As a pastor, but mostly as a believer, I can say with all of my heart that I hate Sin and the devil. It pains me to see Sin and the devil destroying holy marriages, precious families, and individual lives.
Lust is especially an ugly thing. Lust is self-centeredness clearly exposed. I have heard it said that "Lust is the rawest form of selfishness." It's true. Lust is the Unholy Heartbeat of Sin. Lust allows the devil to take over the controls of our lives and to lead our eternal souls to Sin's destination -- eternal devastation. Lust will leave us lifeless.
My Dad has told me many times this truth about sin:
Sin will take you further than you ever wanted to go.
Make you pay more than you ever wanted to pay.
Keep you longer than you ever wanted to stay.
I plead with everyone reading this blog today: Please choose love over lust, life over death, Heaven over Hell and The Life-giving LORD over the life-stealing devil. I plead with you to minimize future regrets later on in your life by allowing The Blood of Jesus to cleanse you of all sin, now. Please.
John 10:10 (GWT) -- "A thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy, But I came so that my sheep will have life and so they will have everything they need." -- Jesus
Grateful
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
Monday, June 17, 2013
Monday Morning Encouragement
It's Monday morning. I have a busy few weeks staring me in the face and eyes. A friend texted me to say "The Lord reminded me to lift you up in prayer this morning". What an encouragement. My reply back to him was vulnerable and true:
"And I am grateful that the Lord reminded you to lift me up in prayer this morning. Monday mornings I always need Resurrection power." (Emphasis on always intended.)
In my devotional moments, I read these words posted by World Mission Broadcast and attributed to Paul Washer:
"Our God delights in creating out of nothing, raising the dead, and strengthening the weak. Be encouraged!"
So my prayer now is, "Lord, help me to be encouraged especially on Monday mornings, beginning today. In Jesus' name. Amen."
Grateful
"And I am grateful that the Lord reminded you to lift me up in prayer this morning. Monday mornings I always need Resurrection power." (Emphasis on always intended.)
In my devotional moments, I read these words posted by World Mission Broadcast and attributed to Paul Washer:
"Our God delights in creating out of nothing, raising the dead, and strengthening the weak. Be encouraged!"
So my prayer now is, "Lord, help me to be encouraged especially on Monday mornings, beginning today. In Jesus' name. Amen."
Grateful
Sunday, June 16, 2013
Happy Abba's Day!
Galatians 4:6 says, "Our hearts cry out, 'Abba Father'".
Why do you suppose our hearts cry out "Abba Father?"
I'd say, it's the cry of our hearts because we know that "ABBA IS ABLE" to help us, regardless of the challenges we might face.
Happy Abba's Day! Happy Father's Day, indeed!
Grateful.
Why do you suppose our hearts cry out "Abba Father?"
I'd say, it's the cry of our hearts because we know that "ABBA IS ABLE" to help us, regardless of the challenges we might face.
Happy Abba's Day! Happy Father's Day, indeed!
Grateful.
Saturday, June 15, 2013
"Joy for My Spirit"
A precious soul who read my blog post yesterday responded with these tender and touching words:
Your blog this morning was perfect for me. I have had a "tear-stained" week but He definitely gave me the "strength to endure," "joy through my sorrow," and my tears have turned "sweet."
My problem has not fled, but He has been with me all week. Through the tears, He has shown me how lonely this journey can be, but I will always have one faithful friend - Jesus.
Thank you for posting & thank Gene for sending. It was joy for my spirit. If I may, I would like to copy this into my prayer journal as a "conclusion" for this week?
Blessings.
Anonymous
(Permission was granted for me to post this response anonymously. And of course permission was granted for the post to be copied into the responder's prayer journal. :-)
Grateful
Your blog this morning was perfect for me. I have had a "tear-stained" week but He definitely gave me the "strength to endure," "joy through my sorrow," and my tears have turned "sweet."
My problem has not fled, but He has been with me all week. Through the tears, He has shown me how lonely this journey can be, but I will always have one faithful friend - Jesus.
Thank you for posting & thank Gene for sending. It was joy for my spirit. If I may, I would like to copy this into my prayer journal as a "conclusion" for this week?
Blessings.
Anonymous
(Permission was granted for me to post this response anonymously. And of course permission was granted for the post to be copied into the responder's prayer journal. :-)
Grateful
Friday, June 14, 2013
Bitter Tears Turn Sweet
After reading my post yesterday, my friend Gene wrote this reply. I asked if I could use it? He kindly agreed:
"Lay your tear-stained cheeks
at Christ blood-stained feet.
He may not dry your eyes
or make your problems flee.
He will, however,
give you strength to endure,
and joy through your sorrow
as the bitterness of your tears
...turn sweet."
-- Gene Stainback
Grateful
Thursday, June 13, 2013
Note to Self
Dearest Most Precious Child of Almighty Abba Father:
Do not be afraid. Do not be dismayed.
Never forget that your Abba Father always hears your cries, and He cares for you. He comes running towards you even now with complete compassion to really rescue you from all your fears.
He has established His dwelling place within your existence. His Love is finding perfection in your never-dying soul.
The Holy Spirit of the Living God, yes the same Holy Spirit of Truth promised by Jesus is here now to Live in You as you live also in Him.
Fear not. Be Glad. Your Hope is in The Lord.
And always be...
... Grateful
Do not be afraid. Do not be dismayed.
Never forget that your Abba Father always hears your cries, and He cares for you. He comes running towards you even now with complete compassion to really rescue you from all your fears.
He has established His dwelling place within your existence. His Love is finding perfection in your never-dying soul.
The Holy Spirit of the Living God, yes the same Holy Spirit of Truth promised by Jesus is here now to Live in You as you live also in Him.
Fear not. Be Glad. Your Hope is in The Lord.
And always be...
... Grateful
Wednesday, June 12, 2013
Prayer Over a Friend
I prayed this prayer over a friend this morning. Please allow me now to pray it over you, too:
"Lord, help my friend to remain focused on You as his/her Helper and Comforter in the struggles he/she is straining at. Give him/her permission to pull the oars in the boat and trust the whispering winds of Your trustworthy Holy Spirit to direct his/her journey totally. Most of all remind him/her often of Your Love, Yes Your amazing Love towards him/her. God be in his/her head. Keep the enemy far away from him/her and his/her family. In Jesus' name. Amen and Amen."
Grateful
"Lord, help my friend to remain focused on You as his/her Helper and Comforter in the struggles he/she is straining at. Give him/her permission to pull the oars in the boat and trust the whispering winds of Your trustworthy Holy Spirit to direct his/her journey totally. Most of all remind him/her often of Your Love, Yes Your amazing Love towards him/her. God be in his/her head. Keep the enemy far away from him/her and his/her family. In Jesus' name. Amen and Amen."
Grateful
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