Tuesday, December 30, 2014

#29 Can We Identify With This?

C. Peter Wagner: "Some at this point may 
be reasoning that Jesus was able to engage 
in such a power encounter because He is God, ...

Since none of us is God, we therefore cannot identify with this kind of spiritual warfare.

This is such a crucial issue that I am going to get theological and discuss the relationship of the two natures of Christ.

Let me say up front that I believe a key to understanding how our ministry today reflects or does not reflect the ministry of Jesus is understanding what systematic theologian Colin Brown calls 'Spirit Christology' and what I have referred to as 'incarnation theology.'

I explain this in some detail in my book, How to Have a Healing Ministry (Regal), so I will only summarize it here.

My theological premise is the following: 'The Holy Spirit was the source of all of Jesus' power during His earthly ministry.

Jesus exercised no power of or by Himself. We today can expect to do the same or greater things than Jesus did because we have been given access to the same power source.'

While holding firm to the fact that at all times Jesus was totally God and totally human during His earthly ministry, it's clear from His own words, 'the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do' (John 5:19).

According to Philippians 2, Jesus voluntarily became obedient to the Father during His incarnation on earth (see Phil. 2:5-8). 

All of His miraculous works were done by the Holy Spirit operating through him. (see Matt. 12:28; Acts 10:38; Luke 4:1, 14; 5:17) Colin Brown therefore calls this 'Spirit Christology.'

This is why, when Jesus was ready to leave the Earth, He could truthfully tell His disciples it would be to their advantage for Him to go (see John 16:7).

Only after He left could He send them the Holy Spirit to be their Paraclete (John 16:14).

Jesus said, 'Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these will he do, because I go to My Father' (John 14:12).


#29 Can We Identify With This?
By C. Peter Wagner
(pgs. 54 -55) Regal Books

(Google image and emphasis added)



"Fear of God. Lord, keep my pastor in the fear of You. Bind the fear of failure and people. Give my pastor boldness to confront sin and other threats to the church. Enable_________to remain confident even when others resist the gospel or his/her vision. Honor _________'s stand for You, and come to the rescue when others oppose him/her (Prov. 19:23; Jn 14:1; Heb. 12:3; Psalm 35)


Pray with me:

   Father, I know that all of Christ's miraculous works were done by the Holy Spirit operating through Him.

  I also realize that the same power is
available to us today, and I ask that the
Holy Spirit have His way in me, too.

   Today, we can expect to do the same or greater things than Jesus did, so, in Jesus' name, I ask for You to move in me and my friends to accomplish Your will among us here in our area. Amen.

Today’s Bible verse: Ps. 68:28 "Thy God hath commanded thy strength: strengthen, O God, that which thou has wrought for us."

Today’s quote: Dr. Charles F. Stanley "Let Jesus motivate you to live in purity. He abides within every believer through His indwelling Holy Spirit. That means selfish and sinful thoughts, attitudes, words, and actions have no place in our lives. Be mindful that He is always with you, and let Him direct your choices and purify your life."

Some thoughts today: We're clothed with Christ's perfect righteousness.


- Hope is the soil we put our faith in. Don't allow fear and disappointment stop your obeying what God has revealed to you through His Word.

- You have gifts from God, and the devil will try to dismiss them through trials and disappointments. Be on guard, and don't let him. Read Debbie McEwen's post yesterday,With God, All Things Are Possible, for encouragement.

1/1st- Thursday’s post:  #30 The Meaning of Jesus' Temptation

C. Peter Wagner

3rd- Saturday's post:  Rooted In Love
Joe Stowell

4th- Sunday evening's post:  What About You?
Jean Oathout

6th- Tuesday's post:  #31 How Far Should We Go?
C. Peter Wagner

A popular post:  Some Basic Truths About Who You Are in Christ


Jill Savage gives us basic truths taken from Ephesians 1 – 3

 "They are some basic truths about who you are in Christ that can be used to counteract Satan’s lies.

This is your true ID in God’s eyes!

In the book of Ephesians, God tells us:..."





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Sunday, December 28, 2014

With God, All Things Are Possible


Debbie McEwen shares her
thoughts concerning how she
sees God's involvement in our
lives.

"The closer we come to God
The more Satan works against us
He works to find ways to make our lives 
more difficult
He is so sneaky and devious, so evil

The more we love God, the more Satan hates us and wants to 
hurt us
He tries to turn loved ones against us
Sometimes he succeeds
Satan tries to make us think that God is causing our problems because we have turned to God

Satan wants us to think that God has deserted us in our time of need
God never deserts us
We only have to lay our troubles at His feet
He will protect us and help us

He will find solutions where none existed
God is our rock and our refuge, our Redeemer
Satan is only a fallen angel, not an almighty power
God is so much stronger
We need never be afraid with God at our side



We need only remember
God is with us always
And with Him, all things are possible"





     



My Prayer for Guidance 
     by Debbie McEwen

"O God, as I sit here
I welcome you into my heart and soul
I welcome your wonderful presence in my life
You fill my heart with so much joy that I cry

I humbly ask for your guidance and grace
For Your mercy and forgiveness for all my sins
I ask for Your wisdom to help me live my life according to 
Your word
Which is to love the Lord my God with all my heart and soul 
and strength
And to love my neighbor as myself

I humbly ask for Your help to accomplish this mighty task
I know I cannot do anything without Your help
And with You I can do all things

Please guide me to know what Your mission for my life is
And also please give me the strength and wisdom to pursue it
I ask this in Jesus' blessed name. Amen"

Today’s Bible verse: Ps. 52:9 "I will praise thee for ever, because thou hast done it: and I will wait on thy name, for it is good before thy saints."

Today’s quote: 
Psalter “In His Care confiding
                                          I will sweetly sleep,
                                       For the Lord my Savior
                                          Will in safety keep.”

30th- Tuesday’s post: #29 Can We Identify With This?
C. Peter Wagner

1/1st- Thursday's post: #30 The Meaning of Jesus' Temptation
C. Peter Wagner

3rd- Saturday's post: Rooted in Love
Joe Stowell

4th- Sunday evening's post:  What About You?
Jean Oathout

A popular post: Have You Known Rejection? Jean Oathout shares some experiences with us today of rejection, and their effects on her. "When I was young I was violated, leaving me afraid to be around boys and men."



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Granny's Guide to Marriage in Verse  
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Bridal Shower Devotional
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My book in paperback $7.95
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    A great gift for someone!

Wisdom for Brides (Christian
Marriage, Counseling, & Help)

Saturday, December 27, 2014

From The Cradle To The Cross




The star shone bright over Bethlehem,
Above the cradle of the King;
From where His path led to Calvary,
His gift of salvation to bring.

The wise men came to honor this Child,
With gold, frankincense, and myrrh,
This Sovereign of the universe,
The Incarnate, living Word.

Lawyers were astonished in Jerusalem
By the wisdom He had of God’s will.
Which controlled His life, even though He knew
It would lead Him to die on yon hill.

He preached to the people repentance,
Not far from the place of the cross;
Giving forgiveness through His blood
He would shed there freely for the lost.

He grew in favor with God and man;
In flesh, He was the Great I Am.
He was born to die, to save mankind,
God’s spotless redemptive Lamb.
 
His life was so brief, His work was soon done,
Golgotha was now just ahead;
The Babe that was born in Bethlehem
Would now die as the prophets said.

Nails were driven through His hands and feet,
And with a spear his side was torn;
Life was now over for Jesus the man,
Who was the baby that to Mary was born.


There was no light on Calv’ry those hours,
When deep darkness covered the earth;
As the Son of God was sacrificed,
Who once lay in a manger at birth.

From the humble cradle to the Cross,
From Bethlehem to Mount Calvary;
Christ’s birth is celebrated at Christmas,
For He was born to die for you and me.

From The Cradle To The Cross by  James H. Cagle


Pray with me:

   Father, I'm thankful that You sent
Christ Jesus to us, to be our Savior!

   May I be careful to give You the praise
for this miracle, and to remember why He came that cold, crisp morning in Bethlehem's stable.

   A humbler birth no one could have, so You chose it for Jesus, knowing full well that Mary and Joseph would take good care of Him.

   We know that the Good News is past along to us now, so may we honor Him with our lives, and be faithful to You each day.

   I ask this in Christ's name. Amen.

Today’s Bible verse: Is. 59:1 "Behold, the LORD's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear."

Today’s quotes: Dr. Charles F. Stanley - "True wealth isn't measured by your bank account or automobile. As fellow heirs with Christ (Rom. 8:17), believers have access to God's riches, which include unspeakable joy, unconditional love, and peace beyond understanding. Invest in your spiritual life, and enjoy these blessings of grace."


Bob Gass Ministries - "The Devil is real, but you don't have to be afraid because Jesus has already defeated him. Bottom line: When your heart is set on seeking for He will guide you, protect you, and reward you." (From Daily Devotional Dec-Jan-Feb 12/25/14)

Some thoughts today: Sometimes, we don't know the blessings that we have, as we may not be watching for them. There are times we do see and know God's blessings, and we should be ready always to give thanks for His kindnesses.

Phil. 4:6 encourages us to add thanksgiving to our prayers to God.

- Look past the garbage in others and remember that each of us is a "diamond" in the rough.

28th- Sunday evening’s post:  With God, All Things Are Possible
Debbie McEwen

30th- Tuesday's post:  #29 Can We Identify With This?
C. Peter Wagner

1/1st- Thursday's post:  #30 The Meaning of Jesus' Temptation
C. Peter Wagner

3rd- Saturday's post:  Rooted in Love
Joe Stowell


A popular post: Prophetic Declaration Note #105 Dutch Sheets tells us: “Let’s look at some biblical examples of prophetic words that precede God doing something. 

In Jeremiah 6:18, 19, Jeremiah prophesied and said, “Therefore hear, O nations…Hear, O earth.”


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Thursday, December 25, 2014

#28 Jesus Provokes the Conflict

C. Peter Wagner: "Instead of going 
about His business and allowing Satan 
to choose the time and place of attack, 
Jesus took the initiative and went on the 
offensive immediately after His baptism.

Before He announced His agenda in the synagogue of Nazareth, before He called the 12 disciples, before He preached the Sermon on the Mount, before He fed 5,000 or raised Lazarus from the dead, He knew He must engage in some crucial strategic-level spiritual warfare.

The place Jesus chose is significant. He went to the 'wilderness,' which was known as a territory of Satan.

The Dictionary of New Testament Theology says of eremos, the Greek word for wilderness or desert, that it is 'a place of deadly danger...and of demonic powers' and 'only where God's judgment has fallen is there victory over the desert and its maleficent spirits.'

If Jesus' encounter with the devil was to be decisive, he should be given, to use an athletic term, 'home field advantage.' Jesus moved in on the devil's turf without hesitation and without fear.

Satan knew what the stakes were, and he gave it his best shot. He went so far as to offer Jesus his most priceless possession, 'all the kingdoms of the world and their glory' (Matt. 4:8).

It was a crucial and ferocious battle, 
but the outcome was never in doubt. 

Satan's power never has been nor ever 
will be a match for the power of God. 
Jesus won. Satan was defeated.

The power encounter cleared the way spiritually for all that Jesus was to accomplish over the next three years, including His death and resurrection."

(Google images and emphasis added)


#28 Jesus Provokes the Conflict
By C. Peter Wagner
(pgs. 53 -54) Regal Books





Hovering Over and Bringing Forth - Dutch Sheets has an excellent message for us. I hope you'll check it out!

Pray with me: 12 Suggestions for praying for your church:

  1. Pray for the Holy Spirit to help you pray
  2. Pray for your pastor and other leaders for the services
  3. Pray for hearts to be open, receptive, and obedient to God
  4. Pray the evil spirits to be bound and mute, in Jesus' name
  5. Pray for people to remain seated during the preaching
  6. Pray for the sound system to work properly
  7. Pray for folks coming to the altar, for true repentance
  8. Pray for signs and wonders to follow with power
  9. Don't fear times of silence. Allow the Holy Spirit to move
10. Keep prayerful during services
11. Pray for salvations and re-dedications
12. Pray for the finances of your church, for cheerful giving


Today’s Bible verse: Prov. 18:10 "The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe."

Today’s quote: By a persecuted Christian: "As Christians, we are prepared not just for good days, but for the black days, too. The next generation will forget who persecutes us. But they will not forget those who help us and support us."
Some thoughts today: Do you feel you've lost your zest for life? You still have all the talents God gave you, even if you don't feel it.

- We lose sight of someone's value when we look at their present condition. God does not!

- Wherever you find one of God's "diamonds in the rough," remember God has a good plan for them, too.

27th- Saturday’s post: From the Cradle to the Cross
James H. Cagle

28th- Sunday evening's post: With God, All Things are Possible
Debbie McEwen

30th- Tuesday's post: #29 Can We Identify With This?
C. Peter Wagner

Jan.1st- Thursday's post: #30 The Meaning of Jesus' Temptation
C. Peter Wagner

Today's popular post: #2 How God's Power is Released
C.  Peter Wagner continues to tell us, in his book, PRAYER SHIELD:

"A fascinating story is told in Exodus 17. Many will recall the account of the battle of Rephidim in which Joshua defeated Amalek."





Granny's Guide to Marriage in Verse  
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Bridal Shower Devotional
Bridal Wisdom for Women

My book in paperback $7.95
Granny's Guide to Marriage in Verse





Samples of Jean's crafts
http://twitter.com/jeanoathout
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Tuesday, December 23, 2014

#27 Jesus on the Defensive

C. Peter Wagner: If Jesus' public 
ministry began with His baptism, 
His first act of public ministry 
involved the highest degree of 
strategic-level spiritual warfare.

"Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil" (Matt. 4:1)

The old Testament does not have a parallel account of this type of activity. Jesus introduced something new to the history of salvation.

By engaging the enemy in the highest level power encounter, Jesus was serving notice to him and to the whole world that the battle was on. 

    The Kingdom of God had come!

The message that the kingdom of God had come was prominent in the preaching of John the Baptist, Jesus, and the apostles.

The reason we see the phrase "Repent, for the Kingdom of God is at hand" so much in the Gospels is that it signifies the most radical turning point in the history of humanity since the Fall of Adam and Eve.

The turning point encompassed Jesus' incarnation, virgin birth, baptism, ministry, death and resurrection.

The broader application throughout the rest of history began on the day of Pentecost.

Jesus' coming was such a radical event because previously Satan had enjoyed almost unlimited power here on Earth. This is not to ignore the fact that God is ultimately the King of kings, the Lord of lords and the Creator of the entire universe, including Satan.

Satan is a mere creature who at one 
point never existed and who will 
ultimately find himself in a lake of fire, 
dearly wishing he had never been 
created in the first place  (see Rev. 20:10).

In the meantime, however, biblical descriptions of Satan must not be taken lightly. He is called "the god of this age" (2 Cor. 4:4), "the prince of the power of the air" (Eph. 2:2) and "the ruler of this world" (John 12:31).

John affirms that "the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one" (1 John 5:19). This is awesome language.

If we think Satan has formidable power these days, we must realize he had even more power before Jesus came. Then When Jesus came, He announced that He was introducing the Kingdom of God and engaged the enemy in a battle, which continues today.

Satan knew full well that "the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil" (1 John 3:8), and he was furious that his kingdom was being invaded.

Jesus not only invaded Satan's kingdom, 
but He defeated Him decisively on the 
cross as Paul so vividly describes in 
Colossians, saying that Jesus on the 
cross "disarmed principalities and 
powers" and "made a public spectacle
of them, triumphing over them in it" 
(Col. 2:15).

Even before the cross, Jesus was able to say that till then no one in Old Testament times had been greater than John the Baptist, "he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater that he" (Matt. 11:11).

He could announce the ultimate victory some three years before it was actually accomplished on the cross, because the devil had already been defeated at the power encounter, which we commonly call Jesus' temptation.

(Google images and emphasis added)


 #27 Jesus on the Defensive
By C. Peter Wagner
(pgs. 51 -53) Regal Books





Please pray with me:


   Father, thank You for bringing the

Kingdom of God into being.

   I understand You had it planned  from the beginning, so after the fall of Adam and Eve, when the fullness of time had come, You caused Jesus to break in on the scene as a newborn baby in Bethlehem!

   We rejoice at what all He accomplished! Help us proclaim the salvation provided by Him to others around us in such a way as to show His love and concern for them.

   Thank You for enabling Him to defeat the devil, and to take over his kingdom, bringing us freedom and righteousness!

   May we remember Christ's sacrifice for us, and His reason for coming through folks like us so long ago. I ask this in His name. Amen.
  

Today’s Bible verse:  Ps. 37:7 "Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass."

Today’s quote: Dr. Charles F. Stanley - "While we seek to do God's will, we must not forget His fundamental call to stillness before Him. When we are quiet in His presence and focused on Him, we put ourselves in the most teachable position possible."

Some thoughts today: We are encouraged to focus on the reason for our celebrations at this important time of year. Do we remember why it is we celebrate Christmas?

- May we openly celebrate Jesus' coming as a babe with honest thankfulness. May we remember that He grew up among people just like us, His aim being to teach them to become familiar with the Father's will and the way of salvation.

- Whatever may be your family's way to celebrate, be sure to keep Christ as the center and prominent reason for the celebration. That would please the Father, for sure.

25th- Thursday’s post: #28 Jesus Provokes the Conflict
C. Peter Wagner

27th- Saturday's post:  From the Cradle to the Cross
James H. Cagle

28th- Sunday evening's post: With God, All Things are Possible
Debbie McEwen

30th- Tuesday's post: #29 Can we Identify with This?
C. Peter Wagner

A popular post:  Our Children Need Instruction 
Tammie Johnson shares her thoughts with us today: "Today the world and our children question everything. It’s because they are untaught by the society before them. Make Sense?"



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Granny's Guide to Marriage in Verse
Kindle $.99

     A great gift for someone!


Bridal Shower Devotional
Bridal Wisdom for Women

My book in paperback $7.95
Granny's Guide to Marriage in Verse



Sunday, December 21, 2014

Behind the Song: Have Thine Own Way, Lord

Diana Leagh Matthews shares with us:
Have Thine Own Way, Lord, which was
written by Adelaide A. Pollard.
Born in 1862 Iowa, she had a gift for writing prose, poetry, hymns and even articles. Her birth name was Sarah, but she strongly disliked the name and changed it to Adelaide. 
She spent her life in ministry, teaching at schools, working with evangelist and serving in missions overseas. She had a strong interest in foreign missions.
In 1902, she was hoping to go to Africa as a missionary. She was unable to raise the funds, had to cancel things at the last moment and was greatly discouraged.  
At prayer service an elderly woman said 

     “It really doesn’t matter what you do with us, Lord,   
       just have your own way with our lives.” 

Pollard thought on this and thought about the story of the potter in

Jeremiah 18:3, “So I went down to the potter’s house, and I saw him working at the wheel.”

Upon returning home that evening she wrote all four stanzas of her hymn.
George C. Stebbins
George C. Stebbins
George C. Stebbins wrote the music for this hymn. The song was first published in Northfield Hymnal with Alexander’s Supplement in 1907. 
Later that year the song appeared in two of Ira Sankey’s hymnals.
Years later Pollard would serve for a time in Africa. She also spent the years of World War I ministering in England. 
She continued to speak publically the rest of her life. She died on December 20, 1934 in New York City. She was at the train station, waiting to travel to a speaking engagement when she was struck with a seizure and made her trip into glory. 
She wrote over one hundred hymns during her lifetime. She wanted no recognition for her hymns and signed most of them AAP. Have Thine Own Way Lord is her only hymn still known to be in use today.hymnals.



Pray with me:  

   Father, thank You for this hymn that
is a favorite of many.

   We appreciate the song writers that write down their thoughts that You've given them. They inspire us today.


   When we have poems, prayers, and other thoughts, may we find ways to share them with others, so as to spread the inspirations You give us.

   I ask this in the blessed name of Jesus. Amen.

Today’s Bible verse:  Psalm 18:16 "He reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters."

Today’s quotes: Gwen Smith - "God is sovereign and can be trusted.
He can be trusted with your family and with your finances. He can be trusted with your health and with your wealth. He can be trusted in times of victory and in times of misery. He can be trusted in your sunny celebrations and in your shattered matters.

I know from personal experience that in the painful, tear-filled days, God is still good and can still be trusted. I know He is faithful. I’ve witnessed His strength in my weakness. I’ve felt His comfort in times of loss. And though we aren’t always kept from experiencing shattered matters, we never have to endure them alone."

David McCasland - "Whether we suffer for our own choices or from those of others, despair may threaten to overwhelm us. When all seems lost, we can cling to the Lord's faithfulness. 'The LORD is my portion,' says my soul. 'Therefore I hope in Him!' " (Lam. 3:24).

Neal A. Maxwell -“Each of us is an innkeeper who decides if there is room for Jesus.” (Shared by Jill Savage)
                                                            
Some thoughts today: We need Jesus to cause us to forgive others, seeing that it's nearly impossible to do so otherwise.

- Jesus saw things differently. He sees the big picture. When situations happen, may we react like Him.

- Our sanctification is the process of changing into Christ's likeness. It will take a lifetime, so be patient with yourself and others, meanwhile.


23rd- Tuesday’s post:  #27  Jesus On the Defensive
C. Peter Wagner

25th- Thursday's post:  #28 Jesus Provokes the Conflict

C. Peter Wagner

27th- Saturday's post:  From the Cradle to the Cross

James H. Cagle

28th- Sunday evening's post: With God, all Things are Possible

Debbie McEwen


A popular post: Taking a Leap of Faith  Sharon Jaynes tells us, "Several years ago, on a trip to Kauai, my husband and our friends, Larry and Cynthia Price, decided to go on a zip line through the jungle.
After being jostled and tossed like rag dolls in the back of a retired army jeep, we finally made it to the top of the mountain from which we were going to zip down – risking life and limb I might add. Crazy, I know..."


Samples of Jean's crafts
http://twitter.com/jeanoathout
http://facebook.com/jean.oathout

AuthorsDen.com
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Granny's Guide to Marriage in Verse
Kindle $.99


    A great gift for someone!

Bridal Shower Devotional
Bridal Wisdom for Women

My book in paperback $7.95
Granny's Guide to Marriage in Verse