Drugs

The Scripture says in Galations 5:19-21-"Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions ,envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God."

The term "sorceries" used in this passage of Scripture carries the idea of magical arts and use of potions. Interestingly, the Greek word for sorceries is pharmakeion which is the very basis for the English word "Pharmacy." This makes sense especially since the ancient occultists and even the occultist in our day uses drugs to bring them into what we call an "altered state of Conscious" and the occultists, witches, and satanists say its helpful to contact spirits, carry out seances, and do other things of this sort.

So are illegal drug users and pushers Sorcerers? Once again According to W.E. Vine’s expository dictionary of New Testament Words (page 1074), the word SORCERY comes from a Greek word, PHARMAKIA - used as a noun, it “signifies a sorcerer,” one who uses drugs, potions, spells, enchantments, as in Rev. 21:8.
-Tom

Stand Out

So this post is about a prophet who was not remembered for his honesty but still served God wholeheartedly despite the fact. His name is Micaiah. In 2nd Chronicles 16-18, we read about the reign of Jehoshaphat and how he and his father Asa were among the few kings of Judah during that time that actually worshiped God. The rest served idols and Baals and every now and then when a good king came up, you can read that they tore down the high places and the alters of Baal or something like that. God blessed Jehoshaphat and Judah because their king followed Him and He strengthened the nation so that the surrounding nations were afraid of them. Their very own enemies gave them gifts so that they would not go to war. In chapter 17 it is recorded of the captains that lead up to 300,000 men!!! That's three-hundred thousand if you like it spelled out!!(It kinda looks larger this way hehe) Anyway, Jehoshaphat, this awesome king, made an alliance- through a marriage- to the king of Israel, King Ahab- who was an evil and wicked king. And Ahab asked Jehoshaphat if he would go with him(Ahab) to war with Ramoth Gilead. Jehoshaphat agreed that he would go because his people are like the people of Israel, but he said that they should inquire of the Lord whether they should or should not go.
So Ahab brought in his four hundred prophets to prophecy unto him whether or not God would bring them to victory and they all said "Go for God is with you."
But Jehoshaphat inquired whether or not there was still another prophet that he could listen to and Ahab said that there was one named Micaiah but he chose not to listen to Micaiah because he always brought bad news. Jehoshaphat told him not to speak like that and asked Micaiah whether or not they should go and Micaiah said that he saw the kingdom of God and heard Him ask "Who shall go and persuade Ahab to go to war?" and a spirit came and said that it would become a lying spirit that would come upon all the prophets of Ahab so that they will lie and let Ahab be conquered in battle.
Long story short... Ahab decides to go to war undercover and dresses like a common soldier and Jehoshaphat dresses in his robes and when they go to war and the enemy surrounds Jehoshaphat, he immediately gets down and prays to the Lord and the people get distracted, then they realize that its not Ahab and they leave Jehoshaphat. While this is going on, a soldier shoots an arrow at random and hits Ahab and he dies moments later.

Anyways the idea is that Micaiah was honest about what he saw and didn't lie about it. I personally like this story because it all ended up working out according to God's plan. Ahab even tried to disguise himself yet God knew exactly where he was.

We, as people, still hide among the rest of the people in the world, though we have been called out. We can't stay hidden forever, we have to break out of our comfort zones and lead people towards God like Jehoshaphat did to his people. He got rid of the impurities and set up the nation of Judah back on God's Word. It's not an easy thing to do but it's some thing that we've got to make happen.

Self-pity

People often feel this emotion when they think that others could not possibly understand what they're going through. They feel like they've been dealt a life filled with sorrow and that there's nothing that could possibly change that. Yet for us Christians, I hope we remind ourselves constantly that we're never alone in our trials and misfortunes. That we actually do have someone who can understand what we're going through. Self-pity is usually described as an of pitying oneself, especially in an exaggerated or self-indulgent manner.

The bible has a great deal to say about it too. In its simplest statement, I would say that the bible would tell us to be really careful about this emotion. It makes us feel hollow and lonely in our soul and we get a sense that even God has left us. We can get a sense of feeling that not only our friends or family can't understand what we're going through, but even that God can't fully sympathize with our needs and our tremendous hurt in life. Our focus shifts from God's love and care for us to our struggles alone. It is a very dangerous place in a Christian's life. One can easily fall into temptations, especially a leader. So I hope we learn to see the bigger picture in our life. That we're not the only ones who endure sadness or sorrow. That there are others who've been where we have been. And above all, God does understand you. Keep hoping in the God who created you in a fearful and wonderful manner. He'll always love you and He puts you through trials and tribulations only so that you may be conformed more and more to the image of His Son, Jesus Christ (Rom 8:28-29).

Romans 5:3 - More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance(perseverance).

1 Corinthians 10:13 - No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

Philippians 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

Mathew 11:28-30 - Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Keep smiling, keep reading, and keep praying.
God bless =)

Jesus Loves You

Hope you guys are having a wonderful week ....Jesus loves you! John 3:16 -Lisa

Doctrine

Acts is a book of history, not doctrine. If they were doctrine, then we wouldn’t need the epistles. We don’t esteem the books of gospel as doctrine either. We only count them as experiences, not explanations. Every doctrine we believe must be supported in the epistles, and explained by an apostle. For example, in John chapter 21, it says “He breathed on him and said receive the Holy Ghost.” Although Jesus did that, we don’t do the same because neither Paul nor Peter ever validated it. What is practiced in the believer’s life must be explained in the epistles. A doctrine must have a central point of explanation, a locus classicus. For the gift of tongues, there is no supporting text. Also we now have the completed Word of God, unlike the times of the apostles, when it was still being finished. The Word of God is now able to work in the hearts of mankind to convince and convict people of God’s salvation. In Luke 16, the rich man asked if Lazarus could be sent back to share the good news of Christ with them, however miracles don’t save people, it is the power of God’s word that penetrates into the mind and hearts of mankind and takes root to cause them to struggle within themselves and convict. We are not able to disqualify anyone if they claim that God worked through them with the gift of tongues for the purpose of extending His Kingdom, but it should not be taught as doctrine.

Luke 9:23 And he said to [them] all, If any [man] will come after me, let himdeny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.

Hey guys I know that I posted this up pretty late but I wanted to encourage you all that we should always place God before our own needs. Here He says that we are to deny ourselves every single day. Every morning when we wake up we should deny our selves.

Patience

Patience is a virtue. It's one of those sayings that we hear all the time, but one that

holds so much truth. I've been reading about Joseph's life, and how much patience

he had to have to go through the things he went through. But in all things, he was able

to learn perseverance, and stay faithful to God. In each case where he had to endure

the spitefulness of his brothers, the ire of Potiphar's wife, the forgetfulness of the

cupbearer, there's no record of him complaining to God. And in each situation,

he was rewarded by God. It's easy to be impatient, because we're humans, and our

minds are always going, and if there's something that weighs on our mind, then the

days lag, and that impatience creeps in. So... "Let patience have her perfect work, that

ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing." James 1:4.

Running in Circles

Im so forgetful, but you always remind me
youre the only one who brings me peace

so I come, Lord I come, I come, Lord I come
to tell you I love you
to tell you I need you
to tell you theres no better place for me than in your arms
to tell you I'm sorry for running in circles
for placing my focus on the waves and not your face
Youre the only one who brings me peace

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=foVRP07WOAg

Closer

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8t16b2yMqME

I just want to be closer to you

I just want to be closer,

I am yours

You can have all of me anything, everything

I just want to be closer

A day without you is a thousand years

A day without you is a million tears

Tell me what I’m doing wrong when I’m in fear

Why do I run when you are so near

Spending my life out in the weather

Been gone so long and I need some shelter

Where ever you go

Where ever you are I just want be there with you

I just want to be closer to you

I just want to be closer

I am yours

You can have all of me anything everything

I just want to be closer

I just want to be closer to you

I just want to be closer

For I am yours

You can have all of me anything, everything

I just want to be closer

As we continue to go on in our walks, this should be our daily desire, to be closer to the Lover of our souls.

Psalm 107:2

Let the redeemed of the Lord, SAY SO!

Introducing Echo

echoministry.blogspot.com

check it out bros <3

Remember?

Remember season 1? Seems like a very long time ago when you think back on it. But there has been one thought that I've been particularly thinking about that I had learned back in Season 1.

When we are asking "why?" in the midst of struggle, trials, or pain, God is asking us....."Why not?"

Those two questions have been popping up in my head throughout this entire week so I thought I'd share.

See you guys soon!

Middle Road

jason p showed me this a coupla weeks ago
take a look




~kostin

Thoughts on Jonah

Jonah 1:11-16

Mariners: “What should we do to you to make the sea calm down for us?”

Jonah: “Pick me up and throw me into the sea,” he replied, “and it will become calm. I know that it is my fault that this great storm has come upon you.”

Mariners instead tired to row back to land but they say the sea grew even wilder than before

Mariners: (they cried out to the LORD), “Please, LORD, do not let us die for taking this man’s life. Do not hold us accountable for killing an innocent man, for you, LORD, have done as you pleased.”

Jonah thrown overboard and the raging sea grew calm

At this the men greatly feared the Lord they offered a sacrifice to the LORD and made vows to him

When I read this passage various thoughts came to my mind.

One was when Jonah told a solution to calm the waves the mariners didn’t listen and tried to get out of the situation themselves. There are times I plan things or try to solve things on my own but as the sea grew wilder with the mariners the problem grew wilder it went out of hand.( Jer. 29:11)

Another thought was that I saw Jesus in Jonah the mariners were in the captivity of fear and I love the words they used for Jonah saying killing an innocent man, what came to mind was when Pilate said to the crowd that “I find no fault in Him at all” during Jesus trial. (John 18:38)

So Jonah innocent man

Jesus no fault in Him

Both sacrificed

Mariners captive in fear preventing them to reach there destination

Us captive by sin preventing us from having a relationship with God

So Jonah was sacrificed by being thrown overboard freed the mariners from captivity of fear due to sea

But later feared the Lord and offered a sacrifice to the LORD

In the same way Jesus was crucified for us, to be free from the captivity by sin

When I was thinking about how I would live if I was in the old testaments times sacrificing animals for each wrong I do every day. I think my entire flock will be gone, the sacrifice had to be the best of the best for everyday that. I think all the animals inhabited in a country will be gone in one month. But we don’t have to do that because instead of me dying for the things that I have done wrong to God …the God I have done wrong to... sinned against came down for me for the wrong I did against Him...it always got me sad, frustrated and at times annoyed with guilt of doing sin after sin yet He pours out His love to me every day … there is always a reason to worship Him wont u agree?

Pratheka ! lol

Amen.
It shouldn't be an ending of a prayer.

PAUL wrote in 1 Thessalonians 5:17
" PRAY WITHOUT CEASING" Whats ceasing ? it means stopping
SO PRAY WITHOUT STOPPING !

Our Amens shouldn't be a ending but it should mean SO BE IT !

God LOVES when you talk to him so pray he loves to hear you, thats why he says Pray without ceasing, he knows your "POOR AND NEEDY"- Psalms 40:17 so pour everything out on him whatevers on your mind, whatever your thinking about, act like GOD doesn't know it, and make him aware ! so guys im encouraging you take that time just pray!
                                                                                                                             - Jivin

AMEN !