Success and Failure Blog

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for.  By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.  Hebrews 11:1-3

Paul writes, For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile (everyone else). For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”  Romans 1:16-17

AMEN!!!

www.nuggetsofwisdom.us   … spread the Word

~Hope is confidence, courage, and faith.

The hope is in the cross where God’s son gave up His life so we will have the hope of glory. We will have eternal rest with Him. Hope is given freely without cost to us for the price was already paid in the life of Jesus Christ. While Jesus Christ was on the cross his hands were nailed in an upright position as to surrender his life to his Father. So we have to surrender our life to our Father Jesus by rising up our arms in submission to His will for this new life with him.

Freely you have received, freely give. (Matthew 10:8b) You have been given hope from Christ so now take this message and share it with all. To know I am no longer alone as a single female that Christ has my back is one of peace. No more striding to do all on my own I have a helpmate in the name of the Holy Spirit who keeps me warm at night. He equips me in the art of warfare and the knowledge of my creator. He has made a home inside of me and I know he is there. How do I know that he is alive in me? When I gave up my control of my finances; I heard a voice that wasn’t my own singing Halleluiah over and over again. Then, I felt the Holy Spirit enter me it felt like a warm river flowing through me. Hope is given in the name of Jesus Christ for you and me. Do not keep this gift to yourself spread it like wildfire.

“If only I knew how to find God! I would go where He lives.” (Job 23:3) Many have travel down this road but few have actually took the step of faith and walk through the gate. (Matthew 7:13) It takes confidence, courage, and faith to embrace the future with Jesus Christ.

Control is hard. Letting it all go and letting God into your life is humbling. Saying, “I can’t do this life anymore on my own; everything is so screwed up. I need your, help!”

But, woe to them who couldn’t take that step of faith for without hope they will surely die. We have church members who play church outside the gate just a step away from Christ. But because they do not trust Jesus or they love the things of this world; they will perish and be lost forever. Let us not have hope for this life, les we are miserable. (1Cor. 15:19) Let us not live for our life on earth and be lost forever in hell. Focus your attention on Jesus Christ and the inheritance we have in Him not in our worldly possessions. (Matthew 19:29) If we are miserable we are still pining for the things of this world. Throw off the old man and embrace the new and living way.

At least there is hope for a tree: If it is cut down, it will sprout again, and its new shoots will not fail. (Job 14:7) I am this tree; that the Lord is training up to harvest the fields on my Father’s land. This scripture represents the power of God’s love for us. God prunes away the behavior that doesn’t belong and waters (word) the tender new shoots to grow into a beautiful tree. We will survive this and we will be stronger, more confident and have greater love for others.

My time living in the dark valley of death has its positives and that is my relationship with Jesus Christ has gone deeper. My tender roots have broken through the hard dirt finding the streams of water that is hope given. “A faith that has not been tested is one that cannot be trusted.” (John C. Maxwell)

I pray for other travelers on this journey that you too will experience a deep relationship with Jesus Christ. That your roots will go deep and you will stand strong and humble before the King of Kings. Lord, give my travel companions hope and patience for this journey. Thank you, Lord for giving me a travel companions who will guide and teach me about you. In your precious name Jesus. Amen.

Running to the Keep

I’m truly fascinated by castles. In fact, I love everything medieval. I love stories of knights and maidens in distress. I enjoy learning about how things worked between lords of the land and the common people. It’s truly like learning about another world, and at the heart of it all are grand and glorious castles. One of my life’s goals is to one day be able to tour some of the castles scattered around the world, but especially those in Europe.

When I think of castles, I think of security, especially when I think of the keep. The keep was the innermost section of the castle that was heavily protected from all outside forces. In order for an enemy to breach the keep, they had to get past the moat, the outer walls, the inner walls and so on. It was, by far, the safest place within the castle.

Not only was the keep protected, but it was also provisioned. It contained a well and a large supply of food. The idea was that even in times of attack, the people within the keep could not only survive, but also thrive.

God’s promises are like a keep. They provide an area of protection from the attacks of the enemy. Not only that, but they also provide sustenance so that we may thrive during our time of shelter. With God’s promises, we can weather storms and face trials that would otherwise utterly defeat us. By claiming His promises, we can withstand Satan’s fiery attacks.

The key, however, is that we must first know God’s promises before we can claim them. To discover those promises, we must open up the Word of God. We must meditate on what God has said He will do for us. We must commit those promises to memory so that we can pull them out whenever we have need of them. But above all, we must believe that those promises are true. Claiming a promise without truly believing it is ludicrous.

God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good? – Numbers 23;19

God has proven to us time and again that His Word can be trusted. While others may let us down, God will not. Though commercials may make false claims, God doesn’t. While the promises of a friend may not hold true, we can have faith that God always keeps His promises. It may not be in the way we would like, but He will not go back on His Word. He is faithful. His Word is true. He can be trusted!

Need shelter today? Run to the keep of God’s promises. It is there you will find both protection and provision to carry on with the race you’re attempting to run.

The Entire day of May 21st commenced and ended- Rapture-less! This date will most assuredly go down in history as a day of misguided beliefs! The world makes mockery of the bible and the biblical prophecies of the Rapture. Nay Sayers claim to hold victory in their adamant stand against the reality of the Rapture and future apocalyptic events. While the forces of evil rage unsuccessfully against all who claim the promises of God to be real and indisputable, there is a larger group of people who are successfully deceived. These people maintain that world will never face judgment or tribulation from God. Sadly the rapture-less day of May 21st lends false support to the ongoing claims of non-believers, atheist, and other worldly views. Happily, true Christians are unscathed by mockeries, false claims, false predictions, false prophecies, false beliefs and worldly views! God has given to us a Truth and that Truth is everlasting!
True Rapture Believers are not displaced or dismayed by the lack of Rapturous events on May 21st. Fully Expecting Christian people look forward joyously, ever still and with increasing faith to the Glorious Rapture! As the May 21st failed predictions reinforces for scoffers and unbelievers the self-affirmed skepticism, it strengthens the cords of faith, hope, and love for believers world-wide! The desires to live freely without fear of future judgment, is falsely assumed by non-believers due to these uneventful predictions. While Bible Believers hold firmly to their unswerving beliefs in the Rapture!
For Christian Believers, the failure of May 21st does not rest upon the bible or God. These failed predictions are not failed prophecy from God they are attributed to man’s failure and lack of understanding. These failures and shortcomings are man’s alone and do not attest to contradiction of the bible and Christian beliefs. Uplifted is the Truth which is Christ Jesus and admonished is the holy bible and Living WORD of God which is also Christ Jesus.
I must share with you what all biblically sound Christians know to be true. No portion of the bible tells us when Jesus will come and the Rapture will take place. There is no set time written within the bible that these events are set to take place. There is no alluding to it or helpful derivatives of conclusion to be gleaned from the bible. There is no help for anyone on earth to learn of this vital information on their own. There is no way to make accurate calculations or reasonable deductions of when the Rapture will happen. In Matthew 24:36 we learn:
36 “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son,[a] but only the Father.
We also are told this:
1 Corinthians 15:52 (New International Version)
52 in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.

1 Thessalonians 5:1-3
The Day of the Lord
1 Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, 2 for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3 While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.
It is not necessary to know when the Rapture will take place in order to be ready for this event.
1 Thessalonians 5:4-5 (New International Version)
4 But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. 5 You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness.
The day of the Rapture will come upon believers as a thief. True believers will not be caught off guard or surprised they will be waiting and fully expecting and joyously prepared to meet Jesus.
Lastly we are encouraged and fully educated in how the Rapture will take place:
13 Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. 14 For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. 15 According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.
Please do not let anyone or anything deceive you! The Rapture is still set to take place. I believe, as many others do also that it will not be long before it happens. Yet we must proclaim only what the bible tells us. That being said, we know that no one can accurately predict the exact day and exact hour. Only our Heavenly Father knows that.
To believers, keep watchful and remain vigilant knowing that it is in Jesus that we are made ready. And to non-believers, I give the same word of advice. If you want to be ready for this great day you must first believe! Turn to Christ Jesus in prayer and ask for forgiveness of all your sins. Please ask Jesus to come into your heart and make you a new creature without spot or blemish. Jesus WILL Accept you. He loves you, no matter how bad you may think you are or how terrible you image yourself to be. Your prayer of true repentance is beautiful to Jesus and precious! Accept Jesus as your Savior and know that in Him you are safe! I pray that the Holy Spirit will open the hearts and minds and eyes of all, and I hope that I have brought the bright light of Jesus to shine TRUTH upon the subject of the Rapture.
Be Blessed and Be a Blessing in Christ Jesus,
Pam Shekailo

Faith is believing and trusting God and hoping for the evidence of things not seen. Faith in God gives us confidence, hope, peace and joy. God wants us to put our faith in action.

Many people believe God, but they do not trust enough to believe in Gods promises .They are often filled with worry, doubts and fear. Sometimes we all lack faith, during that time we need to read the word of God to boost our faith because faith comes by hearing the word of God again and again and Christ is the Author and Finisher of faith(Hebrews 12:2).

We need to have a “childlike faith”, “faith as a grain of mustard-seed” to move mountains, faith of the Canaanite woman.

Scripture Reference:

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

Isaiah 40:31:Yet those who wait for the LORD Will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary.

Deuteronomy 31:6:Be strong and courageous. Don’t tremble! Don’t be afraid of them! The LORD your God is the one who is going with you. He won’t abandon you or leave you.”

Joshua 1:5 :No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.

Proverbs 3:5: Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

1 Peter 5:7:Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.

Pslams 37:5:Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this.

Hebrews 11:1: Now faith is the substances of thing hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Matthew 9:29: Then He touched their eyes, saying, “It shall be done to you according to your faith.”

Matthew 21:22: If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.”

2Cor 5.7:”For we walk by faith, not by sight.”

Romans 10:17:”Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God”

Hebrews 6:12:We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.

James 1:6: But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubt is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.

1 Corinthians 16:13: Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.

A while back I gave a guy something he needed in his home. I think I was as blown away by his reaction as he was by getting it. He tried to pay me what he could and kept saying said he owed me. I assured him he owed me nothing and need not pay me back, it was a gift, no strings attached (no he didn’t need to listen to me preach before he could leave either).

So there’s the economy we carry from material world to every other part of our lives. We think that everything comes at a price. Trust me I’m just getting used to this myself. It’s kind of the “love without condition” carried further. If by doing something for you, I expect (even eventually) something in return, maybe it’s just your friendship, or admiration, then I’m not doing it for you at all, I’m just bartering for something for myself.

I think giving is easier with strangers, maybe people you will never see again, do a random act of kindness and walk away, never expecting to see them again, and they can never pay you back. It seems a lot harder among acquaintances, maybe hardest in relationships. We’ve been raised in this “point” system; I help you with your car, later when my computer dies you help me.

In relationships, try to remember the beginning, think back to when just being with that person was the goal, didn’t matter what you were doing, just being around them was enough. Let a relationship last long enough and we tend to put it to the “point system” more and more it becomes what we’ve done for the other or what we can do, or vise versa “what have you done for me lately” or “look at all I do for you and what do I get in return?” well if you’re looking for something in return you weren’t really doing it for the other person were you?. As our relationships with God are compared to a marriage I think we tend to go down the same path, we forget where our faith began, when just knowing he was there was enough.

I’m not throwing out acts of love or intentionality that come naturally through love. But if you buy your wife flowers on valentines merely BECAUSE it’s Valentines Day, it is in your heart, an empty gesture, really, just acting out of obedience or obligation. The same can apply to our faith lives.

So now I get to the point where I may be wrong. But… we are told to go out and spread the Gospel… Gospel means “good news” I’m pretty sure the good news isn’t “well Christ died on the cross now you should feel guilty and not do anything wrong and make sure you read your bible 5 times a day and here’s a check list of do’s and don’ts”.. I’m pretty sure the Good news is the price is paid, “it is finished” not “hey, now the ledger shows you in the red so you owe me”.

Satan wants the followers of Christ to disobey and have conflicts and confusions  in Gods word and commandments.There is only one truth in the Bible, but many divisions in the body of Christ. Most of the Christian denominations in the world claim that they are bible believing Church and have differences of opinions on various issues, some of them may even throw us into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ(Galatians 1:6-7). But yet most of them agree on basic Christian truths. God says that we need to be equipped with wisdom from the Word of God to identify and not be led astray by false teaching and false teachers. All believers should know what the Scriptures are and they need to match up according to Gods word when they have some disagreements.

God also warns us to avoid people who causes divisions and put obstacles in our way that are contrary to the teaching (Romans 16:17).

Scriptures gives us a valuable insight and clear guidance on how we are to approach such disagreements and conflicts.

2 Timothy 4:3-4 says For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.

What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? You want something but don’t get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures. James 4:1-3

As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love. Ephesians 4:14-16

The Apostle Paul told Timothy, “Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels” (2 Timothy 2:23)

Titus 3:9 says, “But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless.”

Also being a true believer we need to preach the truth, fighting the good fight of faith never compromisingly for any reason whatsoever and to bring back the erring brother. James 5:19-20 says My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins.

When we have disagreements we need to handle with love and respect and apply God’s unchanging Word of Truth and to allow holy spirit to operate in our lives to seek Gods word by diligently studying and prayfully considered because as a individual person we all may have personal opinion but we need to be careful that our disagreements should not become a stumbling block for others to leading them away from faith in Christ or turn away from the Bible. Always we need to be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks the reason for the hope that we have with gentleness and respect(1 Peter 3:15).

Finally, it is God’s purpose for all believers’s to attain to the unity of the faith with unity of the Spirit United in Christ. (Ephesians 4:3 says, “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.)

May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!.

No other name has had an impact on more lives in the history of humanity than Jesus..
 Jesus Was Never Created Micah 5:2 
 Jesus Essence Has Never Changed Heb 13:8
 Jesus is God John 1:1
 Jesus is The Creator of Everything Col 1:16
 Jesus is All-Powerful Matt 28:18
 Jesus is All-Knowing Col 2:3
 Jesus is Ever-Present Matt 18:20
 Jesus is Holy Luke 1:35
 Jesus is Righteous Isa 53:11
Jesus is Just Zech 9:9
Jesus Had No Deceit 1 Pet 2:22
Jesus is Sinless 2 Cor 5:21
Jesus is Spotless 1 Pet 1:19
Jesus is Innocent Matt 27:4
Jesus is Gentle Matt 11:29
Jesus is Merciful Heb 2:17
Jesus is Forgiving Luke 23:34
Jesus Receives Worship by Demons Mark 5:2,6
Jesus Receives Worship by Men John 9:38
Jesus Receives Worship by Angels Heb 1:6
Jesus Receives Worship by Disciples Luke 24:52
Jesus Receives Worship in Heaven Rev 7:9-10
Jesus Will Receive Worship from Everyone Phil 2:10-11
Jesus Was Human 1 Tim 2:5
Jesus Was Conceived by the Holy Spirit Luke 1:34-35
Jesus Took On Man’s Nature Heb 2:9-18
Jesus Humbled Himself Phil 2:8
Jesus Was Subject To Human Emotions Heb 5:7
Jesus Raised His Body From The Dead John 10:18
Jesus Blood Brings Reconciliation With God Eph 2:13-16
Jesus Blood Brings Redemption for Man Rom 3:24-25
Jesus Blood Allows Man To Be Justified before God Rom 5:9
Jesus Blood Sanctifies Man Heb 10:29
Jesus Blood Brings Spiritual Victory Rev 12:11
Jesus Blood Brings Eternal Life John 6:53-56
Jesus Came to Save Sinners Luke 19:10
Jesus Will Bring in Everlasting Righteousness Dan 9:24
Jesus Destroyed the Works of Satan 1 John 3:8
Jesus Fulfilled the Old Testament Matt 5:17
Jesus Gives Life Now John 10:10
Jesus Is Our Advocate 1 John 2:1
Jesus Gives Eternal Life John 10:28
Jesus Is Eternal Life 1 John 5:20
Jesus Sends The Holy Spirit To Us John 15:26
Jesus Will Take His People To Heaven John 14:3
Jesus Will Return To The Earth After The Tribulation Matt 24:29
Jesus Will Return To The Earth In Power & Glory Matt 24:30
Jesus Completes Revelation Heb 1:1
Jesus Will Never Send You Away If You Come To Him John 6:37
Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life John 14:6

HE never changes, is the only Saviour, he created the universe and earth by Himself, he is the Word. HE is the first and the last, he forgives sins., He is our redeemer, he is one. He has a Son. He is the Holy One, Only He is worshipped. He is Messiah. HE is from everlasting. Only He is glorified.. God is ‘I am’, God heals all diseases. He is the Judge of the whole earth. HE has life in Himself. Even the devils tremble by him, HE raises the dead, He is sinless and perfect, He is omnipotent with him everything is possible, HE is powerful.

Who is (God) He ……He is no one but only Jesus Christ! Only Jesus Christ

I and My Father are one. John 10:30

Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test. Matthew 4:7

I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour .Isaiah 43:11

I the LORD, the first, and with the last; I am he. Isaiah 41:4

Jesus said, “Fear not; I am the first and the last:” Revelation 1:17

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God…All things were made by him…He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not…And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us John 1:1, 3, 10, 14

Jesus saith…he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father? John 14:9

For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. 1 John 5:7

Neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:39

That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9

Yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live. 1 Corinthians 8:6

At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure Luke 10:21

Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.” Luke 11:1

Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom. Luke 23:42

My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I, too, am working.” John 5:17

I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life John 8:12

When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am the one I claim to be John 8:28

If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and now am here. John 8:42

Jesus said, “You have now seen him; in fact, he is the one speaking with you.” John 9:37

You are a king, then!” said Pilate. Jesus answered, “You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.” John 18:37

I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. Revelation 22:13

Holy Father, protect them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one, as we are one. John 17:11

Therefore I tell you that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit. 1 Corinthians 12:3

And every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:11

But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah…out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting. Micah 5:2

GOD…hath in these last days spoken unto us by his SON…who being the brightness of his glory, and the EXPRESS IMAGE OF HIS PERSON… Hebrews 1:1-3

WHO IS THE IMAGE OF THE INVISIBLE GOD, the firstborn of every creature: Colossians 1:15

They shall call his name EMMANUEL, which being interpreted is, GOD WITH US Matthew 1:23

The voice of him [John the Baptist] that crieth in the wilderness, PREPARE ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway FOR OUR GOD.” Isaiah 40:3

I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another… Isaiah 42:8

“… feed the church of GOD, which he hath purchased with his OWN BLOOD. Acts 20:28

Hereby perceive we the love of GOD, because he LAID DOWN HIS LIFE for us. 1 John 3:16

And they stoned Stephen, calling upon GOD, and saying, LORD JESUS, receive my spirit Acts 7:59

For unto us A CHILD IS BORN, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, THE MIGHTY GOD, THE EVERLASTING FATHER, The Prince of Peace Isaiah 9:6

CHRIST, who is the IMAGE OF GOD II Corinthians 4:4

Glory of GOD in the FACE OF JESUS CHRIST.” II Corinthians 4:6

Someone touched me; I know that power has gone out from me. Luke 8:46

Then He said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.’ Thomas said to him, ‘My Lord and my God!’ Then Jesus told him, ‘Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.’”John 20:27-29

In Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form. Colossians 2:9

But every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world. 1 John 4:3

Jesus the Nazarene, a man attested to you by God with miracles and wonders and signs which God performed through him in your midst…” (Acts 2:22).

Jesus said: “He who has seen me has seen the Father.” John 14:9

Whoever receives this child in my name receives me; and whoever receives me receives Him who sent me;” (Luke 9:48).

And Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and let each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins;…’” (Acts 2:38).

And there are three that bear witness in earth, the spirit, and the water, and the blood; and these three agree in one.” Number 8

And he (Jesus) answered and said unto them, ‘Have you not read, that He which made them at the beginning made them male and female.’” (Matthew 19:4).

And when they (wise men from east) were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and (they) fell down, and worshipped him.” Matthew 2:11

I AM THAT I AM.” (Exodus 3:14).

Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I have appointed you a prophet to the nations.” Jeremiah. 1:5.

And there is no other God besides Me, A righteous God and a Saviour; There is none except Me. Turn to Me, and be saved, all the ends of the earth; For I am God, and there is no other.” Isaiah 45:21-22

Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand Matthew 12:25

Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.” Matthew 16:23

Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” Matthew 17:4

Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible Matthew 19:26

Then he said, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things. Matthew 21:27

Shining Perspective

“Wow, Isaiah look at the sky!” “Oh. Umm…Mommy? What about the sky?” (Ok back up! It was spectacular! I’ve tried to capture it with words several times now and I just can’t seem to do it justice, so I will just say it was absolutely beautiful! It was stunning!) God’s glory shines in each new day; He gives us a freshly painted sky every morning. I had to stop, because it was clear that we were not looking at the same sky. As I looked at it, I looked at him and identified why we weren’t looking at the same sky. Sunglasses. I removed my glasses and when I did the sun was so bright that its light actually overwhelmed the picture. I gave Isaiah my glasses and he said, “Wow mommy, you’re right that is an awesome sky!” So often it is the same with my circumstances, if they are not viewed through the cover of God’s grace and mercy, if I am not wearing my faith glasses, my circumstances are too bright, they are overwhelming and they blind me.

What do they blind me from? Not what, but who? Jesus. I simply lose sight of Jesus. We live in a world that is overloaded with gizmos and gadgets, and over-available media cramming the next “big thing” down our throats. A world that is convincing us that we need far more than we do and teaching us to constantly live in a state of discontent, essentially we are distracted. I know I am. It’s no wonder to me that many of the most amazing works, testimonies and devotions I’ve read were written sometime prior to the early 1900’s. By now the obstacles that steal my attention shouldn’t surprise me and yet they still do. I find when sitting down with the intention to write, I can get distracted by the vast choices of where I can go with a click of a button. (Somehow that doesn’t happen when I sit down with a journal and a pen.) I have also learned that even while I am serving the Lord, I can get distracted from Jesus Himself.

I am coming out of a difficult season. It has been filled with nothing but surprise after surprise, some good and some bad.  God has answered some prayers in surprising ways and I have received what I can only describe (for now) as a mind-blowing miracle in the midst of it all. Through the tough moments and wonderful blessings one thing remains…I fall so short. I almost never land where I think I will when I jump. My own will often deceives me. I repeatedly find myself left with these challenging questions that surface when I’ve been tested. Can I be as diligent in thanksgiving, in seeking Him, in the simple beauty of tarrying with Him, as I am in persistently asking for what I think my needs (my desires) are? Can I just love Jesus with the same dedication as I give to acts of service? Can I surrender all parts of my life, at all times, not just in worship or at certain times of the day, but always?

In and of myself, no I cannot. (“In whose hand is the life of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind?” ~Job 12:10 NASB) I can’t make myself breathe. I can’t make my heart beat. I can’t grow the hair on my head.  I can’t do anything apart from Him. (“For in Him we live and move and have our being, as also some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are also His offspring.’”~Acts 17:28 NKJV. The NASB says it this way: “For in Him we live and move and exist…For we also are His children.” And the CEV says: “And he gives us the power to live, to move, and to be who we are.”We are his children…”)

When I choose to look at my circumstances, when I choose to look at the world, when I choose to walk by sight even though I know I’m called to walk by faith; I lose my clear view of Jesus. Once I take my eyes off of Jesus, essentially I lose my joy. (“…the joy of the Lord is your strength.” ~Nehemiah 8:10 NIV) I fail to see the details of my life, my circumstances through those indescribable faith glasses, where mercy and grace abound in Christ Jesus each and every new day.

What is the question that I should ask at the end of the day? The same one we all should be asking.

Did I walk with God today?

(“…walk humbly with your God.”~Micah 6:8 NIV “”…As God has said: ‘I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people’.” ~2 Corinthians 6:16 NIV)

“Christ is not so much interested in pointing us to a place or path as he is in pointing us to a Person and a relationship.” -Ravi Zacharias

For OpEdNews: Dana Gabriel – Writer““In order to ever realize the creation of a one world government, it only makes sense that there would need to be a one world religion. It will be much easier to control us if we are all the same, therefore there is a push for the globalization of religion.”

“Those who have called for a new world order include the late Pope John Paul II and the current Pope Benedict XVI. Throughout his papacy, John Paul II preached a message of peace, hope, and the bringing together of all religions.”

“In the year 2000, the United Nations held its first ever Millennium World Peace Summit. It brought together thousands of the world’s preeminent religious and spiritual leaders, thus marking a major step towards the creation of a global religious body. This was the first time such an event had taken place through the UN.”“

 Article: About one out of every eight adults is an “ex-Christian,” a new survey reveals.

For ChristianPost.com: By Audrey Barrick|Christian Post Reporter“These include those who left the Protestant or Catholic tradition that they were a part of as a child and who now report being atheist, agnostic or some other faith, according to the Barna Group.

According to the Christian research group, the most common reasons for leaving Christianity included life experiences, such as gaining new knowledge or education; feeling disillusioned with church and religion; feeling the church is hypocritical; having negative experiences in churches; being in disagreement with Christianity about specific issues such as homosexuality, abortion or birth control; feeling the church is too authoritarian; wanting to express their faith outside of church; and searching for a new faith or wanting to experience other religions.

The top motivations for becoming a Christian, meanwhile, were going through difficult life events; getting older and seeing life differently; wanting to connect with a church and grow spiritually; discovering Christ; or wanting to know what was in the Bible.

The median age at which respondents changed their faith was 22. Sixty-eight percent of respondents had a major faith change before the age of 30.“

So why are so many people turning away from their fatih?  Jesus tells us many times throughout the Gospels to beware of false messiahs, that many will turn from God and be led astray:

Matthew 7:15-16 “15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. 16 You shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?”

Matthew 24:11-14 “And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. 12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. 13 But he that shall endure to the end, the same shall be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness to all nations; and then shall the end come.“

Matthew 24:24 “For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; so that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.”

Mark 13:22 “For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall show signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect“

This truth is becoming alarmingly clear as more and more people are leaving their faith and following self-help leaders, gurus, mystics, and even those who claim to be Christ.  Here is an article that lists the top 10 self-appointed messiahs, interestingly they are all from the past century.  Is this the beginning of the “many false prophets..” Jesus refers to?  I’m sure many still remember the Sedona sweat lodge incident that claimed 3 lives and injured 10 during a ritualistic ‘spiritual cleansing‘.  Led by self-help expert and author James Arthur Ray rented the facility as part of his Spiritual Warrior retreat that began on 3 October and promised to “absolutely change your life.”  It certainly did for these 13 people. Ray also collected around $9k a head for these ‘cleansings’.

There have been those who lead people from God since the day of Man.  This is nothing new. The Bible refers to magicians and sorcerers, fortune tellers, mystics, false prophets, false messiahs starting in the Old Testament and in to the New Testament. What Jesus is warning us about however is similar to what is happening in our current age.  There are so many half-baked religions and many who distort the Word of God and incorporate it into their own beliefs,  worse still there are those who claim to be the returned Christ.  We all need to be aware of what is Truth, and what is not, and the only way to ensure that is to put on the whole armor of God:

Ephesians 6:10-18 “10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: while using your loins of defeating the devil 18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and hi watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.”

Remember my friends. The only way to become immune to the lies and deception is to know the Truth in your heart.  If you do not have God’s Word in your heart, your eyes will be just as blind as one who does not know God at all.  Study the scriptures, be aware of what is happening.  We are not at war with flesh and blood, as Paul states above in verse 12: “We are at war against principalities and powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”  Furthermore, it is our duty to spread the Gospel to every living creature (Mark 16:15). This is the Great Commission of Jesus.

Stand up and be counted.

I pray friends that your eyes are opened to see the lies of the enemy for what they are. I pray that God will take the scales from your eyes so that you can see the wonder and mystery that He is.  I pray that you will put on the full armor of God, that you will be battle ready for when He sounds the trumpets.  In the mighty name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

God Bless You.

Note: I wrote this article after finding a website that I came across that is for ex-christians to discuss why they left the faith, and why they do not believe in God anymore.  There are literally thousands of posts.  It is sad. We, as Christians should be helping those who are having trouble in their faith.  Help your brothers and sisters, this is after all, their eternal souls at stake.

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Praise God for answered prayers. Here is a testimony from the Lord (and a great lesson) – It’s all about Faith and Obedience = Blessings. I pray this edifies the Body -

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We were dancing

When the music stopped

I wondered where it had gone

I tried

to listen

to discern

What had happened to the beautiful music that had once played

The music that had

kept me

held me

Embraced me with so much love

I did not know where to turn

What would happen next

Would all the life be gone

Would I wake up and see that I was just another

Virgin without a lamp

Would I find out that I had

Chosen the wrong way

Taken a wrong turn

Taken my eyes off the One I love

Will I be the one

Who’s left

Never seeing

Never perceiving

Never knowing

Never Trusting

No I will NOT

Let this be said of me

I will be the one who

listens

hears

knows

I will be the one

giving

dancing

To the beautiful music

I will be the one embracing the One I love so…

Allow me this once more

To hear the music

Give me the freedom in You once more

To feel the rythm

To know the beat

To hear what others don’t

To walk that walk

Dance that dance

Love that love that I have known

~Bambi
March 30, 2010

During my journey with the Lord, I have witnessed believers guide me and other members of the Body to take a step of faith in situations where God’s will is unknown. In my humble opinion, this is an unwise step of faith. I would like to give my own guidance on this topic because I see a great error in the use of the statement “step of faith.” Please, I covet additional insight on this topic as well -

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One man, made from the dust of the Earth, bears the historical responsibility for tearing apart the very fabric of creation.

This one man and his wife – “flesh of my flesh” ADAM, made in the likeness of loving Father and Creator God, succumbed to temptation, and did what some have described as irreparable damage. Irreparable to man that is. Certainly NOT irreparable to God!

They were cast out of their Eden for their sin, forced to till the soil for food, to work for shelter and bear children in pain. Generation after generation – uncountable through the eons was loved mercifully by their creator God. Every one of them known intimately, every hair on their heads counted, and still they struggled for freedom. Freedom which separated them further from the time, created with them solely in mind.

Evil perpetuated, sanctity negated, ‘leave me alone I will choose my own fate’ their perpetual cry! A gift once given can never be rescinded – freedom to choose, to decide, to live or to die.

Loudly we hear them proclaim “We want a king”, a ruler like the other nations have…… They have an eternal King whom they deny!

And still they cry out “We choose to worship”, as the other nations worship – but not you Lord God – just idols and beasts… we know you not!

And through it all God pondered and watched. His hand always at the ready to assist if asked, his heart crying in longing for his rebellious children.

Chances and opportunities were given time after time. Prophets, wise men, holy seers sent with tidings and announcements –to be ignored and cast out. Promises fulfilled yet evil spread its ugly manifestations.

The King looked down from the heavenly throne, crying in pain at the loss of his beloved children. The chosen ones, here since time began, have no direction, no way; the veil was in place and masked the view. The way was closed.

To bring them back to the home prepared, required the divine act of redemption! Through the very gift of himself, through life and love, from the Alpha and Omega only, could this be accomplished.

The Triune Godhead has always known that mankind would waiver between flesh and spirit. So offering himself, in perfect love, to repair the fabric that Adam had destroyed “The Word made flesh” would come.

The ‘Word’ spoken at creation, never absent and always alive, had chosen to be birthed, to live and die – fully human and fully divine. He would open up the way.

Would they listen, would they follow and obey? There was always a chance they would deny him. Time and again they had refused, why would this be any different we ask.

They were his own, his chosen ones, and live amongst them for thirty plus years he did. He taught them, led them, prayed with them and cried with them. He turned water into wine for their wedding feast and danced with them, healed them, cast out their demons – and still they doubted!

They saw in him an earthy conquer, one who would defeat the occupying forces in their land, but that was not who He was, and to his death they led him, without ever knowing the real reason for his coming. The times were cruel, evil reigned; rulers feared him, and the crowds were swayed! But he had known since before time began, that this was to be his destiny, and he came willingly to the eternal sacrifice as our redeemer.

For by so doing – his sacrifice would repair the rift caused by his Adam, and the veil would be forever destroyed and the way made open to any who chose to traverse his path.

I want to be with Him, forever, and He has promised I may. For He Lives. He is the first to rise from the dead. I cannot fathom what it took for Him to assume a human form, to live and to die – crucified for my past present and future sins. Yet he took it all upon his shoulders, mine yes! And the sins of every other human being since time began and still to be born.

Willingly he accepted this most terrible death……… he stared death in the face and defeated it. He stared evil in the face and defeated it. He sat at the right hand of God the Father, stared Him in the face and said ‘I love them Father, forgive them please.’Father, I want everyone you have given me to be with me, wherever I am. Then they will see the glory that you have given me, because you loved me before the world was created.
John 17:24 (Contemporary English Version)

One Man (ADAM) tore apart the fabric of creation, and in its place we find the veil. There was no access to Our Heavenly Father and evil prevailed.

One Man –Jesus, through his death tore apart the veil. He took upon his shoulders our iniquities; He opened the way to brings us home.

Freedom is ours to choose, what will it be? Jesus who is the way, the truth and the life, our eternal light – or eternal darkness?

I beg you – Choose life and light!