ALL IN THE NAME

What a blessed people we are to be able to call upon His name. What ever our need may be, we have assurance that once we've called upon His name God WILL make a way!There is so much power in the wonderful name of Jesus! He is the Almighty, Blessed Redeemer, Christ, Precious Corner Stone, Counselor, My Deliverer, Everlasting Father, My Fortress, My Rock, The Good Shepard, The Annointed One, He is....

God - Jesus is called God in several passages in the Bible. Along with His sinless life, miracles, and resurrection from the dead, His claims to be God stand firm (John 20:28).

Lord - In the New Testament, this term is used as a salutation to honor a man of distinction. The disciples used this term to salute Jesus as their teacher and master (Matthew 22:43-44).

Word - This title was used by the apostle John to describe the mission of Jesus. The title states Jesus' Godhead and eternal and absolute deity (John 1:1, 14).

Messiah - The long awaited "anointed one" who would deliver Israel. Jesus came to deliver mankind from sin and death (John 4:25-26).

Alpha and Omega - These two characters were the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. This descriptive title expresses the eternal nature of God - the beginning and the end (Revelation 1:8; 22:13).

Savior - Jesus is the person who rescues mankind from an eternity in hell.

Redeemer - "One who frees or delivers another from difficulty, danger, or bondage, usually by the payment of a ransom price."1 In the New Testament, Jesus is viewed as the ultimate Redeemer who gave His life as a ransom (Mark 10:45, Titus 2:14).

Light of the World - Jesus is the Person who brings true knowledge of God. Those who reject this light bring judgment upon themselves (John 8:12; 3:19-21).

Lamb of God - This title refers to the Old Testament sacrificial system where God accepted the blood of animals as atonement for sin (John 1:29, 36). Jesus' blood made atonement for sin!

Ruler of Creation - Christ existed before the creation of the world and He is sovereign over it (Revelation 3:14).

Mediator - Because Jesus is fully God, He can represent God to man. Because He is fully man, Jesus can represent man to God. Reconciliation is possible (1 Timothy 2:5).

Bread of Life - Jesus is the one and only supplier of true spiritual nourishment (John 6:35). Way, Truth, and Life - Jesus is the only way to heaven, the only source of truth, and the foundation of all life (John 14:6)!

John 3:16-17 says, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him."

As Colossians 1:15 says, "He [Christ] is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation." Jesus provides eternal hope, through God's grace, for everyone who believes He is Lord.

WHAT SIGNIFICANCE IS HIS NAME TO YOU? HOW AWESOME IT IS TO KNOW HIM! HE IS EVERYTHING THAT WE NEED, AND HE IS ANXIOUSLY WAITING TO HEAR OUR PRAYERS AND BLESS OUR LIVES! IF WE CALL UPON HIS NAME THROUGHOUT OUR DAYS, HE WILL PROTECT US THROUGH THE COVERING OF HIS PRECIOUS BLOOD. HE WILL UPLIFT US WHEN WE ARE DISCOURAGED AND HE WILL GIVE US UNSPEAKABLE JOY AND THAT PASSES ALL UNDERSTANDING! HE LOVES US MORE THAN WE COULD POSSIBLY IMAGINE AND I AM SO THANKFUL FOR HIM!

UPLIFTMENT THROUGH THE WORD!

Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion. For the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!
Isaiah 30:18

Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.
Proverbs 16:3


For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Jeremiah 29:11

LORD GIVE ME A GODLY ATTITUDE!

According to the Webster dictionary, the meaning of the term "attitude" is an internal position or feeling with regard to something else. Your attitude shows your inward disposition towards people or circumstances. What's on the inside shows through to the outside. As a christian, we are made a new creature and part of being made new is developing new attitudes. "Your attitude should be the same as Christ Jesus." (Philippians 2:5). The Bible tells us in Ephesians 4:22-24 "that ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness."
Most of us can identify immediately when someone has a bad attitude. They are often critical in their words, discouraging, negative, presumptuous, arrogant, self-centered, rude, and rebellious. These are all signs of a bad attitude and we should reject these attitudes. When we invite people into our lives with these bad attitudes we allow their spirit to become our own. No one knows your thoughts but God and only He can give you a right spirit and attitude. We should persevere in faith and draw close to God. All things work for good according to His perfect will for those who love Him. Also, we should have a humble, submissive attitude toward our pastor's loving correction of sin. His correction is based on God's word(2Tim.4:2,1Cor.5:11-13,Gal.5:19-21, Gal.6:1). People who have a bad attitude towards authority generally have a problem with God.
Good attitudes are demonstrated through being positive, encouraging, loving, humble, teachable, cooperative, considerate, selfless, loyal, persevering and so forth(Gal5:22-23).
Conclusion; TO DEVELOP GOOD ATTITUDES WE MUST:
1. Realize and Repent
Acts 8:22 "Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought in your heart may be forgiven you."
2. Give Your Attitude to God
2 Corinthians 10:5 "casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ..."
3. Dwell on the Positive NOT the Negative
Keep your mind on things that are good and virtuous. If you dwell on the negative your attitude will reflect negatively.
Philippians 4:8 "Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy; mediate on these things."
GOD BLESS!

ASPIRING TO BE A VIRTUOUS WOMAN!

The hebrew definition for the term virtue is; strength, might, efficiency, wealth and army.

STEP 1. Proverbs 31:10 "A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life."
The virtuous woman in Proverbs was a wife of an elder in the city she resided in. She had a good reputation and because of that she brought a good reputation for her family as well. She only desires good things for her husband and does not cause him problems or cause him to stumble.

STEP 2. Proverbs 31:13-16 "She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands. She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar. She gets up while it is still dark; she provides food for her family and portions for her servant girls. She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard."
She is a self confident and capable. She does not lay blame on her circumstances or others around her. She is not lazy and works hard to fulfill the needs of her family. She is a good buisness woman, she makes her own money and provides nice clothes and food for her family. She is eager to take care of her loved ones, even her servants that work for her. She is wise and makes good investments.

STEP 3. Proverbs 31:17-19 "She sets about her work vigoruously; her arms are strong for her tasks. She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night. In her mind she holds the distaff and grasps and spindle with her fingers."
Again she is not lazy, she works tirelessly to fulfill her responsabilities. She maintains a healthy and strong body.

STEP 4. Proverbs 31:20-25 "She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy. When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet. She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple. Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land. She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes. She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come."
She is a caring and considerate woman who cares for those who have less than her. She is respected as a buisness woman and is taken seriously. She has inner strength from the Lord and is confident in her future.

STEP 5. Proverbs 31:26 "She speaks with wisdom and faithful instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of the idleness. Her children arise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all. Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. Giver her the reward she earned, and let her works bring her praise at the gate."
She is wise and considers the affairs of her own house, making that her buisness and not the affairs of another house. In other words she is not a busy body. She gains her strength from the LORD and she seeks after Him continuously. She is encouraged by her children and her husband.

* The virtouse woman spoken of in Proverbs is a woman we should all strive to model after. She was a blessing to her family and to all around her. She was respected and loved. She was a blessed woman who knew that she could only gain the strength she needed from the LORD! We all need to aspire to be VIRTUOUS WOMEN!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY MOM!

How blessed I am to have such a wonderful Mom! I am so thankful for my mother! Many many years ago my mom made a faithful decision to serve the Lord whole heartly and promised to raise her children in the will of God. That decision changed the course of not only her life but the lives of her children and grandchildren! It was a life change that brought promise from that moment forward. My mother always stayed faithful to church, I remember mom always bringing us no matter what, we were going to be at church. My mother has served the Lord for nearly thirty years without my Dad beside her, but she knew if she was faithful to Him, He would also be faithful to her. It must have been hard raising three children in church by herself, but she did it and I have the up most respect for her. I know God gave her courage and the perseverance to continue on in the will of God with her children, even when times were at there hardest. I pray that I follow after the ways of my mother and that I pass along to my children the things she spent so much time teaching me along the years. There were many times during my teenage years especially that I would hear my precious mother in her room calling out my name while in prayer. She would plead the blood of Jesus over my life, she would pray for protection and that God would always keep me close to Him and that I would never stray. There is no telling of what my life would be like if it weren't for those fervent prayers of a God fearing prayerful mother. Words can not express the gratitude I feel for her and how those prayers have impacted my life. There is something special about a mother's love expressed through prayer. She loved me whole heartily and made it very clear that us girls were not hers but the Lord's and that we were only on loan to her. God was trusting her to care for us and raise us according to His will. She always gave glory to God for us, and has always been obedient to the Lord. My mother has been involved with various ministries over the years from Mother's Memorial Leader, Sunday School teacher, Choir director, etc. etc. etc. The greatest ministry my mother ever took part in was through raising us girls. God kept His hand on my mother and ministered through her while she taught us so much about the Lord. My mother instilled the power of prayer in me at a very early age and it has been with me ever since. If there is anything that I rest assure in knowing is that I can go to my heavenly father about anything and He will be there to give me the answers and strength that I need. She taught me how to lead a godly lifestyle and to always put the Lord first. The Bible tells us in Proverbs 31:28 "her children will rise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her". My mother is such a blessing to me, she is not only my mother but my very best friend. I hope I am always a blessing to my mother because she has never failed me with her love and support, without her I would not be the woman I am today. My children would not be in the will of God either. God had a plan for my mother and that plan did not end with her. She is an inspiration and a true example of a godly woman. I hope to be just like her. Mom, I love you, and I am so thankful for you! You are one of a kind and I am so thankful God chose you to be my mother!

A MOTHER'S PRAYER

If there is power in a mother's prayer,
Dear Lord, protect this child of mine.
Shelter and defend him
Until the end of time.

If there is power in a mother's prayer,
Dear Lord, connect this child of mine
To a source of love and hope
Until the end of time.

If there is power in a mother's prayer,
Instill wisdom in this child of mine.
Guide him in your ways, dear Lord,
Until the end of time.

I KNOW THE POWER OF MY PRAYER
WILL SURROUND YOU, CHILD OF MINE.
AND GOD WILL BLESS YOU AND KEEP YOU
UNTIL THE END OF TIME.
~Author-Dorothy Schuler

THROUGH ALL THINGS TRUST THE LORD!

"Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall." Psalm 55:22 (NIV)
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God" (Philippians 4:6).
When we do what His Word tells us to do, we can then experience peace and comfort (Philippians 4:7).
Some of you already know that my son Will had an accident at the park two weeks ago today. He came down the slide with his older sister and some how his foot got twisted underneath her. He immediately was unable to walk, which was quite scary for me as a Mom. We rushed over to his pediatric office and the doctor looked over him and determined that his foot was not broken but seemed to be a very bad sprang. The doctor told me that if Will was not walking on his foot or showing some improvement within the next couple of days he recommended we have a few x-rays done. Well a couple of days passed by and still no improvement what so ever. We had the x-rays done and again we found no broken bones. A week and a half later Will started showing some improvements, he applied pressure to his foot and would try to walk but with a very noticeable limp. This was starting to concern me and the doctor. we both felt that Will should have been over this by now. We were concerned with ligament damage. The doctor still insisted it was probably just a severe sprang but if he was still not walking well with in a few days we probably should get the advice of an Orthopedic doctor.
Well this is the thing, I had spent much time prevailing in prayer over Will and his foot, but I must admit I was filled with more anxiety and doubt than faith and hope. Faith is believing along with that comes miraculous healing! "Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen." Hebrews 11:1 We know God is capable of healing, we've read and even witnessed these miracles ourselves. Yet some how we look past just how powerful the God we serve is! I never doubted that God could, I only doubted if God would for me. Sunday Will went back into the nursery and not long after I was called back to get him because he was crying and not wanting to walk on his foot again. Then later in the service he tried walking again and did walk some but still with the limp and within just a few minutes he was ready to sit back down. After church I had my pastor pray for my son, and Monday morning my little boy ran through my house. You heard right, HE RAN!!! No limp, no pain, no tiring he just ran, played and ran some more! He has been running ever since. You see I finally decided on Sunday to give it to God completely. This matter was no longer between the doctors, me and God. My problem was for God and Him alone. He is "The Great Physician", with God there is nothing He can't fix even for me! By the touch of His hand we are healed. Sometimes we are faced with circumstances as a test of our faith.
We must realize that our problems and circumstances are too big to handle on our own. We need the help of our father to get us through our days here on earth. He is "The Great Physician", always anticipating our calls and anxious to HEAL our problems. How often we revert back to thinking to ourselves, "if I had just asked and trusted God with my problem instead of handling it myself I wouldn't be in such a mess!" We tend to make our problems bigger and even last longer by leaning on our own understanding and trusting ourselves. Through Him all things are possible!

Dear Lord, in our lives there will be times of trial and fear. Remind us to cast our cares and present our requests to You, and leave them there. Thank You for the peace only You can give. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

THE POWER OF PRAYER!

"If God be for us, who can be against us " Romans 8:31

"No weapon formed against you will prosper... " Isaiah 54:17

There is a article written by a couple who told there story of waring against satan and winning their battle. It was such and inspiring testimony of the Lords faithfulness! It was about a woman who wrestled with fear and dreams that brought thoughts and visions of destruction to her marriage. She came from generations of unfaithful men had many insecurities for her own marriage. Fearful her marriage too would be ripped apart from these same sinful acts. She was afraid her husband would be unfaithful and leave her. She wrestled against this fear while the devil continually tormented her mind night after night until she decided to wake her husband and tell him the fears she had been having. The Bible speaks of satan as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. Her husband sat up and started praying with great authority over her. He told the enemy he had to leave and that he had no place in their home. He reminded satan that NO WEAPON FORMED AGAINST THEM SHALL PROSPER! He proclaimed their rightful place was before God and that he would never leave his wife. The power of the holy ghost took over through her husband's prayer and because of that power satan indeed had to flee! She never had another tormenting dream like that again and it has been over twenty-four years.
We too at times must take that same authority in prayer when the enemy rages against us. He is on the war path, he seeks to destroy our families. His mission is our souls. Through prayer the devil can gain NO power over us. We have power and authority over him through the blood of Jesus Christ. We have nothing to fear as children of God. He dwells within us and does not give us the spirit of fear but of a sound mind. Through prayer and the power of the holy ghost, we can bind the devil in Jesus name and throwing him back into the pit of hell where he belongs. These prayers make the enemy tremble and flee from us! One of the greatest gifts we can give our children is teaching them how to pray. Through prayer and faith God will shield them in any situation that may cause them harm. We should teach them to go to God about all things in their lives. We should be prayerful examples for them, going to the Lord in prayer while in their presence. Teaching them to cry out to God and to know God will never leave them or forsake them. Teaching them to always acknowledge God's goodness and to be thankful for all His many blessings. The Bible tells us to "Draw near to God and He will draw near to you..." James 4:8. We are equipping our children with knowledge so that they may gain spiritual strength and wisdom. This will give them the ability to be wise to the tricks of satan. By placing their trust in the Lord, no weapon formed against them shall prosper. Secure in them the truth of knowing that God is always listening, even to their faintest cries. He is our rescuer in times of trouble. He is the absolute power and authority! We can do all things through Him which strengthens us! With the Lord on our side the enemy can gain NO victory over us. We will defeat him and gain victory over him time and time again through the power of the Lord. Though Jesus Christ we have nothing to fear! What a great security and peace of mind we obtain through serving such an awesome God!

LAUGHTER FILLED DAYS!

"The most wasted of all days is a day without laughter."~E.E.Cummings

A little laughter goes a long way! Laughter bonds people together, and brings joy to the heart and soul. Many will tell you that laughter is the shortest distance between two people, especially in marriage. It is a healthy habit to take hold of for all loving couples. "Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The LORD hath done great things for them." Psalm 126:2
"Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart." Psalm 32:11
God desires for us all to be full of joy, He wants us to live our lives with happiness and contentment. The Bible has a total of 187 references for the term joy. What does that say about God and His desire for joy in our lives? The definition of joy tells us, Joy- the emotion of great delight or happiness caused by something exceptionally good or satisfying; keen pleasure; elation: a source or cause of keen pleasure or delight; something or someone greatly valued or appreciated. Well there is nothing more satisfying or that will give more keen pleasure to our lives than God. He is the SOURCE and CAUSE for unspeakable JOY! Sure there are occasions and events in life that cause a measurable amount of joy to ones life but the joy that comes from above is unmeasurable and flows abundantly. It is endless, it does not dry up but continually flows from above to all that serve Him and seek after His righteousness. What a blessing and pleasure we would be to those around us if we shared the joy of the Lord with all we come in contact with. We would make better wives, mothers, daughters and friends if we expressed more often the God given joy that is given to each of us who serve Him! I pray that I show as often as possible the goodness of the Lord and allow all who know me to see the difference the Lord has made in my life! I pray that I will always be a living testimony of what the Lord can do. So others will want to model after His ways so they to can experience true joy, peace, and contentment through serving Him. Christians too experience bad days, we live in a world full of evil and destruction. In which the devil is lurking around like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. We must continually keep ourselves guarded under the blood of Jesus. So that we may be able to overcome and have the power to conquer any evil thing that may try to war against us. Always knowing that God is with us and will protect and shield us from any harm. There is unspeakable joy knowing that what ever we may face we will triumphantly be victorious through the power of the Lord! What greater joy is there than knowing that He is always watching and keeping His children safe and protected. Continually uplifting each of us and encouraging us to press forward, and to continue in faith through all things. What a difference it makes in our lives to know Him and have a life full of blessings!