Inspirational
The Few
Only a few Christians will go to heaven. Watch this and look at your life, are you on the right path? Do you need to make some changes?
Osteen Say What???
2 Timothy 3:1-5New International Version (NIV)
3 But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 2 People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4 treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.
- - -
I have heard a lot about Mrs. Osteen’s comments and I think that if I had to be broadcast globably on a statement that I made a particular moment in my life, depending on the moment, I guarantee I would look worse than her. However, if her position on this matter is firm and she believes her words as God’s truth for her life, then I am confused and I would question her motives. My position initially is that she just made an idiotic comment and probably wishes she could clarify. Shane Smith of Alabaster, AL put is like this, "God doesn't want us to be happy He wants us to be Holy.” How do you feel about her comments? It’s something to think about, but don’t bash unless you have spoken flawlessly in your days.
Heres the video…
Matthew 7:24
"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.
Psalm 112
Psalm 112[a]
1 Praise the Lord.[b]
Blessed are those who fear the Lord,
who find great delight in his commands.
2 Their children will be mighty in the land;
the generation of the upright will be blessed.
3 Wealth and riches are in their houses,
and their righteousness endures forever.
4 Even in darkness light dawns for the upright,
for those who are gracious and compassionate and righteous.
5 Good will come to those who are generous and lend freely,
who conduct their affairs with justice.
6 Surely the righteous will never be shaken;
they will be remembered forever.
7 They will have no fear of bad news;
their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord.
8 Their hearts are secure, they will have no fear;
in the end they will look in triumph on their foes.
9 They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor,
their righteousness endures forever;
their horn[c] will be lifted high in honor.
10 The wicked will see and be vexed,
they will gnash their teeth and waste away;
the longings of the wicked will come to nothing.
Footnotes:
a. Psalm 112:1 This psalm is an acrostic poem, the lines of which begin with the successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet.
b. Psalm 112:1 Hebrew Hallelu Yah
c. Psalm 112:9 Horn here symbolizes dignity.
Hebrews 10:32-39 (NIV)
32 Remember those earlier days after you had received the light, when you endured in a great conflict full of suffering. 33 Sometimes you were publicly exposed to insult and persecution; at other times you stood side by side with those who were so treated. 34 You suffered along with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions. 35 So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded.
36 You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. 37 For,
“In just a little while,
he who is coming will come
and will not delay.”[a]
38 And,
“But my righteous[b] one will live by faith.
And I take no pleasure
in the one who shrinks back.”[c]
39 But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved.
Footnotes:
a. Hebrews 10:37 Isaiah 26:20; Hab. 2:3
b. Hebrews 10:38 Some early manuscripts But the righteous
c. Hebrews 10:38 Hab. 2:4 (see Septuagint)
Pete’s Challenge
It’s been done millions of times online. You’ve seen it in your Facebook feeds, on websites…everywhere.
Did you ever wonder how, where, or why it all began?
What’s the story behind the Ice Bucket Challenge? This video will show you the effects of ALS, and the man behind the viral sensation to help bring awareness — and a cure — to Lou Gehrig’s Disease.
The video will break your heart…but it’s so worth the watch. Inspiration, to say the least.
Bravo, Pete Frates.
Donate for research at ALS: www.ALS.net
The Ten Commandments
Exodus 20 (NIV)
20 And God spoke all these words:
2 “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.
3 “You shall have no other gods before[a] me.
4 “You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. 5 You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, 6 but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.
7 “You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.
8 “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. 9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns. 11 For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.
12 “Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.
13 “You shall not murder.
14 “You shall not commit adultery.
15 “You shall not steal.
16 “You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.
17 “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.”
18 When the people saw the thunder and lightning and heard the trumpet and saw the mountain in smoke, they trembled with fear. They stayed at a distance 19 and said to Moses, “Speak to us yourself and we will listen. But do not have God speak to us or we will die.”
20 Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning.”
21 The people remained at a distance, while Moses approached the thick darkness where God was.
Idols and Altars
22 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Tell the Israelites this: ‘You have seen for yourselves that I have spoken to you from heaven: 23 Do not make any gods to be alongside me; do not make for yourselves gods of silver or gods of gold.
24 “‘Make an altar of earth for me and sacrifice on it your burnt offerings and fellowship offerings, your sheep and goats and your cattle. Wherever I cause my name to be honored, I will come to you and bless you. 25 If you make an altar of stones for me, do not build it with dressed stones, for you will defile it if you use a tool on it. 26 And do not go up to my altar on steps, or your private parts may be exposed.
The Church and Its Leaders
1 Corinthians 3:1-11 (NIV)
3 Brothers and sisters, I could not address you as people who live by the Spirit but as people who are still worldly—mere infants in Christ. 2 I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready. 3 You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere humans? 4 For when one says, “I follow Paul,” and another, “I follow Apollos,” are you not mere human beings?
5 What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. 6 I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. 7 So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. 8 The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. 9 For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building.
10 By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. 11 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.
Epilogue: Invitation and Warning
Revelation 22:12-21 (NIV)
12 “Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.
14 “Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city. 15 Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.
16 “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you[a] this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star.”
17 The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life.
18 I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this scroll: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to that person the plagues described in this scroll. 19 And if anyone takes words away from this scroll of prophecy, God will take away from that person any share in the tree of life and in the Holy City, which are described in this scroll.
20 He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.”
Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
21 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen.
Only 4 Weeks Out… Getting Excited!
Camp-Marie Haiti
Location
Located about 105 km north from Port-au-Prince, in the South Department of Haiti, the community of Camp Marie sits between Saint Marc and Montrouis along the National Road #1. The community has an estimated population of 7,000 people. It is located about 90 minutes from Port-au-Prince.
Description
Haitians in general are a very hospitable and welcoming population, including those in Camp Marie. Economics revolve a great deal around agricultural products produced in the area. Fruits and vegetables are grown locally. The leaders in Camp Marie are eager to begin the journey of development as a 410 Bridge partner community. The community has many needs including access to safe water, agriculture and health. With most people living in poverty, everyday becomes a struggle to survive for the people living in Camp Marie.
While 80% of the Christian community attends weekly church service, Voodoo continues to have a prominent influence in the community at large. The Christian church would highly benefit from a strong discipleship program for both the children and adults. Another priority in Camp Marie is clean water followed by agriculture and health. The local leaders are ready to lead the community by uniting and mobilizing its people towards common goals.
Family
Today was a great day! My sister came down from Altanta and we rode over to Ft. Gaines, GA with Momma & Daddy. We just visited, talked, and just enjoyed the afternoon together. It was such a blessing to spend the day with my sweet family.
I love them so much!
*It might have been a little better if Momma would have changed her shirt! Ha!!! 2 weeks til kick off and I had to throw a little bit of War Eagle attitude into the mix. Momma graduated from Auburn and Bama… so I guess she has her pick for the day. I will purchase her another shirt before kick-off of the season for sure!
Seriously… it couldn’t have been much better! Feeling blessed!!!
The Lesson Of The Pike
By: E. Allen Campbell
Recently, I read about an experiment with a northern pike. Scientists placed the fish in an aquarium that had a glass divider separating the pike from a dozen minnows on the other side of the partition. The pike couldn't see the glass when he repeatedly charged the minnows. Time and again, the pike went for a meal of minnows. Each time he slammed into the invisible barrier. Finally, after many days of failure, the pike quit trying. Then the experimenters removed the glass divider that the protected the minnows from being eaten.
Guess what? The pike didn't try to devour the minnows even when they got right up to his nose. In psychology, this is called classical conditioning-conditioning a subject to respond in a particular way. While classical conditioning was a problem for the pike, it is a real tragedy for us when life conditions us to accept failure.
Here are some suggestions to avoid being like the pike.
Put together a hit list. Jot down those places in your life where you may resemble the pike. You might be conditioned to feeling negative about yourself, your relationships, or obtaining your goals. Write down your areas of negativity that need to be addressed.
Get and keep a PMA (positive mental attitude). The pike developed a negative mental attitude after repeatedly failing to get to the minnows. Many of us have repeatedly hit our heads against barriers and as a result, we develop negative attitudes about reaching our objectives. We need to change these negative feelings.
However, some of us aren't able to do so. Here is a way around the barrier. In the case of lack of confidence in yourself, you already know what a confident you would look like. The positive and confident you is the standard that you judge yourself and find yourself lacking. Imagine that you are already that self-assured person. Fake it until you make it. If the pike faked it until he made it, he would have enjoyed a meal of minnows after the glass had been removed.
Live as if you had acquired your goal. If you are addressing the issue of feeling good about yourself, pretend you are there now. Walk and talk with a confident manner. Don't sulk around as you used to do. As a result of this PMA, other will respond to you more positively. You will in turn deal with them more positively. Before long, you will be actually be more positive.
Play all the angles. Regardless of the obstacles that stand in your way, assume that you can obtain your goal. Then look for different ways of getting to your objective. Make your quest into a game-a game of getting through the maze to reaching your mission. If your task is to find a new job, and it hasn't come knocking at your door, look for other doors. Network with your friends. Tell them what you want. Employ them in your search for new employment. Go to job placement services or recruiters. Take your resume to companies where you would like to work. Enroll in a couple of classes at a community college and then work through their placement office. Play all the angles and keep all your options open.
None of us is a pike living in a lab's aquarium. However, many of us perceive ourselves to be like the pike in the experiment. Our world is a tank, and we are controlled by others or by circumstances. We need to see reality correctly or our incorrect perception of reality will become real for us. Don't forget: we are people not pike.
Watch the video...
Jesus Has Risen
Matthew 28:1-10New International Version (NIV)
28 After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.
2 There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. 4 The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.
5 The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6 He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.”
8 So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9 Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”
The Parable Of The Sting
I can still see Jay Elliott’s shocked face as I burst through his front door almost 50 years ago with a “gang” of bees swirling around me. As I raced out his back door, I realized the bees were gone. Well, sort of—I’d left them in Jay’s house! Moments later, he came racing out his back door—chased by the bees I had brought to him.
I had more than a dozen stings, with little effect. Jay had a different experience. Though he’d been stung only once or twice by “my” bees, his eyes and throat swelled up in a painful allergic reaction. My actions had caused a lot of pain for my friend.
That’s a picture of what’s true in our interpersonal relationships too. We hurt others when our actions aren’t Christlike. Even after an apology, the “sting” sticks.
People would be right to expect an absence of harshness and an air of patience from those who follow Christ. We forget sometimes that people struggling with faith, or life, or both, watch Christians with expectation. They hope to see less anger and more mercy, less judgment and more compassion, less criticism and more encouragement. Jesus and Peter told us to live good lives so God is given the glory (Matt. 5:16; 1 Peter 2:12). May our actions and reactions point those around us to our loving Father.
By ~ Randy Kilgore
Read: 1 Peter 2:9-12
They may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation. —1 Peter 2:12
The Bible and Suicide
By Mary Fairchild
Suicide is the act of intentionally taking one's own life, or as some have called it, "self-murder."
Over the years, I've received several emails from readers with questions about suicide:
"Does God forgive suicide, or is it the unpardonable sin?"
"Do Christians who commit suicide go to hell?"
"What does the Bible say about suicide?"
7 People Committed Suicide in the Bible
Let's begin by looking at the seven accounts of suicide in the Bible.
Abimelech - Judges 9:54
After having his skull crushed under a millstone that was dropped by a woman from the Tower of Shechem, Abimelech called for his armor bearer to kill him with a sword. He did not want it said that a woman had killed him.
Samson - Judges 16:29-31
By collapsing a building, Samson sacrificed his own life, but in the process destroyed thousands of enemy Philistines.
Saul and His Armor Bearer - 1 Samuel 31:3-6
After losing his sons and all of his troops in battle, and his sanity long before, King Saul, assisted by his armor bearer, ended his life. Then Saul's servant killed himself.
Ahithophel - 2 Samuel 17:23
Disgraced and rejected by Absolom, Ahithophel went home, put his affairs in order, and then hung himself.
Zimri - 1 Kings 16:18
Rather than being taken prisoner, Zimri set the king's palace on fire and died in the flames.
Judas - Matthew 27:5
After he betrayed Jesus, Judas Iscariot was overcome with remorse and hung himself.
In each of these instances, except that of Samson, suicide is not presented favorably. These were ungodly men acting in desperation and disgrace. Samson's case was different. And while his life was not a model for holy living, Samson was honored among the faithful heroes of Hebrews 11. Some consider Samson's final act an example of martyrdom, a sacrificial death that allowed him to fulfill his God-assigned mission.
Does God Forgive Suicide?
There's no doubt that suicide is a terrible tragedy. For a Christian it is an even greater tragedy because it is a waste of a life that God intended to use in a glorious way.
It would be difficult to argue that suicide is not a sin, for it is the taking of a human life, or to put it bluntly, murder. The Bible clearly expresses the sanctity of human life (Exodus 20:13). God is the author of life, thus, the giving and taking of life ought to remain in his hands (Job 1:21).
In Deuteronomy 30:9-20, you can hear the heart of God crying out for his people to choose life:
"Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live! You can make this choice by loving the Lord your God, obeying him, and committing yourself firmly to him. This is the key to your life..." (NLT)
So, can a sin as grave as suicide destroy one's salvation?
The Bible tells us that at the moment of salvation a believer's sins are forgiven (John 3:16; 10:28). When we become a child of God, all of our sins, even those committed after salvation, are no longer held against us.
Ephesians 2:8 says, "God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can't take credit for this; it is a gift from God." (NLT) So, we are saved by God's grace, not by our own good deeds. In the same way that our good works don't save us, our bad ones, or sins, cannot keep us from salvation.
Paul made it plain in Romans 8:38-39 that nothing can separate us from God's love:
And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God's love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God's love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. (NLT)
There is only one sin that can separate us from God and send a person to hell. In this article, "What is Blasphemy Against the Holy Spirit?," I explain that the only unforgivable sin is refusing to accept Christ as Lord and Savior. Anyone who turns to Jesus for forgiveness is made righteous by his blood (Romans 5:9) which covers our sin—past, present and future.
God's Perspective on Suicide
A few years ago, I attended the funeral of a Christian man who had committed suicide. The experience gave me a new perspective on the issue of Christians and suicide.
The man who had killed himself was the son of one our church staff members. In the short time he had been a believer, he touched many lives for Jesus Christ. His funeral was one of the most moving memorials I had ever attended.
With more than 500 mourners gathered, for nearly two hours, person after person testified of how this man had been used by God. He had pointed countless lives to faith in Christ and shown them the way to the Father's love. I left the service convinced that what had driven him to commit suicide had been his inability to shake his addiction to drugs and the failure he felt as a husband, father, and son.
Although it was a sad and tragic ending, nevertheless, his life testified undeniably of Christ's redemptive power in an amazing way. I do not believe this man went to hell.
His funeral made me realize that no one can truly understand the depth of someone else's suffering, or the reasons that could drive a soul to such desperation. Only God knows what is in a person's heart (Psalm 139:1-2). Only he knows the extent of pain which might bring a person to the point of suicide.
In conclusion, it bears repeating—suicide is a terrible tragedy, but it does not negate the Lord's act of redemption. Our salvation rests securely in the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross. So then, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." (Romans 10:13, NIV
Romans 12:2
2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
All-Stars Banquet
We didn’t win State or make it to play in the Dixie Youth World Series, but I could not be more proud of this young man. Tucker went from barely understanding the game to the All-Stars this year. He met so many good friends and learned so much about sportsmanship during this season and the extended tournament games while on this team. I love his smile, his attitude and his determination to play his very best, win or lose. I was blessed to witness his growth and maturity as he played his heart out; and I am so proud of my Tucker.
I love my All-Star!!!
Feeling Blessed
Tonight I had my first meeting with a great group that I will be headed back to Haiti with in September. I am so excited about the opportunity and just can’t wait to see how God will use this trip for His glory!
Content
Ran across this video today… just wanted to share. I love Philippians 4:13… even more when you cover 12 first. I struggle everyday and yet I find myself closer and closer to understanding contentment. Jennifer Wilburn’s video is great… enjoy!
"Comparison is the theft of contentment."
Extended 75th B-Day Party
Momma turned 75 on the 1st of this month… we still had cake! Party on Grandmother!!! We love you!!!
(More pics)
