Power Meditations from Judypie

Father, in the name of Jesus, I bless my family and co-workers daily with faith and love. May we be filled with hope for the word of truth; the gospel is our mainstay. The Prince of Peace is our Companion and Strength for this day. We are secure, for we have received Your abundant provision of grace and the gift of righteousness through Jesus Christ. At night we rest in perfect peace, consoled by thoughts of Your love for us, in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Scripture Meditation: Colossians 1:5; Romans 5:17

Jesus gave Himself up to atone for your sins and to save and sanctify you, in order to rescue and deliver you from this present wicked age and world order (Gal 1:4). The secret of residing in this protection is walking in love. Keep yourself within the boundaries where the love of God can reach and bless you, and the wicked one cannot get a grip on you. Don't forget to praise God, the Father, for He inhabits the praises of His people.

Father God, you are my Habitation. You have commanded your angels to guard and keep me in all my ways. I have put on the new man created in Christ Jesus. I renounce resentment, unforgiveness, bitterness, envy and strife. Satan, the father of lies, is a defeated foe. Lord, you have set your love upon me; you are my Protector and my Deliverer. Goodness, Mercy and unfailing Love shall follow me all the days of my life. Hallelujah!

Scripture Meditation: Psalm 91:10-15; Ephesians 4:26-27; James 3:14-16; Psalm 23:6

LORD, you are my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in you, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to you. Thank you for arming me with strength and making my way perfect. In the name of Jesus I can face challenges with wisdom, understanding, intelligence and supernatural ability because your Word dwells in me richly. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.

Scripture Meditation: Psalm 28:7; 18:32; Colossians 3:16; Philippians 4:13

Who Has Power Over You?

A lot of people seem to hold onto this idea of God being the big angry one in the sky, throwing lightning bolts at those who for whatever reason get on His nerves.  And even more troublesome, the assertion that God’s anger is unjust.  Really?

When disasters strike... be they earthquakes, tidal waves, or floods... people simply write these off as “acts of God.”  Further, many simply assume that He is just messing with His children for some capricious reason.  Couldn’t be anything related to mankind’s sins now, could it?

We took note earlier of a comment by actor and activist Sean Penn who stated on the CNN series Larry King Live that God was bullying the people of Haiti when the earthquake struck... and people felt great outrage when Pat Robertson blamed the earthquake on something the people of Haiti had allegedly done.

The simple reality, however, is that Haiti’s (pre-earthquake) woes are completely man-made.  From the exploitation of the island’s wealth in the 1700’s to the acts of genocide during the Parsley Massacre in the early 20^th century to further political and diplomatic abuses... we see the hands of men driven by selfishness and greed.  Substandard building codes created a horrendous devastation in Haiti.  Yet, in Chile where an even more severe earthquake hit, there was less damage (because the infrastructure was better constructed).  Had the people been given better constructed homes and buildings, the devastation would not been nearly as great.

Still... people find it so easy to just blame God whenever things go wrong.

Oh, and for the record... earthquakes are continuing and will continue to strike all over the world.  After all, Jesus told us in Mark 13:7-9 that these are simply labor pains signalling the birth of the new heaven and earth that will replace this demon-infested world that we are living in (see Revelation 21:1-3).

But when the concept of the devil being behind this world’s tragedies is introduced, people simply shrug that off as medieval mythology that has no part in rational thinking.  After all... assuming that God has all power... why doesn’t He just do something about all the bad things that happen?

For the god of this world has blinded the unbelievers' minds [that they should not discern the truth], preventing them from seeing the illuminating light of the Gospel of the glory of Christ (the Messiah), Who is the Image and Likeness of God.

2^nd Corinthians 4:4 [AMP]

In 2 Corinthians 4:4, we read that satan is the god (small “g”) of this world.  Yes, it is the devil who blinds the minds of people so that they cannot see or even discern the truth.  And Jesus is the truth.

Elsewhere in the scripture, we see further affirmation of this fact. For instance, satan is called the prince of the power of the air in Ephesians 2:2. In John 12:31, he is called the ruler of this world. We could site other scriptures, but you get the point.

The refusal to accept the fact that there is a devil who is intent on fouling everything up was the theme of one of our favorite songs by Keith Green.

Have a listen to the song:



If you are under the reign of the devil... the one who has such authority on this earth... then you are subject to the outcomes of his behavior. And how does the devil behave? Well, I like the way Greg Laurie put it. While God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life... satan hates you and has a horrible plan for your life.

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]

• He is a thief... he steals whatever he can from you. Your health. Your relationships. Your sanity... whatever he can get his hands on, he will take from you.
  .
• He is a murderer. He will kill you if he can. But even if he can’t get to your life... he will destroy your enjoyment of life... if he can.
  .
• He is a destroyer. He will destroy your career ambitions... your desire to have a happy family... your reputation... whatever he can get is hands on.

So, how does one stop the devil if he is so powerful?

Those who have accepted Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord are no longer under the power of the devil. The Bible tells us:

Since, therefore, [these His] children share in flesh and blood [in the physical nature of human beings], He [Himself] in a similar manner partook of the same [nature], that by [going through] death He might bring to nought and make of no effect him who had the power of death--that is, the devil--

Hebrews 2:14 [AMP]

Jesus defeated the devil by His sinless life... by his sacrificial death... and by his victorious rise from the dead. Jesus was tempted by the devil, shortly after His baptism by John.

THEN JESUS, full of and controlled by the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led in [by] the [Holy] Spirit

For (during) forty days in the wilderness (desert), where He was tempted (tried, tested exceedingly) by the devil. And He ate nothing during those days, and when they were completed, He was hungry.

Then the devil said to Him, If You are the Son of God, order this stone to turn into a loaf [of bread].

And Jesus replied to him, It is written, Man shall not live and be sustained by (on) bread alone but by every word and expression of God.

Then the devil took Him up to a high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the habitable world in a moment of time [in the twinkling of an eye].

And he said to Him, To You I will give all this power and authority and their glory (all their magnificence, excellence, preeminence, dignity, and grace), for it has been turned over to me, and I give it to whomever I will.

Therefore if You will do homage to and worship me [just once], it shall all be Yours.

And Jesus replied to him, Get behind Me, Satan! It is written, You shall do homage to and worship the Lord your God, and Him only shall you serve.

Luke 4:1-8 [AMP]

Notice in Luke 4:6, satan said that the power and authority of the world has been turned over to him.

When did that happen?

When God created man (see Genesis 1:26), He gave man dominion over everything on this planet. When Adam and Eve sinned by rebelling against God, they in effect turned that dominion over to the devil. It was handed over to satan... but Jesus took it back (see Matthew 28:18 and Revelation 1:17-18).

Those who believe in Jesus are no longer under the rule of Satan (Colossians 1:13). Unbelievers, on the other hand, are caught “in the snare of the devil” (2 Timothy 2:26), and lie in the “power of the evil one” (1 John 5:19), and are in bondage to satan (Ephesians 2:2).

When you accept Jesus as Lord over your life, you receive His righteousness (Romans 5:19-22) which is better than man’s hypocritical self-righteousness... as it is the only thing that will free you from the power and the penalty of sin and release you from the authority of the devil.

According to 1^st Corinthians 1:30:

But it is from Him that you have your life in Christ Jesus, Whom God made our Wisdom from God, [revealed to us a knowledge of the divine plan of salvation previously hidden, manifesting itself as] our Righteousness [thus making us upright and putting us in right standing with God], and our Consecration [making us pure and holy], and our Redemption [providing our ransom from eternal penalty for sin].

1^st Corinthians 1:30 [AMP]

I could never be holier-than-thou... but in Christ, I hold the position that He has won, because I rely on, lean on, and wholly depend on Him. How cool is that?

And that I may [actually] be found and known as in Him, not having any [self-achieved] righteousness that can be called my own, based on my obedience to the Law’s demands (ritualistic uprightness and supposed right standing with God thus acquired), but possessing that [genuine righteousness] which comes through faith in Christ (the Anointed One), the [truly] right standing with God, which comes from God by [saving] faith.

Philippians 3:9 [AMP]

The penalty of sin no longer applies to me... not by any work that I have done... but because of the love and mercy of God through Jesus Christ my Lord. Woo hoo!

Hold your mouse over these scriptures to see how you have been (or can be) justified before God by what Christ has done:

• Romans 4:25
• Romans 3:20-25
• Romans 5:1-9

Yes, satan may be the god of this world... but he ain’t got nothing over me. And, if you have accepted the sacrifice that Jesus made on your behalf, you are also free from the devil’s power.

As earthquakes, wars, and other phenomena continue to occur... be encouraged that heaven is just getting that much closer. While that might be terrifying for those in this world, it is reason for rejoicing by those of us who are in Christ.

Prayer for Refreshing from Judypie

Heavenly Father, I repent of my thoughts, words and actions that have been unlike you. Cleanse me with the blood of Jesus. Renew and transform me as I daily read and meditate on your Word. Thank you for sending a refreshing to my whole spirit, soul and body as I spend time in your presence. The power of the life-giving Spirit—power that is mine through Christ Jesus has freed me from the vicious circle of sin and death. Today, I am anointed with fresh oil from the Holy Spirit. In the name of Jesus, amen.

• Romans 12:2
• Acts 3:19
• Romans 8:1
• Psalm 92:10

Son of Hamas Leader to Address 2010 Epicenter Conference

SON OF HAMAS TO ADDRESS 2010 EPICENTER CONFERENCE 

Register today to join us in Philly on June 25-26.
Also: Update coming on The Joshua Fund's humanitarian relief efforts.
By Joel C. Rosenberg

(Washington, D.C., March 11, 2010) -- Today, it my honor to announce that Mosab Hassan Yousef will address the 2010 Epicenter Conference this summer in Philadelphia.

Mosab will share the inside story of how he went from being the eldest son of one of the founders of the Hamas terrorist movement to a double agent working for the Israeli secret services to protect Jews and Arabs from terrorism. You'll hear first-hand how he made his stunning decision to renounce Islam and become a baptized follower of Jesus Christ, what it has cost him, as well as his powerful vision for true peace and reconciliation in the epicenter. [Note: for security reasons, Mosab will not physically be on site at the Kimmel Performing Arts Center where the conference will be held. He will address the event either by videotape or by satellite.]

Please register today at www.epicenterconference.com to make sure you can be there in person for this remarkable two-day event. Other featured speakers include Lt.-Gen. (ret.) Jerry Boykin, the former Delta force commander; Greg Laurie, senior pastor of Harvest Fellowship in California; Kay Arthur, the internationally respected Bible teacher; and Janet Parshall, one of the leading nationally syndicated Christian radio broadcasters.

ALSO ON THE WEBLOG:
* Shots fired in an evangelical Christian church in a Muslim country in the Middle East
* Updates on Vice President Biden's trip to the epicenter
* Updates on Israel's efforts to encourage more evangelical Christians to visit the Holy Land
* The remarkably peaceful elections in Iraq last Sunday

COMING SOON:
* A report on the exciting developments with The Joshua Fund's warehouse in Israel and efforts to care for the poor and needy in the Holy Land, as well as stockpile food and relief supplies for the future. Stay tuned.

(PHOTO: Joel and Mosab sharing coffee at the National Religious Broadcasters convention in Nashville in March 2010.)

LEARN: To track the latest news and trends from Israel and the epicenter, please click here

PRAY: Sign up for Joel's email alerts and receive the latest news and analysis from the Mideast, Joshua Fund project updates and prayer requests.

GIVE: Help The Joshua Fund stock the new warehouse and bless the poor and needy in Israel and among her neighbors. Please make a tax-deductible donation of $50, $100, $250 or a monthly commitment by clicking here.

GO: Join Joel's "Epicenter Team" on Facebook.

GO: To learn more about -- and/or register for -- the 2010 Epicenter Conference in Philadelphia on June 25-26, please click here.

A Patriotic Word from Judypie

Father, your Word declares that blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord. We declare that Jesus is Lord over these United Sates of America. We receive your blessing. You are our Refuge and Stronghold in times of trouble (high cost, destitution and desperation). We pray that we shall dwell safely in this land, in the name of Jesus our Lord. Amen.

Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people He has chosen as His heritage.

Psalm 33:12 [AMP]

 

The Lord also will be a refuge and a high tower for the oppressed, a refuge and a stronghold in times of trouble (high cost, destitution, and desperation).

Psalm 9:9 [AMP]

Wisdom from Judypie

Allow the following meditations from our dear Judy bless you during this upcoming week:

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In the name of Jesus, I arm myself with the full armor of God; armor, which God has supplied for me…the helmet of salvation…loins girded with truth…feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace…the shield of faith…and the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. With God’s armor on, I am able to stand up against all the strategies, deceits and fiery darts of the devil. I am more than a conqueror through him who loves me. Amen.

• Ephesians 6:12-17
• Romans 8:37

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. 

• Psalm 25:1-5

Jesus, you are my LORD. You are my light and my salvation, I shall not be afraid. You are my sufficiency, my Redeemer, Provider, Sanctifier, Protector, Healer and Victory! You are El Shaddai. You are more than enough for every challenge I face, for every decision I must make, for the questions I need answered, for the adjustments I need to make. You are everything to me, my Lord and Savior. I trust you – lean and rely on you. LORD, you are good; my refuge and counsel are in you. Amen.

• Psalm 27:1
• Psalm 34:8

Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.

Psalm 46:10

Father, I make my schedule around the reading and study of your Word – I meditate and keep your thoughts ever in mind; letting them penetrate deep within my heart. Your Word means real life for me, and radiant health. Your word dwells in me richly, and I avoid careless banter, white lies, and gossip. Thank you for sending the Holy Spirit to be my Helper and Teacher. In the name of Jesus I release all the cares of this life upon you, for you care for me and provide for me abundantly. Amen.

• Proverbs 4:2-24
• 1^st Peter 5:7

Father, in Jesus’ name, we thank you for the United States and its government. We pray for the men and women who are in positions of authority – the president, representatives, senators, judges, police personnel, as well as the governors and mayors and all others who are in authority over us in any way. We pray that the Spirit of God will rest upon them. In Jesus name. Amen.

• 1^st Timothy 2:1-3

Father, I thank you for giving me a vision, a purpose and a plan. Give me your heart, your compassion for humanity. I offer my body as a living sacrifice to be your instrument of righteousness – that I might be a true representative of your Kingdom. It is my desire to fulfill my divine destiny, and be successful according to your will. I am here to serve you and love you in the beauty of holiness. Lead me in the way I should go, and with the Holy Spirit as my Helper, I will do great exploits for your Kingdom and others shall know that you are their Help, Redeemer and Salvation. In Jesus name. Amen.

• Proverbs 29:18
• Jeremiah 29:11
• Romans 12:1

Heavenly Father, you are my light and my salvation. By your grace, I shall not fear man nor become entangled in the ungodly traditions of men. I throw aside every weight and sin that has tried to ensnare me so that I might run the race you have set before me with confidence, efficiency and effectiveness. I seek to be temperate in all things and run this race to receive a crown of eternal blessedness with certainty. Father, in my life be glorified, in Jesus' name. Amen.

• Psalm 27:1
• Hebrews 12:1
• 1^st Corinthians 9:24-26

“In the glory of His Presence I see the beauty of His ways”

A lack of confidence will hinder your relationship with God, and often cause you to deny yourself the more abundant life that Jesus came to give you. Develop a strong faith. Developing an intimate relationship with the Father and learning who you are in Christ Jesus will fill you with confidence and assurance. Fill your thoughts and your mouth with His word and enter into the holy place by the blood of Jesus (Hebrews 10:19). The Lord Himself shall be your confidence, firm and strong, and He shall keep your foot from being caught in a trap of hidden danger (Proverbs 3:26).

Son of Hamas Leader Comes to Faith in Jesus Christ (Pt2)

* * * * FLASH TRAFFIC: WASHINGTON UPDATE * * * *

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: HOW THE SON OF THE HAMAS LEADER CAME TO FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST -- PART TWO By Joel C. Rosenberg (Washington, D.C., March 3, 2010) -- The following is an interview I did with Mosab Hassan Yousef, author of the new book, Son of Hamas. JOEL: How has your life changed since becoming a born again Christian? Specifically, how have your attitudes towards Israel changed since your dramatic conversion? MOSAB: My conscience is not the same. This doesn't mean that I became a perfect person but at least when I do a mistake I know how to fix it and avoid it in the future. Today, I am free from sin because I am the son of the King. When I first understood how religion is imperfect in general - and in Islam in particular - and allowed myself to accept Christ as my personal Savior and get out of the box of religion, not only did Israel look different to me, I started to see everything differently. I remember one day walking in Jerusalem right after I studied the Scripture that says give to those who ask you. [Jesus said in Matthew 5:42, "Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you."] There was a homeless Jew in the Jewish side of Jerusalem, and I answered the call of the Lord to share with him some of the change in my pocket. Then I sat down and cried because I had the chance to understand the unconditional love God has for everybody. It was shocking to me that I never felt sorry for a homeless Jew. Then gradually - through God's grace and mercy, through the years - all humans became equal to me. My people see the sun every day but they never ask themselves why the sun shines on both east and west Jerusalem. The easiest thing to me was to hate my enemy but the real challenge was to love them. Later on I realized my enemy was not man anymore - not Israeli, not Palestinian - but sin and darkness within us. JOEL: What can followers of Jesus do in real and practical ways to love the Palestinian people and reach them with the gospel of Jesus Christ? MOSAB: This is an excellent question, thank you. Christians have a huge duty to love his neighbor and his enemy. Every Christian needs to carry this heavy cross. Loving Muslims and Palestinians is our responsibility. And our duty as Christians to show God's love toward Muslims is more important than governments, the United Nations and the international community. All of those don't have a clue how to deal with the Islamic problem. We know as Christians that the conflict is spiritual and ideological. You can't kill an idea. You have to replace it. Governments can send troops to change a regime or kill terrorists, but they don't have the type of weapons that we have - love and hope and grace. Today, I need from my Christian brothers and sisters to.... [TO READ THE FULL INTERVIEW, PLEASE CLICK TO MY WEBLOG] **** Please join us at the 2010 Epicenter Conference in Philadelphia on June 25-26. To find more details -- and to register on-line -- please go to www.epicenterconference.com. **** LEARN: To track the latest news and trends from Israel and the epicenter, please click here PRAY: Sign up for Joel's email alerts and receive the latest news and analysis from the Mideast, Joshua Fund project updates and prayer requests. GIVE: Help The Joshua Fund stock the new warehouse and bless the poor and needy in Israel and among her neighbors. Please make a tax-deductible donation of $50, $100, $250 or a monthly commitment by clicking here. GO: Join Joel's "Epicenter Team" on Facebook. GO: To learn more about the 2010 Epicenter Conference in Philadelphia on June 25-26, please click here.

Son of Hamas Leader Comes to Faith in Jesus Christ

* * * * FLASH TRAFFIC: WASHINGTON UPDATE * * * *

EXCLUSIVE: HOW THE SON OF THE HAMAS LEADER CAME TO FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST -- PART ONE Also: Mosab to appear on CNN, Fox and Today Show. See weblog for details. By Joel C. Rosenberg (Nashville, Tennessee, March 1, 2010) -- This morning, a colleague and I will meet Mosab Hassan Yousef, the son of the founder and leader of the Hamas terrorist movement, for coffee. Later, I will have the joy of introducing Mosab to participants of the National Religious Broadcasters convention here in Nashville when I address the group at the "International Luncheon." My remarks are entitled, "Israel, The Iran Threat, and Modern Day Lessons From The Book of Esther." I believe the Lord is building a global movement of followers of Jesus Christ who will pray and fast for the Lord to save and bless Israel, the Palestinians, Iran and all the peoples of the epicenter. And just as the Lord had strategically positioned two believers - Mordechai and Esther - close to the leader of Persia to do His will at "such a time as this," so, too, the Lord placed Mosab right next to the leader of Hamas to serve Christ at a critical moment. Beginning in 1996, Mosab became a spy for Israel's secret service, helping the Israelis to stop scores of terrorist attacks and arrest scores of terrorists from Hamas and other Palestinian jihadist groups. In 2005, after a long spiritual journey, Mosab renounced Islam, received Jesus Christ as his personal Savior and Lord, and was baptized in the Mediterranean sea.The extraordinary story of how this all happened is the basis of Mosab's must-read new book, Son of Hamas (co-written by journalist Ron Brackin), which releases nationwide on Tuesday, March 2. Mosab and Tyndale House Publishers have put an embargo on the book until tomorrow, meaning no journalist is allowed to publish excerpts from the book until then. But they have graciously give me exclusive permission to publish excerpts first. Here are a few of the extraordinary passages: [SEE WEBLOG FOR EXCLUSIVE EXCERPTS] Is Mosab's story of conversion to Christ an isolated story, or part of a movement of God in the Middle East? Is there hope for top officials in Iran, Syria, Hezbollah to come to faith in Jesus Christ and renounce their hatred of Israel? What can you do to bless Israel and her neighbors and advance the kingdom of God in the epicenter? We'll explore these and other critical questions at the 2010 Epicenter Conference in Philadelphia on June 25-26. Please join us! We will provide you with the very latest geopolitical updates from the Middle East, in-depth Bible teaching and practical training on how to help mobilize your family, friends and neighbors to "learn, pray, give and go" to the Lord's work in the epicenter. Among my guests will be Lt.-General (ret.) Jerry Boykin, fmr. commander of Delta Force and fmr. Deputy Undersecretary of Defense for Intelligence; Kay Arthur, the internationally renowned Bible teacher; Greg Laurie, the senior pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in California who has preached the good news of Jesus Christ to more than 3.8 million people around the world; Janet Parshall, the nationally syndicated radio talk show host; and other wonderful guests we will announce as we get closer to the event. Find more details -- and register on-line -- at www.epicenterconference.com. LEARN: To track the latest news and trends from Israel and the epicenter, please click here PRAY: Sign up for Joel's email alerts and receive the latest news and analysis from the Mideast, Joshua Fund project updates and prayer requests. GIVE: Help The Joshua Fund stock the new warehouse and bless the poor and needy in Israel and among her neighbors. Please make a tax-deductible donation of $50, $100, $250 or a monthly commitment by clicking here. GO: Join Joel's "Epicenter Team" on Facebook. GO: To learn more about the 2010 Epicenter Conference in Philadelphia on June 25-26, please click here.