MyT2Save

I believe the Christians living in my county are about to undertake the most powerful venture possible.  This is not just one church, but a coalition of churches and ministries who are bringing their resources together for serving God in the Cedar Rapids area. This group, called Serve the City, plans to pray for every person in Linn county by name, in one year.

This undertaking, called MyT2Save, will consist of 187 prayer partners who will pray out loud 5 minutes a day (one minute per name), 5 days a week, for 50 weeks a year. In one years time approximately 289,500 souls will be prayed for.  What will God do when His people gather to pray?

This is exciting.  God’s people uniting to pray as one for the salvation and growth of every soul in Linn county. Once we pray through the whole list, we do it again and again until Jesus comes.  I expect to see the Holy Spirit moving with a greater power then ever before.

Photo Credit: Day 250 - No More Sorrow... by Rachel Titiriga

Reasons to Rightly Rejoice

Wouldn’t it be thrilling to spend the night laying your hands on people and seeing them healed?  Would you be excited if a demon possessed person was freed when you ordered the demon to leave?  If you reached down to a dead man and pulled him to his feet, alive and well, wouldn’t you be telling everyone about it?

“Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.”  Luke 10:20

You have every right to be joyful and excited when God uses you.  The problem occurs when we make these things our destination instead of merely a means to the end.  Our goal is not the spiritual gifts or being able to experience God working in our lives.  Our goals are to be found in eternal fruit.

If you were to be used to bring someone back to life, it would be absolutely awesome.  If that person was able to live another 30 years, but in all that time never accepted Jesus as their savior, what was gained? 

“…rejoice because your names are written in heaven.”  The only true eternal treasure in this world is a soul.  Experiencing God using you is thrilling, but it is hollow compared to a soul coming to know salvation through Jesus Christ.

Photo Credit: GBI Kenisah Praise and Worship part 2_08 by Antonius Prayudiaska

Will the Syrian Trouble Become the War of Gog and Magog?

The situation in Syria is in the news daily.  The world is worried that this could escalate into the war of Gog and Magog, or even Armageddon.  If you are part of those groups, let me just say, “God is in control.”

First off, it is way to early for Armageddon.  To many events have to occur before Armageddon happens.  The Bible has set out in order, events which will happen.  It is safe to say, Armageddon will be a no show for at least a few years yet.

Gog and Magog war is a possibility, but I doubt it.  The countries listed in Ezekiel  38 & 39 does NOT include Syria.  In fact it does not include any countries immediately surrounding Israel.  I would think that if this was the war with Gog and Magog the scripture would list the country that is initiating the trouble.

Another thing that needs to happen before the Gog and Magog war is that Israel has to be dwelling in safety. (Ezekiel 28: 25-26)  I think we can safely say that Israel is not dwelling in safety today.

So will something happen in Israel because of what is happening in Syria?  I think this will be one of the most significant times in the history of Israel.  Israel will have to dwell in safety in order for the Gog and Magog war, so perhaps this present situation will bring about a conflict which will end with Israel once again being the victor.  This time the victory will put an end to the surrounding nations threats and to Palestinian terrorism.  I even think this could make if possible for Israel to build the Third temple.

Does this sound like a far fetched idea?  I guess it is but only from our human stand point. I think many people who talk about fulfilling prophecies are usually deceived, but each day I come to believe more firmly that we are in the very last days.  The tribulation is in sight.  God is moving and it is a wonderful and terrifying sight to see.  I might not have the details all correct, but I think the signs and God’s word point in this direction.

I am writing this only to show you that no matter what happens, you must remember that,  “God is in control.”  This situation does not surprise Him.

Photo Credit: A Syrian man inspects the destruction in his house in the Bab Amro neighbourhood of Homs on May 2, 2012 by Freedom House

Bargaining with God 101

Bargaining with God.  I have tried it.  You have tried it.  Everyone at some time, in some way, has attempted to bargain with God.  We go before God offering, “If you do this for me, I will do that for you.”

Is this wrong?  What is wrong with giving God something we own if He gives us something in return?  Why shouldn’t we give to God some sort of payment for what He does for us?  How can giving God something of ourselves, showing God how desperate we  are for Him to answer our prayer, wrong?

We can even make our bargaining with God sound righteous and good.  “Father God, if you will heal me of this sickness I will go tell everyone of the miracle and how great and loving a God you are. I will say how you are the great physician who healed me of this.  I witness to the world so that they will know you.”

Is that really wrong?  Can bargaining with God truly be sinful?  All we are trying to do is persuade God how much we desire Him to step into our lives and help us.  We are reaching out to Him saying “I am willing to sacrifice this if you will simply answer my prayer.”  That can’t be sinful, can it?

There lived a man on the streets of a large city.  He had no home, but slept in a trash filled alleys.  His clothes were dirty and smelled of urine and cheap beer. All the possessions he owned were held in a three wheeled shopping cart which he pushed around all day.  His meals were half eaten bits of food found in dumpsters behind restaurants.  His body was covered in sores and his health was so bad that he was doomed to die soon.

One day a rich man saw him and felt great compassion on the homeless man.  Out of love for this man in rags, the rich man took him into his home.  The poor man was bathed and dressed in a fine suit.  He was given a suite of rooms to call his own.  He ate healthy meals and was given the medical care he needed.  He was given an allowance and charity work to do where he felt fulfilled and useful. There was no need which was not provided for by the rich man.

The rich man gave out of his love for the poor man.  There was nothing sexual between them.  There was only pure love for the man.  Everything that was given was out of that love and nothing was asked for in return.

One day the poor man went to the rich man and said, “If you would give me a car, I would be so grateful.  I will give you 10 percent of my allowance back to you and tell everyone how generous you are to provide me with a car.  I will even put in more hours of work if only you give me this.”

The rich man gave a heavy sigh.  “Is there anything you need which I have not provided? The clothes on your back, the home you live in, the work you do, the money you spend and even your own life is due to the love I have shown you.  Is there anything you have which is not from me?

“I only expect you to love me and others you meet in return.  There is nothing else you can give me because all you have is mine.  You can not buy my love.  To bargain with me is to say that my love is only worth this much.  Is my love for you only worth a few dollars or a few hours of work?”

How much is God’s love worth to you?  What are you offering Him so that He will show His love to you?

Photo Credit: Comfortable by juicyrai

Who Uses the Power of God in their Life?

Who is utilizing the power of God within them?  Everyone? All Christians? Watch this video.

20 Videos of Worship to God

This is a collection of 20 videos of praise to God which I have found full of heart changing truth about my lord.  If you have a video you think should be among these, please comment and tell me. 

 

Who am I? The Answer is Within Your Heart.

Who am I?  Who made me what I am?  Who or what determines my true identity?  That’s type of question young people asked back in the 60s and 70s and many still ask today. Its the kind of questions I was asking myself back then without really putting it in words.  Who am I?

Who we are determines what our actions will be, and not the other way around.  Many believe that when you do something bad, you are then bad and are identified as a bad person.  The truth is, we are who we are before we commit any actions.  Our actions come from the heart of our beings.  What people see on the outside is only the results of who we are on the inside.  “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he:…” Prov 23:7a

You will find the true soul of who a person within their heart.  Man’s heart is not filled with the goodness and love we would hope to see.  Mark 7:21 says “For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,” and in Jeremiah 17:9 “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?”

Any sin you commit in your life was first a seed in your heart which grew until it came to fruition by your committing the sin physically. The problem is not in the sin being performed, but in the your heart holding that sin within your soul.  You are a murderer because in your heart you hate someone. You hate them and want revenge.  You want them to hurt as much as they hurt you.  In fact you want them to hurt even more because they deserve it.  You get angry whenever you think of them.  If they hurt you again, your anger builds and you strike.  Your heart is so full of hate that it takes over and you actually kill them.  You didn’t plan to but it happens because your heart overflowed with hatred.

You are who you are and nothing can change that.  You can not become a good person any more then a cat can become a dog.  Your nature is a sinful nature which resides deep in your soul.  There is only one solution to this problem of a wicked heart .  The only answer is for you to die.

You must place your wicked heart upon an alter of sacrifice.  You must die to self and let God birth a new life within you.   God can give you a new nature which desires to follow Him and do what is right and good.  God bestows you with a new identity.  You are no longer the old nature you once where but are a new creation.   2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”

The battle for your soul begins in your heart.  Give your heart to Jesus today and change who you are for all of eternity.  Check out this page to find out how to accept Jesus into your life.

Photo Credit: I am who I am because of everyone ... by CharlieCe