Thank you DAD!

Wow, God sure worked quick on this one. Kimberly, Mining for Diamonds has good news about Scott. Head over to her blog and read what she put up.
Permission for this post granted.

Thank you all for praying and holding this family up to God.

Philippians 4:-7 NIV

Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

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Urgent Prayer Request

 

 

Kimberly, Scott & Jasmyne

Kimberly, Mining for Diamonds has ask for prayer. Her husband Scott has bi-polar disease and has been admitted to the hospital. Please go to her blog and read what she has put up and pray for them. This family is in desperate need of your prayers right now. Pray for the doctors to know how to deal with this, what meds to give and pray that Scott stays in the hospital for treatment. Kimberly and her daughter, Jasmyne need to be covered too so they can be strong for Scott and give him the support that he needs. Permission has been given for this post and picture



Daniel 4:34-37 NIV

At the end of that time, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven, and my sanity was restored. Then I praised the Most High; I honored and glorified him who lives forever.

  

His dominion is an eternal dominion; 

his kingdom endures from generation to generation.
All the peoples of the earth 

are regarded as nothing.

He does as he pleases  
with the powers of heaven  
and the peoples of the earth.  
No one can hold back his hand
or say to him: “What have you done?”

At the same time that my sanity was restored, my honor and splendor were returned to me for the glory of my kingdom. My advisers and nobles sought me out, and I was restored to my throne and became even greater than before. Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just. And those who walk in pride he is able to humble. 

Praying for you sister; look up!

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What is love?

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1 John 4:7-21 NIV

Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.  

This is how we know that we live in him and he in us: He has given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God. And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.

God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

We love because he first loved us. Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.

Hi Dad,

I am feeling a need of love right now; Your love to be spread to the people of this world. My heart is breaking, crumbling in two for the people of Japan, for the people who do not know You. I am bleeding Lord. Is this You? Daddy it hurts...they hurt...they cry...they are over whelmed. There is a need, a complete need for Your love to pour out over and through them, Father have mercy. :( Lord, my God have mercy and take pity on them. Yes they have ignored You and turned their back to You but You are just and loving and kind. Send in messengers to spread Your love and Your word. Open their hearts to You, let them see the foolishness of their ways and draw them into repentance. Jesus You are good, Your Holy Name I hold up and praise. Have mercy. 

I love you Dad, please cover the people on my heart, You know those who lie special in my heart, cover them in Your blood. Forgive me for any sin I have not acknowledged, show me my wrong and cleanse me of it. I want to pray Your heart. I desire You and Your ways.

Precious Jesus, in Your might Name I pray, amen.

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First sign of spring!

Yellow Wood Sorrel

The yellow wood sorrel is our first official flower. This little beauty is the earliest to pop it's head out after the snow starts to melt. It is known as a weed but that is ok I love weeds and that is a good thing because we have tons of them on the farm.

Yesterday and Saturday we started our outdoor spring cleaning. Every year after the snow starts to melt we notice all the work that needs to be done outside. The dogs and those nasty ravens carry stuff all over our massive yard so this past weekend we started dragging and piling stuff to burn. We had tons of little fires all over. It was then that I noticed this sweet little flower. I know it is just a weed but it is so pretty and colourful in amongst all the dead fir and pine needles on the ground. Pretty soon the trees will be waking up from their winter slumber and buds will be appearing everywhere. Time to hang out that laundry and bring this wonderful smell inside the house.

Wild flowers do not last long and this reminds me of our life, for we are here today and gone tomorrow.

 Psalm 103:15 NIV

The life of mortals is like grass, 

they flourish like a flower of the field; 

But we have the promise of our Lord...

Isaiah 40:8 NIV

The grass withers and the flowers fall, 

but the word of our God endures forever.”

Praise God His word will last forever!

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When Trouble Comes

2 Corinthians 1:8-11 CEV

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My friends, I want you to know what a hard time we had in Asia. Our sufferings were so horrible and so unbearable that death seemed certain. In fact, we felt sure that we were going to die. But this made us stop trusting in ourselves and start trusting God, who raises the dead to life. God saved us from the threat of death, Please help us by praying for us. Then many people will give thanks for the blessings we receive in answer to all these prayers. and we are sure that he will do it again and again. 

When life is smooth and things are going good it is so easy to forget God. Why should we seek Him out when we have everything in front of us. Finances are flowing in, family and friends around to keep us company and we feel loved and our health does not even cross our mind. It is when these things are stripped away from us that our floor drops out from under our feet and we find ourselves falling and suffering. It is during these times that we realize we need more than just our self or family and friends, money or food. None of these things can provide us the comfort we need it is then that we seek out God or He reaches us by seeking us out that we can find the all surpassing comfort we need. 

If our lives were so smooth that we never had any troubles we would never search God out. God uses these problems to reach and shape us into the people He wants us to be. It is when we turn away from self and focus on Him that things become better. He may not restore the materialistic things to us or even our health back but He will give us a all surpassing comfort that goes beyond understanding and He shapes us into the person He wants us to be to serve Him and others who maybe need to learn from the experiences we have gone through.

I have found that during these times of pain and sorrow I will turn to God for comfort and answers but I noticed that as soon a things are moving along smoothly I tend to stop focusing on Him and go back to life as it was. Then trouble comes back in and I look to Him again. This is not what God wants of us, He wants us to keep Him in the center of our lives praising and glorifying Him in good times and in bad. He wants us to take our focus off of self and put it on Him because it is in Him that we find our greatest pleasure. 

I have heard stories of people suffering in prison for their faith. They are being beaten and tortured but their faith in God increases. The Holy Spirit comes in and fills the deep need they have inside even through they are physically suffering, I want the Holy Spirit to fill me like this and the only way this can happen is by rejoicing in Him in all circumstances, taking our focus off of self and turning it on to God. Brother Yun author of  'The Heavenly Man' is one such story of faith and obedience to Jesus Christ, being empowered by the Holy Spirit through prayer from himself and family and friends who covered him during trial and persecution.

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Nobody likes trouble to come but it will come to all of us at one point in time or another. When it does come don't look inward but upward towards God and keep your eyes on Him who sent us the comforter to be with us empowering us with His Spirit, praying in all circumstances and singing praises to Him who created all.

Jesus thank you for giving us hope! For showing us a path when there is trouble all around us. Brother, I want to be like You so please forgive me when I have not looked to You during the good times in my life. You are my center and I want to revolve around You. Praise Your Holy Name!! Jesus Christ, in You I ask and pray. Amen.

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Eyes of our heart

Hebrews 4:7 NIV

..."Today, if you hear His voice,

Do not harden your hearts."

God is speaking and asking us to listen to His voice and not harden our hearts. How do we keep our hearts agile? By exercising faith in obeying the word of God. To keep our physical heart fit we need to exercise it by daily activity, the same goes for our spiritual heart. If our practice is to ignore His voice then over time we will not be able to hear His voice and respond, we will become spiritually deaf. The rock hardened heart needs to be stretched and made supple, pliable in order to hear and respond to Him. Yes, a hard heart will protect us from hurt and pain but a supple heart will be a thriving, comforting place where warmth and love will pour out from; a perfect environment for the Holy Spirit to flourish.

Father, forgive me for hardening my heart. Make my heart supple and remove all that congests and hardens it, shrinking the essence of a healthy heart. Please work my heart so it is supple and responsive to Your voice, for Your voice is life and I desire to live for You. Thank you Jesus, amen.

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People Get Ready

This is a bit of a long music video but really worth it! Picks up around the 4 minute mark.

Misty Edwards

He’s coming. Awake Awake O sleeper (x2)

He’s coming. He’s alive. Jesus of Nazareth. The Son of David. The slain lamb. He was born to be a king.

He’s alive. The Jewish Man. He’s alive. He’s alive. Prepare the way. People get ready. People get ready. Surely He is not a man that He should lie. He said He would come again and He will come again. People get ready. People get ready. People get ready.

Some said a carpenter. Some said a teacher. Some said a prophet. They said He’s a fraud. He’s God, but He’s fully a man and He was born to be a king. He was silent. Like a lamb to the slaughter He was silent. In His patience He endured. But I know the end of the story and we’re only at the beginning. He’s coming. He’s alive. He’s alive. Look upon the one you’ve pierced. Look upon the One we’ve pierced. Who is this king of glory? Who is this king of glory? Jesus. The Messiah. The root and the offspring of David.

 I can hear the rhythm
of the Lion of the tribe of Judah

He's doing a new thing
So we're singing a new song

He's not a baby in a manger anymore
He's not a broken man on a cross
He didn't stay in the grave
And He's not staying in heaven forever!

He's alive
He's alive
He's alive
He's alive!

People get ready!
Jesus is coming!

We join in the song of the ages
It's a new song
It's a new song
It's a new song

We say to the One who was slain,
"You have proven Your love,
And You have shown us, shown us
That You can be trusted."

So take the scroll and open
And open, and open the seals
We trust You, Jesus
And we want you to come back
So take the scroll and open the seals
So take the scroll and open the seals

I can hear the rhythm
of the Lion of the tribe of Judah

He's doing a new thing
So we're singing a new song

He's not a baby in a manger anymore
He's not a broken man on a cross
He didn't stay in the grave
And He's not staying in heaven forever!

He's alive
He's alive
He's alive
He's alive!

People get ready!
Jesus is coming!

People walking around
With their fingers in the their ears
Singing, "Da da da da da."
"I don't want to hear the sound of the coming King."

But He says, he says,
"Well, I have held my peace for
A long, long, long, long time
And in my silence you thought
That i was all together like you.
And in your heart you were settled in complacency
You said, 'He won't even respond.'
You said, 'He's not interested."
You said, 'He's dead and gone."
But I've been silent for such
A long, long, long, long time
But I'm about to gasp, to pant,
To cry out, to cry out,
I'm going to shout!"

Once again I'm going to shake
Everything that can be shaken
Once again I'm going to break
Everything that can be broken

Are you ready?
Are you ready for this?

Are you ready?
Are you ready?

People get ready!
Jesus is coming!

He's coming!
He's coming!
He's coming!
He's coming!!!

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Teach us to Pray

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Matthew 6:5-15 NIV
“And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.“This, then, is how you should pray:

   

“‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name, 

your kingdom come,
your will be done,
   on earth as it is in heaven.  

Give us today our daily bread.  

And forgive us our debts,
   as we also have forgiven our debtors.  

And lead us not into temptation,
   but deliver us from the evil one.’

For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

When we pray we should not ask for things that we want but what our Father desires. How do we know what He desires? By searching His word and asking Him to reveal it to us.

2 Samuel 14:14 NIV
Like water spilled on the ground, which cannot be recovered, so we must die. But that is not what God desires; rather, he devises ways so that a banished person does not remain banished from him.

The desire of God's heart is for us to be with Him through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. He created us in His image and He desires fellowship with us, just as a parent desires fellowship with their children.

James 1:19-21
My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. 

James 5:16 NIV

Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. 

Galatians 5:22-26 NIV
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other. 

I want my prayers to line up with God's desires and I am searching the scriptures. I know I am far from perfect but James tells us that Elijah was just like us and God answered his prayers.

James 5:17-18 NIV

Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.

 

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Emily just posted on her blog that she received news yesterday that the leukemia is back and will be discussing futher treatment with her doctor on Monday. Her spirits are pretty down and she is really in need of prayer. Please hold her up in prayer. She is such a trooper and for a 16 year old the faith she holds in the Lord is amazing.

This is a good time for us to learn how to pray. Dear Father teach us to pray in alignment with Your desires not ours. Show us Your heart Lord. In the name of Jesus Christ amen.
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Guess Who's Back?

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Well! I had a fantastic surprise this morning. Emily has started blogging again!! She has a new site called
Life with Emily

For those of you who do not know Emily she is a 16 year old girl who had leukemia, (she is now in remission). My family and I followed her blog and Squeaks organized a 40 day fast during her transplant treatment. Emily is one of the sweetest 16 year old girls that I have met. Her heart is on fire for God and her faith in Him is astounding. If you feel so inclined go visit her on her new blog and welcome her back or if you don't know her just say hi.

Emily, you have been in my prayers often and I am so thankful to God that you are back! I have missed your posts and your fellowship greatly. My church family has been asking and asking about you and they have not stopped praying for you. Bless your heart dear one, for you bless mine.

Psalm 66:19-20 NIV

but God has surely listened
   and has heard my prayer.
Praise be to God,
   who has not rejected my prayer
   or withheld his love from me!

Praising God!
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Fearfully and Wonderfully Made

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOANNE!!

On January 11 2011 38 yr old Joanne at The Simple Wife suffered a major stroke. Through prayers and amazing doctors God is healing Joanne and she is well on her way to recovery! PRAISE GOD! 

My cross

Today is Joanne's 39th birthday and in celebration of this day of her birth, Janna made a beautiful collage of Joanne's favourite piece of jewelry; charm bracelets. The request was if you wanted to send in an email with a pic of your charm bracelet or necklace. 

Since I don't own a charm bracelet I sent in a pic of my necklace that I wear 24/7. It has a story and is a piece of heritage from my grandma. When I was in my early teens, my grandma decided to give all of her grandchildren their inheritance before she died, she was somewhere around 80 years old. So she took me and my sister to a jewelry shop and asked us to pick something out. I was so upset and very reluctant to do this as I thought that if I picked out a piece of jewelry, then grandma was going to die right away. She encouraged me and I choose this cross and prayed and prayed and asked God not to take my grandma home for I just loved her so much and didn't want to loose her. I remember going home and crying on my mom's shoulder saying over and over again I don't want grandma to die!! Well God answered my prayer and my grandma lived to be a ripe old age of 98 3/4!! Healthy, strong and on her own almost to the very end of her life. She was an amazing woman who prayed blessings into her grandchildren and their children and so on. She asked God for Spiritual blessings for her heritage. What a strong woman of Christ she was! 

Joanne, I love your strength in the Lord and reading over your older blog posts I see that you are an amazing women and I can understand why Toben loves you so much. I hope and pray you have an amazing birthday and I praise God for creating you and allowing me to come into your life and to have the honour of praying for you.  I just know one day soon you will be up, walking and running around making your beautiful charm bracelet jingle and jangle! Praising God for you!

Psalm 139:13-18 NIV

For you created my inmost being;
   you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
   your works are wonderful,
   I know that full well.
My frame was not hidden from you
   when I was made in the secret place,
   when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
Your eyes saw my unformed body;
   all the days ordained for me were written in your book
   before one of them came to be.
How precious to me are your thoughts, God!
   How vast is the sum of them!
Were I to count them,
   they would outnumber the grains of sand— 

when I awake, I am still with you.    

 

God bless you Joanne, my sister in Christ. I am praying and praying along with so many other people for 100% recovery from this stroke.

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God Opens Shut Doors

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Below is an email that I received today, a devotional taken from David Wilkerson Today. I pondered whether or not to post this and decided after hearing Summer's news that this would be very fitting. Please keep praying for Summer as she didn't receive the best news from her doctor today. This disease is running out of control in her body and the doctors are looking at giving her another chemo infusion soon. Please pray for a miracle.

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David Wilkerson Today

FRIDAY, MARCH 11, 2011

WE THANK GOD FOR HIS MANIFOLD MERCIES AND LOVING KINDNESS

I am led by the Holy Spirit to write to you about God opening shut doors. Someone reading this message will relate immediately to this, because you face one or more closed doors. There it is, right in your face, a door that seems to be continually locked. It could be a serious financial situation, and you’ve prayed for the door of some opportunity to open. Yet everything you try seems to fail; the doors simply don’t open.

I don’t know what your closed door may be, but for many it seems both the windows and doors of heaven are closed. The heavens seem as brass, and you can’t seem to get through. This closed door I am speaking about is some issue, some situation, some need you’ve been praying much about. It may be a God’s Word. They did not accuse the Lord of neglecting them or turning a crisis that requires nothing less than a miracle. And you haven’t yet received an answer to your fervent prayers and petitions to the Lord.

In Revelation, Christ refers to himself as HE THAT OPENS AND SHUTS DOORS (3:7). This was in a letter sent to the believers in ancient Philadelphia, a church  the Lord complimented for having kept the word of his patience and never denying his name. Simply put, in their most trying times, these people stood faithfully on deaf ear to their cries.

Evidently, Satan had come against them with lies. His principalities and  powers of darkness, lying spirits pouring out of the very bowels of hell, say that God has shut every door, that he isn’t worthy of worship and faith. But these believers, whom Jesus said were of little strength, kept on trusting, waiting patiently for God to put the key in the door and open it. He holds the key to every shut door – and he alone sets before us open doors.

Here is what the Lord promised them, and it is our promise as well:

“Because you have kept the word of my patience [you did not give up in your trial], I also will keep you from the hour of temptation which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth” (3:10). Revelation 3:10

This hour of temptation is even now upon us. It holds incredible tests of  faith so great and so fiery that many will fall into deadly unbelief. Indeed, a great falling away from enduring faith is now upon the whole world.

But you – because you still trust his promises, and are willing to die in faith even if you do not see the promises fulfilled – you will be kept from this worldwide temptation to fall into unbelief. God has heard your cry, and he knows the timing, the very hour, to open all doors. So, never give up. Never doubt. Stand on his promises. He will not fail you.

Praise You in the Storm!

Praying and praying for the people of Japan!

Lon you will be missed

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This morning I went to go through blog posts and had noticed Lon over at 'Dragons Tea Cup' had put up a post but when I clicked on it I received a message that it was removed. Then I went to check out Lon's other blog 'Humble Pathways' and it too has been removed.

Lon if you read this I just want you to know that I will be praying for you every single day. Whatever your reasons are for deleting your blogs I just want you to know that you are dearly loved as a brother in Christ Jesus and your sweet fellowship will be greatly missed. Keep looking up at Jesus and walking towards Him, keep the faith and if you fall, then just pick yourself back up. Walk in peace knowing you are being covered in the Blood of Jesus everyday.

Isaiah 41:9-11 NIV

I took you from the ends of the earth,
   from its farthest corners I called you.
I said, ‘You are my servant’;
   I have chosen you and have not rejected you.
So do not fear, for I am with you;
   do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
   I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

“All who rage against you
   will surely be ashamed and disgraced;
those who oppose you
   will be as nothing and perish. 

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Lent

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I must say that I am a free Christian and not one who follows rules and regulations except the rule that Jesus laid on us; to love one another and He loves us. I don't believe in 'religion' but in relationship with the one who died for our sins. I attend a Baptist church but do not consider myself Baptist. I was raised Roman Catholic but have never adhered to the rules that tag onto that belief. So then, why am I considering fasting for Lent especially since this is considered a Catholic practice? Because Jesus did a 40 day fast before He entered into His ministry. Lent symbolizes this and I want to be like Him! Simple as that.

Today is Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent. So today I will enter into a 40 day fast, to walk in the footsteps that Jesus took, yes I am sure I will mess up but I will keep my eyes on Him and keep on keeping on.

Ephesians 3:20 NIV

As a prisoner for the Lord, then , I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit--just as you were called to one hope when you were called--one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. 

But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. This is why it says:

"When He ascended on high, 

He led captives in His train

and gave gifts to men."

(What does "He ascended" mean except that He also descended to the lower, earthly regions? He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.) It was He who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets,some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. 

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Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we sill in all things grow up into Him who is the Head, that is, Christ. From Him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

Does anyone fast for Lent? If so I would love to hear your reasons for doing so.

Please remember Summer in your prayers she has finished the prednisone pulsing and is waiting for the swelling in her joints to disappear! Praying for 100% remission, thank you!

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Lucifer; Guardian Cherub

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Colossians 1:16 NIV

For by Him (Jesus) all things were created:

things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, 

whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; 

all things were created by Him and for Him.

Colossians 1:16 can be a stumbling block for people. If all things were created by Jesus, and for Jesus, then why did God created Satan and allow sin into our world? Quite the chunk to chew on, huh?

Lucifer was a created being blameless in his ways, a powerful angel the closest to the Trinity, beautiful, eloquent, the leader of the angels. Ezekiel 28:11-19  gives a substantial description of him. I love reading Christian fiction. 'The Fall of Lucifer' by Wendy Alec is a fast paced look into what could have happened in heaven. Since I see in pictures, when I read this whole amazing show goes on inside my mind and I usually think about the King Arthur days of valiant knights, armour and castles. I see King God sitting on His throne conversing with His angels and Lucifer, being head angel, sitting near to God discussing the comings and goings of the Kingdom. 

What was going through Lucifer's mind? Was he, from the beginning, devising a plan to overthrow God? Did he ever love God? I don't think, at first, he had evil intent for when you read Ezekiel 28:11-19 you see that Lucifer was the closest angel to God. I am sure he spent a lot of time with the Trinity worshiping Him and loving Him. When did evil set in? We know that God knew the thoughts of Satan for His word tells us that God is omnipotent, all knowing and everywhere all at once. God gives, not only humans, but angels free will to choose to follow Him or defect. We are told that Satan was kicked out of God's army with all the angels who were also rebellious. What scheming and deception there was going on in the Kingdom!

Revelation 12:3-4, 6-8 NIV

 

Then another sign appeared in heaven:

an enormous red dragon with seven heads 

and ten horns and seven crowns on its heads. 

Its tail swept a third of the stars out of the sky 

and flung them to the earth.

Then war broke out in heaven. 

Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, 

and the dragon and his angels fought back. 

But he was not strong enough, and they lost their place in heaven.

This shows me how much God loves us! He will not impose His will on us or His angels. He loves us so much and He wants for all to choose Him but choose we must, either Him or self. I wonder if things were just fine and dandy in the Kingdom until the Trinity created man. The angels were not created in God's image but man was and I wonder if this stoked jealousy in Satan after all there was none in the Kingdom like him and then along comes man created in the image of God. I wonder if he talked to God about this or if he just went on his own way allowing these feelings of jealousy and rage take over him.

Genesis 4:6-7 NIV

Then the Lord said to Cain, "Why are you angry? 

Why is your face downcast? If you do what is right, 

will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, 

sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, 

but you must rule over it."

Cain is a great example of what unchecked jealousy can do in a heart. When he knew that his sacrifice was not pleasing to God but Abel's was, he planned to murder his brother instead of changing his ways. I wonder if God spoke to Satan and told him not to be jealous but to be pleased with his position of the highest, most beautiful and strongest angel but Satan didn't listen. This brings to mind jealousy in siblings; no matter how you try to explain reasoning to kids sometimes they just don't get it. "How come he has a bigger piece of pie?  Why did you buy her that toy and not me?" God tells us to be content with what we have for we are all equal in His eye sight, we just have different jobs and are given different gifts.

Satan had his job but envy, jealously and pride took over when man came along. He saw man being made in the image of God and jealously set in. Instead of humbling himself he allowed jealousy to overtake him and he devised a conspiracy against God and a plan to destroy man. God, being just and allowing free will didn't interfere. Did God try to convince Satan not to proceed with this evil plan just like God spoke to Cain? I think He did but we all know what happened for there was a war in the Kingdom and God kicked Satan and all the fallen angels' out. Even so, God knew this would happen and there was a plan prepared before the creation of all.

John 1:1-3 NIV

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, 

and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. 

Through Him all things were made; 

without Him nothing was made that has been made.

Jesus is the Word and all this was known before hand yet God, 

being perfection in Himself, knew this would happen 

but still loved so He set it into motion

God is just and I believe Satan has had the opportunity to repent and maybe still does have this opportunity but he refuses to do so. Anger, hatred, jealousy, envy, pride and rebelliousness are all character traits of Satan and these things have overtaken him. Love, kindness, forgiveness, joy and peace are character traits of God. Anything apart from God is evil and Satan is apart from God for he will not humble himself and repent to his Creator.

Satan is on the rampage because he knows his time is very short and soon he will be punished for his unrepentant heart and he doesn't want to go down alone so he is taking all who refuse to repent and see Jesus as the way to making amends with our Creator. Satan tricked Eve and he is tricking people today. If he cannot obtain your soul because you have already given it to God then he will do all he can to bind you so you are not effective for the Kingdom. God does not want us to sleep but to be busy working for Him but if Satan can drag you down by chaining you with anger, hatred, jealousy, guilt, insecurity and worry then we cannot be doing our job, however small or big it might be, to bring others into the light of the Truth before Jesus returns.

Christians wake up! we need to be busy like the bee, working and spreading the gospel. When we glorify Jesus in all circumstances; pain, suffering, joy and resting then we are dispersing the evil sludge Satan is dumping on us. Everyone has a job and if you think that you are not doing anything for God because you are at home or have no contact with people because of being trapped in a hopeless situation, let me reassure you that if you praise His Holy Name you are doing much in the Kingdom. The power in the names of God far surpasses our understanding. Just saying the name of Jesus empowers the angels that are on the side of God and makes shifts in the heavenly war, a war that we cannot see for it is invisible to us. 

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Satan is out to get us because he is very jealous of our relationship with the Father, Holy Spirit and Son and he will stop at nothing to kill and destroy all humans that have gained the title child of God or to prevent others from gaining the sonship.

Romans 8:14-17 NIV

For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by Him we cry, "Abba, Father." The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirits that we are God's children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs--heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in His sufferings in order that we may also share in His glory. 

May the peace of Jesus rest on you as you wear your armour to take up the fight in the heavenly realms.

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God's Glory in the Heavens

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Psalm 8:1 NIV

LORD, our Lord,   

how majestic is your name in all the earth!    

You have set your glory
 in the heavens. 

Psalm 19:1 NIV

The heavens declare the glory of God; 

the skies proclaim the work of his hands. 

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Romans 1:20 NIV

For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen,

being understood from what has been made, 

so that people are without excuse. 

Peace of Christ Jesus

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Prayer Fast

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I was just reading Summer's blog, Summer's Story and she has asked for prayer. The DM is out of control and raging in her joints and looks like she might be heading into the JHU Hospital for a 3 day stay to be pulsed with huge amounts of steriods. Dangerous stuff! I immediately felt pressed to head straight into a fast. If you feel led by the Spirit would you join me? Pray about it, seek Him and find out His will. If not then pray for our dear sweet sister, she really needs our prayers right now.

CPR--Commit, Petition and Rely on the Holy Spirit

Ezra 8:23 NIV

So we fasted and petitioned our God about this, 

and He answered our prayer.

Thank you and God bless,
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God Has a Sense of Humor

As most of you know I am a home schooling mom. My daughter, Squeaks, just off to a real university as of January 2011 and my son, SOTK, still at home doing an online grade 10 program. Because of  where we live we have to use satellite for our Internet as dial up is waaaaaaaaaay to slooooooow. Well for the past few months we have been having a few issues with our Internet quitting on us and more than once it has disconnected while one of the kids were right in the middle of a test or quiz. When this happens all of their work is lost and the test is closed down. Then an email by me needs to be sent to the teacher requesting for them to open up the test again. Pain in the neck and very upsetting for my son who really doesn't handle these situations very well.

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Yesterday SOTK was studying for a science unit test and was preparing to write it only to find out that the Internet was up to it old tricks again, going on and on for the better part of an hour. To put things nicely, SOTK freaked out and refused to do his test because he was worried things would shut down and then all would be lost. As it turned out after about an hour of on and off again the Internet starting working and we had no more issues for the rest of the day. Well, this morning SOTK, forgetting about yesterdays problems, prepared for this test and then proceeded to take it and finished with a very good grade! As soon as he clicked submit guess what?! Yep the Internet shut down! What an amazing lesson for this boy of mine for he said, "Wow mom, God was really watching out for me! He didn't let that Internet shut down until I had completed my test! God is either protecting me or He has an odd sense of humour, kind of like mine."

Our God is so great and He really cares about things like tests and boys stressing out to the point of melt down. :)

Thank you Dad for this wonderful gift to your son and for showing us You have quite the sense of humour!

Loving you Dad!

Does anyone have a story to share about God's humour? I would love to hear!

Psalm 89:7-9  NIV

 In the council of the holy ones God is greatly feared;
   he is more awesome than all who surround him.
Who is like you, LORD God Almighty?
   You, LORD, are mighty, and your faithfulness surrounds you.

You rule over the surging sea;
   when its waves mount up, you still them.

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