GOD wants to be Intimate with us

Hey Fam,

Season greetings



  Similar  to developing personal relationships with people. we set time and spend time with them. we have meaningful conversatioms. we interact. we go on dates, girls nght out, boy day out, and retreat in our offices. It is the same with GOD.

When we invited God into our lives, we established a personal relationship. It is imilar to marriage since we become part of the body of Christ or Bride of Christ and that He is the groom who will return in the not-so distant future.

GOD wants to be intimate with us. Yes.  He knows us from top to bottom. But do we know Him? Not just knowing Him on an intellectual level like most people but on a personal level.

Intimacy is developed over tme.  we need to find and make time for God  before we can truly say that we want to know him more.
Psalm 46:10 "Be still and know that am God"
God wants us to be still and spend time wth Him.

God knows we have things to do. Most of the time, He's the one setting these  things up: our job, taking care of the family, papers  we need to submit in school,etc. He kows(of course,he does). But He wants us so close to Him too.

If our hearts takes more pleasure in reading Novels, or watching TV, or going to movies, or talking to friends, rather than just sitting aone wth GOD and embracing Him, sharing His cares and burdens, weeping and rejoicing with Him, then how are you going to handle forever and ever in His presence? you'd be bred to tears in heaven, if you're not ecstatic about GOD now!-Keith Green.

Love you all.

Merry Christmas

Hey Fam!

Merry Christmas

Love is the reason for the season. How have you shared love today?

In my house we  shared food to people in our neighbourhood. it felt good to put  smile on seme faces. mom and dad did a  lot but its not aout us, its about Christ.

Its not about going to parties or merriment, its about representing Christ.

Families are united
Friends are appreciated
Relatives are remembered.

Its  beautiful day.

Merry Christmas.
Love you

Seeing the abundance in You by Joseph Prince

…For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you.”

Luke 17:21


When you were younger, were you often scolded for not finishing all your food or leaving the lights and fan on when you left your room? Were you constantly reminded that there are people starving in the world, that electricity costs a lot of money and that money doesn’t grow on trees? Now, do you find yourself telling your child the same things?

We are naturally conscious of lack, but Jesus isn’t. Even in the midst of lack, He was always conscious of abundance. Remember the little boy’s five loaves and two fish? What did Jesus do when these were placed in His hands? Did He say, “What do you expect Me to do with so little?” No, His eyes were not on the natural, the visible, the lack. His eyes were on the kingdom of God where there is always abundance. So in His hands, the little boy’s lunch was multiplied, and 5,000 men, not counting women and children, were fed that day! (John 6:1–13)

God doesn’t want you to be conscious of the lack in your natural circumstances. He doesn’t want you to live by how much you earn or how much you have in the bank. Now, I am not encouraging you to spend foolishly beyond your means. I am saying that God wants you to be conscious of the abundance of resources in His kingdom.

“But Pastor Prince, where is that kingdom?”

As long as you have received Jesus as your Savior, that kingdom is in you!

Jesus said that “the kingdom of God is within you”. This means that the kingdom of God is not some physical place. It is within you and it is where the abundance of resources is. So if you want to experience abundance in your life, be conscious first of the abundance inside you. Then, what is inside you will become a reality on the outside.

Beloved, God doesn’t want you to be conscious of the lack you see outside you. He wants you to be conscious of the abundance within you because His kingdom is within you!

Thought For The Day
The kingdom of God, where there is always abundance, is within you!

Put Your hope in Christ Alone

The lyrics of this song "in Christ Alone" by Adrienne Leisching & Geoff Moore speaks of our inheritance in Christ, it speaks of healing,hope and grace. always place your hope in Christ- do not fret (psalm 37)

Feed & meditate on these words and let your hope increase. much Love

In Christ alone my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song
This Cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand

In Christ alone, who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless babe
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones He came to save
'Til on that cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live

There in the ground His body lay
Light of the World by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave He rose again
And as He stands in victory
Sin's curse has lost its grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ

No guilt in life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From life's first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand
'Til He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I'll stand

download the mp3 here(free): http://mp3.li/index.php?q=Geoff%20Moore%20Adrienne%20Liesching%20-%20In%20Christ%20Alone  

MY QUESTIONS ON HOMOSEXUALITY.

(Blogging through my phone)

Lately questions on people's sexualty had been on my mind and would love for you guys to help me out using anything to explain. You would be helping someone out!

My question would be: what causes individuals to be attracted to people of their same gender? is it hereditary or was there a mix up in their genes or some claim they have had bad experiences with the opposite sex so they becomes homosexuals.

Why would a person feel he /she s trapped in the wrong body?

What the solution to someone who feels trapped in a body and to all homosexuals who want to come out from such trap.

Thanks

Rena.

Thanksgiving

Pardon me if there's any mistake, iam blogging from my fone...Lol!

How many of you know this song "If count all the things God do for my life, nmber 1, no 2, no 3,no 4, no 5, yeeeeee..(Something,something uncountable)..am sorryi do not know that part. help sing along if you know it.

Its been a great year and my life especially has been beautified with God's grace & love. HE never gave up on me even wheni gave up on myself and on my dreams. HE picked me up from filth, he did not condemn me for my sin, He Loved me, He cared for me,  i could almost feel his hands wrapped around me....He blessed me, he clothed me, He fed me, He made laugh, He wiped my tears....So much Love, yet what havei done to deserve this, nothing! its just for Christ sake!

I wish I could write more but....it is well!

God's love & Glory is real, it  is evident in my life.

Let him that is thirsty, thirst no more...
Let him that is weary, worry no more..

Christ Loves us!

Deuces

Best kept beauty secret!

I was blogging the other day and came upon some beauty secrets that aren’t so well known, so I thought I’d share them with you! You deserve to know these things. Here they are:

How to have a beautiful complexion:
Those who look to him are radiant,
and their faces shall never be ashamed.
Psalm 34:5

How to have beautiful hands:
She selects wool and flax
    and works with eager hands.
She is like the merchant ships,
    bringing her food from afar.
Proverbs 31:13-14

How to have beautiful arms:
She opens her arms to the poor
    and extends her hands to the needy.
Proverbs 31:20



How to have beautiful teeth:
She is clothed with strength and dignity;
    she can laugh at the days to come.
Proverbs 31:25

How to have beautiful lips:
She speaks with wisdom,
    and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
Proverbs 31:26

How to have beautiful eyes:
The precepts of the Lord are right,
    giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the Lord are radiant,
    giving light to the eyes.
Psalm 19:8


Yes, the book I’m sharing from is the Bible! Because if we want to be truly beautiful, we must start from core. No, not cleansing and moisturizing; those are important too, but we must begin even deeper. More important to your beauty than anything else is finding your beauty in Christ.  This will give you a beautiful heart, which will radiate out and make you beautiful no matter what!

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
    but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
Honor her for all that her hands have done,
    and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
Proverbs 31:30-31

Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.
1 Peter 3:3-4

There is absolutely nothing wrong with styling your hair, wearing cute clothes, or applying makeup. These are all fun and part of what makes you a girl, but it’s not the only thing and certainly not the most important. Find your femininity in Christ first and foremost, and truly beautiful things will follow.

“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” Psalm 139:13-14

It’s great to look nice, but there’s no need to try to be someone you’re not. Wear what YOU like, do your hair and makeup how YOU like it, because that’s who you are and you are beautiful the way you are!

JENN JOHNSON: ON WORSHIP AND WORK-LIFE BALANCE

Jenn Johnson, senior worship pastor at Bethel Church in Redding, California, has been leading worship with her husband, Brian, for 15 years. In addition to raising three children together, they currently lead worship for a congregation of more than 3,000 weekly, oversee a worship team of more than 100 members, and collectively direct Bethel Music. Their most recent album, Tides, is filled with songs celebrating God's presence, and the Bethel team will release a women's album next May. Here's what Jenn had to say about work-life balance, healthy communication in marriage, and the true meaning of happiness.

WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED ABOUT COMMUNICATION AND WORK-LIFE BALANCE WHILE WORKING WITH YOUR HUSBAND?

Being in full-time ministry with my husband is amazing, but also challenging. Our biggest struggle has been to separate home life from our marriage and our work. We have to think strategically and put up boundaries in our lives. For example, tonight we're going on a date, and we have rules: We will not talk about the kids, and we will not talk about work. Sometimes we will just sit there and stare at each other. Also, when Brian comes home from work every day, he turns off his phone so it doesn't create problems. I would love to say we've done it perfectly, but we haven't. Every day is a new opportunity to do it better.


My husband is amazing—he's such a good man. He loves God, and he loves people. He's so funny, he's such a good dad, and he keeps things very lighthearted. I can be mad about something, and he has this way of pulling me out of a funk. We've been married more than 13 years, and I'm still madly in love with him. He's such a good leader, and he sings all the time—there's constantly music in our house. Someone is always singing.

HOW DO YOU DO IT ALL-MOTHER THREE KIDS AND DO FULL-TIME MINISTRY?

My kids are amazing, but balancing it all—being a good mom, working, and traveling—has been a major challenge for me as a woman. I love being a mom, but it's difficult. It's hard work no matter what age your kids are. Years ago, I'd just had my first daughter, was raising her, doing ministry, and recording a CD. I felt like my head was going to explode, and I wanted to pull my hair out. I was heading to church to lead worship at a conference. I was scrambling to get everything ready to go while my baby slept, and I looked like a mess. When I ran by the piano in the back room to grab something, I heard the Lord speak to me: just sit down and worship. I was running late to sound check, so frustrated, and I said, Lord, you know what I have to get done, I'm a mess, and I'm going to go worship you in like an hour—what in the world! So I kept doing what I was doing, trying to get ready, and when I walked back past the piano a second time, the Lord said, just sit down. I was so frustrated because I did not have time to sit down and worship like I'd done so many other times for hours and hours before I'd had babies. But I plopped down at the piano with a total attitude, played some minor chords, and starting singing, "What can I do for you, what can I bring to you, what kind of song would you like me to sing?" And the Lord spoke to me. He said, I didn't want anything, I just wanted to be with you.

And the Lord spoke to me. He said, I didn't want anything, I just wanted to be with you.
I sobbed my eyes out. I learned that day, very clearly, that time with him is not to get something, and it's not task-driven—it's because this is a relationship, and time together is so important. You don't have to feel like you have to pray for seven hours every day, no mom can do that—but recognizing and responding to his presence is important.

HOW DO YOU RESPOND TO GOD'S PRESENCE IN WORSHIP?

There's a physical expression of praise and worship that honestly comes naturally to me, and I feel how we respond to his presence is like how we respond to a gift. If you've given a kid a gift at Christmas, you know it's not by accident that God's "presence" is the same word spelled just a little different than "presents." Imagine giving your kid a gift at Christmas: There's a big difference between having them stand there with their hands beautifully placed in front of them with hardly any emotion at all, just saying, "Thank you mom, I love you," vs. "This is totally awesome!" The Lord taught me at a young age that worship is about expressing yourself. If you look up the seven biblical words for "praise," they are all action words: To bow, to kneel, to raise hands, to dance, to twirl, halal . . . all these different words are expressions. It does not say stand and sing with hands folded neatly in front of you. This doesn't mean we need to do aerobics for worship—worship needs to be authentic—but there's something powerful about movement, and there's something powerful and biblical about dance.

You're a worship pastor at Bethel Church—do you have any words of encouragement for women in ministry?


I love seeing people become who God's created them to be. I love fearlessness and confidence in the Lord, especially when women take that on and discover who they are in God. I feel like the tides are turning with what being a woman in ministry looks like. I know there have been forerunners like Beth Moore and Joyce Meyer, and I feel like it's only going to increase because women are so valuable. They're as much a part of the body of Christ as men are. We need women. The fact women are wired to be emotionally moved by things is part of Jesus. It's part of the Trinity. It's not a masculine movement or masculine religion because Jesus was a man—God created both man and woman, and they're both needed and valued in the Kingdom. There's nothing in the world more powerful to me than a mom and a wife and a woman who is doing life with passion and conviction and her whole heart. The world needs that. I could not be a bigger fan of women in ministry, of women becoming all they're designed to be.

What are three things you'd like to encourage Christian women with today?

First, being connected to someone who's going to help you grow as a person is everything— someone who knows who you are, calls out your greatness, shows you your blind spots, and really loves you well. A friend of mine, Suzy Campbell, who's an amazing pastor's wife in Canada, said to me early on: "Jenn, people will tell you that you can't be a great mom and do ministry, but I'm telling you that you can, and Jesus will help you figure out what that looks like." That changed my life because I was in a time when I felt I had to choose: Do I stop what I've been doing and raise kids, or can I do both? Suzy encouraged me to let the Holy Spirit teach me how to do it, and to the best of my ability, that's what I've done, and what I continue to do.

Second, I feel at all times in your life, no matter how old you are, you should have people in your life that are your David and Jonathan—your best friends who are a strength to you, and you to them. I call them your "besties." Also think about who you are pouring into—who are you building and growing?

Last, I don't think there's one right answer to the big debate: working mom vs. mom being home with kids. I think it's what's right for you? What does God have for your life? Whatever that looks like, go for it head on—go for it and be happy. I don't know a time in my life when I haven't been operating in my sweet spot, because happiness is an inside job. There was a time I was working at McDonald's, and I was "happy." Contentment and happiness don't come in life because you get something or because you arrive— true happiness and contentment are only found in God. Anything physical will never fill the hole we need to be filled by Jesus.

FOR THE MOM WHO FEELS WEARY by DEBBY MCDANIEL

I closed the door to my temporary hiding place and sat down wearily next to the mound of dirty laundry. Tears welled up in my eyes. Suddenly away from the constant bickering between kids, messy rooms, and constant questions and demands that only “mom” seemed to be able to fulfill, I longed to just be able to withdraw for a few moments of quiet…of rest. My mind raced. I wrestled with feeling like I could never keep up, too many balls in the air to juggle, so many needs, constant challenges, endless responsibilities.

His voice whispered to me. “No one asked you to carry it all. Lay it down. Life is not about what you do, it’s about who you are.“ More tears.

I heard quiet whispers outside the door. Then, chubby little fingers pushed a note underneath, complete with a pencil. I could hear them breathing – waiting for my response. Quiet anticipation. Reading their sweet handwritten words quickly penciled across a plain white page seemed to soothe my heart. I admit, I thought of checking the “no” box. No, I may not come out, I don’t really want to come out, and not for a very long time! But my heart nudged me toward the other box. I marked a big “X” in the “yes” box and pushed it back under the door.

I heard giggles from outside and low voices. “Um, Mom, we love you.” More tears came and then, a smile. I took a deep breath before I opened the door.

The truth is – life is just tough some days. We are pulled in many directions. We get tired. We feel alone. We wonder if all that we do really matters in this big scheme of life.

But the truth is also this – we are blessed to have a God who cares enough to whisper His words deep into our soul. We are blessed to have family and friends who come alongside us, in all of our imperfections. We are blessed to be loved.

Life is never about living without a care in the world. Life is not a “to do” list waiting to be completed. Life is about people. Life is about character.

Moms, we may not be perfect – but we are destined to make a difference in this world, by raising our kids to know what’s most important. And God is at our side. He is for us. He is with us – always – even in the laundry room.

“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” Psalm 73:26

“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness…for when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

“The Lord your God is in your midst, a victorious warrior. He will exult over you with joy, He will be quiet in His love, He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy.” Zephaniah 3:17

YOU'VE GOT TO SEE THIS!

It happened just moments ago at our Gospel Crusade here in Ghana (11/9/13)

A man stood before me trembling and overcome with emotion. He had a look of shock on his face. “My name is Mohammed,” he said, and he proceeded to tell me his story. He had been deaf for almost two years. He was a Muslim and didn’t even intend on coming tonight. He had just arrived in town from another city by train and ventured into the city center (Independence square – where our campaign is being held). He could not understand anything that was going on so he lied down and went to sleep, and when he woke up, he could hear!

I asked him if he knew who had healed him and he said it is “the messenger of the Almighty God…Jesus.“ The whole thing was so raw and fresh. I could see he was struggling to come to terms with what he had just realized. “Jesus is, Jesus is…he is a God,” he said, as though the thought had just occurred to him. He said, even the Koran says if you do not believe in Jesus Christ you are not a good Muslim. He seemed to be trying to justify this to himself. But I wanted to make it clear for the thousands watching this unfold, “Jesus is not just a messenger,” I said, “He is the Son of the living God. He is the way, the truth and the life…”

By the end of our conversation, he seemed to be settled and completely sure. He said that his wife did not yet know what had happened to him, so he announced the name of the city where he lives and said, “Tell my wife, Jesus is the Son of God!” I wish you could have seen the crowd. No football team has ever received such enthusiasm – they were jumping and dancing and shouting with joy unspeakable and full of glory. It is a moment I will never forget.

Thanks be to GOD for this testimony.

SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT - SIT DOWN AND SHARPEN YOUR AX!

In the kingdom of God, the growing process must be respected.  There are simply no shortcuts to maturity.  1Samuel 17:33-37 shows us Davids progression in the spiritual life.1 Samuel 17:33–37 (ESV)

33 And Saul said to David, “You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him, for you are but a youth, and he has been a man of war from his youth.” 
 
34 But David said to Saul, “Your servant used to keep sheep for his father. And when there came a lion, or a bear, and took a lamb from the flock, 
 
35 I went after him and struck him and delivered it out of his mouth. And if he arose against me, I caught him by his beard and struck him and killed him. 
 
36 Your servant has struck down both lions and bears, and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be like one of them, for he has defied the armies of the living God.” 
 
37 And David said, “The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” And Saul said to David, “Go, and the Lord be with you!”

You take on lions and bears before you ever take on giants!  It's a progression.  We learn to conquer small things before we take on large things.  We learn to take God's Word and believe for small things like  colds and headaches before we take on cancer.  Sometimes people are defeated because they 'bite off more than they can chew.'

The question must be asked then: How can we be ready for the big giants that come to destroy our peace?   The answer lies in your everyday spiritual routine.  The key to progress is what you do during your down-times, when you are not facing obstacles and tests.   The writer of Ecclesiastes gives us a clue.

Ecclesiastes 10:10 (AV)

10 If the iron be blunt, and he do not whet (sharpen) the edge, then must he put to more strength: but wisdom is profitable to direct.

If your ax is dull, it can't take down the tree easily.  You have to use more strength if your ax is not sharp.  So many are endeavoring to take down the obstacles in their life and wonder why they struggle and why they are so tired.  We need to listen to what wisdom has to say here!   Wisdom directs us that if our ax is dull - sit down and sharpen it!!!

You sharpen your spiritual axe through time in the Word, time in prayer, time fellowshipping with the Holy Spirit.  It may seem like nothing spectacular is happening and that life is very ordinary but don't be fooled.  I'm not sure why it works this way but one day you will look down at your axe and know you have arrived.  You look into your spirit and your grown and your edge glistens in the noon day sun!  Now, you take on that tree, you take on that obstacle and its a whole different story.  The tree comes crashing down and you wonder why you didn't do that before.

It all happened because you took the time to sit-down and sharpen your ax!
 

STYLE FOCUS-PASTOR DEITRICK HADDON

Deitrick Haddon (born may 17,1973) is a gospel singer, producer and pastor. A gospel artist known for his contemporary style of music and He is heavily into fashion :). These days am loving the way preachers,gospel artist,etc are representing God too through fashion...hmmm swweeet.

He said for so long, in gospel music, it wasn't about swag. It was about being anointed and people didn't care about what they put on. IF you are going to really represent GOD, you got to have some swag PERIOD!

Hmm we Love Deitrick Haddon and we pray for more swag and Grace.
 

Understanding God's True Grace

Grace is the favor of GOD that gives us access to the power of GOD for everything we need for life and godliness.

Many Christians find it difficult to understand grace because they confuse it for mercy. Grace is the undeserved,unearned favor of GOD that gives us access to the power of GOD for everything we need in life and for godliness. Mercy is when we have sinned and deserve judgment, yet because of the blood of Jesus we don't receive the punishment we should.

 

Grace gives favor to access the power of GOD; mercy releases us from the judgment of GOD.
None of us deserves access to GOD and His power (Romans 3:23). Because of sin,we all deserve an everlasting hell. Yet God has given us access to all HE is and all He has.

EVERYTHING COMES THROUGH GRACE

We are saved through grace. Acts 15:11

We believe through grace. Acts 18:27

We receive our inheritance by Grace. Acts 20:32

We obey by Grace. (It is by grace we please GOD,no rule
or regulation would). Rom 1:5

We stand by Grace.(A lot of people say they can't resist temptation.that's a lie from the pit of hell,because grace-God's grace-gives us power to stand) Rom 5:2

We receive spiritual gifts by Grace (Rom 12:6)

Everything we need comes by Grace.And Grace comes by Faith in JESUS CHRIST (Ephesians 2 vs 8-9).
(Adapted from Steve Foss book " Grace is not a get out of hell free card)

God's Grace be sufficient for us all and more,in Jesus name.Amen