Mali?

I have never heard of this place until today, but with over 14 million people living in this country, it is worthy of the world's attention.  As of March 22, 2012 "Rebel troops have appeared on Malian state TV to announce they have seized control of the country, hours after attacking the presidential palace."  (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-17462111)  Understand that Mali is one of the poorest countries in the world. The average worker's annual salary is approximately US$1,500.  A presidential election was due to take place in the country in just under a month.  We should be praying for the people of Mali, God didn't create our man made borders and they are all brothers and sisters in Christ.

Here's the latest news update on Mali:

1 Timothy 2

1 Timothy 2

Instructions on Worship

 ¹ I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— ²for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. ³This is good, and pleases God our Savior, ⁴ who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. ⁵ For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, ⁶ who gave himself as a ransom for all people. This has now been witnessed to at the proper time. ⁷ And for this purpose I was appointed a herald and an apostle—I am telling the truth, I am not lying—and a true and faithful teacher of the Gentiles.

Luke 24

⁴⁵ Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. ⁴⁶ He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, ⁴⁷ and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. ⁴⁸ You are witnesses of these things. ⁴⁹ I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”

It's time to get off the fence

First I want to thank you for spending a few minutes reading my blog today.  You could be anywhere on the internet, Lord knows there are millions of websites.  This is a personal blog post coming from my mind and heart.  Last night I lost my mother, she passed away from an ongoing illness.  I am writing today not to collect sympathy from anyone, I am writing today to talk about getting off of the fence.  I am not sure if my mother was saved, had a personal relationship with Jesus, only God knows.   My father passed away three years ago and was supposed to be a Christian, although he never shared this with his children.  My point today is that we have free will in this life, but only while we can draw a breath.  When it's over, it's over, or it's an eternal life with Jesus Christ.  If you are on the fence with your faith, get right today with God, you may not have a tomorrow.  If you are playing around with some certain sin, stop it today, repent.  There is no such thing as a small sin, they all are accountable actions.  Please I beg of you, do not waiver any more about where your faith lies.  Today I reflect on my mother's earthly life, tomorrow is in God's hands.  Thanks for reading and God bless to all of you, fight the good fight of faith :)

Casting Crowns - Praise you in this storm

K-LOVE - Francesca Battistelli "Motion Of Mercy" LIVE

Where is your heart?

Today, ask the Lord to impress upon you where your heart is. Do you really value all He has done for you and appreciate all that you have? Ask Him to convict you of any careless behavior that is not pleasing to Him. At any time, you can ask the Lord to forgive your careless behavior regarding the privilege of knowing Him. Then, ask the Lord to return the joy of your salvation to lead others to Him. Jesus has given Himself to you as a gift; nothing is of greater value than that.

God uses people

God uses people to reach people, but God is the one who saves them—not us. This seems rather obvious, but sometimes we forget it. God will prepare a person’s heart to hear and receive the gospel. He uses us, but He is the one who does the work.

Prayer

O Father, thank you that I am not who I used to be. Thank you that all the old is gone and the new has come. I pray that I will live out this new life in holiness and honor, empowered by the Holy Spirit and conformed each day to be more like my Savior, Jesus, in whose name I pray. Amen.

Shame

When we realize that Jesus is our gracious Advocate and abandon our sin, shame can’t shackle our hearts.

Carnality

Carnality is the state where the person has the mindset of seeking to gratify themselves rather than please Christ.

No Christian has to be carnal. Being carnal is a decision of the will. Carnal Christians have grown up physically and should be able to feed themselves. But they can’t. That is because a carnal Christian is a person who has developed a mindset of disobedience. They willfully live in sin, controlled by the old person they used to be. They are saved and the Holy Spirit is in them, but they are not allowing the Holy Spirit to grow them.

(Hebrews 3:12-13) with video

“Take care, brethren, that there not be in any one of you an evil, unbelieving heart that falls away from the living God. But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called ‘Today,’ so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin”.

Revelation 21:8 with video

New International Version (NIV)

⁸ But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.”

Love for Enemies

Luke 6:27-31

New International Version (NIV)

Love for Enemies

    ²⁷ “But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, ²⁸ bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. ²⁹ If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. ³⁰ Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. ³¹ Do to others as you would have them do to you.