A Greater Yes

Here's a movie that honestly deals with how God chooses to answer prayer. I highly recommend this video.

Enemies Within the Camp

¹BUT UNDERSTAND this, that in the last days will come (set in) perilous times of great stress and trouble [hard to deal with and hard to bear].

²For people will be lovers of self and [utterly] self-centered, lovers of money and aroused by an inordinate [greedy] desire for wealth, proud and arrogant and contemptuous boasters. They will be abusive (blasphemous, scoffing), disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy and profane.

³[They will be] without natural [human] affection (callous and inhuman), relentless (admitting of no truce or appeasement); [they will be] slanderers (false accusers, troublemakers), intemperate and loose in morals and conduct, uncontrolled and fierce, haters of good.

⁴[They will be] treacherous [betrayers], rash, [and] inflated with self-conceit. [They will be] lovers of sensual pleasures and vain amusements more than and rather than lovers of God.

⁵For [although] they hold a form of piety (true religion), they deny and reject and are strangers to the power of it [their conduct belies the genuineness of their profession]. Avoid [all] such people [turn away from them].

⁶For among them are those who worm their way into homes and captivate silly and weak-natured and spiritually dwarfed women, loaded down with [the burden of their] sins [and easily] swayed and led away by various evil desires and seductive impulses.

⁷[These weak women will listen to anybody who will teach them]; they are forever inquiring and getting information, but are never able to arrive at a recognition and knowledge of the Truth.

⁸Now just as Jannes and Jambres were hostile to and resisted Moses, so these men also are hostile to and oppose the Truth. They have depraved and distorted minds, and are reprobate and counterfeit and to be rejected as far as the faith is concerned.

⁹But they will not get very far, for their rash folly will become obvious to everybody, as was that of those [magicians mentioned].

¹⁰Now you have closely observed and diligently followed my teaching, conduct, purpose in life, faith, patience, love, steadfastness,

¹¹Persecutions, sufferings--such as occurred to me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra, persecutions I endured, but out of them all the Lord delivered me.

¹²Indeed all who delight in piety and are determined to live a devoted and godly life in Christ Jesus will meet with persecution [will be made to suffer because of their religious stand].

¹³But wicked men and imposters will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and leading astray others and being deceived and led astray themselves.

¹⁴But as for you, continue to hold to the things that you have learned and of which you are convinced, knowing from whom you learned [them],

¹⁵And how from your childhood you have had a knowledge of and been acquainted with the sacred Writings, which are able to instruct you and give you the understanding for salvation which comes through faith in Christ Jesus [through the leaning of the entire human personality on God in Christ Jesus in absolute trust and confidence in His power, wisdom, and goodness].

¹⁶Every Scripture is God-breathed (given by His inspiration) and profitable for instruction, for reproof and conviction of sin, for correction of error and discipline in obedience, [and] for training in righteousness (in holy living, in conformity to God's will in thought, purpose, and action),

¹⁷So that the man of God may be complete and proficient, well fitted and thoroughly equipped for every good work. - (2 Timothy 3:1-17 - Amplified Bible)

(graphic courtesy: www.heartlight.org)

The Battle Is The Lord!

(graphic courtesy: www.heartlight.org)

Who & What We're Fighting Against!

(graphic courtesy: www.heartlight.org)

It's Spiritual Warfare!

(graphic courtesy: www.heartlight.org)

Proverbs 6 - in the Amplified Bible

¹MY SON, if you have become security for your neighbor, if you have given your pledge for a stranger or another,

²You are snared with the words of your lips, you are caught by the speech of your mouth.

³Do this now [at once and earnestly], my son, and deliver yourself when you have put yourself into the power of your neighbor; go, bestir and humble yourself, and beg your neighbor [to pay his debt and thereby release you].

⁴Give not [unnecessary] sleep to your eyes, nor slumber to your eyelids;

⁵Deliver yourself, as a roe or gazelle from the hand of the hunter, and as a bird from the hand of the fowler.

⁶Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider her ways and be wise!--

⁷Which, having no chief, overseer, or ruler,

⁸Provides her food in the summer and gathers her supplies in the harvest.

⁹How long will you sleep, O sluggard? When will you arise out of your sleep?

¹⁰Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to lie down and sleep--

¹¹So will your poverty come like a robber or one who travels [with slowly but surely approaching steps] and your want like an armed man [making you helpless].

¹²A worthless person, a wicked man, is he who goes about with a perverse (contrary, wayward) mouth.

¹³He winks with his eyes, he speaks by shuffling or tapping with his feet, he makes signs [to mislead and deceive] and teaches with his fingers.

¹⁴Willful and contrary in his heart, he devises trouble, vexation, and evil continually; he lets loose discord and sows it.

¹⁵Therefore upon him shall the crushing weight of calamity come suddenly; suddenly shall he be broken, and that without remedy.

¹⁶These six things the Lord hates, indeed, seven are an abomination to Him:

¹⁷A proud look [the spirit that makes one overestimate himself and underestimate others], a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,

¹⁸A heart that manufactures wicked thoughts and plans, feet that are swift in running to evil,

¹⁹A false witness who breathes out lies [even under oath], and he who sows discord among his brethren.

²⁰My son, keep your father's [God-given] commandment and forsake not the law of [God] your mother [taught you].

²¹Bind them continually upon your heart and tie them about your neck.

²²When you go, they [the words of your parents' God] shall lead you; when you sleep, they shall keep you; and when you waken, they shall talk with you.

²³For the commandment is a lamp, and the whole teaching [of the law] is light, and reproofs of discipline are the way of life,

²⁴To keep you from the evil woman, from the flattery of the tongue of a loose woman.

²⁵Lust not after her beauty in your heart, neither let her capture you with her eyelids.

²⁶For on account of a harlot a man is brought to a piece of bread, and the adulteress stalks and snares [as with a hook] the precious life [of a man].

²⁷Can a man take fire in his bosom and his clothes not be burned?

²⁸Can one go upon hot coals and his feet not be burned?

²⁹So he who cohabits with his neighbor's wife [will be tortured with evil consequences and just retribution]; he who touches her shall not be innocent or go unpunished.

³⁰Men do not despise a thief if he steals to satisfy himself when he is hungry;

³¹But if he is found out, he must restore seven times [what he stole]; he must give the whole substance of his house [if necessary--to meet his fine].

³²But whoever commits adultery with a woman lacks heart and understanding (moral principle and prudence); he who does it is destroying his own life.

³³Wounds and disgrace will he get, and his reproach will not be wiped away.

³⁴For jealousy makes [the wronged] man furious; therefore he will not spare in the day of vengeance [upon the detected one].

³⁵He will not consider any ransom [offered to buy him off from demanding full punishment]; neither will he be satisfied, though you offer him many gifts and bribes.

(graphic courtesy: www.heartlight.org)

Do you need a transplant?

(clip art courtesy: www.heartlight.org)

Not Your Mother's America!

This evening I read an article by Chelsea Schilling, a writer for World Net Daily (posted, May 17, 2009). She gave a very detailed article on what really is being taught and promoted in the Girl Scouts organization. I read the whole article to Rob and he encouraged me to post it as an entry to my blog.

When many parents think of Girl Scouts, they imagine young girls in uniform selling Thin Mints and Tagalong cookies – not learning about stone labyrinths, world peace, global warming, yoga, avatars, smudging incense, Zen gardens and feminist, communist and lesbian role models.

But that's exactly what many of 2.7 million Girl Scouts will learn about with a new curriculum called "Journeys" released last year.

Patti Garibay spent nearly two decades in Girl Scouts – six years as a girl member and 13 years as a volunteer. She was also a recruiter, camp coordinator and area delegate winning outstanding leader and volunteer in both councils in which she served. In Garibay's words, she "bled green."

But in 1993 when Girl Scouts USA decided to make God optional in its program at the national convention in Minneapolis, an idea known as "Proposal 3: Flexibility in Spiritual Wording," Garibay chose to leave the organization.

"I had always used Girl Scouts as part of my life's ministry, modeling my faith while serving girls," she told WND. "However as this change became policy, mandates were made against Christmas caroling, praying at meetings and singing hymns. I had a true moral dilemma and felt that I could not uphold the GSUSA's rules and remain a Christian never denying my Lord."  (source: May 21, 2009: World Net Daily)

If you are a Christian who has a daughter, a relative or a friend in this organization. Please take the time to read this very important article. I have cut and pasted the first five paragraphs for you. However, you must click here, for the rest of the article.

I am reminded of this passage from Isaiah 5:20-21, reading from the New American Standard Bible,

²⁰  Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil;
     Who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness;
     Who substitute bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter! 

²¹  Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes
     And clever in their own sight! 

Consider with me another passage which speaks on how to use our minds and bodies.

¹⁵ Do not love the world nor the things in the world If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

 ¹⁶ For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world.

¹⁷ The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever.

(graphic courtesy: www.heartlight.org)

Pondering Purity

For God has not called us for impurity, 

but in holiness.

Therefore whoever disregards this,

disregards not man but God,

who gives his Holy Spirit to you.

1 Thessalonians 4:7-8 (ESV)

(graphic courtesy: www.heartlight.org)

Silencing the Innocent

To quote the popular cultural buzz phrase, "Yes, we can!" We can lift the ban to funding abortions overseas and pretend their is a middle ground in the abortion arena. Consider the recent inference by a key politician, "less babies helps the economy." 

It's a sad commentary in our nation when leaders make decisions and policies that destroy life. In Proverbs 19:21, we read, "Many plans are in a man's heart, But the counsel of the LORD will stand." There is great comfort in this verse and its reality. 

Turning back a couple of chapters, I read this reminder in Proverbs 16:1-5, 

The plans of the heart belong to man,

    But the answer of the tongue is from the LORD.

All the ways of a man are clean in his own sight,

    But the LORD weighs the motives.

Commit your works to the LORD

    And your plans will be established.

The LORD has made everything for its own purpose,

    Even the wicked for the day of evil.

Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD;

    Assuredly, he will not be unpunished.

Total of abortions since the 1973 Roe Vs. Wade decision has been approximately 49,551,703. Click here to read the full decision that killed a generation of people 36 years ago. Remember that the total amount of abortions does not include the ones that perhaps were done but not reported.

God's truth will prevail. Meanwhile, we recommit ourselves to pray and intercede for our nation and her leaders. We'll stand up and speak up when called upon in all reverence and meekness.

(graphic courtesy:  www.heartlight.org)

Lord, Heal Our Land

This year, we've been studying American History and how our nation was founded. Back in September, our family was blessed to attend the Restoration Celebration at Montpelier and learn more James Madison's role in the writing of our Constitution.

We are most blessed to live in a such a historical area of our United States. Just recently, we watched the Adams Chronicles and gain some more insights to the Adams and their specific role in American History.

Along with reading about the pivotal men in our nation's early beginnings, we have read about some of the earlier First Ladies. We have gained a greater appreciation for their sacrifices. These were real people who paved the way for our freedoms we now enjoy.

Even Christine is aware of how our culture is literally trying to root God out of the fabric of our nation. It truly saddens her heart. Yet God will not be mocked and He is still in control. We must remember this truth.

So as we embark on a new chapter in our nation and President Obama takes the oath of office Tuesday, we as believers in Christ have a wonderful opportunity to intercede for him and for all our leaders in our nation.

We are reminded of the verse from 2 Chronicles 7:14, 

If My people, who are called by My name, shall humble themselves, pray, seek, crave, and require of necessity My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land.

We as the body of Christ can unite in prayer, in humility and in repentance for our nation. Will you answer this call?  Click here for this poignant reminder.