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Archive for the ‘The Righteous’ Category

Remembering 9/11

Posted in God's Glory, Grace, Love, The Righteous on September 11, 2011| Leave a Comment »

 1 The LORD is my light and my salvation;
Whom shall I fear?
The LORD is the defense of my life;
Whom shall I dread?
2 When evildoers came upon me to devour my flesh,
My adversaries and my enemies, they stumbled and fell.
3 Though a host encamp against me,
My heart will not fear;
Though war arise against me,
In spite of this I shall be confident.  Psalm 27:1-3

Today we remember September 11, 2001 and the terror attacks that happened in the USA, and those who lost their lives.  In New York City the Twin Towers were destroyed by two passenger planes, the Pentagon was hit by a passenger plane and another plane headed for DC crashed in Pennsylvania after the passengers decided to stop the terrorists themselves.  In all about 2,976 people lost their lives that day.  It is a day that will be remembered as the day that started our war on terror against Osama Bin Laden and Al Qaeda.  They attacked us in the name of their god, but in the end it was our God that saved us and defended us.

As we reflect on the last ten years, I am struck by the protection, mercy and grace that God has continued to show to the USA.  We have not had a major terrorist attack on our land and we should give glory and honor to God.  Darkness cannot prevail where there is light; in the USA our light continues to shine because our light resides in God.

I have no doubt that God’s hand of protection has always been on us.  Even on September 11, 2001, God was with us.  So many people, who could have died, did not.  Today we remembered those that died but there are also thousands of stories of those that survived.

We have proven our resolve to our enemies; we have shown that evil cannot prevail.  If God be for us who can be against us?  If these terror attacks were supposed to demonstrate the god of Al Qaeda; then our resolve and salvation demonstrates the love, mercy and grace of our Lord Jesus Christ who will forever reign in heaven and on earth.

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The Good Shepherd

Posted in Jesus, Love, Salvation, The Righteous on June 13, 2011| Leave a Comment »

11 “I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. 12 He who is a hired hand, and not a shepherd, who is not the owner of the sheep, sees the wolf coming, and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. 13 He flees because he is a hired hand and is not concerned about the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd, and I know My own and My own know Me, 15 even as the Father knows Me and I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. John 10:11-15

Jesus is the good shepherd.  He knows us and we know Him.  He laid down His life for us – His sheep.  He is not like other gods or men that leave the sheep to the wolves, Jesus protects us.  Many others are trying to find ways to appease their gods or make themselves worthy.  Christianity is not like that because we have a Savior, a good shepherd who watches over us and protects us.  If we stray away from Him, He does not require us to find our way back to the flock; He will come, find us, and bring us back to Himself.

Jesus knows us by name, he knows our thoughts, and He even knows the number of hairs on our head.  We know our Shepherd; we know His voice.  When He calls for us we come because we are His sheep.

We can take comfort in knowing that our Shepherd will tend to us and care for us.  He loved us so much that He laid down His life for us.

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Trials of Joy

Posted in Love, The Righteous on May 27, 2011| Leave a Comment »

Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.  And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.  James 1:2-4

Do you like tests?  Most people would say no.  However, our faith is constantly tested as we face trials in this world.  James said to count it all joy when we face trials.  It takes a lot of faith to find joy in trials; through trials our faith is strengthened and we learn patience.

One reason we should find joy in trials is that God has a plan and purpose in mind.  God is concerned about our growth and wants to conform us into the image of Jesus.  We can’t expect to escape trials in our lifetime.  We should look at trials the way God does – the perfecting of our faith and working patience within us.  Trials are not to be looked upon as punishments or God’s disproval of us.  On the contrary, when God allows us to go through a trial He is showing His love for us.  He wants us to be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.  God finds joy in our trials because He has in mind the person He wants us to become.  God has our very best in mind.

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28

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The Godly Wives

Posted in God's Glory, The Righteous on May 5, 2011| Leave a Comment »

10An excellent wife, who can find?
         For her worth is far above jewels.
11The heart of her husband trusts in her,
         And he will have no lack of gain.
12She does him good and not evil
         All the days of her life.

25Strength and dignity are her clothing,
         And she smiles at the future.
26She opens her mouth in wisdom,
         And the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
30Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain,
         But a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised. Proverbs 31:10-12, 25-30

We have so many TV shows about wives: Desperate Housewives; The Real Housewives of Orange County, New York, Atlanta, Miami, New Jersey, D.C., Beverly Hills; Army Wives; Basketball Wives; and now Mob wives the list goes on.  Sadly the majority of the women on these so called reality shows depict wives as being rich, spoiled, mean, vindictive, shallow, etc.  It seems the best drama comes from the fighting that occurs on these shows.  It really is pitiful how these wives are portrayed.  However, we must love it because there seems to be a new show coming each year focused on wives.  Honestly, these shows do not depict the average wife.

Proverbs 31 describes a wife of noble character.  The writer asks who can find an excellent wife.  Truly her worth is more than fine jewels.  She gives her husband no trouble.  She is not a backbiter, backstabber, deceitful, malicious, or anything contrary to nobility.

So today let’s celebrate and praise the Godly wives – the women who fear the Lord.  She is the jewel of her husband’s eye.  She is blessed and is a blessing to others.  Here are more attributes of the Godly wives:

14She is like merchant ships; she brings her food from afar.
15She rises also while it is still night and gives food to her household and portions to her maidens.
16She considers a field and buys it; from her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17She girds herself with strength and makes her arms strong.
18She senses that her gain is good; her lamp does not go out at night.
19She stretches out her hands to the distaff, and her hands grasp the spindle.
20She extends her hand to the poor, and she stretches out her hands to the needy. Proverbs 31

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Unity!

Posted in government, The Righteous, Unity on May 3, 2011| Leave a Comment »

“Any kingdom divided against itself is laid waste; and any city or house divided against itself will not stand.  Matthew 12:25

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity!  Psalm 133:1

How wonderful it was to see on Monday May 2nd the unity that America showed when we learned the news of Osama Bin Laden.  It was great to hear that people everywhere where unified on this issue.  There was no democrats, republicans, black, white, class, etc.  It was just Americans celebrating the strength of this nation – the United States of America. 

For the past few years we have been so divided over so many issues and that divide seemed to be getting greater and greater.  Since the economy has been in bad shape we as a nation have been pointing fingers and blaming each other.  The rhetoric that has been spoken has been full of hate and very divisive.  But yesterday we showed that we can be better than that.  We can be a better nation.

Last week I was reading that China may soon pass the US as the global superpower.  Many continue to predict the demise of the US.  It was not like that just a few years ago but our division has taken a great toil on this nation.  It is this division that will destroy us, not another country or even a terrorist group.  If we are divided against ourselves we cannot stand.  The problems we are facing in this nation effect everyone and we must be united in solving our problems.  We may disagree on many issues but that disagreement does not need to divide us.

When the forefathers founded this nation many of them had differing opinions and ideals but they were united by one common cause – freedom.  It was that unity that founded this country and made it so great.  Unfortunately, these past couple of years there is talk of some states wanting to secede.  Some saying we have to take our country back (not sure from whom?).  The division amongst races and classes is getting worse.  It would be a great tragedy if this nation is laid to waste because of our division.

We are better than this, yesterday was proof.  We can be united once again by a vision of a better future, and coming together to solve our nation’s problems.  The naysayers are saying we will be laid to waste, but we don’t have to accept this.  We should not accept this.  The United States is still a very young country especially compared to many other nations.  The one thing that has always defined us from all others is that we were and still can be “One nation under God.”  There is power and blessing in Unity.  God bless the United States of America.

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Why Celebrate?

Posted in Justice, Sowing and Reaping, The Father, The Righteous on May 2, 2011| Leave a Comment »

The exercise of justice is joy for the righteous, but is terror to the workers of iniquity. Proverbs 21:15

Today news spread that Osama Bin Laden had been killed by Special Forces of the US Military.  There were images of people celebrating in front of the White House, in New York City at Ground Zero, on college campuses and in other cities in the US.  People were rejoicing about the capture and death of Bin Laden.  Finally, one of the most wanted men on earth had been killed.  But why rejoice some Christians ask?  Some have said that we are no better than Bin Laden by rejoicing in his death.

Let’s put this in perspective.  Yes as Christians we are to show love and mercy for all.  We are to extend the love of Christ to everyone including our enemies.  Jesus said that if they hate us they hated Him first; of course Jesus died for all of our sins.  Osama Bin Laden declared Israel and Christians his enemy.  He led terror attacks, death sentences, and declared war on those who did not believe in the god he believed in.  For years thousands of men, women and children died because of Osama Bin Laden.  Since 9/11/2001 he has been hiding but still calling upon the death of Americans and Israelites everywhere.  He showed us no mercy but God showed him mercy every day he lived on this earth.  Osama Bin Laden had a chance every morning to repent and turn from his wicked ways, but he chose not to and in the end fought until his death.

During years of terror and death, people cried out to God for justice.  Families and loved ones wanted justice for all the people who died in terror attacks orchestrated by Osama Bin Laden.  We prayed for justice for the troops that lost their lives in pursuing Bin Laden and fighting two wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.  America demanded justice and today America got justice.

This is why people flooded the streets in celebration and jubilee.  For years the people longed for justice and finally their prayers were answered.  The good news is that even if we are wrong, God is not.  Osama Bin Laden will give an account before God and God will have the final say.  God is just, and is the administrator of all justice.

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These Signs Shall Follow

Posted in Crucified, God's Glory, Healing, Jesus, Prayer, Salvation, Satan, Sin, Teaching, The Father, The Holy Spirit, The Righteous, The Word on April 22, 2011| Leave a Comment »

19So then, when the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God.

 20And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them, and confirmed the word by the signs that followed. Mark 16: 19-20

 3how will we escape if we neglect so great a salvation? After it was at the first spoken through the Lord, it was confirmed to us by those who heard,

 4God also testifying with them, both by signs and wonders and by various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit according to His own will.  Hebrews 2: 3-4

Today is Good Friday and Sunday is Easter.  As Christians we celebrate the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ during this time.  Usually on Easter weekend, churches have the largest attendance of the year.  So many churches preach the gospel message hoping that many will give their life to Christ.

When Jesus commissioned the disciples after His resurrection, He told them that when they went out to preach the gospel, signs and wonders would follow them.  They would be able to cast out demons, lay hands on the sick and they would be healed.  We are also told in the above scriptures that God confirms the message of salvation by both signs and wonders and various miracles.  We cannot have the gospel preached without evidence of signs, wonders and miracles.  Otherwise we are simply preaching a message with no power behind it.

We should not only anticipate a great soul harvest this weekend, but we should expect to see it all including signs, wonders and miracles.  Their purpose is to confirm the gospel message and point people to Jesus.  So we should expect to see miracles, healings take place, deliverance from demons, etc.  Of course the greatest miracle of all is when a person is saved – that person was once dead in their sin and is made alive in Christ.

So let’s invite the lost, the sick and shut in, the hopeless, the downtrodden, those bound, etc.; and expect God to show up and deliver them all.  Let our prayer be that God will confirm His covenant, made through the death and resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, by the miracles, signs and wonders that will point all men to Jesus.

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The World is Waiting

Posted in Healing, Jesus, Love, Salvation, The Righteous on March 15, 2011| Leave a Comment »

18For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.

 19For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God.

 20For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope

 21that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God.  Romans 8:18-21

There are uprisings in the Middle East, the global economy is being threatened, and some countries, like Japan, are enduring huge natural disasters.  The world is groaning and looking for answers; they are looking for hope.

As God’s children we hold the answers to the world’s woes.  The creation longs for the children of God to be revealed.  It is not time for us to sit back and judge but to continue the gospel message and preach it to all creation.

When Jesus came and died for us He took back what Adam lost.  Jesus took back the authority that the devil stole.  He has given us that authority – to take dominion over the earth.  What does it look like?

It’s simple – we do what Jesus called us to do:

 15 He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. 16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. 17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18 they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.”  Mark 16:15-18

Now imagine a world where every Christian answered Jesus’ call.  That is what the creation is waiting for – the children of God to be revealed and to take dominion.

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Healing is Guaranteed!

Posted in Healing, Jesus, Knowing God, Love, Sin, The Father, The Righteous on March 4, 2011| Leave a Comment »

 19Therefore Jesus answered and was saying to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, unless it is something He sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father does, these things the Son also does in like manner.

 20“For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself is doing; and the Father will show Him greater works than these, so that you will marvel.

 21“For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life; even so the Son also gives life to whom He wishes. John 5:19-21

I recently came across some articles that said healing was not guaranteed in the atonement of Jesus Christ.  It is argued that we will suffer and have trouble in this life so we can’t be always guaranteed healing in our life on earth.  So for a few days I pondered this thought “Does God always heal?”  I then began to study the scriptures of what Jesus did while on earth.  Every person that came to Jesus for healing was healed.  The only time Jesus could not heal was where there was unbelief.

Jesus said He only did what He saw His Father doing.  Jesus healed everyone that came to Him.  There is no record in scripture of Jesus refusing to heal someone.  Jesus healed and He forgave people’s sins.  Think about this – we have hope in Jesus; we know that salvation is found in Jesus.  His death and resurrection has made a way for us who believe to have eternal life.  Salvation is the ultimate miracle – someone whose soul is dead is made alive when they accept Jesus.  Salvation is a gift from God.  Salvation cannot be earned.  If we call upon the name of the Lord we shall be saved.

So why does this not pertain to healing?  If God healed then doesn’t He heal today?  Jesus said that “the Father raises the dead and gives them life.”  God is our creator; we live and have our being because of Him.  God is a life giver.  Death cannot exist in the presence of God.  Everything that God touches comes to life, and when God speaks, He speaks life. 

Healing is guaranteed because of the very nature of God is life.  Sickness and death do not exist in God, life does.  This is why we know that God is the Healer, why everyone who came in contact with Jesus was healed.  Yes God always heals for those that ask and believe.  We receive healing by faith just like we receive salvation by faith.

Yes we will have trials and tribulations in this world, and many troubles.  Even Jesus was hated and despised by men, persecuted and killed.  However, every believer has the promise of eternal life in Jesus, sickness and death has no power for those in Christ.

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If It Be Your Will

Posted in Healing, Jesus, Love, Prayer, Salvation, The Righteous on February 24, 2011| Leave a Comment »

Jesus was going throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every kind of disease and every kind of sickness among the people.  Matthew 4:23

“These signs will accompany those who have believed: in My name they will cast out demons, they will speak with new tongues; they will pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”  Mark 16: 17-18

Many times when we pray for the sick we usually begin by saying “God if it be your will…”  What we are really asking “is it God’s will to heal the sick everytime?”

When Jesus was on the earth He only did what He saw the Father in Heaven do.  We know that Jesus healed everyone who came to Him that needed healing.  He healed every kind of disease and sickness.

Jesus died for our sins and through Him we have salvation and the redemption of our sins. But Jesus also came to heal the sick and commissioned us to continue the work of healing to sick.

Jesus demonstrated God’s perfect will.  It was the Father’s will to heal the sick then and it is still His will today.  That is why He sent His Son Jesus to die for our sins – for eternal life; to bless us and live life to its fullness.

It is not only God’s will to heal but it is our mandate as believers to heal the sick.  God is no respecter of persons.  He wants to heal both believers and unbelievers.  It is the kindness of God that brings about repentance, and it is through that kindness and love that healing comes.

We should be confident when we pray for the sick that it is God’s will to heal.  God is able and willing to heal all those who come to Him.  The real question is “are we willing to accept His healing?”

To be continued…

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