The answer to life's hardest a question.

People ask all the time why does God allow this to happen?

Remember God is always at work in the lives of His children, working on our behalf, conforming us into the image of Jesus.

The answer to life's hardest question is this ;God will work in you, before He works through you.

We are now at the end of this year , look back reflect and see where the hands of God have been upon you and your family this year, be encouraged in His love and care and meditate upon these verses and seek God in all you do in the New Year.

May you be blessed in 2015.

Philippians 1:6 HCSB

I am sure of this, that He who started a good work  in you  will carry it on to completion  until the day of Christ Jesus.

Philippians 1:29-30 HCSB

For it has been given to you on Christ’s behalf not only to believe  in Him, but also to suffer for Him, having the same struggle that you saw I had and now hear that I have.

Philippians 2:13 HCSB

For it is God who is working in you, enabling you both to desire and to work out His good purpose.

Philippians 3:4-10 HCSB

although I once also had confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he has grounds for confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised the eighth day;  of the nation of Israel,  of the tribe of Benjamin,  a Hebrew born of Hebrews; regarding the law,  a Pharisee; regarding zeal,  persecuting  the church; regarding the righteousness that is in the law,  blameless. But everything that was a gain to me, I have considered to be a loss because of Christ. More than that, I also consider everything to be a loss in view of the surpassing value  of knowing Christ  Jesus my Lord. Because of Him I have suffered the loss of all things and consider them filth, so that I may gain Christ   and be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own from the law,  but one that is through faith in Christ  — the righteousness from God based on faith.   My goal is to know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings,  being conformed to His death,

Philippians 3:12-14 HCSB

Not that I have already reached the goal or am already fully mature, but I make every effort to take hold  of it because I also have been taken hold of by Christ Jesus. Brothers, I do not  consider myself to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind  and reaching forward to what is ahead, I pursue as my goal the prize promised by God’s heavenly  call in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 3:21 HCSB

He will transform the body of our humble condition into the likeness of His glorious  body,  by the power that enables Him to subject everything to Himself.

Philippians 4:4-9, 11-13, 19 HCSB

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your graciousness be known to everyone. The Lord is near.   Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses  every thought, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Finally brothers, whatever is true,  whatever is honorable,  whatever is just,  whatever is pure,  whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable — if there is any moral excellence  and if there is any praise — dwell on these things. Do what you have learned and received  and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you. I don’t say this out of need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know both how to have a little, and I know how to have a lot.  In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content — whether well fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need. I am able to do all things through Him  who strengthens me.   And my God  will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

Rejoice

Christmas is a great time of fellowship with family, anticipating Christmas morning is something the child in each of us that should never go away.

But it can be a time of loneliness and sadness for some, reflecting back over this year so many of our loved ones have passed from this body of death we live in, to an eternity of life everlasting.

Sadness is not for them, but each of us who still are here left with a void.

Let us not dwell on our losses,let us dwell on the moments of grace and goodness that the Lord gave each us together with those who have gone ahead.

Remember to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. And one day we will be reunited with them all in the presence of our Lord.

Now these promises I must tell you are only to those who call upon the name of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, for in Him alone is hope,joy,peace,love and salvation.

1 Corinthians 15:35-58 HCSB

But someone will say, “How are the dead raised? What kind of body will they have when they come? ” Foolish one! What you sow does not come to life unless it dies. And as for what you sow — you are not sowing the future body, but only a seed, perhaps of wheat or another grain.

But God gives it a body as He wants, and to each of the seeds its own body. Not all flesh is the same flesh; there is one flesh for humans, another for animals, another for birds, and another for fish.

There are heavenly bodies and earthly bodies, but the splendor of the heavenly bodies is different from that of the earthly ones. There is a splendor of the sun, another of the moon, and another of the stars; for one star differs from another star in splendor. So it is with the resurrection of the dead: Sown in corruption, raised in incorruption; sown in dishonor, raised in glory; sown in weakness, raised in power; sown a natural body, raised a spiritual body.

If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. So it is written: The first man Adam became a living being; the last Adam became a life-giving Spirit. However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural, then the spiritual. The first man was from the earth and made of dust; the second man is from heaven.

Like the man made of dust, so are those who are made of dust; like the heavenly man, so are those who are heavenly. And just as we have borne the image of the man made of dust, we will also bear the image of the heavenly man. Brothers, I tell you this: Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, and corruption cannot inherit incorruption. Listen! I am telling you a mystery: We will not all fall asleep, but we will all be changed, in a moment, in the blink of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we will be changed. For this corruptible must be clothed with incorruptibility
, and this mortal must be clothed with immortality.

When this corruptible is clothed with incorruptibility, and this mortal is clothed with immortality, then the saying that is written will take place: Death has been swallowed up in victory. Death, where is your victory? Death, where is your sting? Now the sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ! Therefore, my dear brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the Lord’s work, knowing that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

I can only imagine

It is hard to imagine at times a world of peace, we all hope and should pray that day comes soon. But as long as there is sin in this world, chaos, death, destruction, anger, hostility all the enemies of peace will have the upper hand. There is coming a day though when Christ shall return, and when He does hope will be fulfilled, peace will be installed, and love will rule our lives.

Jim Daily from focus on the family recently posted this.

"I want every child to grow up in a home with a mom and a dad, with parents who tuck them into warm beds on cold nights with a kiss, a hug and prayers of assurance.

I want the most innocent and vulnerable among us, pre-born children, to be protected under the rule of law.
I want God’s gift of marriage to be celebrated, not redefined.

I want our nation’s schoolchildren to walk in and out of their classrooms with a spirited and excited spring in their step, not looking over their shoulder or wondering if their school is safe.

I want a world where we celebrate not denigrate our pastors, these brave and courageous individuals who extend God’s love to all people and who preach the Gospel with boldness and courage.

I want to live in a colorblind society, among people who see the character of a person, not the pigment of their skin or their place on the social class ladder.

I want our leaders to respect our religious freedoms and not force us to choose between violating our conscience and following the laws of the land.

I want peace, not war – militarily, politically, physically, socially and emotionally."

Jeremiah 23:5-6 HCSB

“The days are coming”  — this is the Lord ’s declaration — “when I will raise up a Righteous Branch of David. He will reign wisely as king and administer justice and righteousness in the land. In His days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely. This is what He will be named: Yahweh Our Righteousness.

Philippians 2:1-11 HCSB

If then there is any encouragement in Christ, if any consolation of love,  if any fellowship with the Spirit,  if any affection and mercy,   fulfill my joy by thinking the same way,  having the same love,  sharing the same feelings, focusing on one  goal. Do nothing out of rivalry  or conceit,  but in humility  consider others as more important  than yourselves. Everyone should look out not only for his own interests,  but also for the interests of others. Make your own attitude that of Christ Jesus, who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God as something to be used for His own advantage. Instead He emptied Himself by assuming the form of a slave, taking on the likeness of men. And when He had come as a man in His external form, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death — even to death on a cross. For this reason God highly exalted Him and gave Him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow  — of those who are in heaven  and on earth and under the earth  — and every tongue  should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory  of God the Father.

Revelation 21:1-8 HCSB

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth,  for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away,  and the sea no longer existed.   I also saw the Holy City,  new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God,  prepared like a bride adorned for her husband. Then I heard a loud voice  from the throne:   Look! God’s dwelling  is with humanity, and He will live with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will no longer exist; grief, crying, and pain will exist no longer, because the previous things  have passed away. Then the One seated on the throne said, “Look! I am making everything new.” He also said, “Write, because these words  are faithful and true.”   And He said to me, “It is done!  I am the Alpha and the Omega,  the Beginning and the End.  I will give water as a gift to the thirsty  from the spring of life.   The victor  will inherit these things, and I will be his God, and he will be My son.   But the cowards, unbelievers,  vile, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars  — their share will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur,  which is the second death.”

Even so come quickly Lord Jesus, Merry Christmas, may there be peace on earth and goodwill towards all men.

A year of Jubilee

The year our Lord Jesus Christ was born was a year of Jubilee, the year of Jubilee is quite special in Jewish heritage.

"The Jubilee year is the completion of the sabbatical years. Every 7 years God commanded Israel to take an entire Sabbath year. A full year of rest. Enjoy His presence. But every 7th cycle of 7 years (so every 49 years) Israel threw an incredible party that entailed a few things like large scale debt getting cancelled, slaves would be set free, and God’s presence would be particularly manifest in the year of Jubilee. And during Jubilee they were commanded to celebrate, party, sign, dance, and shout". ( from Jefferson Bethke )

When you read the genealogy of Matthew 1 you can see the importance of the list of names because it is pointing to the celebration of Jubilee that we still celebrate today. Every word, every name is written in the word of God for a reason, not by chance, not random thought's, but for a reason. We might not understand them at first, but with guidance from the Holy Spirit, and a little research you can see the wonder of God's word.

Christ came in the year of Jubilee to cancel our spiritual debts. All who where slaves to sin are set free through Him. All who still are slaves to sin can only be set free through Him. This is one of the reasons we celebrate the work God has done, and is doing through the birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. When Christ came He brought with Him an entire way of living, loving, and knowing God.

This Christmas season celebrate the year of jubilee, if your free today from the chains of sin in you're life thank Jesus Christ, and if you're not then seek Him out today, and He will reveal the truths,the scriptures tell us to seek and you will find.

Matthew 1:1-25 HCSB

The  historical record   of Jesus Christ, the Son of David,  the Son of Abraham: Abraham fathered  Isaac, Isaac fathered Jacob, Jacob fathered Judah and his brothers, Judah fathered Perez and Zerah by Tamar, Perez fathered Hezron, Hezron fathered Aram, Aram fathered Amminadab, Amminadab fathered Nahshon, Nahshon fathered Salmon, Salmon fathered Boaz by Rahab, Boaz fathered Obed by Ruth, Obed fathered Jesse, and Jesse fathered King David. Then  David fathered Solomon by Uriah’s wife, Solomon fathered Rehoboam, Rehoboam fathered Abijah, Abijah fathered Asa, Asa  fathered Jehoshaphat, Jehoshaphat fathered Joram, Joram fathered Uzziah, Uzziah fathered Jotham, Jotham fathered Ahaz, Ahaz fathered Hezekiah, Hezekiah fathered Manasseh, Manasseh fathered Amon, Amon fathered Josiah, and Josiah fathered Jechoniah and his brothers at the time of the exile to Babylon. Then after the exile to Babylon Jechoniah fathered Shealtiel, Shealtiel fathered Zerubbabel, Zerubbabel fathered Abiud, Abiud fathered Eliakim, Eliakim fathered Azor, Azor fathered Zadok, Zadok fathered Achim, Achim fathered Eliud, Eliud fathered Eleazar, Eleazar fathered Matthan, Matthan fathered Jacob, and Jacob fathered Joseph the husband of Mary, who gave birth to  Jesus who is called the Messiah. So all the generations from Abraham to David were 14 generations; and from David until the exile to Babylon, 14 generations; and from the exile to Babylon until the Messiah, 14 generations. The birth of Jesus Christ came about this way: After His mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, it was discovered before they came together that she was pregnant by the Holy Spirit.   So her husband Joseph, being a righteous man,  and not wanting to disgrace her publicly, decided to divorce her secretly. But after he had considered these things, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, don’t be afraid to take Mary as your wife, because what has been conceived in her is by the Holy Spirit.   She will give birth to a son, and you are to name Him Jesus,   because He will save His people from their sins.” Now all this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet: See, the virgin will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and they will name Him Immanuel, which is translated “God is with us.” When Joseph got up from sleeping, he did as the Lord’s angel had commanded him. He married her   but did not know her intimately until she gave birth to a son.  And he named Him Jesus.

John 8:34:36 Jesus answered them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. "And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. "Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.

The perfect Gift.

When the magi came we see that they followed the star, the Bible says it was Christ star, the Heavens announced the birth of the King, and the astronomers new this. Then they come to Jesus and notice they find Him on Mary's lap probably between 6 months and 2 years, we know this only because of the wickedness of Herod later in Matthew. But notice they're worship Him alone, not Mary, not Joseph, while they play a part in history, they are vessels not idols to he worshipped.

Then the gifts, three gifts many magi, each of great significance.

Gold a precious metal and a very valuable commodity. Its value financed Joseph and Mary’s trip to Egypt. Gold represents divinity and is mentioned throughout the Bible, the Ark of the Covenant was overlaid with gold (Exodus 25:10-17). The gift of gold to the Christ child was symbolic of His divinity—God in flesh.

Frankincense is a white resin or gum. It is highly fragrant when burned and was therefore used in worship, where it was burned as a pleasant offering to God (Exodus 30:34). Frankincense is a symbol of holiness and righteousness. The gift of frankincense to the Christ child was symbolic of His willingness to become a sacrifice, wholly giving Himself up, analogous to a burnt offering.

Myrrh was a spice and was used in embalming. It was also sometimes mingled with wine to form an article of drink. Such a drink was given to our Savior when He was about to be crucified, as a stupefying potion (Mark 15:23). Matthew 27:34 refers to it as “gall.” Myrrh symbolizes bitterness, suffering, and affliction. The baby Jesus would grow to suffer greatly as a man and would pay the ultimate price when He gave His life on the cross for all who would believe in Him.

Each gift had a meaning, but the greatest gift of all is Jesus Christ, God the Father's wonderful, gracious,perfect gift of love.

I wonder do you know Him?

Matthew 2:1-4, 9-12 HCSB

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of King Herod, wise men from the east arrived unexpectedly in Jerusalem,   saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews?  For we saw His star in the east   and have come to worship Him.” When King Herod heard this, he was deeply disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. So he assembled all the chief priests and scribes  of the people and asked them where the Messiah would be born. After hearing the king, they went on their way. And there it was — the star they had seen in the east!  It led them until it came and stopped above the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed beyond measure. Entering the house, they saw the child with Mary His mother, and falling to their knees, they worshiped Him.  Then they opened their treasures and presented Him with gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.   And being warned  in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their own country by another route.

Luke 2:8-14 HCSB

In the same region, shepherds were staying out in the fields and keeping watch at night over their flock. Then an angel of the Lord  stood before  them,  and the glory of the Lord  shone around them, and they were terrified.   But the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid,  for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people:   Today a Savior,  who is Messiah  the Lord,  was born for you in the city of David. This will be the sign for you:  You will find a baby wrapped snugly in cloth and lying in a feeding trough.” Suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying: Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth  to people He favors!

Free Gifts

We should treasure life. Our own, and others. The second commodity should be time, time with God, time with family,time with friends. Life and time are both free gifts from God to all mankind.

If we valued other lives and time then life would be precious, but instead we glorify abortion at the expense of 56 million babies just in our nation, then factor in abortions worldwide,euthanasia, murder, ruthless world leaders,ruthless religious groups, we see the numbers skyrocket to the billion plus in world history that have lost their lives here.

Life and time is next are not valued. People of all ages are forgotten, look at the loneliness of people, in our families,our neighborhood,our community, those who live alone, in nursing homes, in the hospitals,orphans, or on the streets ,then go out and multiply that by the 7 billion people in the world.

You don't have to go far see people that have been forgotten by us all, because we are wrapped up into our lives and have no time we wish to share.

Christmas is a time that we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, when God sent Him to us, to redeem our lives, He split time so we could have an eternity with Him. We have forgotten this, Christ came humbly to earth for us, not for us to forget about others but that through us, others would see His love. This Christmas stop being busy in the things that do not matter, people will stand in line 2 days to buy a tv, but won't walk across the street and hang out with neighbors and share God's love. In the grand scheme of eternity, let us be busy sharing the love of God, the truth of His word by taking time out of our days and sharing the gift of eternal life with others while God is giving us the time to do so.

Psalms 39:4-7 HCSB

“ Lord , reveal to me the end of my life and the number of my days. Let me know how short-lived I am. You, indeed, have made my days short in length, and my life span as nothing in Your sight. Yes, every mortal man is only a vapor. Selah “Certainly, man walks about like a mere shadow. Indeed, they frantically rush around in vain, gathering possessions without knowing who will get them. Now, Lord, what do I wait for? My hope is in You.

The discipline of Prayer.

We God's people have forgotten the call to prayer, prayer that is fervent, prayer that is endless, prayer that teaches us our dependence on God.

We believe the ancient logic that God feeds on our prayers, no God does not feed on our prayer to strengthen Him, He uses our prayers to speak to us, to teach us, to love us, to strengthen us He Himself intercedes for us.

Oh don't you see we need Him, today start praying by listening to God, pick up His word, ask for Him to start a fire in you, to speak to you, to teach you to hear you, if we understood prayers power, we would never do anything but pray and worship God. God heals the lame, causes the blind to see, wakes the dead, and reveals His way when we seek Him and pray.

Prayer is the lifeline we dangle on daily between walking and crawling in prayer God reveals Himself to His humble child.

1 Chronicles 16:11
Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always.

2 Chronicles 7:14-15
If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place.

Psalm 4:1
Answer me when I call to you, O my righteous God. Give me relief from my distress; be merciful to me and hear my prayer.

Psalm 5:3
My voice You shall hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning I will direct my prayer to You, and I will look up.

Psalm 17:1
Hear, O LORD, my righteous plea; listen to my cry. Give ear to my prayer--it does not rise from deceitful lips.

Psalm 25:1
To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul;

Psalm 37:7
Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him.

Psalm 50:15
Call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me."

Psalm 55:17
Evening and morning, and at noon, I will pray and cry aloud; and He shall hear my voice.

Psalm 65:1-2
Praise awaits you, our God, in Zion; to you our vows will be fulfilled. You who answer prayer, to you all people will come.

Psalms 145:18
The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.

Proverbs 15:8
The LORD detests the sacrifice of the wicked, but the prayer of the upright pleases him.

Proverbs 15:29
The LORD is far from the wicked but he hears the prayer of the righteous.

Isaiah 55:6
Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near.

Matt 5:43-44
You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven.

Matthew 6:5-12
And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. "This, then, is how you should pray: "'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.

Matthew 7:7-8
Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.

Matthew 7:11
If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask Him!

Mark 9:28-29
After Jesus had gone indoors, his disciples asked him privately, "Why couldn't we drive it out?" He replied, "This kind can come out only by prayer."

Mark 11:17
And as he taught them, he said, "Is it not written: " 'My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations'

Mark 11:22-25
"'Have faith in God,' Jesus answered. 'I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, "Go, throw yourself into the sea," and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins'"

Luke 6:12
One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God.

Luke 11:1-13
One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples." He said to them, "When you pray, say: "'Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation.'" Then he said to them, "Suppose one of you has a friend, and he goes to him at midnight and says, 'Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, because a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have nothing to set before him.' "Then the one inside answers, 'Don't bother me. The door is already locked, and my children are with me in bed. I can't get up and give you anything.' I tell you, though he will not get up and give him the bread because he is his friend, yet because of the man's boldness he will get up and give him as much as he needs. "So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. "Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"

Luke 18:1-10
Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. He said: "In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared about men. And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, 'Grant me justice against my adversary.' "For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, 'Even though I don't fear God or care about men, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won't eventually wear me out with her coming!' " And the Lord said, "Listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?"

John 14:13-14
I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it

Romans 8:26
In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.

1 Corinthians 14:15
So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my mind

Ephesians 6:18-19
And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel,

Phillipians 4:6
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

Colossions 4:2
Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

1 Timothy 2:1-4
I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.

1 Timothy 2:8
I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing.

Hebrews 4:16
Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

James 1:7
But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord;

James 4:3
When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.

James 5:13-16
Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise. Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.

1 Peter 3:7
Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.

To God be the glory both now and forever.

Protesting against God

When Jesus walked the earth He was harder on the religious establishment than any others, some may ask why? The answer is simple the Pharisees and Scribes were self righteous believing that what they did was in service to God, but being deceived by their own desires.

Jesus spent time with those who were lost, not full of themselves. Look when Jesus called Matthew who was known as Levi. Luke 5:29-32
Then Levi gave Him a great feast in his own house. And there were a great number of tax collectors and others who sat down with them. And their scribes and the Pharisees complained against His disciples, saying, “Why do You eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” Jesus answered and said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.  I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.”

To those who think themselves righteous the word of God is clear, Romans 12:3, 9-21 For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of  himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion. Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. Therefore “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

The folly of fools is that they believe themselves to be sinless, none of us are there, we are not better than others, just forgiven by God's grace, and if we do things without love, then we act on our accord, we are to hate what is evil, sin is evil, not just one sin all sin. Let us examine ourselves and compare us to the scriptures.

I Corinthians 6:8-11 No, you yourselves do wrong and cheat, and you  do these things to  your brethren! Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.

To many make their idea of god into the one they serve, either we serve God the creator  or the enemy, it doesn't work the other way. Let love be without hypocrisy, means we confront sin by exposing it for what it is, the world is lost in their sin, they do not know the ways of our Lord we pray, we encourage, we help, we share God's love to them. The scriptures tell us not to accept sin amongst the body, unbelievers are not part of the body, do you get that?

I Corinthians 13:1-8, 13 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the  gift  of  prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the  poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing. Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. But whether there  are prophecies, they will fail; whether there  are tongues, they will cease; whether there  is knowledge, it will vanish away. And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

I John 1:5-10 This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.

I John 2:3-6, 9-11, 15-19, 24, 28-29 Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked. He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now. He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him. But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes. Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever. Little children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come, by which we know that it is the last hour. They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us; but they  went  out  that they might be made manifest, that none of them were of us. Therefore let that abide in you which you heard from the beginning. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, you also will abide in the Son and in the Father. And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming. If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone who practices righteousness is born of Him.

I John 3:7-8, 10-20 Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous. He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is he who does not love his brother. For this is the message that you heard from the beginning, that we should love one another, not as Cain who was of the wicked one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his works were evil and his brother’s righteous. Do not marvel, my brethren, if the world hates you. We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death. Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him. By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. And by this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him. For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things.

I John 4:7-11, 17-21 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to  be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. We love Him because He first loved us. If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also.

The vanity of life

Have you ever thought about the year were born, the place you were born,the family you were born into, the life that you have been given, the talents you have, the gifts you have?

In any of the things mentioned above did you make any of the choices above? Or has God ordained each of these moments on your life?

Most of the time we never take time to think about these things,we just accept that this is how life works, even God's children never take time to dwell on what we are,where we are and who we are.

When God created us, placed us, and formatted our lives it was and is for a purpose, there are no coincidences, nothing is left to fate , or karma. Each detail of our lives is ordained by God, now I am not saying we are mindless creatures , we make choices along the way that God does not want us to make, and we deal with the consequences of those choices.

Free will comes into play once we become a child of God, until then we unwillingly serve sin.

But things in our lives  happen as God molds us into the men and women He created us to be, if we with child like faith would trust Him with all areas of our lives, our lives would be in harmony with His plan.

Today you and I are given another opportunity to slow down, reflect, meditate on God's word, and see the hands of God at work in our lives. So submit, surrender and start living today as He has planned.

Proverbs 23:26 HCSB

My son, give me your heart, and let your eyes observe my ways.

ECC 3:1-8 HCSB

There is an occasion for everything, and a time for every activity under heaven: a time to give birth and a time to die; a time to plant and a time to uproot; a time to kill and a time to heal; a time to tear down and a time to build; a time to weep and a time to laugh; a time to mourn and a time to dance; a time to throw stones and a time to gather stones; a time to embrace and a time to avoid embracing; a time to search and a time to count as lost; a time to keep and a time to throw away; a time to tear and a time to sew; a time to be silent and a time to speak; a time to love and a time to hate; a time for war and a time for peace.

Psalms 25:1, 4-5, 10 HCSB

Lord ,  I turn to You.   Make Your ways known to me, Lord ; teach me Your paths. Guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; I wait for You all day long. All the Lord ’s ways show faithful love and truth to those who keep His covenant and decrees.

Jeremiah 29:11-13 HCSB

For I know the plans I have for you”  — this is the Lord ’s declaration — “plans for your welfare, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. You will call to Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.   You will seek Me  and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.

Romans 8:28-32 HCSB

We know that all things work together  for the good  of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose.   For those He foreknew He also predestined  to be conformed to the image of His Son,  so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers.   And those He predestined, He also called; and those He called, He also justified;  and those He justified, He also glorified. What then are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He did not even spare His own Son but offered Him up for us all; how will He not also with Him grant us everything?

Black Friday

God showed His love for us on a #blackfriday over 2000 years ago, the Bible says that while we're yet sinners Christ died for us, for God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosever believes in Him shall not die, but have everlasting life.

That is God's love for us, He gave of Himself all He is, He gave us Love through Jesus Christ , a love we do not deserve, a love most do not understand even if they receive Him, and sadly a love some reject  and condemn themselves.

Let us come together and celebrate love this Christmas season for Love has come from God our Father through Christ His Son, and let us live as He has simply said in His is Holy Word.

1 Corinthians 13:4-8 HCSB

Love is patient,  love is kind. Love does not envy, is not boastful, is not conceited, does not act improperly, is not selfish,  is not provoked, and does not keep a record of wrongs. Love finds no joy in unrighteousness but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures  all things. Love never ends. But as for prophecies, they will come to an end; as for languages, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will come to an end.

Worship the King

When Jesus Christ was born angelic host filled the sky, they appeared to the shepherds who were watching their flock.

The shepherds were in awe of the angels and they went to where the angels told them Jesus lay, and they were more  in awe of God giving us His Son and Him being born into this world, and they worshipped him.

We have lost this awe why don't we worship the King Jesus as the shepherds did the night he was born ? Do we need signs and wonders or can we just look back at all that God has done for us through Jesus Christ His Son.

God gave us His all, we have lost our love of God ,we no longer worship Him but we worship what He's created.

God forgive us,  as Christmas season starts let us focus on Jesus Christ the Son ,God's gift to mankind who brought us  salvation.  He brought us hope He brought us peace He brought us love without Jesus Christ we would be lost: lost to an eternity of darkness oh people of the world my plea is turn to Him today. Stop looking for signs and wonders for they are happening before your very eyes. I pray we worship Him not as a baby but as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

LUK 2:4-20 HCSB

And Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth  in Galilee, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem,  because he was of the house and family line of David,   to be registered along with Mary, who was engaged to him  and was pregnant. While they were there, the time came for her to give birth. Then she gave birth to her firstborn Son, and she wrapped Him snugly in cloth and laid Him in a feeding trough — because there was no room for them at the lodging place. In the same region, shepherds were staying out in the fields and keeping watch at night over their flock. Then an angel of the Lord  stood before  them,  and the glory of the Lord  shone around them, and they were terrified.   But the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid,  for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people:   Today a Savior,  who is Messiah  the Lord,  was born for you in the city of David. This will be the sign for you:  You will find a baby wrapped snugly in cloth and lying in a feeding trough.” Suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying: Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth  to people He favors!    When the angels had left them and returned to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go straight to Bethlehem and see what has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” They hurried off and found both Mary and Joseph, and the baby who was lying in the feeding trough. After seeing them, they reported the message they were told about this child, and all who heard it were amazed  at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary was treasuring up all these things  in her heart  and meditating on them. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God  for all they had seen and heard, just as they had been told.