Do you serve yourself or God?

"Do you realize what I have done for you? You call me "teacher" and "master", and rightly so, for indeed I am. If I, therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another's feet." John 13:12-14

Jesus showed He was a servant when He washed the feet of His disciples. He then told them that they should also wash one another’s feet as they should also be servants! In order to serve God we must become servants of God and be willing to give our whole lives to Him for the sake of other people. Yes, other people! We are so blessed to be able to serve others and be paid by the Lord God through the promises He has given us. We will go to Heaven. We have escaped sickness. We receive unconditional love even at our darkest moments. If you haven’t prayed and accepted Jesus as your saviour you need to do this now because we do not know when He will come again, only that He is coming! When He does come ALL those who prayed Him into their hearts and lived by faith will be saved! Praise the Lord!

Beautiful Artwork

The Ancient Days by William Blake 1794

The Last Supper, Leonardo DaVinci 1497

Prophesy Fulfilled through The Crucifixion!

The Old	The New
“O Bethlehem… a ruler of Israel will come from you, one whose origins are from the distant past” Micah 5:2	“Jesus was born in the  town of Bethlehem” Matthew 2:1
“The Virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son…” Isaiah 7:14	“This is how Jesus… was born. His mother Mary… while she was still a virgin… became pregnant” Matthew 1:18
“He will open the eyes of the blind and unstop the ears of the deaf. The lame will leap… and those who cannot speak will shout” Isaiah 35:5-6	A vast crowd brought Him the lame, blind, crippled, mute, and many others… and laid them before Jesus. And He healed them all” Matthew 15:30
“He was despised and rejected… We turned our backs on Him… He was despised and we did not care” Isaiah 53:3	“Pilate asked them, ‘what should I do with Jesus…?’ And they all shouted ‘crucify him!’” Matthew 27:22
“He was… treated harshly, yet He never said a word. He was led as a lamb to the slaughter. He did not open His mouth” Isaiah 53:7	“But when the leading priests and other  leaders made their accusations against Him, Jesus remained silent” Matthew 27:12
“But He was wounded and he crushed for our sins. He was beaten that we might have peace. He was whipped and we were healed”: Isaiah 53:5	“They blindfolded [Jesus] and hit His face with their fists” Mark 14:65 “..Pilate… ordered Jesus flogged with a lead-tipped whip” Mark 15:15
“They have pierced my hands and feet” Pslam 22:16	“…they crucified [Jesus]” John 19:18
“They divided My clothes among themselves and throw dice for My garments” Psalm 22:18	“After they had nailed [Jesus] to the cross, the soldiers gambled for His clothes by throwing dice” Matthew 27:35
“The Lord laid on Him the guilt and sins of us all” Isaiah 53:6	“…[Jesus] Christ died for our sins” 1 Corinthians 15:3
“He was buried… He was put in a rich man’s grave” Isaiah 53:9	“Joseph, a rich man… asked for Jesus’ body and… placed it in his own new tomb…” Matthew 27:57-60
“.. You will not abandon me to the grave, nor will You let your Holy One see decay” Psalm 16:10	“…[Jesus] Christ had died… He was buried, and He was raised from the dead on the third day…” 1 Corinthians 15:3-4

I have been meaning to update this with a Old versus New testament topic and I believe I have finally found one that I can write out and is fairly self-explanatory. I will be honest and tell you all that I have borrowed this most helpful table from a Bible study that I recently was working on and I thought that it was what I  needed in order to make this blog work out properly.  Table tells us the prophesies of the old testament regarding the crucifixion and it shows us how the birth of Christ Jesus fulfilled every one of them.

We are so completely blessed in so many miraculous ways that we have over the years stopped seeing God in all things and have instead replaced Him in the name of science. Coming back to the Lord is one of the easiest things you can do. All of your questions are answered through the Word and you are left feeling nothing but whole. Our God is so great and I pray that we can learn to see everything the way we should see it instead of by-passing the wonders of the world and taking them for granted. Prayer is the most powerful way to speak to God. Praise Him daily and you will receive the bounty He has promised in return!

Judgement

M't:7:1: Judge not, that ye be not judged.

Lu:6:37: Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:

1Co:4:5: Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.

Though almost all of us know this rule whether we are Christian or not most of us struggle with actually following through with not judging others. A big thing in the media lately has been the gay marriages and certain states allowing it to occur. I believe in the power of the Lord yet I also believe in human rights and human stupidity. I don’t understand how the very folks who sit in a church several times a week can be the first to cast judgement on people whose lifestyle’s aren’t up to their standards. The fact is, we are all sinners. The Bible says we are, the Bible tells us the only one without sin is the Lord himself. So why are we so willing to jump up and hold a sign and curse people to the depths of hell because of the way they live. Science now has found a genetic glitch which is actually thought to be responsible for homosexuality yet we ignore this science and we protest. The Lord does not punish those who have these problems, whether it be an illness or a genetic error. It is not a choice these people make and when it is a CHOICE then yes, I agree it is a sin, but I would never chose to judge that person because I don’t know whats in their heads. Only the Lord knows who is and who is not making a conscious choice. He wants all of His children to be healthy and safe. I may be a Christian, God-loving woman but if my child turns out to be gay I will not try to change him or her and I will not judge him or her. I will love them unconditionally as the Lord has taught and I will pray that He will see that they are deserving of His salvation. The Bible tells us that the only way to heaven is through the belief in Jesus life, death and resurrection. As long as you believe in that YOU WILL BE SAVED!! Now, leave the JUDGEMENT to the Lord!

Joshua

The book of Joshua was written in 1405-1390 B.C. and the purpose of this book was obedience to God being the Key to a success-filled life with the theme being possessing the Inheritance. Joshua is basically a blood and guts kind of story, too violent for a G rating but to inspiring to overlook. While the Hebrews were slaves in Egypt other people settled on their land, this meant the homeland was home to more than one group of people. That is never good. So the Hebrews had to fight to get their land back. The book of Joshua is a record of these battles. Joshua was actually the name of the person who led the Hebrews into battles. He was a soldier, a diplomat, a negotiator, and a strategist. He was a good man who believed God even when the odds were stacks up so high against his people that almost everyone was too scared to press forward. Joshua was a real hero. Over and over God showed the Hebrews that it takes as much courage to believe in the power of God as it does to fight under your own power. When you believe the results are better each and every single time.

Deuteronomy

This book was written in 1445-1440 B.C. and the purpose of it was to teach that Love is expressed in God’s Word and in our response to Gods Word with the theme that obedience brings blessings and disobedience brings cursing. This book was really a dying man’s last words. Moses had led the Hebrews out of slavery and Egypt and then wandered around the desert for forty years, trying to get up the courage and the faith to cross the border. By the time they finally got to the border only three of the adults who had left Egypt were still alive. One of those three was Moses and he was about to die.  So Moses did what every leader would do and gathered all the people together and he told them the story all over again but he didn’t just tell them the story, he told them why the story mattered and what they should do about it. It was his last chance so he talked to them about the real stuff in life and God. This story is Moses final bow and it has much to tell. He was a respected and loved leader and he wanted all the newbies to hear his message so that Gods message could live on.

Numbers

This book was written in 1445-1440 B.C. with the purpose of teaching that actions have consequences that even the forgiven cannot escape. The theme is God’s guiding presence for the journey from Sinai across the Jordan River. The title of this book “numbers” is referring to the two times in which Moses took a census of the people. The book itself is really about the period of time between the two censuses. After the Hebrews were released from slavery in Egypt they went directly to the promised land, it took them about 24 months or 2 years and just as they were about to enter they became fearful and literally freaked out. The consequence for their lack of faith was that they put the camels in reverse and travelled the wilderness for almost 40 hot, long, dry years. This book tells about what we bring on ourselves when we refuse to believe in Gods promise. It is about the weak parts of us that don’t believe when God has been faithful. It is about us wanting all of Gods glory but not wanting to have to work for it. Mostly, this book teaches us to learn from the Hebrew mistakes so that we can hopefully avoid making the same ones and therefore avoid walking through our own personal dessert for years and years when we could have been in Gods Promised Land much sooner through the power of faith.

Leviticus

The book of Leviticus was created to tell us that we worship God by the way we live as well as by celebrating His goodness and the theme to this book is the sanctity of God and Holiness in daily life. It was written 1445-1440 B.C. Leviticus was a basic holiness and survival guide for the Hebrew people who wandered through the wilderness. It was an instruction manual for the priests. It discussed everything from mildew to baldness to skin disease to sacrifices of holiness. These people were living the way Travellers or Gypsies do today. They wandered for forty years, camping the whole time. Dealing with everything from illness to removing the trash: everything was a big job that needed to be taken care of and during this time they were also trying to grow and maintain their faith in God and be righteous with Him. God introduced the concept of “clean and unclean``. He applied it to their lives. The book of Leviticus teaches house-keeping to faith-keeping.

Exodus

Exodus was written in 1445-1440 B.C. And its purpose was to teach us that God breaks chains, and then draws us in by teaching us wise ways and how to worship properly. The theme to this book is deliverance, both physically and spiritually. Exodus is full of miracle, adventure, spectacular events and even special effects. This story is filled with bad guys –the Egyptians, mainly the Pharaoh, who refused to let the Hebrews go. The good guys are the Hebrews, led by Moses. After being enslaved by the Egyptians for generations, they were freed only to wander around in the desert or wilderness. After reading about their travels, you may not be surprised that they sometimes wished for the comforts on captivity. A sort of Stockholm-Syndrome, if you will. This book tells of the seas splitting in two, flood, and boulders becoming springs or fountains. Best of all Gods glory is finally revealed and visible to all.

Genesis

The book of Genesis was written about 1445-1400 B.C. and its purpose was to tell of a living Being – God- being the Source of all things. It tells of God wanting a personal relationship with each of us, His children, based on our trust (faith) in His promises. The overall theme of Genesis is the Beginning. It also speaks about genealogy, which you will find helpful to learn as it connects many of the OT people to the NT people. Genesis is a bottom-line, how it is, no fluff book. This book answers the question “where do we come from?” and Genesis answers “we come from God. He made us and wants to have a relationship with us”. Genesis is filled by many famous stories and people, from Adam and Eve to Noah and Abraham to Joseph. We read about the failures of these people and not just their successes as they formed the original cultures of the world. This book tells us that God loves us, in our entirety and that He uses us to have fellowship and use His name to create a better world.

Messiah's sacrifice would bring reconciliation between man and God

Isa:53:5: But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

Col:1:20: And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.

1Pe:2:24: Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

As you can see Isaiah prophesized that there would be a messiah (Jesus) and he would come down and offer all of humanity salvation. That all we have to do is take it. In Col:1:20 the words are slightly different than those used by Isaiah, however the message is identical. This message is that, through the blood on the cross which Jesus shed for us, all things have been repaired and we may have salvation and enter into the kingdom of Heaven through faith. Isaiah somehow KNEW that the Lord Jesus would come as man and that He would be beaten and His blood would be shed so that we could experience the peace and unconditional love for eternity that was only possible through this belief.

Creation 5

Isa:45:8: Drop down, ye heavens, from above, and let the skies pour down righteousness: let the earth open, and let them bring forth salvation, and let righteousness spring up together; I the LORD have created it.

Isa:45:12: I have made the earth, and created man upon it: I, even my hands, have stretched out the heavens, and all their host have I commanded.

Being righteous isn’t a bad thing! In this context it means being RIGHT WITH THE LORD. Are you right with the Lord? When the Heavens and earth open up will you be taken in by the Lords salvation. Read the Word and become RIGHT with God.

· An excellent book on this subject is “The Force of Righteousness” by Kenneth Copeland. I was blessed enough to receive my copy at no cost.

Eze:28:15: Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee.

God didn’t create you or anyone else with imperfections. When you were created He saw that you were good and nothing God creates falters from that. Through time and external influences we waiver from this truth. God does not. He sits and He waits for each of His children to come home to their Father to ask for forgiveness and to accept His only begotten son, Jesus, as our saviour. Have you prayed for salvation and been born again?

 · This is one of many pages that offers a prayer so you can experience salvation and be born again

A Beautiful Poem I Fell Upon

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/praise-for-creation-and-providence/

Praise for Creation and Providence

I sing the mighty power of God,
that made the mountains rise,
That spread the flowing seas abroad,
and built the lofty skies.
I sing the wisdom that ordained
the sun to rule the day;
The moon shines full at God's command,
and all the stars obey.

I sing the goodness of the Lord,
who filled the earth with food,
Who formed the creatures through the Word,
and then pronounced them good.
Lord, how Thy wonders are displayed,
wherever I turn my eye,
If I survey the ground I tread,
or gaze upon the sky.

There's not a plant or flower below,
but makes Thy glories known,
And clouds arise, and tempests blow,
by order from Thy throne;
While all that borrows life from Thee
is ever in Thy care;
And everywhere that we can be,
Thou, God art present there.


Create Date : Friday, January 03, 2003

When you are Offered Salvation- Take It!

Joh:10:9: I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.

Ac:2:21: And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

 I feel these two passages are relevant for NWO today as we have many fires burning, many people and business are displaced because of the risks and many people are afraid of losing everything, especially money. To these people I say that the only seed you need to sow is the one in the Lord, He will provide for all of the children who ask of Him and who have faith in Him, that He can and will do what is necessary. This does not mean your houses or businesses will be saved, they are objects, but you will be saved, your heart and soul will be saved and you will live on in eternity through the Lord if you believe.

I am reminded of a short story I was taught when I was very young.

There was flood and everyone was told to evacuate and this one man said he did not need to leave that his God would save him. As the waters rose a boat came by and offered him a way out and he refused again citing that his Father would save him. The waters became higher. He had to move to his roof. While on the roof a helicopter came by and tried to rescue him. He once again cited that his God would rescue him. The flood waters rose and killed the man. When he got to the gates of heaven he asked the Lord, “why didn’t you save me?” and the Lord said “I sent evacuation teams, a boat and a helicopter and you refused!”

I think the moral of this story is that God doesn’t come down and literally pick you up and pluck you out of a bad situation. He sends people who do Gods work and risk their own lives in His name (whether they know it or not) and it is up to each of us to know the difference between Gods will and our own. This man was given ample opportunity to be saved and he chose to NOT see that it was all sent by God because he wanted a bigger sign! Those who have genuine faith and strength in their relationship with God would see His offers of safety and would take these opportunities because they would have faith in God and His will! 

So, if you find yourself in a position where you need to do something because it is better safe than sorry, do it! Chances are it is God trying to send you the option of safety and when you refuse this you refuse the Lord. Our bodies are our God given vessels for our souls and we must do whatever possible to protect these vessels so that we can go and do Gods work, heart work.

Creation 4

Isa:45:7: I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things.

The Lord created us with free will and we can use it to create good or bad. What do you find yourself doing? Are you passionate about something enough to die for it, if not then you may want to look to find that passion within you. Without it you also have no reason for living. Make every moment count and use every ticking second to praise the Lord for all that He has created!

The Curse Lifted As the Sun Rose

As I sit here watching the sun rise from another night of insomnia I look through the trees and"I'm reminded of my own poem that holds the lines "I saw the sun rise as if it were my first and then I said goodbye to the light, knowing it was my last. Jesus painted the sky just for me and its a sight I no longer see". Only now that Jesus and I have a growing and bountiful relationship I see the miracle of the sunrise and insomnia no longer feels like a curse. How many can say they watched the sun in the day and the moon through the night and watched the lightening of the sky tomorrow. I am blessed!

Prayer for July 13

Dear Heavenly Father,
It took me until now to figure out what my prayer for today was because I was distracted by menial things when I should have been focusing that time and effort on my relationship with You. Finally, it hit me that You Lord have been working in me throughout the day teaching me a lesson in patience and not growing angry. You also taught me dear Lord that what I may think is important in the moment has no importance on the spiritual realm and for these things I am thankful Lord Jesus. I realized as I was sitting here singing "Amazing Grace" that this was Your plan for me today. You wanted me to not only sing Your praise but be conscious that I was doing so. Thank you Father God for the many lessons you have taught me through the years and the many that I will learn in my life. I will work harder at keeping my ears and eyes open to Your Word so that I can follow where you lead.
In Jesus name I pray -amen

Creation 3

Is: 41:20 That they may see, and know, and consider, and understand together, that the hand of the Lord hath done this, and the Holy One of Israel hath created it.

We must teach ourselves the Word of the Lord so that we can spread His teachings throughout our communities and families and even around the world. He wants us to ponder the Bible and He dares us to search for the answeres elsewhere. The truth is that the answers to life are all in the Biblical texts and that we never needed to look anywhere but to Him. Once we realize that we don't need to follow any path but His we are then able to completely accept His word and His works and live a life of abundance because of our unwavering faith.

Is: 43:7 Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him.

God created us for His glory, for His enjoyment. So lets be thankful and give our Father reason to be proud of His creation. Ask yourself in a tough situtaion "what would Jesus do?" and then listen for your answer from the Lord and do it! You reap what you sow. Sow happiness and love and whatever it is you have given you will receive in return x100!

Prayer for July 12

Luke 6:22-23 "Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall seperate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake. Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven."

To completely understand this we must first realize that the word 'blessed' means you are empowered by the Almighty God himself.

Dear Heavenly Father,
Today I thank you for the many blessings You have given me. When I was persecuted you helped me rise, when I was scared you took my fears away and when evil tried to enter into my life Your Word stepped into my mouth and allowed me to say "no" to the ways of evil. Thank you for giving us Your only son so that He could take my sins so that I can enter into your kingdom of Heaven while here on earth and in the eternal life you have so graciously granted each of us who believe.
In Jesus name I pray - Amen

Creation 2

Psalms:102:18: This shall be written for the generation to come: and the people which shall be created shall praise the LORD.

All God really asks of us is for Praise. Praise in our words, praise in our actions, praise in our thoughts. He wants us to look at a flower and see a miracle, a grain of sand and see genuine beauty, He wants us to accept all that is before us, whether it be a scent, touch, vision, or sound, and send Him our PRAISES daily. One may argue “is a flower truly a blessing?” and someone may retort that without the flowers we would have no bees and with no bees no honey. EVERY living thing or inanimate object has its purpose here on earth because it is a creation of Gods and when he looked down on this creation He “saw that it was good”!!