Alive in Jesus

Aug 2012
1:05 AM CST

08/19/2012

If you are a Christian living for Jesus but you commit a sin.

It doesn't mean you are a sinner. �

If you get a splinter in your finger i t doesn't mean you become a piece of wood.
It means you have to have the splinter removed.

If you are a Christian and you sin it means you have to get the sin out ... and only Jesus can do that through the power of His forgiveness and grace to make you stand.

Christians living under grace means we are constantly every day going to the Father and asking for His forgiveness when we willfully mess up or accidently mess up (sin). �He removes the splinter - He removes the sin.

Thank you Lord that you are always here with me. �That you hold me in your hands and no matter what is going on You see the bigger picture and you have a bigger objective in mind for my life than what I'm going through at that moment. �Thank you that you are so much smarter than me and able to put everything together better than I can. �Lord you know I googled those 'dreams of 2012' and it was disturbing to me. �I only know you've told me I have blessings coming to me and I am not understanding all these negative dreams people are having about this election and Feb and the months coming up and all those weird sounds recorded and I don't know what any of that means. �It overwhelmed me a little bit Father. �All you ever give to me is how wonderful my life will be. �You never have me focus on anything negative or bad coming up. �Why ar all these people getting these scary dreams? �Like a fire coming to America or a storm coming to America and You haven't told me anything like that Lord. �Either all those dreams are wrong or I am missing something in my prayer time with you. �
I know �you see the end from the beginning and you have ways of connecting all the dots in such a way that blesses us and matures us and deepens our relationship and trust in you . �I know you would NEVER let me down. �I just honestly want the world to stay safe and things to go on as it has. � It makes me feel uncomfortable to know all these scary dreams people are having. �I wish I hadn't seen that but I can't unsee it. There are apparently a lot of similar dreams people are having about prices of things shooting through the roof and it's pretty scary stuff. �I don't want to go through any of that. �I know You told me I have blessings coming to me and restitution. �I'm not turning away from believing you for that Lord... if the world comes down around my ankles I BELIEVE you told me restitution was coming for me and there are blessings for me in my life and WONDERFUL amazing blessings ONLY God could do this kind of blessings!! �You promised me Lord and you've told me this over and over and over and confirmed again and reassured again all year long to me personally ... not through somebody else. � It's just such a contrast between what you have told me and what these other people have dreamed... �They are dreaming gloom and doom and you are promising me a glorious wonderful future full of hope and expectation. It's quite the contrast Lord! � My faith and hope is in you and ALL my trust rests on you.

�

Isaiah 40:25-31

New King James Version (NKJV)

25�“To whom then will you liken Me,
Or�to whom�shall I be equal?” says the Holy One.
26�Lift up your eyes on high,
And see who has created these�things,
Who brings out their host by number;
He calls them all by name,
By the greatness of His might
And the strength of�His�power;
Not one is missing.

27�Why do you say, O Jacob,
And speak, O Israel:
Lord,
And my just claim is passed over by my God”?
28�Have you not known?
Have you not heard?
Lord,
The Creator of the ends of the earth,
Neither faints nor is weary.
His understanding is unsearchable.
29�He gives power to the weak,
And to�those who have�no might He increases strength.
30�Even the youths shall faint and be weary,
And the young men shall utterly fall,
31�But those who wait on the�Lord
Shall renew�their�strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint.

Tags: Christians living for Jesus

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Aug 2012
10:47 PM EST

word

Pastor said after singing Sunday

The plan that God has to use you is from the foundation of the world. �He will bring good things into your life and every tongue that rises up to accuse you God will condemn.

I knew that was for me :)

Tags: word Sunday

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Aug 2012
10:52 AM EST

Your decrees are trustworthy!

In praying for people today I asked the Lord for scripture. �Something that touches the situation and this is what he gave me. �

The floods waters may rise and storms ensue. �The floods may lift up their voice and scream and shout at you. The floods may roar and the sound is terrifying!! � Do not be terrified dear one.

The Lord is mightier than the mightiest floods of life that can come against you!!
We can COUNT on His decrees!! �The Lord's word is trustworthy!! �If He decreed it with HIS word.. heaven and earth would pass away before HE would not perform it!!

Holiness befits His house .. He is faithful to every word He has ever said and every promise He has ever made... forever. �

Jesus said "Be of good cheer for I have overcome the world."

Psalm 93

��1�The LORD reigns; he is robed in majesty; the LORD is robed; he has put on strength as his belt. Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved.��2�Your throne is established from of old; you are from everlasting.��3�The floods have lifted up, O LORD, the floods have lifted up their voice; the floods lift up their roaring.��4�Mightier than the thunders of many waters, mightier than the waves of the sea, the LORD on high is mighty!��5�Your decrees are very trustworthy; holiness befits your house, O LORD, forevermore.

Tags: God\s decrees

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Aug 2012
9:28 AM EST

Sing with me!

This is the song I am singing today!

Sing with me!

For he who has ears to hear!!!

�http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kv3epxmXzM4

Tags: I found a love!!!!!!!

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Aug 2012
8:25 AM EST

Thoughts lately in early August

I've been considering a few scripture over and over...

Philippians 2:13

New King James Version (NKJV)

13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.

�1 Thessalonians 2:13

New King James Version�

13 For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe.

As I really consider these scriptures and because they stay on my mind like bold underlined letters in my conscience .. I begin to believe that when somebody crosses my mind ... that is my opportunity God is purposely giving me to pray for that person. �

What if they didn't cross my mind by coincidence? �What if God purposely brings them up to me so that I can say a prayer on their behalf because they need God to intervene on their behalf.. perhaps about something they don't even realize is about to happen.

If God is constantly at work in us .. the word of God always working on our behalf than even in our own lives.. the thoughts we think came from us .. is actually God helping us.
Where did I put my keys? ((((thought comes))))***cabinet***
OHH they're on the cabinet .. thank you Jesus!!!

That was the Lord helping when you asked because He never leaves you and never forsakes you but is constantly at work in your life helping you.

For this reason and others .. I am believing we are to stay in prayer for people through out the day because as these days are evil people in our lives need our prayers. �They need God to intervent on their behalf and help them.

Father thank you that you are constantly at work in my life and bringing me a deeper understanding of your word. �Thank you that you love me and everyone around me and that you choose to intervene in the lives of man through the prayer of the those who believe.

Help me to pray for the people who come up in my mind and those who cross my path... in the name of Jesus
amen

Tags: praying

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Jul 2012
1:07 AM CST

interestingly

I work for a not for profit organization giving referral to those seeking help from various agencies and also counseling for those calling and seeking advice or a listening ear. �The Lord opened this job up to me in March of this year in a paid position. �Last year I volunteered for them not knowing the position would become available. �The woman I replaced had retired. �She had been there for 14 years and showed no interest in retiring last year. �It was a surprise to everyone but God. I questioned God last year .. why are you putting me in this volunteer position when I need a paying job Lord? �I need an income Father. �But the Lord knew all along that this position would be mine and He lay it on my heart to continue to volunteer. I obeyed. �Now I don't know what this might lead to or if I stay here the rest of my life.. God knows. �But I know right now I am EXACTLY in the middle of God's plan for my life that He purposed for me from the foundation of the world and I tell you the peace that comes from doing this job is enormous and every day I am grateful to get to talk to someone and help them in some way. �To God be the glory!

Ok well a few days ago I had this overwhelming feeling of discontent or like mental fatigue come over me. �I was tired and had some digestion issues for a couple days .. not feeling well. �And this thought came up in my mind ''I wish I didn't have to talk to people today about their problems." �Immediately I recognize this to be an attack from the enemy. �That thought was not my thought and that is not how I feel about this job.
I got so tickled I laughed for the last 2 days about that!! �I glorified and thanked God for my job and how grateful I am to have it and do it in Christ' name. �And I laughed some more!! I smile now every time I think about it. �

Every thought you have is NOT from you if you are a Christian. �Satan will throw thoughts out there to see if you will allow them to roost in your mind. �Just because the bird flies over doesn't mean it needs to make a nest in your hair. �Shewww that bird away in Jesus name and then smile and give glory to Jesus who gives us victory and allows us to capture EVERY thought to the obedience of Christ!!

Tags: Interesting

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Jul 2012
1:07 AM CST

lately

Some things the Lord has taught me lately.

I got ahold of that wonderfully enlightening teaching about Peter and John. �It is an illustration of grace vs works.

Jesus told the disciples he would suffer and die and be raised again. �Peter said Lord I will not fall away from you even if I have to die with you I will follow you. �
Of course Peter denied the Lord 3 times that very night before the rooster crowed and he wept bitterly. �That is an example of man's efforts and focusing on his own faith .. his own belief.. his own love for Jesus.. if you have faith in your faith or faith in your works or even faith in �your love for Jesus ...it's still works! �Works will always bring us under the law. �The law will always minister condemnation leading to death.

Then the picture of John resting on the chest of Jesus. In the gospels John refers to himself 5 times that he is the disciple whom Jesus loved. �I always wondered at this. �Why did this disciple refer to himself this way? �We know God is no respecter of persons. �He doesn't show partiality or love one more than another. �So what is God want us to get from this scripture?
That John doesn't focus on his love for Jesus. John doesn't focus on his faith or his works or efforts to perform.. John focuses on Jesus loves for him!!! �And John walks in freedom and grace and doesn't fall away even when Jesus is on the cross!
John was the only disciple at the foot of the cross. � Jesus looking at John and his mother beside him said .. Behold your mother. �Mother behold your son. �He gave John the sacred duty of taking care of his mother after Jesus death. �John never fell away from Christ even on the cross!! �Because John held fast to Jesus love for him and did not make his own faith or his own 'effort to perform' the focus. �Jesus loving him was his focus so Jesus love was his strength.

What a powerful difference and I never saw this in the scripture before.

I have held on to that teaching for over a week now since I heard it and it has ministered to me in new and amazing ways of life and wisdom and understanding. �Jesus loves me. �Jesus loves me. �The power from the revelation of that truth is freeing. �Thanks Pastor Joseph Prince for being the tool God used to bring that message BUT praise and glory to Jesus forever for that wonderful message and the power of God's truth to free us from the bondages of sin and death. �God alone be praised and glorified in all our lives through Jesus Christ our Lord and faithful friend and brother and Savior and Master.amen amen

Tags: Lately

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Jun 2012
1:07 AM CST

Out ahead

I want to briefly write a short note about what the sermon was about Sunday because it ministered to me and I don't want to forget it

Joshua 3

The Israelites were about to finally finally go into the promised land after wandering for 40 years. �Joshua told them to keep their eye on the ark of the covenant
Ark of the covenant = Christ

And to go after it .. pursue Christ

to let the ark of the covenant be out ahead of them so they can see when to turn because they've not been this way before.

To let Jesus be out ahead of us.. don't get out ahead of God and try to make things happen in our own time. �Let God be out ahead of us and keep our eye on Him so we know when to change course because the spiritual place he wants to take us into .. we've never been there before.

I love this message and I don't want to forget it.

Tags: Out ahead

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Jun 2012
1:15 AM EST

letter to the editor

I wish more people understood the need to help the poor. �The only way to reach people for Jesus is if we do something for them and not just talk Jesus at them.

God please change me to use me more. �Help me to grow up in Christ and do everything you created me and called me to do from the foundation of the world.
Let the rest of my life count for your kingdom .. that I may stand before you on that day that we all give account for what was done in our body .. and on that day you say 'well done'. ��

I want that more than anything else in the world. And I want to love people Lord with all my heart and hold nothing back.. I want to be free to love without fear, without hesitation, without regret. �To love people who need you the way you have loved me.. in kindness and patience and faithfulness.

You are my best friend Lord and my only true friend. �You are always with me and so often when I think I am alone you show you me that I'm not. �You show me that your loving hand is always on me and your watchful eye is always looking out for me. �How many times Lord.. how many many times have you rescued me in the night when I was afraid .. I was alone and I was losing hope .. and you snatched me from the jaws of defeat and plunge me into the victory of your complete and utter love .. your mercy and your grace. �

Mercy to forgive me when I don't deserve it. �And grace to overcome in strength when I have no strength of my own.

I'm so glad I'm yours. �I'm so glad you see the end .. from the beginning.
Men judge by the outward appearance but you weigh the heart.

Lord you know what I have need of. �You know the pressures and stress of my life. �I look to you and trust you Lord with all the time that I have left here.. to live for you and I wait on you because you will lift me up out of my distresses as you have always done.
In the name of Jesus, amen

Tags: a prayer

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Jun 2012
1:06 AM CST

Holy Spirit

Some things I was thinking today about the Holy Spirit as I was listening to the Word of God on CD.

John 16:7-11
�^7�Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you.�^8�And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:�9�^10�of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more;�of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.

2 Corinthians 1:22
�22�who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.

The Holy Spirit is living on the inside of us. �The Holy Spirit is also the one who convicts the world of sin that's why the world hates the Holy Spirit and hates the Christians who have the Holy Spirit living on the inside of them because they don't want to change or be exposed or convicted of doing wrong.

Finally though ..the world... they will get their way.
2 Thes 2:7
�^7�For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He�who now restrains�will do so�until He�is taken out of the way.

The Holy Spirit will be taken out of the way and then the world will have no conviction of sin. �I believe at this time Christians will no longer be on the earth. �There is some controversy here as to when Christians will be taken from the earth but I don't think that is where the controversy should be focused.

The controvesy shouldn't be on when Christians are taken off the earth but who qualifies to leave in the rapture. � I think when the rapture takes place only the "Christians" who have a clean conscience living for Jesus every day will go. �The people who have been playing church and religion aren't going anywhere. �

If you read the parable of the 5 wise and the 5 foolish .. there WILL be some folks left behind who clearly thought they shouldn't have been left behind.

Matthew 25:1-13�

The Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins

25�“Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.�^{Now five of them were wise, and five�were�foolish.}3�Those who�were�foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them,�but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.�5�But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept.

“And at midnight a cry was�heard:�‘Behold, the bridegroom is coming;^{Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their
lamps.}^�And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us�some�of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’�^{But the wise answered,
saying, ‘No,�lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.’}^�10�And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut.

“Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’�12�But he answered and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.’

“Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour�in which the Son of Man is coming.

**Interesting to note here that the word 'oil' in the Bible is symbolic of the Holy Spirit**

Tags: parable of wise and foolish

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Jun 2012
1:06 AM CST

Jesus job description changed

Something that has been on my mind a lot this year about Jesus...

�"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning." John 1:1

Jesus has always been and there was never a time when He was not.

Rev 13:8 calls Jesus the lamb slain from the foundation of the world. �He was always meant to bear the sin of the world from before God started the man project.

What amazes me is that He would be willing to do that for us and that He knew it would have to be done before He ever created us. �He knew what it would cost and He did it anyway.
�He knew that He was perfect and to bring us into His perfect presence we would have to be made perfect as He is perfect and that we would NEVER be able to do that on our own. �He knew He would have to do it for us and it was always meant for Jesus to die on the cross in our place to crucify and judge sin for all time.

From the time Jesus was raised from the dead and ascended up into heaven His role forever changed in the Godhead.. from that point on to eternity ..

Hebrews 7:25
�^�Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.

He lives to make intercession for us forever..from now on and always into eternity. �He is forever at the side of God speaking for us on our behalf ... forever.

That is how committed God is to us and how far in advance from before the foundation of the world that He planned to make a way for us to live in peace and blessing in His presence and perfect will. �He did everything .. it is finished.

Tags: Job description

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ShafawnD's Profile

Username: ShafawnD

Gender / Age: Female, 60

Location: USA - Tennessee

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SHAFAWND's Interests:

About Me: I work for a not for profit organization in a counseling capacity. Divorced, age 48 and for the first time in my life I have peace every day, sing every day, have joy every day and pray every day and it's all because of JESUS!! I'm finally letting go and not worrying and agonizing and second guessing every decision and scrutinizing over every word or deed. I am covered by his love and I walk in HIS grace. I have freedom in my soul and peace in my heart!! Praise you Jesus!!

Interests: antiques, auctions, flea markets, listening to people's life stories, flowers, thunderstorms, the smell after it rains, mountain, coffee, boots, creeks and more than anything I look forward every week to church!! I LOVE to worship!!! I love the presence of the Lord!! Nothing on earth compares with the presence of the Lord!

Favorite Music: Christian and classic rock

Favorite Movies: Old movies like Arsenic and Old Lace, The Big Sleep with Humphrey Bogart. I also like some sci-fi and space movies and Lord of the Rings

Favorite Television: I'm liking Longmire right now.

Favorite Books: I read the Bible every day. Fiction I like Edward Rutherford. He writes historical fiction sagas.