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Where Do YOU Find -- HOPE...??

1/21/2020

Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation works patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope makes us not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.  ROMANS 5:1-5

HOPE IN HARDSHIPS

We can walk in gladness and joy even in our sufferings, because we know that our suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. Yes! Our pain, our difficulties, and our adversities can build up and increase our hope!

Yet, this isn't something that just happens, we must comply with the Spirit of God, and know that He will guide us through the times that we struggle with.

HOPE IN PERSEVERANCE

Determination and endurance are rare in this day and age, because most of us are looking for instant gratification and longing for a quick fix. However, through my own battles with five auto-immune diseases, I choose to lean on Jesus!

It seems that developing a true and persuasive Christ-like character in me, along with increasing my trust and absolute faith in Christ, means a lingering dependence on Him. Christ is working in me as I share my battle with those who are going through the same struggles.

HOPE IN OUR DARKEST HOURS

In our most somber moments, Jesus holds our hands and wipes away our tears. When we are frightened or afraid, Jesus holds us in His arms and protects us.

When we are worried, He speaks into our spirit words of peace that quiet our souls. We just need to take the hand of Jesus and learn to walk and talk with Him, because He has everything in our lives under control.

HOPE AND FAITH -- TRIED IN THE FIRE

The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the Lord tries the hearts.  PROVERBS 17:3 You see silver and gold are purified by fire, but God purifies the heart.

And, while the purity of silver and gold can be tested in a melting pot, a man is tested by his reaction to men's praises. The pot separates the impurities of the metal -- and the testing of men is our response to praise, whether humble or proud.

When our character is changed we are then able to help those who are going through similar struggles and hardships. God created us in His image -- to become more like Him, and sometimes we have to go by the way of suffering.

HOPE TO BE MORE LIKE JESUS

When our character is completely changed we indeed know that we belong to Christ and He belongs to us. This helps us to cope with the burdens we face as we learn that with Jesus' help we can handle anything.

The more we become Christ like -- the more we will experience HOPE! And, we will find strength and encouragement when the marvelous hope of heaven shines on us daily.

HOPE -- WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Our HOPE is never in vain -- When it's in Jesus!!
Our life on this earth is a tiny DROP in the OCEAN of ETERNITY!

BELOW: Michael English -- In Christ Alone
And Also -- Max Lucado

If Jesus heals you instantly -- Praise Him!
If you are still waiting for healing -- Trust Him!
Your Suffering is your Sermon.
-- Max Lucado

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Walking in the "Light of God's Presence..."

1/21/2020

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Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, "I am the light of the world: he that follows me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life."
JOHN 8:12

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
PSALMS 119:105

WALKING IN GOD'S LIGHT

Yesterday, I talked about experiencing the "Fullness of Joy" that is found in Jesus Christ alone. When we walk in the light of God's presence, we can rejoice in Jesus' name every day, all day,
and fully in His righteousness.

This old world is growing increasingly dark and gloomy, but that only makes the "Light of God's Presence" brighter than ever! God's glory will forever outshine the dark backdrop of all evil.

AT OUR LOWEST POINTS

On our worst days, in the poorest of our circumstances, we can take joy and revel in the presence of God. The root core and character of all that I am is made pure by this one word: Jesus.

O, THE SWEET NAME OF JESUS

The Name of Jesus whether whispering a prayer, offering our praise or needing protection will never lose its effectiveness. Even in this wicked and evil world, we can find joy and be triumphant in Christ's righteousness!

And there is nothing that can corrupt or pollute His goodness and holiness, which Jesus alone has knitted into radiant "garments of salvation" for us to wear forever!

STEP INTO THE GLOW OF GOD'S GLORY

Walking in the light means we consider JESUS as the "Light of this World", and we walk in His light by "Following His Precepts, Living in His Power and Growing in His Grace!"

So, this is how you "Walk in the Light of God's Presence:" you make full use of Christ Jesus Holy Name, by clothing yourself in His "robes of righteousness" cheerfully!

BELOW: Jessie Dixon & The Gaither Homecoming Team sing:
Jesus Is the Light of the World!

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Experience The "Fullness of Joy" In Christ Jesus

1/19/2020

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Thou wilt show me the path of life: in thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand, there are pleasures for- evermore. PSALM 16:11

SO WHAT IS GENUINE FULLNESS OF JOY

As Believers, we have all heard it said or have read God's Word about the "Fullness of Joy" at one time or another. The following are a couple of verses pertaining to the phrase, "fullness of joy":

These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your "joy might be full." JOHN 15:11
And now I come to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my "joy fulfilled" in themselves. JOHN 17:13
Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shall make me "full of joy" with thy countenance. ACTS 2:28

FULLNESS OF JOY IN TODAY'S WORLD

What does the "fullness of joy" truly mean in this present day and in this fallen world of sin, shame, suffering, and sorrow? Can our joy genuinely override all our other battles in this life?

Christ must be the center of everything we face in this life if we are to find that His love in us supersedes any tests of severe afflictions we may be going through. True "Fullness of Joy" rests not in the absence of affliction, disease or hardships, but that the joy that we find in Christ outweighs those calamities.

WHERE DOES FULLNESS COME FROM

Undoubtedly there is absolutely nothing in this world that can truly fulfill our happiness or joy. Our relationship and communion with the one true and living God alone fulfills and generates JOY in an extensive and exhaustive state of our lives!

That is authentic and honest fullness, even when there is pain and sorrow along our journey! Our JOY must be centered and overflowing in Christ Jesus if we are to experience fullness because Jesus is fullness of genuine joy!

OUR SEARCH FOR JOY

Jesus states: "I am the bread of life: he that comes to me shall never hunger; and he that believes on me shall never thirst.
JOHN 6:35 I take that to mean we will never hunger or thirst for anything as long as our lives are captivated and consumed in Him.

Jesus is the beginning, the middle and the end of our pursuit to find outright and pure fullness of joy. We have everything in Him and our quest for satisfaction takes place when we know that real joy can only be found in Him!

LOVE WORKS IN OUR JOY

We clearly find the fullness of joy in this life when the love of God reaches out to others through us. This life in this broken world doesn't include so much joy that all our other emotions are expelled.

We revel and triumph, we cry and mourn together, but when we see Jesus this will no longer be the case. The Bible says one day: God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. REVELATION 21:4

The "Fullness of Joy" in the future means that we will have joy beyond description -- Joy Unspeakable when all our emotions are gone and we genuinely JOY in God's Glory!

BELOW: Yes! One Day We Will Experience the "Fullness of Joy" in Christ Jesus! Just listen to the words of this old hymn: Joy Unspeakable -- And the Half Has Never Yet Been Told -- Wow!!

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We All Have Sinned -- Call It What It Is... Sin Is SIN!!

1/17/2020

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Thou shall not kill. EXODUS 20:13  (All 10 Commandments Can Be Found in Exodus 20) -  Jesus said unto him, "Thou shall love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul and with all thy mind." This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, "Thou shall love thy neighbor as thyself." On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.  MATTHEW 22:37-40

WHAT SIN ISN'T

This nation has come to call sin "a mistake," "poor judgement," or even "an error". Still if we look to God and the Bible, we see that SIN is something much more serious.

WHAT SIN REALLY IS

Whosoever commits sin transgresses also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.  1 JOHN 3:4 Sin is falling short of the perfect standard that God has set and we are ALL GUILTY of SIN!
Each of us has sinned against God.

WHAT GOD'S WORD SAYS ABOUT SIN

For ALL have sinned, and come short of the glory of God...
ROMANS 3:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.  ROMANS 6:23

THE GOOD NEWS ABOUT SIN

The angel announced to Joseph that the Child in Mary's womb should be called, "Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins." MATTHEW 1:28 When John the Baptist saw Jesus coming to be baptized, he exclaimed, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world!" JOHN 1:29

SIN IS JUST THAT -- SIN

In today's society, sin is being trivialized and watered down to not offend anyone. But sin is offensive and it is offensive to a HOLY GOD!

God hates sin! He is forever, and He is vehemently and brutally opposed to it and will not and cannot condone any sin within His presence.

THERE IS DELIVERANCE THROUGH OUR REDEEMER

As Christian Believers our sin has been dealt with when we truly repent and seek forgiveness through Jesus Christ, who gave His life, His blood to cover our sin. We have salvation because we have a Savior, who paid our debt of sin on the cross of Calvary!

Sin's penalty is eternal death, but that debt of sin was paid for by JESUS CHRIST! When we turn from our sin, our rebellion, recognizing God's authority, our inability to save ourselves and turn to God in FAITH, we receive the free gift of salvation.

There is nothing that we can do to earn salvation, the work was finished on the cross! For by grace ye are saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: NOT of WORKS, lest any man should boast. EPHESIANS 2:8-9

WHEN CHRISTIANS - BELIEVER'S SIN

Friends, if were honest we know that even Christian Believers sin and it does put a barrier between us and God. God cuts us off from true fellowship He wants us to have with Him.

But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.
ISAIAH 59:2 So it's true that sin puts a barrier between us and God and cuts us off from fellowship with Him.

GOD STILL LOVES US -- BUT HE WANT TO RESTORE US

Still, that doesn't mean that God hates and doesn't want anything to do with us. On the contrary, He wants us to come back to Him and have our fellowship restored.

God does everything He can to "wake us up" and "bring us to repentance!" Sometimes due to our own stubbornness He will do so by making us miserable. And there are times when He will gently show us His love towards us, even though we don't deserve it.

DON'T LET SIN KEEP YOU FROM GOD

We can't let sin come between us and God. God loves us, He sent His only son to die for our sins. However, when we do sin, we need to confess it and seek God's forgiveness immediately!

The longer sin goes on... the more the devil can take over!

SIN IS JUST THAT -- SIN!

It's up to us to come to God when we sin, be it any of the "Ten Commandments" which are like a mirror for us to see our sin. Or it is the "Two Great Commandments" that Jesus gave to us in the verses at the top of the page.

Right now I am concentrating on two that genuinely pierce my heart, I can't even begin to imagine how hurt GOD must be! And those two are the abortion laws, especially Illinois' new law and the LGBTQ!

1. It is NOT because I hate the people, it's because it these sins are destroying America! Over 50 million babies have been killed by abortion since 1973 -- 6 million Jewish people were killed in the holocaust.

2. And the LGBT has been brought into the lives of children who "live what they've learned!" They are vulnerable and can't control who is teaching them, but when a five year old is taught to "feel he or she" may have experiences that make them feel they are another gender -- that's just WRONG!!

HAVE YOU MET JESUS -- IS HE YOUR LORD AND SAVIOR

There is a simple and free way to be reconciled with God
made possible by God's only son Jesus. A blood sacrifice was
needed to pay for your sins and Jesus was sent to become that
sacrifice. He was nailed to a Roman cross to shed His blood in payment for your sin.

Then three days after His death, He rose from the dead,
validating once and for all His qualification to be our only
Savior. By placing your complete trust in Jesus' death, burial,
and resurrection is God's one and only means of reaching Heaven.

Jesus said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life: no man
cometh unto the Father, but by me.
JOHN 14:6

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten
Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved."  JOHN 3:16-17

The Bible clearly tells us how to be saved:

"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shall be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."  ROMANS 10:9-10

This is a free gift from God because He loves you.
"But the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."
ROMANS 6:23

"Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."  ROMANS 10:13

Are YOU ready to believe right now? If so, simply tell God what He asked you to confess. There's room at the cross for YOU!

And you may use a prayer similar to this one:

God, I admit to you that I am a sinner, and I know I cannot do anything to earn my way to Heaven. I truly believe that Jesus
died on the cross, was buried, rose from the grave. I put my
faith in His sacrifice to pay for my sin in full as I accept Him
into my life as my Lord and Savior.

Have YOU decided to accept the Lord as your Savior?
If so, feel free to contact me and let me know.

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PRAY Even In The Face of Worldly OPPOSITION!!

1/16/2020

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EVEN THE DISCIPLES FACED OPPOSITION!

The Apostle Paul Is Speaking: "Only let your conversation be as it becomes the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God. And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God. For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him but also to suffer for his sake..." PHILIPPIANS 1:27-29 (KJV)

Paul is speaking and is essentially telling the Philippians to, "Conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I am able to come and see you or not, I will hear that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel of Jesus Christ."

DON'T BE ALARMED BY YOUR OPPONENTS

Paul goes on to say, "In no way be alarmed by your opponents -- which is a sign of destruction for them, but of salvation for you, and that too, from God. For it has been granted by Christ's sake, not only to believe in Him but also to suffer for his sake."

In no way alarmed by your opponents?? The church at large today is alarmed around any offensive part of its gospel. It is more acceptable to be "Politically Correct!”

EXPECT OPPOSITION

The church is also scurrying around to downplay any offense of the Gospel of Jesus and trying to make it more palatable or accepted.

Paul is telling us to, "Expect opposition as Believers in Christ Jesus! He DOESN'T say, "Pick your chin up and go out there and do your best!!"

DON'T BE DISMAYED

As Believers today we find the church -- as well as the world is outright refusing to call sin -- SIN!! In effect were to refuse any disheartening perspective.

Recently there was a pastor on television who was asked: "Do you believe that anyone that doesn't follow Christ is on is way to hell? And this was the pastor's answer, "It's really not up to me, it's something that we must leave up to God!!

GO YE INTO ALL THE WORLD

People -- "God has left it up to us to deliver the gospel to the world. Jesus himself spoke these words, "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.  MARK 16:15

Jesus taught and preached the good news and Jesus sent his disciples out to preach the gospel also! We've been told: How to get to Hell as well as How to Get to Heaven!

But a growing number of churches are playing down the biblical elements of sin and repentance. And in doing so the Gospel is being effectively and efficiently trivialized -- repackaged into various forms of entertainment and reduced to immaterial and insignificant!

WHY ARE WE AFRAID IN THE FACE OF OPPOSITION

So the question is, "WHY is this happening?" And the answer is simple -- FEAR!

We are living in FEAR of losing the approval of our bosses, our contemporaries, and our culture! We fear that we will not be invited to sit at the table with the sophisticated!

It's fear of being viewed as "out of touch" or fear of being the worst offenders of human rights!

THE WORLD IS SPEAKING OUT

One member of the Colorado Civil Rights Commission suggests: "Any religious system that rejects or doesn't endorse same-sex marriage is effectively in the same category as slave traders and Nazis." (https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2019/06/battle-gay-rights-over/592645/)

That is "not the minority opinion" either! Still, just look at History: Christians worked tirelessly to end slavery and Christians hid Jewish people in their closets from the Nazis! Today, true Believers are loyal friends to Jewish people.

WE CAN'T AVOID OPPOSITION

But the church is scrambling to avoid any kind of opposition, while the Apostle Paul is telling us to expect it!! He builds his case for fearlessness on two eternal realities. Go back to PHILIPPIANS 1:28 In no way be alarmed by your opponents -- which is a sign of destruction for them -- but evidence of salvation for you!

Eternal opposition is a sign (it gives evidence that something is true)! The opposition is coming -- in the form of "judgment to those that oppose the church because, in reality, they are opposing GOD!"

GOD SEES IT ALL

God sees and is reading the signs of this worlds opposition, we just have to go to God's Word: And I saw a great white throne, and Him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. REVELATION 20:11

SUFFERING FOR CHRIST'S SAKE

Let me show you the evidence, living for Jesus we will have suffering. Remember the disciples?? After Jesus was arrested they huddled together, after the crucifixion, they scattered because they were terrified, they were cowards.

But, after Jesus' resurrection -- they became courageous! The gospel became alive physically, tangibly, completely and undeniably confirmed! Now the disciples were preaching where earlier they were panicking.

LEGAL COMPLICATIONS -- LEAVE THEM IN GOD'S HANDS

The disciples were also arrested, brought before the high court of the Sanhedrin and told: "Do not preach in Jesus' Name again!" The disciples replied, "We will obey God -- Rather than men!"

They were stopped, they were arrested and they were told -- And to him, they agreed: and when they had called the apostles and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. ACTS 5:40

How many Pastors have capitulated because they were told not to pray in the Name of Jesus -- Well then, let's just not pray!!!

REJOICING ALWAYS

The disciples were going to continue preaching after they were beaten we are told that they went on their way REJOICING that they had been considered "worthy to suffer shame for Jesus Name!"

My friends, opposition points to a coming punishment for the enemies of God, BUT it also points to our Salvation! It points to the fact that we are genuine Believers.

LOYAL BELIEVERS

Yes! There will be opposition for the sake of your faith -- Do not grow weary or afraid! No! Be a loyal follower of Jesus Christ!

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SO... Do YOU Really Want "ANSWERS to PRAYER??"

1/14/2020

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My sincere apologies for not getting my blog out yesterday, but I am having some medical appointments and tests.

WARNING: If you're not ready to hear some of my true concerns about "WHY" our prayers are not answered, you may not want to read today's blog. But, I absolutely felt led to share my heart about some pretty serious subjects. God Bless and keep each of you in His care! Judy

If my people, which are called by name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.  2 CHRONICLES 7:14

TIRED OF UNANSWERED PRAYERS

It's time for me to get genuinely honest with my readers. Its time I shared what is really on my heart, without worrying about who reads or doesn't read my blog.

I don't care about the number of people reading, I only want the one reader who is honestly seeking the Lord Jesus Christ and His kingdom! The reader who loves the Lord more than pleasing his or her friends, the reader who is tired of playing church and the reader who wants more from the Lord, for he has promised it to us!

MY REAL CONCERNS

I am greatly and fiercely concerned for our children, grandchildren and the generations to come if we as believers don't get our act together. I constantly receive prayer requests for unsaved loved ones -- and while I take joy in praying for all our unsaved loved ones, we ALL need to pick up the challenge of praying for them!

We as parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles need to be praying for broken children of all ages! Those who are crippled by divorce, crushed and dying from illegal drugs, and confused by sexual orientation and gender identity!

I have to ask myself; "What will these children be, how will they respond to adulthood, what are we teaching them and do they even know the Lord our God??"

TIRED OF DEAD CHURCH SERVICES

I have been in churches that were content to have a one hour service on Sunday Morning, and a one hour service on Wednesday night Bible Study and Prayer -- they have walked away from Sunday evening services, but more importantly their lacking the most valuable resource of all: "PRAYER!"

Two hours a week spent in churches -- 37 minutes a week of quality time with our families -- the divorce rate may be going down, but the marriage rate has dropped also! Many people are content to be with one partner until that relationship fails -- then they just move on to the next partner.

JESUS HAS A BETTER WAY

Jesus has said,

"I am the light of the world: he that follows me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life."  JOHN 8:12

"I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."  JOHN 14:6

"I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abides in me, and I in him, the same brings forth much fruit: for without me you can do nothing."  JOHN 15:5

NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE WITH GOD

For with God nothing shall be impossible.  LUKE 1:37

"Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believes on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father."
JOHN 14:12

Its not that we do greater works to gain "get fame, importance, or glory," that belongs to the Father in heaven! ALL Glory, Honor and Praise belongs to the Lord our God and that cannot be changed or forgotten!

So, as you read the following -- Keep the verses above in your mind!!

AMERICA HAS HIT BOTTOM IN THE ABORTION BATTLE

Christians, true believers need to get serious about their relationship with the Lord because of the way this nation has hit bottom as far as I can tell:

New Illinois law makes access to abortion a 'fundamental right!' Chicago -- Illinois Govenor J.B. Pritzker signed sweeping protections for abortion on Wednesday in a new law that establishes access to the procedure as a fundamental right for women. See:  Jun 12, 2019: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/new-illinois-law-makes-access-to-abortion-a-fundamental-right

Since "Roe-vs-Wade" data from the Guttmacher Institute -- a research organization that supports legal access to abortion -- does indeed show more that 50 MILLION abortions were performed between 1973 and 2011. Those findings are peer-reviewed and have been cited by proponents and opponents of legal access to abortion alike. They rate this statement as TRUE. See: https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/politics/reality-check/2015/03/06/million-abortions-claim-checks/24530159/

If that isn't enough to make our stomachs sick, I don't know what is. And, this is just one of America's lowest standards, including Christian Believers!

VISIT OR VOLUNTEER AT A CRISIS PREGNANCY CENTER

I have volunteered at abortion centers and have seen mothers come stomping in, "madder than a wet hen," because their daughters had questions and desired options due to their own pregnancy. One mother in particular yelled at me for counseling a 15 year old girl who was definitely against abortion and said, "I've had at least 5 and I'm okay!"

I can understand a mother being upset and not wanting their child to have a child, but there are so many couples out there who long to have a baby. I'm not trying to convince anyone to change your position on abortion! I am asking you to consider options other than killing an innocent baby!

Consider this fact: That while 6 Million Jews were killed in the holocaust, 50 Million babies have been killed since 1973?? See:
https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/documenting-numbers-of-victims-of-the-holocaust-and-nazi-persecution

There are OTHER OPTIONS my friends!

SIGNIFICANT CHANGES IN AMERICA

(CNN) Here is a look at LGBT milestones in the United States. LGBT is an acronym meaning lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender. The term sometimes is extended to LGBTQIA, to include intersex and asexual groups.

Queer is an umbrella term for non-straight people; intersex refers to those whose sex is not clearly defined because of genetic, hormonal or biological differences; and asexual describes those who don't experience sexual attraction.

BIBLE READING AND PRAYER

We as Christians -- Believers -- have no right to "Play the Blame Game with Non-Believers!" Not when we don't have time for the "Word of God or Prayer!" I won't get into fasting right now!

Evangelicals admit struggling to find time for daily Bible reading and prayer. New research has shed light on the difficulties evangelicals have in making time for their spiritual life! See: https://baptistcourier.com/2006/03/prayer-no-1-issue-in-churches-survey-of-leaders-shows/

In order for today's church to remain strong in the midst of an evil society, it must be a "praying church," said Gary Butler, a survey participant from the Gospel Lighthouse Church in Anadarko, Oklahoma.

"If we as believers -- want to see the same mighty move of God that the early church saw, we must pray just as the early church did. Show me a praying Christian and church and I will show you a victorious Christian and church!"

Here is an excellent article and survey on the top ten issues of the church: https://baptistcourier.com/2006/03/prayer-no-1-issue-in-churches-survey-of-leaders-shows/

1. PRAYER: The need for more ongoing, passionate prayer in both personal and church life.

2. DISCIPLESHIP: The need for involvement of every believer in being continually transformed into the image of Christ.

3. LEADERSHIP: The need for clear, biblical vision and direction by church leaders.

4. EVANGELISM: The decline among Christians in personal sharing of the Gospel.

5. DOCTRINE/WORLDVIEW: The growing pressure to compromise principles to make truths more palatable to an audience. The widening influence of explicitly anti-Christian culture and negative influences on the church.

6. APATHY: The seeming lack of personal interest, support and enthusiasm from the pews for the work of the church.

7. MARRIAGE: The negative effects on families that result from divorce, adultery, pornography, etc.

8. RELEVANCE: The seeming inability of the church to answer questions one has living in the "real world."

9. HOMOSEXUALITY: The rising social pressure to accept same-sex behaviors, marriage and relationships.

10. ABORTION: The church's lack of an effective response to 30-plus years of legalized abortion.

TOMORROW THE TRUTH OF THE MATTER:

BELOW: Wintley Phipps Sings "The Lord's Prayer"

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Judy A. Weltin
Author

My heart cries out for those who are hurting and those who are lost and do not know the Lord Jesus Christ as their Personal Savior. I want to show you the "Love of Jesus" & give you some skills to "Rise Above" any and all misery you may face on a daily basis.

The "Church in General" has and is... failing this world! We have grown complacent, with a mediocre attitude in our relationship with Christ Jesus!

When Jesus rose from the grave and after He ascended into heaven, He gave us the most powerful support & assistance we need to help us "rise above" our daily problems by giving us His Holy Spirit!

He also gave us "His Holy Word..." which is a blueprint or map of how to live in this world that is so full of pain and sin. Thru Christ Jesus, "His Holy Spirit" and "His Holy Word," we have the power, ability and the authority to change this world and its problems.

We as a church have to "wake up, repent and go back to our first love of Jesus" in order to "Be the church, Jesus Christ intended us to be!" I am so ready for REVIVAL, not just for myself but, in the church also! I want so much more of God and what He has for me and YOU!!!
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Feel free to contact me by using the contact page or emailing me at:
[email protected]
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May God Bless you as you read my blog! May the words help and inspire you to live your life fully in Jesus Christ!

Isaiah 55:6

Welcome to my blog! My prayer is we will all benefit by hearing what God is doing and find JOY in everyday life! Blessings....

Where Do YOU Find -- HOPE...??

Walking in the "Light of God's Presence..."

Experience The "Fullness of Joy" In Christ Jesus

We All Have Sinned -- Call It What It Is... Sin Is SIN!!

PRAY Even In The Face of Worldly OPPOSITION!!

SO... Do YOU Really Want "ANSWERS to PRAYER??"

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