Tag Archives: Christian

Fresh Again

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Surely I knew this. Surely I have seen it before. But today it is fresh again.

16 You did not choose me, I chose you; and I have commissioned you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last; so that whatever you ask from the Father in my name he may give you.
17 This is what I command you: keep loving each other!

via John 15 KJV;CJB – I am the true vine, and my Father is – Bible Gateway.

It’s a popular doctrine in Christendom: when two of us agree and ask (pray)  in JESUS’ name then we get what we prayed for.  Right? I mean we like that doctrine and we readily accept it but are we right to believe it as I just stated?  Based on today’s fresh again, I think not necessarily. I think there is a condition to the ask what you will in HIS name and we will receive. And I think if we do not meet that condition we can agree all we want, but we do not have a guarantee that we will receive.

So what is the condition?
I’m glad you asked. Read again the Text.
What has He commissioned us to do?
Bear Fruit. Fruit that lasts.
What kind of fruit lasts?
The kind that receives an eternal reward. (I Corinthians 3:14-16)

Am I bearing such fruit? Perhaps reading verse 17 will clarify.
What does it say?
Do I love people? (John 13:34-36).
If I am not loving people, especially my brothers and sisters with me in the Christian Faith, then I can be sure that I am not bearing fruit that lasts. I can be sure if I am not loving others I am not demonstrating Galatians 5:21-23.

Yikes! All this could be depressing; a real downer! Because I can tell you right now I DO NOT LOVE PEOPLE PERFECTLY ALL THE TIME! I do not always bear good fruit that will last! There are some days, I am a REAL STINKER by anyone’s standards, especially mine!

But today I have hope! Today I am encouraged! Why? Because He has again shown me this Scripture. He has again reminded me what He requires of me. This means He is NOT done with me and today I have the opportunity to do well in His name!! That is good news! Today I am assured there is hope for me that I can bear good fruit that will last and I can be trained by the HOLY SPIRIT to love as He has commissioned and the day will come when I can be assured that when I ask in His name I will receive!

Please, please take this little nugget with you today: If the HOLY SPIRIT of GOD is still speaking to you, if a little light has come on in your heart today as you have read His Word, that is a SURE PROMISE that HE is NOT finished with you. Today you can lift your will to HIM and start again!!

Blessing Friends on this 6th day of 2014.

Kathie

KEEPER of the WIND

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It is a lovely Monday in lower Alabama. The temps are comfortable, the sun is bright and cheery; added to all that there’s a gentle breeze dancing a waltz with the trees just outside my window – makes a girl glad to be alive.

Earlier in this happy day, I took a ride – Cedar Cove style – on my bicycle :). That same wind that dances so pleasingly with the trees can make a woman’s ride home a real muscle worker. The Wind.  Is surely our Teacher if we dare to be taught.

Winds cannot always blow our way; headwinds are meant to build muscle – spiritual character. So when we encounter a wind opposite our chosen course, let us realize that wind has one of two purposes: to build us some spiritual muscle or to alert us that we need to change our direction. And the KEEPER of the WIND knows that purpose; let us not hesitate to ask Him. 

The Winds of our Country have been blowing contrary to our roots, contrary to the Book upon which it was founded for not less than 5 decades now. But I do not want us to continue to be afraid or feel hopeless. There are wise, intelligent Americans with practical knowledge to lead us out of financial chaos; there are wise, intelligent Americans with skills and compassion to help us begin to alleviate our social sufferings; there are wise, intelligent Americans with a solid connection to the One and Only GOD who, I believe, is yet willing to help us and restore us again. 

This is my question: Who is willing to surrender to daily prayer, individually and/or corporately, for the HOLY SPIRIT of GOD to reveal who these people are and to position them and labor through them to save America?  Two more question: Am I one of those people? Are you one of those people?

16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

[source]

If you are surrendered to this praying, tell someone – get yourself an accountability partner and pray often with her/him.

HOLY SPIRIT, I pray You will call and Your People will answer and millions of Christians will not fail to pray daily for You to save us.

Kathie

Because we Need to Know & Pray

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VOM-USA Prayer Update for March 22, 2013

The Voice of the Martyrs USA: www.persecution.com

Pakistan—Christian Neighborhood Destroyed in Riot
Source: VOM Contacts

Romans 12:12

A mob of about 3,000 people looted and burned a Christian neighborhood in Lahore on March 9 after a man in the neighborhood was accused of blasphemy. The riot forced 200 families to flee. Mosque loudspeakers began to broadcast news of the blasphemy charge at 4 p.m. on Friday, March 8, and a mob of extremists appeared in the neighborhood at 9 the next morning. Terrified Christians fled their homes, remembering a 2009 riot in Gojra, Pakistan, in which eight Christians were killed, many more injured and at least 40 homes destroyed. As in Gojra, police in Lahore apparently stood by while the mob destroyed at least 175 homes in the neighborhood over a five-hour period. The man accused of blasphemy is in police custody.

Senegal—Brazilian Christians Remain in Jail After Conversion Complaint
Source: VOM Contacts

1 John 5:14

Two Brazilian Christians remain in prison in Senegal on charges of kidnapping and child trafficking. The Christians operated a home for street children, many of whom were members of Quranic schools that force their pupils to sleep on the streets. The home provided food, shelter and education to about 17 children. After one of the youths told his father he had become a Christian at the home, the boy’s father made accusations against Pastor Jose Dilson Alves Da Silva. Legal efforts and intervention by Brazilian diplomats have so far had no effect. “This is a prayer subject for all of us,” said VOM’s field worker in Senegal. “The only person who can solve this problem is the Lord.”

Turkey—Murder Conspirators Released on Bail
Source: VOM Contacts

Colossians 4:2

All but one of the 14 men arrested in a murder plot against Pastor Emre in Izmit have been released on bail, pending the investigation and trial. According to VOM’s field worker for the region, “Christians have to work harder than most people to get justice in Turkey, a country where victims need lawyers to push the justice system to pursue justice.” Pastor Emre has already offered forgiveness to the conspirators.

Laos—VOM Project

Pray for eight young Khmu women who are receiving training in biblical studies and in tailoring. The young women are daughters of pastors, ministry leaders and PSP workers. Some of their families have been directly persecuted, and many of them see opposition to Christianity in their villages.

This Phrase

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I’ve been reading a lot today. In fact other than steam cleaning the kitchen floor, that’s about all I have done. I don’t think I have even made up my bed! Oh well.

Perhaps it is not a new word but for sure it is not one of familiar use for me.

umbrage

I came across it reading today; but that’s not all. This is the phrase that really made me sit up and take notice:

He held His God in the highest esteem

via The End Time: Take umbrage, Brethren!.

I told its author that the HOLY SPIRIT had highlighted that for me and that I would like to use it but more than that I want to LIVE IT!

Elizabeth tells us well in the aforementioned post that we Christians must start right now this very day to hold our GOD in the HIGHEST ESTEEM. I would be much pleased if you would pop over to The End Time blog and read the whole piece for yourself. Click the link above and it will take you there.

On a personal prayer request note.

I have a few.

My friend Janet’s Mother left for HEAVEN today. We have happy tears for her and sad ones for Janet and her family.
I have another friend, Dawn, who is battling in the legal system with her, we hope, soon to be former husband who refuses to hold GOD in esteem as evidenced by his criminal conduct as well as his immoral and adulterous pursuits. Yes, I’m upset about it. Yes, I am offended.
One of my much-loved son-in-laws, Greg, had oral surgery yesterday – he hurts but he went to work today anyway.
That’s just a few. I have more but I’ll not name them all.

Thank you for reading. Thank you for praying. Thank you for being my Friends.