Terrific Stories & Articles – Page 2

These Men Have Been With Jesus

From:	devotions@davidwilkersonglobal.org
Sent:	Fri 4/03/09 7:43 AM

In Acts 3, we find Peter and John going to the temple to worship. Just outside the temple gate sat a beggar who had been crippled from birth. This man had never walked a step in his life. When he saw Peter and John, he asked them for alms. Peter answered him, “Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee” (Acts 3:6). Peter then prayed for the beggar, saying, “In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth., rise up and walk” (3:6). Instantly, the man was healed! In utter joy, he began running through the temple, jumping and shouting, “Jesus healed me!”

Everyone in the temple marveled at the sight because they recognized the man as the cripple. When Peter and John saw the crowds gathering, they began preaching Christ. Thousands were saved. Yet, while Peter and John were preaching, the synagogue rulers “came upon them, being grieved” (Acts 4:1–2). These high and mighty men asked the disciples, “By what power, or by what name, have ye done this?” (4:7). Peter was emboldened by the Holy Ghost. He answered the rulers, “His name is Jesus Christ of Nazareth, the man you crucified just three weeks ago. God raised him from the dead. And now he’s the power that healed this man. No one can be saved by any other name. You’ll be lost if you don’t call on Christ’s name” (see 4:10–12).

The rulers sat stunned. Scripture says, “They marveled [admired them]; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus” (4:13). The phrase took knowledge comes from a root word meaning “known by some distinguishing mark.”

What was this mark that distinguished Peter and John? It was the presence of Jesus. They had Christ’s own likeness and Spirit.

Those who spend time with Jesus can’t get enough of him. Their hearts continually cry out to know the Master better, to draw closer to him, to grow in the knowledge of his ways. Paul states, “Unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ” (Ephesians 4:7; see also Romans 12:3). What is this measure Paul speaks of? It means a limited amount. In other words, we’ve all received a certain amount of the saving knowledge of Christ.

For some believers, this initial measure is all they ever desire. They want just enough of Jesus to escape judgment, to feel forgiven, to keep a good reputation, to endure an hour of church each Sunday. Such people are in “maintenance mode.” And they give Jesus only the bare requirements.

Paul desired the following for every believer: “And he gave some apostles …prophets…evangelists… pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints…till we all come in…the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ: that we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men…whereby they lie in wait to deceive; but speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ” (Ephesians 4:11–15).

Paul was saying, “God has given these spiritual gifts so that you may be filled up with Christ’s Spirit. This is crucial, because deceivers are coming to rob you of your faith. If you’re rooted in Christ and maturing in him, no deceptive doctrine will ever sway you. Yet, the only way to grow to such maturity is by wanting more of Jesus.”

The Resume of Jesus Christ

Address: Ephesians 1:20
Phone: Romans 10:13
Website: The Bible
Keywords: Christ, Lord, Savior and Jesus _____________________________________________________ Objective My name is Jesus – The Christ. Many call me Lord! I’ve sent you my resume because I’m seeking the top management position in your heart. Please consider my accomplishments as set forth in my resume. _____________________________________________________________________ Qualifications I founded the earth and established the heavens, (See Proverbs 3:19) I formed man from the dust of the ground, (See Genesis 2:7) I breathed into man the breath of life, (See Genesis 2:7) I redeemed man from the curse of the law, (See Galatians 3:13) The blessings of the Abrahamic Covenant comes upon your life through me, (See Galatians 3:14) _____________________________________________________________________ Occupational Background I’ve only had one employer, (See Luke 2:49 ). I’ve never been tardy, absent, disobedient, slothful or disrespectful. My employer has nothing but rave reviews for me, (See Matthew 3:15 -17) _____________________________________________________________________ Skills Work Experiences Some of my skills and work experiences include: empowering the poor to be poor no more, healing the brokenhearted, setting the captives free, healing the sick, restoring sight to the blind and setting at liberty them that are bruised, (See Luke 4:18). I am a Wonderful Counselor, (See Isaiah 9:6). People who listen to me shall dwell safely and shall not fear evil, (See Proverbs 1:33 ). Most importantly, I have the authority, ability and power to cleanse you of your sins, (See I John 1:7-9) _____________________________________________________________________ Educational Background I encompass the entire breadth and length of knowledge, wisdom and understanding, (See Proverbs 2:6). In me are hid all of the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, (See Colossians 2:3). My Word is so powerful; it has been described as being a lamp unto your feet and a light unto your path, (See Psalms 119:105). I can even tell you all of the secrets of your heart, (See Psalms 44:21). _____________________________________________________________________ Major Accomplishments I was an active participant in the greatest Summit Meeting of all times, (See Genesis 1:26 ). I laid down my life so that you may live, (See II Corinthians 5:15 ). I defeated the arch enemy of God and mankind and made a show of them openly, (See Colossians 2:15 ). I’ve miraculously fed the poor, healed the sick and raised the dead! There are many more major accomplishments, too many to mention here. You can read them on my website, which is located at: www dot – the BIBLE. You don’t need an Internet connection or computer to access my website. _____________________________________________________________________ References Believers and followers worldwide will testify to my divine healing, salvation, deliverance, miracles, restoration and supernatural guidance. _____________________________________________________________________ In Summation Now that you’ve read my resume, I’m confident that I’m the only candidate uniquely qualified to fill this vital position in your heart. In summation, I will properly direct your paths, (See Proverbs 3:5-6), and lead you into everlasting life, (See John 6:47 ). When can I start? Time is of the essence, (See Hebrews 3:15 ). Send this resume to everyone you know,
You never know who may have an opening!
Thanks for your help.

The Divinity of Christ

The New Testament only refers to Jesus Christ as “the Son of God” in a few places. However, it does testify to his divinity – that he is God in multiple passages:

Jesus as Son of God

Mark 1:11 – At Jesus baptism, a voice from heaven said: “You are My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Same for Matthew 3:17

Matthew 16:15-17 – Jesus asked His disciples “But who do you say that I am?” And Simon Peter answered and said, ‘You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.”

Matthew 26:63-65 – After interaction with Jesus, the high priest tore his clothes, which is what the priests do when they hear blasphemy (someone claiming to be God): “And the high priest answered Him and said to Him, “I adjure You by the living God that You tell us if You are the Christ, the Son of God.’ And Jesus said to him, “It is as you said. Nevertheless, I say to you, hereafter you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.’ Then the high priest tore his clothes, saying, “He has spoken blasphemy! What further need do we have of witnesses? Look, now you have heard His blasphemy!’

Jesus as God

Matthew 2:23 quotes Isaiah 7:14, referring to Jesus: “Behold a virgin shall be with child, and bear a son, and they shall call His name Immanuel, which is translated ‘God with us’.”

Matthew 3:3 quotes a prophecy in Isaiah 40:3, referring to John the Baptist and Jesus: “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: prepare the way of the Lord. Make His paths straight.”

Matthew 4:7: Jesus is talking to Satan, who is trying to tempt Him: “Jesus said to him, ‘It is written again, you shall not tempt the Lord your God.’”

Matthew 8:22: Jesus talks about people calling Him Lord, and He not denying it: “Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’”

John 10:30–33 – Jesus stated: “’I and My Father are one.’ Then the Jews took up stones again to stone Him. Jesus answered them, “Many good works I have shown you from My Father. For which of these works do you stone Me? The Jews answered them, ‘For a good work we do not stone You, but for blasphemy, and because You, being a man, make Yourself God.”

John 18:4-8 – Jesus talking to the soldiers who came for Him – “Jesus therefore, knowing all things that would come upon Him, went forward and said to them, ‘Whom are you seeking?’ They answered Him, ‘Jesus of Nazareth.’ Jesus said to them, ‘I am He.’ And Judas, who betrayed Him, also stood with them. Then, when He said to them, ‘I am He’, they drew back and fell to the ground.”

NOTE: The word “He” was added to later translations. The statement “I Am” was known by the Jews to be a direct claim to divinity, as indicated in Exodus 3: 13-14.

Seven Incredible Stories – Following Jesus is Like Wiring a House With the Current on

Notes from The 2010 Gathering on Lake Ouachita

April 23-25, 2010

Following Jesus is like wiring a house with the current on. It is exciting, and you never know when you are going to get a shot of juice.

We are used to taking in information and making decisions. A life of faith is different.

It is not natural for grown men to get up before a large group of men and bare their souls, confessing their sins to each other and to God. But that’s what happened. It is supernatural, and reflects the convicting presence of the sovereign, living God. What is natural is for men to get together, talk about women and cars, and lie about how many fish they caught.

Incredible Story #1 – Jesus as a Peacekeeper

In 1991, South Africa was on the verge of violent civil war. Henry Kissinger from the U.S. and a top diplomat from Great Britain came to South Africa and tried to negotiate a peace. They were unsuccessful and left. Then a pastor from Dublin called a prayer breakfast in a soccer stadium, and invited the leaders of the Zulus, Nelson Mandela, and the head of the South African government to attend.

As they were sitting at the front table and people were singing, the head of the Zulus wrote on a piece of paper a simple plan for elections. He passed it to Mandela and to the South African leader, and asked if this would work. They said yes, and it was all settled. Away from their assistants and attorneys, these leaders resolved a dangerous national crisis that would have led to enormous loss of life, while they were sitting at the head table of a Jesus rally! God truly moves in strange and wondrous ways.

Sin leads us to cover up, to hide, and to blame each other. That’s the way it was in the Garden of Eden. Adam and Eve covered up with leaves, they hid in the bushes, and they blamed each other.

And that is the way it still is today. God wants us to take the cover off, come out from in the bushes, and take responsibility. The work of the Lord is that we believe Him and His mercy and love. Soak yourselves in the Gospels.

Incredible Story #2 – the Peace of the Lord Which Passes All Human Understanding

In Rwanda, a country of 10 million people with 100% of its land arable, two thousand people were killed every day for 200 days – 800,000 people were killed. (Comparatively speaking, it would be like 60,000 people in the U.S. being killed every day for 200 days). The speaker of their parliament, a woman who would be the equivalent of Nancy Pelosi, was in a vehicle with our speaker and a few other leaders, and they were traveling through the countryside. They were all singing, with great joy. She showed where her family had been killed. She now has a new family. She is a Tsuti, she married a Hutu, and they adopted two Tsuti children and two Hutu children. This kind of joy is not natural; it is supernatural.

“Jesus didn’t come to eliminate suffering; He came to fill it with His presence.” C.S. Lewis

Incredible Story #3 – If My people who are called by My name…

When Ronald Reagan took the oath of office to become the 40^th president of the United States, he opened his Bible and put his hand on this verse: “If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”

II Chronicles 7:14

How did Jesus spend His time? How did He talk? How did He think? Who did He spend time with? Jesus trained his guys to Be, Think, and Do. Do the things Jesus would have us do.

Community – communion – Jesus reproduced what was in His heart with people in all kinds of ways. When Jesus encountered the rich young ruler, He spoke to his heart.

Jesus always talked in stories, He never bored anyone, and He always loved them.

Incredible Story #4 – The Cross as a Sign of Encouragement

Dr. Martin Luther King was wounded by a man with a knife who tried to kill him. This left a scar the shape of a cross near his heart. Dr. King stated: “Every morning I am encouraged – I see this cross near my heart.”

We are human beings, not human doings. We need to be who we are in Christ, not just always be doing things.

A ship is safe in the harbor, but a harbor is not what a ship is built for.

What is Going on in Washington, D.C.

You have been lied to. Washington, D.C. is worse than you can possibly imagine. There are 500,000 people in D.C. who are trying to keep fights and battles going. We are going to put 535 people in D.C. in one building whose primary motivation is greed, and expect anything good to happen? The natural state is toward chaos. The second law of thermodynamics: the natural state of things is to move toward chaos. The gap between the people who give you the laws and you is like the Grand Canyon times ten. They are cynical, critical people, and their pride always comes through. But the power of God is greater than you can imagine.

(Our speaker was involved in the political scene in Washington)

We have the ball, and they can’t beat us.

Incredible Story #5 – Servant Leadership

When Colin Powell met with the aging Norman Vincent Peale, he noticed that his shoe laces were untied. He knelt down and tied them. A guard standing nearby said to his buddy: “Now you know why we are willing to follow that guy into battle.”

Be absolutely sure you are involved with a small group of guys who will hold you accountable. Al Gore said every leader who does not have a small group of people to whom he is accountable is an accident waiting to happen.

Friendship is one means through which God reveals Himself.

Incredible Story #6 – God Makes Things Happen

When we hold a national prayer breakfast, we cast a wide net and invite a lot of people. We invited some leaders from the United Arab Republic. UAR is almost completely Moslem and is one of the wealthiest nations in the world, with 1 out of 5 people being millionaires. Three guys came, and after the breakfast, they took out their checkbooks, and asked how much money we wanted. We told them that we didn’t want their money, but encouraged them to hold a Jesus discussion group when they got back to UAR.

When they got back, they learned that George Bush Sr. was coming, so they called us and said, “why don’t we invite him to come to our Jesus discussion group?” We asked when he was coming, and they said “tomorrow morning”. This led to frantic calls, including calling Barbara Bush in the middle of the night. They finally reached George Bush Sr., who was only going to be in UAR for four hours! So these guys started their Jesus discussion group, when there was a knock on the door. It was George Bush, Sr., who said he only had 5 minutes. He told them four things: “This is the most important thing going on in the United Arab Republic. Keep it up! This is probably the most important thing going on in the Middle East! Good by.” Now what are the chances a former U.S. president could drop in on the first Jesus discussion group in the United Arab Republic? God truly moves in wondrous ways.

God brings people into our lives who will speak truth to us.

Incredible Story #7 – Discussing the Life of Jesus

A U.S. insurance executive was living in Bangladesh when the floods came. Bangladesh is a large flood plain, so when the rain water comes down from the mountains, it floods huge areas. Because his house was on stilts two feet higher than the houses around him, when the floods came, it flooded all of his neighbors’ houses. He and his wife invited eight neighbor families to come and stay with them while the water was up. Wednesday came around, and he told them they always have a Bible study on Wednesday evenings. So he asked them if they would like to join him and his wife. They would spend half of the time reading the Koran and half of the time reading the Bible. They said yes, that would be fine.

This went on for some time, and then the Moslem families said, it’s OK with us if we don’t read the Koran – yours is a little more interesting. This went on for some time, and then the host said: “Why don’t we try an experiment, by going out to villages, and starting Jesus discussion groups with the people in the villages, just as an experiment. They said sure. So they took the Jesus discussion groups out to villages. Someone asked the insurance executive how many people they had reached so far. With tears in his eyes, he said “over a million people. But don’t tell anyone! This is under the radar, and if the radical Moslems find out about it, there will be big trouble.”

As soon as Jesus puts something on our hearts, act on it.

Walking with the Lord is a great adventure. Pray to be available to carry out His will.

Thanks so much to The Gathering team that put this retreat together, to our guest speaker from Minneapolis, to everyone who came, and to our Lord, for revealing Himself through this experience, this fellowship, and His Spirit.

To God be the glory

Mark Peterson

Remember Who You Are

Remember Who You Are and Act Like It – Daily

You are a son of Adam, created in the image of God, and a son of the second Adam (Christ), created for good works. Remember this. Live like you belief this. You are a son of Adam and a son of God. The life you are looking for can only be found in God.

The life that you are looking for can only be found in God through His Son Jesus Christ. It cannot be found in the daughters of Eve, in money, in power, in experiences, in fame, in possessions, in sex, or in work. It can only be found in God through Christ Jesus our Lord. Only He can fill the hole, fill the void. Only He can answer the question. Only He is worth living for, dying for. Only He is worthy of being the reason we do what we do. True joy and peace and freedom can only be found in Him. Healing is only found in Him. He is the end game. He is what we live for. He is the audience we live for. He is life.

Remember who Eve is, and her daughters. The daughters of Eve were created. They were created to be our helper. Eve is not the end game. God is. In the Garden of Eden, Adam chose Eve over God. We continue to make this choice to this day. Do not do this. Choose God. Eve’s beauty reflects the beauty of God. Perhaps we glimpse eternity in it. We see God’s glory. It is magnificent. She is truly beautiful. That is why we are so drawn to the daughters of Eve. That is why her beauty is so compelling, why we so easily think she is the end game. She can easily become the reason we live and do what we do. But she is not. GOD is the end game. He is the reason we live and do what we do. Remember this. He is our reason to live.

And remember that the life you are looking for can only be found in God. Remember this when you gaze upon the daughters of Eve. Do not be fooled and think she has life. Only God has the life you crave. I must remind myself of his every day, every time I look upon her beauty. Only God has life. Life abundant.

So, having said this, truly believing this, what does this mean to me? How now should I live? How should I view the daughters of Eve when confronted by their beauty? How should I live with my wife, the daughter of Eve that I have chosen as my helper?

I am a son of Adam and a son of the second Adam, Jesus Christ. I am restored to fellowship with God by the work of Christ. God grant me the wisdom, strength, and courage to walk with You and accomplish the works You created me to do while I am here on this earth. Train me to think rightly and to act rightly. Train me to look upon the daughters of Eve as you intend me to. Don’t let my flesh overcome me. Do not let me fall in to the traps of the world, sin and Satan. Teach me your ways and show me how to live.

Remember, you are a son of Adam, born again. You are also a son of God. Remember this. Act like it. Think like it. And act like a man. Don’t act like a woman. Don’t act like an animal. Don’t act like a child. Act like a man.

Every trap the devil sets is upside down. It delivers the opposite of what it promises. The fruit delivered death, not life. Following Satan leads to bondage and a loss of freedom and fewer choices, not the freedom he promises. Everything he says is a lie. Every trap he sets delivers the opposite of the promise he uses to bait us into the trap. You would think we would figure this out be now. I guess we are easily fooled.

Remember that everything he says is a lie and you will be well served. Remember that every trap delivers the opposite of its promise and perhaps you will keep your foot out of it. Remember that every argument he makes is upside down and you will not be fooled and led astray by this theories and teachings.

Everything he does is to keep us from God and occupy our time in worthless endeavors. Remember Egypt and the Wilderness. Do not settle in either of these places; they are Satan’s. Move on to the Promised Land. Egypt is his land of bondage and slavery. The Wilderness is his land of wasted life. Move out of both of these places, and get God’s help as needed to do so. And move into the Promised Land life of working with God and building His kingdom. Be a Matthew 6:33 kind of guy. Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be added to you.

Accept responsibility. God has put you in charge. Be in charge. Don’t blame others, don’t pretend you don’t know what is going on. Don’t abdicate decisions to others when it is your decision to make. Accept responsibility. Be responsible, for good or bad. Step up and be counted. Face the music. Move towards the conflict and not away from it. Move towards problems and not away from them. Don’t hide; be accessible and available. Accept responsibility.

Be responsible for those in your charge – for their well-being, for their spiritual growth, and for their safety. Take responsibility for the work God has given you to do.

Lead courageously. Leading is what you are to do. With courage is how you are to do it. God has put you in command and you are to lead. You take in the relevant information, get whatever input you need, and talk to God about it. But ultimately it is your job to make a decision and lead your family, your team, your business unit, your friends, your girlfriend, whatever and whoever God has put you in command of. People may not like your decisions. You may not like some of the decisions you have to make. You may not like the outcome of some of the decisions you make. You may not even want to make the decision. But is your job to lead, to lead with courage and to make decisions. Just do it.

The issue isn’t whether God is speaking but whether or not you can hear Him or want to hear Him. Are you living your life in such a way that you can hear from God? Are you giving God opportunities to speak to you? Are you stopping to listen? Are you taking the time to record what he says to you? Do you need to slow down your life? When do you hear from God? Where do you hear from God? Do you need to establish a time and a place to hear from Him? What works best for you? Make time for God.

Ed Levy

Little Rock, Arkansas

Compelling Portrait of a Relationship

I see her only once a week but only from one to two hours.

Sometimes during that time she might say something to me but usually it is something she says repeatedly every week, something memorized.

She never stops to hear what I have to say. Mostly she just sits there listening to someone else and then she gets up and leaves without saying goodbye.

For the most part, she doesn’t even know I’m there. The rest of the week she doesn’t see me nor speak to me at all. I don’t think she ever even thinks of me or our relationship except maybe on that day once a week. Many times I don’t get to see her even then.

You see, she leads a very busy life and there always seems to be other things more important to her than visiting with me. I miss her terribly. What hurts most is she is my bride to be.

We seem to be drifting further and further apart. It wasn’t always like this. When we first met, our hearts were filled with love and we spent every free moment with each other.

There almost wasn’t any time when we weren’t in conversation with each other. We would talk for hours on end, never noticing the time as it quickly slipped away. We did everything together.

She would dream about our future together. We talked about what we do and how much we enjoyed each other’s company.

We took long walks each and every day. It was a joyous time filled with joy and laughter. I love the way she laughs. She is so adorable to me.

Until we met, she did not know just how precious her life was to me. Now her eyes are beginning to open and her heart is just beginning to see the depth of my love for her.

But something happened along the way in our journey together. Nothing earth shattering, just a slow drifting away. Her interest in me began to fade. She says she still loves me but her actions say differently. Her visits have become farther and farther apart. Sometimes, she doesn’t come visit me except for a few days a year, usually Christmas and Easter. Every now and then she will call me but that usually happens when she is in desperate straits. I will help every time without fail and she will show her gratefulness for a time but, again, the same pattern returns. I miss her so!

If you see her, will you tell her how much I miss her and my love for her will never end. Thank you.

What? Oh, how will you recognize her? It’s easy, she looks just like…………..YOU!

Eternally,

Jesus

THIS IS A LOVE LETTER FROM JESUS TO THE BODY OF CHRIST, HIS BRIDE. HE INVITES US TO WALK WITH HIM EVERY DAY, TO FALL IN LOVE WITH HIM, AND TO ENJOY HIS PRESENCE – FROM NOW INTO ETERNITY!

https://rev217.wordpress.com/2015/11/02/short-sweet/ Jerry Sundberg

Pat Robertson’s Horse

In his book “The Plan”, Pat Robertson describes how many years ago he purchased a beautiful Arabian stallion. It stood 16 hands tall, and was a very powerful animal. To make sure he could handle it, Pat hired a professional horse trainer to train it.

After a couple of months, the trainer brought the horse to Pat, and was showing him how to ride it. With the trainer on the horse, it would move forward, backwards, and turn to the right or left. But Pat could not see the trainer pulling on the reins. So he asked the trainer how he did it. The trainer replied that the horse was so well trained that just the slightest nudge would move the horse away from the nudge.

Pat was impressed, then concluded that that is how we are to be with the Lord. We are to be so in tune with the Holy Spirit that the slightest nudge will move us to act. Jesus said that He is the good shepherd and His sheep hear His voice. So we should be so in the Spirit, and know the still, small voice of the Holy Spirit, that we don’t debate, or pray about it, but take action because we know it is from the Lord.

One Tamale Away From Eternity

Several years ago, when I was an irrigation engineer with the University of Missouri, I was invited to come and speak at a company meeting of the Gorman – Rupp Company in El Paso TX. I had developed a tool to determine what kind of pump would be most suited to pump different kinds of liquids, and they wanted me to share it with them. As I had never been there before, it was an adventure and I was looking forward to it. It was a two day event, and for dinner in the evening, they took us to see the dog races in Mexico. They served us wonderful food, including tamales and other Mexican dishes.

Part way through dinner, we heard a great commotion a couple of tables away. A fellow was choking on his food, perhaps a tamale, and he was not able to disengorge the food. He was coughing violently, and his face became deep red as his movements became more desperate.

Fortunately for him, someone came up from behind him and performed the Heimlich maneuver, disengorging the food from his windpipe. He gasped for air, and everyone in the area breathed a sigh of relief as the man sat back down.

In all likelihood, this man did not wake up in the morning with the realization that he was going to have a brush with death before the day is over. He was close to meeting the Lord; he was one tamale away from eternity. Unlike many people, he was given a second chance at life.

Each of us will have a last day on this earth. Our time here will be complete, and it will be our turn to depart. While our family and friends begin to mourn and make arrangements for our burial, I believe we will stand before the Lord – the sovereign, living God of the universe – to give an account of ourselves and our lives.

He won’t ask about our accomplishments (with which He will already be familiar). He will ask on what basis should we be admitted into heaven. Only if we know Jesus Christ, and have accepted Him as Lord and Savior will we be admitted into heaven. We are all going to meet the Lord; the only question is how soon and on what terms. We can meet Him now by repenting of our sins, and accepting Jesus as our Lord and Savior, or we can meet the Lord when we have died, and face eternity in hades. The Lord invites us to join Him, but He will not drag anyone into heaven who really doesn’t want to be there, who does not want to be with the Lord now and in eternity.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways, acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6

Finally, given the great challenges and profound changes our nation faces, spiritual preparation – getting right with God and seeking His guidance, His will, and His protection is imperative. If we place our faith and hope in our finances and physical preparation, we will be disappointed, for we do not control what is happening to our nation and the world. If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, now is the time to do so. Colonel Stephen M. Bauer calculated that the chance that 40 fulfilled prophecies from the Old Testament were fulfilled by chance to be one chance in 1×10 to the 136^th power. (See his book “The Math of Christ”.)

Now is the time to draw close to the Lord, our refuge and strength.

Life is short. God is great. Walk with the Lord.

Mark Peterson

One of God’s Children

A seminary professor was vacationing with his wife in Gatlinburg , TN. One morning, they were eating breakfast at a little restaurant, hoping to enjoy a quiet, family meal. While they were waiting for their food, they noticed a distinguished looking, white-haired man moving from table to table, visiting with the guests. The professor leaned over and whispered to his wife, ‘

I hope he doesn’t come over here.’

But sure enough, the man did come over to their table.

‘Where are you folks from?’ he asked in a friendly voice.

‘Oklahoma ,’ they answered.

‘Great to have you here in Tennessee ,’

The stranger said. ‘What do you do for a living?’

‘I teach at a seminary,’ he replied.

‘Oh, so you teach preachers how to preach, do you? Well, I’ve got a really great story for you.’

And with that, the gentleman pulled up a chair and sat down at the table with the couple.

The professor groaned and thought to himself, ‘Great Just what I need… another preacher story!’

The man started, ‘See that mountain over there? (pointing out the restaurant window).

Not far from the base of that mountain,

There was a boy born to an unwed mother.

He had a hard time growing up, because every place he went, he was always asked the same question, ‘Hey boy, Who’s your daddy?’

Whether he was at school, in the grocery store or drug store, people would ask the same question, ‘Who’s your daddy?’

He would hide at recess and lunchtime from other students. He would avoid going into stores because that question hurt him so bad. ‘

When he was about 12 years old, a new preacher came to his church.

He would always go in late and slip out early to avoid hearing the question, ‘Who’s your daddy?’

But one day, the new preacher said the benediction so fast that he got caught and had to walk out with the crowd.

Just about the time he got to the back door,

The new preacher, not knowing anything about him, put his hand on his shoulder and asked him, ‘’Son, who’s your daddy?’

The whole church got deathly quiet.

He could feel every eye in the church looking at him. Now everyone would finally know the answer to the question,

‘Who’s your daddy?’

‘This new preacher, though, sensed the situation around him and using discernment that only the Holy Spirit could give, said the following to that scared little boy..

‘Wait a minute! I know who you are! I see the family resemblance now. You are a child of God.’

With that he patted the boy on his shoulder and said, ‘’Boy, you’ve got a great inheritance. ‘Go and claim it.’

‘With that, the boy smiled for the first time in a long time and walked out the door a changed person.

He was never the same again.

Whenever anybody asked him, ‘ Who’s your Daddy?’

He’d just tell them, ‘I’m a Child of God.”

The distinguished gentleman got up from the table and said, ‘Isn’t that a great story?’

The professor responded that it really was a great story!

As the man turned to leave, he said, ‘You know, if that new preacher hadn’t told me that I was one of God’s children, I probably never would have amounted to anything!’ And he walked away.The seminary professor and his wife were stunned. He called the waitress over and asked her, “Do you know who that man was — the one who just left that was sitting at our table?”The waitress grinned and said, “Of course. Everybody here knows him. That’s Ben Hooper. He’s the former governor of Tennessee!”

Someone in your life today needs a reminder that they’re one of God’s children!

‘The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of God stands forever.’

~~Isaiah

YOU’RE ONE OF GOD’S CHILDREN!!! HAVE A GREAT DAY!

My Presence Should Be Desired More Than Anything Else in Your Life

Posted by 444 Prophecy News on September 22, 2018

Ginger Barbare

My Presence should be desired more than anything else in your life.

You will show me the path of life;
In Your presence is fullness of joy;
At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore. Psalm 16:11

It is more precious than silver or gold.

More to be desired are they than gold,
Yea, than much fine gold;
Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Psalm 19:10

For when you seek to enter in to My Presence, you prepare your heart and mind for an encounter with Me.

Create in me a clean heart, O God,
And renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalm 51:10

You search yourself deep within

Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you fg—unless indeed you are disqualified. 2 Corinthian 13:5

to see if there is anything within you that could keep you from experiencing My Presence in your daily walk with Me.

Search me, O God, and know my heart;
Try me, and know my anxieties;
And see if there is any wicked way in me,
And lead me in the way everlasting. Psalm 139:23-24

Prepare yourself to experience My Presence.

How lovely is Your tabernacle, O Lord of hosts!
My soul longs, yes, even faints
For the courts of the Lord;
My heart and my flesh cry out for the living God. Psalm 84:1-2

Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners;

and purify your hearts, you double-minded. James 4:8

For it will empower you to go forth and shine My Light,

You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:14-16

the Light I have placed in you with a world filled with darkness and confusion,” saith the Lord.

For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth,
And deep darkness the people;
But the Lord will arise over you,
And His glory will be seen upon you. Isaiah 60:2

Once My Light begins to shine upon you it begins to transform you into a new image after Myself.

But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord. 2 Corinthians 3:18

Old things pass away and behold all things are made new.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

2 Corinthians 5:17

As you allow Me to change you, to mold you into what I created you to be

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Romans 12:2

shackles fall and chains are broken.

They wandered in the wilderness in a desolate way;
They found no city to dwell in. Psalm 107:4

Who I set free is free indeed.

Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed. John 8:36

You shine with the Love of Christ [agape].

to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Ephesians 3:19

Others see the change in your demeanor. When they look into your eyes, they see My Love for them shining back at them. You obey My commandments when you show others Love instead of hate, encouragement instead of discouragement, and compassion instead of judgment, saith the Lord.

And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these. Mark 12:31

For I Am a consuming fire.

For our God is a consuming fire. Hebrews 12:29

Let My Fire purify your imperfections, sanctifying you for My Work and My Purpose.

I will bring the one-third through the fire,
Will refine them as silver is refined,
And test them as gold is tested.
They will call on My name,
And I will answer them.
I will say, ‘This is My people’;
And each one will say, ‘The Lord is my God.’ Zechariah 13:9

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28

I have a plan and a purpose for your life

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11

and it can only be accomplished when you walk in obedience

If they obey and serve Him,
They shall spend their days in prosperity,
And their years in pleasures. Job 36:11

and submission to the prompting of My Spirit that lives within you.

Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. James 4:7

However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. John 16:13

Let My Love pour through you.

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 1 John 4:7-10

Encourage the hurting.

I cried to the Lord with my voice,
And He heard me from His holy hill. Psalms 3:4

Pray for the afflicted.

Hear my prayer, O Lord, And let my cry come to You. Psalms 102:1

Minister unto all in word and in deed without expecting anything in return.

And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. Colossians 3:17

But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil. Luke 6:35

Live your life as an example of My Love.

For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:

1 Peter 2:21

Don’t withhold My Love from anyone you encounter

Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,
When it is in the power of your hand to do so. Proverbs 3:27

for through your sharing My Love, lives will be transformed and souls will be saved.

but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ. Ephesians 4:15

For My Love breaks down the walls that people set up to protect themselves from being hurt,” saith the Lord.

“Experiencing My Presence is what changes you.

It is how I fill you with My Spirit so that you can share it with the world.

Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 15:13

My Atonement on the cross for all sins displayed My Love for all people.

And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world. 1 John 2:2

It is My Commandment that ye Love your neighbor as yourself.

This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. John 15:12

And above all things have fervent Love among yourselves: for Love shall cover the multitude of sins.

And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins. 1 Peter 4:8

I didn’t say it would be easy, in fact, it will be one of the most difficult things you have ever done, but it will change the dynamics of how you react to your family, your church, your community, and this world.

By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another. John 13:35

It’s up to you to choose to Love like Me.

But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say? Luke 6:46

I will teach you how so you can teach others,” saith the Lord of Hosts. Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments,

and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:19