Cement Shoes?

It is interesting that the most popular item on the Powerhouse are our blogs and podcasts about Miley Cyrus Nude Photos. Of course, what these people are finding at the Powerhouse is the gospel message of salvation through Jesus Christ, not what they may have thought that they might be finding.

Our latest podcast presents seven (and a half) minutes of wisdom entitled “Cement Shoes.”

This podcast is a follow-up to our Save in the Suburbs blog and was inspired by the fact that there are a tremendous number of temptations facing children and teenagers... more so than have ever been seen in world history.

Marketers and advertisers think that selling images of self-actualization through sexualization to teens and tweens is the path to quick profits. But it is also a pathway to harsh punishment!

Jesus has this important thing to say about this subject:

And whoever receives and accepts and welcomes one little child like this for My sake and in My name receives and accepts and welcomes Me. But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in and acknowledge and cleave to Me to stumble and sin [that is, who entices him or hinders him in right conduct or thought], it would be better (more expedient and profitable or advantageous) for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be sunk in the depth of the sea. Woe to the world for such temptations to sin and influences to do wrong! It is necessary that temptations come, but woe to the person on whose account or by whom the temptation comes!

Matthew 18:5-7 [AMP]

That millstone around the neck reminds us of an old Mafia punishment called Cement Shoes. Both are equally fatal... and if Jesus says that sinning against young people is that deadly... they you better get right!

This seven minute podcast is available at http://powerpodcasts.blogspot.com, or by clicking the icon below (or, right-click to download the MP3).

You can also download this message (and other resources) from our download site, http://www.link2power.org.

Jolan on Sin

Sin. Ahhh, how it takes control of us in even the smallest opportunity. I haven’t had a drink in close to a year not because of any problems with drinking, I just lost the taste for it.

At my weekend visit there was lots of champagne at the Baby shower. At first I thought Nahhh, I won’t have any. But as the hours drew on I decided to have a small glass, why not I used to love champagne, I told myself.

Well one glass turned to two... and two turned to three (I shared the third glass with Primo) and for some reason I ended up with a very upset stomach.

Something came to mind that said, “Oh come on even Jesus drank wine.”

Isn’t that how it is?

We look for reasons to do the wrong thing. I didn’t get smashed but I did feel guilty afterwards.

Where was the guilt coming from?

I read this verse today in church:

Or don’t you know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.

1^st Corinthians 6:19-20

I believe that drinking caused me to have jealous feelings, and covet my neighbor. You see my family never gets together for anything (my grandparents are getting on in age and it is hard for them to drive. My aunts and uncles forget about it (LOL), and of course my loving family in Puerto Rico, they would love nothing more than coming to visit us but money doesn’t grow on trees) and here were my friends family together again. They get together all the time. Now I do not lack in love with my family, in fact I felt so ashamed because I wasn’t truly looking at the blessed life God has given me. I have never felt more love come from my immediate family and they would bend over backwards to make me smile.

I think that the devil looks for opportunities such as these, he looks for our weak moments to help us along in our sinful nature.

Be careful! Watch out for attacks from the Devil, your great enemy. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for some victim to devour.

1^st Peter 5:8

For we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against the evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against those mighty powers of darkness

Ephesians 6:12

I immediately felt ashamed of my behavior and repented.

Psalm 38:18

But I confess my sins;

I am deeply sorry for what I have done.

1^st John 1:9

But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us from every wrong.

It doesn’t matter if we ask others for forgiveness if we haven’t asked our Father. He is the only one who can forgive and erase our sins.

“I—yes, I alone—am the one who blots out your sins for my own sake and will never think of them again.

Isaiah 43:25

Let the people turn from their wicked deeds. Let them banish from their minds the very thought of doing wrong! Let them turn to the Lord that He may have mercy on them. Yes, turn to our God, for He will abundantly pardon.

Isaiah 55:7

In fact, we can say that according to the law of Moses, nearly everything was purified by sprinkling with blood. Without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness of sins.

Hebrews 9:22

God has purchased our freedom with his blood and has forgiven all our sins.

Colossians 1:14

Thank the Lord he knows we are not perfect. He knows we will be tempted and he also knows that as a Christian we will learn from our mistakes. Sometimes we have to learn the hard way.

Remember, Jesus said in Matthew 5:30 And if your hand—even if it is your stronger hand—causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.

But if we are living in the light of God’s presence, just as Christ is, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from every sin.

1^st John 1:7

To many drinking may not seem like a big deal but anything that causes you to do wrong in Gods eyes is a sin. Drinking the champagne led me to sin in my mind which is just as bad as doing it in front of someone. I also thought how I may have appeared to some of the people at the baby shower. Many people didn’t know me, but some did and are we or are we not supposed to be shining examples of the Holy Spirit. Yes, I failed my Father that day and it made me sad. It made me very sad. But He has forgiven me. He always will because I died to my sins and became one with God.

For the Lord loves justice, and he will never abandon the godly. He will keep them safe forever, but the children of the wicked will perish.

Psalm 37:28

From then on, Jesus began to preach, “Turn from your sins and turn to God, because the Kingdom of Heaven is near.^*”

Matthew 4:17

Don’t be fooled. God hates sin.

And when we do not confess our sins to Him it separates us from him and damages our relationship with our Father.

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

1^st John 1:9

Therefore this is what the Lord says, “If you repent, I will restore you that you may serve me.”

Jeremiah 15:19

If we claim we have not sinned, we are calling God a liar and showing that his word has no place in our hearts.

1^st John 1:10

Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a right spirit within me. Do not banish me from your presence, and don’t take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me again the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you. Then I will teach your ways to sinners, and they will return to you.

Psalm 51:10-13

Prove by the way you live that you have really turned from your sins and have turned to God (Matthew 3:8).

Once God has forgiven us, we can then forgive ourselves:

Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 3:13,14

This is an example of how sin can fool you.

It may fool you and those around you but it will not nor will it EVER fool God.

Remember He knows your heart:

Psalm 44:21

God would surely have known it, for he knows the secrets of every heart.

Don’t be fooled by the lies of this world:

• Drunkenness (losing control of your body – Gods body)
• Adultery (lusting after anyone with your eyes, your heart or even in actions)
• Murder (hating someone – the same as killing someone)
• Lying (that means any lie used to deceive someone)
• Using Gods name in vain (bringing His name down to a level of disgust and in turn using it as a cuss word)
• Idolatry (loving anything more than God – money, possessions etc., making your own image of God).

The list goes on and on my brothers and sisters. How often do we try to justify our sins?

There is no justification for sinning against our Creator, our Father in heaven.

How we must break his heart again and again.

But we redeem ourselves when we admit our weakness, when we suffer for the bad decisions we have made and ask him to forgive us.

¹ And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him. ² Then He opened His mouth and taught them, saying: ³ “ Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. ⁴ Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted. ⁵ Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth. ⁶ Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled. ⁷ Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy. ⁸ Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God. ⁹ Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God. ¹⁰ Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. ¹¹ “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. ¹² Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Matthew 5:1-12

God has given me all I need.

I have love.

I have happiness.

I have health.

I have GOD.

And in reality without God I would have nothing and with Him I have everything. I know where my treasures lay and they are with Him in Heaven. The only treasure I care about is my Father, the rest are just perks.

Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where they can be eaten by moths and get rusty, and where thieves break in and steal. ²⁰ Store your treasures in heaven, where they will never become moth-eaten or rusty and where they will be safe from thieves. Wherever your treasure is, there your heart and thoughts will also be.

Matthew 6:19-21

Breaking Down the Strongholds in Your Life

Breaking Down the Strongholds in Your Life

By Ben Cerullo

Note: Ben Cerullo was named by Charisma Magazine as one of the “30 Emerging Voices” that will lead the church in the next decade.

Who said that being a Christian means living free of problems or struggles? Just because we have a relationship with Jesus does not mean that life will be a stroll down easy street. Life can be is tough. And as Christians, we will face many challenges.

Before we were saved, we were no threat to the devil. But when we accepted Jesus into our heart, something changed. We took up a new residence in the spiritual battlefield and immediately became an enemy of Satan.

We live in two worlds - the natural world and the spiritual world. Both are going on around us, yet one we can see, and the other we cannot.

When we find ourselves faced with battles or temptations in our lives, we must realize that there is much more going on than what we see with our natural eyes. Many battles, struggles and trials are rooted in the spiritual realm. As a result, war must be waged on the spiritual battlefield and fought with spiritual weapons.

Take depression for example. Millions of people in the U.S. are diagnosed with clinical depression every year. I have faced it in my own life. However, depression is often a spiritual condition. Please don’t take this wrong, I am not against doctors or medicine. In some cases, depression stems from physiological or chemical issues. But many times, depression is a spirit. And to overcome, not just mask the issue, we must look at the root and declare war! We must fight with the weapons that God provides.

Depression is only one example of a stronghold. Others include addiction, sickness, poverty, hatred, bitterness, gossip, etc. But, God is a good God and would never leave us defenseless or send us into battle unequipped. He has given us the most powerful weapon in the world, His Word.

The Bible is referred to as the sword of the spirit and for good reason. God’s Word is the ultimate authority over the lies of the enemy. There is something that happens when we put God’s Word in our mouth and begin to point it at the enemy. God’s Word will dethrone principalities and release the power needed to stand your ground. Remember you are not in a fight for victory; victory is already yours. You are just enforcing it!

The only way to fight on the spiritual battlefield and gain true victory over the enemy is through the truth written in God’s Word. I am not speaking about your everyday prayers, but prayers that aggressively target and pierce the root of the problem. Prayers and declarations that strip the enemy of any authority or rights he may currently possess and give God permission to move on your behalf.

In 2 Corinthians 10:3-4 it says, “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds.”

Our spiritual weapons are mighty in God to overcome the strongholds of the devil. Your battles will only be won in the prayer closet through head-on confrontation. You have been given dominion over the strongholds in your life, through the truth of God’s Word. In exercising this authority, you let the enemy know that he no longer has permission to harass you.

Jesus said, “And you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.”

You see, the devil is a liar. That’s his nature. Scripture tells us that he is “the father of lies.” From childhood, we learn to believe his lies. Lies about God, lies about the world, lies about other people, lies about our own selves. Yet God wants to bring circumstances in our lives that uncover those lies in order to replace them with His truth.

Ask God to show you the lies that he wants to bring to light. Maybe you know the root, maybe you don’t have a clue. The good news is that there is someone who does, and He’s just a prayer away. If you pray and ask the Holy Spirit, He will reveal the root of the lies in your life. You don’t have to go through a long ritual, simply pray and open your heart and ask God to show you.

Be patient, the answer might not come right away, but if you will wait on the Lord, He will bring you the answer. So many times, we want our answer at microwave speed, right now! But if we really want freedom and breakthrough we have to be willing to persist. Patience is not a virtue that comes easy for me; I have to really work at it, as I am sure many of you do as well. But if you do not grow frustrated or give up, you will be able to face the lie and replace it with the truth – and the truth will set you free!

When you seek the Lord, try to find a quiet place where you can block out the distractions around you. Just ask and wait. Soak in His presence. Enter into worship. Try not to do all the talking; just be still and listen. As you do, you may get a picture in your mind, a thought, memory, or impression. God reveals things to people in many ways. When He reveals the root to you, it’s time to allow the His spirit to heal you. This may mean it is the time to shift gears and confront the stronghold with the Word of God. Don’t be afraid to stand toe to toe with the enemy. He has something that belongs to you. Step up and let him know that he has no rights in your situation or life.

Remember greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world. In the name of Jesus, pull that stronghold down. You need to go past the surface and rebuke the enemy at the root of the issue. Let the devil, powers, principalities, and rulers of darkness know who is in control. You must move into an offensive position, this is no time for defense. Speak to your circumstances as a child of the King and joint heir with Christ. Your words create your realities don’t take them lightly.

Don’t stop pressing in until the victory is won. As a Christian, you have the power over the devil, but he’s not going to give in without a fight. You must realize the authority God has given you and lay an ax to the root of your needs.

I pray that God will give you a revelation of the spiritual weapons He has given you as a believer. I pray you will be empowered with wisdom and discernment on how to use those weapons. I pray that the warrior inside of you will awaken and the anointing of Almighty God will breakthrough the natural and pull down the strongholds in your life and the lives of those around you, setting the captives free.

Pray for Iran

Although the pundits have made the current turmoil in Iran into political bully pulpits, there is one fundamental truth about this tragedy that we believers must keep in mind...

People are dying and going into a Christless eternity.

There is a very graphic and disturbing video circulating the Internet that shows a young woman who was brutally gunned down during the protests in Iran.

People are slipping into eternity in the midst of this turmoil. People who do not know the saving power of Jesus.

Pray that the Spirit of God will move in this area and provide openness to the gospel, as He did in the formerly communist areas of Russia that are, ironically, more open to the gospel than some areas of the U.S.A. seem to be these days.

Part of the demonstrations involve the people calling for freedom from the hard line Islamic theocracy... which could be a harbinger for the gospel moving freely in that part of the world.

Historically, Iran has persecuted Christian converts. This could change. Let’s pray that it does. Let us pray that the people of Iran will learn that the Qur'an tells how God anointed Jesus, through a virgin birth to be the Messiah - the Savior of the world, nearly five hundred and fifty years before Mohammad was born.

Add Iran to your prayers this week.

Meditations from Judypie: Power to Live Victoriously

This is the day the Lord has made, and I will rejoice and be glad in it! My delight and desire are in the law of the Lord, and on Your law I habitually meditate (ponder and study) by day and by night. Then I shall be like a tree firmly planted [and tended] by the streams of water; ready to bring forth fruit in my season; my leaf shall not fade or wither, and everything I do shall prosper and come to maturity. Amen.

This is the day which the Lord has brought about; we will rejoice and be glad in it.

Psalm 118:24 [NIV]

But his delight and desire are in the law of the Lord, and on His law (the precepts, the instructions, the teachings of God) he habitually meditates (ponders and studies) by day and by night. And he shall be like a tree firmly planted [and tended] by the streams of water, ready to bring forth its fruit in its season; its leaf also shall not fade or wither; and everything he does shall prosper [and come to maturity].

Psalm 1:2-3 [AMP]

God wants you to have success in every area of your life. There are spiritual laws that will govern earthly laws if you put them to work. The law of sowing and reaping can be studied while walking through your flower garden or driving through the countryside. When one seed is planted in good soil it will produce many times more. I encourage you to put your sanctified (set apart unto God) imagination to work and meditate on God’s Word concerning finances, healing, relationships, walking in love, following after peace, developing the fruit of the spirit described in Galatians 5. Meditate on things that are worthy of reverence, honorable and seemly, just, pure, lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things [fix your minds on them]. As a man thinks in his heart so is he.

You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you. Dreams are seeds of reality – they are the beginning of all your achievements. Obstacles can become stepping stones to success if you believe. Your future is filled with probabilities and possibilities. Jesus said that all things are possible to the person who believes.

Father, You are the Strength of my life. I am working out my own salvation with reverence, not in my own strength for you are effectually at work in me, energizing and creating in me the power and desire both to will and to work for your good pleasure, satisfaction and delight. I am a new creation in Christ; old things have passed away, and today I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Nothing shall be impossible to me in the name of Jesus. Amen

THE LORD is my Light and my Salvation--whom shall I fear or dread? The Lord is the Refuge and Stronghold of my life--of whom shall I be afraid?

Psalm 21:1 [AMP]

Therefore, my dear ones, as you have always obeyed [my suggestions], so now, not only [with the enthusiasm you would show] in my presence but much more because I am absent, work out (cultivate, carry out to the goal, and fully complete) your own salvation with reverence and awe and trembling (self-distrust, with serious caution, tenderness of conscience, watchfulness against temptation, timidly shrinking from whatever might offend God and discredit the name of Christ). [Not in your own strength] for it is God Who is all the while effectually at work in you [energizing and creating in you the power and desire], both to will and to work for His good pleasure and satisfaction and delight.

Philippians 2:12-13 [AMP]

I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency].

Philippians 4:13 [AMP]

Therefore if any person is [ingrafted] in Christ (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old [previous moral and spiritual condition] has passed away. Behold, the fresh and new has come!

2^nd Corinthians 5:17 [AMP]

Heavenly Father, I thank You for Your goodness. In the name of Jesus I cast the whole of my care—all anxieties, worries and concerns—upon You. I know that You love me and care for me, and those for whom I am praying. Today I make all my requests known to You with thanksgiving. I know You hear me, and I believe Your best answers are on the way from the moment I ask. Amen.

O GIVE thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever.

Psalm 136:1 [AMP]

Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God.

Philippians 4:6 [AMP]

Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully.

1^st Peter 5:7 [AMP]

The names of God reveal his desire to supply your every need.

My life is complete in You, Lord Jesus. Every answer, every need, every solution I have need of is available to me.

• You are Jehovah-Rapha, my Healer
• Jehovah-Nissi, my Victory
• Jehovah-Jireh, my Provider
• You are Jehovah M’Kaddesh, my Sanctifier
• Jehovah-Shalom, my Peace and Security
• My Shepherd, you’re Jehovah-Rohi
• Jehovah-Tsidkenu, my Righteousness
• Jehovah-Shammah, my ever-present Friend

Because I am complete in You, Lord Jesus I can overcome my insecurities and bring maturity and wisdom to every relationship for the good and benefit of others. Amen

And you are in Him, made full and having come to fullness of life [in Christ you too are filled with the Godhead--Father, Son and Holy Spirit--and reach full spiritual stature]. And He is the Head of all rule and authority [of every angelic principality and power].

Colossians 2:10 [AMP]

To You, O Lord I pray. My enemies will not triumph over me, and I will never be disgraced for trusting You. Show me the path where I should go, point out the right road for me to walk. Lead and teach me for you are the God who gives me salvation. Thank you for seeing me through eyes of everlasting love and kindness. Your integrity and uprightness will preserve me, in the name of Jesus. Amen.

¹UNTO YOU, O Lord, do I bring my life. ²O my God, I trust, lean on, rely on, and am confident in You. Let me not be put to shame or [my hope in You] be disappointed; let not my enemies triumph over me. ³Yes, let none who trust and wait hopefully and look for You be put to shame or be disappointed; let them be ashamed who forsake the right or deal treacherously without cause. ⁴Show me Your ways, O Lord; teach me Your paths. ⁵Guide me in Your truth and faithfulness and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; for You [You only and altogether] do I wait [expectantly] all the day long.

Psalm 25:1-5 [AMP]

Father, you give power to the weak, and to those who have no might, You increase our strength. Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world. Thank You for giving me a spirit of power, of love and of a sound mind. You gave me power to trample…over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt me in the name of Jesus. Amen.

He gives power to the faint and weary, and to him who has no might He increases strength [causing it to multiply and making it to abound].

Isaiah 40:29 [AMP]

Little children, you are of God [you belong to Him] and have [already] defeated and overcome them [the agents of the antichrist], because He Who lives in you is greater (mightier) than he who is in the world.

1^st John 4:4 [AMP]

Behold! I have given you authority and power to trample upon serpents and scorpions, and [physical and mental strength and ability] over all the power that the enemy [possesses]; and nothing shall in any way harm you.

Luke 10:19 [AMP]

As a man thinketh in his heart so is he. Your thoughts and words are energy, and they reach out to every condition and circumstance of your life. You have the power of choice, and have the ability to take control of your thought life and dislodge all the lies of the enemy. You have the power to be the person God created you to be! Choose to believe that you have received the ability, efficiency, and might when the Holy Spirit has come upon you. God needs you to be a true witness of the Gospel, and you will do this effectively when you are comfortable with who God created you to be. You are unique!

Guide me in Your truth and faithfulness and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; for You do I wait all the day long. Laus Deo!

Compassion for the Lost

³⁵ And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news (the Gospel) of the kingdom and curing all kinds of disease and every weakness and infirmity. ³⁶ When He saw the throngs, He was moved with pity and sympathy for them, because they were bewildered (harassed and distressed and dejected and helpless), like sheep without a shepherd. ³⁷ Then He said to His disciples, The harvest is indeed plentiful, but the laborers are few. ³⁸ So pray to the Lord of the harvest to force out and thrust laborers into His harvest.

Matthew 9:35-38

Too often Christians are freezing in intellectualism or frying in emotionalism and have no concern for others. The soul winner is marked by his compassion for the lost.

Jesus “saw the multitudes” (v. 36). He had to tell His disciples to “lift up your eyes, and look on the fields” (John 4:35). Somehow, though they know about the population explosion, most Christians never really see the multitudes! I was once a structural steel draftsman. Whenever I see blueprints or watch steel beams going up for a building, something is stirred inside me. Others see the same things and are totally unaffected. It’s in my blood, as we say. Soul winning must get in your blood so you are moved at the multitudes though others just pass by.

The Lord saw the multitudes. Remember “narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it” (Matthew 7:14). You can be sure the majority at a ball game, political gatherings and the like will be without Jesus. Look beyond the surface of their laughter and wealth. See them as souls who will live forever in heaven or hell!

“They fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd” (v. 36). The word “fainted” means to be disturbed or bewildered. With all the psychotics and neurotics, the rebellious and revolutionaries, the degenerates and delinquents today, what could better describe them? No wonder Jesus speaks of the “distress of nations, with perplexity”; and “men’s hearts failing them for fear” in the last days (Matthew 21:25-26). People are scattered with no “shepherd” to lead them to Jesus.

The reaction of Jesus to all of this was to be “moved with compassion.” No candle on the altar will substitute for a flame in the heart. People are more moved at a dead dog in the street or a child lost in the woods than at souls going to hell. Christians want the non-Christians to believe with his heart and yet decry emotions shown for the lost. Paul’s “spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the city [Athens] wholly given to idolatry” (Acts 17:16). If you show emotions at a ball game you’re a fan but if at Jesus you’re a fanatic. The church needs “a band of men whose hearts the Lord has touched” with compassion.

...the Lord is all I need. He takes care of me. My share in life has been pleasant; my part has been beautiful.

Psalm 16:5&6

Life is Short

How many of the following people have you heard of?

How many of their names will you recognize?

How many of their stories will surprise you?

John Lennon

Some years before, during his interview with an American Magazine, he said:

“Christianity will end, it will disappear. I do not have to argue about that. I am certain. Jesus was ok, but his subjects were too simple, today we are more famous than Him.”

Lennon, after saying that the Beatles were more famous than Jesus Christ, was shot and killed by an assassin.

Tancredo Neves
(President of Brazil)

During the Presidential campaign, he said if he got 500,000 votes from his party, not even God would remove him from Presidency. Sure he got the votes, but he got sick a day before being made President, then he died.

Cazuza
(Bi-sexual Brazilian composer, singer and poet)

During a show in Caneco ( Rio de Janeiro ), whilst smoking his cigarette, he puffed out some smoke into the air and said: "God, that's for you." He died at the age of 32 of AIDS in a horrible manner.

Thomas Andrews
(The Man Who Built the Titanic)

After the construction of the Titanic, a reporter asked him how safe the Titanic would be. With an ironic tone he said: “Not even God can sink it” The result: I think you all know what happened to the Titanic.

Marilyn Monroe

She was visited by Billy Graham during a presentation of a show. He said the Spirit of God had sent him to preach to her. After hearing what the Preacher had to say, she said: “I don't need your Jesus.” A week later, she was found dead in her apartment.

Bon Scott

The ex-vocalist of the AC/DC. On one of his 1979 songs he sang: “Don't stop me, I'm going down all the way, down the highway to hell.” On the 19^th of February 1980, Bon Scott was found dead, he had been choked by his own vomit.

Campinas (2005)

In Campinas, Brazil a group of friends, drunk, went to pick up a friend. The mother accompanied her to the car and was so worried about the drunkenness of her friends and she said to the daughter - holding her hand, who was already seated in the car: “MY DAUGHTER, GO WITH GOD AND MAY HE PROTECT YOU.” She responded: “ONLY IF HE (GOD) TRAVELS IN THE TRUNK, CAUSE INSIDE HERE IT'S ALREADY FULL.” Hours later, news came by that they had been involved in a fatal accident, everyone had died, the car could not be recognized what type of car it had been, but surprisingly, the trunk was intact. The police said there was no way the trunk could have remained intact. To their surprise, inside the trunk was a crate of eggs, none were broken.

Christine Hewitt

A Jamaican Journalist and entertainer, said the Bible (Word of God) was the worst book ever written, in June 2006 she was found burnt beyond recognition in her motor vehicle.

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Many more important people have forgotten that there is no other name that was given so much authority as the name of Jesus.

Many have died, but only Jesus died and rose again, and He is still alive. Jesus died to pay the price for your sins.

You can pay the price yourself... or accept what He did for you and receive eternal life.

It is your choice.

He Permitted No Man To Do Them Wrong

“He permitted no man to do them wrong...” 1st Chronicles 16:21 [NKJV]

What would you be willing to do to protect your child from harm?

Whatever that might happen to be... try multiplying that amount by infinity and you will begin to understand how much God cares for you.

Nebuchadnezzar took the sacred vessels from the temple in Jerusalem and placed them in a pagan temple in Shinar (Daniel 1:1-2 NKJV).

After his son Belshazzar became king, one night during a drunken feast...

They brought in the... goblets... from the temple of God... and the king... and his concubines drank from them

Daniel 5:3 [NIV]

Now if they had simply mishandled some worthless old cup, perhaps it might not have mattered. However, God had too much invested in these sacred vessels to allow them to be mistreated.

That night Nebuchadnezzar and his entire kingdom were destroyed because of this unchanging Bible principle:

²¹ He permitted no man to do them wrong; Yes, He rebuked kings for their sakes, ²² Saying, “Do not touch My anointed ones, And do My prophets no harm.”

1^st Chronicles 16:21-22 [NKJV]

¹⁴ He permitted no one to do them wrong; Yes, He rebuked kings for their sakes, ¹⁵ Saying, “Do not touch My anointed ones, And do My prophets no harm.”

Psalm 105:14-15 [NKJV]

As God’s redeemed child, you are loved, you are valued and you are protected. You can stand on that truth. You may have to fight in a foreign land or live and work in a difficult situation. You may have to endure great hardship for your faith. Regardless, your circumstances do not change the solid rock of God’s holy word.

But understand - God has invested too much in you to let you be destroyed. Any time Satan tries that, God will interrupt his party and say, “This vessel is off limits; it took Me too long to teach this woman to pray. I’ve devoted too many hours to training this man how to overcome. They’ve learned how to stand amidst trials. They’ve suffered too much for My name’s sake for Me to let you harm them. Take your hand off them, they’re Mine!”

Rejoice, today God is protecting you!

Pastor Ng Francis
www.fnministries.com

Treasure in Earthen Vessels

...Take Mark...he is profitable...for the ministry.

2^nd Timothy 4:11

When John Mark decided to take time off to visit his family, it didn’t sit too well with Paul.

Later when Barnabas wanted to take John Mark on their next missions trip, Paul exploded! The contention became so sharp that they parted from one another. Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus; but Paul chose Silas (see Acts 15:38-40 NKJV).

But the story doesn’t end there. Later, an older and wiser Paul who had learned to add grace to his grit, writes:

¹⁰For Demas has deserted me for love of this present world and has gone to Thessalonica; Crescens [has gone] to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia. ¹¹Luke alone is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is very helpful to me for the ministry.

2^nd Timothy 4:10-11.

There are three important lessons here for you:

1. Always be willing to give someone a second chance. After all, that’s what God does for you. Now, in extending grace you can get hurt and disappointed. However, if you’re going to be Christ-like it’s a risk you must take.
   
   
2. Don’t measure everybody else by your standards and goals. The truth is, they may not be called to do what you’re called to do. Or they may have been called to do it in a different way. Don’t make your personal preferences a precondition for loving, accepting and working with someone.
   
   
3. When you look for the best in others, you usually find it. The Bible says, “...We have this treasure in earthen vessels...” (2^nd Corinthians 4:7).

So every time you meet the treasure, you’ll bump into the earthen vessel. Don’t allow that to devalue the treasure, or your responsibility to look for it. Motivated people will rise to meet your expectations.

Pastor Ng Francis
www.fnministries.com

Worship Together

In This Edition - Featured Song: “Let Us Rise” - Sarah Reeves: Sweet Sweet Sound CD - Seventh Day Slumber’s Take Everything at iTunes - Free Music Download from The Glorious Unseen Song Spotlight Everlasting God Free Songs Let Us Rise Sarah Reeves   Sweet Sweet Sound Sarah Reeves   Forever Holy The Glorious Unseen   Beautiful Jesus Kristian Stanfill New Song Cafe Let Us Rise with Sarah Reeves New Song Jukebox Let Us Rise Sarah Reeves   Everlasting God Seventh Day Slumber   Forever Holy The Glorious Unseen   Sweet Sweet Sound Sarah Reeves   Beautiful Jesus Kristian Stanfill   Listen Now!

Featured Song: “Let Us Rise”

This new song from worship leader Sarah Reeves calls us to rise together as one church, putting aside our differences, to worship the one true God.

 

Learn how to play “Let Us Rise” in this week’s New Song Cafe and download the Free Sheet Music.

 

Sweet Sweet Sound CD

With zealous faith and a love of music beyond her years, nineteen-year-old Sarah Reeves is a worship leader who’s voice breaks through directly to the heart of each worshipper. Sarah’s vision and heart to lead people in worship no matter the setting is revealed through her fresh, honest and redemptive sound. Creating music that will be sung in churches for many years to come, it is clear after experiencing her music how Sarah is quickly becoming a new voice for worshippers around the globe. Lyrics that are authentic, engaging and humble, Sarah’s music finds a way to reach people exactly where they are at. Get her debut EP now for less than $5!

  

Seventh Day Slumber: Take Everything

“We wanted to make these songs more appealing to some of the youth and teenagers out there,” the band says of staples like “How Great Is Our God,” “I Can Only Imagine,” “Famous One” and “Nothing But the Blood.” “They’re all really amazing songs and are obviously known by millions of people, but we wanted to record them in way that wasn’t wrapped around the traditional arrangements. We wanted people who wouldn’t normally listen to worship music to hear it in a way that’s relevant to them.” Checkout these fresh arrangements now at iTunes!

Free Music Download - Tell Your Friends!

Get the latest collection of songs from The Glorious Unseen, The Cries Of The Broken EP, for FREE when you tell 5 friends about it! These acoustic versions were recorded right here in our WorshipTogether.com studio. Go download it now!

 

WorshipTogether.com | PO Box 5084, Brentwood, TN 37024-5084

Safe in the Suburbs?

Rockin’ the Suburbs

The original idea behind the suburbs was to create a place to escape the undesirable elements that live in the cities. In other words, people in the ghetto would not acquire the means to move out to the suburbs... thus making the bucolic and homogeneous communities safe from the crime and debauchery that would seem to be indigenous to the... erm, riff-raff.

This thinking has been debunked, however, by a number of disturbing trends... such as sex, drugs, and your diverse manifestations of immorality.

Sex... drugs... prostitution?

Not in my neighborhood!

After all, my kids go to church every Sunday.

Consider this, however... that going to church won’t make your kids Christians any more than going to McDonald's makes them hamburgers. And, if you are not exercising wise stewardship over them, then...

So take the talent away from him and give it to the one who has the ten talents. For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will be furnished richly so that he will have an abundance; but from the one who does not have, even what he does have will be taken away.

Matthew 25:28-29 [AMP]

Wait a minute, are you saying someone is going to take my kids away?

That’s right!

Who?

The devil! The Bible tells us:

The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows).

John 10:10 [AMP]

Whoa... wait a minute, you mean I moved my kids to a safe neighborhood... away from crime, away from poverty... and the devil can STILL get them?

When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it roams through waterless places in search [of a place] of rest (release, refreshment, ease); and finding none it says, I will go back to my house from which I came. And when it arrives, it finds [the place] swept and put in order and furnished and decorated. And it goes and brings other spirits, seven [of them], more evil than itself, and they enter in, settle down, and dwell there; and the last state of that person is worse than the first.

Luke 11:24-26 [AMP]

In Luke 11:24-26, Jesus explains that a person set free from demonic possession is only temporarily free. The way to permanent freedom is to have something occupying that space where the demon previously lived... something bigger and stronger than that demon... bigger and stronger than the seven others he brought with him. And who is bigger and stronger than satan himself?

Little children, you are of God [you belong to Him] and have [already] defeated and overcome them [the agents of the antichrist], because He Who lives in you is greater (mightier) than he who is in the world.

1^st John 4:4 [AMP]

So just moving your kids to a safe neighborhood doesn’t cut the mustard. They are better off in the deepest darkest ghetto with Christ in their hearts and the baptism of the Holy Spirit than to be in the most exclusive gated community with nothing protecting them from the enemy.

Cases in point:

The Lost Children of Little Rock

While more than a decade has gone by since the original PBS Frontline broadcast, the message still rings true. Teens left to their own devices... even in affluent suburban climes... got involved in all kinds of immoral behavior that came to light when an outbreak of syphilis derailed the “fun times” and reality hit the parents in the face like one of Soupy Sales’ custard creme pies.

Kids need more than $1,000,000 homes in gated communities. They need Jesus as their Savior and Lord. They need the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. To put kids in such nice surroundings and spend so much time away from home, working to pay for everything, is just a disaster waiting to happen!

Oral Sex Is The New Goodnight Kiss

Journalist Sharlene Azam did a book and video report on how Canadian teenagers in nice neighborhoods are selling themselves into prostitution to have the money to buy the latest fashions. This was (and may still be) a huge phenomenon in the affluent areas of Asia such as Japan and Singapore... but now we have old guys in North America buying sex from teens for a pair of designer shoes or whatever.

This society is materialistic... you aren’t anything, the world tells you, unless you wear clothes by this designer or jewelry by that jeweler, or shoes with those logos on them... etc. And in these days of recession and bailouts, what other option do your kids have to feel good about themselves?

This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.

1^st John 5:3-5 [NIV]

If your teen knows who he or she is in Christ, then they can have self-esteem in knowing that their name is written in the Lamb’s book of life, and not in knowing that some designer’s logo is written on their backside.

Murder in the Nation’s Capitol

For decades, gang wars over drug turf and etcetera was a huge problem in the District. In fact, last summer the DC police had to literally impose martial law over the Trinidad section of the District because homicides were becoming a daily occurrence.

One mother wanted to raise her child away from all of that, so she and her Ex moved to the nicest suburban area that money could buy. She also hovered over him both physically and electronically. Still, while her 14-year-old honor student was riding his bike not very far from their home, he was beaten to death by schoolmates who had organized into gangs.

Unfortunately, the local police are busy swimming up the Egyptian river called “de-nial” to accept that gang activity exists there. The sad story appeared in the June 2^nd edition of the Washington Post.

If you have left the violent suburbs for the more safe exurbs... don’t worry... trouble will find you.

Why?

Because evil is not a matter of geography, it is the spiritual nature of fallen man. And when we realize that we need to put something into the souls of the youth, we won’t have to worry so much about the zip codes of the youth.

Pray Psalm 91 over your children every day... and have them put that scripture in their hearts. That is your protection. And when the enemy wants you to worry about them... try sending this to your child as a text message (right after you send it to the Throne of Almighty God as a faith-filled prayer)...

I lift up my eyes to the hills—
where does my help come from?

My help comes from the LORD,
the Maker of heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot slip—
he who watches over you will not slumber;

indeed, he who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.

The LORD watches over you—
the LORD is your shade at your right hand;

the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.

The LORD will keep you from all harm—
he will watch over your life;

the LORD will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore.

Psalm 121 [NIV]

Safe in the Suburbs?

You and your family can be safe anywhere... but your safety is not in man made fortifications or structures... but in the Living God.

That clinches it—help’s coming, an answer's on the way, everything's going to work out. See those people polishing their chariots, and those others grooming their horses? But we’re making garlands for God our God. The chariots will rust, those horses pull up lame— and we’ll be on our feet, standing tall.

Psalm 20:6-8 [The Message]

Some trust in horses and chariots. Some trust in Smith and Wesson. But your family will be safe when you put your trust and confidence in the Creator of heaven and earth.

No Christ, No Peace. Know Christ, Know Peace.

If you have never asked Jesus to be the Savior and Lord of your life... or of your family... say this simple prayer right this moment:

Father God, I realize that I am a sinner and that I have put my trust in things that are untrustworthy. I have spent my life worrying over things that I can not control, when I now know that I can put my faith and trust on You, because You have the power to control all things. So Jesus, please take control of my life. Fill me with your Spirit... in love, and in power... so that I may make the right choices in my life, and in the lives of those whom I love. Thank you, Lord, for saving me.

Amen!

Right-Minded Intercession

“The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.” - James 5:16

Caryl sadly read her newspaper and laid it down on the table. “What is happening to our country?” she groaned. Caryl wanted to blame the new administration, but she knew better; her devotional reading for that morning was based on Proverbs 21:1. She recalled its words: “The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD; he directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases.”

It reminded Caryl that leaders are appointed by God to accomplish His purposes. Bowing her head, she immediately asked God to guide her elected officials with wisdom and to turn their hearts to Him. Daryl also asked the Lord to direct her leaders in determining foreign affairs, the economy and unemployment, and prayed for the safety of the President and his family, thanking God for them.

James 5:16 reminds you that as you pray like Caryl – and do so with the right-minded attitude – your intercessions will have a mighty impact. Pray decisively and confidently for your president and leaders, regardless of your opinions of the day’s headlines…and God will move on behalf of our nation.

Recommended Reading: 1^st Peter 4:1-2, 7-11

Written by...

Kathy Lumbert

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