demanded was found to be without power towards him.

Because he was one of us and would not call upon his deity the law had been satisfied, it had found one who was worth the entire human race. Jesus(As our High Priest) went before the God of this universe with his blood(As our Redeemer) from the cross and said Father I ask forgiveness for the sins of my people, since the law could not find him guilty the request was granted.

Now on the cross is my sin your sin and the sin of the entire world and the law can not ask again punishment for sin. Because you cannot be tried for the same crime twice.

2:40 AM

Tuesday, February 21, 2006

There is something call the TRUST in a relationship. You have to earn in. You know, things done in secret will be shown to the light and somehow some light reflected to me and it has made me really frustrated. I dont have trust anymore. Because why, "CUTE" yucK... And many other things i shouldnt say. If asked me why and how, i will write a super long composition out. But i donT want.. I just need someone who i can really trust... and of course not her... I really need someone whom i can share how i FEEl noW... The ruSh to do some things~~ aRhG~ I am so red headed now... fEeL likE puNchiNg somEone.. yEt the feelinG fade when i think about someone... I feel really frustrated... sEeIng somEthIngs and to tell the real truth..

I DONT TRUST > ANYMORE...

Thats the bottom line. Going back again and again and finding new ones. I'm just a permanent boey for. to float on and as . floats, new things and old ones come too. cOme on~ I feel like leaving this "pArtY" for good... suCks...

Not that i self-pity myself but hEy, iF itS a true relationship, BE HONEST!!!!

8:07 AM

Relationship with God

Have you all thought of how you can be closer to God in your relationship with Him? It's actually very easy.

1st: Reading the word of God is a must and to pray.

Reading the word of God is our spiritual food for the Holy Spirit who is living in us. And our body is the temple for the Holy Spirit! And the food is for us to spread the word of God around with the help of the Holy Spirit. We ourselves do not have the strength to preach because we do not have the anointing from God.

Praying allow us to grow closer to God. The closer we are to God, we will know what God thinks and how He sees every situation and everybody in this world which nobody can see. We are mere humans who needs God~ The Almighty God who created the heavens and the earth. Praise the Lord. Prayer can move mountain but it must be with faith and with WORK. The work means our testimony and our effort.

2nd: Crucifying your flesh.

Crucifying your flesh is doing things that object what your mind is thinking. Examples are LUST, GREED, ANGER, SLOTH and so on.. We must obey what the Holy spirit tells us to do. And btw.. THE HOLY SPIRIT SPEAKS TO US VERY SOFTLY. so dont ever tell people that He never teach you. God is good.. We have to obey Him.

3rd: Acknowledge Christ EVERYWHERE YOU GO

When being ask whether are we christian by anybody, we cannot say NO.. because we will be denying Christ. And If we deny Christ, He will also DeNy us in front of our Heavenly Father who is God.

And our testimony can also be something to deny Christ! "How can this be?" your ask.. But let me tell you... If people dont see Christ in you, YOU ARE DENYING CHRIST!!! We have to be a good testimony to God and to report to Him at judgement day of everything we do.

Many may ask, "What do you mean by getting in a relationship with God? " It's very easy actually...

Getting in a relationship is like we are in a relationship with earthly people, that is Boy Girl Relationship.
What you expect of your boyfriend of girlfriend:

Like telling each other everything about you and your problems, To communicate with each other in order to know each other more. You will feel angry or sad, disappointed when the opposition doesnt do these and ignore you.

PUT YOURSELVE IN GOD"S SHOE!!!!

HOW WILL GOD FEEL WHEN YOU ARE FAR FROM HIM?? When you do things, do you think of what would He thinks?? God cares about us.. He LOVES US!!! We cannot always disappoint HIM. Imagine the creator of EVERYTHING had to SEND HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON JESUS CHRIST TO DIE FOR US???

Will you send your son to die for anyone?? NO!!! Even stupid people wont do it because we cant bear to let go. BUT!!! GOD SENT HIS SON TO DIE FOR OUR SINS!!!

How great is His love for us!! Hey, stop doing things that hurt God. Repent and draw yourselve Closer to Him today if you are far from Him... He really cares...

<<<<<<<>>>>>>

To be like PAUL. His boldness in SPREADING GOD'S WORD. Speaking the TRUTH of Jesus Christ~ The one who died for OUr sinS and Resurrected on the 3Rd day. And considering my life nothing and to die for Christ sake!!

"God help me to be bold and courageous in Spreading your word. And when being persecuted, I'll stand firm in Your word forever and ever. Amen"

3:17 AM

Monday, February 13, 2006

The need to SPEAK~!!

Isaiah saw the Lord. What he saw was spectacular!The train of God's robe filled the temple.Angels flew about shouting praises:"Holy Holy Holy is the Lord God Almighty! The whole earth is filled with HIS glory!" they sng over and over(Isaiah 6:3). The glory of the Lord filled the the whole santuary.

Isaiah's first reaction is to admit his inadequency. "My destruction is sealed, for i am a sinful man and a member of a sinful race," was his peronal summary of his life (v 5). But in the midst of this wondrous, awesome experience, one of the angels touched his tongue with a burning coal and pronounce him clean and forgiven before God.

Then Isaiah could no longer remain silence. Once he had seen the glory of God, he had to speak. He had no choice but to speak about God's glory and grace. He had to speak about God's judgement. He had to speak about the blindness of mankind. He had to speak about eternity. He had to speak about his own amazement the God had chose him.

When God's glory became a reality for you, when God himself pronounce you forgiven, YOU CANNOT KEEP QUIET! You have to tell someone your story. You are compelled to describe to others the wonderful work of God so that they will not miss out on the glory.

Lord Keep me quiet about the things that dont matter and keep me talking about YOUR GLORY~

7:50 AM

Monday, February 06, 2006

Upright And Stand Firm!

In the Christian society, i can say that many are of the world. Doing things that all are doing, love to be in the majority and claiming that they are christians. But, all are a disgrace to Jesus Christ. I will now first repent as i know what in the world is going on. There are christians who love to gossip, love to get people in troubles, love to see them suffer. But here's what, BRING IT ON!!

TO THE Faithful CHRISTIANS:

We as the children of God, we do not have anything to be afraid of except the fear of God. If you have already realise your mistakes that you have made in the past, REPENT~! And i believe many have done so. But now there's one thing. MOVE ON PLEASE~!!! Many are hindered and are afraid to move on because of CHRISTIANS who love to gossip. But an encouragement for you all today.

DO NOT BE AFRAID!!! Because God knows who is RIGHT and who is WRONG. Dont let those who gossip pull you down. Dont let your past hinder you from moving on. In 1st John 2 :

9Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates his brother is still in the darkness. 10Whoever loves his brother lives in the light, and there is nothing in him[c] to make him stumble. 11But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness; he does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded him. 12I write to you, dear children, because your sins have been forgiven on account of his name.

1st John 3 :

21Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God 22and receive from him anything we ask, because we obey his commands and do what pleases him. 23And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us. 24Those who obey his commands live in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us.

So do not be afraid that people will bring trouble to you because we are UPRIGHT and we have done NOTHING wrong even in the dark. So why be afraid? For the Lord will listen to the righteous and the unrighteous He will punish and they will be judge.

Even in this praying group that we are having now with my friends in church over at someone's house, why be afraid that we will be called for counseling because of gossipers in church? Let them bring trouble on themselves as the judgement is in God's hand and we will just pray to God.

But if there is something wrong in that group, we have to solve it quickly, to bring someone who is stumbled up again in the name of Jesus Christ.

Praise the Lord!! We should all pray and grow spiritually in the Lord. To trust in Him and to have faith with effort put in by us because in James 2 :

14What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? 15Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. 16If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? 17In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

We should all follow Jesus. And believing that God exist is Not enough~!! Because in James 2 :

19You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.

So people, follow Jesus and we will all REJOICE!!!

Praise the name of the Almighty God whose name is Lifted High!!

8:47 AM

Passion for the House of God

When this happened the followers of Jesus remembered what was written {in the Scriptures }: "My excitement for your house will destroy me." -- John 2:17 (ERV)

KEY THOUGHT:What are your passions? Are your passions for the "House of God," God'sholy Temple? If we follow the mock trial of Jesus, the false basis ofhis execution was rooted in this event; he was accused of blasphemingthe Temple. Of course, we know that was not true. Jesus was "done in"by his holy passion for God's things, God's business, and God's house.So let me ask you again, what is your passion? Life without passion isflat and boring. Life with the wrong passions is dissipated ondestructive pursuits. But when life is built around godly passions, itleaves a permanent impact. What's your passion?

TODAY'S PRAYER:Father, give me a more fervent passion for your people, your work, andyour Kingdom. Through your Holy Spirit, stoke the fires of my heart tolive with a holy passion for your things. In Jesus' name. Amen.

January 2, 2006A Fresh StartMicca Monda CampbellDirector of Outreach, Proverbs 31 Speaker Team Member

Key Verse:Matthew 6:33, "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." (NAS).

Devotion: With every New Year comes the opportunity for a new beginning. Most people make a fresh start by setting a "New Year's Resolution." Through this tradition, we can recommit to a healthier lifestyle, put away bad habits, turn over a new leaf and reorganize our lives. Whatever the need, it can be done by putting the past year behind us and beginning anew. Or so we believe.We usually start out with grand visions, impressive goals and pure determination. Only to realize a short time later how difficult it is to carry out such extensive goals when our motivation is squashed by all the other duties of life. Instead of moving forward we remain as we are-unchanged. With each passing day, week, and month, we become less convicted, less motivated, and less excited about our desire to be all that we should and long to be. While these results can greatly affect all areas of our lives, they mostly affect us spiritually. Good health and a balanced life are important, but temporal. How we grow and improve spiritually will last for all eternity and should be our highest priority. However, while some people spend hours planning for a vacation or spend years of education planning for a career, most don't spend five minutes planning for eternity. How does looking to the future help us accomplish our goals for today?
Because the secret to success in everything we do lies in the depth of our relationship to God. Temporal failures occur in our lives because we are not first spiritually equipped.I once heard a story about a woman who asked her pastor to pray for her to have enough will power to give up a bad habit.
The pastor answered, "No, I won't pray for you." The woman was astounded. "Why not?" she asked."It wouldn't do any good," the pastor replied. "You'll only give up the bad habit when you love God and your relationship with Him more than your habit."Where do we find the power to overcome bad habits? We are set free when we love God more than our sin.Whether our goal this year is to lose weight, quit smoking or better organize our lives, we will only succeed if we are first spiritually strong. That is because every problem we have is ultimately a spiritual problem. Once dealt with by the power and grace of God, victory will be ours. Do you need a fresh start? You'll find it by making God and your relationship with Him your first goal.

My Prayer for Today:Dear Lord, help me die to all things that I put in place of You. Create in me a love and passion for You alone that will help me let go of temporary pleasures. I believe that You want to fill my every empty place with Your presence. I'm ready for You to fill me now. I believe that You are enough for me. Make this truth a reality in my life. In Jesus' Name I pray, Amen.

12:45 AM

Sunday, February 05, 2006

huaiDAN,
The first few days that we are together, there are only disappointments. The only happy thing that you give me is when you appear right in front of me. I'll be happy to just seeing you. Though you always makes me angry, you tolerated my anger.

dEaR,
Few weeks later, still reprimanding you until you cry... oOps... But hey, you always apologise to me until i bored liao. But who cares.. The main thing is that you love me no matter what kind of person i am or even my appearance. I love you.

bAbY~!!
nOw after tWo montHs, you are still the same old cuTie, with changed character to me. More sensitive to me and your tolerance level is super high because you can take my scoldings~ My dear i really love you. Looking at your face really makes me smile and my heart is really glad to have you. I just pray that you will continue to change into someone who will be really sensitive to me and the one who will really share everything with me. I love you and misses you every timE~!!

I wil worry about you when you are not within my range. Even though when you are beside me, i'll protect you because i'm afraid some perverts will just touch you and run because of your beauty and cuteness~~ haha~ DeaR i love you~

And what i'm gonna change for you. I will now learn to tolerate my dear, learn to LOVE unconditionally for YOU! Especially for my little darling~ I love you dear.. My baby!!! Cute cuTe~!!

Pray that you will continue to serve the Lord and know of what is wrong to do and right. Dear the Lord richly bless you. I love you.

8:38 AM