A Post by Charles Stanley

Our Righteousness

Ephesians 2:1-10

Anyone who thinks of himself as a pretty good person ought to take a look at God’s assessment of humanity. He says we all come into the world spiritually dead and are ruled by Satan, his world system, and our own sin nature, or flesh. In the Lord’s eyes, we are children of wrath who deserve only punishment.

On the other hand, God is so pure and holy that He is totally separated from all sin and cannot look upon it with any favor or approval (Hab. 1:13). Everything He does is appropriate and beneficial; by comparison, even mankind’s righteous acts are like filthy rags (Isa. 64:6). Yet even though we have nothing of value to offer Him, the Lord wants us for His own and has done everything necessary to draw us close.

Those of us who have placed faith in Jesus Christ have been made spiritually alive in Him, and all our sins have been forgiven. There’s a striking contrast between what we were and who we now are in the Lord. But this change has nothing to do with how good we’ve been. Even the faith with which we respond to the Savior comes from God. We can never make ourselves righteous; it’s all a gift from Him. And once He declares us justified, we will never be pronounced guilty again.

God has said that in the ages to come, He wants to show the “surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us” (Eph. 2:7). For all eternity, we will be showered with this awesome demonstration of His love. As great as our blessings are now, they’ll pale in comparison to what awaits us in heaven.

Praise the Lord!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uyvoU-e-slw&noredirect=1


This is one of my favorite songs!


Satan is a liar and he wants to make us think that we are paupers
when he knows himself we are children of the King



Praise the Lord   
He can work thru those that praise Him



Take a few minutes friend and listen to these powerful words of truth and life.


and then 


PRAISE THE LORD!!!!


Blessings
www.comeinandrest.com

Decluttering

I have been having the opportunity lately to declutter/organize in some homes.   I really like this job.  I enjoy moving mountains.  I tend to be goal oriented and am spurred on by success.


This process has stirred up my thinking about the clutter IN our lives not just around us.   Sometimes we are JUST A MESS.   With that we can be discouraged, downtrodden, despondent and even depressed.   God loves to come in an organize our mess.  HE says "COME TO ME!"  "Cast your cares on ME"
HE wants your mess!!  
HE knows where it has all come from and what should be done with it .
HE comes in and pushes stuff back and makes room for us to catch a breath and see a light at the end of the tunnel.  We are encouraged.


God keeps going.  Pretty soon HE is moving us to open up our closets, look under beds and go into hidden places.   He asks us to throw out lots of stuff.  HE shows us what is useful and what is just taking up space and causing us to stumble.  
HE wants to do new things in and through us and wants us to simplify.  (Believe me I am reading this as I write!)


God makes all things new.  HE longs for us to travel light, not to be owned by our stuff, to hold lightly.  
Fellow traveler,  Whats in your backpack?


Blessings!


Need some help?  Call me!

If HE Says To Do It We Should~

The  quote went something like this " If HE says to stand on your head, you do it,  If HE says to be baptized, you do it"   
It is true that whatever HE says we should do.  


I do foresee a possible problem....being baptized is "normal", expected and accepted (in the church).  It's when we are asked to "stand on our heads" that a problem can arise!.  Immediately antennae go up, eyebrows raise and whispers are heard.


A word of caution.   
Don't judge someone's actions.  
Instead PRAY.


I believe that often the Bible has judged the actions already but in the case where it is not specific, (like standing on your head)...
.leave it alone.  
Take care of yourself.  
Don't make a comment.  
Read thru the Bible and see the old prophets who did totally "weird" things....John the Baptist who dressed odd and ate even more strange.  


If the Bible does not address it, it is best left alone.  You would hate to have to be judged yourself for your judgement!


Think about it.  
God's Ways are not like ours, in fact it is said that they are foolishness to man! I Cor 1:18


I think making sure OUR  walk is as it should be is a full time job!


Blessings!

Happy Thanksgiving One and All!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nz83Oh8lEYM

A random Thanksgiving Song that I like    Enjoy this day.  Make it a habit!   Look each guest/family member in the eyes and tell them that you love them


Blessings 

Stressed?

BREATH!


Come before the Lord.  Pinpoint the area that is "pricking" you and take it to the Lord in prayer.  
HE has a good idea. ( Ps 138:8)  
HE is the giver of peace.  (John 14:27)
HE makes a way where there is none.  (John 12:1-11)  
HE can change the atmosphere around you and create in you a clean heart.  (Ps 51:10)
HE can soften a stony heart and make it flesh. ( Ez 26:36) 
HE can draw people unto Himself.  (John 12:32)


HE IS MORE THAN ABLE.' (2 Tim 1:12)


Stress will only kill you.  Handle it all on your knees and then just get up and begin....Put some good praise music on and refocus, prioritize and change your perspective. 

Proverbs 17:1
Better is a dry morsel and quietness with it Than a house full of feasting with strife.



Beloved have an absolutely wonderful Thanksgiving Day!  Whether you are alone (with the Lord) or with a crowd, let Jesus be your Guest of Honor and bring Him honor today with you life!

Blessings!

Preparing for Thanksgiving Day

Genuine heart felt gratitude.


Prepare today for Thursday.  Strengthen your thankful muscles.   Practice.  Start with the people around you,  those near and far.
Now move onto the provisions that you have.  Look around you...notice everything.
Next  thank the Lord for the "place"  that you are in right now.  Good, bad or ugly HE is watching over you and as HIS child you are being  held and there is a plan being brought about in your life.


What good does it do to complain.   Nothing.  Do yourself and those around you a favor today and be thankful.  The very atmosphere of your home and workplace will change   Try it!


Blessings
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x3dXCL34aEA&feature=related

BEWARE BEWARE BEWARE

GOD ANSWERS PRAYER!


and the enemy hates it.  So much so that he slinks around trying to steal "it" as soon as its delivered. One of his biggest tactics takes place in the mind ... his playground.  Doubts appear out of nowhere.  Little voices denounce and play down what God has said or done.  Reason comes in to ~ reason.  We lean on our own understanding.


Hang on tight friend!    HE DOES  hear and answer... if not today, one day soon you will hear and know.  He will direct your path.    Discipline yourself to stand firmly on HIS Word and refuse to waiver.  Your resolve will be strengthened as you stand.  He will give grace and strength.


Resist the devil and he will flee.  


Again  HE DOES ANSWER PRAYER.  He does hear you.  He does care.  His timing is perfect.  Quiet yourself and rest on HIS faithfulness


Blessings!

Three Dollars Worth of God Please

“I would like to buy three dollars worth of God, please.

"I would like to buy just a little of the Lord. Not enough to explode my soul and disturb my sleep. Not enough to take control of my life. I want just enough to equal a cup of warm milk. Just enough to ease some of the pain from my guilt.

I would like to buy three dollars worth of God, please. I would like to find a love that is pocket-sized. I don’t want enough of God to make me love a black man
or pick beets with a migrant. Not enough to change my heart. I can only stand just enough to take to church when I have time. Just enough to equal a snooze in the sunshine. I want ecstasy, not transformation. I want the warmth of the womb, but not a new birth.

I would like to purchase a pound of the eternal in a paper sack. If it doesn’t work, I would like to get my money back.

I would like to buy three dollars worth of God, please. I would like to hide some for a rainy day. Not enough for people to see a change in me. Not enough to impose any responsibility. Just enough to make folks think I am ok.

Could I just get three dollars worth of God, please?”    Wilbur Rees

Oh Friend!  What a patient and loving God we serve!  With these words HE has every right to turn HIS back on us ~  YET ~  He continues to love us, to beckon us, to "get in our way" that we might stumble upon Him. 

Don't you see?  Three dollars is no where near enough.  The scripture says "taste and see that the Lord is good" Psalm 34:8    

I say if you have truly tasted...it will never be enough!  You will want more and more as HE ALWAYS creates a thirst.  Come beloved and drink deeply!

Blessings!

Always There

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qnNxP2k4Nn4&feature=related

We tend to make goals.  We look for the "outcome",  the letter, the job, the marriage, the _____________.
We are always waiting for the next thing.


I have come to firmly believe that it is not about the "outcome" but ALL about the Journey.
It is on the journey that all the work is done.  It is where we learn to believe, are tested, stretch and/or fail. 


We take many journeys between birth and death.  Dear friend,  don't despise the journey.  HE is there with you...longing that you will choose to believe that HE is who HE says HE is!  That you will learn to lean into Him, and practice with diligence the stature of standing...confidently immovable ...on the promises of God.


HE IS ALWAYS THERE!


Blessings!

Brothers and Sisters Arm in Arm

At a meeting concerning corporate reconciliation a woman got up and shared that she saw the church walking with arms linked forming a line.  Not walking helter-skelter or randomly but with purpose and direction.  


The meeting was held to address the importance of the "church" to stop the bickering, slandering, speaking ill of other congregations, pastors and fellow believers.  Reminding us that the enemy is using these actions to keep the world from seeing the love of Christ.  


I agree


As I have pondered this picture.  I also see a wide line of linked people like you see when there is a missing person and they are doing a search of a large property.  Every square inch is covered.  The Lord has reminded me that IF His church will purposely shut their mouths, link arms and walk forward NO ONE will be overlooked or lost.   Whosoever is ready or searching WILL BE FOUND.


Fellow Christians  I implore you to discipline yourselves and take up His cross and walk forward.  WE have a mandate from the Lord to GO AND REACH THE WORLD FOR CHRIST!


Onward Christian Soldiers!


Blessings!

Mother's Ears

Have you ever been in a crowd or group and been able to distinguish the cry of your child over all the noise?
There you are in the church service, meeting, playground etc etc, perhaps chatting with a friend, and all of a sudden, you STOP . Your body tenses and you listen.  Is that your child crying?

I love Psalm 18

^"4 The cords of death entangled me;
   the torrents of destruction overwhelmed me.
⁵ The cords of the grave coiled around me;
   the snares of death confronted me.

 ⁶ In my distress I called to the LORD;
   I cried to my God for help.
From his temple he heard my voice; 
   my cry came before him, into his ears.
⁷ The earth trembled and quaked,
   and the foundations of the mountains shook;
   they trembled because he was angry.
⁸ Smoke rose from his nostrils;
   consuming fire came from his mouth,
   burning coals blazed out of it.
⁹ He parted the heavens and came down;
   dark clouds were under his feet.
¹⁰ He mounted the cherubim and flew;
   he soared on the wings of the wind.
¹¹ He made darkness his covering, his canopy around him—
   the dark rain clouds of the sky.
¹² Out of the brightness of his presence clouds advanced,
   with hailstones and bolts of lightning.
¹³ The LORD thundered from heaven;
   the voice of the Most High resounded.^[d]
14 He shot his arrows and scattered the enemy,
   with great bolts of lightning he routed them.
¹⁵ The valleys of the sea were exposed
   and the foundations of the earth laid bare
at your rebuke, LORD,
   at the blast of breath from your nostrils.

 ¹⁶ He reached down from on high and took hold of me;
   he drew me out of deep waters.
¹⁷ He rescued me from my powerful enemy,
   from my foes, who were too strong for me.
¹⁸ They confronted me in the day of my disaster,
   but the LORD was my support.
¹⁹ He brought me out into a spacious place;
   he rescued me because he delighted in me.

Beloved HE hears you when you cry out.  He does not sit idle but your cry arouses Him and alerts Him to your need and He moves on your behalf.  Do not give up.....Help is on the way   His grace IS sufficient for you!

Blessings!

Does Jesus Care?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ncpuyN01U48&feature=related



Oh YES HE CARES and IS able to comfort and deliver!


Blessings friend!

Beauty Among Decay

As I was raking and preparing my gardens and yard for the upcoming season I noticed these brightly colored leaves bringing beauty to the decay all around them.   
We live in a decaying world.  Death and lack are everywhere.  Depression, panic and anger are all around us.  Are you letting the beauty of Christ shine through you?   The world is in such need.


My friend, let HIM shine.   Walk in HIS peace, love, compassion and kindness and see how the world responds.  Don't be afraid or discouraged.   He will make a way where there seems to be no way.


2 Corinthians 2:16 
To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life. And who is equal to such a task?

Life in Christ

I found these Japanese Lanterns in my fall garden.  I love how they are each in a different phase.  I was immediately reminded of the Christian's life.
When we first come to the Lord we are "whole and brand new" ~ we even look different.
But as we walk with the Lord, prayerfully, He will begin to be seen more and more as "we" diminish.  Notice the progression from the bottom.  Little by little the flesh is rotting away finally exposing the seed in the middle.  
The  longer we walk with Him and let Him have His way in our life~ our "significance" will come from Him !


Oh to be like Jesus!!


2 Corinthians 4:7
Weymouth New Testament
But we have this treasure in a fragile vase of clay, in order that the surpassing greatness of the power may be seen to belong to God, and not to originate in us


Blessings!

From the Ends of the Earth

Here is a word for you from the Word Psalm 61:1-2 Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer. From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. NIV Those words have a very special meaning for me; they were given to me by the Holy Spirit at a time of crisis in my own life and in a remarkable and unusual situation. I was going through a time when I was facing disappointment and sorrow and, really, it seemed that the waves and the billows of God were going over my own soul.  I was in a jet airplane on my way from the United States to Australia. I opened my Bible in the plane to those words, “From the ends of the earth I call to you.” And I thought to myself, That’s remarkable, because that’s where I’m headed for – the ends of the earth, the farthest part of the earth from the land where those words were written.  And I thought, Why am I going there, what’s God’s purpose? And I read the words again, “From the ends of the earth I call to you; I call as my heart grows faint.” And I realized that in His infinite wisdom God was taking me all that long journey not merely to preach to others, but to spend time in prayer myself, to wait upon God, to call to Him from the very ends of the earth. And there came a special week in my life at that time when I spent most of my time in prayer calling to God and as I prayed there at the opposite end of the earth, God heard my cry, solved my problems and showed me the way out.  So remember that: Call to God in your hour of need. - Derek Prince     Thank you for subscribing to the DPM e-Devotional. A weekly teaching format containing a devotional by Derek Prince as well as various news updates as they occur. Let us know what you think. Just click REPLY. Be sure to check out the Derek Prince Legacy Radio podcast, available on iTunes or direct from our RSS feed at derekprince.org/media/rss.xml.

Mondays~

I love Mondays!
I appreciate new beginnings, whether it is a Monday, the first of a new month or a new year's day....I just like fresh "pages", fresh snow with no footprints and  new notebooks.


I wonder why..... probably because where I am "right now" has been "messed up".  Life has left it's mark.  Worries, stresses, situations and problems have made pock marks over what was once new.  Stains and wrinkles have left damage.


The scriptures say that "HE has made all things NEW"  2 Cor. 5:17
Remember whatever, wherever, or whenever... just a whisper of His name, with humble lips and heart and  you can have a new start, a clean heart, a refreshed mind.


The Creator of the Universe is a God of second chances....and third and forth!  He knows what we are made of and He knows that He has everything we need to succeed.  So............


How about a clean start today!


Blessings

Lies Lies Lies

"God doesn't really care about me.
I am an unlovable worthless person.  Nobody will ever love me.
Ill never be able to change
I've been a failure all my life  I guess Ill always be a failure.
If people really knew me they wouldn't like me "*


Do you ever think or agree with any of these statements?


If so you have been duped by the enemy.


What does the Word say?


1 John 4:9-10                I am deeply loved by God                                
Romans 3: 19-25           I am completely forgiven and fully pleasing to God
Coll. 1: 19-22                I am totally accepted by God
2 Cor 5:17                     I am absolutely  complete in Christ


* Search for Significance by  McGee

He Rescues the Souls of Men

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oiVvHxgHL5Q

Wonderful, merciful Savior
Precious Redeemer and Friend
Who would have thought that a Lamb
Could rescue the souls of men
Oh you rescue the souls of men

Counselor, Comforter, Keeper
Spirit we long to embrace
You offer hope when our hearts have
Hopelessly lost the way
Oh, we hopelessly lost the way

You are the One that we praise
You are the One we adore
You give the healing and grace
Our hearts always hunger for
Oh, our hearts always hunger for

Almighty, infinite Father
Faithfully loving Your own
Here in our weakness You find us
Falling before Your throne
Oh, we're falling before Your throne