THE FIRST PRAYER IN CONGRESS by Rev. Jacob Duche
"Lord our Heavenly Father,
"High and Mighty King of kings, and Lord of lords, who dost from thy throne behold all the dwellers on earth and reignest with power supreme and uncontrolled over all the Kingdoms, Empires and Governments; look down in mercy, we beseech thee, on these our American States, who have fled to thee from the rod of the oppressor and thrown themselves on Thy gracious protection, desiring to be henceforth dependent on Thee, to Thee have they appealed for the righteousness of their cause; to Thee do they now look up for that countenance and support, which Thou alone canst give.
"Take them, therefore, Heavenly Father, under Thy nurturing care; give them wisdom in Council and valor in the field; defeat the malicious designs of our cruel adversaries; convince them of the unrighteousness of their Cause and if they persist in their sanguinary purposes, of own unerring justice, sounding in their hearts, constrain them to drop the weapons of war from their unnerved hands in the day of battle!
"Be Thou present, O God of wisdom, and direct the councils of this honorable assembly; enable them to settle things on the best and surest foundation. That the scene of blood may be speedily closed; that order, harmony and peace may be effectually restored, and truth and justice, religion and piety, prevail and flourish amongst Thy people. Preserve the health of their bodies and vigor of their minds. Shower down on them and the millions they here represent, such temporal blessings as Thou seest expedient for them in this world and crown them with everlasting glory in the world to come.
"All this we ask In the Name and through the merits of Jesus Christ, Thy Son and our Savior. Amen."
Wednesday, January 31, 2018
Of Unity and Division
Of Unity and Division by Bill Wilson
President Donald Trump lit it up last night with his State of the Union address. So much so, that amid "USA" chants in the House chamber, a Democrat congressman got up and left.
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) frowned at the call to work together and remained sitting during a rousing ovation.
Black Democrats who were sitting together remained stone-faced when Trump said that unemployment was at its lowest rates in 45 years and that black unemployment was the lowest on record.
The news media continued to criticize Trump with snide remarks about his wife's dress.
ABC went so far as to say the speech was divisive, gloomy and stoked racial tensions.
The real cap on the night came from CBS:
A CBS poll following the speech showed that 75% of those who watched the speech approved of it, only 25% disapproved. Interesting, though, about this rating is the demographics of those who watched the speech. Some 42% said they were Republicans, 33% were Independents, and 25% were Democrats.
This could indicate that no matter what a Republican says, no matter what the facts are about the good things that are being done, no matter if people have jobs who never had them before, no matter what-Democrats are going to disapprove of anything and everything a Republican does.
This is not unity. This divisiveness coming from Democrats and the media is not even American.
The sides of this coin are drastic for our nation and its people. We need to learn how to work out our problems with respect and civility. Those who are openly hostile obviously have another agenda. That would be the case with the mainstream media and the leadership of the Democratic Party.
Notwithstanding, those polled who said they were Democrats, appear to agree with their party's leadership-at least 25% of them. This radical, visceral approach to politics is destructive.
Jesus said in Mark 3:24, "And if a kingdom be divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand." We are a divided nation as evidenced by the disrespect and ignorance shown by those who refuse to agree on the good that has been accomplished.
President Trump said, "If you work hard, if you believe in yourself, if you believe in America, then you can dream anything, you can be anything, and together, we can achieve anything. ...All of us, together, as one team, one people, and one American family. We all share the same home, the same heart, the same destiny, and the same great American flag. Together, we are rediscovering the American way. In America, we know that faith and family, not government and bureaucracy, are the center of the American life. Our motto is "in God we trust.... As long as we have confidence in our values, faith in our citizens, and trust in our God, we will not fail."
Who can disagree with this?--Those who neither share these values nor trust in God.
That is the difference between unity and division.
President Donald Trump lit it up last night with his State of the Union address. So much so, that amid "USA" chants in the House chamber, a Democrat congressman got up and left.
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) frowned at the call to work together and remained sitting during a rousing ovation.
Black Democrats who were sitting together remained stone-faced when Trump said that unemployment was at its lowest rates in 45 years and that black unemployment was the lowest on record.
The news media continued to criticize Trump with snide remarks about his wife's dress.
ABC went so far as to say the speech was divisive, gloomy and stoked racial tensions.
The real cap on the night came from CBS:
A CBS poll following the speech showed that 75% of those who watched the speech approved of it, only 25% disapproved. Interesting, though, about this rating is the demographics of those who watched the speech. Some 42% said they were Republicans, 33% were Independents, and 25% were Democrats.
This could indicate that no matter what a Republican says, no matter what the facts are about the good things that are being done, no matter if people have jobs who never had them before, no matter what-Democrats are going to disapprove of anything and everything a Republican does.
This is not unity. This divisiveness coming from Democrats and the media is not even American.
The sides of this coin are drastic for our nation and its people. We need to learn how to work out our problems with respect and civility. Those who are openly hostile obviously have another agenda. That would be the case with the mainstream media and the leadership of the Democratic Party.
Notwithstanding, those polled who said they were Democrats, appear to agree with their party's leadership-at least 25% of them. This radical, visceral approach to politics is destructive.
Jesus said in Mark 3:24, "And if a kingdom be divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand." We are a divided nation as evidenced by the disrespect and ignorance shown by those who refuse to agree on the good that has been accomplished.
President Trump said, "If you work hard, if you believe in yourself, if you believe in America, then you can dream anything, you can be anything, and together, we can achieve anything. ...All of us, together, as one team, one people, and one American family. We all share the same home, the same heart, the same destiny, and the same great American flag. Together, we are rediscovering the American way. In America, we know that faith and family, not government and bureaucracy, are the center of the American life. Our motto is "in God we trust.... As long as we have confidence in our values, faith in our citizens, and trust in our God, we will not fail."
Who can disagree with this?--Those who neither share these values nor trust in God.
That is the difference between unity and division.
Can a Flawed Man Be a Good President?
Can a Flawed Man Be a Good President? by Ben Shapiro
This week, FBI deputy director Andrew McCabe -- a man who certainly should have stepped down months ago -- finally resigned from his active role at the agency.
McCabe had been under President Trump's fire for months given his failure to recuse himself from the Hillary Clinton email investigation despite his wife having received nearly $700,000 in campaign donations from Clinton associates during her failed Virginia state senatorial race.
Shortly after his resignation hit the headlines, another story broke from NBC News: The day after Trump fired then-FBI Director James Comey, Trump was astonished and angered to learn that Comey had been offered a flight home on an FBI airplane.
He allegedly called up McCabe and reamed him for allowing it. When McCabe dissented from Trump's diatribe, Trump told McCabe that he ought to "ask his wife how it feels to be a loser," apparently referring to her election loss.
This is, to put it mildly, gross.
But Trump isn't exactly shy about his grossness. "Loser" is one of his favorite terms.
All of this has been brushed off by conservatives. After all, Trump is providing some of the most conservative policy of the last half-century. Not only has he signed a massive tax cut into law but he has also slashed regulations, repealed the individual mandate, nominated conservative judges, moved the American embassy in Israel to Jerusalem, supported the anti-Iranian alliance in the Middle East and moved to box in Russia.
He has presided over massive economic growth at home and the collapse of the Islamic State group in Syria and Iraq.
Trump's list of accomplishments should seemingly answer a question with which conservatives have been struggling:
Can a bad man make a good president?
The answer, obviously, should be yes.
What's more, the answer should have been obvious: Machiavelli suggested back in the 16th century that perhaps only a bad man can be a good politician. Machiavelli stated that virtue is an unrealistic and counterproductive standard for a statesman -- what is needed is virtu, a capacity to use virtue and vice for the achievement of a specific end.
Even Aristotle, a devotee of virtue, suggested that good citizens need not be good men.
All of which makes sense.
Bad men make great artists.
Bad men make great athletes.
Saints often die in penury; sinners often die in riches.
But Trump's list of accomplishments is only half the story. That's because the office of the presidency is about more than mere accomplishments: It's about modeling particular behavior.
Bill Clinton was a successful president, but he was not a good one: He drove the country apart, degraded our political discourse and brought dishonor to the White House.
The same was true for President Richard Nixon. Doing good things as president does not mean being a good president.
Being a good president requires a certain element of character.
And Trump's character is still lacking. Perhaps in the end, conservatives should ignore Trump's character defects and take the wins; I certainly cheer those wins.
Perhaps in the end, Trump's character will poison the wins themselves; we won't know that for years.
We do know, however, that if we believe the president has two roles -- one as a policymaker, the other as a moral model -- then President Trump can only be half-successful so long as he refuses to change himself.
Cartels Control 45 Percent of Mexico
Cartels Control 45 percent of Mexico: Senator - Washington Times
Drug cartels control almost as much territory in Mexico as the Islamic State controlled in Syria at the height of its power, a key Republican senator said this week after returning from a trip through the region. Sen. James Lankford, one of the Republicans looking to lead on an immigration bill this year, said the cartels' production and trafficking of heroin and fentanyl has created new problems for U.S. border security.
Mr. Lankford told the Tulsa World newspaper that the cartels are wealthy enough to field sizable armies that do battle with each other and with government officials who try to constrain them.
"Forty to 45 percent of Mexico is ungoverned or run by the cartels," the senator told the newspaper. "There are 15,000 fighters working for the cartels."
Mexico just concluded its most violent year in records dating back two decades, according to InsightCrime.org. The country recorded more than 29,000 homicides, for a rate of 22.5 per 100,000 citizens - up sharply from the previous year's rate of 16.2. Cartels were responsible for about 75 percent of those murders, according to one report.
Father, we pray Senator Langford's first hand report will influence U.S. immigration policy and enforcement priorities. We also ask You to raise up intercessors for Mexico, to deliver the nation from these evil men.
"I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them," I Timothy 2:1.
Drug cartels control almost as much territory in Mexico as the Islamic State controlled in Syria at the height of its power, a key Republican senator said this week after returning from a trip through the region. Sen. James Lankford, one of the Republicans looking to lead on an immigration bill this year, said the cartels' production and trafficking of heroin and fentanyl has created new problems for U.S. border security.
Mr. Lankford told the Tulsa World newspaper that the cartels are wealthy enough to field sizable armies that do battle with each other and with government officials who try to constrain them.
"Forty to 45 percent of Mexico is ungoverned or run by the cartels," the senator told the newspaper. "There are 15,000 fighters working for the cartels."
Mexico just concluded its most violent year in records dating back two decades, according to InsightCrime.org. The country recorded more than 29,000 homicides, for a rate of 22.5 per 100,000 citizens - up sharply from the previous year's rate of 16.2. Cartels were responsible for about 75 percent of those murders, according to one report.
Father, we pray Senator Langford's first hand report will influence U.S. immigration policy and enforcement priorities. We also ask You to raise up intercessors for Mexico, to deliver the nation from these evil men.
"I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them," I Timothy 2:1.
House of Mercy / House of Shame
House of Mercy / House of Shame
JESUS' mercy extends to wherever you are. You cannot plummet so deeply into sin and shame that HIS mercy cannot reach you. You cannot be so offensive to GOD that HE cannot touch you where you are by the power of HIS HOLY SPIRIT that will melt the hardness of your heart by the flame of HIS truth and bring you to the place of redemption.
If you are lost in despair and if you are broken beyond repair, allow yourself to try one more time to be lifted from the pit of hopelessness... but this time, let JESUS do the lifting.
You know you can't do it.
You know no one who loves you can do it.
You know you are beyond human help.
And that's the beauty of who JESUS is...
HE IS BEYOND HUMAN LIMITATIONS.
Bethesda means both "House of Mercy" and "House of Shame." When Jesus heals the man who's waited 38 years in Bethesda to be well, he reminds us that our place of deepest shame is the place of Love's greatest mercy.
sarahthebarge.com
Right to Try
"RIGHT TO TRY"
Some are clamoring for terminally ill patients to have 'the right to die,' while others are demanding that our legislators implement 'right to try' legislation.
There are many 'unproven' drugs that have not been tested sufficiently to secure their approval; however those who are in desperate straits may not have the time to await the required testing that will secure such approval.
May public support be given to advance the necessary funding of research and to allow individual patients to assent to potentially-life-saving-treatment prior to the approval of drugs in question by the Federal Drug Administration.
Of course, those willing to be subjected to such medical experimentation must relinquish all future litigation if such experimental drugs fail to improve their condition.
Currently, 38 states allow terminally-ill patients to try to save their lives with experimental medications and treatments. It’s time for federal right to try legislation.
Patients Deserve the Right to Try
Terminally-ill patients should be given the opportunity to try experimental treatments and medications which could possibly save their lives.
americansforprosperity.ivolunteers.com
Today in History
Today in History
1950
Truman Announces Development of H-bomb
On this day in 1950, U.S. President Harry S. Truman publicly announced his decision to support the development of the hydrogen bomb, a weapon theorized to be hundreds of times more powerful than the atomic bombs dropped on Japan during World War II.
Five months earlier, the United States had lost its nuclear supremacy when the Soviet Union successfully detonated an atomic bomb at their test site in Kazakhstan.
Then, several weeks after that, British and U.S. intelligence came to the staggering conclusion that German-born Klaus Fuchs, a top-ranking scientist in the U.S. nuclear program, was a spy for the Soviet Union.
These two events, and the fact that the Soviets now knew everything that the Americans did about how to build a hydrogen bomb, led Truman to approve massive funding for the superpower race to complete the world’s first “super-bomb,” as he described it in his public announcement on January 31.
On November 1, 1952, the United States successfully detonated “Mike,” the world’s first hydrogen bomb, on the Elugelab Atoll in the Pacific Marshall Islands. The 10.4-megaton thermonuclear device, built upon the Teller-Ulam principles of staged radiation implosion, instantly vaporized an entire island and left behind a crater more than a mile wide.
The incredible explosive force of Mike was also apparent from the sheer magnitude of its mushroom cloud–within 90 seconds the mushroom cloud climbed to 57,000 feet and entered the stratosphere.
One minute later, it reached 108,000 feet, eventually stabilizing at a ceiling of 120,000 feet. Half an hour after the test, the mushroom stretched 60 miles across, with the base of the head joining the stem at 45,000 feet.
Three years later, on November 22, 1955, the Soviet Union detonated its first hydrogen bomb on the same principle of radiation implosion. Both superpowers were now in possession of the “hell bomb,” as it was known by many Americans....
...And the world lived under the threat of thermonuclear war for the first time in history.
Words to Ponder
Words to Ponder
The BIBLE
"This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all." (I John 1:5)
Quotes of Presidents
“Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other.” John F. Kennedy
Wise Words
"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair" Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities
Iowa Schools
Iowa Public School Students Could Soon be Studying Hebrew Scriptures and New Testament by Talia Wise
"The Bible has undeniably had an enormous influence on Western Civilization and America, especially in the areas of culture, law, art, and literature. A solid grasp of the Bible, it's major themes and stories, is essential to fully understanding our history and culture, from Shakespeare, to the Declaration of Independence, to the speeches of Martin Luther King Jr., and more." -Drew Zahn
(Des Moines, IA)—[CBN News] Iowa high school students could soon have the option of taking a Bible literacy course that focuses on the Hebrew Scriptures and the New Testament.
The bill, introduced by Rep. Skyler Wheeler, Rep. Dean Fisher, and 10 other Republicans, would direct the state's Department of Education to prepare material and train teachers on how to teach the elective course.
"This bill allows school districts to offer students a course in Bible literacy as long as it is taught in an academic sense, rather than in a devotional sense," Rep. Wheeler wrote in nwestiowa.com.
"Basically, I want to give students the opportunity to study the Bible from the perspective of its impact on history and culture," Rep. Dean Fisher told the Des Moines Register.
Wheeler adds the bill has strong support in both the House and the Senate.
The Iowa Family Leader, a conservative Christian organization, is also endorsing the bill.
"Schools can use the Bible as a historical, cultural, and literary subject of study, but not as a devotional resource. Or in other words, you can teach it, but you can't preach it," Drew Zahn, Family Leader's director of communications, said via email.
However, opponents of the bill are criticizing it as an "extreme piece of legislation" and believe it violates the Constitution.
"Absolutely not," Zhan said when asked if the bill violates the Constitution. "The courts have not ruled that the Bible is off limits in our schools, only the promotion of religion. Schools can use the Bible as a historical, cultural, and literary subject of study, but not as a devotional resource. Or in other words, you can teach it, but you can't preach it."
Opponents also argue that the bill is an effort to force Christianity into schools.
"We certainly don't need the government to indoctrinate our kids into one particular religion," Connie Ryan of Interfaith Alliance Iowa told WSFA-TV.
Zhan argues the Bible is culturally significant and is essential to America's framework.
"The Bible has undeniably had an enormous influence on Western Civilization and America, especially in the areas of culture, law, art, and literature. A solid grasp of the Bible, its major themes and stories, is essential to fully understanding our history and culture, from Shakespeare, to the Declaration of Independence, to the speeches of Martin Luther King Jr., and more...
"Yet too few of our children are being exposed to the Bible, and schools are often too intimidated by the controversy, leaving a massive gap in our graduates' education," Zahn added.
"Encouraging constitutional and religion-neutral elective courses in public high schools aims to rectify that for those who desire to learn more."
Similar laws have passed in Arizona, Arkansas, Georgia, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas.
West Virginia lawmakers have also recently proposed having Bible literacy offered as an elective course in public and private schools.
GLOBAL CALL TO THE BODY OF CHRIST
GLOBAL CALL TO THE BODY OF CHRIST by Lou Engle
EDITOR’S NOTE: In life, it's rare to find a man or woman who is completely and utterly "sold out" to the purposes of God. Yet it's my privilege to know a good number of them personally. One of my favorite such persons is LOU ENGLE. Every single time I hear him speak or read his writings, I'm in awe at his listening ear, his dedicated life, his love for the Body of Christ, and his ZEAL for the Church in America!
And Lou is on fire and so zealous for LIFE and is against ABORTION! In short, Lou Engle remains a Hero in the Faith to me. You've got to read this story and discover how God is leading Lou in this next season on behalf of the Body of Christ. -Steve Shultz, Founder of Breaking Christian News and The Elijah List
"God Showed Me: It's Time for the Latter Rain" Lou Engle:
Personally, I feel that I am in the time for which I was born. I'm convinced that we have only a short window in the days of President Trump for the greatest revival and awakening in America's history. Without it, I see no future for America. We must seize our divine moment.
Years ago, in the 90s, I experienced a prophetic swirl that I believe points to a specific time of fulfillment. I woke up one morning with an intense desire to read two books that were very dear to me: Rain From Heaven by Arthur Wallis, the father of the Charismatic Movement in England, and Shaping History Through Prayer and Fasting, by Derek Prince.
The catalyst of that desire was a specific chapter in Shaping History Through Prayer and Fasting, titled "Fasting Precipitates the Latter Rain." I looked feverishly for those two books but I had either lost them or given them away. For a whole day I experienced groanings of the Spirit, praying that I might find those books. I wanted confirmation that a movement of fasting would precede the latter rain revival.
God Confirms His Promise
That night I was scheduled to speak in Lancaster, California. Before the service I was preparing in Pastor Joe Sweet's office when he suddenly rose from his desk, walked to his bookshelf, and called me over. He reached down and pulled off his shelf the book Rain From Heaven and said, "I think you're looking for this book."
It was shock and awe! I knew God was confirming His promise. The following morning I was teaching a prophetic class. One of the students came in and said, "Mr. Engle, I was down at the Anaheim Vineyard this morning and a man shouted, 'I know you are going to see Lou Engle today. Give him this book Shaping History Through Prayer and Fasting ... he's searching for it.'"
God does not bring these kinds of whirlwinds simply to entertain us. He was shouting: "There's coming a time for the outpouring of the latter rain and you must pray and fast to give birth to it!"
The Scripture commands us in Zechariah 10:1, "Pray for the rain in the time of the latter rain..." but how do we know when it's time?
Joel chapter 2 gives us the paradigm for recognizing these times and seasons. Joel's prophecy is set in the context of the utter destruction of the economic system of Israel due to the nation's spiritual apostasy.
The prophet gives God's prescription to the crisis: he calls for united fasting and prayer, after which he promises the restoration of the land of Israel and the outpouring of the latter rain of the Holy Spirit on all flesh, i.e. the Gentile nations. By these two things—the outpourings of the Holy Spirit among the Gentiles and significant happenings concerning the state of Israel—we know we are in the time for Joel 2 fastings.
Israel and the Latter Rain
Historically, in 1948, the Holy Spirit was poured out in a movement called The Latter Rain. They had been fasting for three months in the winter of '47 and '48, inspired by a book called Atomic Power With God, Through Prayer and Fasting that had become a catalyst for a worldwide fasting movement.
The Spirit was poured out in early 1948 and they called it "The Latter Rain". Also in 1948, we see the second dimension of fulfillment of Joel's fast in which God says that He will restore the land, the grain, the oil and the new wine. This is exactly what happened in 1948—Israel became a nation and the land was restored.
In a similar fashion, in 1967, Israel took back the entirety of Jerusalem in the Six Day War. For the first time since the destruction of the city in 70 AD, it was back in the hands of the Jewish people. In both '48 and '67 there were wars fought concerning these historic transactions.
At the same time in 1967, the worldwide Charismatic Movement began, the Jesus Movement was manifested, and Jews began to come to Christ in unprecedented numbers.
Do you see it?
Once again, Gentile outpourings and natural historic events taking place in the land of Israel flowed together.
What is stunning is the cycle we find ourselves in now at the 70th anniversary of The Latter Rain outpouring and the 70th anniversary of Israel becoming a nation. Daniel, when he understood that 70 years was up for the desolations of Jerusalem, set himself to fasting and praying.
Shortly afterwards, Cyrus, the new king, issued a decree for Jerusalem to be rebuilt and for the Jews to return to their land. It is my contention that we are now in a similar 70 year cycle and that Joel 2 must precede another outpouring and a significant transaction over Israel and Jerusalem.
Right now significant events are brewing in this 70 year timeframe for Israel.
President Trump (possibly a modern-day Cyrus, as has been prophesied), has recently recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and is moving the US embassy to that sacred city.
Meanwhile, Muslim riots are taking place around the world because of it. We are in a historic moment and much is hanging in the balance.
We must pray for wisdom for President Trump in his ongoing negotiations with Israel. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem and for the restraining of anti-semitism. Pray Romans 11:12-15 for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and the salvation of the Jews. It's time to shape history with prayer and fasting.
Fasts Shape History
In 1976, I moved to Ashland Theological Seminary in Ashland, OH, not far from Columbus. There I made a vow that I would seek Acts 2 no matter what the cost. That vow sent me on the journey that I am now on—calling for Joel 2 gatherings of corporate fasting and prayer, believing for Acts 2 outpourings. I have to believe that TheCall has been a Joel 2 preparation for the fulfillment of my personal transaction with Heaven. I'm still looking for Acts chapter 2.
Last year, I spoke at Oral Roberts University on the subject of the 40-day fast. 70 years before, in 1947, Oral Roberts fasted for seven months and then the healing revival broke out. I was calling ORU to enter into the sacrifices and faith of their spiritual father. Months later, I was in Columbus, Ohio mobilizing for The Revival Man Tour in Cleveland (which took place in July) and The Revival Man gathering in Columbus on January 13, 2018.
A young man came to me and said, "I was at that ORU gathering, Mr. Engle, and I was so moved that I wept and prayed for three hours at the chapel altar. Later that night, I had a dream that I was in Columbus, Ohio and I saw a fireplace and an angel stood before it with bellows fanning the embers into a great flame. The angel was crying 'Joel 2 leads to Acts 2! Joel 2 leads to Acts 2!'"
He dreamed the same dream three nights in a row and because of it, he moved to Columbus to pray for that Acts 2 fire.
Columbus has now called for a 40-day fast that started in January. Could this storyline indicate that we are in the season of Joel 2 to Acts 2 fulfillment with Columbus being a prophetic timepiece?
In 2009, I was going into the woods to fast 40 days on water with three friends. The night before going I dreamed that my belly was being operated on. I awoke with this thought: "Is God desiring to operate on my appetites and make me a Daniel for the shifting of history?"
In the middle of that fast a prophetic intercessor emailed me with a dream. In her dream she saw me fasting and lying down asleep. Five angels came into my bedroom, operated on my belly (exactly what I had dreamed), took the book of Daniel, lit it on fire, and sealed it into my belly. The scene changed in the dream and all these young people were coming to me in shirts that said: "The Sons of Thunder".
Again, I wonder if that experience was pointing to this same season of fulfillment. In 1948 and '49, the great evangelists began to arise – men like Bill Bright and Billy Graham. I believe we are in the hour when Jesus, the Evangelist, is rising again and this 40-day fast, the Jesus fast, is preparing the way for a new Jesus Movement, for the latter rain outpourings and transitions in Israel.
Pulling it all together, I am personally convinced that my early prophetic experience of receiving the two books is pointing to a present fulfillment of a fresh outpouring of the latter rain and a next step of restoration for the land of Israel. When Daniel knew it was his time, he set his face to fast.
Revelation demands participation!
February 19 to March 30—Join Us for a 40-Day Global Fast!
Therefore, February 19th through March 30th, we are calling for 40-day seasons of fasting across the wider Body of Christ. Let's contend for that fresh outpouring of His Spirit and for God's restraining hand over the affairs of Jerusalem and Israel.
Blow the trumpet in Zion! Call the fast!
For more information go to: www.thecall.com
Lou Engle is a revivalist, visionary and co-founder of TheCall, Inc. For more than three decades, Lou's passion has been to call believers into radical consecration through prayer, fasting, and acts of justice.
Lou has been involved in church planting, establishing prayer movements and strategic houses of prayer. He is the founder of the pro-life ministry, Bound 4 Life, and has inspired other justice movements.
Lou resides in Colorado Springs, CO, where TheCall is headquarted.
He recently launched the Spiritual Air Force Academy with a mandate to train and deploy teams across the world for breakthrough intercession in partnership with missions.
EDITOR’S NOTE: In life, it's rare to find a man or woman who is completely and utterly "sold out" to the purposes of God. Yet it's my privilege to know a good number of them personally. One of my favorite such persons is LOU ENGLE. Every single time I hear him speak or read his writings, I'm in awe at his listening ear, his dedicated life, his love for the Body of Christ, and his ZEAL for the Church in America!
And Lou is on fire and so zealous for LIFE and is against ABORTION! In short, Lou Engle remains a Hero in the Faith to me. You've got to read this story and discover how God is leading Lou in this next season on behalf of the Body of Christ. -Steve Shultz, Founder of Breaking Christian News and The Elijah List
"God Showed Me: It's Time for the Latter Rain" Lou Engle:
Personally, I feel that I am in the time for which I was born. I'm convinced that we have only a short window in the days of President Trump for the greatest revival and awakening in America's history. Without it, I see no future for America. We must seize our divine moment.
Years ago, in the 90s, I experienced a prophetic swirl that I believe points to a specific time of fulfillment. I woke up one morning with an intense desire to read two books that were very dear to me: Rain From Heaven by Arthur Wallis, the father of the Charismatic Movement in England, and Shaping History Through Prayer and Fasting, by Derek Prince.
The catalyst of that desire was a specific chapter in Shaping History Through Prayer and Fasting, titled "Fasting Precipitates the Latter Rain." I looked feverishly for those two books but I had either lost them or given them away. For a whole day I experienced groanings of the Spirit, praying that I might find those books. I wanted confirmation that a movement of fasting would precede the latter rain revival.
God Confirms His Promise
That night I was scheduled to speak in Lancaster, California. Before the service I was preparing in Pastor Joe Sweet's office when he suddenly rose from his desk, walked to his bookshelf, and called me over. He reached down and pulled off his shelf the book Rain From Heaven and said, "I think you're looking for this book."
It was shock and awe! I knew God was confirming His promise. The following morning I was teaching a prophetic class. One of the students came in and said, "Mr. Engle, I was down at the Anaheim Vineyard this morning and a man shouted, 'I know you are going to see Lou Engle today. Give him this book Shaping History Through Prayer and Fasting ... he's searching for it.'"
God does not bring these kinds of whirlwinds simply to entertain us. He was shouting: "There's coming a time for the outpouring of the latter rain and you must pray and fast to give birth to it!"
The Scripture commands us in Zechariah 10:1, "Pray for the rain in the time of the latter rain..." but how do we know when it's time?
Joel chapter 2 gives us the paradigm for recognizing these times and seasons. Joel's prophecy is set in the context of the utter destruction of the economic system of Israel due to the nation's spiritual apostasy.
The prophet gives God's prescription to the crisis: he calls for united fasting and prayer, after which he promises the restoration of the land of Israel and the outpouring of the latter rain of the Holy Spirit on all flesh, i.e. the Gentile nations. By these two things—the outpourings of the Holy Spirit among the Gentiles and significant happenings concerning the state of Israel—we know we are in the time for Joel 2 fastings.
Israel and the Latter Rain
Historically, in 1948, the Holy Spirit was poured out in a movement called The Latter Rain. They had been fasting for three months in the winter of '47 and '48, inspired by a book called Atomic Power With God, Through Prayer and Fasting that had become a catalyst for a worldwide fasting movement.
The Spirit was poured out in early 1948 and they called it "The Latter Rain". Also in 1948, we see the second dimension of fulfillment of Joel's fast in which God says that He will restore the land, the grain, the oil and the new wine. This is exactly what happened in 1948—Israel became a nation and the land was restored.
In a similar fashion, in 1967, Israel took back the entirety of Jerusalem in the Six Day War. For the first time since the destruction of the city in 70 AD, it was back in the hands of the Jewish people. In both '48 and '67 there were wars fought concerning these historic transactions.
At the same time in 1967, the worldwide Charismatic Movement began, the Jesus Movement was manifested, and Jews began to come to Christ in unprecedented numbers.
Do you see it?
Once again, Gentile outpourings and natural historic events taking place in the land of Israel flowed together.
What is stunning is the cycle we find ourselves in now at the 70th anniversary of The Latter Rain outpouring and the 70th anniversary of Israel becoming a nation. Daniel, when he understood that 70 years was up for the desolations of Jerusalem, set himself to fasting and praying.
Shortly afterwards, Cyrus, the new king, issued a decree for Jerusalem to be rebuilt and for the Jews to return to their land. It is my contention that we are now in a similar 70 year cycle and that Joel 2 must precede another outpouring and a significant transaction over Israel and Jerusalem.
Right now significant events are brewing in this 70 year timeframe for Israel.
President Trump (possibly a modern-day Cyrus, as has been prophesied), has recently recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and is moving the US embassy to that sacred city.
Meanwhile, Muslim riots are taking place around the world because of it. We are in a historic moment and much is hanging in the balance.
We must pray for wisdom for President Trump in his ongoing negotiations with Israel. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem and for the restraining of anti-semitism. Pray Romans 11:12-15 for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and the salvation of the Jews. It's time to shape history with prayer and fasting.
Fasts Shape History
In 1976, I moved to Ashland Theological Seminary in Ashland, OH, not far from Columbus. There I made a vow that I would seek Acts 2 no matter what the cost. That vow sent me on the journey that I am now on—calling for Joel 2 gatherings of corporate fasting and prayer, believing for Acts 2 outpourings. I have to believe that TheCall has been a Joel 2 preparation for the fulfillment of my personal transaction with Heaven. I'm still looking for Acts chapter 2.
Last year, I spoke at Oral Roberts University on the subject of the 40-day fast. 70 years before, in 1947, Oral Roberts fasted for seven months and then the healing revival broke out. I was calling ORU to enter into the sacrifices and faith of their spiritual father. Months later, I was in Columbus, Ohio mobilizing for The Revival Man Tour in Cleveland (which took place in July) and The Revival Man gathering in Columbus on January 13, 2018.
A young man came to me and said, "I was at that ORU gathering, Mr. Engle, and I was so moved that I wept and prayed for three hours at the chapel altar. Later that night, I had a dream that I was in Columbus, Ohio and I saw a fireplace and an angel stood before it with bellows fanning the embers into a great flame. The angel was crying 'Joel 2 leads to Acts 2! Joel 2 leads to Acts 2!'"
He dreamed the same dream three nights in a row and because of it, he moved to Columbus to pray for that Acts 2 fire.
Columbus has now called for a 40-day fast that started in January. Could this storyline indicate that we are in the season of Joel 2 to Acts 2 fulfillment with Columbus being a prophetic timepiece?
In 2009, I was going into the woods to fast 40 days on water with three friends. The night before going I dreamed that my belly was being operated on. I awoke with this thought: "Is God desiring to operate on my appetites and make me a Daniel for the shifting of history?"
In the middle of that fast a prophetic intercessor emailed me with a dream. In her dream she saw me fasting and lying down asleep. Five angels came into my bedroom, operated on my belly (exactly what I had dreamed), took the book of Daniel, lit it on fire, and sealed it into my belly. The scene changed in the dream and all these young people were coming to me in shirts that said: "The Sons of Thunder".
Again, I wonder if that experience was pointing to this same season of fulfillment. In 1948 and '49, the great evangelists began to arise – men like Bill Bright and Billy Graham. I believe we are in the hour when Jesus, the Evangelist, is rising again and this 40-day fast, the Jesus fast, is preparing the way for a new Jesus Movement, for the latter rain outpourings and transitions in Israel.
Pulling it all together, I am personally convinced that my early prophetic experience of receiving the two books is pointing to a present fulfillment of a fresh outpouring of the latter rain and a next step of restoration for the land of Israel. When Daniel knew it was his time, he set his face to fast.
Revelation demands participation!
February 19 to March 30—Join Us for a 40-Day Global Fast!
Therefore, February 19th through March 30th, we are calling for 40-day seasons of fasting across the wider Body of Christ. Let's contend for that fresh outpouring of His Spirit and for God's restraining hand over the affairs of Jerusalem and Israel.
Blow the trumpet in Zion! Call the fast!
For more information go to: www.thecall.com
Lou Engle is a revivalist, visionary and co-founder of TheCall, Inc. For more than three decades, Lou's passion has been to call believers into radical consecration through prayer, fasting, and acts of justice.
Lou has been involved in church planting, establishing prayer movements and strategic houses of prayer. He is the founder of the pro-life ministry, Bound 4 Life, and has inspired other justice movements.
Lou resides in Colorado Springs, CO, where TheCall is headquarted.
He recently launched the Spiritual Air Force Academy with a mandate to train and deploy teams across the world for breakthrough intercession in partnership with missions.
Prayer Initiative
Prayer Initiative
Vision
Suggested Scriptural references ...
You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:14,16
His life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. John 1:4-5
Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint, but blessed is he who keeps the law. Proverbs 29:18
I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland. Isaiah 43:19
Suggested prayers ...
Thank you, Lord, that in You America can once again become a "City on a Hill" - Your beacon to the world.
We petition You, Lord, to lead us according to Your plan, in Your timing, with the power of Your Holy Spirit. We know You are infinitely bigger and brighter than the darkness before us.
We ask that You remind us to keep our eyes and minds focused on what is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, and worthy of praise. Help us to elevate conversations and relationships to those higher things. May You be the prompter and completer of any daunting tasks before us. In You only may we find our voice to speak, our strength to move.
We pray for a vision of victory over the assaults on America's faith in You and Your will, Your ways, and Your provision for our needs. Teach us, Lord how to best fight efforts to separate this country, culture and people from You. Give us revelation power to lead our country back to You.
God in heaven, we pray that America may once again become a great beacon of Your standards.
As the world sees Your ways and Your love demonstrated in this great country, may all people be drawn to Your Son.
We pray for a compellingly attractive vision for the future of America based on the real America, founded and grounded on eternal truths. Bring us back, O Lord, to our First Love.
~~~
“We live in an age of science and of abounding accumulation of material things. These did not create the Declaration. Our Declaration created them. The things of the spirit come first. Unless we cling to that, all our material prosperity, overwhelming though it may appear, will turn to a barren sceptre in our grasp. If we are to maintain the great heritage which has been bequeathed to us, we must be like-minded as the fathers who created it. We must not sink into a pagan materialism. We must cultivate the reverence which they had for the things that are holy. We must follow the spiritual and moral leadership which they showed. We must keep replenished, that they may glow with a more compelling flame, the altar fires before which they worshipped.” President Calvin Coolidge
"Oh, eternal and everlasting God, direct my thoughts, words and work. Wash away my sins immaculate blood of the lamb and purge my heart by the Holy Spirit. Daily, frame me more and more in the like of thy son, Jesus Christ, that living in thy fear, and dying in thy favor, I may in thy appointed time obtain the resurrection of the justified unto eternal life. Bless, O Lord, the whole race of mankind and let the world be filled with the knowledge of thy son, Jesus Christ." George Washington's daily prayer
Creating a Memory
Creating a Memory
From: Today God Is First by Os Hillman
January 31, 2018
"The greatest among you will be your servant" (Matthew 23:11).
Ken Blanchard, the author of the One Minute Manager, once shared a story about what can happen when individuals in a company model servant leadership, no matter where they are on the totem pole.
A business consultant was training more than 3000 employees of a mid-western grocery chain to approach their jobs with a goal of creating a memory for their customers. She stated that "this is what will distinguish your store from all others."
Johnny was a 19-year old bag boy that had down-syndrome. His first response to the consultant's suggestion was "I'm just a 'bag boy."
Nevertheless, he went home and shared what the consultant said with his mother. They began to ponder the consultant's words about how he could create a memory for his customers.
Johnny had a hobby of collecting inspirational thoughts that he would often read. He decided he would begin printing these sayings and place one in each of the bags of his customers.
When customers came through the line he would place the sayings in their bag and say, "I've included some of my favorite sayings in your bag in hopes it will encourage you today. Thanks for shopping with us."
After just a few weeks, an amazing thing began to happen. One day the store manager noticed that all the customers were lined up at only one cashier station when there were other stations open. He began to panic, thinking the other stations were broken. After further investigation he found this was not the case. Actually, customers wanted to come through Johnny's line in order to get his saying of the day.
One woman came up to the manager and said, "I used to come to the store only once a week, but now I come everyday!"
Johnny's example spread to other departments in the store. The florist began giving a flower to each florist customer. The meat department put Snoopy stickers on each meat order with a special greeting. This one act by a bag boy changed the entire climate of the store.*
How can you create a memory for someone in your workplace today? Jesus was all about creating memories.
*From a Ken Blanchard, presentation made at the 2004 His Presence in the Workplace Conference, San Antonio, TX.
Tuesday, January 30, 2018
America First
America First
European CEOs Go One By One To Tell Trump They Are Investing Billions Back In The US - Daily Caller
President Donald J. Trump hosted a dinner with European business leaders and CEOs at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland Thursday evening. Trump has been making the rounds in Davos, holding bilateral meetings with other world leaders and conducting business roundtables. Trump met with various business leaders in shadow of the recent economic boom in America.
In a stunning moment, one by one, European titans of industry from companies like Adidas, Siemens and Bayer went around the table to thank Trump for the passage of tax cuts and the easing of corporate tax burdens. Almost every CEO had a new US-based investment or strategic business to announce.
The president of Seimens, Joe Kaeser, said, "since you have been so successful in tax reform we have decided to develop the next generation gas turbines in the United States."
Trump responded "That's great!"
Lord, we thank You for a steadily improving economy and for these businesses who wish to invest here once again! We pray Your preservation over our President that he will be able to do what needs to be done to recover from previous years. In Your Name, amen.
Prayer Initiative
Prayer Initiative
Citizens/Voters
Suggested Scriptural references ...
Upright citizens are good for a city and make it prosper, but the talk of the wicked tears it apart. Proverbs 11:11
...I will put my laws on their hearts, and write them on their minds... Hebrews 10:16
Like a trampled spring and a polluted well is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked. Proverbs 25:26
We will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth. Ephesians 4:14
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting... James 1:5-6
Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed. Romans 13:7
Jesus said to them, "Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's." Mark 12:17
Suggested prayers ...
Teach us, Lord, to value our role as citizens. Awaken in the electorate a desire to know the true principles upon which this country was built, and draw us to Your vision for the restoration of our beloved country.
Let us never take for granted the free land You have given us. Please show us, Lord, how to do our part to secure the blessings of liberty for ourselves and those to come.
We ask for leaders and a citizenry who truly understand our accountability before You for every vote we cast, or do not cast. Help us to wisely evaluate every candidate and policy against your Word. We ask for the wisdom to vote as You would have us vote.
We ask You to grant our citizens the wisdom to discern truth from spin and deception. Give us radar to know when a candidate or policy is counterfeit to the true founding principles and Constitutional roots of this land, borne out of faith in You and Your word.
Move our leaders and our citizens to rightly divide the responsibilities of government vs. the responsibilities of citizens as defined by You.
God Almighty, we plead with you to guide, guard, convict and correct all candidates, campaigns, consultants, political operatives and staff members. We ask You to draw them to integrity before the citizens of this country. Give them the will to honestly place their values and visions before us, free of manipulation and deception. We ask You to expose and defeat those who lie.
We pray, Lord, against the voter fraud that has so crippled our confidence in the electoral process. We ask You to expose and bring to justice those who would undermine free and fair elections. Please help us to restore integrity to the election process in America. Rid our system of corruption, we pray.
O Lord, give me the wisdom and the courage to confidently and winsomely take a stand for Your Truth with my fellow citizens. Use my voice, Lord, I pray.
~~~
“Now more than ever before, the people are responsible for the character of their Congress. If that body be ignorant, reckless, and corrupt, it is because the people tolerate ignorance, recklessness, and corruption. If it be intelligent, brave, and pure, it is because the people demand these high qualities to represent them in the national legislature...If the next centennial does not find us a great nation...it will be because those who represent the enterprise, the culture, and the morality of the nation do not aid in controlling the political forces.” President James Garfield
Today in History
Today in History
1933
The Lone Ranger Debuts on Detroit Radio
On this day in 1933, with the stirring notes of the William Tell Overture and a shout of “Hi-yo, Silver! Away!” The Lone Ranger debuted on Detroit’s WXYZ radio station.
The creation of station-owner George Trendle and writer Fran Striker, the “masked rider of the plains” became one of the most popular and enduring western heroes of the 20th century.
Joined by his trusty steed, Silver, and loyal Indian scout, Tonto, the Lone Ranger sallied forth to do battle with evil western outlaws and Indians, generally arriving on the scene just in time to save an innocent golden-haired child or sun-bonneted farm wife.
Neither Trendle nor Striker had any connections to or experience with the cowboys, Indians, and pioneers of the real West, but that mattered little to them. The men simply wanted to create an American version of the masked swashbuckler made popular by the silent movie actor Douglas Fairbanks in The Mark of Zorro, arming their hero with a revolver rather than a sword.
Historical authenticity was far less important to the men than fidelity to the strict code of conduct they established for their character. The Lone Ranger never smoked, swore, or drank alcohol; he used grammatically correct speech free of slang; and, most important, he never shot to kill.
More offensive to modern historical and ethnic sensibilities was the Indian scout Tonto, who spoke in a comical Indian patois totally unrelated to any authentic Indian dialect, uttering ludicrous phrases like “You betchum!”
Historical accuracy notwithstanding, the radio program was an instant hit. Children liked the steady stream of action and parents approved of the good moral example offered by the upstanding masked man.
Soon picked up for nationwide broadcast over the Mutual Radio Network, over 20 million Americans were tuning into The Lone Ranger three times a week by 1939.
In an early example of the power of marketing tie-ins, the producers also licensed the manufacture of a vast array of related products, including Lone Ranger guns, costumes, books, and a popular comic strip.
The Lone Ranger made a seemingly effortless transition from radio to motion pictures and television. The televised version of The Lone Ranger, staring Clayton Moore as the masked man, became ABC’s first big hit in the early 1950s. Remaining on the air until 1957, the program helped define the golden age of the TV Western and inspired dozens of imitators like The Range Rider, The Roy Rogers Show, and The Adventures of Wild Bill Hickok.
Although the Lone Ranger disappeared from American television and movie screens by the 1960s, he lived on in a popular series of comic books well into the 1970s.
Words to Ponder
Words to Ponder
The BIBLE
"I was in prison, and you came to Me. Then He said, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as you have done it unto one of the least of these My brethren, you have done it unto Me." Matthew 25:36
Quotes of Presidents
“A pessimist is one who makes difficulties of his opportunities and an optimist is one who makes opportunities of his difficulties.” Harry S. Truman
Wise Words
“I’d rather regret the things I’ve done than regret the things I haven’t done.” Lucille Ball
Thoughts on John 17:14
Thoughts on John 17:14 by John W. Ritenbaugh
"I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world."
Jesus addresses the source of the more personal persecutions that threaten our peace. The carnal mind is enmity against God (Romans 8:7), and we can feel this hatred to a potentially terrifying degree when it is aimed directly at us. Throughout history, this sort of peace-shattering disturbance has produced job losses, divided families, uprooted lives in fleeing, imprisonment for those caught (Acts 9:1-2; 12:3-4), and for some martyrdom (Acts 7:54-60; 12:1-2).
Jesus says we can have peace through these kinds of experiences because He can give it to us. When He said this, He was not introducing a new idea. As part of the "blessings and curses chapter," Leviticus 26:6 shows that God is the ultimate source of peace, and He will give it upon our meeting the condition of obeying His commandments:
I will give peace in the land, and you shall lie down, and none will make you afraid; I will rid the land of evil beasts, and the sword will not go through your land.
Here, peace is a quality of life He can give even as he gives rain in due season. Leviticus 26 emphasizes material prosperity as God's blessing to Israel.
Peace is necessary for the material prosperity of a nation.
War may be the ultimate distraction from accomplishing anything positive; it is catastrophically debilitating to every area of life. Not only can it break a nation economically, but also warp its people psychologically and destroy its social structure, infrastructure, and spirit.
Should we think that peace is no less necessary to spiritual prosperity? Is it possible for us to grow into the image of God when distracted by conflict and the anxieties and troubles it produces?
Even if the conflict is not directly ours, it adversely affects our ability to live God's way of life. This is why the apostle Paul counsels us as he does in I Timothy 2:1-2:
"Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence."
Conflict promotes self-centeredness, virtually forcing us to flee, defend ourselves or attack the other to maintain or establish a measure of control.
It can also cause us to detour permanently from what we were trying to accomplish.
Greater Works Shall You Do
Greater Works Shall You Do
From: Today God Is First by Os Hillman
January 30, 2018
"Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know." (Acts 2:22)
Jesus did all of His miracles as a man, not as God. Let that sink in. This is a profound truth that has major implications for you and me. It changes everything.
Pastor Bill Johnson writes: "Jesus could not heal the sick.
Neither could He deliver the tormented from demons or raise the dead.
To believe otherwise is to ignore what Jesus said about Himself, and more importantly, to miss the purpose of His self-imposed restriction to live as a man.
Jesus said of Himself: "I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does (John 5:19-20)."
In the Greek language the word 'nothing' has a unique meaning -- it means NOTHING. Just as it does in English! He had NO supernatural capabilities whatsoever!
While He is 100 percent God, He chose to live with the same limitations that man would face once He was redeemed.
He made that point over and over again. Jesus became the model for all who would embrace the invitation to invade the impossible in His name.
He performed miracles, wonders, and signs, as a man in right relationship to God... not as God.
If He performed miracles because He was God, then they would be unattainable for us. But if He did them as a man, I am responsible to pursue His lifestyle. Recapturing this simple truth changes everything... and makes possible a full restoration of the ministry of Jesus in His Church. "[1]
Jesus said you and I will do even greater works than He did. "I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father." (John 14:12-13)
The question for each of us is, "How dependent and obedient to the Holy Spirit are we so we can experience this same power?"
[1]Bill Johnson, When Heaven Invades Earth, Destiny Image, p. 29, Shippensburg, PA 02003
Who Is JESUS?
WHO IS JESUS?
Google, which has answers for everything, has stated that it is unable to post an answer to who JESUS is -- simply out of respect for JESUS. They seem to be concerned that they might get the answer wrong. They could, however, post answers to who other religious figures were.
There was quite an uproar regarding the discrepancy over their response regarding JESUS compared to all others, so they have now declined to post answers regarding any religious figures until they get it all straightened out.
To be helpful to anyone asking the question, as well as to Google--if they are willing to receive the answer--Franklin Graham posted about Google's blunder, saying, "The question, 'WHO IS JESUS?' is the most important question a person can ever ask."
Graham's response to that matchless question was:
"Who is Jesus Christ? He is the Holy Son of God who came to earth in human flesh, was crucified on a cross for our sins, died, was buried, and rose to life on the third day. He is alive and reigns at the right hand of the Father in Heaven, and He's coming back again one day.
"The Word of God tells us even more about Him. He is Savior, Lord, and Master; He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life; He is King of kings and Lord of lords--He's the only way to Heaven."
Who do you say Jesus is?
Indoctrination
Indoctrination
The "religion of peace" is endeavoring to indoctrinate your children into its diabolical belief system and it is using your tax dollars to do it.
The following makes parents aware of how important it is to know what is being taught in our nation's school systems and to remind teachers and administrators that our public schools must not become places where our young and vulnerable students are subjected to proselytization into this false religion / world view under the guise of teaching world culture studies.
ANN ARBOR, Mich., Jan. 24, 2018 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Thomas More Law Center ("TMLC"), a national nonprofit public interest law firm based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, filed a federal lawsuit on January 23rd in the New Jersey District Court against several officials and teachers of the Chatham Middle School and the School District of the Chathams, located in New Jersey.
The lawsuit, claiming several violations of the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, was filed on behalf of Libby Hilsenrath and her minor son.
Seventh-grade students at Chatham Middle School were allegedly forced to endure Islamic propaganda and an explicit call to convert to Islam through a disturbing set of videos in their World Cultures and Geography class.
TMLC's affiliated New Jersey attorney, Michael Hrycak, filed the lawsuit. TMLC staff attorney, Kate Oliveri, the principle drafter of the federal complaint, observed: "The Board of Education and other Defendants are waging a war against the religious protections afforded by the First Amendment. They attack religious liberty by enticing young school children with a direct call to convert to Islam and providing a step-by-step guide on how to effect that conversion."
One of the videos, linked in this press release, seeks to convert students to Islam and is filled with the Islamic religious beliefs presented as facts, as well as pure Islamic propaganda. This five-minute video ends with the prayer "May God help us all find the true faith, Islam. Ameen."
This video includes the following phrases as facts:
"Allah is the one God who created the heavens and the earth, who has no equal and is all powerful."
"Muhammad (Peace be upon him) is the last & final Messenger of God. God gave him the Noble Quran."
"Lo, We have sent thee (O Muhammad) with the truth, a bringer of glad tidings and a warner."
"What is the Noble Quran? Divine Revelation sent to Muhammad the last Prophet of Allah. A Perfect guide for Humanity."
"The Noble Quran: Guidance, Mercy and Blessing for all Mankind."
"The Noble Quran: Without any doubt and an eloquent guide from Allah."
"The Beautiful Quran: Guidance for the wise & sensible."
"Islam: A shining beacon against the darkness of repression, segregation, intolerance and racism . . ."
This propaganda video also contains excerpts from the Quran stating that Islam is "perfected" religion and the only religion for mankind. And it ends with a call to conversion: "May God help us all find the true faith, Islam."
However, just as shocking is the background music which includes the poem "Qaseedah Burdah" in Arabic, describing Christians and Jews as "infidels" and praising Muhammad in gruesome detail for slaughtering them:
"He [Muhammad] kept on encountering with them (infidels) in every battle until they looked like meat put on butcher's bench (they were the lesson for those who were willing to encounter with the Muslims)" (parenthetical in original).
"It is as though the religion of Islam was a guest that visited every house of those (infidels and was) extremely desirous for the flesh of enemy. . ." (parenthetical in original).
"(The Muslims made their) white shining swords red (with the blood of infidels) after they were plunged; (and the majority of) enemies were having black hair (i.e., most of them were young)." (parenthetical in original).
Seventh-grade students were also instructed to view a subtle propaganda cartoon video, 5 Pillars, which included bright, multi-colored words quoting the Islamic conversion creed: "There is no god except Allah and Prophet Muhammad is His messenger." The video concludes with text containing contact information for the students of Chatham Middle School to set up their own mosque tour.
Clearly, as repulsive as this presentation was, seventh graders were given a sugarcoated, false depiction of Islam. They were not informed of the kidnappings, beheadings, slave-trading, massacres, and persecution of non-Muslims, nor of the repression of women — all done in the name of Islam.
Richard Thompson, TMLC President and Chief Counsel remarked, "What would people say if our public schools taught Christianity as the true faith? After watching this video, I can't imagine any reasonable person saying this is not Islamic indoctrination. Chatham Middle School made a mockery of the First Amendment's Establishment Clause."
Continued Thompson, "When Libby Hilsenrath brought her concerns to the school board's attention, on February 6, 2017, they were disregarded. And when she appeared on the Tucker Carlson Show on February 20, 2017 to express her concerns to the Nation, the school community pilloried her.
"Clueless school administrators across our Nation are allowing this type of indoctrination to take place, and it's up to vigilant and courageous parents like Libby Hilsenrath to stop it."
Because of Libby Hilsenrath's attempts to get the Board of Education to remove the videos and end the Islamic indoctrination of her son and the other seventh-grade students, she was subjected to a barrage of personal attacks from her own community which called her: "hateful," "ignorant," "intolerant," "racist," "closed minded," and the list goes on.
These attacks significantly intensified after she appeared on the Tucker Carlson Show.
Monday, January 29, 2018
Today in History
Today in History
1936
U.S. Baseball Hall of Fame Elects First Members
On January 29, 1936, the U.S. Baseball Hall of Fame elected its first members in Cooperstown, New York: Ty Cobb, Babe Ruth, Honus Wagner, Christy Matthewson and Walter Johnson.
The Hall of Fame actually had its beginnings in 1935, when plans were made to build a museum devoted to baseball and its 100-year history. A private organization based in Cooperstown called the Clark Foundation thought that establishing the Baseball Hall of Fame in their city would help to reinvigorate the area’s Depression-ravaged economy by attracting tourists.
To help sell the idea, the foundation advanced the idea that U.S. Civil War hero Abner Doubleday invented baseball in Cooperstown. The story proved to be phony, but baseball officials, eager to capitalize on the marketing and publicity potential of a museum to honor the game’s greats, gave their support to the project anyway.
In preparation for the dedication of the Hall of Fame in 1939–thought by many to be the centennial of baseball–the Baseball Writers’ Association of America chose the five greatest superstars of the game as the first class to be inducted:
Ty Cobb was the most productive hitter in history
Babe Ruth was both an ace pitcher and the greatest home-run hitter to play the game
Honus Wagner was a versatile star shortstop and batting champion
Christy Matthewson had more wins than any pitcher in National League history
Walter Johnson was considered one of the most powerful pitchers to ever have taken the mound.
Today, with approximately 350,000 visitors per year, the Hall of Fame continues to be the hub of all things baseball. It has elected 278 individuals, in all, including 225 players, 17 managers, 8 umpires and 28 executives
and pioneers.
Words to Ponder
Words to Ponder
The BIBLE
"For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil," Ecclesiastes 12:14.
Quotes of Presidents
"The world is witnessing the resurgence of a strong and prosperous America," Donald Trump
Wise Words
“Text messages between FBI officials Peter Strzok and Lisa Page show they ‘hated’ then-presidential candidate Donald Trump… and would have done anything to protect Hillary Clinton.” Trey Gowdy
Powerful Prayers to Vanquish the Enemy
Powerful Prayers to Vanquish the Enemy by Becky Harling
I have become more and more aware that we are in a battle and that our enemy wants to kill, steal and destroy. But here's the encouraging thing: Jesus Christ is on our side, and He wants us to have victory in our lives.
As the apostle John wrote, "...He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world" (1 John 4:4).
God doesn't just want us to sit back and do nothing in response to the devil's antics. He wants us to fight back by putting on the armor of God (Ephesians 6).
He also gives us two powerful weapons: praying Scripture and praising God.
One creative method for doing this is to use the "I am" statements that Jesus made about Himself as a method to praise Him. I believe that as you pray prayers of praise using Scripture, the enemy will flee. Why? The bottom line is this: Satan is allergic to the praise of Jesus Christ.
Here are some sample prayers of praise using the "I am" statements of Jesus:
I Am He (John 4:26). Lord Jesus, I praise You that You are He—the Messiah who has come to save me and set me free. I praise You that no weapon Satan has formed against me can thwart Your plan.
I Am the Bread of Life (John 6:35): Lord Jesus, I praise You as my bead of life, the only one who can truly satisfy all my needs. I praise You that You love me completely and that Your love is eternal. Thank You that even when I feel unloved, I can come before You and ask You to fill me with a deeper awareness of Your endless love.
I Am the Good Shepherd (John 10:11): Thank You, Lord Jesus, that You are my good shepherd. I praise You that You promise to provide for all my needs, and that You lead me beside quiet waters where my soul can be restored. Thank You that I can trust You through every transition, and that I don't need to fear because Your intentions toward me are good.
I Am the Light (John 8:12): Lord, sometimes this world feels dark! How I praise You that You came as the Light and that Your Light always conquers the dark. I thank You that even when Satan tempts me with dark thoughts of discouragement, Your Light can brighten my mood.
I Am the Resurrection and the Life (John 11:25): Jesus, how I praise You that You are able to resurrect any mess in my life. You are willing and able to take dead dreams and breathe new life into them. I thank You that You are continually resurrecting me into the person who You have called me to be.
I Am the Way, the Truth and the Life (John 14:6): Lord Jesus, I praise You that You show me the way to face the truth about all of life. Thank You that when I am willing to face the truth, You are able to bring healing and wholeness in my life. I praise You that You are absolute truth and that I can rest in that.
I Am the Vine (John 15:5). How I praise You, Lord Jesus, that though at times I feel inadequate, You are more than able. I praise You for being the vine and that all I need to worry about is resting in You. Thank You that as I abide and adore You, You will empower me to do the things that You've called me to do.
I Am the Living One (Rev. 1:17). I praise You, Lord Jesus, as the living one. I bow down and worship You. I am so grateful that I don't need to fear death because You are alive. Thank You that I will be able to worship and praise You for all eternity.
Friend, the next time you feel attacked by the enemy, try praising your way through some of Jesus' I Am statements. As you praise Him for who He is, your faith will flourish and Satan will flee.
Four Hindrances
Four Hindrances by Becky Dvorak
You believe it's God's will to heal you. You've been prayed for, and the church elders have anointed you with oil. You've done all that you know to do. Now what? What could possibly hinder your healing from manifesting? Let's come up with a checklist to see what might possibly be hindering your healing.
Lack of true revelation concerning healing could hinder your healing from manifesting. What do I mean by lack of true revelation?
For instance, you've heard amazing testimonies of others being healed, so you know God heals today. But even still, you are not fully convinced that He wills to heal all people, all the time, of all sickness and disease. And you're even more unsure if He wills to heal you personally. Until this true revelation comes, you will lack the confidence to believe without a shadow of a doubt.
James 1:6 tells us, "But let him ask in faith, without wavering. For he who wavers is like a wave of the sea, driven and tossed with the wind." Let's continue with this point about hindrance.
And just how does this true revelation come?
This question leads us to our next point of study.
Another hindrance could be a lack of the healing word. So often God's people do not read and study the Word of God, or they are not focused in their study, so their faith is weak. I find Satan is a mastermind at distracting God's people from what they need to focus on.
If you want healing to manifest, you need to zero in on His healing word. Now is not the time to study finances, but healing and healing only. Stay on target until you hit the bullseye– healing.
The Bible is clear about how faith comes. It tells us in Romans 10:17, "So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."
More often than not, you block your own healing by the faithless words that you speak. And you often speak these faithless confessions without realizing it.
You need to change the way in which you speak. You must speak faith for healing, no matter how the circumstances look.
Proverbs 18:21 teaches us that, "Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit."
Another common hindrance would be your actions, or lack of them. If your actions do not line up with faith, you will stop your miracle from manifesting.
Faith without works is dead, and dead faith is no faith. Your actions must line up with the Word of God. "So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead" (James 2:17).
These are four major hindrances that will block healing from manifesting. And they need our constant attention when activating our faith for a miracle.
Life with the HOLY SPIRIT
Life with the HOLY SPIRIT by Kathryn Ruonal
I was driving to church by myself recently and thinking about the Holy Spirit. I love being around people, but I also really enjoy the moments I get to be in the car alone. I am able to have some time alone with God, and I'll take as much of that as I can get. So as I was driving, I told the Holy Spirit how much I enjoy His companionship. I desperately want and appreciate the companionship of the Holy Spirit and need time alone with Him.
We've talked a lot about who the Holy Spirit is and how He helps us. He is there for us in times of need, and He empowers us to love others and bear fruit for His kingdom. But the Holy Spirit wants to be more than our crisis manager and our productivity manager. He wants relationship.
People used to say of Kathryn Kuhlman that the Holy Spirit was her best friend. I remember hearing that and thinking, "Oh, I want that!" And I do. I love that the Holy Spirit is there when we cry out for help, but the relationship is created to be so much more than that. There's another level at which He comforts and encourages as a companion; that's the best part of our relationship with Him. If we aren't cultivating that, we're missing out on the best gift He has given us: Himself.
"A man who has friends must show himself friendly..." (Proverbs 18:24). When people say they don't have any friends, I encourage them to come to a meeting, eat with people, talk with them and invite them over. Be friendly and, and you'll have friends.
The next line in that verse takes it deeper: "...and there is a friend that sticks closer than a brother." I
love my natural family and my church family. I appreciate my friendships and have a deep sense of loyalty to my friends. However, there is no human being on this planet who completely understands us the way the Holy Spirit does. He's the Spirit of God Himself in the perfect fellowship of the Trinity. He knows and sees every part of you. And He gets it.
In your friendship with the Holy Spirit you never need to try to justify or defend yourself. You don't have to worry that He will think badly of you. He sees you as the apple of His eye. He looks at you in light of the blood of Jesus and smiles. He absolutely delights in your company.
When I first began to understand that the Holy Spirit actually enjoys being with me and is happy to fellowship with me, everything changed. My conversation with Him used to be filled with feelings of condemnation.
As I began to understand the truth of what it means to live by faith in God's forgiveness and righteousness, I was able to boldly approach the Throne of Grace.
The Bible says, "...The righteous are bold as a lion" (Proverbs 28:1), but until you settle in your heart that the blood of Jesus is enough to cleanse you from all unrighteousness, you won't be able to have that boldness. You won't be able to engage in your relationship with the Holy Spirit at that level of delight and joy because you'll always be wondering if everything is OK between you.
The Holy Spirit is my best friend, and He speaks to me in all sorts of ways. If you're struggling to hear God's voice, you can open your Bible and just start reading until you get something.
The Holy Spirit will speak to you there; just keep reading. He is the Word, and He wants to speak to you.
Write down what He shows you.
Meditate on it for the day.
Talk to someone about it.
His WORD is our daily bread, but very often we just leave it out there on the ground like manna that was provided but never picked up.
As we read His Word, we grow accustomed to His voice because we will be getting to know Him better and better.
The Holy Spirit will speak to you in ways that are unique to you if you listen expectantly. He knows what is coming in your day, in your future, and He has encouragement for you if you take the time to tune in and allow Him to reveal Himself, His truth, His love to you.
Sunday, January 28, 2018
Sultan bin Salman
* Sultan bin Salman Al Saud
Born:
27 June 1956 (age 61)
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Nationality--Saudi Arabian
Alma mater--Syracuse University
ParentsSalman of Saudi Arabia (father), Sultana bint Turki Al Sudairi (mother)
Payload Specialist
Fighter pilot
Rank--Colonel, Royal Saudi Air Force
Time in space--7d 01h 38m
Sultan bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud (Arabic: سلطان بن سلمان بن عبد العزيز آل سعود) (born 27 June 1956) is a former Royal Saudi Air Force pilot who flew aboard the American STS-51-G Space Shuttle mission as a payload specialist, and a member of the House of Saud. He is thus the first member of a royal family to be an astronaut, and the first Arab and Muslim to fly in outer space.
Sultan was born in Riyadh on 27 June 1956. He is the second son of King Salman. His older brother Fahd was born 20 July 1955 and died in 2000. His mother is Sultana bint Turki Al Sudairi who died in July 2011. She was a daughter of King Salman's uncle, Turki bin Ahmed Al Sudairi, who was one of the former governors of al-Jouf, Jizan and Asir Province and was a participant in the unification campaign under His cousin, the founder of the Kingdom Abdulaziz ibn Saud. and Prince Sultan is a full brother of Fahd, Ahmed, Abdulaziz, Faisal and Hassa
Sultan completed his elementary and secondary education in Riyadh. He received a master's degree in social and political science with distinction from Syracuse University in 1999.
Sultan bin Salman started his career in 1982 as a researcher in the department of international communications at the Ministry of Information in Saudi Arabia. His tenure lasted until 1984. He served as deputy director of the Saudi media committee for the Saudi athletes participating in the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. Later that year, the department of TV advertising was created at the Ministry of Information, and he was appointed its acting director.
From 17 June through 24 June 1985, he flew as a payload specialist on STS-51-G Discovery. As one of a seven-member international crew, which also included American and French astronauts, he represented the Arab Satellite Communications Organization (ARABSAT) in deploying their satellite, ARABSAT-1B. Sultan also holds the record for being the youngest person to fly on the Space Shuttle, at the age of 28.
Later, he assisted in establishing the Association of Space Explorers, an international organization comprising all astronauts and cosmonauts who have been in space, and served on its executive board of directors for several years.
Since 2009 Sultan bin Salman has served as the President and Chairman of the Board with the rank of a Minister of the Saudi Commission for Tourism & National Heritage (SCTH). He had served as the Commission's Secretary General since its inception in 2000. It is claimed that as Secretary-General, he contributed significantly to the improvement of Saudi Arabia's tourism and national heritage strategy, and organizational building and innovation in the Saudi government.
Sultan bin Salman also holds the following titles:
Honorary Chairman for the Saudi Society for Archeological Studies, King Saud University
Vice-Chairman of the Historic Jeddah Development Committee (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
Chairman of the Advisory Committee for the King Saud University College of Tourism and Antiquities
Member of the Board of Directors and Executive Committee, Chairman of the Riyadh King Khaled International Airport (KKIA) Development Board – General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) 2008 – 2012
Chairman of the Board of Directors, the Disabled Children's Association (DCA), KSA since 1988.
Co-Founder and Chairman of the Board of Trustees, King Salman Center for Disability Research (KSCDR), KSA.
Founder and President, Al Turath, KSA (an organization dedicated to the preservation and development of Saudi national heritage)[16]
Founder and Chairman of the Board, Saudi Aviation Club
Chairman of the Board of Trustees, The King Salman Science Oasis (A science center and museum)
Founding Member and Member of the Board, The Graduates Society of Model Institute of the Capital Schools, Riyadh, KSA
Member of the Supreme Committee for the Development of Al-Dir'iyyah (a UNESCO World Heritage site) Ad-Diriyah, KSA
Member of the Board of Directors and Member of the Committee of the Center for the History of Makkah, King AbdulAziz Foundation for Research and Archives, KSA
Chairman of the Executive Committee, Princess Hassa Al Sudairi Charitable Foundation
Chairman of the Riyadh Social Responsibility Council, Riyadh Chamber of Commerce 2008 – 2010
Regarding the connections between the state and the people, he argued that "Every citizen of this country is a responsible person. Here the state is the citizen and the citizen is the state. There is no division between the leadership and the citizens."
He believes in building partnerships in all that is accomplished and have always advocated the importance of the role of local communities.
Sultan bin Salman is married to Princess Haifa, daughter of Prince Saud bin Faisal, the late minister of foreign affairs of Saudi Arabia. They have three children. His son, Salman (born 1990), attended St. Andrew's University in Scotland and Oxford University and married a daughter of Prince Khalid bin Saud Al Saud, a great-grandson of Mohammed bin Abdul Rahman, the brother of King Abdulaziz in Riyadh on 5 December 2012. His Daughter (born 1994) also attended St Andrews University.
He enjoys flying, gliding, skiing and nature in his spare time.
Sultan owns a farm in Diriyah which is a model of modern facilities in a historical setting. His farm reflects his attempt to retrace the origins of the Al Saud family, and to document the Al Saud's claims over the Najd.
* An Interesting Footnote
Before Prince Sultan accepted the offer to be a member of the crew of the space shuttle, he sought the permission of his father, Prince Salman (governor of Riyadh, who has since become the Saudi King).
Prince Salman said he would be honored to have his son become the first royal and the first muslim in space, but first, he must obtain the permission of two other people: His uncle, who was then the King of Saudi Arabia, and of his mother.
The king granted his permission very readily. It is said, however, that Prince Sultan required several weeks to persuade his mother to grant her permission.
Today in History
Today in History
1986
Challenger Disaster
At 11:38 a.m. EST, on January 28, 1986, the space shuttle Challenger lifted off from Cape Canaveral, Florida, and Christa McAuliffe was on her way to becoming the first ordinary U.S. civilian to travel into space.
McAuliffe, a 37-year-old high school social studies teacher from New Hampshire, won a competition that earned her a place among the seven-member crew of the Challenger. She underwent months of shuttle training but then, beginning January 23, was forced to wait six long days as the Challenger‘s launch countdown was repeatedly delayed because of weather and technical problems. Finally, on January 28, the shuttle lifted off.
Seventy-three seconds later, hundreds on the ground, including Christa’s family, stared in disbelief as the shuttle broke up in a forking plume of smoke and fire. Millions more watched the wrenching tragedy unfold on live television. There were no survivors.
In 1976, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) unveiled the world’s first reusable manned spacecraft, the Enterprise. Five years later, space flights of the shuttle began when Columbia traveled into space on a 54-hour mission.
Launched by two solid-rocket boosters and an external tank, only the aircraft-like shuttle entered into orbit around Earth. When the mission was completed, the shuttle fired engines to reduce speed and, after descending through the atmosphere, landed like a glider. Early shuttles took satellite equipment into space and carried out various scientific experiments. The Challenger disaster was the first major shuttle accident.
In the aftermath of the disaster, President Ronald Reagan appointed a special commission to determine what went wrong with Challenger and to develop future corrective measures. The presidential commission was headed by former secretary of state William Rogers, and included former astronaut Neil Armstrong and former test pilot Chuck Yeager. The investigation determined that the disaster was caused by the failure of an “O-ring” seal in one of the two solid-fuel rockets. The elastic O-ring did not respond as expected because of the cold temperature at launch time, which began a chain of events that resulted in the massive loss. As a result, NASA did not send astronauts into space for more than two years as it redesigned a number of features of the space shuttle.
In September 1988, space shuttle flights resumed with the successful launching of the Discovery. Since then, the space shuttle has carried out numerous important missions, such as the repair and maintenance of the Hubble Space Telescope and the construction of the International Space Station.
On February 1, 2003, a second space-shuttle disaster rocked the United States when Columbia disintegrated upon reentry of the Earth’s atmosphere. All aboard were killed. Despite fears that the problems that downed Columbia had not been satisfactorily addressed, space-shuttle flights resumed on July 26, 2005, when Discovery was again put into orbit.
I Will Serve You
A Lovely Song
Here is a lovely song that will always represent a lovely time and place in our lives. We lived in Atlanta for only a brief time, but the people we met there have impacted our hearts and lives for good through our lifetime.
One of GOD's loveliest daughters sang this song frequently at our little church in Smyrna, Georgia.
Thank you, Ann, for one of my most precious memories:
I Will Serve Thee
William J. and Gloria Gaither
I will serve Thee because I love Thee
You have given life to me.
I was nothing before You found me,
You have given life to me.
Heartaches, broken pieces,
Ruined lives are why You died on Calvary.
Your touch was what I longed for,
You have given life to me.
I will serve Thee because I love Thee
You have given life to me.
I was nothing before You found me,
You have given life to me.
Heartaches, broken pieces,
Ruined lives are why You died on Calvary.
Your touch was what I longed for,
You have given life to me.
Heartaches, broken pieces,
Ruined lives are why You died on Calvary.
Your touch was what I longed for,
You have given life to me.
You have given life—to me.
I will serve You (Thee) - YouTube
www.youtube.com/watch?v=tUpfhoo5jzQ
Jul 05, 2009 · I will serve You (Thee) I will serve You ... Because He lives I can face tomorrow - Duration: ... LORD I OFFER MY LIFE TO YOU - Duration: ...
I will serve You (Thee)
I will serve You (Thee)
youtube.com
Prayer Initiative
Prayer Initiative
International Relations
Suggested Scriptural references ...
But the Lord sits enthroned forever; He has established His throne for justice, and He judges the world with righteousness; He judges the peoples with uprightness. Psalm 9:7-8
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem! May they be secure who love you! Psalm 122:6
Suggested prayers ...
As we pray for the restoration of our country, we pray that You would make America a light to the world and a blessing to all the nations.
Father in heaven, help us to restore a sense of national dignity. Teach us to be a virtuous people, worthy of respect. Allow the world to see Your truth and grace displayed in our citizenry.
Make us ever mindful to treat others as we would want to be treated.
Please give Your perspective on this world and Your wisdom to all those who represent America in official dealings with other nations. Convict, forgive and correct the failures of our leaders to seek Your guidance as they interact with the nations of Your world. Give them humility, insight, discernment, and strength.
We pray that America would take the lead in ending greed and corruption around Your world.
As our citizens travel abroad, Lord, we ask You to quicken us to represent our nation honorably and with humility.
Father, we pray for Your intervention in righting the distorted image of America that is exported through media and entertainment.
We especially ask You to lead us in our attitude and dealings with the nation of Israel. We pray for the peace of Jerusalem. Lead and convict those who set foreign policy. Give them a full understanding of Your Scriptural mandate to bless Israel.
We would ask, Lord, for favor from other nations who have benefited from the sacrifice of American blood and treasure.
~~~
“We ought to cultivate peace, commerce, and friendship with all nations, and this not merely as the best means of promoting our own material interests, but in a spirit of Christian benevolence toward our fellow-men, wherever their lot may be cast.” President James Buchanan
Beauty for Ashes
He Gave Me Beauty For Ashes - Maranatha Singers - YouTube
www.youtube.com/watch?v=0q5k6uPMxv4
Aug 16, 2013 · Beauty For Ashes. He gave me beauty for ashes The oil of joy for mourning The garment of praise For the spirit of heaviness That we might be trees of ...
Words to Ponder
Words to Ponder
The BIBLE
“Unto those that mourn in Zion, will He give beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that He might be glorified.” Isaiah 61:3
Quotes of Presidents
“We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights, among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” Thomas Jefferson
Wise Words
“If you want men to build a ship, inspire them to yearn for the vast and endless sea.” Antoine de Saint-Exupery
Botoxed Camels Banned
Botoxed Camels Banned
The fiercely competitive Saudi pageant judges camels on their shapely lips and well placed humps.
The Saudis are VERY particular about the camels that win this highly esteemed contest. Perhaps there's a lesson here for women who think they need to enhance their natural beauty.
Perhaps rather than attempt to perfect their physical image before a highly critical world, they should endeavor to perfect the spiritual beauty which won't diminish with age.
Perhaps everyone who professes faith in CHRIST should strive to attain and to project the "beauty of holiness" to the world around them that is languishing in man's counterfeit beauty.
Perhaps if JESUS were as highly prized as believers profess HIM to be, HIS would be the only beauty CHRISTIANS would care about; HIS would be the lovely image they would reflect to the world.
Our HOLY GOD is the ONE who has promised us "beauty for ashes and the oil of joy for mourning." May everyone who names HIS name strive to be beautiful and joyful before HIM.
The fiercely competitive Saudi pageant judges camels on their shapely lips and well placed humps.
The Saudis are VERY particular about the camels that win this highly esteemed contest. Perhaps there's a lesson here for women who think they need to enhance their natural beauty.
Perhaps rather than attempt to perfect their physical image before a highly critical world, they should endeavor to perfect the spiritual beauty which won't diminish with age.
Perhaps everyone who professes faith in CHRIST should strive to attain and to project the "beauty of holiness" to the world around them that is languishing in man's counterfeit beauty.
Perhaps if JESUS were as highly prized as believers profess HIM to be, HIS would be the only beauty CHRISTIANS would care about; HIS would be the lovely image they would reflect to the world.
Our HOLY GOD is the ONE who has promised us "beauty for ashes and the oil of joy for mourning." May everyone who names HIS name strive to be beautiful and joyful before HIM.
Forgiving Ourselves
Forgiving Ourselves
From: Today God Is First by Os Hillman
January 28, 2018
"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness," 1 John 1:9.
The murderer was condemned to life in prison. Then one day something amazing happened. The guard came and opened the jail cell. "You are free to go. Someone else is taking your place," said the guard.
"How can this be? I am still guilty!" said the prisoner.
"Your debt has been paid. You are free to leave," said the guard once more.
The prisoner decided not to leave. "I cannot allow another to pay my debt," said the prisoner. Because of his pride he chose to remain in bondage.
Imagine the guilt Peter must have felt when he denied the Son of God three times by saying he never knew him. Imagine what he must have felt the moment he reunited with Him after the resurrection.
The hardest person to forgive sometimes is ourselves. It is especially hard for high achievers to forgive themselves. We think we are above such failure. However, the Bible says we all sin and it is impossible to remedy that sin by ourselves.
"If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives?" (1 John 1:8,10).
The question is not whether we will sin, the question is what we will do when we do sin.
There is only one thing for us to do. Go to the cross.
Jesus paid for that sin by dying on the cross. Picture yourself writing your sin on a white piece of paper, then pinning it to the cross. Now, leave it there. The cross is for sinners. When Jesus looks at you, He no longer sees your sin. He cannot see the sin because He can only see the cross.
When you come to Jesus with your sin, there is nothing more you can do besides confessing and renouncing your sin.
Sometimes it may require restitution with others. However, once you confess your sin and ask forgiveness, it is no longer on the ledger of debts.
Why not choose to walk free? The cell has been opened.
Saturday, January 27, 2018
Clothesline
Once, in a time long ago and far away, 'social network' stretched throughout the neighborhood -- and it was a clothesline.
My Grandma Was Amazing.
GRANDMA
No matter how many years have gone by, no matter how many other people fill the space of our lives, we still miss the wonderful times we had at Grandma's house.
She taught us to love unconditionally, she taught us to work diligently, she taught us to try repeatedly until the impossible task was accomplished.
She was a living history book who shared her memories. She caused us to see things with an eye on the past while striding confidently into the future.
She taught our parents how to give without measure of the sweet love that bound our family together through the most devastating of storms.
Thank you, Grandma.
Two Options
Two Options by Dr. D. James Kennedy
‘Today, if you will hear His voice, do not harden your hearts…’ Hebrews 3:15
There are two groups of people: those who are on their way to heaven and those who are not. The first group comprises people who have trusted in Christ alone for their salvation, gaining eternal life for their souls through Christ’s death on the cross.
The second group consists of people who haven’t committed their lives to Christ, including (ironically) those who may be trying to work their way into heaven, hoping to gain entrance by their own merits.
Which group are you in today? Have you made the decision to give your life to Christ?
Many decisions in life offer only two options. And often we find that while we’re deciding which option to choose, we’ve already chosen one by default.
For example, suppose your car is stalled on a railroad track, and before you’ve restarted it, a train approaches at high speed.
Two options now loom before you. You can leap from your car and save your life, or you can stay in your car and try to save both your life and your auto.
As you weigh the dangers and gains of both options, you’ve made a choice with life-impacting consequences: You’re still in your car, and the train is still coming!
Likewise, you have two options today: life or death. But while you consider your options, you’ve already made a choice, for if you’ve never accepted Christ, you’re still in that state of death into which every soul was born. And every second you put off that decision, the judgment train of God continues to roll.
Christ’s gift of salvation is the greatest offer ever made.
Someday God will rescind His offer, and this period of grace will end forever. But now, the sun of His grace shines, and the offer of His free gift is still available.
I urge you this day, at the dawn of this new year (if you have not already), to repent of your sins, to place your faith in Jesus, and to accept Him as your Savior and Lord. Your life will never be the same!
Salvation is free for you because someone else has paid its price. ANONYMOUS
Easter Treats
Easter Treats
Easter comes early this year--APRIL 1, 2018--be sure you have your treats from Rosalind's for all your baskets!
Free Chocolate! Like this post AND share it for your chance to win!!! We will be giving away a 1lb Egg of your choice, a 12oz Rabbit and a 14oz bag of Foiled eggs. We will choose THREE winners this Sunday at 3pm.
http://www.rosalindcandy.com/collections/easter-collection
Today in History
Today in History
1888
National Geographic Society Founded
On January 27, 1888, the National Geographic Society was founded in Washington, D.C., for “the increase and diffusion of geographical knowledge.”
The 33 men who originally met and formed the National Geographic Society were a diverse group of geographers, explorers, teachers, lawyers, cartographers, military officers and financiers. All shared an interest in scientific and geographical knowledge, as well as an opinion that in a time of discovery, invention, change and mass communication, Americans were becoming more curious about the world around them. With this in mind, the men drafted a constitution and elected as the Society’s president a lawyer and philanthropist named Gardiner Greene Hubbard.
Neither a scientist nor a geographer, Hubbard represented the Society’s desire to reach out to the layman.
Nine months after its inception, the Society published its first issue of National Geographic magazine. Readership did not grow, however, until Gilbert H. Grosvenor took over as editor in 1899. In only a few years, Grosvenor boosted circulation from 1,000 to 2 million by discarding the magazine’s format of short, overly technical articles for articles of general interest accompanied by photographs.
National Geographic quickly became known for its stunning and pioneering photography, being the first to print natural-color photos of sky, sea and the North and South Poles.
The Society used its revenues from the magazine to sponsor expeditions and research projects that furthered humanity’s understanding of natural phenomena. In this role, the National Geographic Society has been instrumental in making possible some of the great achievements in exploration and science. T
o date, it has given out more than 1,400 grants, funding that helped Robert Peary journey to the North Pole, Richard Byrd fly over the South Pole, Jacques Cousteau delve into the sea and Jane Goodall observe wild chimpanzees, among many other projects.
Today, the National Geographic Society is one of the world’s largest non-profit scientific and educational institutions.
National Geographic continues to sell as a glossy monthly, with a circulation of around 9 million. The Society also sees itself as a guardian of the planet’s natural resources, and in this capacity, focuses on ways to broaden its reach and educate its readers about the unique relationship that humans have with the earth.
Prayer Initiative
Prayer Initiative
Health Care/Healing
Suggested Scriptural references ...
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting,.. James 1:5-6
But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. James 3:17
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6
I am the Lord that healeth thee. Exodus 15:26
Suggested prayers ...
Thank You, Father, for all You have given us through the gifts and talents, compassion, intelligence and creativity of our health care professionals in America. Thank You for what has always been the finest health care system in the world.
As our ultimate Healer and Lord, give us Your heart to care for the sick, the disabled, the handicapped and the elderly in ways that honor You and our fellow man. Guide us, Lord, to Your model for health care and healing in our country.
Father, we are in desperate need for Your guidance in how best to serve our fellow human beings who are in need of health care. Please lead those who are working to bring that about. Guide and guard them from short-sightedness, manipulation, greed, self interest, political agendas and corruption.
God Almighty, we ask You to help us sort out truth from deception, right from wrong, and good from evil. Give us Your wisdom, and the courage to stand for what is true, right, honorable and good for those who need health care and those who provide it.
Sovereign God, we pray for the power of Your healing and restoration in the life of every person affected by natural disasters and war.
~~~
“The general prevalence of the blessings of health through our wide land has made more conspicuous the sufferings and sorrows which the dark shadow of pestilence has cast upon a portion of our people. This heavy affliction even the Divine Ruler has tempered to the suffering communities in the universal sympathy and succor which have flowed to their relief, and the whole nation may rejoice in the unity of spirit in our people by which they cheerfully share one another’s burdens.” President Rutherford B. Hayes
Health Care/Healing
Suggested Scriptural references ...
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting,.. James 1:5-6
But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. James 3:17
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6
I am the Lord that healeth thee. Exodus 15:26
Suggested prayers ...
Thank You, Father, for all You have given us through the gifts and talents, compassion, intelligence and creativity of our health care professionals in America. Thank You for what has always been the finest health care system in the world.
As our ultimate Healer and Lord, give us Your heart to care for the sick, the disabled, the handicapped and the elderly in ways that honor You and our fellow man. Guide us, Lord, to Your model for health care and healing in our country.
Father, we are in desperate need for Your guidance in how best to serve our fellow human beings who are in need of health care. Please lead those who are working to bring that about. Guide and guard them from short-sightedness, manipulation, greed, self interest, political agendas and corruption.
God Almighty, we ask You to help us sort out truth from deception, right from wrong, and good from evil. Give us Your wisdom, and the courage to stand for what is true, right, honorable and good for those who need health care and those who provide it.
Sovereign God, we pray for the power of Your healing and restoration in the life of every person affected by natural disasters and war.
~~~
“The general prevalence of the blessings of health through our wide land has made more conspicuous the sufferings and sorrows which the dark shadow of pestilence has cast upon a portion of our people. This heavy affliction even the Divine Ruler has tempered to the suffering communities in the universal sympathy and succor which have flowed to their relief, and the whole nation may rejoice in the unity of spirit in our people by which they cheerfully share one another’s burdens.” President Rutherford B. Hayes
Super Bowl Humor
SUPER BOWL HUMOR
My friend Paul from Philadelphia has two tickets for the 2018 SUPER BOWL, both box seats. He paid $4,000 for both tickets, but he didn't realize when he bought them, it was going to be the same day as his wedding.
If you are interested, he is looking for someone to take his place.
It's at St Andrew’s Cathedral, Philadelphia, PA at 3 P.M. Her name is Elizabeth, (Ellie) she is 5'4, about 115lbs, good cook.
She'll be the one in the white dress.
Words to Ponder
Words to Ponder
The BIBLE
“All who fear the Lord will hate evil; therefore, I hate pride and arrogance and corruption and perverse speech.” Proverbs 8:13
Quotes of Presidents
“We must assert our values and reconcile our principles as a nation of laws.” Barack Obama
Wise Words
“There are no surer guarantees of equality among men than poverty and misfortune.” Alexis de Tocqueville
A Prophetess Named Anna
A Prophetess Named Anna by Carol McLeod
Only three verses in the entire New Testament are given to a prophetess named Anna; only three verses that hold a mere four sentences. And yet the Holy Spirit determined that her role in the story of God incarnate was an important one and deserved to be told.
Perhaps the Holy Spirit knew that you and I would not understand the entire miraculous meaning of the story without knowing that Anna was a part of God's plan.
And there was Anna a prophetess, a daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age and had lived with her husband seven years from her virginity. And she was a widow of about eighty-four years of age who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fasting and prayer night and day. Coming at that moment she gave thanks to the Lord and spoke of Him to all those who looked for the redemption of Jerusalem (Luke 2:36-38).
Anna was a prophetess! She was a woman who listened for God's voice and heard it often. Not only did she hear God's voice, but she had given God her mouth to use at her moment in history. Anna heard things others did not hear and said things others were not called upon to speak.
Anna's father was Phanuel; the name Phanuel means "vision of God". Apparently, Anna had learned to see things that others could not see from her dad. She had been trained to look for and to hear from a kingdom that cannot be seen with the natural eye nor heard with the natural ear.
Oh, how I want to be like Anna!
Did you know that "Phanuel" is also the place where Jacob wrestled with God? I wonder if Anna had done some wrestling in her life over her grief or her disappointment? You don't reach the ripe old age of 84 without wrestling with God a time or two along life's journey.
I have learned that it is not a sin to wrestle with God as long as you enter the fight knowing that God will always win. When Jacob wrestled with God at Phanuel, God changed Jacob's name to Israel, which means, "Victory."
If you are wrestling with God today, you can be sure that God is going to work a great victory in your life. When a child of God wrestles and leans into the ways of the Father, it might just produce the greatest victory that you will ever experience this side of heaven.
Phanuel and Anna were both of the tribe of Asher, which was one of the 12 tribes of Israel. The name Asher means "happy."
Names are significant in the Bible and are not to be overlooked or disregarded. When the Holy Spirit deems it important enough to list someone's genealogy, we need to look for the deeper meaning there.
Although Anna most likely had wrestled with God, she was also a victorious and happy woman.
Girls at this time in history were generally married between the ages of 12 and 16. Anna had been married for only seven years and had probably been a widow since she was in her early 20s. Now, at 84 years old, Anna had been a widow for over six decades of her life.
As I think about this woman, I must wonder if Anna's life had perhaps turned out differently than she had hoped. I wonder if she had longed to hold babies of her own and instead she watched other women for generations bring their babies to the temple.
If Anna was disappointed with life, you never would have known it by her actions. She gave every hour of every day of every year to the Lord; Anna prayed when others would have whined.
Anna fasted when others would have been frustrated. Rather than hearing the sweet giggle of a baby or the pitter-pat of tiny feet, Anna was intent on hearing the voice of God. Instead of talking solely about her personal pain, she was a prophetess and declared the plan of God
Oh! How I want to be like Anna!
When Anna laid eyes on the infant Jesus, she broke out into praise and worship! Anna continued to talk about this little one who was the Hope of Israel rather than perpetually rehearse her disappointment with the life she had been given.
We need some Annas today who will fast and pray, who will listen for the voice of God in spite of their sorrow and grief. We need a generation of Annas who will declare, "My bones might creak, and I may not be around much longer but I will not waste one day of the life that I have been given!"
We could certainly use some Annas today who will use their mouths to talk about the plan of God regardless of their personal pain and disappointment. We need an Anna or two who will ask God to show her what others don't see and to hear what others are unable to hear.
Anna's life was not a waste, but it was an incredible example of what one woman can do by determining to stay close to God, to hear His voice and to be His mouthpiece.
She wasn't defined by her pain or by the wrestling, but she will always be remembered as the woman who fasted, prayed and worshipped.
Anna will also be remembered as the woman who recognized Jesus.
Oh, how I want to be like Anna!
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