Advertisement
Bringing people together in love and faith
My Blog
Blogs > racefan4 > My First Blog
My First Blog
  
A Work of Biographical Proportion-In Progress
Title View |
Still Afflicted Jan 12, 2008 7:41 am
600 Views
Thank you for your prayers, it's so hard to be this sick and be alone, no one to get you a drink, no one to take care of you, but God is with me.
What most of you don't know is that I'm diabetic, and flu is very dangerous for me, that's why I get a flu shot every year. But, due to circumstances in my life last year, I didn't get one.
I am dehydrated, my lips are cracked and dry, and very weak and shaky, have fever and chills, but I managed to keep down a banana and some ginger ale. My blood sugar was 30 yesterday, normal is around 100, normal for me is around 140, I should have gone into a diabetic coma, but God is with me.
I wanted to call an ambulance, but didn't have the strength to get to the phone. I'm going back to bed now, thank God, He is with me. I will respond to emails and comments soon.
Thank you for your prayers.
36 Comments
I Have The Flu! Jan 11, 2008 4:14 am
457 Views
Been throwing up since yesterday afternoon and up all night.
Will answer emails when I get feeling better.
Sorry
18 Comments
Trials & Temptations-How Do I Endure? Jan 10, 2008 4:24 am
Mood: Victorious!!, 567 Views
We ALL have troubles, we ALL face problems, afflictions, suffering, and hardships. We need strength, endurance, and patience. Troubles and suffering can actually make us better people.

Troubles concern us, not just because hardship itself is a burden, but also because affliction can lead to spiritual temptations. We may be tempted to feel that our trials justify committing sin. We may become so discouraged that we blame God for our troubles, lose faith in Him, or begin to doubt His goodness and mercy. As Job's wife said, "Curse God and die" (Job 2:9).

What Blessings Will God Provide to Help Us Endure?

"God is our refuge and strength. A very present help in trouble" (Psalm 46:1). God has promised to help us endure, but we must make use of the help He provides. Here's a few of the ways God helps.

The Bible

Romans 15:4 - "...through patience and comfort of the scriptures we might have hope."

* They help us understand that we will have to suffer, but good can result from our suffering.

* They give us assurance that we can endure like others have.

* They give evidence of God's wisdom, power, and faithfulness to his promises. This strengthens our faith that God can and will help us endure.

But the Bible gives us none of this help unless we regularly study it and apply the words to our situation.

Prayer and Worship

James 5:13 - "Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray."

Philippians 4:6,7 - "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God."

Job 1:20 - When Job suffered, he went to God in worship. Far too often when we suffer, we do the opposite. We neglect to worship, because we don't feel like it. Far too often, we allow our feelings to rule over what we know is right. If you will press past the pain of your feelings, and praise Him in all things, not only will you "feel" better, but you will have the victory!

These passages do not promise that God will remove our problem, but they DO promise He will provide the strength we need to be faithful despite the problem. Jesus and Paul both prayed about problems, and God answered their prayers, but the problem was not removed. Instead, God gave them strength to endure.

Other Christians

2 Corinthians 1:3,4 - Not only can God comfort us, so can other Christians. And we should strive to comfort others.

Galatians 6:2 - "Bear one another's burdens." We should never allow another Christian to suffer alone through serious problems, if there is any way we can help.

One of the best places to get encouragement in time of trouble is to come to a place where we can talk to other Christians to gain the help we need. This is what big church is all about, a place where we can be blessed AND be a blessing.

Hope of Eternal Life

Romans 8:16-18 - We are heirs of God if we suffer with Jesus. The sufferings of this life are unworthy to even be compared with the future glory awaiting us.

James 1:12 - The man who endures is blessed, because the result will be a crown of life.

Matthew 5:10-12 - Rejoice and be glad (don't gripe and complain) when you are persecuted, because you are suffering as God's people always have. And great is your reward in heaven. When facing hardship we may think, "I just can't hold out." We may convince ourselves that, to expect someone to continue under our circumstances without sinning, would be expecting the impossible. So we may justify ourselves for disobeying God. But consider the Bible teaching that we can endure.

Bible Promises

If you will meditate on these scriptures, they will give you strength and hope. Read them, again and again, let them sink down, deep into your heart, and let them soothe you.

1 Corinthians 10:13 - God will not allow you to face a temptation that is beyond your ability to endure. Every temptation will be accompanied by a way of escape so you can endure it.

This means we can endure every trial without sinning. If you think you "can't do" what God said to do, or if you ever justify disobeying God, you have believed the Devil's lie. What we need to do is to quit looking for excuses and look instead for the way of escape!

Psalm 34:19 - "Many are the afflictions of the righteous; but the Lord delivers him out of them all." God may not remove all the afflictions, but He makes sure we are able to endure them faithfully - all of them.

Romans 8:35-39 - No temptation or trial can separate us from God. In them all, we are "more than conquerors." If we endured the temptation without sinning, we would just be "conquerors." But we are more than conquerors because the problem can actually make us better people.

Bible Examples

Not only does the Bible promise that we can endure faithfully, it gives us examples of many people who DID so. If they did, we can too.

James 5:10,11 - Job and Old Testament prophets are our examples of suffering. Have we suffered as much as Job? Surely not. Yet he remained faithful and so can we.

2 Timothy 1:8 - Paul suffered great hardship for the Lord, and we should share in those sufferings. If he endured without falling away, we can too. He is the example we should imitate.

Hebrews 12:1-4 - Jesus (and faithful Old Testament characters) are witnesses to what we can do under trying circumstances. Our temptations are no worse than theirs. All these examples show that God will keep His promises to help His people endure faithfully.

Faithful Christians will suffer. Yet the Christian's life is still the best, because only faithful Christians have the assurance that we can endure, that God will help us, that the result will be for our good, and that in the end we will have eternal life.

I often wonder; how do people, who don't have Jesus, make it through the trials of life? They have no hope, no help, and no comfort. Even when going through the hardships in life, we are truly blessed.
5 Comments
Achieving Greatness Jan 9, 2008 4:10 am
Mood: Serving, 452 Views
Would you like to achieve true greatness in your life? Most people think they could never become great, but they are mistaken. Everyone can be great. Would you like to learn how?

Most people think that, in order to be great, they must be wealthy or popular or famous. Others think they must have great talent in athletics or business. Still others think in terms of political power. But did you know that you could have all these things and still not be great? Even more important, did you know that you can be great, even if you don't have ANY of these things?

Here's how. In Matthew 20:26,27, Jesus said: "...whoever desires to be great among you, let him be your servant. And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave." Now, most people do not think of servants as being very great. And that's just the problem: they aren't thinking right! The principles that Jesus taught are upside down from the principles that the world teaches.

Consider Jesus. Surely, everyone must agree that He achieved true greatness. He was without doubt the greatest personality in history. How did He become great? The very next verse says: "Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many" (Matthew 20:28 ). So, Jesus was great because He served others, even to the extent of dying to save men from sin.

But anyone can be a servant, and that means that anyone can be great. The problem with achieving greatness, is that serving requires an attitude of humility. Pride and humility cannot cohabitate. Jesus was the Master, yet He lowered Himself to wash the dirty feet of His disciples.

Just study the life of Jesus, obey His teaching, and follow His example of serving other people.
All of us can find ways to serve, each within our own little world. We can serve our church by volunteering to meet a need, teaching a Sunday school class or working in the nursery one Sunday a month. We can serve our family and friends by making ourselves available to help, to listen, or to make peace. We can serve in our workplace by helping to carry the burden of our co-workers. We can serve right here at big church, to edify and encouage our brothers and sisters, and pray for their needs. We can serve in our communities by volunteering at a hospital or nursing home, by helping to provide a hot meal or transportation. It's something we can all do.

If you will do this, many people may not think of you as very great, but some people will really appreciate you. And most important of all, God will consider you to be great and will eternally reward you.
10 Comments
Unanswered Prayer Jan 8, 2008 5:14 am
Mood: Prayerful, 464 Views
Most people know that prayer should be part of a Christian's life, but sometimes we wonder why our prayers do not seem to be answered. What does the Bible say?

In 1 John 5:14, God promises: "Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us." It is possible to be confident that God hears our prayer. But there is a condition - an "if." He hears us "if we ask according to His will."

When I was first saved, in my ignorance of the things of God, I became resentful that every promise in the Bible comes with certain conditions, certain strings attached, there always seems to be an "if".

What I have come to learn is that God gave us an "Owners Manual". When we buy a new car, it comes with an "Owners Manual". If you want that car to operate the way it was intended, when it was made, you have to follow the guidelines laid out in the manual. Our lives are the same way, if we are to operate the way God intended, when He created us, we have to follow the instructions. His Word is our "Instruction Book" for living. In it, can be found the answers to every question, circumstance, and situation. How can we have confidence in receiving answers to our prayers, if we don't know what His will is? How can we know what His will is, if we don't get out the "Instruction Book" and find out?

There are some things God wills for us to have, but we will not receive them unless we ask. "You have not, because you ask not". There are other things we may think we need, but God knows best what we REALLY need. Our problem is we often think God has not answered our prayers, when He really has given what we needed, but we do not recognize or appreciate it. Too often we attempt to force our will on God and insist that He answer according to our will, not according to His will!

Again, James 5:16 says: "The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much." And 1 John 3:22 says: "Whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight." Yes, God does answer prayer. Prayer "avails much." We will receive what we prayer for. But this promise is only for the righteous, who keep God's commands and do what pleases Him.

Here again are conditions God has placed on our prayers. IF we have never been willing to submit to God and become His children, we can be sure that He will not answer when we call. Proverbs 28:9 says: "One who turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination." This also includes children of God who go back to living to please themselves instead of pleasing God.

Are there sins in your life that you are unwilling to repent of? Don't expect God to serve you, when you refuse to serve God!

Are your prayers "according to your will", and NOT "according to HIS will"? Before you pray, find scriptures that promise the thing you are praying for, and pray those scriptures back to God, because "His Word will not return to Him void."

Is there unforgiveness in your heart towards another? This is another condition for answered prayer. If you have ought against any, repent, and forgive that person, then come back to pray, with confidence, believing that your prayers be answered.

Do you believe you have received, when you pray? This is another instruction for answered prayer. What does your confession have to say about what you're believing for? Are you speaking the facts or circumstances, or are you speaking the Truth? There is a difference.

If you will apply these basic principles to your prayer life, you will begin to see more fruit. If you have met all of the conditions and still have no answer, consider that the answer is there, perhaps you just don't recognize it, or maybe it isn't the answer you are looking for.

Finally, if all conditions are met, and no answer has come, WAIT. We all dislike that part, we want it NOW. But God's timing is perfect. Don't step out in front of God and force things to happen on your own, or you might end up with an Ishmael.

Trust God, He IS faithful, His promises ARE true, but you have to follow all the instructions.
12 Comments
A Different Kind of Drug Problem Jan 7, 2008 4:17 pm
Mood: Glad I was Drugged!, 495 Views
A different kind of a drug problem...


The following letter has appeared on the Internet and was viewed by many readers of various newspapers and magazines. Many felt it would be appropriate for the readers of their residential area. I feel it is very appropriate for folks that I know and love as well.

A Different Kind of drug Problem
The other day, someone at a store in our town read that a Methamphetamine lab had been found in an old farmhouse in the adjoining county and he asked me a rhetorical question, “Why didn’t we have a drug problem when you and I were growing up?”

I replied, “I had a drug problem when I was young; I was drug to church on Sunday morning. I was drug to church for weddings and funerals; and I was drug to church whenever the church doors were open to the congregation. I was drug to family reunions and community socials no matter the weather.

I was drug by my ears when I was disrespectful to adults. I was also drug to the woodshed when I disobeyed my parents, told a lie, brought home a bad report card, did not speak with respect, spoke ill of the teacher or the preacher, of if I didn’t put forth my best effort in everything that was asked of me.

I was drug to the kitchen sink to have my mouth washed out with soap if I uttered a profanity. I was drug out to pull weeds in mom’s garden and flowerbeds and cockleburs out of dad’s field. I was drug to the homes of family, friends and neighbors to help out some poor soul who had not one to mow the yard, repair the clothesline, or chop some firewood, and, if my mother had ever know that I took a single dime as a tip for this kindness, she would have drug me back to the woodshed.

Those drugs are still in my veins and they affect my behavior in everything I do, say or think. They are stronger than cocaine, crack, or heroin; and, if today’s children had this kind of drug problem, America would be a better place.

God bless the parents who drugged us!”

Can I get an AMEN?
8 Comments
How Do I Change Myself? Jan 7, 2008 10:03 am
Mood: Changing, 453 Views
HOW TO CHANGE YOURSELF


Have you ever had difficulty trying to change a habit? Human beings are creatures of habit. We tend to continue acting as we have acted in the past. Like a river flowing through a canyon, the longer a habit continues, the more deeply it becomes ingrained, and the harder it is to change. This is true of all habits, good or bad.

The importance of a habit depends on its consequences. Heroin use, for example, has far more serious consequences than biting your fingernails. The most significant habits are those that have eternal consequences.

Ephesians 4:22-24 shows that major changes must occur when we are converted to serve God. Old practices and attitudes must be replaced by new ones.

Knowing what changes to make is not enough. We also need to know how to make them. Change does not come easily. Since the Scriptures provide us to all good works (2 Timothy 3:16,17), they give all the guidance we need. Let us study 12 specific, practical steps the Bible gives to show us how to change to become what God wants.

STEP 1: CHANGE YOUR PURPOSE IN LIFE
===================================

Before people are willing to act, they must be motivated. A sound sleeper is more likely to get up in the middle of the night if the house is on fire than if he remembers he did not brush his teeth! Christians have some of the strongest possible motives for changing. Consider some:

Love and Dedication to God
**************************

Romans 12:1,2 -- Christians are transformed (changed) by renewing their minds (cf. Eph. 4:23). To live differently, we must think differently. We must not seek to be like the world but to use our bodies in God's service.

1 John 5:3; 4:19,9 -- What motivates us to obey God? Our love for Him. What motivates us to love Him? The fact that He loved us. How do we know He loved us? Because He gave His Son to die to save us.

Love is one of the strongest forces in existence. It can move a woman to rescue her children from a burning building or a man to lift an automobile that has crushed a loved one. If you are having difficulty changing yourself, you need to learn to appreciate God's blessings and mercy.

Imitation of Christ
*******************

The desire to be like someone we admire is another powerful motivation. Sports heroes inspire young people in athletics. Washington and Lincoln are models for patriotic citizens. So godly people like Abraham, Noah, Ruth, and Mary motivate us to serve God. But the greatest example of all is that of Jesus.

Matthew 10:24,25 -- A disciple seeks to be like his master. Christians are disciples of Jesus (Acts 11:26). We should follow His steps because He left us a sinless example (1 Peter 2:21,22).

As we face each decision in life, we should ask, "What would Jesus do?" This will give us strong motivation to change our lives.

Desire for Eternal Life, Not Eternal Punishment
***********************************************

1 Corinthians 9:25 -- Athletes control their habits so they can win a temporary, earthly honor. Christians have an even stronger motive. We seek the crown of eternal life (James 1:12; Rev. 2:10). We should set our minds on our eternal reward, not on earthly things. Lack of motivation is a major reason people do not change to please God. They do not have sufficient desire to change. Instead they want to please themselves or their friends and family. Often they are too concerned with the things of this life. Until our motives are right, little else in this study will help us. But when we are determined that serving God is our most important purpose in life, then we will find the means to make the necessary changes.

STEP 2: BELIEVE YOU CAN CHANGE WITH GOD'S HELP
=============================================

Proverbs 4:23 -- Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life. The way you act is determined by your attitudes and intentions. People and circumstances may influence you, but you do not have to give in. You do what you decide to do.

1 Corinthians 10:13 -- God will not allow temptations that are beyond your ability to bear. He will always make a way of escape. "God is faithful." He will always keep this promise. It follows that you can break any bad habit and develop any good habit according to God's will.

Philippians 4:13 -- We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. This includes changing to please Him. If we trust our own strength, we will fail. Satan can defeat us. If we use Christ's strength we will succeed, because Satan can never defeat Him. Perhaps we have failed in the past because we have trusted our own power instead of using Christ's.

Psalm 37:5 -- If you commit yourself to the Lord and trust Him, He will accomplish His will for you. No matter how strong a temptation you face, no matter how long you have practiced a sin, if God says to change, you can change.

STEP 3: STUDY THE BIBLE ABOUT YOUR HABIT
=======================================

Joshua 1:8 -- To succeed in God's work, meditate on God's word. List the pertinent Bible passages about each habit you need to change. List reasons why you should change. Meditate on these verses daily, filling your mind with them.

Deuteronomy 6:6-9 -- Frequently remind yourself of these verses. Write them and place them where they will remind you: on your bathroom mirror, on the refrigerator door, on your table at mealtime, on the TV knob.

Matthew 4:1-11 -- Jesus overcame temptation by quoting Scripture. But this worked only because He knew the Scripture. Memorize verses about your habit so that, when you are tempted, they will come to mind and strengthen you. Quote them to yourself and to those who tempt you.

STEP 4: REPENT OF SIN
=====================

Acts 8:22 -- Sin requires repentance. Repentance is a change of mind -- a determined commitment to cease sin and obey God. Before one can change his conduct, he must change his mind.

Proverbs 28:13 -- Do not cover up your sin, deny it, excuse it, or blame someone else. Admit the error and be truly sorry (2 Cor. 7:10). But sorrow is not enough. We have truly repented only when we are so sorry that we determine to change our conduct.

Most other achievements in life require about 10% ability and 90% just plain determination and hard work. In spiritual matters, every accountable person has the ability to please God; so changing to please God is 100% determined by our choice. God has provided everything we need. The decision is ours.

We will never change until we make up our minds to pursue the means God provides until we succeed. The decision to do this is repentance, and no one will change to please God without it.

STEP 5: DEVELOP A PLAN OF ACTION
================================

Proverbs 14:22 -- We must devise to do good, not evil. God's example demonstrates the importance of planning. He purposed man's redemption (Rom. 8:2, the church (Eph. 3:10,11), the temple (Heb. 8:5), etc. Likewise, God's servants need to have a plan to succeed in His service.

In what other important endeavors will we succeed without a plan? Consider the forethought needed to build a house, run a business or a household, program a computer, etc. Worthwhile activities, to be successful, need planning.

Likewise, to change your life, you need a specific, practical checklist of steps you will take to change. Analyze the circumstances or causes that lead you to fail to do right, then plan how to avoid those causes. It may help to write your plan down and modify it as needed. This plan will include some specific points we are studying plus other points that fit your specific problem.

Many people fail to change to please God because they never planned to succeed. They did not plan to fail, but they failed to plan!

STEP 6: PRAY REGULARLY
=====================

Prayer is essential.

Pray for God's help.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Matthew 6:13 -- Ask God to "deliver us from evil". Tell God exactly what your problem is. Pray often and regularly. Pray especially at the moment when you face temptation (Matt. 26:36-46).

God has promised that, if you ask His help, He will hear and answer.

STEP 7: SEEK HELP FROM OTHER CHRISTIANS
=======================================

James 5:16 -- Christians should confess their faults to one another so they can pray for one another. We should bear one another's burdens (Gal. 6:2). If our sins have harmed specific individuals, we should apologize to them (Matt. 5:23,24).

When we are fighting an especially difficult habit, it may help to choose one or two special counselors to talk with regularly. They can give us Bible passages and good advice about how to change. They can encourage us. It may motivate us just to know that others are aware of our problem. And they can surely pray for us.

STEP 8: DILIGENTLY PRACTICE WHAT IS RIGHT
=========================================

1 Corinthians 15:58 -- Be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the Lord's work. Abundant, steadfast work is needed.

James 1:22-25 -- Be doers of the word, not just hearers. Habits are formed by repeated action. We learn to ride a bicycle by forcing ourselves to practice, even when it feels unnatural and uncomfortable. But repetition produces a habit that then feels natural and enjoyable.

So we change to serve God only when we compel ourselves to do what we know is right and repeat it until it becomes "second nature."

STEP 9: SUBSTITUTE GOOD HABITS FOR BAD ONES
==========================================

Ephesians 4:22-32 -- Do not just put off the old man. Put on the new man. Note the examples: Speak truth instead of falsehood (v25), work and give to others instead of stealing (v2, speak good instead of evil (v29), show kindness and forgiveness instead of anger and bitterness (v31,32).

"Nature hates a vacuum." Remove the air from a bottle, and it will try to get back in. Fill the bottle with something substantial, and the air stays out. So your life cannot stay a spiritual void. It will fill with good or evil. Replace bad habits with good and the bad is less likely to return.

For example, suppose you determine to watch less TV, so you turn it off, but sit in front of it with nothing else to do. Soon you will turn it on again. But if you become actively involved in family activities, Bible study, etc., soon you will replace it with other habits.

For every bad habit you "put off," find some useful activity to "put on" in its place.

STEP 10: AVOID TEMPTATION
========================

Matthew 6:13 -- We should pray, "lead us not into temptation." If we pray this, surely we obligate ourselves to avoid people, places, and situations that tempt us.

1 Corinthians 15:33 -- Evil company corrupts good habits. Note: "Do not be deceived." Many people think they can return to bad company without returning to bad habits. They are deceived!

Psalm 26:5 -- We should hate the congregation of evildoers. Too often people say, "I won't drink (or dance or gamble, etc.). I'll just go to the tavern (or dance hall or casino) to be with my friends." When people have gathered together for the purpose of practicing sin, Christians belong somewhere else!

You cannot change a bad habit while continuing to run with the "crowd" that caused the habit. Changing the habit will require changing your friends because the "friends" are part of the habit!

STEP 11: FACE ONE DAY AT A TIME
==============================

Matthew 6:33,34 -- Do not worry about tomorrow. Today's temptations will be enough to handle today. Handle tomorrow's temptations tomorrow -- if tomorrow comes.

Often people quit trying to serve God because they are overwhelmed by the sacrifices required to live the rest of their lives for God. But ask yourself this: "Can I practice what is right today -- just today?" Of course you can. So when you get up each morning, promise yourself and God, "I will live today for God." Don't worry about handling tomorrow. If it comes, you can handle it the same way you will handle today.

Two men were climbing a steep path up a tall mountain. One looked to the top and asked, "How will we ever make it?" The other replied, "One step at a time." And that is the only way for you to change yourself.

STEP 12: BE PATIENT
==================

Galatians 6:9 -- Let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Your habits did not develop overnight and will not likely disappear overnight. It will take time. If you fall, repent, and ask God's forgiveness. But get up and go on. Do not give up.

2 Peter 3:18 -- Becoming a mature Christian is a process of growth. You are born again as a baby and gradually grow up in Christ. You may look at mature Christians and think, "Why can't I be like them?" But they probably took years to mature. Do not be impatient with yourself.

As a child grows, you may notice small changes from day to day. But look at pictures from years ago and you will see amazing differences. So you may not see much change in your service to God today compared to yesterday. But if you diligently apply the steps taught in God's word, after a period of 5, 10, or 20 years you will see significant changes compared to where you began.

Conclusion
**********

By using the means God provides, you can change to be what He wants. He gives motivation, guidance, and encouragement. All that is left is for you to determine to follow His will and then diligently act on that decision. He provides the tools. You must use them. What choice will you make?
11 Comments
Go Giants!!! Go Chargers!!! Jan 6, 2008 11:27 am
Mood: Victorious, I hope!, 433 Views
Just the two teams I have in the playoff games today!!!
Cheering for little Manning!!! Make big brother proud!
4 Comments
Be Healed, Ginny, In Jesus Name!!! Jan 6, 2008 10:41 am
Mood: Receiving in Faith, 567 Views
I know, this is my 3rd post today, (where's the Blog Police?) but I had to tell you what happened this morning.

I had the 6:30-7:00 am prayer committment for Ginny. I got my healing scriptures together, and went to my prayer closet. As I was praying the scriptures over her, I wondered why so many Christians, myself included, did not receive healing.

I've had a respiratory infection since New Year's Eve. Sore throat, fever, sinus infection, coughing, sneezing, and aching all over. I sound like a Nyquil commercial. All week, I've been praying for healing, but it has gotten progressively worse. Yesterday, I spent most of the day in bed, never even got dressed. This morning, I awoke at 4:30, and felt just as lousy as I did yesterday, but was determined to keep my committment to prayer for Ginny, no matter how I felt.

So, as I was praying, I asked God why people don't receive healing. Here I was, quoting these scriptures that say it's God's will for us to be healed, that He sent His Word and it healed us, that by 39 stripes on Jesus back, we WERE healed, etc, etc, so why was it so hard to be manifested?

I heard the Holy Spirit say to me, "Because they don't know how to receive it". To which I responded, "How do you receive it?" Then, the words came into my spirit, "By faith". Now, wait a minute, I just wrote a blog about that yesterday, called "What's the Prayer of Faith?", I know what faith is, I have faith, don't I? After all, I wrote a blog about it, lol.

Obviously, I didn't have the faith to be healed, or else I wouldn't still be sick. Well, long story short, after repenting, amd making some adjustments in my spiritual attitude, my 30 minutes, praying for Ginny, turned into 60 minutes, praying for Ginny and me. I prayed the prayer of faith, for her and I, and claimed our healing, in Jesus Name.

But, nothing felt different. As I began to contemplate this, I heard the Holy Spirit say, "Why don't you ACT like you're healed?" What?
"ACT" like I'm healed?

I jumped up from my seat, got in the shower, got dressed, made some breakfast, started some laundry, and then I realized, I am healed!!! Yes, I am!! I haven't felt this good for almost a week!! We ARE all given a measure of faith, today I activated mine to be healed, and for Ginny to be healed. Praise the Lord, I am healed!!!

So, Blair, I just want to thank you for rallying the troops for Ginny, because in praying for her healing, I learned how to receive healing for myself, also. In addition, this little revelation has strengthened and confirmed my own prayer of faith.

Isn't God amazing how He orchestrates every little detail, in order to bring us to our blessings? Hallelujah to the Lamb!!! I will praise Him forever!!

And, by the way, lol, Ginny, how are you feeling today? I hope you have received your healing, in Jesus Name!!
20 Comments
The 57 Cent Church Jan 6, 2008 9:43 am
Mood: Goosebumps!!, 479 Views
Get your tissues ready, this one will really get you!


Subject: 57 CENT CHURCH

A little girl stood near a small church from which she had been turned away because it was "too crowded."

"I can't go to Sunday School," she sobbed to the pastor as he walked by.

Seeing her shabby, unkempt appearance, the pastor guessed the reason and, taking her by the hand, took her inside and found a place for her in the Sunday school class. The child was so happy that they found room for her, and she went to bed that night thinking of the children who have no place to worship Jesus.

Some two years later, this child lay dead in one of the poor tenement buildings. Her parents called for the kindhearted pastor who had
befriended their daughter to handle the final arrangements.

As her poor little body was being moved, a worn and crumpled red purse was found which seemed to have been rummaged from some trash dump.

Inside was found 57 cents and a note, scribbled in childish handwriting, which read: "This is to help build the little church bigger so more children can go to Sunday School."

For two years she had saved for this offering of love.
When the pastor tearfully read that note, he knew instantly what he would do. Carrying this note and the cracked, red pocketbook to the pulpit, he told the story of her unselfish love and devotion.

He challenged his deacons to get busy and raise enough money for the larger building.

But the story does not end there...

A newspaper learned of the story and published It. It was read by a wealthy realtor who offered them a parcel of land worth many thousands.

When told that the church could not pay so much, he offered to sell it to the little church for 57 cents.

Church members made large donations Checks came from far and wide.Within five years the little girl's gift had increased to $250,000.00--a huge sum for that time (near the turn of the century). Her unselfish love had paid large dividends.

When you are in the city of Philadelphia , look up Temple Baptist Church, with a seating capacity of 3,300. And be sure to visit Temple University , where thousands of students are educated.

Have a look, too, at the Good Samaritan Hospital and at a Sunday School building which houses hundreds of beautiful children, built so that no child in the area will ever need to be left outside during Sunday school time.

In one of the rooms of this building may be seen the picture of the sweet face of the little girl whose 57 cents, so sacrificially saved, made such remarkable history. Alongside of it is a portrait of her kind pastor, Dr. Russell H. Conwell, author of the book, "Acres of Diamonds".

This is a true story, which goes to show WHAT GOD CAN DO WITH 57 CENTS.

WOW!!! Is God awesome, or what?
8 Comments
1 2 3 4 5 ... 10 ... 20 ... 30 ... 35 36 37 38 39 ... 43 44 45

To link to this blog (racefan4) use [blog racefan4] in your messages.
Guidelines
January 2009
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
        1
  		2
1
3
 
4
  		5
  		6
  		7
  		8
  		9
  		10
 
11
  		12
  		13
  		14
  		15
  		16
  		17
 
18
  		19
  		20
  		21
  		22
  		23
  		24
 
25
  		26
  		27
  		28
  		29
  		30
  		31
 

Recent Visitors

Visitor Age Sex Date
supabubba47M1/8
Verybusybee54F1/8
YOUNG53M54M1/7
AlanB252M1/7
longing4more49F1/7
quan0936M1/5
Pray2be 56F1/4
simplysmiles51F1/4
Cassiusclay 48M1/4
kiadan 33F1/3

Most Recent Comments by Others

Post Poster Post Date
Going Camping For The Weekend, Our Last Hurrah!80sgirl19Jan 8 6:15 pm
Feeling Led To Leave BigChurchphilopatirJan 5 4:48 pm
How Are YOU Blessed At Christmas???goldensJan 4 8:35 am
A New Year, A New BeginningchocnrosesJan 1 9:32 pm
My Angel Christmas TreeheartforedjehuDec 26 5:49 pm
Can You Just Imagine For A Moment???NeedGodlyleaderDec 24 11:34 am
This Post Rated XXX-If Sensitive, Please DON'T Readwpx1Dec 24 3:46 am
What Does The Bible Say About Interracial Marriage?thanksjesusDec 23 1:19 pm
We Need Some "Blogger's Etiquette" Around Here!!!racefan4Dec 23 5:33 am
Make A Decision To Be Happy!!! It's REALLY Up To You!!!racefan4Dec 23 5:26 am
Would You Marry Someone With Faults?I_Am_1_Rib_ShortDec 22 11:51 pm