Birthday of Jesus is the time to remember that In Bethlehem a savior is born who is a Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Birthday of Jesus means Love came down and was born at Christmas.

Birthday of Jesus is the time of ringing bells, cakes and candles.

Birthday of Jesus is the month of snow & Songs, Carols & Joys.
Birthday of Jesus showed us to live with charity, forgiveness, faith, humility, sacrifice, truth, peace, happiness and service.

Birthday of Jesus reminds us that Jesus is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.

Birthday of Jesus reminds us that Jesus Christ is the resurrection and the life, the way and the truth.

Birthday of Jesus reminds us that we have fellowship with God

Birthday of Jesus reminds us that we are the ambassador for Christ Jesus.

Birthday of Jesus reminds us that we can live holy and blameless in God’s sight.

Birth day of Jesus means God is with us through Holy Spirit.

Birthday of Jesus reminds us that in Jesus Christ; we are blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places. 

Birthday of Jesus reminds us that in Jesus Christ we have eternal life, redemption and forgiveness.

Birthday of Jesus means a savior came to the world to save us from sins and to seek the lost.

Jesus is the greatest gift at Christmas!

 Dear brothers and sisters let us Invite Jesus Christ into our home and heart and experience Christmas with families and friends with heavenly blessings. I wish a delightful Christmas and a happy New Year!

Flirting is playing with one’s emotions and feelings. Many people have disregarded the Word of God, ruined their lives by flirting with someone other than their spouse.

Hence it has contributed to immorality, adultery, promiscuous, fornication, divorce, lusting and family break ups. A flirt will lead you down the path to death and destruction. There will be no true happiness in the end, neither for that woman nor that man .Flirting is very nice and acceptable between a husband and wife relationships.

The Bible tells us that we are to be a good example, showing others the love of Christ through our behavior (Ephesians 5:1-2). Flirting is not good for the child of God.Any one who is a child of God needs to put off his old sinful ways of life and put on a new life in Christ. Paul says:You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. Ephesians 4:22-24

Proverbs7 reminds us the importance of avoiding a flirtatious woman. She is called an adulteress. She flatters with her words. She is on the hunt. She is cunning. She is loud and rebellious. She takes the initiative in relationships instead of waiting on the man.

2 Tim. 2:22 says .Now flee from youthful lusts, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.

The Bible strongly warns us against tempting others to sin (Matthew 18:7). We should do all we can to bring others into God’s Kingdom and never to do anything that would cause a person to stumble in his righteous walk (Romans 14:21). Adultery is a horrible sin which brings the judgment of God (1st Corinthians 6:9,10).

Other Supporting scriptures are:

1 Corinthians 10:31 reminds us, “Whatever you eat or drink or whatever you do, you must do all for the glory of God.”

Isaiah 3:16-17:Moreover, the LORD said, “Because the daughters of Zion are proud And walk with heads held high and seductive eyes, And go along with mincing steps And tinkle the bangles on their feet, Therefore the Lord will afflict the scalp of the daughters of Zion with scabs, And the LORD will make their foreheads bare.”

I Corinthians 7:1: Now concerning the things about which you wrote, it is good for a man not to touch a woman.

I Peter 5:8: Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

Ephesians 4:27:Do not give the devil an opportunity.

Matthew 5:28-29:But I say, anyone who even looks at a woman with lust in his eye has already committed adultery with her in his heart. So if your eye – even if it is your good eye – causes you to lust, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell”

Matthew 12:35 tells us that “a good person produces good words from a good heart, and an evil person produces evil words from an evil heart.”

Philippians 4:8 says, “Fix your thoughts on what is true and honorable and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.”

Romans 6:12 says therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts.

Colossians 3:5: Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.

Conclusion: We must never allow sin to control us (Romans 6). Even Though one has forgiven of the sin committed but still there would be the consequences of the sin in his life.

Also be encouraged to read my other articles on similar topic ” Sin fascinates then assassinates”

Here is the link http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2962450/sin_fascinates_then_assassinates_.html?cat=34

One Can Live Without Sin!

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2490779/one_can_live_without_sin_.html?cat=34

Sinful Men Hate to Be Rebuked!

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/5665352/sinful_men_hate_to_be_rebuked_.html?cat=34

Capability of Sinning yet Choosing Not to Sin!

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/5623770/capability_of_sinning_yet_choosing.html?cat=34

The Wicked Justifies Their Wrong Doing!

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/5479022/the_wicked_justifies_their_wrong_doing.html?cat=34

Every Sin Has Its Own Consequences and Demands Heavy Price!

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2798080/every_sin_has_its_own_consequences.html?cat=34

Psalms 16:10 For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.

Acts 13:34-35 And as concerning that he raised him up from the dead, now no more to return to corruption, he said on this wise, I will give you the sure mercies of David. Wherefore he saith also in another psalm, Thou shalt not suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.

Matthew 16:21: From that time Jesus began to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day.

Matthew 20:19 And shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify him: and the third day he shall rise again.

Mark 9:9 And as they came down from the mountain, he charged them that they should tell no man what things they had seen, till the Son of man were risen from the dead.

Mark 14:28 But after that I am risen, I will go before you into Galilee.

John 2:19-22 Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up. Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days? But he spake of the temple of his body. When therefore he was risen from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this unto them; and they believed the scripture, and the word which Jesus had said.

Luke 24:45-46 Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:

1 Corinthians 15:17 And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.

Romans 8:34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

1 Corinthians 15:14 And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.

1 Corinthians 15:17 And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.

Colossians 2:12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.

John 2:19 Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.

Mark 16:9 Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils.

Mark 16:14 Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen.

Luke 24:46 And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:

Acts 10:40 Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly;

1 Corinthians 15:4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

Luke 24:34 Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon.

Matthew 28:16-17 Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted.

1 Corinthians 15:7 After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles.

1 Corinthians 15:8 And last of all he was seen of me(Paul) also, as of one born out of due time.

Luke 24:4-7 And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments: And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee, Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.

Acts 1:22 Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection.

Acts 3:15 And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses.

Acts 4:33 And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.

Acts 26:23 That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles.

1 Peter 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

2 Timothy 2:8 Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel:

1 Corinthians 15:20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.

Matthew 22:29-32 Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God. For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven. But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.

Matthew 27:53 And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.

John 11:25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:

Revelation 20:6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

Ezekiel 37:1-10 The hand of the LORD was upon me, and carried me out in the spirit of the LORD, and set me down in the midst of the valley which was full of bones, And caused me to pass by them round about: and, behold, there were very many in the open valley; and, lo, they were very dry. And he said unto me, Son of man, can these bones live? And I answered, O Lord GOD, thou knowest. Again he said unto me, Prophesy upon these bones, and say unto them, O ye dry bones, hear the word of the LORD. Thus saith the Lord GOD unto these bones; Behold, I will cause breath to enter into you, and ye shall live: …

1 Peter 3:21:There is also an antitype which now saves us—baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ


2 Timothy 2:18 Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.


John 5:29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.

Here is the collection of verses to make you believe that Jesus Christ died on cross and it was prophesized in the scriptures.

Matthew 28:5-7 :And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you.

Acts 4:10-11: Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.

Matthew 27:32-40: Now as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name. Him they compelled to bear His cross. And when they had come to a place called Golgotha, that is to say, Place of a Skull, they gave Him sour wine mingled with gall to drink. But when He had tasted it, He would not drink. Then they crucified Him, and divided His garments, casting lots, that it might be fulfilled which were spoken by the prophet: “They divided My garments among them, And for My clothing they cast lots.” Sitting down, they kept watch over Him there. And they put up over His head the accusation written against Him: THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.Then two robbers were crucified with Him, one on the right and another on the left. And those who passed by blasphemed Him, wagging their heads and saying, “You who destroy the temple and build it in three days, save Yourself! If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross.”

Matthew 27:41-44: Likewise the chief priests also, mocking with the scribes and elders, said, “He saved others; Himself He cannot save. If He is the King of Israel, let Him now come down from the cross, and we will believe Him. He trusted in God; let Him deliver Him now if He will have Him; for He said, ‘I am the Son of God.’” Even the robbers who were crucified with Him reviled Him with the same thing.

Luke 23:33: “When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified him, along with the criminals — one on his right, the other on his left.”

John 19:23-24: “When the soldiers crucified Jesus, they took his clothes, dividing them into four shares, one for each of them, with the undergarment remaining. This garment was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom. ‘Let’s not tear it,’ they said to one another. ‘Let’s decide by lot who will get it.’ This happened that the scripture might be fulfilled which said, ‘They divided my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing.’ So this is what the soldiers did.”

Psalms 41:9 : Even my close friend, whom I trusted, he who shared my bread, has lifted up his heel against me.

Acts 1:16:Men and brethren, this Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke before by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus; for he was numbered with us and obtained a part in this ministry.”

Zechariah 11:12-13:Then I said to them, “If it is agreeable to you, give me my wages; and if not, refrain.” So they weighed out for my wages thirty pieces of silver. And the LORD said to me, “Throw it to the potter”—that princely price they set on me. So I took the thirty pieces of silver and threw them into the house of the LORD for the potter.

Isaiah 50:6:I gave My back to those who struck Me, And My cheeks to those who plucked out the beard; I did not hide My face from shame and spitting.

Psalm 22:7-8:All those who see Me ridicule Me;They shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying,“He trusted in the LORD, let Him rescue Him;Let Him deliver Him, since He delights in Him!”

Isaiah 50:6-8: I gave My back to those who struck Me, And My cheeks to those who plucked out the beard; I did not hide My face from shame and spitting.

Zechariah 12:10:And I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication; then they will look on Me whom they pierced. Yes, they will mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son, and grieve for Him as one grieves for a firstborn.

Psalm 22:16:For dogs have surrounded Me; The congregation of the wicked has enclosed Me. They pierced[a] My hands and My feet;

Luke 24:39:Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. Handle Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have.”

Psalms 22:15 :My strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth; you lay me in the dust of death.

John 19:28: Later, knowing that all was now completed, and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.”

Psalms 69:21: They put gall in my food and gave me vinegar for my thirst.

Matthew 27:34 There they offered Jesus wine to drink, mixed with gall; but after tasting it, he refused to drink it.

John 19:29 A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips.

Psalms 34:20 he protects all his bones, not one of them will be broken.

Isaiah 53:9-12:His grave was assigned with wicked men, Yet He was with a rich man in His death, Because He had done no violence, Nor was there any deceit in His mouth. But the LORD was pleased To crush Him, [a]putting Him to grief; If [b]He would render Himself as a guilt offering, He will see His [c]offspring, He will prolong His days, And the [d]good pleasure of the LORD will prosper in His hand. As a result of the [e]anguish of His soul, He will see [f]it and be satisfied; By His knowledge the Righteous One, My Servant, will justify the many, As He will bear their iniquities. Therefore, I will allot Him a portion with the great, And He will divide the booty with the strong; Because He poured out [g]Himself to death, And was numbered with the transgressors; Yet He Himself bore the sin of many,And interceded for the transgressors.

Psalms 22:1 :For the director of music. To the tune of “The Doe of the Morning.” A psalm of David. My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from the words of my groaning?

Psalms 31:5 : Into your hands I commit my spirit; redeem me, O LORD, the God of truth.

Matthew 27:46 :About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?”–which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

Isaiah 53:5-7 :But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. 6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all. 7 He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.

Isaiah 53:12 :Therefore I will give him a portion among the great, and he will divide the spoils with the strong, because he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

Mark 10:45 :For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Isaiah 53:9:He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death, though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth.

Matthew 27:57-60 :As evening approached, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus. 58 Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him. 59 Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, 60 and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of the rock. He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away.

Galatians 6:12:As many as desire to make a good showing in the flesh, these would compel you to be circumcised, only that they may not suffer persecution for the cross of Christ.

Galatians 6:14:But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

Philippians 3:18:For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:

Matthew 20:19: and deliver Him to the Gentiles to mock and to scourge and to crucify. And the third day He will rise again.”

Matthew 23:34: Therefore, indeed, I send you prophets, wise men, and scribes: some of them you will kill and crucify and some of them you will scourge in your synagogues and persecute from city to city,

Mark 15:20:And when they had mocked Him, they took the purple off Him, put His own clothes on Him, and led Him out to crucify Him.

John 19:6: Therefore, when the chief priests and officers saw Him, they cried out, saying, “Crucify Him, crucify Him!” Pilate said to them, “You take Him and crucify Him, for I find no fault in Him.”

Hebrews 6:6: if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame.

1 Corinthians 1:18:For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

Nothing is as maddening as investing in a currently booming business and after some years when you’ve positioned yourself to enjoy your profit, recession hits the economy and the Company is forced to shut down. Ouch! Most people do not recover from such loss and they probably leave behind, the fear of investing anywhere else for their generations. Does it mean that investments should not be advised? No! Truth is, everyone wants to get rich like Bill Gates or even richer but only a few are more than willing to take the necessary steps and make sacrifices that will open lasting doors of immeasurable wealth. Early last year, I learnt about a famous man today who reversed one of the popular ways of attracting abundance for oneself, which in return made him what he is today. He gave up 90% of his wealth for God’s work and lived on 10%. It is difficult, but, someone did it, that was his own way of attracting open heaven for himself, his family and his generation. This is totally optional but if you must prosper, it is very impossible to neglect these steps and yield lasting wealth or success.

Cont’d……  http://ogochukwunwokeji.blogspot.com/2011/01/potent-investments-in-downward-economy.html

We need to trust Gods divine Health care plan, rather than a human Health care plan. We know that 47 million U.S. residents have no health insurance and many America’s workers struggle to pay higher premiums, deductibles and co-payments if they can afford such coverage at all. My question is why we don’t get protected by Gods health care.

“The author is Dr. Barbara Starfield of the Johns Hopkins School of Hygiene and Public Health and she describes how the US health care system may contribute to poor health.


ALL THESE ARE DEATHS PER YEAR:


12,000 — unnecessary surgery 8


7,000 — medication errors in hospitals 9


20,000 — other errors in hospitals 10


80,000 — infections in hospitals 10


106,000 — non-error, negative effects of drugs 2


These total to 250,000 deaths per year from iatrogenic causes

What does the word iatrogenic mean? This term is defined as induced in a patient by a physician’s activity, manner, or therapy. Used especially of a complication of treatment”.

1. God loves us and wants to help us with ALL our problems: LORD JESUS CHRIST HEALER OF ALL DISEASES. (PSALMS 103:3).The word of God is the most powerful medicine available today, and it is capable of bringing lasting healing to every part of our lives without negative side effects. There are still many diseases that medical science has not yet found a cure for. There is nothing wrong with consulting a doctor, and many lives are saved every year through the help of medical professionals. Also, there are medicines available today that are beneficial in aiding the body’s healing process. But above all this we need to remember that there is great physician , our Lord Jesus Christ . He is referred to himself as physician twice in Luke 4:23 and in Matt. 9:12-13. Jesus said that the things which are impossible with men ARE possible with God.

Doctors may have told you that there is no longer any hope for you medically, but the word of God is full of hope. The question is whose report will you believe? Do you believe in Gods report or Doctors Report?

“…they cry unto the Lord in their trouble, and he saves them out of their distresses. He sent his word and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.” (Psalm 107:19 – 20)

“So shall my word be that goes forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I send it.” (Isaiah 55: 11)

“I create the fruit of the lips; Peace, peace to him that is far off, and to him that is near, says the Lord; and I will heal him.” (Isaiah 57:19)

The Bible says that men are not healed because of their refusal to go to God for healing. For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.” – Matthew 13:15

2. Scriptures say that God heals:
Matthew 4:23 Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people.

Genesis 20:17 Then Abraham prayed to God, and God healed Abimelech, his wife and his slave girls so they could have children again.

Acts 3:16 By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has given this complete healing to him, as you can all see.

James 5:16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.

Numbers 12:13 So Moses cried out to the LORD, “O God, please heal her!” And God did heal Miriam.

James 5:14 Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him.

Exodus 15:26 He said, “If you listen carefully to the voice of the LORD your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the LORD, who heals you.”

3. There are Different types of healing prayer we see in the bible:

Straight intercession for a group of people (2 Chronicles 30:17-20)

Petition prayer for another – asking God to heal them (Gen 20:14-18)

Petition prayer for yourself – asking God to heal you (2 Kings 20:1-7)

Standing in agreement with a relative’s prayer of faith (Matt 15:28)

Standing in agreement with another’s proclamation of faith (Matt 8:8, 13)

Being a point of contact for another’s faith (Matthew 9:21-22)

Encouraging and building another’s faith (Luke 8:49-55 [especially 50])

Proclaiming God’s truth and good news (Matthew 9:35)

Proclaiming the healing of Jesus over a person (Acts 9:34)

Petition prayer and laying on of hands (Acts 28:8)

Through physical contact, usually the laying on of hands (Matt 14:35-36, Mark 5:22-23, Luke 4:40)

Anointing with oil (Mark 6:7-13)

Healing through deliverance (Matthew 17:15,18, Acts 8:7)

Commanding the person to be healed (Luke 18:41-43)

Command body parts to work properly (Mark 7:32-35)

Commanding the person to do the impossible (Matt 12:9-13)

Forcing the person to do the impossible (Acts 3:2-8)

Persistent prayer (including asking for feedback) (Mark 8:22-25)

Moving under God’s healing anointing when it is present (Luke 5:17)

Carrying God’s sovereign healing power and anointing (Luke 6:19)

Being explicitly sent by God, and obeying Him (Luke 9:2,6)

The devil is a liar wants to rob us of our redemptive rights by placing curses of poverty, sickness and death upon our lives. There is a power in the Blood of Jesus Christ and its a shield against any power of sickness and diseases. Plead the blood of Jesus over your health and you will be safe.

Note: we need to acknowledge our sins, confess our sins and repent for our sins , surrender ourselves and our lives to God ,obey his commandments, and walk according to his will and live holy and righteous before him by rejecting anything that is sinful, pray without ceasing and have undoubted faith in God and in everything give thanks to God. Then God’s health care insurance Policy will 100% work. The Bible says, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1).

(compiled from various internet sources)

Prayer brings life to our relationship with God.Gods word says that “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future”.Jeremiah 29:11

I pray and plead the Blood of Jesus Christ for all the homeless people, for all broken families, for all unemployed, for all the women and children who are alone without any help, for all the animals who are homeless and sick, for all the sick people who are suffering, for all the old people, for all the people who are affected by wars, natural disasters, for all the broken marriages,the victims of various circumstances, for all the poor people, for all the Job operating Companies/Industries for which their business have hurt due to bad economy.

May the blood of Jesus Christ cleanse my sins as well as their sins so that they might be healed and their prayers will be answered without any hindrances. May the precious Blood of Jesus Christ protect them from all evils and guide them and give them strength, hope, comfort, healing, peace, prosperity and Good health. I call forth, in the Name of Jesus, all of God’s plans and purposes for their lives and their families. Lord Jesus Christ I pray that you will have mercy on them and deliver each one of them in their times of trouble. I surrender all the above people to you, knowing that they will be very safe in your hands.

Lord Jesus, I ask you to bless me and every person I have prayed for today and everyday and send Your mighty angels to protect all of us in the Name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen!

Are You Living Beyond Your Means?

The American spending habit mentality of living beyond your means has created more people deep in debt than are actually out of it.  What does this mean exactly?  And are you one of them?  Do you need to learn how to manage money a little better?

Living beyond your means implies that you are spending more than you should be, and more than you can actually afford to pay out every month. You are spending more than you make.  This is quite a big problem and a main reason why you may now need help with debt problems.  If you look at your own situation and see there is a possibility that you are creating a big pile of excessive credit card debt, here are three indicators that your suspicions are true.

1.  You Have Multiple Credit Cards

If you do everything with your credit cards from shopping to gas to business attire to pet supplies and fast foo and not paying it off in full each month, then you are spending beyond your means. If you have more than two credit cards that you actually use every week, that is another sign that you are spending more than you should. If possible, adopt a rule that if you cannot pay for it with cash then you cannot have it. Or, start using your ATM/DEBIT card with a Visa or MasterCard logo a bit more often.  The ugly flip side to these are the transaction fees, so be careful.

2.  You Buy Everything You Want

If you buy everything you want, you are probably living beyond your means. Why? Because you may not have considered that those who are not really wealthy still get most of every single thing that they want.   To the contrary, wanting things keeps us working hard; being patient builds character and teaches your children by example and experience.

Let yourself want a little. Sure you can get those sneakers on sale if you want to, but why charge it now when you get paid in two days? You do not have to impulse buy everything.

3.  You Have No Budget Whatsoever

You need a formal written budget.   This spending plan is your conscience that screams ‘wait!’ when you purchase something that you will need the cash for later.  This impulse spending may give you some short term satisfaction, but in the long run your financial, emotional, spiritual, and physical well being greatly suffers.

There you go:  three tell tale signs that you might be living beyond your means.

What is the solution?  Learn about budgeting money by curbing your desire for instant gratification, spend less than you make, save money, get out of debt, and live financially free.  A mouthful, I know.  Yet, a mouthful worth savoring, digesting, and acting on.

To further your understanding, check out these articles on YahooFinance.com and Mint.com.

Key #7 to Happiness – The Quality Giving of Your Money

I have learned that money is not fun for most people because most people do not realize that you have to understand it and if you are negative about money, or are consumed by it, you are never going to be happy or have a lot of it.  Your financial plans are never going to succeed.

And it does not matter if you make $20,000 per year or $100,000.  The principal still applies.

If you find yourself searching for more happiness, stability and growth in your financial health, consider what the Bible has to say about money.  There is a wealth of information found there, as well as a number of valuable lessons.

And what about happiness?  Is it possible to find it in the midst of financial turmoil or the everyday mundane living of life?  Oh, yes, I believe it can and countless scores of other people do also.

What I have for you today are three Keys to the Quality Giving of Your Money.  They work because they are personal.  And when you dealing with your own finances, you must make it personal or it will never work.

Key #1 Help Others by Helping Yourself

Money should not be your master and it should not control you.  Effective Christian financial planning uses the tools provided by God as a way to meet your needs – not the “gotta haves”. There is only to be one master and that is God, not Mammon (who was the god of money).

So what do you do when the ends do not meet?  Or you have nothing extra to give?  The first thing is to take a look at your monthly expenses and figure out ways to reduce them.  Live simply.

Are you always on the lookout for ways to save money?  Do you have a personal spending plan (budget) and are faithful in its execution?  Do you tithe?  Helping yourself by being able to say yes to all three of these questions will ensure you continue to be able to help others and happiness will reign.

Key #2  Do Your Finances Reflect Your Faith?

In today’s modern world, the idea of tithes and offerings to God in Christian finances has fallen by the wayside.  Many are struggling financially, and the idea of relinquishing some of your financial wealth or possessions simply does not seem like good financial sense.

However, it is not about the giving his own money to the Lord, but rather an act of returning it to the original owner.  All things exist through His grace, and therefore in truth, the wealth that you have, you keep only as a steward upon his behalf.  When a Christian chooses not to tithe and give offerings, he is in fact stealing from God.

Will a man rob God?  Yet ye have robbed me.  But ye say, ‘Wherein have we robbed thee?  In tithes and offerings.  Ye are cursed with a curse, for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation. Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessings that there shall not be room enough to receive it.  Malachi 3:8-10

Aside from not stealing from God, the passage in Malachi quoted above provides a very real incentive.

Whatever is returned to God, he will return back yet again in good measure, pressed down, and shaken together and running over, shall men give into your bosom.  For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again. Luke 6:38

Wow, sounds like an incredible recipe for happiness to me!

Key #3 You Cannot Out-Give God

God gives us life. There cannot be any more giving than that, but he took it a step further and not only gave life to US, but gave US HIS own life so that we could be saved. This is the ultimate in charity – and no one can top it.  So forget trying to give more than God because you cannot. Instead, concentrate on giving out of obedience and a right heart (motives).

Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
2 Corinthians 9:7

Happiness and gratefulness abound.

Key #4 Have A Proper Perspective

When someone has a need I want to be able to help them up.  It could be time, or stuff, or money.  Whatever it might be, having the options available to bless someone else is a great position to be in.

Have you not seen or helped others who were in some pretty desperate situations?  It always makes me more grateful for what I do have.  This, my friend, is where joy, happiness, and contentment come to reside in your life and begin to consume you – no matter what financial situation you are in.

When I become a giver, I can look and see that my situation is not as bad as I thought it was.

When you are focused on somebody else, your own personal financial plan becomes a whole lot easier to manage.   Incredible benefits all around.

Take Some Action

Now, take these Keys to the Quality Giving of Your Money and do something.  Do you want the joy and happiness you seek?  Take action.  Information without implementation is just plain ‘ole entertainment.  And I know you are reading this simply to be entertained.  If so, you had better ask for your money back.

As Frederick Douglas once said, “It is time to start praying with your legs.”

Keys to happiness exercise:

• Ask God for help (ask Jesus into your life if you have not done so already)
• Start tithing 10% of your income
• Pray to God to help you let go of the obsession of money
• Give to someone in need (pray first) do it without trying to get recognition for it. God will know and love you for it.

Previous Happiness Lessons:

How to find Happiness – 15 Lesson Series – Overview

How to find Happiness – Introduction

How to find Happiness – Key #1 – A relationship with God

How to find Happiness – Key #2 – Being Thankful

How to find Happiness - Key #3 – Learning How to forgive yourself

How to find Happiness - Key #4 – Learning How to forgive others

How to find Happiness – Key #5 – Living in the present

How to find Happiness - Key #6 – Overcoming fear

Do you need Christian Financial Planning?  Providing answers to Christian finance questions

Making friends is on many minds, especially for people moving to new places, or going to a new school or college, as many will soon. How does one do it? And, how does one go from mere acquaintance to “best friend forever“?

I remember, years back, a story of a child who came home from Kindergarten, and announced they’d made a really nice friend, and played with them for a few straight days. When asked their name, the child replied, “I don’t know, we haven’t gotten that far yet.”

Sometimes the easiest things in the world are the things we make look the hardest. Sometimes, we get so bogged down by rules, such as finding out everything about someone, and calculating – usually subconsciously – if we want to spend time with them, we forget to actually try to make a friend.

On the other hand, the opposite can also be true. We decide we’re going to just “hang out” with someone, and they end up leading us down the wrong path because we know nothing about them, and they are actually living a life that’s a bad influence on us, when we should be the leader in a situation.

So, how do we strike a balance?

It’s not like Kindergarten, where you just start playing together, or middle or high school, where you can join a club or watch sports – even if you and your new friends can only commiserate on how bad the team is. It’s not like college, either, where your dorm leader has fun activities and you can sit around and laugh about answers to questions like, “If you were a tree, what kind would you be?”

Or, is it? As noted, we often make things too hard. Yes, some cities have more hurried people who appear less friendly, but there are ways to do it without being led astray by the wrong kinds of friends.

First, Decide Who You Are

It would be easy for me to write, “You have to be a leader.” It’s harder for some people, though. Some are naturally shy and need to really work at it. Some suffer from heartbreak that causes them to be in a shell. Some have difficulty even knowing how to begin a conversation, because their brains are wired differently; I have a very good online friend with Asperger’s Syndrome, for instance. One great uncle, as well, has always had trouble meeting new people.

Still, while everyone’s friend making style is a little different, the Bible says, “A man that hath friends must show himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.” (Prov. 18:24) We can turn to the examples above, from school, to consider not only how to go about finding friends, but also, how to cultivate that friendship with the One who will always be faithful, Jesus Christ.

The Kindergarten Connection

It’s easy to walk up to someone and say, “Do you want to play?” Or, just start playing ball or something with them as they are playing. Kids are often much more open to this than adults. Most kids don’t go through hundreds of scenarios and try to pick up dozens of cues. Sometimes, of course, they might wonder how – or if – some other kid will play with them. But, this is where it’s important, as adults, to encourage children to talk to kids who are shier, who are challenged in some way, or something else.

Adults don’t have playgrounds, or play kickball or hopscotch; about the closest is when great joy causes one to start skipping, which can be good exercise. Even if we did, kids don’t develop into BFF just by playing together, though it can start like that.

Children go from playing together to sharing things about each other. They realize they have common interests. They show compassion when each other is hurting. Even if that is just a shoulder to cry on, sometimes that is the best thing there can be. And, that’s the important thing to take from the “Kindergarten Connection.” Like my initial story, don’t worry about walking up to someone and learning everything before you make a decision. Get involved at a church, volunteer, do something that interests you. Go to a neighborhood meeting – or, if there’s no association, form one. If you’ve moved into an area, have a “Good Neighbor” cookout and invite those on your block. (It’s not hard – just go around with invitations telling them you will have, for instance, burgers and chips, they can bring their own food, and you’re doing it to meet your new neighbors. In an apartment, you can still hang out in the lobby a little and greet people. You don’t have to have a one-hour conversation at first – this is that first recess where you play together.) One interesting idea: Iintroduce yourself at the end – so people recall your name.

Even if you’re not as outgoing as some of these, this site for shy kids and this one on socializing provide other good, encouraging ideas, which can be analogized to adult life, if you’re an adult.

That’s the way it happens in higher levels of school, too – clubs, sports, and other interest groups are formed, because older kids and young adults can handle more structure than little kids, who need time to be kids, too. We think it’s harder because we had good friends where we lived before – and we go from having one or more to having none. Whereas, kids realize they’re starting from scratch, and just figure someone will come along. Or, we’re like the one who takes the lead, and starts doing something, and we join in with them.

Think of it as constant networking and building relationships. You won’t build one with everyone, just like you didn’t become best friends with all 20 Kindergarten classmates; you may have had too different of a personality than a few, you never connected with a few, and one or two might have scared you. You might not have found that BFF till classmate number 2 or 8 or 19 – or maybe it was even someone in a different class! The point is, keep trying those interest groups. Will you find people who aren’t interested? Sure. But, when you start jumping rope on the playground, you don’t have hundreds of kids flocking to you, either. It’s usually just a few at most. However, one or two winds up being one you play with more often. There’s a lot of trial and error. Maybe one group won’t provide a BFF, but it will lead to one, or some other activity will.

Of course, it will then take a while till your new friends learn about you – and maybe even longer till you find someone you can confide in. The wonderful thing is, though, that Jesus knows all about you, and is ready to be the best possible friend right away.

What a Friend We Have In Jesus

The fact He calls His disciples friends shows that He is ready to be the best possible friend right away; but it’s not the only reason. He is God in flesh (John 10:30, etc.), and he created the world; by Him all things continue to exist. (John 1:1-3, Col. 1:16-17, etc.) he created the entire world; each of us, in fact. And yet, He wants to be friends with us.

At first, you might wonder, “What can I have in common with Him?” It’s easy to do, and it’s one very big reason why we don’t pray like we should. But, God says in His Word that He understands our problems, and – while we pretend we can handle them all ourselves – He calls us to go boldly before the throne of grace for help with things (Heb. 4:15-16). He will give us wisdom whenever we ask for it (James 1:5), peace that passeth understanding (Phil. 4:7), and so many other wonderful things.

It’s easy to see, then, how Jesus is such a wonderful friend. He sticks closer than a brother – and a loving sibling is born to help in times of trouble. But, Jesus sticks closer, He will help us through anything. And, the wonderful thing is, He loves at all times.

That kind of love – unconditional love – is hard to find in this world. It’s the kind we want in a best friend forever. Best friends, after all, don’t just let us walk all over them or let us mess up our lives. BFFs are willing to come up beside us and lovingly say, for instance, “That’s not going to be very good for you.” They know us so well, and despite our faults, they love us – but they also love us enough not to let those faults drag us down. And, if someone snaps and says, “Who cares? I’m going to do what I want, and you’re not my friend if you try to stop me,” that BFF is there to support them if that bad choice (getting drunk, going out with a certain person, or whatever else that BFF knows is bad news) leads to horrible consequences.

See, we don’t always do what’s right. In fact, that was the whole purpose of Jesus’ coming to this world in the first place. God made this world perfect. There was no sin in it – no bad stuff. But, people chose to start sinning, and that sin had bad consequences. The worst was, it separated us from God.

God made a way for us to become His friends, though. He reconciled us to Himself, by taking the punishment for our sin. Each person has to pay a price for their sin – unless they let God Himself pay that price for them. What an awesome friend, who would take the punishment for our sins!

That price that was paid was the only price big enough – Jesus came to this world and died on the cross willingly, shedding His blood as he died. Then, on the third day, He rose from the dead. He was able to do this because he was God. And, he is just waiting for each of us to call on Him – each person just needs to repent and receive Him as Saviour. That means to choose not to be a sinner anymore, but to let Jesus change you on the inside. Because, as a true Friend, that’s His job.

In fact, once you have Him living inside you through the Holy Spirit, He will always be an ever present help in time of need. He will always guide you in the right direction, and away from thigns that might cause you pain – He’ll always provide a way to escape problems. And yet, if you rebel against Him, once He has sealed you with the Holy Spirit, he will always be there to lovingly welcome you back. Just like that best friend who, even if you refuse their advice with disastrous consequences – will still love you.

And, you can have such fun with Him, too. He’ll open your eyes to so many good things, and so much joy – why, the Apostle Paul mentions joy dozens of times in an epistle he wrote in prison, the Book of Philippians! Jesus came so we might have life, and have it more abundantly. (John 10:10)

So, how do you get that friend, you ask? Remember that example, where the child just started playing with someone? It’s that easy. Just go to Him by faith. It’s as easy as ABC:

Admit you’re a sinner, that your sin – things you say, think, and do that displease God – keeps you from God’s perfect Heaven.

Believe that Jesus Christ, God in flesh, lived a perfect life, then died on the cross, taking the punishment for your sins, and rising from the dead the third day. And, that this did all that was necessary to reconcile you with Him, and get you to Heaven.

Choose to receive Jesus Christ’s forgiveness on the cross for your sin, and allow Him to enter your heart and make you new on the inside, and to come live in you; let Him give you a heart that wants to follow Him, and not sin. You won’t stop sinning right away, but just like that friend who will always guide and help you, He will begin a work to help you grow closer to Him, and He will complete it, even unto the day of the Lord. (Phil. 1:6)

That’s all there is to it. You can call on Him right now, in fact; whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved. (Rom. 10:13) Just call on Him to forgive you of your sins and save you from that horrible punishment, separation from God forever in a place call Hell; a place only meant for the devil and his angels, but where people go who reject His love and offer of friendship.

He is a faithful friend, though, who will never leve you nor forsake you. And, He wants you to keep drawing close to Him. Not only that, but He wrote His Word, the Bible, to tell you of His grace and mercy, and also of how badly He wants you to avoid His judgment. He also wants us to go out and tell others about His awesome friendship.

Remember, though, that it’s all by His grace and mercy. He is the Creator of the universe. He didn’t have to choose to make us friends. He did, though, because of His great love for each of us – for you, for me, for everyone.

And, He’ll be that shoulder to cry on, that one to confide in, that One who can help you through anything. He loves you more than you can imagine.

Living Out the Parable of Rendering Unto God and Caesar

How We Are to Live Today

Jesus once said that we are to “render unto Caesar what is due Caesar and render unto God what is due God.” The meaning behind this parable is easy to understand. We must pay our taxes and follow the laws the government lays out for us, while at the same time tithing and obeying God’s word in our lives. It was the ideal way to live then, and it is the way we are called as Christians to live today.

This means we must follow the laws of the land, no matter whether we agree with them or not. This means following the speed limit, being honest on our tax returns, and avoid taking that which does not belong to us. It also means that we must follow God’s law as described in the Bible, go to church, pray, and tithe. We must also do charitable works and serve others, for “faith without works is dead.” As human beings, we have many rules we must follow, as we expect our children to follow our rules.

The Bible also states that, “Man can not serve two masters.” So what happens if the law of man (the government) is directly opposed to the law of God? Just as the U.S. Constitution states that the law of the federal government comes before the laws of the states, the law of God must come before the law of man. In some cases, especially in some countries, this means facing potential jail time for following God’s law, or even being martyred. Yet, it is what we are called on to do, and as people who love God, we should do these things gladly. We should always be glad to follow God’s law, no matter where it leads us.

Do Not Be Lukewarm

We have to be careful here and not straddle the proverbial “fine line”. If a law is proclaimed that violates God’s law as stated in Scripture then you must decide to whom you have final allegiance. Laws requiring abortion or euthanasia or other such things fall under what is “due God.”

However, matters dealing with expenses, and where we work, how we get our mail and many aspects of our daily lives all fall into the realm of what is “due Caeser.” Yes, even taxes, no matter how oppressive. The tax system in Jesus’ time was incredibly oppressive, he himself paid them.

Why? Because it was due Caesar. However, matters of the heart, soul, and mind are what we render to God.

The difference in our mindset in this country is borne from the fact that for almost 200 years our Caesar (elected government) have given us the rights over everyday matters. And now that Caesar has decided to begin taking control of these things more himself, we panic and become angry, when in reality it began long time ago, most notably in the 1930s.

My Guarantee

And here is my hindsight prophetic guarantee to you (yes, this is confusing to me also but sure sounds good). Had we in our own lives (collectively as a nation) rendered to God what is due him (heart, soul, mind, strength) then our Caesar now would not be asking/demanding/taking a bigger chunk of what he believes is due him.

A hard pill to swallow, I know.

So, do your best to follow the law of man; and if you do not like it, use legal channels to change it, all the while obeying it while it exists. But never obey the law of man above the law of God. God’s law is supreme, in all cases, and that is the way it should be.

Here is a little on Tithes and Offerings to further your learning.

Having Proper Preparation in Your Life

The motto of the Boy Scouts is to always be prepared. It is a good creed to live by, as you never know exactly what is going to happen. Boy Scouts always make sure they have everything on hand they could possibly need for any eventuality out in the world. Their whole objective is to never be caught off guard. You should live your life that way, too, in order to provide protection and security to yourself and your family. This is especially important when it comes to faith, as it is said that Jesus will come as a thief in the night, so you must always be prepared for his return.

However, the fact is that no matter how much you are prepared, you can not prepare for every single thing. Unexpected things happen. Things that are totally random and out of the blue happen that no one would ever have imagined happening. You can have all of the first aid kits, hurricane kits, outdoor survival kits, snake bite kits, poison control kits and even emergency food supplies for extended natural disasters, and still find yourself without the one thing you need when the unexpected occurs.

Even in household budget planning, the unexpected happens. A tire blows out, a child has to go to the emergency room and there is no insurance, or a job terminates.

So how do you ever have full security in life? The fact is, you cannot outside of salvation. There will always be something that you could never have foreseen or imagined, and it could happen to you at the most inopportune times. Now, do not blow this out of proportion. Having blind faith by not preparing as much as humanly possible is advocated against in Scriptures as it is admonished that faith without works is dead.
Take heed in the meaning of the story of the ant and sluggard. You still need to have a budget plan, savings, emergency supplies, etc.

However, when you have faith in God (proving it through your obedient actions) you know you are never alone, never forsaken, and always protected in God’s own way.

Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. Hebrews 13:5.

With this faith, you need never worry about being unprepared, because you will always have all the help you need right at hand.

Remember that God is never farther away than your prayers. When the earth quakes and the streets flood and your house comes crashing down, remember that God is with you. Reach out to him in faith and trust, and know in your heart He will protect you. The only way to have proper preparation in your life is to have God.

A Mandate from God is Serving Others

As Christians, we are called on by God to the role of serving others — and not only in the area of finances. We are to serve others with every opportunity we can find, and to always be looking for opportunities to do so. And next to witnessing to the testimony of the Gospel, it is a primary function as children of God as well as loving God with all of our hearts and souls and minds.

When we think of serving others, we often think of getting involved in charities or giving money to homeless people on the side of the street. However, serving is so much more than that. It is not something we do once in a while. It is a way of life.

Always have the thought of service to others in your heart, every waking moment of every day. There are all kinds of unexpected ways to go about this. You may not even realize you are doing it at times. For example, getting up before your children and making them breakfast and fixing their lunchboxes for school is serving. Making dinner for your family or buying groceries for your housebound grandmother is serving.

We are serving when we allow someone to get in front of us in traffic or let someone with fewer items get in front of us in line at the grocery store. Even picking up something that an old person dropped and handing it to them or retrieving a ball from a roof for a child are all ways of serving others as God intended, if done with the right motives.

However, be careful. If we serve because it makes us feel better, than no reward will be set aside for us. It is for a selfish reason … that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. Matthew 6:2.

Do it out of a heartfelt desire for, and love of, God. We are to serve for his pleasure, not ours.

The whole point of serving others is to think of the needs of others before we think of our own. As parents, we are used to doing that with our children, but we often forget to do it in other parts of our daily lives. We may become short-tempered with strangers, act selfishly in public, and decide that we deserve something more than someone else and grab that sweater out from under the reaching hands of someone else at a department store sale.

When tempted to be selfish, just remember how much God gave to us. It should be all we need to soften our hearts and serve as we were meant to as we serve God by serving others.

A year ago, the only things people knew about Ben Roethlisberger were that he’d won 2 Super Bowls, and that his name was hard to spell; “Ben Rothlisberger” is one of many possible spellings people have made. Today, it’s much different. It’s a story that shows just why people need to think about their actions before they take them.

For those who don’t know, Roethlisberger has been involved in two situations involving women; one resulting in a civil suit, and the more result assault allegation. No criminal charges were filed in either. However, they show the importance of making wise choices when out in public, and even hint at why courtship is recommended by many, even for older people.

The latest one is the only one in which a District Attorney looked at evidence. The D.A.’s statement showed that something happened, but it’s too difficult to tell what it was. Even without criminal charges, though, evidence is so strong that something happened that there was talk that Commissioner Roger Goodell would suspend him.

Some have decried the fact he was at the place in question, but with a number of friends around him, that shouldn’t have been a huge problem. Why?

Obviously, people must act responsibly. But, we’re all human. We should have codes that tell us to be responsible for ourselves, but when we fail, we need friends there for us.

True friends – the kind that look out for you and don’t pressure you into things – provide accountability. That means, if the star QB wanted to drink more, at least one should have been responsible and made sure that, first, all the drinkers got rides, and second, that nobody did anything which might look bad in the morning. In other words, there should always be at least one who can have fun without losing control. One can have a lot of fun and even act silly quite well on one’s own, without causing trouble.

True friends help you because they love you – Proverbs 17:17 says that, “A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” This means a true friend shows true concern for their friend’s welfare – that includes looking ahead – and won’t try to hurt his or her friend. A brother – one who is closer than a friend, even – is the kind who will always be there when rough times hit. However, there is a friend who will stick closer to you than a brother. (Prov. 18:24) A friend will tell the truth, even when it hurts (Prov. 27:6: “Faithful are the wounds of a friend”), because he or she knows that sometimes, that person will turn the wrong way, and need help finding their way back. That proverb goes on to state that the “kisses” of an enemy will be destructive.

Of course, that doesn’t mean that Roethlisberger’s friends aren’t true friends. For all we know, one may have stayed sober, and Roethlisberger refused to listen. But, if all of the had, they could have prevented him – physically, if need be – from going into a restroom and causing whatever to happen. So, at least some didn’t do their duty in helping him that night. But, they might be great guys normally. It does, however, show something important that we’ll get to in a minute.

First, however, the D.A. said drinking was involved. Statements say it led to something happening in a restroom. The young lady also needed friends helping her. Proverbs 27:17 says, “Iron sharpeneth iron, so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.” What that means is that a man or a woman who is a true friend will sharpen – that is, make better and help with things, such as one’s perspective on a situation – their friend just as iron sharpens iron; and, iron does the best job of sharpening another piece of iron. Too many people drink because they fall for the lies of our culture. It’s a lie that make them think they’re missing something, when they’re not. It’s much better to be able to remember what you did for one thing.

These people should not have had to rely on friends to begin with, of course. Roethlisberger was older, and should have known better. However, when temptation came, they should have been able to rely on friends who were with them. (Edit: It appears that the young lady did have a couple friends who tried to intervene, but becasue they waited, they couldn’t.)

Human friends aren’t the best to rely on. Human friends let us down at times. However, there is – as noted above – a friend that sticks closer than a brother at all times. That friend that always sticks closer than a brother is Jesus Christ.

Jesus Christ is God in flesh – He was God and man. (John 1:1, 14; John 10:30, etc.) He knows everything we’ve been through, because He has been through it Himself. Yet, He never sinned. He lived a perfect life. He died on the cross to take the punishment for each of our sins, and then rose victoriously from the dead.

He can live inside anyone if they just trust Him by simple faith to forgive them of their sins and come into their heart to change them, believing He took the punishment for them, personally. He lives in each believer through the Holy Spirit. When the veil in the Temple was torn from top to bottom, the Glory of God was free to move about the earth, because the curse of sin had been lifted. God is free to indwell every believer now.

First Corinthians 10:13 promises that no matter what we are tempted with, God will provide a means of escape that is how we rely on that friend – Jesus Christ – that sticks closer than a brother. We listen to Him in our hearts, through that still small voice, through Scripture that we’ve read, and so on.

Roethlisberger and/or that young woman might have Christ in them, of course. I’m not saying they don’t. If they do, however, they didn’t listen to Him. There is no temptation that any of us will face that many others haven’t faced before. However, God is faithful, and will always provide a means of escape.

He won’t be like a fireman pulling a person from a burning home, though. He gives us free will. He doesn’t want us to be mindless robots. And, sometimes, the only way we’ll listen, is if we’ve learned a painful lesson beforehand. Other people will listen without having to learn the hard way. Every person is different, and the Lord knows each one of us, and how to reach us.

What really happened in the Ben Roethlisberger case? We don’t know all the facts, and might never know. But, we know these general things:

1. There was a breakdown in behavior, either because Roethlisberger didn’t listen to that part of him saying not to do certain things, or he never learned that lesson. Whichever it is, that was sin; not just because he hurt someone, but because he turned away from doing what was right.

2. That act of turning away from what was right was made worse because human friends let him down. Isaiah 53:6 is among many verses that note that this happens, because we’re human. “All we like sheep have gone astray, we have turned each one to his own way, and the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all.”

3. Because human friends fail us, we need to rely on the one True Friend, the one who called His disciples friends.

4. Jesus loveth at all times, but whereas human friends can’t love with an agape love, He can. That means unconditional love – He will never leave you, nor forsake you. So, if you mess up, he won’t leave you stranded. He’ll always be there, waiting with open arms for you to turn back to Him. When one receives Him, that person is sealed with the Holy Spirit, which is the earnest of our redemption – it’s the down payment which says that we’ll have eternal life with Him someday. Because, we don’t just get eternal life someday with Him, He gives eternal life with Him right here on Earth.

For you to do that, though, you need to have Him in your heart to begin with. God restored the fellowship that was broken when sin entered the world, by reconciling us to Him. He wants to be your friend. And, each of us is only a single, sincere prayer of repentance away from having Him as a friend inside you, guiding and helping through everything in life.