Relationhips Part II

Stability in any relationship is difficult to establish between two people who base the love they give on their own personal emotions. There are no rules or even guidelines to follow so the standard of love they give is altered as they go through changes. These alterations can be measured in time anywhere from moments to years and the causes can be as diverse as environment changes, health issues or problems of any kind, even if those problems are within their own personality such as anger or mood swings. Love based on emotion is why some relationships revolve daily in a wide range, everything from passion to hate, intimacy to revenge.
Human love produces doubt or fear in the other person in the relationship. Godly love has standards set in the Bible by a God who never changes. When you give godly love to a person on any level, such as a child, husband, boyfriend, neighbor or coworker, etc., they can be assured that your love will be true according to the type of relationship the two of you have. Most people feel a sense of safety, due to the love of God, in a firm Bible based relationship where even they have a set of rules to check if they desire. Satan has lost many of his best people because someone showed then the true love that God will put in the heart of a human being.
Even if we, who try to follow God's ways, make mistakes everyone has an opportunity to adjust because of the stability that God has laid out for us in the Bible. A relationship with biblical rules teaches each person what's expected of them for the relationship to grow as well as how they should respond when problems occur. There are times people don't want a relationship because godly love brings them under conviction. But when they really need something they will humble themselves and go to the person.
There are four different types of earthly or human love.
1. Love - implies intense fondness or deep devotion.
2. Affection - suggests warm, tender feelings, usually not as powerful or deep as those implied by love.
3. Attachment - implies connection by ties of affection, attraction, devotion, etc.
4. Infatuation - implies a foolish or unreasoning passion or affection, often a transient or not permanent.
The main problem of developing a relationship based on emotion is when that person does something that is uncomfortable to the other, feelings in the relationship change. Two people can start a relationship with infatuation. Feelings can move that relationship up the list until it reaches love with total devotion. However, when there is no supernatural strength, coming from a godly set of values or rules, feelings can change very easily.
Many of today's relationships are based on selfishness or "what's in it for me; expecting the other person to fulfill some inflated fantasy they have in their mind. People who don't know God's standard for giving and receiving love move in and out of relationships with standards provided by the world.
Godly love between two people is something that grows. Two people meet and are attracted to each other; but it's only with dignity (self-worth or honor) and respect (consideration for one's reputation, your own as well as the other person's) that the relationship will be truly stable. A lack of discretion from either person in a relationship is basically like the woman described in the scripture:
Proverbs 11:22 Like a gold ring in a pig's snout is a beautiful woman who shows no discretion.
A person without discretion is degraded and will corrupt or lower the moral character of the other person. God's love is pure and holy between two people and creates a bond that will last throughout eternity.
God is the creator of passion; however He set the boundaries to exist within a relationship between a man and a woman. He has never changed his law. The New Testament is full of scriptures that prove the law of moral behavior is still the same today by God's standards, even though most of society now has very little moral values controlling their daily lives.
Hebrew 13:7-8 remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. (This represents any of the godly men and women in the Bible.) Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever
God is Love (1John 4:16). That is how He has described himself in the Bible. God extends to us a different form of love. It's a supernatural love that doesn't have the weaknesses that human love has. It's continual, stable and unconditional. It's righteous and honorable, given with respect and integrity.
God loves every person ever born equally; even though He hates the sin they may be involved in. He desires to express that love in a close relationship with every individual through our salvation in Jesus. God's greatest desire since He created Adam is for us to know Him and be close to Him. Therefore, he had the Bible written by His Spirit to men who He felt were qualified because of their relationship; first the Old Testament with men that knew Him and then the New Testament with men that knew his Son.
--
James Cruse.

Relationhips

Today, I am writing about relationships. This is something that has been very heavy on my heart.

Webster defines relationship as; a connection, association, or involvement; a connection between persons by blood or marriage; an emotional or other connection between people; or sexual involvement; affair…etc.

Regardless of the type of relationship you may be involved in; one day, you may experience some level of hurt. Be it from a friend, family, or an exclusive union where both people in the relationship agree to be faithful and committed to each other; or a relationship where you and everyone said, “they are closer than close, a match made in heaven.” As final points, it could be a relationship that everyone saw as, put together by God; a relationship where both hearts felt comforted when they were close, or one you would have laid down your life and sacrificed your all for them. Then one day, for whatever reason, separation occurs and what you thought was secure, generates hurt and arouses rumors from others that the relationship was not all it appeared to be.

The bible says, ‘What God ordained and put together, no man can tear it apart”, but what about the person you so loved? What if he/she decides, they want more, that love just isn’t enough to retain the relationship? So, in your efforts to reaffirm, reconcile, restore the bond and rekindle the relationship you once enjoyed……you seek counseling; but your efforts were unsuccessful. They simply avoid the Word, Wisdom and Wonderful Warmth of the agreement. Perhaps that person just didn’t want to commit to responsibility, reportability, accountability, reliability or better yet, lovability. Could that person have reached a point of being ungrateful, disrespectful or displaying narcissistic tendencies? You know, having an inflated sense of their own importance by becoming so selfish with little regard for other people's feelings. It deals with love, and the conflict of being in love with someone hurtful to us. It hurts and hurts deep, resulting in a complex healing process.

When you hurt from such a relationship; the road to recovery could be difficult. But, guess what? There is a solution and victory when you turn it over to Jesus. He has your best interest at heart. Ask Him to help by imparting words of wisdom, giving you directions and strength to move on. After all, when you have done all you can, just stand on the foundation God has outlined.

"Dear Lord, I intercede now for all who have seen their relationships torn apart, despite attempts made to restore, renew and remove everything spitefully used to abuse and alter their lives. Father, I need you to rescue and rebuild broken hearts. Please heal and bring wholeness to hurting lives. Forgive sin and bring meaning and fulfilment into broken lives. Hearts are being surrendered so you can take control. Lord, help us to remain in love with You so we can love those who have chosen to leave, listen to others and let what You have taught us in Your Word be slighted and misused. Now Lord, I am confident that you will never depart, forsake, nor hurt us as we surrender our all to you. Help us to move on; to live, love and learn.
Amen.
--
James Cruse EWIW

Coming Together as One

"Each part... helps the other parts grow." Ephesians 4:16 (NLT)
Next time you're walking in the woods, imagine what's taking place under your feet. As the roots of trees come into contact with one another they form an underground support system. One has access to water, another to nutrients, another to sunlight, etc. A ministry is taking place that strengthens them all. This is what Paul had in mind: "[Under His direction], the whole body is fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love." Some of us independent types have difficulty when it comes to networking. We fly solo, until we crash and burn! Eventually our pain, not our brain, shows us our need for things like:
(1) Show His Mercy. "Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others" (Col 3:13 NLT). What motivates us to show mercy to others? God's mercy to us. You'll never be asked to forgive someone else more than God has already forgiven you.
(2) Share His Message. "Be sympathetic ...kind...gentle and patient" (Col 3:12 GWT). Sympathy meets two fundamental human needs we all have: the need to be understood and the need to have our feelings validated. The problem is we're in such a hurry to fix people that we don't have time to sympathize with them. We're too preoccupied with our own hurts. Self-pity dries up sympathy for others.
(3) Speak His Ministry. "I want us to help each other with the faith we have. Your faith will help me, and my faith will help you" (Ro 1:12 NCV). All of us are strengthened in our faith when others walk with us and encourage us. So today, practice ministry!

My Playlist, listen while you Browse

Linking Hands for Life. April 15, 2012 2pm. Levitt Shell Overton Park Memphis Tn.

Uniting Families & Celebrating Memories.

I want to say hello and let you know I am excited about this event of which I am a part of,

“MID SOUTH TRANSPLANT FOUNDATION”.

I would like your support and be on my team, called. “Under the Microscope” check out the information and let’s get out and support. For additional information and to sponsor/participate or to donate to the foundation, please inbox me or send me an email. Thanks and God bless those who are recipients and the families of those who made the decision to donate organs. A Life continues from a life not lost. James Cruse

Duty of Honor

Help me support the Benjamin L Hooks Institute for Social Change.

Like Us on Facebook and learn more about the documentary atwww.benhooksdocumentary.org

Be Content in your Comfort

 When your unsettled in your spirit, you may ask a lot of “why” questions. “Why did this happen?” Why did that happen?” “Where is God?” “Why doesn’t God do something?” during these times, we must remain calm and remember His promises of the Holy Spirit, a promise from a Sovereign God who is “an ever-present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1) Faith will make His presence-with all of His peace and comfort-real to us.

But what if this Spirit lives within us? Not only will you have comfort and peace, you will minister to others in theirs trial and troubles. We will be comforting counselors and/or counseling comforters. You will represent ‘the God of all comfort” (2 Corinthians 1:3) as He ministers through us. Amen.  

Thomas Watson said, “The world can create trouble in peace, but God can create peace in trouble”

The History Behind Leap Year

Leap years are years with 366 days, instead of the usual 365. Leap years are necessary because the actual length of a year is 365.242 days, not 365 days, as commonly stated. Basically, leap years occur every 4 years, and years that are evenly divisible by 4 (2004, for example) have 366 days. This extra day is added to the calendar on February 29th.

However, there is one exception to the leap year rule involving century years, like the year 1900. Since the year is slightly less than 365.25 days long, adding an extra day every 4 years results in about 3 extra days being added over a period of 400 years. For this reason, only 1 out of every 4 century years is considered as a leap year. Century years are only considered as leap years if they are evenly divisible by 400. Therefore, 1700, 1800, 1900 were not leap years, and 2100 will not be a leap year. But 1600 and 2000 were leap years, because those year numbers are evenly divisible by 400.

Julius Caesar, Father of Leap Year

Julius Caesar was behind the origin of leap year in 45 BC. The early Romans had a 355 day calendar and to keep festivals occurring around the same season each year a 22 or 23 day month was created every second year. Julius Caesar decided to simplify things and added days to different months of the year to create the 365 day calendar, the actual calculation were made by Caesar's astronomer, Sosigenes. Every fourth year following the 28th day of Februarius (February 29th) one day was to be added, making every fourth year a leap year.
In 1582, Pope Gregory XIII further refined the calendar with the rule that leap day would occur in any year divisible by 4 as described above

"Keep your friends close and your enemies closer"

 This is not my normal daily inspiration; however I wanted to share my
viewpoint relating to the above expression. I totally know what the
phrase means; hopefully you will get a better understanding at the end
of this message. Please read, provide your feedback, and be blessed.

Al Pacino, quoted that infamous slogan and effectively it became a

regular dialect for people who possibly imagined themselves to be as
notorious as he or just liked uttering the words. Nevertheless, I
would venture to say, most civilized people, who may frivolously utter
that catchphrase, really don't comprehend what that statement implies.
On the other hand, the con artists, from Vegas to Rochester, are aware
that anyone not knowing its proper meaning could result in a nice
screwing where the sun doesn’t shine……Catch my drift?

First of all, keeping your enemies close doesn't eliminate the problem

of having enemies; and if you're sitting there smiling like a clown,
thinking you don't have enemies, because you're such a sweet person;

I've got news for you -- if you don't have enemies, it's because no

one thinks you're significant. Any person with direction in their life
will have enemies, but keeping them close can prevent an unexpected
strike. It doesn't take Einstein to figure out the toughest and most
destructive blow comes when it's unexpected.

Who is your enemy? Try to figure out who qualifies to be on your

exclusive enemy list, before you start keeping close tabs on certain
people. If I were to sum it up for a moron, I'd tell them that an
enemy is anyone who doesn't support you.
An enemy may well be a friend, business partner or even family. An
enemy is anyone who will give you the evil eye or who has even
entertained ideas of how amusing it would be to hex a voodoo curse on
your head.
To your list of nemeses, the more powerful you are, you become a
bigger target or opponent to someone else; whether it's the suit in
the cubicle next to you or the person who lives next door. It's
a Catch-22 of success: The more successful you are, the more people
will be lining up with baseball bats earmarked for your head; and the
harder you'll fall if you don't keep track of what your enemies are up
to.
Take it from someone with experience: Just about everyone is a
potential enemy or backstabber. In fact, the guy with the biggest
smile or the one who gives you more political statements are usually
the one with the sharpest knife. Why keep them close? Now, let's be
realistic. We can't all keep our enemies close. I don't see President
Barrack Obama and Fidel Castrol having Sunday brunch together, no
matter how much Cuban food they may like.
But, most enemies (especially the ones that cause the most damage)
come from your inner circle, so you can easily keep your eye on these
people. It's important that you don't break the lines of communication
with them (Now, I guess I’m sounding like a marriage counselor).

To keep tabs on your enemies: try staying in touch, talking with them

(even briefly) and reading their body language. These are some of the
ways you can get a sense of the ‘cafones;' true intentions. Any
information is potential ammo for you.

Salute your enemies; meet your enemies, acknowledgment them and even

buy them drinks because it gives you a chance to look into their eyes
and see if they fear you or if they have the slightest smirk of
smugness; which is usually a sign that they're up to something, or
think they know something you don't. Their eyes will also reveal their
hatred, weaknesses, insecurities, and levels of respect -- so learn to
look carefully at the occhi.

Another way to stay close to your enemies is to befriend their closes

contacts. Sort of like a mole that is dumb enough to be manipulated,
and trusted enough by your enemy, to supply you with some good
ammunition. This could be as simple as knowing his mistress, his
associates, his schedule, etc. When you are dealing with your enemy,
valuable info can be easily used against him when the time is ripe.
What you will try to do is predict his next move. The more you know
about your enemies, the more you'll be able to distinguish their
strengths (even the level of connections or support they have) and
weaknesses. (Such as; do they love to eat and go to numerous
restaurants)?

More tricks of the trade: the ideal situation would be to turn your

enemy into a close associate. You don't have to make him part of your
crew, but just stay close enough to speak to them or people they
“know."
Outside of the normal, people quickly let their guards down. The
dumber your enemies think you are, the more off guard they become
because they assume you're too stupid to bring them harm.
It's at this point that your enemies will start telling untruths to
people they know, volunteering information that you'll be storing away
like an elephant. This false security will lead them to committing
mistakes that you can use to destroy them.
A worthy opponent: of course, we don't all have the luxury of
brainless opponents. You might have enemies who are smart, and will
wipe the floor with you, if you make any hint of a false move. These
guys aren't going to be fooled by your different routine. You'll have
to treat them with respect while still getting the valuable
information needed to build the little file you have stored in your
head.

The key to getting close to an enemy when bad blood exists, is by

offering a truce. You both might dislike the lack of respect, but
don't let that affect your judgment. Maintaining respect is the key to
solving future problems. It's hypocritical, because being social with
a guy that has betrayed you is extremely hard, but maintaining
discipline is about honor and self-respect.

So treat your enemies well. Send them messages that you are still a

caring, loving person, and would ungrudgingly help them out if
problems arise; but never let your guard down. It’s like a secret
mission. You need to keep as few barriers between you and your sworn
enemies, as possible. Understand that, and you will be prepared for
anything that comes your way.

So, I am not worried about my enemies; even to those who call me,

“their friend” and say they love me, “Even Jesus was betrayed,” but He
lived. I have been betrayed, bruised, abandoned and lied on; but I
too, shall live. The way to living is keeping the one true Friend close, Jesus Christ!
He will take care of those enemies. JC.

I want to thank God for Pastor Monts for this inspiration. May God bless you tremendously. “I Think Myself Happy”
When Paul made the statement written in Acts 26:2, he stood in bonds. During this time King Agrippa stopped by to visit Festus and he expressed interest in a hearing with Paul. Fesuts granted the permission and so Paul was given the floor to speak to the court about his situation. His opening statement to his audience: “I think myself happy”. Just what was Paul happy about? Would he be let go and his charges dismissed if his oratory & detailed explanation was well received? No.

This happiness Paul stated was rooted in something that transcended his situation. Paul was proving exactly what he says later in a letter to the church at Philippi: “…I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.” Philippians 4:11
Contentment and happiness are synonymous terms. Happiness does not arise from outward condition, but an inward disposition. Happiness is the opposite of discontentment, sadness, & restlessness. Happiness is where you find it and rarely where you seek it.

In this age many are in constant pursuit of happiness. The only problem is that too many are looking in what really only brings a momentary glance of happiness. While striving to feel good and complete isn’t wrong, false perceptions declare the Gift of Completeness & Fulfillment is packaged in a box marked FEELINGS.

Look I believe that; false expectations based on “feelings” set you up for a fall. Feelings are generally reactive, regardless if they are positive or negative reactions. There is an escape from just living for a moment to “feel good”. It’s found in finding moments living for God.

This was not the first time he had “thought himself happy” in spite of circumstance. In Acts 16:23-25 He was imprisoned before unjustly. Does this song familiar?
“And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely: Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, & made their feet fast in the stocks. And at midnight Paul & Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: & the prisoners heard them.”

Paul and Silas sang out in the night. In prison, you can have a song. In pain, you can have a song. In poverty, you can have a song. The only requirement is arriving at a place of realization that YOU are the person most responsible for your happiness. Your happiness is not situational or circumstantial, but internal. Amen.

Never Judge Anyone

~ Never Judge Anyone ~

A doctor entered the hospital in hurry after being called in for an urgent surgery. He answered the call ASAP, changed his clothes and went directly to the surgery block.
He found the boy’s father going and coming in the hall waiting for the doctor. Once seeing him, the dad yelled:
“Why did you take all this time to come? Don’t you know that my son’s life is in danger? Don’t you have the sense of responsibility?”

The doctor smiled and said:
“I am sor...ry, I wasn’t in the hospital and I came the fastest I could after receiving the call…… And now, I wish you’d calm down so that I can do my work”

“Calm down?! What if your son was in this room right now, would you calm down? If your own son dies now what will you do??” said the father angrily

The doctor smiled again and replied: “I will say what Job said in the Holy Bible “From dust we came and to dust we return, blessed be the name of God”. Doctors cannot prolong lives. Go and intercede for your son, we will do our best by God’s grace”

“Giving advice when we’re not concerned is so easy” Murmured the father.

The surgery took some hours after which the doctor went out happy, “Thank God! Your son is saved!”

And without waiting for the father’s reply he carried on his way running. “If you have any question, ask the nurse!!”

“Why is he so arrogant? He couldn’t wait some minutes so that I ask about my son’s state” Commented the father when seeing the nurse minutes after the doctor left.

The nurse answered, tears coming down her face: “His son died yesterday in a road accident, he was in the burial when we called him for your son’s surgery. And now that he saved your son’s life, he left running to finish his son’s burial.”

NEVER JUDGE ANYONE because you never know how their life is and as to what is happening or what they’re going through. 

(shared this from Boy Pickup)
 

A Better Way

 "But earnestly desire and zealously cultivate the greatest and best gifts and graces (the higher gifts and the choicest graces).  And yet I will show you a still more excellent way [one that is better by far and the highest of them all - love]."
1Corinthians 12:31 AMP

I am amazed when I think about all the attributes of love the Apostle Paul describes in 1Cor.13.  This being the case, why is the spiritual gift of love the least sought after?  Could it be that we do no appraise love as the greatest gift?  Or maybe we do not have the understanding that when all else has faded away, love will still remain.  In 1Cor 13:8 it says, "Love never fails [never fades out or becomes obsolete or comes to an end].  As for prophecy (the gift of interpreting the divine will and purpose); it will be fulfilled and pass away; as for tongues, they will be destroyed and cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away [it will lose its value and be superseded by truth]."

We must remember that "God is love" (1John 4:8b) and we must stay rooted in the main thing.  When we are rooted in love, all the spiritual gifts will be freely demonstrated to bless the body of Christ in the way they were intended.  Not to cause discord or division, but to help us walk together in love.

Come out and support The National Kidney Foundation of west Tn.

Welcome to the NKF of West Tennessee, Inc.

Chocolate Fantasy

Saturday, January 28, 2012
11:00am-5:00pm at Oak Court Mall

The 27th Annual Chocolate Fantasy will be held on Saturday, January 28, 2012 from 11:00am-5:00pm at Oak Court Mall. Come and taste Memphis' best chocolate desserts, candies, cookies and pastries. Tickets are $16 in advance and $18 day of event. Tickets may be purchased at Dinstuhl's or TCBY. For more information contact us at 901-683-6185

Have a Happy Day

10 Helps for a Happy Day

1.       TODAY I WILL NOT STRIKE BACK:
If someone is rude, if someone is impatient, if someone is unkind... I will not respond in a like manner.

2.       TODAY I WILL ASK GOD TO BLESS MY "ENEMY:"
If I come across someone who treats me harshly or unfairly, I will quietly ask GOD to bless that individual. I understand the "enemy" could be a family member, neighbor, co-worker or stranger.

3.       TODAY I WILL BE CAREFUL ABOUT WHAT I SAY:
I will carefully choose and guard my words being certain that I do not spread gossip.

4.       TODAY I WILL GO THE EXTRA MILE:
I will find ways to help share the burden of another person.

5.       TODAY I WILL FORGIVE:
I will forgive any hurts or injuries that come my way.

6.       TODAY I WILL DO SOMETHING NICE FOR SOMEONE, BUT I WILL NOT DO IT SECRETLY:
I will reach out anonymously and bless the life of another.

7.       TODAY I WILL TREAT OTHERS THE WAY I WISH TO BE TREATED:
I will practice the golden rule - "Do unto others as I would have them do unto me" - with everyone I encounter.

8.       TODAY I WILL RAISE THE SPIRITS OF SOMEONE WHO IS DISCOURAGED:
My smile, my words, my expression of support, can make the difference to someone who is wrestling with life.

9.       TODAY I WILL NURTURE MY BODY:
I will eat less; I will eat only healthy foods. I will thank GOD for my body.

10.    TODAY I WILL GROW SPIRITUALLY:
I will spend a little more time in prayer today: I will begin reading something spiritual or inspirational today; I will find a quiet place (at some point during this day) and listen to GOD's voice!!!

"But since we belong to the day, let us be self controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and hope of salvation as a helmet."
1 Thessalonians 5:8

Fasting and Prayer. 21 days Jan 9th through 29th.

We are expecting God to do things beyond our imagination. Join us in our 21 days of “Fasting and Praying” at the Oak Grove MB Church. As I have done before, I solicit your prayers during this time of consecration and corporate prayer. We have had many testimonies and praise reports even before we ended the 21 days, when God does it, it is always for our good. Amen.

Again you can send me your requests for personal prayer on my wall or private prayer to my inbox. I will add your name and requests as I did before and during these days, lifting them up to God, expecting a change in your life. “Pray for me and I will pray for you” Thank you Michele Prather. Thank God for my Pastor for the vision, Pastor Donald L Johnson. Any info and if you would like to join us, it is not too late, see the picture for info or inbox me. God bless you. JCFamily, Friends and Special Face book friends. Have yourself a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year A Joyous Christmas to you and your family, with peace in your home.Family, Friends and Special Face book friends. Have yourself a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year A Joyous Christmas to you and your family, with peace in your home.This season may bring a memory of a friend, family member or an enemy once removed, that may get you down, but know "You" are loved by a God that sent His only begotten Son for us, can you not trust a God that will keep his other children in comfort, through all that you going through. God’s promise of a Savior, will save you with His promise of eternal life. To keep you and never forsake you. Forever in His care.This season may bring a memory of a friend, family member or an enemy once removed, that may get you down, but know "You" are loved by a God that sent His only begotten Son for us, can you not trust a God that will keep his other children in comfort, through all that you going through. God’s promise of a Savior, will save you with His promise of eternal life. To keep you and never forsake you. Forever in His care.This season may bring a memory of a friend, family member or an enemy once removed, that may get you down, but know "You" are loved by a God that sent His only begotten Son for us, can you not trust a God that will keep his other children in comfort, through all that you going through. God’s promise of a Savior, will save you with His promise of eternal life. To keep you and never forsake you. Forever in His care.This season may bring a memory of a friend, family member or an enemy once removed, that may get you down, but know "You" are loved by a God that sent His only begotten Son for us, can you not trust a God that will keep his other children in comfort, through all that you going through. God’s promise of a Savior, will save you with His promise of eternal life. To keep you and never forsake you. Forever in His care.This season may bring a memory of a friend, family member or an enemy once removed, that may get you down, but know "You" are loved by a God that sent His only begotten Son for us, can you not trust a God that will keep his other children in comfort, through all that you going through. God’s promise of a Savior, will save you with His promise of eternal life. To keep you and never forsake you. Forever in His care.This season may bring a memory of a friend, family member or an enemy once removed, that may get you down, but know "You" are loved by a God that sent His only begotten Son for us, can you not trust a God that will keep his other children in comfort, through all that you going through. God’s promise of a Savior, will save you with His promise of eternal life. To keep you and never forsake you. Forever in His care.

Don't get angry with God.

Whether you admit it or not, I hope you see the blessing in this message and not be angry with God. When my sister went into a diabetic coma and died in 1989, some were frustrated with me when I finally told them that I really wasn’t angry. Angry with God that is! I think they thought I wasn’t straight with them or too good to be true.

When you face a devastating loss, fellow believers sometimes encourage you to express your anger freely toward God, assuring you that God understands and accepts your honest emotions. It is a natural response to be angry or emotionally upset. God is the easy target for that anger, because we don’t always understand His sovereignty, ours is shallow and we reason that if God is in charge of everything, then your suffering must be His fault, and we don’t see why it was justified.

But where is your fear of God? Why do you think you have the right to be angry with the Creator? Who do you think you are to suggest that God owes us an explanation? What arrogance for you as finite, sinful creatures to disapprove of what God does or what He permits.

The fear of God will hold your tongue; it halts all finger-wagging; it will humble you in the midst of your-self righteous anger. Am I saying that being honest with God about how you feel is sinful? No. when you feel it, you might as well admit it since He knows anyway and hypocrisy only adds to your sin. Am I saying that you shouldn’t feel angry? No. I’m saying you should work through your feelings about what happened, and as you inform your feelings by what you know to be true by God, you can reject the temptation to turn your back on God. You can refuse to point the finger and say to God “You are good.” Instead ask Him to meet your desperate need, and lift your hands to praise Him.

Lord the source of our strength and righteousness, we are ashamed of how quickly and easily we grow angry and stay angry with You. What arrogance on our part! We humble ourselves before You and open our self to You. Amen.

“and all who were angry with him will come to him and be ashamed” (Isaiah 45:24b)

Let Go.

You might not like what I have to say this morning, the last Saturday of the year, but it is something I would tell you sitting at home, school, and even church. Tearfully, I ask what it is going to take for you to feel better, to have joy again. It is what I would tell you if you told me your storm has you feeling worse and there was no hope. I know it won’t be easy, but you need to let it go, like the year 2011 will no longer be a calendar option, get ready for 2012.

The truth is, eventually, we have to let go of everything in this life. life is a constant barrage of having things and people you love ripped away from you. Everything ripping away takes a piece of you with it, leaving you raw and stinging with pain. But when you recognize that everything you have and everyone you love is on loan to you from God, when you learn to hold loosely to the things and people you love, you can then embrace the freedom that comes with entrusting everything to His care.

When you love something or someone, the process of letting go is painful one that takes time, and it need not be rushed. Nor should it be avoided altogether. You feel pain, mourn the loss, she your tears, and with time you can begin to let go of the grief that has had such a hold on you. Perhaps it’s not so much that you let go of your grief, but more that you give your grief permission to lessen its grip on you. You have to realize at some point that you have to figure out how to keep on living, how to incorporate the loss into your life.

Start letting go by taking another look at those around you with the perspective of grace. What a relief it will be to let go of your heavy expectations of others and instead appreciate every gentle touch, every shared tear, and every knowing smile as sheer gifts of grace. What a relief to follow the example of Jesus and instead of placing blame , offer forgiveness.

“Forsaken Lord, you understand what it feels like to be deserted by those you thought would be there for you in your darkest hour. Give us Your spirit of forgiveness and Your spirit of Grace to help us let go of our disappointment in people who’ve failed us or forgotten us”.

Focus on this Scripture; “I am focusing all my energies on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I strain to reach the end race and receive the prize for which God, through Christ Jesus is calling us up to heaven” (Philippians 3:13-14) 1. Let go of your grief. 2. Let go of your expectations of others. 3. Let go of your rights. 4. Let go of it all. With God all things are possible and have a renewed mind in 2012. By letting go of the past and trusting God and know He has your future in His hands. When Jesus was on the Cross, He let go and showed how you can to. Amen. JC

My Personal message to you.

One familiar, and short yet most powerful statement a believer can say, I think is, I’m “Walking by Faith”. At my age, I have been through countless storms, some small and some big, and my faith continues to carry me through--- it’s my life's testimony. The world wants you to believe that there is something wrong with a life like mine because I've gone through and I’m still going through. They want you to believe that if you have what the Jones’s have then you are living a fulfilled life. Pretty funny, huh? Well, I walk by faith, and I know I’m God’s best. That should be fulfilling enough, and God is still completing me as I happily tell my story about how more complete my life is---- even though I’m still going through.

As you walk by faith, your belief will be strengthened and you will grow in confidence. You need to understand that challenges are merely new opportunities for you to reach your greatness. Finally, know that your life will truly be blessed when everything that you touch will provide you with a blessed life and no good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly.

My mission is this; We go through storms, trials and need the healing power of Jesus Christ. We struggle from the lack of knowledge. Encourage, Inspire, and Remind people of His Promises. Reach our Brother and Sister. While "speaking about His Promises, Truth and Love"

My life ; Whatever I go through, whatever happens, " Either Way I Win" whether God heals me here on earth or heals me by calling me home, to be with Him, "I Win"

I have been truly blessed by all my face book and Blogspot friends/ connections and true friends and my sisters, family god sent have been a great support through it all. I love you! Have a prosperous and joyful New Year. Much love and prayer to you all. Please come back and let me know. I have a special message tomorrow about “Let it go” and be sure to check in and support my blog doubleddjc.blogspot.com. also pray as I keep working on two books to be out within the next six months. James Cruse.

Jesus knows and He shows. Have that conversation, it will help.

Jesus: I have missed spending time with you.
You: I have been really busy with work and family.
Jesus: I understand. But you know, I know when you are hurting.
You: Yeah. I am physically and emotionally exhausted.
Jesus: You know I want you to come to me with all your worries?
You: I try, but I just don’t know how to handle it this, it just hurts so badly.
Jesus: I am here for you, I will never leave you nor abandon you, but you know I am also there when there is not a crisis.
You: I know. I forget that sometimes. I get so busy with stupid stuff that I forget to pray and spend time with you.
Jesus: I was just wondering something.
You: What?
Jesus: Did you find time to spend with your family, friends, TV and computer?
You: but they need immediate comfort, compassion?
Jesus: Nice try. You make time for what is important to you. I want to be as important to you as you are to them.
You: Why do you put up with me?
Jesus: Because “I love you”. And “I always will”. Just know it is that trial that will test you, and My power that will keep My promise. Talk to Me, feel Me, and I will fellowship and free you.

Don't lose Christ this Christmas by Adrian Rodgers

Sometimes rather than being drawn closer to Christ at Christmas, in a very real sense people may be drawn away from the Lord Jesus. It seems in the very midst of the celebration — we lose Jesus.
After the Christmas story in Luke 2, the Bible tells of a young, twelve-year-old Jesus going with His parents to celebrate Passover in Jerusalem. As His parents were returning home after the celebration, they realized — Jesus wasn’t with them! They had lost Jesus in the midst of the celebration! Does the same thing happen to us at Christmas? How do we lose Jesus? There are five questions we need to ask ourselves.

In what sense may we lose Jesus?
It was not relationship that Mary and Joseph lost Jesus; it was fellowship. Mary was still His mother, Joseph still His earthly father. If you’re saved, you can never lose your relationship with Christ. In John 10:27, Jesus said, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them and they follow Me: and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand.”
When do you receive eternal life? When you die? No, you get it when you believe! If you have eternal life, you can never lose it. If you lose it, then it wasn’t eternal!
Some people have the idea that the devil can take you out of the hand of God. That’s ridiculous! That would be a strange doctrine, wouldn’t it: going to heaven by the goodness of the devil, because he didn’t “pluck you out of God’s hand.” No, the only reason the devil hasn’t is because — he can’t! Is there a power strong enough to open the hand of Jesus, encased in the mighty hand of God the Father, and pluck out one of His own? As it says in the verse from John, you cannot lose your relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ, but you can lose your fellowship.

Who may lose Jesus?
Many times those people we would least expect lose fellowship with the Lord Jesus Christ. It surprises us to see that it was Mary and Joseph who lost Him! But when you study the Bible, you find that even God’s choicest saints got out of fellowship with Him from time to time. Just look back at the accounts of Noah, David, Moses, Samson, Peter ─ all these and others in the Bible got out of fellowship with the Lord.
The Bible says, “Wherefore let him that thinketh he stand take heed lest he fall” (1 Corinthians 10:12). No matter who you are, you’ll never come to a place where you’re not in danger of slipping away from that close fellowship with the Lord.

Where do we lose Jesus?
They didn’t lose Him in a bar, nightclub or in some den of iniquity, but in the midst of a religious ceremony! You see, Passover was all about Jesus. Yet it was in the midst of that celebration that Mary and Joseph lost Jesus.
I'm not opposed to decorations, but have the celebrations, illuminations and decorations become our focus so much so that Jesus is kind of cramping our style a little bit at Christmas?
I wonder if somehow we have let the very celebration of Christmas take us from the Christ of Christmas.

How may we lose Jesus?
They didn’t lose Him by opposing Him or denying Him. They lost Jesus by presumption. Mary and Joseph just assumed He was with them. They went a day’s journey, one step at a time, but every step took them farther from Him!
The Bible says when your eye is single, your body is full of light (Matthew 6:22). That means you have no side issues, nothing you’ve withheld. There is no love that is greater than your love for the Lord Jesus Christ. Sometimes we have to get alone with God and let Him peel us like an onion. I would encourage you to come to the Lord and say, “Look, I’ve come to do business. I’m not going to get up off my knees, off my face, until I know that I know that I know, it’s not a supposition, that Jesus Christ is real to me.” Take a spiritual inventory, so every step doesn’t take you farther away from Him.

How do we find Jesus again?
Mary and Joseph found Him right where they left Him, in the temple, where they first lost Him. That’s what we need to do. If Jesus Christ is not real to you, if you do not have that conscious awareness of His presence, just go back to where you first left Him.
You know where you left Him. You know where you got away from God. I believe if you open your heart to the Lord, He’ll show you where it was. Go back to that disobedience and deal with it. Pray, “Search me, oh God, and know my heart: try me and know my thoughts: and see if there be some wicked way in me.” (Psalm 139:23-24) He will show you the way.
How tragic it would be if this Christmas you let the very celebration of His birth draw you away from Him. Take the steps listed and make a conscious decision right now - don’t lose Christ this Christmas!
Articles by Love Worth Finding

Don’t Lose Christ this Christmas

Adrian Rogers

Forgiveness and Reconciliation

 Reconciliation between two people divided by conflict is possible only when one of them makes the first move-hand extended, a phone call, and words of forgiveness. Separation keeps you from allowing God to work between you and keeps the relationship broken. God made the first move by sending His Son. Jesus Christ to bridge the divide between Himself and you. “Make the next move”.

Forgiveness is an important part of reconciliation. It means that we no long expect the friend, family member, or lover who offended us, or who we believe offended us, to make restitution any longer. We literally let go of the incident in our minds, giving up our resentment, anger, and indignation. This does not mean that we approve of what the person did. Reconciliation is so important because we really love ourselves when we forgive others. We do this not allowing the incident or event to rule our thoughts. We love ourselves by allowing peace, happiness, and positive feelings enter our minds once again.

Forward not Backward

Why do we always bring up the past, when things are not going our way? We must make an intentional choice to leave the garbage and disappointments behind, for they can single-handedly cripple us from effective service and ministry. We are to fix our eyes on Christ, the author and perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:2). It accomplishes nothing of spiritual value to dwell on sin, hurt, suffering, or difficulty. We are to dwell on Christ and look forward to what He is going to do. We should enter each successive phase of life with hope of what God can do, not living mired in failures of the past.
The way to progress is not to try harder in the flesh but to believe stronger in the spirit. The flesh is weak (Mark 14:38). We need the power of the Spirit of God working in our hearts and transforming our minds to provide lasting change. Discipline is only as good as the faith of the person exerting it. May God increase our faith as we rest in Him Who is the Faithful One!
Paul had done a lot of ministry by the time he wrote the letter to the Philippians. Yet even he understood that he had not arrived yet. He was still short of being perfected. Did he give up? Did he lose hope? Did he decide to make some fleshly resolutions and simply try harder? Philippians 3:13-14 says, "Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." Paul emphasizes forgetting what was behind. He is not saying to forget all things past, for we are to remember the sacrifice of our Lord and how God has worked in the Scriptures, even meditating upon them. Paul references in his letters the past. While telling them about his own experience. Paul's point is not to forget the past altogether but to stop dwelling on past sin, defeat, and failures.
There are things that we, like Paul, wish we could have done differently, but Paul doesn't dwell there. He chooses to reach forward and press on toward the goal. He is focused on the future such that his future hope impacts his present. We need to live in light of finishing our race in Christ strongly even if we have had a few, or many, poor early stages. We must reach for the prize, running as if we want to win (1 Corinthians 9:24). Each day, we must set our focus by faith on the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. This is a call toward holiness, growth, sanctification, and maturity in Christ. It is a call toward eternal priorities, and it is a call toward putting our faith in what God can do. This goes along with the saying, forgive and forget then you are free.
If we want to suffer another year of failed resolutions, we can dwell on the past, stay mired in sin, and not even attempt to reach forward. But we must press on in faith, trusting God that He will cause all things to work for our good. May God's glory be lifted high in our lives, and may we let our future hope of glory impact how we live each day in the present. May God give us strength to press on and reach forward, and may God grant us faith to believe that God is able even when we are very unable. One day, by faith, we will reach our goal, but it will only be because of Christ at work in and through us. To Him is the glory both now and on that wonderful day.

Father Healing

Every one has problems in your life—weaknesses, shortcomings, personality flaws, emotional conflict—some stem from what I call a “father void.” This “void” could be for other people in our lives but for the moment let’s focus on the father.
Your relationship with your earthly father impacts every area of your life. Whether he was good or bad, no earthly father is perfect. The way he raised you—or didn’t raise you—results in hurts or fractures that can lead to many problems, leaving you feeling empty and far away from God. Human love is never enough to satisfy our hearts. Human love is never enough to heal the wounds that each of us collect as we grow up in a fallen, sinful world. Our lives are wounded when our earthly father is not able or willing to be everything that we need him to be for us. The earthly father can mask forces of insecurity and inferiority and you find that they are fertilized and find soil to grow. Many of us learn to live with scars and damaged souls. The cry of every human heart is for a father—a father who will give us the confidence and affirmation, security and acceptance we long for.
We see the father attributes in people’s lives when they’re angry, mean, negative, pessimistic, and sarcastic. We see the damage in their hearts when they’re filled with hatred, murder, envy, jealousy, evil thoughts and desires. We see it when they boast and strive to be superior over others because they feel inferior in their souls.
We can see those father characteristics in our own lives.
Do you feel insignificant, unimportant or inferior? Do you live with feelings of rejection? Are you self-conscious—feeling that people are looking at you but not approving? Do you lack confidence around others? Do you constantly struggle with temptation or addictions? Does lust have a significant stronghold in your life? Are you sometimes willing to compromise what is right just to have someone’s love and approval?
Perhaps your relationship with God is affected by a father figure. Maybe you read your Bible, pray, go to church, but you still feel empty.
God wants to heal that father figure in your life today! In that same way that He will heal a fracture in your bones, He wants to heal the fracture in your soul.
Your healing begins as you forgive the human father who failed you. Even if your father is gone—just forgive him and get it out of your life. Bury the past and look to God as your only source.
God wants you to know that He’s your Heavenly Father. He will more than make up for whatever has been broken in your life. He will heal whatever has been destroyed and devastated in your life. He will restore whatever has been missing in your life. He will provide whatever your earthly father didn’t provide for you. Your earthly father may fail you, but your Heavenly Father will never fail you. If you feel there may be damage in your soul from the way you were raised, I encourage you to meditate on God’s Word and seek Him by faith. You will find the secret to satisfaction and purpose in your life—knowing God as your Father!

"His work is Wonderful"

“HIS WORK IS WONDERFUL”

(A New Life Given - Liver Transplant)

My message today is very poignant for me. The sentimental angle will illustrate the miracle it represents. You will see how God’s ability to accomplish His plan in my life materialized in spite of how unlikely the possibilty had seemed. His talents are above all I can ever think or imagine, and all Glory is attributed to nobody, but God.  I have entitled this message, “His Work Is Wonderful” because it portrays my personal affirmation: “Either Way I Win!” Whether God heals me on earth now, soon or decides to call me home to His glory, Either Way I Win! Isn’t that good news about a promise?

Tuesday, December 6, 2011, marks the fifth year Anniversary of my Liver Transplant.

A major Liver Transplant that God made possible. It was 8:30am when I received the call confirming a match. Around 11:30pm, I had been transplanted. He worked out the details and I reaped the reward. Hallelujah, Thank You God! I am so thankful for a God who is attentive to details. God saw fit to give me new life, a modern day miracle from the Master.

God makes no mistakes in His construction of mankind (Me). In fact, those life errors/ misfortunes we experience are actually His mark on your life. It’s His powerful way to make Him (GOD) known to you. As always, but especially this morning, I Rejoice! Not only am I excellently formed; as you are also, by a wonderful Maker, but we are fulfilled with a precious part in His great plan, which has been specifically created for you and me. When God formed us, He gave us all the qualities that make us unique, such as; your traits and talents; despite Trouble, Trials and Tribulations. Nevertheless, even things we consider flaws and weaknesses are all a part of Him perfecting us -- His wonderful children.

I take this opportunity to personally thank God for all of you who have prayed and stayed through this most challenging time of my life.

First, I give all Glory to God.

To my mother with her sleepless nights; my daughters, sisters, and brothers, I thank them for their love, strength & encouragement. To my God sister, God and spiritual mothers, I thank you for supporting the vision. To my best friend, those close loyal friends who attended to me and my family; my extended family through marriage, which I still consider family; Thank you for your prayers and standing in the gap. Old and new friends today, I thank God for you and all your Kindness and Support. To all my friends, your prayers have tremendously helped me to display an unselfish nature in letting God know my love for Him and in terms, I have that unconditional love for you.

To those I may not know and have never met, but you displayed in some way, your thoughtfulness to me by letting me know God will make a way, I thank you. To those that hung in there and supported me and my family, let it be known that it wasn’t in vain nor did I take it for granted, but for genuine love. I love you dearly and I truly thank you.

To the medical personals, keep doing what you do by making it happen, I thank you, even now, with my after care. To those who could not understand my challenges and abandoned me, I may not understand; but God does, I forgive and still love you with all my heart.

The marriage between me and God will never be broken because I made a vow to be with Him to the end and eternity, that’s real Agape Love. "I thank my God every time I remember you, constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for you, because of your sharing in the gospel from the first day until now. For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus." (Philippians 1:3-6).

My prayer…”I thank you God for creating me, for seeing worth in me to recreate what I mess up, I praise you for all of your works in me which are truly wonderful.” Amen.

(He did it for me. He will do it for you). May God Bless each one of you, I pray God’s favor on you forever and every need and desire met according to His will. Love you all.

In Jesus’ Name,

Amen.

Faith Walking

One of the familiar and shortest and yet most powerful statements a believer can say I believe is “Walking by Faith”. As a man almost 50 and have been through countless storms, some small and some big, my faith had to carry me thru.
That’s my life's testimony. The world wants you to believe that there is something wrong with a life like mine because I've gone through and I’m still going through.

They want you to believe that if you have what the Joneses have then you are living a fulfilled life. Pretty funny, huh? I walk by faith, and I know I’m God’s best. That’s should be fulfilling enough, but God is still completing me as I happily tell my story that my life is more complete, even though I’m still going through.
As you live out your ideal life and dreams, there is some advice, some great tips, which will help us, that will ensure faith, keep us humble and then we’ll enjoy life in great experience:
It will mature you when you walk with God, when you can honestly confess to Him, that you want his desires. Ask God to break you until you're walking in harmony with Him, and to reveal to you His desires for your life, Pray for this.
Check yourself, be honest and admit your not studying enough and if your not sure how to study, pray. Become discipline in your time with God, reading His word and committing time with Him daily. You have it in you to do this. 2 Timothy 2:15 teaches us to "be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth".
As a Marine I was taught to make new friends and keep your enemies closer; it’s some concepts like that, that will keep us stagnant. It's time to grow in all areas of your life. Don't be afraid to cut sub-tractors, distracters, and whiners out of your life.
A great sign that you are next is when you celebrate when others are being blessed. Celebrating will overflow when you’re close to the blessings and the Blessed.

Pastors Prayer

"Father, continually renew my pastor's mind, resulting in a transformed life. Help him bring every thought into captivity to Christ. Give him a greater understanding of Your Word. Help him to think on things that are pure and right and praiseworthy." (Ps. 119:15, Ro. 12:2, 2 Cor.

Eyes. "Lord, keep opening my pastor's eyes to deep spiritual truths. Help him to see things as You see them. Guard him against looking at worthless things. " (Ps. 119:18, Ps. 119:37)

Ears. "Father, let my pastor hear Your voice clearly. Help him to recognize your voice with certainty. Protect him from listening to anyone who is out of step with You. Help him not to be affected negatively by what others say." (Is. 30:21)

Nose. "Lord, help my pastor discern between good and evil. Give him the ability to determine what is of You and what is not." (1 K. 3:9, 1 Jn. 4:1)

Mouth. "Enable my pastor to speak the truth in love. Help him to be swift to hear and slow to speak. Give him the ability to confront when necessary. Let the words he speaks be Yours, not his own. Help him speak words that bring grace to the hearers. I also pray that you will help him to grow in his speaking and preaching ability." (Ps. 19:14, Ps. 119:13, Ps. 141:3; Eph. 4:15, Eph. 4:29; Jas. 1:19)

Heart. "Give my pastor a heart that seeks hungrily after You. Teach him to guard his heart with all diligence. Help him deal with anything in his heart that is not pleasing to You. Create within him a pure heart. Enable him to lead Your people with integrity." (Ps. 78:72, Ps. 119:10-11; Prov. 4:23; 1 Thess. 3:13)

Hands. "Lord, I pray that everything my pastor does would be done with his whole heart, serving You rather than man. Help him not to 'dirty his hands' by doing things that are not pleasing to You. I pray that You will also help him to increase his skills and his abilities. Bless everything he puts his hands to." (Ps. 24:3-4, Col. 3:23)
Feet. "Help my pastor walk in a way that is pleasing to You. Help him walk with the wise. Cause him to go where You want him to go. Give him wisdom when he inadvertently walks into bad situations." (Ps. 25:12, Ps. 27:11; Prov. 13:20)


Sunday
Holy Father, as we prepare to worship You, I pray now for Your blessings on our Life Pack hour. Lord,
add to our numbers daily those who come to know You as Savior. Acts 2:42-47
Anoint my Pastor as he/she proclaims the mystery of Christ. Father, give him/her wisdom as he/she
preaches; let him/her be full of grace.
Colossians 4:3-4
Give my Pastor boldness as he/she preaches the truth of Your Word.
2 Timothy 4:1-2
Father, help us all see Jesus. As we dwell in Your presence, purify our hearts. Father, transform us to be
more like Christ.
Hebrews 2:9
Monday
Thank you, Lord, for calling my Pastor to preach the gospel. Reveal the truth of Your Word to my Pastor as
he/she prepares his sermon. Galatians 1:11-12
Bless my Pastor with rich study time. Acts 6:4, 2 Timothy 2:15
Father, give him/her the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, that he/she may know You better. Show my Pastor
Your glory and great power, that he/she would know the hope to which You’ve called him/her.
Ephesians 1:17-19
Tuesday
Lord, thank you for giving us a shepherd after your own heart that leads to knowledge, understanding,
and integrity. Jeremiah 3:15
As my Pastor leads his/her staff, and in administrative issues, I pray You would give him/her wisdom and
knowledge. 2 Chronicles 1:10
Father, lead my Pastor to live out the watch care you require of himself/herself and his/her flock. Guide
him/her Lord as he/she leads us to be more effective in our community. Acts 20:28
Wednesday
Lord, give my Pastor discernment to prioritize what is most important. Protect him/her from busyness,
fatigue, and an overburdened schedule. Ecclesiastes 3:1-17
Keep him/her focused on Your Kingdom, Your agenda this evening is the mid-week service, let him meditate on the tasks You put before him/her. Nehemiah
6:1-4
Lord, protect my Pastor. Let nothing hinder his/her time with You. Mark 1:35
Thursday
Father, Lead my Pastor to dwell in Your shelter, to rest in You, Lord Most High. Be his/her refuge, his/her
fortress, the God in whom he/she trusts. Psalm 91:1-2
Encourage my Pastor with Your Word that he/she might be filled with hope. Romans 15:4
Lord, Keep him/her devoted to prayer. Continue to grow in my Pastor a passionate desire to seek You with
all his/her heart. Colossians 4:2
Friday
Father, bless my Pastor’s marriage. Grow their love for one another. Lead him/her to love his/her spouse
as Christ loved the church. Ephesians 5:25
Lord, I pray for Your good and perfect will to be accomplished in their family. May this family glorify You
Lord in all they do. Proverbs 19:21
Father, watch over my Pastor’s family and keep them from harm all the days of their lives. Psalm 121:7-8
Saturday
Remind my Pastor that he/she belongs to You, that You called him/her out of darkness into Your wonderful
light with a purpose; to declare You as Lord and to praise Your Holy Name. 1 Peter 2:9-10
Lord, purify my Pastor’s heart, that he/she would be set apart to lead the lost in our community to Christ.
Isaiah 6:8
As he prepares the Your Word for Your people, may the words of his/her mouth make known the mystery of the gospel. Help him/her Lord, to proclaim
Christ fearlessly. Ephesians 6:19-20

Amen

This is a prayer for my friend, church, and brother; I penned this in summer of 2009. Pray for your  Family, Pastor, and Friends. daily.
(Pastor/Brother. Donald L Johnson, Brother. Rodney Johnson, Family Cruse and Boyd. Church Oak Grove MB Church. and my New found Family and Friends) I Love You All.

Getting Wisdom

The Bible speaks very plainly to us about the importance of having wisdom. Wisdom is what puts all of the puzzle pieces of our lives together in the proper order. Those pieces labeled "knowledge" and "experience" and "situations" all fit together in the proper place and in the proper order when wisdom arranges the pieces.

But where do we get wisdom? We can't go down to our local Christian book store and buy a pound of wisdom. We can't go next door to borrow a cup of it from our neighbor. There are three ways that the Bible tells us we can acquire wisdom:

By Association — While you can't gain wisdom by osmosis, it is a fact that if you hang around with wise people, you will pick up wisdom from them. Proverbs 13:20 says, "He who walks with the wise grows wise." It doesn't happen overnight - that's why that verse says "grows wise" not "is immediately wise." As you surround yourself with people who possess and utilize godly wisdom and discernment, you will find those qualities showing up in your life and being reflected in your choices. Beware of the inverse of this principle, which would go something like this: He who walks with the idiots becomes an idiot. The last part of that verse concludes with "...but a companion of fools suffers harm." The gist of that verse is clear: You become like the folks you hang out with.

By Absorption - You can gain wisdom by the things you read, listen to and watch. It goes without saying that you will gain wisdom as you study and immerse yourself in God's word. Really, what about the other things that you allow into your life? Are they helping you learn and grow in your understanding of God, of God's principles and of God's plan? In these days of the Internet, the accumulated wisdom of great writers, thinkers and saints of the ages are but a click away. But it is on the inverse of this principle that many have shipwrecked their lives, because unholy, unwholesome, and ungodly influences are likewise only a click of the remote or the mouse away. Psalm 101:3 says, "I will set before my eyes no vile thing."

By Appropriation - The final method of acquiring wisdom is so simple that if we are not careful we will overlook it: Ask for it. The Bible tells us that we have not because we ask not. And in the book of James we are told plainly that if we lack wisdom, we should ask God for it and He will give it to us. The inverse of this principle is too often true... if we don't ask for it, we won't get it.

We are told to seek first the things of God and then all of these things will be added to us. This is particularly true of wisdom. When we seek wisdom by asking God for it, reading and studying about it, and surrounding ourselves with others who possess it, we will acquire a key that opens the door to a lifetime of wise choices, blessings, and prosperity in our lives and in the lives of those around us.

Receive Rest with this RSVP

You have been invited. This invitation is not to a party but to a person. Jesus has opened His heart to you, so He has said, “Come to me.” This is addressed to all who are weary and heavy laden, this is addressed to you, so RSVP to the invitation and see won’t you get the gift of rest.

Jesus knows it takes real rest-not just for your body but also for your soul. He wants you to rest form from trying to be good enough and from doing too much. He wants you to fully rest in His finished work on the cross, His provision of salvation. (let me explain) He wants to give you rest that begins now and extends into eternity.

Jesus knows that if you don’t rest in Him, we’ll sacrifice the important for the urgent, that personal for public. If you don’t rest in Him, you’ll end up empty on the inside, moving through life in a fog of meaningless religious ritual. Answer the call, and then submit yourself to Jesus. The promise of rest is yours for the decision. Amen.

So let me ask you how can you RSVP to Christ’s invitation? He said take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you.” At first this may sound like just another burden. But the yoke of Jesus is the burden that makes all other burdens bearable. This yoke is what connects you to Jesus so that He can share your load. He wants to bear the weight of your burdens with His strong shoulders. RSVP and watch Him lighten your load, it’s not like He gave you more than you can bear in the first place.

Well let’s see, when you find yourself searching for something to soothe your pain in your life, will you listen for the voice of Jesus whispering His invitation into your ear, “Come to me”? When you feel your frustration building and your strength fading, listen to Jesus say” Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens.”

When you find yourself weighed down by unrealistic expectations or unbearable emotions, Jesus say’s “My yoke is easy and my burdens are light” (Mathew 11:30)

Jesus stands with His arms outstretched saying, Come away from what is significant and empty so you can enter into what is eternal, essential, restful. Come to me. Let me love you. Who could resist such an invitation?

I am Blessed.

I am blessed in many things. To write them all down would take an entire lifetime. Of course sometimes I don’t see something as a blessing, but His ways are not our ways. Jesus tells us in Mathew Chapter 5 about “blessed are the…” and not all are ones we’d consider as a blessing, are they? Obviously Jesus was telling us here that everything you face is a blessing, even being persecuted or being lied about. If you considered every situation that went on in your life a blessing, even if you didn’t know why or how, how much happier do you think you would be?
Just think when your someone walks on the clean floor you just mopped with their muddy boots what if you considered it a blessing? A blessing in teaching you how to love above all, forgive, and hold your tongue and temper? How many things do you think you would avoided and how much would you grow spiritually?
Sometimes you have a right to feel sorry for yourself, but God knows your hurt and the rejection you feel, even from those who claim to follow His Father. He hears your silent tears. He has been at the very place, but it all served for a purpose. Do you then not think that the trials in your life don’t serve a purpose as well? They do. Consider them as such. You will learn so much with this mindset. I know I have.
You are blessed as a Child of the King. Don’t let satan steal the blessings and treasures He has for you by viewing your trials as a curse. Say as Jesus did “How blessed you are when people insult you and persecute you and tell all kinds of vicious lies about you because you follow me!” Amen, I am blessed!