http://agrace.zoomshare.com/2.shtml www.agrace.tk: Blog Fri, 18 Jul 2008 06:21:52 -0500 http://agrace.zoomshare.com/2.shtml/1c422d547ca98d711a7ae5af85a5a25c_48807cc8.writeback Fri, 18 Jul 2008 06:21:44 -0500 "Investigate my life, O God, find out everything about me; cross-examine and test me, get a clear picture of what I'm about; see for Yourself whether I've done anything wrong-then guide me on the road to eternal life." Psalm 139:23-24 (MESSAGE) Genuine servants have nothing to hide. They are not interested in any selfish gain, nor do they wear their feelings on their sleeves. Rather, they set aside their personal agenda to become whatever is necessary for the one they serve. At first, this way of thinking is very difficult to conceive. Thoughts like: But what about me? and: I'm not a slave! wrestle with a person's decision to become a servant. In time, though, a genuine servant develops a heart that really desires the best for the one being served, regardless of the personal sacrifice involved. If we truly are servants, no task will require more than we can bestow. Whatever it takes, that's what we will do. In Psalm 139, the Psalmist makes himself entirely vulnerable to God. This request comes from a confident and humble heart: Confidence, because he was doing everything he knew to do; humility, because he was willing to learn what he didn't know about himself. A genuine servant must develop these virtues as he searches for an authentic seal of approval. Daily Confession Father, I thank You that You search me and know me through and through. Create inside of me all that is pleasing to You. http://agrace.zoomshare.com/2.shtml/09d8b4b99afcaa327be117efa24b628e_487d67ed.writeback Tue, 15 Jul 2008 22:15:57 -0500 In Acts chapter 3, Peter and John went to the temple to pray. As they went through the gate to the temple, there was a man who had been crippled from birth and had been taken daily to the gate of the temple to beg for money. When Peter and John were about to enter the temple, the crippled man began to beg. At that point the Bible says that Peter fixed a gaze on him and said, "Look at us." The beggar gave them his attention. He was expecting to get some money. Then Peter said, "Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk." Peter took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were healed. The man started walking, leaping, and praising God and he leaped, praised, and walked right into the temple. The people and the religious leaders in the temple were astonished at what had happened. They recognized the beggar and knew this was a miracle that had happened. It could not be denied. Needless to say, the beggar wouldn't let go of Peter and John, so as Peter and John stood in the porch of the temple with the beggar holding tightly on to both of them, they began to preach about Jesus. In verse 16 they said, "And His name, through faith in His name, has made this man strong, whom you see and know. Yes, the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all." Then in Acts, chapter 4, while Peter and John were still speaking to the people about the good news of Jesus, the captain of the temple and the Sadducees approached them. They were greatly disturbed. They grabbed John and Peter and physically took them to a holding cell until the next day. When the next day came, the rulers, elders, scribes and many of the high ranking priests and family members who were gathered in Jerusalem questioned Peter and John. They asked, "By what power or by what name have you done this?" Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, preached to the religious leaders. Peter told them that the name of Jesus was the name that had healed the lame man. He told them that only through the name of Jesus can anyone be saved. They were amazed at his boldness. They marveled at his speech and realized that Peter and John had been with Jesus. After Peter's speech, the leaders met and made a decision. They commanded Peter and John to quit teaching about Jesus and to never speak His name again. When Peter and John heard this they said, "You decide whether God wants us to obey you instead of Him! We cannot stop telling about the wonderful things we saw Jesus do and heard Him say." Even though the religious leaders had threatened Peter and John, they had to let them go. They didn't want a riot. So, what's the point? Well, when you truly believe and act in faith, you will see miracles. But in so doing, you'll upset the religious mindset. That sounds like Jesus, doesn't it? http://agrace.zoomshare.com/2.shtml/4f4990260bdc41834b8835c577f6e531_4871fb95.writeback Mon, 07 Jul 2008 06:18:45 -0500 "You must make allowance for each other's faults and forgive the person who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others." Colossians 3:13 (NLT) The bitter herb found on the Seder plate, usually foul-smelling horseradish, helps Jews around the world deal with the remembrance of the bitter things that happened before, and during, their flight from Egypt . One of the most effective weapons hell possesses is bitterness. God has given us the mighty weapon of forgiveness to combat bitterness. Bitterness will wipe the smile from the heart, and siphon passion from someone who desires to serve God, and love His people. It paralyzes the gifts and abilities God placed within us. In order to experience true happiness, we must overcome any offense Satan brings our way. People will utter unkind words concerning us, hurt us, and even betray us. Yet, we must respond in faith and forgive anyone who wrongs us. Through forgiveness, we can defeat bitterness, conquering it once and for all. Understanding how much Jesus forgave us is crucial when it comes to us forgiving others. We cannot afford to harbor offense within our hearts. Un- forgiveness leads to sickness and disease within our bodies. We must be quick to follow the words of the apostle Paul, "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and evil speaking, be put away from you with all malice; and be kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you." By following this instruction to forgive, we can walk free from bitterness (and its foul smell) and live tenderhearted, peaceable lives. Daily Confession Father, I thank You that I make allowance for the faults of others and I forgive those who offend me. I am kind to others, tenderhearted, forgiving others, even as You forgive me. http://agrace.zoomshare.com/2.shtml/b4ee26b81a472ab8db3bfc69c162ee15_484f1474.writeback Tue, 10 Jun 2008 18:55:32 -0500 I truly believe that our prayers are the most powerful things on Earth! After all what is a Miracle but a prayer that has been answered! Thus it is written: DO NOT BE ANXIOUS ABOUT ANY- THING, BUT IN EVERYTHING, BY PRAYER AND PETITION, WITH THANKSGIVING, PRESENT YOUR REQUESTS TO GOD. ( PHILIPPIANS 4:6 ) After all, THE LORD IS FAR FROM THE WICKED BUT HE HEARS THE PRAYER OF THE RIGHTEOUS. ( PROVERBS 15:29 ) Now I know that when our prayers aren't answered the way we would like, it can disappoint us, we are sad and often depressed. However it is written that we should: BE JOYFUL ALWAYS; PRAY CONTINUALLY; GIVE THANKS IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES, FOR THIS IS GOD'S WILL FOR YOU IN JESUS CHRIST. ( 1 THESSALONIANS 5:16-18 ) Therefore friend. never feel that God doesn't hear your prayers because a prayer isn't answered immediately, or because it isn't answered the way you would like. For your Heavenly Father always knows what is best for you, and: HE WILL NOT LEAVE YOU NOR FORSAKE YOU. ( DEUTERONOMY 31:6 ) So My friend, remember to always: GIVE THANKS TO THE LORD, CALL ON HIS NAME, for He will always hear the prayers of those who love and adore Him! ( 1 CHRONICLES 16:8 ) In closing my prayer is that: THE GRACE OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST, AND THE LOVE OF GOD, AND THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE HOLY SPIRIT BE WITH YOU ALL. ( 2 CORINTHIANS 13:14 ) Now and always! Amen! http://agrace.zoomshare.com/2.shtml/345602f8d4d2f65e8ac7c90923011041_484e87af.writeback Tue, 10 Jun 2008 08:54:55 -0500 "He created him (Adam) in the image of Elohim." Genesis 1:27 The serpent seduced Adam and Eve to eat of the forbidden Tree of Knowledge by convincing them that doing so would enable them to become like Elohim. (Genesis 3:5) Why did they succumb to this argument, since they already knew that they were created 'betzelem' - in the likeness of Elohim, with the capacity to be like Him? We are fully capable of knowing the Truth and live a holy life. All we must do is make the effort. Artificial substitutes are not a shortcut to knowing Truth, but a sure road to destruction, and like the forbidden fruit, bring only death and destruction. Search Yahveh's Word for Truth and do not be misled by false promises for instant spirituality. http://agrace.zoomshare.com/2.shtml/2d98bd585e77fd009cc87f85975ff36c_4776d2da.writeback Sat, 29 Dec 2007 17:06:02 -0600 I know men and I tell you that Jesus Christ is no mere man. Between Him and every other person in the world there is no possible term of comparison. Alexander, Caesar, Charlemagne, and I have founded empires. But on what did we rest the creation of our genius? Upon force. Jesus Christ founded His empire upon love; and at this hour millions of men would die for Him. --Napoleon http://agrace.zoomshare.com/2.shtml/d3391412b1d5c70347c25d91068c7d35_4776d255.writeback Sat, 29 Dec 2007 17:03:49 -0600 Buddha never claimed to be God. Moses never claimed to be Jehovah. Mohammed never claimed to be Allah. Yet Jesus Christ claimed to be the true and living God. Buddha simply said, "I am a teacher in search of the truth." Jesus said, "I am the Truth." Confucius said, "I never claimed to be holy." Jesus said, "Who convicts me of sin?" Mohammed said, "Unless God throws his cloak of mercy over me, I have no hope." Jesus said, "Unless you believe in me, you will die in your sins." --Unknown http://agrace.zoomshare.com/2.shtml/53ee73fe06374d627e16369d7a06b7ee_475a2587.writeback Fri, 07 Dec 2007 23:03:03 -0600 The origin of Christmas differs as the precise date of the birth and historicity of Jesus are much debated. Christmas, literally meaning the Mass of Christ, is a traditional holiday in the Christian calendar. The festival of Christmas takes place on 25th December, every year to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. Christmas is also celebrated as a secular holiday throughout the world, including countries with small Christian populations like India. Various theories of the origin of Christmas exist that give a clear insight into the celebration of Christmas. Date Of Christmas Christmas is celebrated on December 25 in all Christian churches including Eastern Rite, Roman & Protestant. Since most Eastern Orthodox churches have not accepted either the Gregorian calendar or the Revised Julian Calendar reforms, December 25 will fall on the civil date of January 7 for the years from 1900 to 2099. It is believed that the nativity was set on December 25th by a Roman bishop around the third century A.D. The Roots Of Christmas Christmas is from Christes Maesse, which means Christ Mass. It is referred that during the 4th century, the celebration of Christ's birth on December 25 was gradually adopted by most Eastern churches. In Jerusalem, opposition to Christmas lasted longer as according to them the exact date of birth of Jesus Christ is unknown. It is said that December 17-24th was the period of Saturnalia, a well-known festival in pagan, Rome. December 25th was the birthday of Mithra, the Iranian god of light. This day was adopted by the church as Christmas to counteract the effects of these festivals. http://agrace.zoomshare.com/2.shtml/89cfe47d25076dd61571b060f96faa23_4729a554.writeback Thu, 01 Nov 2007 05:07:16 -0500 Promotion Is Earned; It Is Not A Result Of Your Existence.by Senior Pastor Robb Thompson "Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty." Proverbs 21:5 (NLT) In my own life, I had to come to grips with the fact that I must earn any promotion I desire. In America , it is easy to believe we should be rewarded for simply showing up. Many believe you should receive a bonus for being employed through the end of December. God shows us throughout His Word that He desires for us to be promoted. God is our employer, and that is why the apostle Paul encourages us to "work hard and cheerfully at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people." The modern state of Israel was born in 1948, but it is based upon four thousand years of history and tradition. When Jews around the world learned of their nation's birth, each one was spiritually promoted. God finally brought them back to their ancient land, and it is the same God who promotes us. Any promotion that we receive unethically, or through cutting corners, will be taken away from us. However, if we earn a promotion through hard work and faithfulness, there is no level we will not attain, either at our workplace or in our spiritual walk. Begin today to earn the promotion you desire. A promotion is not a miracle God grants us apart from our earning it. God promotes anybody who is productive and happy. Heaven watches just waiting, as it did over the Jews, for a reason to promote those who willingly apply God's Word. Daily Confession Father, I thank You that I am diligent all the days of my life. I refuse to expect promotion for which I do not work. I choose to work hard and cheerfully at whatever I do. http://agrace.zoomshare.com/2.shtml/323a39225c886c216af90e83bd2dfd3d_4725c050.writeback Mon, 29 Oct 2007 06:13:20 -0500 "And I will give you a new heart with new and right desires, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony heart of sin and give you a new, obedient heart." Ezekiel 36:26 (NLT) Obeying the dietary needs given in God's Word, the Jews served a number of beans and peas, necessary for protein and nourishment. Petrified beans have even been discovered in recent excavations. Without proper obedience, those ancient Jews would have walked around undernourished and frail. Jesus told the story of two boys who were given an instruction. One said he would do it, but he never did. The other said he wouldn't do what he was asked, but shortly afterward, he felt conviction in his heart and completed the instruction. Even though this boy denied the instruction with his lips, his sense of obedience permeated all the way to his heart. From there, he went to work, and no doubt afterward returned to his father to tell him he obeyed. I believe very strongly in voicing our desire to obey, but I believe even more strongly in putting our obedience into action. If you are a believer, you have a new heart that really desires to obey. But sometimes, heartfelt obedience is imprisoned by pride, bitterness, and offense. We must go to battle to rescue the obedient heart God gave us. Then, we can get to work with our instructions, both from men and from Heaven. And last, we can declare, "I obeyed." Daily Confession Father, I thank You that You took out my old, stony heart of sin and gave me a new, obedient heart in its place. I follow through with every instruction I'm given, both from You and from delegated authority.