IT'S FRIDAY, NOW SATURDAY - BUT SUNDAY'S COMING!

He defeated all demons, including those running the world today....They killed Him on a Friday almost 2000 years ago...They can't beat Him then...They won't now! He's on the Throne!

Hell's been defeated - the grave could not hold my King!! Arise King of King's!! Come on down!!

YOUR SATURDAY MORNING DEVOTION!

Worship

by

Kathy Beard

 A word that brings to mind so many things, especially in today’s environment. Churches today have had to go to three services, not necessarily because there are too many people to fill the sanctuary, but because there are so many worship styles and they want to accommodate everyone’s musical tastes. So we have early service with only hymns and organs; second service with some hymns and some contemporary and with other musical instruments—not too noisy, mind you. Then for the younger population (which I am decidedly not, but which service I happen to prefer), we have the young worship team and all of the musical instruments. My Mom calls it the “boom-boom” service, and no, she would not attend this one.

We have an East Indian pastor who speaks to our Church on the occasions of the absence of our pastor. Some years ago, when John was very seriously into his mist of dementia, I sat in the congregation, watching John, stone faced, yet seeming to understand what this man was teaching (because as I write in my book, the “Spirit” does not get dementia, and his didn’t), and this pastor, Ben Joseph, was doing a teaching on worship. I was always on the edge of tears and that day was no different. Looking around at other couples in the room, husbands with arms around their wives, nudging each other in that secret little way that husbands and wives share private jokes, I wanted my John back.

Did you know that the first time the word “worship” is used is in Genesis 22. It doesn’t fit here. My heart rebels against the word “worship” following immediately after God tells Abraham “Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about.”

 On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance …

 We will worship and then we will come back to you

Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and placed it on his son Isaac, and he himself carried the fire and the knife".

Abraham called this unbelievable event “worship!”

Job, likely a contemporary of Abraham’s or even a recent ancestor, does a similar thing after having everything he owns and all of his children wiped out what does he do? He “worships!”

Job 1:13-21 says "While he was still speaking, yet another messenger came and said, “Your sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother’s house, when suddenly a mighty wind swept in from the desert and struck the four corners of the house. It collapsed on them and they are dead, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!” At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head.

Then he fell to the ground and worshipped

and said: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised.” In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing".

Sitting in this particular sermon, I wrote frantic notes, grasping at every word—I wanted to have this teaching permeate every part of me—I wanted to remember it later, when the sorrow threatened to engulf me. I wanted to make laying down my Isaac an act of worship!

For the past year and a half I have been asked once again to lay an Isaac down. I can’t say that I have been Job-like, not even close. I laid him down, then figured out a way to fix things. When my fixing didn’t fix, I laid him down again, and then discovered just one more way to fix it. I did this, knowing that my heart really wasn’t cooperating with my mind until one day, for some unknown mysterious reason, I laid my Isaac down and I walked away. Oh, don’t get me wrong, I didn’t walk away from my love for my Isaac, nor from my intercession for my Isaac, but I left him in the care and keeping of the Shepherd and I walked into the Shepherd’s peace and rest “confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Phil. 1:6) and that it is “God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure” (Phil. 2:13)

 And I worshipped

Related articles

• This Resurrection Sunday, a renewed Prince of Peace congregation worships in a new Philly sanctuary (philly.com)
• Larry Stockstill Hands Pastoral Torch to Son. (greatriversofhope.wordpress.com)
• The Old Brazilian Hymnal (whatiamiswhatweare.com)

YOUR GOOD FRIDAY DEVOTION!

REDEEMED...live for Him!

by

Carla McDougal

"... knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as a lamb without blemish and without spot."

1 Peter 1:18,19 (NKJV)

Read 1 Peter 1: 17-21 

Do you live with a heavenly perspective or an earthly point of view? Think for a moment. Be honest. Where is your focus: The world or the Lord? Hum, these are important questions. 

When reading the verses above, notice the word redeemed embedded in the heart of the message. Redeemed from what? Redeemed by whom and why?  Digging into these verses helps us grasp the meaning and purpose. 

The Strong's Concordance defines Redeemed in the Greek as "liberate by payment of ransom, to cause to be released to one's self by payment of a ransom, to deliver from evils of every kind: internal and external." Thinking through this last definition almost makes me leap out of my chair! To deliver from evils of every kind: internal and external... Jesus paid it all. He exchanged Himself for my ransom, our ransom. He rescued all, who trust in Him, from the pit. Jesus bridged the gap between us and God. Wow, humbleness flows!

In light of these definitions, how do we live a life that reflects God's grace and mercy? How do we base every decision, attitude and action on the fact that "Life is not about me, but all about Jesus, our Redeemer?" Below are three steps to stay in-tune with the Lord... 

First:  REnew...

The first part of 1 Peter 1:17 says, "And if you call on the Father..." Notice Peter uses the word if, which indicates a choice made by the one reading or hearing the message. Daily we need to renew our heart in the Lord. Make a choice to call upon Him everyday. Renew your strength in the Lord. Renew your mind in realizing Jesus redeemed you and paid the penalty for your sin. 

Second:  DEsire... 

1 Peter 1:17 says, "... live your life as strangers here in reverent fear." We mustdesire to live every moment knowing that Jesus took on the sins of the world. Understanding that we are responsible for each choice we make. God knows thedesire of our heart. God sees if it is for selfish gain or to further the Kingdom of God.

Third: EMpower...

Verse 21 Peter focuses our attention on, "Through Him (Jesus) believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God." Peter is telling us it's Jesus who gives us the strength to believe in God. We can't drum it up ourselves. Jesus empowers us to believe and trust fully in God. The minute we think we can do it ourselves, we miss the mark. 

YOUR THURSDAY MORNING DEVOTION!

JESUS IS MY LORD, PERIOD

Not a day goes by when I don't give thanks, from the very depths of my being, for the fact that CHRIST THE KING is MY LORD, period! I am His bond slave (doulos) and He is my Master! A few years ago, I was standing feet away from popular Christian singer Natalie Grant when she practically yelled "I am sick and tired of people who say 'YOU'RE GOING TO HELL IF YOU DON'T REPENT'"!! Those were the saddest words I ever heard. Yet, this is not only the pervasive view of most evangelical churches, but the limp-wristed Emerging church of Rob Bell, Brian MacLaren, Doug Kimball and Solomon's Porch Paggett, at the other extreme as well. This is the doctrine of "Easy Believism"....the belief that costs you nothing. "BUT WAIT - isn't SALVATION a FREE GIFT, you pinhead Bernie"? Er...YES!! But it cost my Lord Jesus everything! AND even a Seminary dropout like me knows what Mark 1:15c ESV means!!! It says "...Repent and believe in the Gospel"!!! I didn't say that, JESUS DID, Natalie! Before that, in the same verse He said "The Kingdom of God is at hand"! THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS AT HAND The Kingdom is at hand and many have let it slip from their fingers into eternity by following a belief system which bears no fruit...or hardly even shows it. It matters not to me that seminarians from a super rich place say that all you have to do is “Believe” therefore things "like Fruit and Repentance" are actually "GOOD WORKS"...and "you know who does good works to get into heaven…don’t you"??!! Holy cow, Batman!  From my teen years to now, I walked and talked with God. He never talked back to me for a lot of those years, because I know now, that I was never saved. When He DID LITERALLY SPEAK TO ME on August 16, 1988 at 4am, I knew EXACTLY WHO He was/is! I had made a Decision a month earlier, at age 32 and He called me to work for Him. From then until September 2001, while I was serving, teaching Bible in an Inner City Church (Hartford, Ct.) for almost 3 years with my wife Vicki and involved in Men's ministry in Springfield, Il...it was not until 2001, when I surrendered at the Altar, that I began the most exciting, spirit-filled and Jesus-high octane-powered journey of my life!!! (By the way, if you or er.. you over there, have or run a ministry, and you think YOU made it happen….you may wish to reconsider!) You see, what God is looking for are men and women who are totally SOLD OUT to His Son, Jesus the Christ...a George Mueller or a William Carey or the Moravians of the 100 Year Prayer Meeting. These are His “douloses”, His bond slaves. A bond slave or slave is the accurate translation of the Biblical word "Doulos" which almost EVERY English Bible incorrectly uses as Bondservant, to be politically correct! A slave depends on his master for everything. A slave's life and livelihood depends on his master. If his master is the Creator of the Universe, what could be better? But you see, not many people in this world, especially in the West, would allow Christ to rule their lives like this. Sure they mouth the words while talking to others in the Church, but would never consider walking it out. The more I meet powerful men and women, who are bold and fearless and used mightily by God, the more they will tell you that their POWER derives from their complete commitment to Jesus, as Lord of All!! HE MUST BE LORD He must be Lord of your home, your marriage and children. He must be Lord of all from the minute you wake up to going down of the sun.  He must be because He is. When He speaks, it's not an option. It's the Final Word.  I have never met a Christian, in ministry, who did not have the same story - they had to surrender it all to the Lord of all things. It was only when they came to the end of themselves and gave up, that He was able to show His power through them. You see the TRUE spirit-led life, is one where His Spirit has been given free rein to accomplish the Work He has called us to do. If a person is truly saved, he/she is called to an assignment, not to sit on his/her blessed assurance waiting for Jesus to return. To all my friends and even Natalie Grant, who condemn Repentance and Fruit as Good Works, I urge you to reconsider in light of the following two verses: A. Matthew 7: 19-20 (ESV) “Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will recognize them by their fruits"...Jesus said this! B. Romans 10:9 (ESV): "because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved"....Paul who came face to face with Jesus, said this! The Word of God is very clear about Fruit, Repentance, the Fruits of Repentance and calling, confession and confirming this fact - Jesus is the Lord of your life - NOW...not after we die - but NOW! In the final analysis, please note I did not call out the names of those involved in this over 30 year old unchristian like war of words over Theology. Also note the Scriptures back up what us laymen ministers know to be true - IF GOD SAID IT, I BELIEVE IT! End of story! THREE THINGS First, when we witness to and evangelize or visit the lost, lonely and dying, the first question HAS to be "have you made peace with God"....that is - have you repented of and confessed your sins to God...and then sought His forgiveness? Forgiveness is where the rubber meets the road, because if that party does not seek that reconciliation with Abba Father, an eternal fiery hell awaits them - all because of a lack of Repentance. Secondly, EVERY REAL Christian should show fruit in their walk. For some reason, a massive majority of people in our churches think it is somebody else's job to evangelize, feed the homeless, reach the lost...or for goodness sake - even pray for somebody else!! Faith without works is DEAD, DEAD, DEAD....this is not preaching good works...it's preaching Love in Action....because it is BECAUSE of one's Faith that we should be happy to do X, Y or Z for someone else! Third and last but more importantly, if we just say a prayer, say we trust and believe, BUT DON'T CONFESS HE IS LORD, well He will NOT confess you before the Father on that day! This is serious business, friends! Do NOT mess around with your eternity and salvation...or allow your family and friends to go around building their hope in Heaven on the lie of Easy Believism. The Free Gift of Eternal life is arrived at by specific ways LAID out the Full Counsel of God...not just the book of John. You either believe ALL OF THE BIBLE OR NONE OF IT, period. The last word comes from Romans 10 and rounds off this amazing journey of  Faith of which it is my privilege to be a part.....Romans 10: 10-13 ESV " For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, "Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame."  For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For "everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." Respectfully submitted, Bernie Lutchman Jr. A bondslave of Christ THE ENGLISH STANDARD VERSION BIBLE (ESV) @ 2001 Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.

OOPS!

What would Carnal Christians, phonies, crooked TV Evangelists, Easy believism and prosperity Gospel preachers do when they get on the other side of this Life, in front of Jesus....???!!
There is NO do-over or mulligan on Judgment Day! This is my latest post to Scribd.com to address this coming, very sad day, in front of the Great White Throne of GOD!

Oops!

YOUR TUESDAY MORNING DEVOTION!

12 NUGGETS OF TRUTH

A Unique Devotion

by

Deb Burton

Click on the number of EACH nugget for the accompanying Bible Passage!!

1. God made everything, and is everywhere; he is a Spirit 2. God is love. He wants to care for us as his dear children 3. But people wanted their own way, and turned their backs on God. So the Devil has been able to have his way with us all 4. God sent his dear son Jesus to earth, to be born human, and grow up just as we do. He had a plan to be able to help us                         5. Jesus showed how he was God by the powerful miracles he did out of love; also by how totally good he was 6. Jesus was unjustly ordered to be killed by jealous people, but he came to life again after three days in the grave 7. Wise people around the world had said these things would happen (especially in the Bible)

8. When we die, Jesus will know and judge what we are like. But none of us are good enough for heaven where only love exists 9. But when Jesus died unjustly on the Roman cross, he accepted the punishment for all of us. So when we sadly admit to him that we've done many things wrong, he can forgive us 10. When we ask, God will help us change the way we think(repent), as we admit the things we’ve done wrong 11. He teaches us good and right ways to behave; and He gives us inner strength to love him and each other 12. We become a member of God's family, his church. He will look after us, and we will all be together in heaven with him forever.

Related articles

• What Does the Bible Say About-repentance,the Blood of Jesus,forgiveness & Salvation (lnger.wordpress.com)
• What "Saves" a Christian? (vgiordano.wordpress.com)
• Life's True Value (ninatidwell.wordpress.com)

YOUR MONDAY MORNING DEVOTION!

GETTING HOLD OF GOD 

Twelve Nuggets of Truth!

Part 1

by

Deb Burton

All of us need to know God, for there will always come a time in our lives when we need him, even if it's not until the end! We don't know when that will be, of course. But knowing God also awakens our spirit, releases us from condemnation, and makes our lives really mean something. He can also give us the strength to live a new life, loving him and others as much as ourselves. As simple as this is, it can change our world!

Now for the journey... Check out the Gospel points below, and ask yourself what they make you think and feel, and then pray and ask God to show you what they mean to your life...

1. God made everything, and is everywhere; he is a Spirit
2. God is love. He wants to care for us as his dear children
3. But people wanted their own way, and turned their backs on God. So the Devil has been able to have his way with us all
4. God sent his dear son Jesus to earth, to be born human, and grow up just as we do. He had a plan to be able to help us
5. Jesus showed how he was God by the powerful miracles he did out of love; also by how totally good he was
6. Jesus was unjustly ordered to be killed by jealous people, but he came to life again after three days in the grave

Now, we Christians sometimes say about the Bible: "I know it in my head, but not in my heart". It is a western trait to believe that knowing something is enough... But we need to fully apply the Good News Jesus gave us, to our whole lives, for it to really change us... This is why Christians can be a disappointment to each other, and to those who don't know God for themselves. Check the Gospel points above, and if they don’t feel totally real to you, it will help to ask yourself what they make you think and feel, and then to pray and ask God to show you what they mean to your life, in all its stages.
The reason is that the things we learn in our earliest years from those around us, seem real to us, but may not be the truth as God made it. We may need to reprogram those early stages of thinking.
This needs three steps.

(i) Start at the growth stage you are at, and think about how each Gospel point is important to you right now. Record this in a blank notebook - pictures too if you like.
(ii)Then consider how this makes you feel, then
(iii) ask God to put His ideas in your mind.

Related articles

• Proverbs Chapter 16 (Knowing God and His plans) (prayereverywhere.wordpress.com)
• Palm Sunday Sermon: Fruitfulness (bigcircumstance.com)
• Can these bones live? (part 2) (lifeondoverbeach.wordpress.com)
• Jesus' Second Word From the Cross: Salvation (jesuscarriesme.wordpress.com)
• The Characteristics Of The Holy Spirit. (greatriversofhope.wordpress.com)
• Knowing The Secrets Of God (samuelatgilgal.wordpress.com)
• Knowing God: A review of the audio book by J.I. Packer (diakrinomusings.wordpress.com)

NEW FROM FRAMEWORK PRODUCTIONS - LEGACY!

This is a powerful new video from Framework Productions and what a powerful ministry this is! Run by my sister in Christ SUE THIELKE, Framework is not just about encouraging and promoting a Biblical Worldview, but putting legs to it, by service and outreach. Framework is the real deal and the complete package!

Feel free to share this video to help lift awareness of this growing problem in America - hunger caused by homelessness!

Thank you!

AWESOME NEW WORSHIP FROM NORTHERN IRELAND - LIZ CLARKE'S NEW SONG!!

Here is a great quote from LIZ CLARKE about her new song" This is a song about Northern Ireland. We have just come through many years of trouble and violence and it is ONLY LOVE - the LOVE OF JESUS, that can change and heal our hearts and our land!"

Thank you so much, dear sister in Christ. GOD BLESS YOU!!! May it be so with Northern Ireland as it is with America and elsewhere! This reminds me of the well known verse from 2 Chronicles 7:14 NASB says "My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land".