Self sufficient or fully dependent

One of our many faults is that we believe we are self sufficient, that we don’t need to rely on others or God.

I have heard the quote a thousand times,” God helps those who help themselves “ this is not spoken in scripture anywhere.

God word says this: “In fact, when we were with you, this is what we commanded you: “If anyone isn’t willing to work, he should not eat.”

2 Thessalonians 3:10 CSB

So if God has given you the ability to work then you should be working,  and providing for your family. 

This is not the point though, God helps those who come to the end of themselves and realize their dependence on Him, not just for small things or the big things in life, but in ALL things.

We must tear down the idol of self sufficiency, of isolation and come to the altar and offer all of ourselves as living sacrifices to God the Father, surrender our stubborn pride and realize our total dependence on God.

If we take the time to listen too what God says instead of rushing through our day we would hear Him and see His mighty works of grace and supplication in our lives.

Look at how Jesus taught us to pray, the entire prayer shows us our total dependence on God, not one word in this prayer shows us or tells us we can do anything without God’s help. 

“Therefore, you should pray like this: Our Father in heaven, your name be honored as holy. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And do not bring us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.”

Matthew 6:9-13 CSB

Let’s not just say the words and go through the motions, let’s live as God has instructed us, as our creator and Father, He has our lives in His hands.

A thin line

There is a thin yellow line that separates us from life and death.

Have you ever thought about the dividing line on the road, the line between life and death? That death is so close to you and the one you just passed, an ill timed swerve, loss of control, or someone not paying attention they or you cross the yellow line and, bam it's over.

Life is like that we don't know what waits for us around the bend, there are many paths that we can take but there is only one path that leads to an abundant eternal life with God, that is through Jesus Christ.

The Bible tells there is a time to be born the time to die. And just like you did not choose your day to be born you will not choose the day you die.

We drive near that thin everyday, between us and eternity is nothing more than our next breath, we are all sinners but Christians have sought God forgiveness of sins through salvation by the blood of Jesus Christ.

If today your life crossed the line where would you spend eternity only those who put their faith in Jesus Christ will be with God in heaven.

Proverbs 14:8-12 HCSB

The sensible man’s wisdom is to consider his way, but the stupidity of fools deceives them. Fools mock at making restitution, but there is goodwill among the upright. The heart knows its own bitterness, and no outsider shares in its joy. The house of the wicked will be destroyed, but the tent of the upright will stand.   There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.

John 3:16-18 HCSB

“For God loved  the world in this way:  He gave His One and Only  Son,  so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.    For God did not send His Son into the world that He might condemn  the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. Anyone who believes in Him is not condemned, but anyone who does not believe is already condemned,  because he has not believed in the name  of the One and Only Son  of God.

John 14:6-7, 10 HCSB

Jesus told him, “I am  the way,  the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. “If you know Me, you will also know    My Father.  From now on you do know Him  and have seen Him.” Don’t you believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me?  The words I speak to you I do not speak on My own.  The Father who lives in Me does His works.

Freedom

For freedom Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not be subject again to the yoke of slavery.
Gal 5:1


Freedom, man longs for it everywhere, people die for what they believe freedom is. But outside of Christ there can be no freedom for freedom is a gift from God.


The chains of religion invoke mankind to slavery so they may earn something they can not, salvation , if your religion demands or suggest that you must work for or work to keep what God alone gives freely, you have become a slave and are deceived. 


1 But false prophets arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. These false teachers will infiltrate your midst with destructive heresies, even to the point of denying the Master who bought them. As a result, they will bring swift destruction on themselves. 2 And many will follow their debauched lifestyles. Because of these false teachers, the way of truth will be slandered. 3 And in their greed they will exploit you with deceptive words. Their condemnation pronounced long ago is not sitting idly by; their destruction is not asleep. 4 For if God did not spare the angels who sinned, but threw them into hell and locked them up in chains in utter darkness, to be kept until the judgment, 5 and if he did not spare the ancient world, but did protect Noah, a herald of righteousness, along with seven others, when God brought a flood on an ungodly world, 6 and if he turned to ashes the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah when he condemned them to destruction, having appointed them to serve as an example to future generations of the ungodly, 7 and if he rescued Lot, a righteous man in anguish over the debauched lifestyle of lawless men, 8 (for while he lived among them day after day, that righteous man was tormented in his righteous soul by the lawless deeds he saw and heard) 9 - if so, then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from their trials, and to reserve the unrighteous for punishment at the day of judgment, 10 especially those who indulge their fleshly desires and who despise authority.Brazen and insolent, they are not afraid to insult the glorious ones, 11 yet even angels, who are much more powerful, do not bring a slanderous judgment against them before the Lord. 12 But these men, like irrational animals - creatures of instinct, born to be caught and destroyed - do not understand whom they are insulting, and consequently in their destruction they will be destroyed, 13 suffering harm as the wages for their harmful ways. By considering it a pleasure to carouse in broad daylight, they are stains and blemishes, indulging in their deceitful pleasures when they feast together with you. 14 Their eyes, full of adultery, never stop sinning; they entice unstable people. They have trained their hearts for greed, these cursed children! 15 By forsaking the right path they have gone astray, because they followed the way of Balaam son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness, 16 yet was rebuked for his own transgression (a dumb donkey, speaking with a human voice, restrained the prophet's madness). 17 These men are waterless springs and mists driven by a storm, for whom the utter depths of darkness have been reserved. 18 For by speaking high-sounding but empty words they are able to entice, with fleshly desires and with debauchery, people who have just escaped from those who reside in error. 19 Although these false teachers promise such people freedom, they themselves are enslaved to immorality. For whatever a person succumbs to, to that he is enslaved.
2 Pet 2:1-19


4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of his great love with which he loved us, 5 even though we were dead in transgressions, made us alive together with Christ - by grace you are saved! - 6 and he raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 to demonstrate in the coming ages the surpassing wealth of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you are saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 it is not from works, so that no one can boast.
Eph 2:4-9


Are you tired of being enslaved to sin? Being held captive by death? Then call upon the name of Jesus Christ and be saved, for salvation and freedom come by no other name they are found in Christ alone.

The life we live

One of the greatest hindrances to the peace of God for Christians is learning to walk according to the word of God, we are to walk in the Spirit and not the flesh. Most never understand what this means, we have a habit of dividing our lives into two areas, the spirit and the flesh and try to live in both.

These two areas were created to exist apart from each other they are morally and spiritually incompatible.

Romans8:1-11 NKJV - [1] There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. [2] For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. [3] For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, [4] that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. [5] For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. [6] For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. [7] Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. [8] So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God. [9] But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His. [10] And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. [11] But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.

We are told to walk by the spirit, not the flesh we are easily persuaded by life to go back and forth from one to the other and we live a divided instead of a victorious life. We try live in two worlds, the spiritual and the natural. We are not immune to the things of the world, such as the ills of life , we do live among men but we are not to let them influence our lives.

1st John 2:15 HCSB Do not love the world or the things that belong to the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in him.16 For everything that belongs to the world — the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes,and the pride in one’s lifestyle — is not from the Father, but is from the world.17 And the world with its lust is passing away, but the one who does God’s will remains forever.

In direct contrast is the way we are to live by the Spirit. Here we have peace with God, and the peace of God, we learn the ways of God and how to live among men and be the salt and light we are called to be by enjoying an intimate fellowship with Christ. When we are walking by the Spirit , our lives are an aroma and are pleasing to God. We pray, read our Bibles, are faithful in our church attendance, we bring our praise and worship with us wherever we go, I love walking in the Spirit, but it is something I do not do 100% of the time.

While living here there are things we do like eat, sleep, work, pay bills, and just try to make that seem mundane and uninteresting, how do I make my life a living sacrifice to God, while I am doing these meaningless task?

God's word says a lot about how we are to live,

Romans 12:1 HCSB Therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your spiritual worship. 2Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.

1st Corinthians 15:33 HCSB Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good morals.”34 Come to your senses and stop sinning, for some people are ignorant about God. I say this to your shame...50 Brothers, I tell you this: Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, and corruption cannot inherit incorruption. 51 Listen! I am telling you a mystery: We will not all fall asleep,but we will all be changed, 52 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.53 For this corruptible must be clothed with incorruptibility, and this mortal must be clothed with immortality. 54 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. 55 Death, where is your victory? Death, where is your sting? 56 Now the sting of death is sin,and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!58 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.

The dilemma we have is false the devil has easily swayed us into believing that we have to live and compromise our faith in this world, we don't when you look at the life of Jesus Christ, we see that all He did to live He did as a man, not as God and all though He was fully God, He was also fully man, He overcame temptations, and life as a man to give us the example of a Spirit filled life.

Philippians 2:5 HCSB Make your own attitude that of Christ Jesus, 6 who, existing in the form of God,did not consider equality with God as something to be used for His own advantage.7 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,8 He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death —even to death on a cross.

Jesus Christ is our perfect example, He did not live a divided life. From His birth to His death on the cross, the life of Jesus was a total offering to God the Father, the first words recorded that Jesus spoke are these found in

Luke 2 :41 HCSB Every year His parents traveled to Jerusalem for the Passover Festival. 42 When He was 12 years old, they went up according to the custom of the festival. 43 After those days were over, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but His parents did not know it.44 Assuming He was in the traveling party, they went a day’s journey. Then they began looking for Him among their relatives and friends. 45 When they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem to search for Him. 46 After three days, they found Him in the temple complex sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47 And all those who heard Him were astounded at His understanding and His answers. 48 When His parents saw Him, they were astonished, and His mother said to Him, “Son, why have You treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for You.” 49“Why were you searching for Me? ”He asked them. “Didn’t you know that I had to be in My Father’s house? ” 50 But they did not understand what He said to them.

Jesus was in His Fathers house teaching, He was always going about doing the Father's business, and He made it a point to live that way, we can do this to.

JOHN 3:5 HCSB Jesus answered, “I assure you: Unless someone is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.6 Whatever is born of the flesh is flesh, and whatever is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not be amazed that I told you that you must be born again. 8 The wind blows where it pleases, and you hear its sound, but you don’t know where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” 

When we became born again, our flesh was crucified and we are born again into the Spirit of God, now we must learn to walk by the Spirit, it really is not as hard as it sounds, it takes a simple act of surrender daily.

Galatians 5 16-25 NKJV - [16] I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. [17] For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. [18] But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. [19] Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, [20] idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, [21] envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. [22] But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, [23] gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. [24] And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. [25] If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

1st Corinthians 6:9 HCSB Don’t you know that the unrighteous will not inherit God’s kingdom? Do not be deceived: No sexually immoral people, idolaters,adulterers, or anyone practicing homosexuality, 10 no thieves,greedy people, drunkards, verbally abusive people, or swindlers will inherit God’s kingdom. 11And some of you used to be like this. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

Life is about choices, we can chose to walk in the Spirit by living according to the word of God, or we chose to walk in the way of the world our flesh by going about doing things our way, but make no mistake we can not live both ways. We can do this by living with an aggressive faith. Not a passive faith.

Colossians 3:1 HCSB So if you have been raised with the Messiah, seek what is above, where the Messiah is, seated at the right hand of God.2 Set your minds on what is above, not on what is on the earth. 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with the Messiah in God. 4When the Messiah, who is your life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory. 5Therefore, put to death what belongs to your worldly nature:sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desire, and greed, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these, God’s wrath comes on the disobedient, 7and you once walked in these things when you were living in them. 8 But now you must also put away all the following: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and filthy language from your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self. You are being renewed in knowledge according to the image of your Creator. 11 In Christ there is not Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian,slave and free; but Christ is all and in all.12 Therefore, God’s chosen ones, holy and loved, put on heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, 13 accepting one another and forgiving one another if anyone has a complaint against another. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you must also forgive. 14 Above all, put on love — the perfect bond of unity. 15 And let the peace of the Messiah, to which you were also called in one body, control your hearts. Be thankful. 16 Let the message about the Messiah dwell richly among you, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, and singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, with gratitude in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

Through the power of Jesus Christ we have already overcome the world, and it is He who lives in us, so why don't we learn to offer all our acts to God and believe He accepts them whether we eat or drink, work or play live or die do it all for the Lord.

Galatians 2: HCSB 16 know that no one is justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ. And we have believed in Christ Jesus so that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no human being will be justified. 17 But if we ourselves are also found to be “sinners” while seeking to be justified by Christ, is Christ then a promoter of sin? Absolutely not! 18If I rebuildthe system I tore down, I show myself to be a lawbreaker.19 For through the law I have died to the law, so that I might live for God. I have been crucified with Christ 20and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. 21I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died for nothing.

We must hold firmly to this position and live making every act of every hour of the day and night be an offer of praise, thanksgiving, and total sacrament to God in our times of private prayer in our continual prayer a thousand times a day as we live we must seek God out in everything, when we do this we will discover that He is always with us, and in our simplest deeds we can acknowledge Him.

Romans 14:5 HCSB One person considers one day to be above another day. Someone else considers every day to be the same. Each one must be fully convinced in his own mind. 6 Whoever observes the day, observes it for the honor of the Lord. Whoever eats, eats for the Lord, since he gives thanks to God; and whoever does not eat, it is for the Lord that he does not eat it, yet he thanks God.7 For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself.8If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.

We can live every moment for Christ if we take the attitude of Christ, by making our lives a living sacrifice to God, we must learn to worship Him in Spirit and Truth and put away the flesh everyday by taking our thoughts captive and applying the word of God to our lives. God's word gives no room for compromise we must be immovable when it comes to living as we are called, we can do this, if we ask for the Lord's help and learn to do all things for His glory.

Colossians 3:17 And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

In Christ

brian

The Power of Prayer

Prayer, stop and think about how powerful this word is...when you look back through the Bible we see that when God's people prayed God moved and made things happen. Armies were destroyed, people were brought back from the dead,Nations were rebuilt all because God's people prayed.

What is disheartening is that we as a people don't take this power very seriously,we halfheartedly offer up prayers of selfish desires instead of Spirit led prayers, we come to God with an agenda when we need something instead of daily coming to Him with an open heart empty of selfishness.

We don't pray with any fervency or any kind of frequency today, we foolishly think we can do things without prayer because of our pride.

We have forgotten who we are speaking to,and the power that God our Father has.We have extravagant buildings,wonderful programs,excellent teachers great choirs,tremendous preachers and good fellowship and life is coasting along at a nice even pace. Our enemy the devil smirks at us when we get caught up in these things and we forget the power of prayer, he doesn't care if we go to church 7 days a week if we go only to enjoy these things, when we won't read the word or pray to God, the devil is at ease.

God waits on His children to pray,there's nothing that will bind the church together more than praying.

Jesus said "If any two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it will be done for them of My Father which is in Heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in My name, there am I in the midst of them." Matthew 18:19-20

So how is your prayer life, I have to confess mine falls short of anything that would seem honorable to God. I read through the scriptures and I see how our Lord Jesus prayed, He prayed daily, He prayed with intensity, He prayed specifically, and He prayed reverently in the power of God.

Jesus prayed until His body bled, He prayed and wept over Jerusalem, He prayed for the apostles and He prayed for you and I. John 17:9-26 [9] "I pray for them. I do not pray for the world but for those whom You have given Me, for they are Yours. [10] "And all Mine are Yours, and Yours are Mine, and I am glorified in them. [11] "Now I am no longer in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep through Your name those whom You have given Me, that they may be one as We are. [12] "While I was with them in the world, I kept them in Your name. Those whom You gave Me I have kept; and none of them is lost except the son of perdition, that the Scripture might be fulfilled. [13] "But now I come to You, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have My joy fulfilled in themselves. [14] "I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. [15] "I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. [16] "They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. [17] "Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. [18] "As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. [19] "And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth. [20] "I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; [21] "that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. [22] "And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: [23] "I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me. [24] "Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world. [25] "O righteous Father! The world has not known You, but I have known You; and these have known that You sent Me. [26] "And I have declared to them Your name, and will declare it, that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them."

He passionately prayed for us, if the Son of God sought our Heavenly Father with such passion, how much more should we be seeking out God with passion, in His Spirit, to know His truths?

Prayer should be an act of worship, not a to do list for God our Father, look again at how Jesus prayed, Jesus prayed to His Holy Father, for His Father's people for His Father's ways, O Righteous Father Jesus Said. 

Oh how my prayers are not this way, Father forgive me.Jesus taught the Samaritan woman at the well that God our Father will seek those out who worship Him in Spirit and truth, that means that in all we do we should worship God that means our prayer life also. 

John 4:21-24 [21] Jesus said to her, "Woman, believe Me, the hour is coming when you will neither on this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, worship the Father. [22] "You worship what you do not know; we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews. [23] "But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. [24] "God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth."

It is time we as the body of Christ pray,pray like never before with passion, fervently stretched out before our Lord and Savior, seeking His face and His will,knowing God is Sovereign over our lives, we must individually and corporately start praying in the presence and the power of God, even if that means coming before His throne in silence and letting the Holy Spirit pray. Prayer is not a game, it is not a halfhearted to do list for God, it is a personal passionate act of worship to a Holy God who is pure, righteous and just.

Jesus gave us specific instructions on prayer, Matthew 6:7-13 [7] "And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words. [8] "Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him. [9] "In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. [10] Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven. [11] Give us this day our daily bread. [12] And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors. [13] And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

Pray like never before, pray with intensity, pray without ceasing, pray to your Heavenly Father who waits for you.

And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. Colossians 3:17

In Christ

brian

Conquerors

So many times we live our lives in defeat, believing we are trapped in a routine we can not get out of. We do things we wish not to do, and don’t do the things we wish we to do.

The choice to live this way, and make no ,mistake it is a choice is the wrong course of action we need to be on. Do you know what God says.

1st John 5: 1Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Messiah has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father also loves the one born of Him. 2This is how we know that we love God’s children when we love God and obey His commands. 3For this is what love for God is: to keep His commands. Now His commands are not a burden, 4because whatever has been born of God conquers the world. This is the victory that has conquered the world: our faith. 5And who is the one who conquers the world but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.

If you believe that Jesus is the Son of God, you’re a conqueror, and conquerors are not defeated, they are champions. Our enemy is a defeated enemy, we are no longer slaves to sin or death, but we are freed from that bondage.

Romans 8:There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. 2For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.

And as free children of God, we walk by the Spirit of God, He walks with us, talks to us gives us freedom that the world will never know. He calls us to live in victory, turn your life around and use it to defeat the enemy, you and I have that power to do so, if we will surrender to the power of God in our lives.

 Romans 8: 26Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groaning which cannot be uttered. 27Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.28And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

Are you willing to surrender? Are you willing to let God conquer the world through your life,? Are you willing to let God take all the enemy has done to defeat you and turn it around and use it against him and his minions?

If not your in for a defeated life, if  so you have to surrender to the will of God, and then your in for a life of a conqueror, and  God will use you in a mighty way, remember the battle is already won, don’t fight against a defeated enemy.

God has given us His word to instruct us on how to live the life of a conqueror it is truly simple for us to follow, we just can not give into the flesh, we must surrender to the Spirit of God.

Romans 12: 9Love must be without hypocrisy. Detest evil; cling to what is good. 10Show family affection to one another with brotherly love. Outdo one another in showing honor. 11Do not lack diligence; be fervent in spirit; serve the Lord. 12Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; be persistent in prayer. 13Share with the saints in their needs; pursue hospitality. 14Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep. 16Be in agreement with one another. Do not be proud; instead, associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own estimation. 17Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Try to do what is honorable in everyone’s eyes. 18If possible, on your part, live at peace with everyone. 19Friends, do not avenge yourselves; instead, leave room for His wrath. For it is written: Vengeance belongs to Me; I will repay, says the Lord. 20ButIf your enemy is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him something to drink. For in so doing you will be heaping fiery coals on his head. 21Do not be conquered by evil, but conquer evil with good.

Stand up today, look in the mirror and say to yourself, you are a conqueror, repeat the word of God, that Jesus has conquered the world, I am not of this world, but of my Heavenly Father. My life is not mine to live, but Christ’s to live through me, I surrender to His power, and will for my life. Then follow what God has said above, and live your life to His fullest.

John 16:31Jesus responded to them, “Do you now believe? 32Look: An hour is coming, and has come, when each of you will be scattered to his own home, and you will leave Me alone. Yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me. 33I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world.”

And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. Colossians 3:17

In Christ

brian

Revival in America today

We must faithfully pray for the 2012 elections, but do not let our hope and trust come from the result of any elections. Our only hope is in the reality of who God is. Not who we think He is. Do not let this fire die after the election. seek God daily as the saints of Old did, for yourselves, your families, your churches and your Nation.

Our Nation is desperately in need of spiritual and moral revival. And the issues facing this nation will not be resolved in the White House, Congress, or the Supreme Court. The United States is desperately in needs of another Great Awakening! This needs to start right where we are today, in our hearts, homes, Churches and work it’s way out.

If we fail to trust in the power of Jesus Christ in our lives, then how can we encourage those around us, with hope we do not have, or faith we do not exercise? Only a spiritual awakening within the people of God has the power to bring about this cultural transformation in our Nation.

There are a number of compelling reasons why we as Christians should pray for America and the elections:
The Bible commands us to pray for those who are in leadership. This includes those who are running to become our leaders.

Proverbs. 14:34. “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any
people”

When we elect leaders, we are also bringing into play those will influence them, advice them and help shape our Nation, that includes their past advisors also.

Proverbs 11:14, “For lack of guidance a nation falls, but many advisors make victory sure.”
Godly leaders will help slow the erasure of our religious liberties. This provides a window of opportunity for us to pray and evangelize. Pray for Restoration, Humility, Repentance, Mercy and healing 2 Chronicles 7:12-14 12 Then the LORD appeared to Solomon at night and said to him, "I have heard your prayer, and have chosen this place for Myself as a house of sacrifice. 13 "If I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or if I command the locust to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among My people, 14 and 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.
Pray for Awakening ,Renewal, Empowerment, Joy & Hope Ephesians 5:13-20 13 But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light. 14 For this reason it says, "Awake, sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you." 15 Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men, but as wise, 16 making the most of your time, because the days are evil. 17 So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; 20 always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father; 　
Pray for Perseverance, Wisdom, Godly Strength, Protection, Truth & Preparedness , Ephesians 6:10-18 10 Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of His might. 11 Put on the full armor of God, that you may be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual {forces} of wickedness in the heavenly {places.} 13 Therefore, take up the full armor of God, that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. 14 Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming missiles of the evil {one.} 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints.7 Ways to Pray For America Originally presented by Dave Butts, Chairman for America’s National Prayer Committee.
Adopted & edited in part by Brian Kinnett The original order of this prayer guide by Dave Butts has been reorganized to share with each of you today. Everything in this color is thier words.1. The Purposes of GodUltimately, whatever the area of prayer emphasis, we must always come back to the purposes of God. Jesus taught us to pray, “Your Kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth, as it is in heaven” (Mt. 6:10). We can pray confidently in the will of God along with Scripture that teaches us that ultimately all things in heaven and earth will be summed up in Jesus Christ when He hands over the kingdom to God the Father (Eph. 1:8b-10 & 1 Corinthians. 15: 24-28). As we pray for something as important as national elections, we must lay down our own desires and take up the desires of God. What we really desire is for the Lord’s purposes to be achieved in and through our nation. All of our requests must be couched in words and thoughts that focus our hearts on the Kingdom of God.

Pray today for the purposes of God to be accomplished in the U.S. elections:

Pray that Christians will turn and seek first the Kingdom of God and be a guiding light to
the people of the U.S. who do not know Christ.

Pray that God will be honored in the midst of this election campaign.

Pray for opportunities for Christians to share their faith and their values in the midst of
this election process.

Pray that the results of the 2012 elections will please the Lord and bring His blessing over the Church and to this nation.
　
　
　2. The ChurchThe Church is often relegated to the sidelines by the world and considered irrelevant and out of touch. Though we sometimes deserve that critique, God has a completely different perspective on what His people are to be and how we are to function. In Ephesians 3:10, the Apostle Paul writes, “His [God’s] intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known….”

Though seemingly powerless in the eyes of the world, the Church—through righteousness, prayer, and the power of the Holy Spirit—the wisdom of God is manifested through His revelation of power into any and every culture.

Ephesians 3:14-21 14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, 16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.20 Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think,according to the power that works within us, 21 to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.Pray today for the Church in America, that:

Our eyes will be opened to see the hope to which we are called (Eph.1:18).

We will experience in a fresh, new way the Presence of Christ in revival.

Believers will be given the faith to believe that their votes will make a difference.

A spirit of repentance and humility will be poured out upon the people of God.

3. The Voters The Great American Experiment in representative government for more than 200 years has depended upon voter involvement. From the very beginning of our nation there has been debate on who should be allowed the privilege of casting a vote to select our governmental leaders. The weight of history has increasingly opened the ballot box to more and more individuals.

This requires an educated electorate who will examine the issues and the candidates and vote in a way that is best for the nation, not just their own well-being. Much prayer is needed for this critical process.
Pray today for voters in the United States, that: Wisdom will be sought from God (James 1:5).

Self-interest will be laid aside for the common good.

Discernment between truth and falsehood will be clear.　4. The CandidatesIn the early years of our nation, it was thought to be in bad taste to even be seen wanting an office, much less actually campaigning. Oh, how things have changed! Now candidates for public office, especially at higher levels, put themselves and their families through a rigorous process that brings every aspect of their lives into public view. It has become so intense that many good individuals have chosen not to endure the sort of public scrutiny that is an integral part of the campaigning process today Praying for candidates does not mean praying just for those you agree with or support.

All are leaders and potential leaders in our nation—and as such, all need our prayers.

Pray today for candidates for office in the United States, that:

They will take brave stands for righteousness, even when it may not be well received.

Their families will be protected from harm and unnecessary scrutiny.

They will surround themselves with godly advisors.

They will focus on the issues we face as a nation and not on personal attacks on other
candidates
..
1^st Timothy 2:1-4 1 First of all, then, I urge that entreaties {and} prayers, petitions {and} thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, in order that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. 3 This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Exodus 18:21 “But select capable men from all the people –men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain –and appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and
tens.”

I Kings 3:28 “When all Israel heard the verdict the king had given, they held the king in awe, because they saw that he had wisdom from God to administer justice.”

Proverbs 1:5: “A wise man will hear and increase in learning, And a man of understanding will acquire wise counsel,”

Proverbs 24:6 “For by wise guidance you will wage war, And in abundance of counselors there is victory”. 5. The MediaIn our day of 24-hour news coverage, the media have taken on a huge role in our election process. Handling media correctly sometimes seems to take precedence in a campaign over actually dealing with issues. The media themselves often forget their role of informing and reporting and have become endorsers and supporters, even while they try to deny that role.

Increased prayer for the media is an essential way for Christians to impact an election.

Pray today for the media in America, that: • Truth in reporting and election coverage will become a high value.

Media bias will disappear.

Christianity will receive fair coverage in all reports.

Hope will become a part of the message of the media.

The following verses of Scripture deal with the deception of false pretence and draws contrasts between the ways of the wicked and the consequences of their sin and the ways of the righteous who are blessed of God. Telling and reporting the truth of a matter is important to God and we who call upon Him need to be people living out the truth ourselves. Our dependence on the media to inform us is therefore of critical importance and necessary requiring our prayers so that we will not be led astray but judge rightly and accurately.

Proverbs 12:9-22 “9 Better to be a nobody and yet have a servant than pretend to be somebody and have no food. 10A righteous man cares for the needs of his animal, but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel. 11 He who works his land will have abundant food, but he who chases fantasies lacks judgment. 12 The wicked desire the plunder of evil men, but the root of the righteous flourishes. 13 An evil man is trapped by his sinful talk, but a righteous man escapes trouble. 14 From the fruit of his lips a man if filled with good things as surely as the work of his hands rewards him. 15 The way of a fools seems right to him, but a wise
man listens to advice. 16A fool shows his annoyance at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult. 17A truthful witness gives honest testimony, but a false witness tells lies. 18 Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. 19 Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment. 20 There is deceit in the hearts of those who plot evil, but joy for those who promote peace. 21 No harm befalls the righteous, but the wicked have their fill of trouble. 22 The LORD detests lying lips, but he delights in men who are truthful.” Ephesians 4:29 “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”

Matthew 12:36-37 “But I tell you that men will have to give account on the Day of Judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your
words you will be condemned.”

Philippians 4:8 “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable –if anything is excellent or praiseworthy –think about such things.”6. The Impact on the NationsIn our rapidly shrinking world, what happens in one country has an effect on others. This is especially true for the United States. The individuals who hold the presidency and Senate and Congressional seats will make decisions that impact the rest of the world.

Whether those decisions help or harm the people of the world is largely determined by the choices that Americans make at the polls. We need to pray that our choices will serve to bless the world.

Pray today for the election and its impact on the world, that:

Voters will consider the foreign policies of candidates and how they fit with biblical
principles.

The activities of other nations will not have an undue influence on our elections.

The result of U.S. elections will serve to spread the gospel around the globe.

The U.S. will stand firm in its commitment to Israel’s right to exist as a nation.

Ps 33:12-22 12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people whom He has chosen for His own inheritance. 13 The LORD looks from heaven; He sees all the sons of men; 14 From His dwelling place He looks out On all the inhabitants of the earth, 15 He who fashions the hearts of them all, He who understands all their works. 16 The king is not saved by a mighty army; a warrior is not delivered by great strength. 17 A horse is a false hope for victory; nor does it deliver anyone by its great strength. 18 Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear Him, On those who hope for His loving kindness, 19 To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine. 20 Our soul waits for the LORD; He is our help and our shield. 21 For our heart rejoices in Him, because we trust in His holy name. 22 Let Thy loving kindness, O LORD, be upon us, according as we have hoped in Thee.

Hebrews 12: 23-29 25 See to it that you do not refuse Him who is speaking. For if those did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape who turn away from Him who warns from heaven. 26 And His voice shook the earth then, but now He has promised, saying, “YET ONCE MORE I WILL SHAKE NOT ONLY THE EARTH, BUT ALSO THE HEAVEN.” 27 This expression, “Yet once more,” denotes the removing of those things which can be shaken, as of created things, so that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. 28 Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe; 29 for our God is a consuming fire.

Proverbs 11:3 “The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their
duplicity.”

Ephesians 1:18 “I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the
confident hope he has given to those he called –His holy people who are his rich and
glorious inheritance.”7. Spiritual Warfare Surrounding the ElectionsNothing is achieved in the Kingdom of God without warfare. That includes the election of
righteous individuals to the leadership of one of the key nations on the planet. As we pray, we must expect the enemy to attack in many ways. There will be attacks on candidates and their families, on the media, the Church, and perhaps the nation itself. Some will be clearly spiritual, while other attacks may have physical manifestations. Our call is to have great discernment as we pray and stand in the strength of Christ’s victory.

Pray today around the spiritual warfare issues involved in the election, such as:

Great awareness and discernment for the Lord’s praying people as they pray over the
election.

Physical, emotional and spiritual protection for all candidates and their families
throughout this campaign season.

A strong hedge of protection around the nation itself during this time of decision.

The unleashing of the sword of the Spirit throughout the nation, judging the thoughts and intents of the heart (Heb. 4:12).

Colossians 1:9 For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,

John 17: 13-19: 13 But now I come to You; and these things I speak in the world so that they may have My joy made full in themselves. 14 I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 15 I do not ask You to take them out of the world, but to keep them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth. 18 As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. 19 For their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they themselves also may be sanctified in truth.

2 Peter 3:17 You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, be on your guard so that you are not carried away by the error of unprincipled men and fall from your own steadfastness,

Job 1:10 Have You not made a hedge about him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land.

Hebrews 4: 12-13: 12 For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13 And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.

Psalm 5:11 “But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your
protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you.”Ps 34:1-22 1 I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. 2 My soulshall make its boast in the LORD; the humble shall hear it and rejoice. 3 O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt His name together .4 I sought the LORD, and He answered me, and delivered me from all my fears. 5 They looked to Him and were radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed. 6 This poor man cried and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles. 7 The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him, and rescues them. 8 O taste and see that the LORD is good; how blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him! 9 O fear the LORD, you His saints; for to those who fear Him, there is no want. 10 The young lions do lack and suffer hunger; but they who seek the LORD shall not be in want of any good thing. 11 Come, you children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD .12 Who is the man who desires life, and loves {length of} days that he may see good? 13 Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking deceit .14 Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it. 15 The eyes of the LORD are toward the righteous, and His ears are {open} to their cry. 16 The face of the LORD is against evildoers, to cut off the memory of them from the earth. 17 {The righteous} cry and the LORD hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles. 18 The LORD is near to the brokenhearted, and saves those who are crushed in spirit. 19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous; but the LORD delivers him out of them all 20 He keeps all his bones; not one of them is broken. 21 Evil shall slay the wicked; and those who hate the righteous will be condemned. 22 The LORD redeems the soul of His servants; and none of those who take refuge in Him will be condemned.
　
Revival starts in each one of us, we are to be watchmen on the wall, and warn everyone about the coming terrors of those who reject Jesus Christ, and eternal damnation that will follow. We are nothing more than pilgrims in desert, our job is not convert, persuade or manipulate anyone into Christianity.
We must be obedient to God and not worry about what others say or do, we will answer to God for how we live, what we say and what we do. That is why Paul warns us to all we do as unto the Lord. Pray like you have never have prayed before, and never cease.
Rom 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

Rom 14:7 For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself. 8- For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord's. 11 - For it is written: "As I live, says the LORD, Every knee shall bow to Me, And every tongue shall confess to God." 12- So then each of us shall give account of himself to God.
Colossians 3:17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

In Christ
brian

Heaven Bound

I listened to a sermon this week and this is what was said “ What do you think of first thing in the morning? Do you think of yourself and your day, or on God. If you answer yourself your dwelling on earthly things if you dwell on God then it is Heavenly things. We need to dwell on God.

So this what we know Heaven is the spiritual realm in which the glory of God's presence is manifest, and in which dwell the angels of God, and all believers who have departed this world . “ But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect, to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better things than that of Abel.” Hebrews. 12:22-24.

The few glimpses of Heaven given in Scripture reveal a pervading sense of the holiness of God Isaiah 6;1-7 In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled the temple. Above it stood seraphim; each one had six wings: with two he covered his face, with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one cried to another and said: "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; The whole earth is full of His glory!" And the posts of the door were shaken by the voice of him who cried out, and the house was filled with smoke. So I said: "Woe is me, for I am undone! Because I am a man of unclean lips, And I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; For my eyes have seen the King, The LORD of hosts." Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a live coal which he had taken with the tongs from the altar. And he touched my mouth with it, and said: "Behold, this has touched your lips; Your iniquity is taken away, And your sin purged."And He said, "Go, and tell this people: 'Keep on hearing, but do not understand; Keep on seeing, but do not perceive.'
If you read Revelation, 4 & 5, you will see glimpses of heaven that are not pleasant to the unbeliever, and they haD an overwhelming impact on those who saw them. Paul in 2 Corinthians . 12:2-4 said this “I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago--whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows--such a one was caught up to the third heaven. And I know such a man--whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows--how he was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. “ What he saw was not only impermissible but impossible to describe in human terms!

Heaven is certainly among those things he described elsewhere as "things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard, and which have not entered into the heart of man" 1 Corinthians. 2:9! No wonder Paul says in another place that we shall be "astonished" when we see the Lord at His coming in glory.

Heaven is the immediate home for those saved in Christ . To the thief on the cross, Jesus said, "Today you shall be with me in Paradise" Luke 23:43. Paul said that "to be absent from the body (is to be) at home with the Lord" 2 Corinthians . 5:8,’’.

We know "we shall be like Him, because we shall see Him just as He is" 1 John 3:2-3 One day we will see Him "just as He is." And when we do, we will be purified from all sin and bound eternally to Him! Part of this transformation will be perfecting our relationships with one another. On earth, even among the most mature of us, our relationships are hindered by barriers created by fear, pride, jealousy, and shame. But the Bible says that "perfect love casts out fear" (1 John 4:18). When we fully apprehend the perfect love which God has for us, and are cleansed from the sin that presently indwells us, our relationships with one another will finally be what God intended them to be.

Paul says that "though now we see through a glass darkly," then we shall "see face to face" and "shall know fully, as we are known" 1 Corinthians . 13:12. We shall know all things about God, without fail. We will praise Jesus Christ like never before, I believe right now we do not know truly know what true praise and worship is, we can’t because we truly do not understand the Love of God, remember the saying “ Christians don’t usually speak lies, they sing them” well one day we will join the heavenly chorus in singing hymns of praise to Almighty God in Heaven we will gain much clearer insight into the wisdom of God and His love in creation, and in redemption.

When our bodies are transformed, they will possess in actuality all that we can now only dream of being capable of. Not only will our bodies be freed from illness and aging, but we will not be held by gravity, or bound to a dying body we will be new!" Wow!

 Revelation 21:1-5 Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. "And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away." Then He who sat on the throne said, "Behold, I make all things new." And He said to me, "Write, for these words are true and faithful."
Peter asked Jesus what we would have since we forsake all for Him, Jesus said this Matthew 19: 27-30 Then Peter answered and said to Him, "See, we have left all and followed You. Therefore what shall we have?" So Jesus said to them, "Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. "And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name's sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life. "But many who are first will be last, and the last first. The new heaven and earth are a transformation of the creation as "the regeneration" That same term is used to describe our new birth of a believer.

All things we have given up, every thought will be nothing and forgotten in heaven, because God’s glory will out shine it all.  Isaiah 65:17 says this 'For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; And the former shall not be remembered or come to mind! Being in the presence of Jesus Christ will be eternally gratifying for eternity, we will not have want, or need, or pain or sorrow, we will serve our Lord and be able to praise Him as never before.
 The rest of this I will finish and send out, Heaven is a place we should all be dwelling on, let’s set our minds on heavenly things, and all that we will gain, and cast off the cares of this world to our Lord, and know He will provide all we need.

And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. Colossians 3:17
In Christ
brian