IS TODAY, JUST ANOTHER DAY?

The Late great Planet Earth?

It was just another day, in the life of Planet Earth,

Twenty four more hours going by.

Traffic was heavy and there was a little rain,

Babies were born and people died.

Up in Alaska it was thirty one below,

Down in Miami it was hot.

Honky-Tonks were crowded and the people partied on,

In Church a couple tied the knot.

Headlines screamed about the rapid spread of aids,

Famine and war were in the news.

An earthquake shook some far off corner of the world,

Another child had been abused.

Then something happened in a twinkling of an eye,

Some watched in horror as a plane fell from the sky.

Trains went wild and cars were crashing, There were ships without a Captain.

Millions of people had just vanished from the earth.

Panic and confusion were the order of the day,

Grown men were weeping and some people tried to pray.

A mocking echo in the madness seemed to say,

“It’s too late!”

And then a stranger stepped onto the TV screen,

He said don’t worry, I’m the one.

Who will bring peace to every corner of this earth,

And now the world shall be as one.

All kings and Governments will give their power to me,

I’ll put a mark in your right hand.

For three and one half years the whole world was at peace,

Then darkness fell upon the land.

He went into the Temple in Jerusalem one day,

He said “I’m God! You all must bow!”

To the Valley of Megiddo came the armies of the world,

It looked as though the end was coming now.

Then something happened in the twinkling of an eye,

A mighty trumpet blast, and in the Eastern sky,

Came Jesus on a snow white horse, leading heaven’s shining forces.

This is the hour of our Final Victory.

The one’s who wore the mark were shouting “Satan, you’re a liar!”

As angels bound him up and threw him in the Lake of Fire.

Praises to God’s Name were ringing,

All the Saints were singing Halleluiah! Halleluiah! Halleluiah!

No man knows when His return will be; not even Jesus! But the Bible says we will know the signs, and I am excited about what I'm seeing. It's time to rise up; quit playing Church; and become the Church! We do not want to leave anyone behind! If Jesus is Lord in your life, then act like it! You must tell someone today what Jesus has done for you!

This song is on Charlie Daniel's Album entitled: "Steel Witness."

Read the words again. Jesus is coming soon!

HOW DO YOU DO IT?

Someone asked me this week: “How do you keep coming up with these lessons on Heart to Heart?” It's not very deep stuff. If you're looking for God, you'll discover Him everywhere!

I see God's Character and Principles reflected in everything! Romans 1:20 "From the time people were created, people have seen the earth and all that God has made. They can clearly see His invisible qualities- His eternal power and divine nature." NLT If we just take the time, it is easy to see Him everywhere!

I listen. He speaks. I write what I hear.

As an example someone in our congregation painted a picture for me of a country pond located in the middle of a beautiful countryside setting. The pond is tranquil and ducks are floating on the pond surrounded by blue skies with white clouds; green trees and grass everywhere. There is a stream that flows down the hill into the pond that feeds it.

I was conversing (two way conversation) and just gazing thankfully at this gift someone had given me when He spoke and said to take notice of the bottom of the picture where you can just barely see the stream continues to flow on past the pond.

He simply showed me that the reason this pond supports and provides life is because it has an inflow and an outflow. If we too wish to support and provide life like the Father commands in Matthew 5:14: "You are the light of the world, " then we need to let the river flow as Jesus declares in John 7:38: "He who believes in me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water."

When we only have an inflow with no outlet...we stagnate like a river flowing into a pond with no outlet. Stagnant ponds stink! Christians can be like this when we receive and receive from God, and then refuse His opportunities to pour out the inflow of His Love, Grace and Power onto others. Matthew 10:8 “…freely ye have received, freely give.”

2Corinthians 1:4 tells us that God "...comforts us in all our troubles, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, by the same comfort which we ourselves are comforted of God." We need to stop being self centered, especially with this upcoming Holiday Season. Let’s be thankful for all He’s done for us, and let the river flow through our lives. There are people out there in your immediate circle of influence who need a touch from God today. We have been made “…able ministers of the new testament..." 2 Corinthians 3:6, so let the Ministry of the Holy Spirit flow through you!

Happy Thanksgiving. I wish all of you Jesus!

PLEASE TELL OTHERS ABOUT THIS WEBSITE. IT'S ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY TO SPREAD THE TRUTH OF GOD'S GOODNESS AND MERCY BY AS MANY MEANS AS POSSIBLE! TELL THEM TO GO TO THIS ADDRESS AND SIGN UP FOR AUTO DELIVERY: http://heart2heartblog.blogspot.com/

FAILED AGAIN?

Micah 7:8 “For though I fall, I will rise again. Though I sit in darkness, the Lord Himself will be my light.”

Are you “down and out”, “under the circumstances”, or have you failed again? I don’t believe that there are any people who have never failed. Failure is a part of the fallen world we live in and it happens when we operate in our own abilities according to the Prophet Jeremiah. Jeremiah 17:5 “Thus says the LORD; Cursed is the man who trusts in man, and makes flesh his arm, and whose heart departs from the LORD.” \

When we stop and think about the many times we’ve failed, it seems a shame to allow all those moments go to waste. Bob Gass suggests that we should treat failure as a “moment, not a monument!” Don’t spend the rest of your life paying homage to the failure. It’s been said that failure is not an event; it’s an opinion! Everyone fears failure. But breakthroughs depend on it. The best companies, athletes, scientists and inventors in the world embrace their mistakes and learn from them.

It is only when you accept your failure as a failure, that you finally become a failure! Baseball legend Babe Ruth hit 714 home runs in his career. He also struck out 1330 times! When asked by the media how he overcame discouragement he was quoted as saying, “I just keep swinging the bat…”

Thomas Edison conducted 50,000 experiments in his search for natural rubber. When his assistant said to him, “All those experiments and not one success,” Edison is said to have replied, “No results! We’ve had wonderful results! We now know 50,000 things that won’t work, soon we’ll find the one that does.” He did!

Henry Ford neglected to put a reverse gear in his first car. He said that “Failure is only a necessary step to success.” If Abraham could start out as an idol worshiper and finish up as the “friend of God,” then there’s hope for all of us! David said in Psalm 44:5 “Through You we will push back our enemies.”

If you are discouraged right now, reread the inaugural Scripture. Micah 7:8 “For though I fall, I will rise again. Though I sit in darkness, the Lord Himself will be my light.” The same God who spoke to Paul, “My strength is made perfect in your weakness,” (2 Corinthians 12:9) is about to turn your failure into Victory! Put Him first today (Matthew 6:33) and He will supply all you need. Draw near to Him. Spend some time with Him and He will meet with you. (James 4:8)

I assure you when you leave His Presence, you will be reinvigorated and refreshed; Acts 3:19) ready to take on the world and snatch your Victory from the jaws of defeat!

HE IS WAITING ON YOU! Wow did I need to hear this!

PLEASE TELL OTHERS ABOUT THIS WEBSITE. IT'S ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY TO SPREAD THE TRUTH OF GOD'S GOODNESS AND MERCY BY AS MANY MEANS AS POSSIBLE! TELL THEM TO GO TO THIS ADDRESS AND SIGN UP FOR AUTO DELIVERY: http://heart2heartblog.blogspot.com/

WHO NEEDS CHURCH?

1 Corinthians 12:21 “The eye can never say to the hand, ‘I don’t need you…’ ”

I know many professed Christians who faithfully attend “Saint Mattress” every Sunday morning tucked warmly within the confines of their sheets. These are the same people who don’t go to church unless their nephew is playing a sheep in the Christmas pageant. They also claim that they receive more out of a walk in the woods, than spending time in a Church all cooped up with a bunch of hypocrites.

What does the Bible say about Church attendance? Can Christians survive apart from a local Church? There are some who are trapped in a hospital bed, nursing home or some remote locale where attending Church is physically impossible. You can still go to Heaven even if you can’t go to Church.

The New Testament never divides Christians into Church members and non-church members. It does however assume that everyone participates in their local community assembly. Wherever and whenever Christians in the New Testament Church are within range of each other they come together to worship corporately, pray for one another and minister their giftings to one another. “Acts 20:7 reveals the practice of the early Church: “And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached to them.” Regular gathering was a part of life!

Why should you go to Church?

1) You don't want to cheat the Church; the Body of Christ! 1 Corinthians 12: 7 states that “A spiritual gift is given to each of us as a means of helping the entire Church.” NLT When you don’t join together with me…you are depriving me the benefits of your gifting! 1 Peter 4:10 commands us to use our spiritual giftings to help each other.

2) You will miss the impartation of the Gifting of others into your life. There are people at your local Church who are meant to encourage, uplift, edify and exhort you as described in the verse above.

3) You will miss the Voice and directives of God. Ephesians 4:11 “And he gave…apostles… prophets…evangelists…pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ…” If the Pastor in your local Church hears from God and isn’t speaking from Readers Digest, Life Magazine, or some predetermined liturgical schedule, then you will hear the Voice of the Lord speaking a word that brings life to your soul and a spring to your step. It will touch you right where you’re at. It’s amazing how the Holy Spirit speaks to all those who attend in one form or another. You can receive a word of encouragement, correction, direction, blessing, etc. The Ministry gifts of your local Church are anointed and empowered to assist your development in the Lord and to build you up.

4) To receive the Care God has provided for you! The lone rangers of the Christian world, cry out to God and ask why hasn’t He responded and cared for them. That care is most oftentimes provided within the boundaries of your local Church. 1 Corinthians 12: “…all the members care for each other equally..” NLT Again in verse 27: “Now all of you together are Christ’s Body, and each one of you is a separate and necessary part of it.”

5) So you don't disobey the “one another” commands. The New testament is full of these “one another” commands. We are to comfort one another (1 Thessalonians 4:18), build up one another (1 Thessalonians 5:11), confess our sins and pray for one another (James 5:16), and many others. How can we obey these directives if we do no associate with the community of believers. You will reap what you sew into the lives of others.

6) You access Accountability! To many that sounds like an evil word. We are free people; we don’t need to be accountable to anyone! You’re not reading the same Bible I am! God designed the Church as a place where spiritual leaders could watch out for (Not Control) our welfare, as a shepherd guards his sheep. (1 Peter 5:1-4, Hebrews 13:17) A Christian who answers only to himself can easily rationalize sinful attitudes or behaviors, while regular contact and fellowship with other Christians can keep us sharp and growing.

7) You come alive and prevent decay! I’d like to quote my Mentor on this one. “A hand cut off from the Body, becomes a pile of dead meat!” You are not designed to operate alone! God has created you as part of a living, moving, functioning Body of Believers! You can put water in your gas tank if you want, however since it’s not designed to operate that way, it will break down and die. You will not survive apart from the Body of Christ! Paul warns us in Hebrews 10:25: “…let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage and warn each other…”

Stop living your life below par! Come alive in your local Church this Sunday! By the way, if you enter into a local Church and you don’t experience the Presence of God and the love of His people….GET OUT…and find the place where He wants you! We’re waiting for you!

1 Corinthians 12:21 “The eye can never say to the hand, ‘I don’t need you…’ ”

Sincerely,

The Body of Christ

PLEASE TELL OTHERS ABOUT THIS WEBSITE. IT'S ABSOLUTLEY NECESSARY TO SPREAD THE TRUTH OF GOD'S GOODNESS AND MERCY BY AS MANY MEANS AS POSSIBLE! TELL THEM TO GO TO THIS ADDRESS AND SIGN UP FOR AUTO DELIVERY: http://heart2heartblog.blogspot.com/

Plugged In!

“…you cannot be fruitful apart from me. ….For apart from me you can do nothing…But if you stay joined to me and my words remain in you, you may ask any request you like, and it will be granted! When you obey me, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father and remain in his love.” John 15:4,5,7,10 NLT

A toaster will function properly as long as it remains connected to the power source. The most expensive stereo system can not play beautiful music unless it’s connected to a source of power. Your automobile can be stalled in your driveway by a single disconnected, broken or corroded wire.

Initial connectivity with God comes through faith in His promises of eternal life as “whoever believes in him (Jesus) would not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16

Continued connectivity with God and entering into the fullness of His desired provision comes through our love for Him, as evidenced by our obedience. In John 15, Jesus tells us that as long as we remain connected to Him we continue to be fruitful and His provision is manifested in our lives. He also tells us that to remain connected to Him, we need to walk in obedience.

The Provisions of God are not automatic to everyone who receives Jesus as Lord and Savior. They come with a price attached to them. Eternal Life is a free gift, but Covenant benefits are obtained through relationship with Him.
That relationship with God is established by faith and maintained by obedience!

Psalm 91:1 states that “Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.”

It’s those people who stay connected or “plugged in” who are able to live (dwell, remain, stay) in His shelter, and therefore are able to declare and lay hold of the multi faceted Provisions of God. (His protection, prosperity, provision, healing, power to minister, power to heal the sick or cast out devils, etc.) Sadly to say most of us who are Christians never really enter into, or remain connected with God, but through our disobedience, choose to walk away from that which He desires to impart in and through our lives. As a result of our powerless, fruitless lives, we then commence to make excuses for God, as if He was responsible for the lack of His Provision and Power in our lives.

This is not a Unilateral (One sided) Covenant we have entered into through the mercies of the shed blood of Jesus. It is a bilateral covenant in which we also have covenant responsibilities. “Now it shall come to pass, if you diligently obey the voice of the Lord your God, to observe carefully all His commandments which I command you today, that the Lord your God will set you high above all nations of the earth. And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, because you obey the voice of the Lord your God” Deuteronomy 28:1-2

All of His promises are contingent on our hearts responding in love with total submission and obedience to His written Word and His spoken Word when the Holy Spirit gives us directions throughout the day. In this manner we stay connected!

Being connected to God is what life is all about! Your body’s organs, muscles, and bones all work because they are connected. Disconnected, they would wither and die. None of them could live independently. Without connective tissue, you would fall apart! What is true of your body is true of everything else. Life is all about connecting. A life disconnected from God through a Believer’s continued disobedience to His will and His way is merely existing and not living the God kind of life as described in John 10:10 “I came that you may have life (Zoe:The God kind of Life,) and have it more abundantly!

If we truly understood the consequences of a disobedient life style and how it effects our living in, and for Him, we would cast away those little sins that so easily beset us! Remember that Jesus is coming back for a “glorious Church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.” Eph 5:27

Lets stop playing church and let’s become the CHURCH! Let’s walk in obedience, Get Holy and watch God’s provisions pour out of our lives like the Bible says they should. What area of your life is God dealing with today? Obey Him! Become one of those who “live in the shelter of the Most High” AND then you will “find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.” Psalm 91:1-2

Believe me, The More You Know Him; the More You Will Love Him!



PLEASE TELL OTHERS ABOUT THIS WEBSITE. IT'S ABSOLUTLEY NECESSARY TO SPREAD THE TRUTH OF GOD'S GOODNESS AND MERCY BY AS MANY MEANS AS POSSIBLE! TELL THEM TO GO TO THIS ADDRESS AND SIGN UP FOR AUTO DELIVERY: http://heart2heartblog.blogspot.com/

STAND OR FALL?

Stand OR fall…It’s YOUR choice!

Jesus stated in Matthew that in order to stand in the midst of life’s storms one must build their foundation wisely.

Matthew 7:24-27 "Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: ²⁵and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.

²⁶“But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: ²⁷and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.”

The Message translation says it this way…²⁴“These words I speak to you are not incidental additions to your life, homeowner improvements to your standard of living. They are foundational words, words to build a life on. If you work these words into your life, you are like a smart carpenter who built his house on solid rock. ²⁵Rain poured down, the river flooded, a tornado hit—but nothing moved that house. It was fixed to the rock.

²⁶“But if you just use my words in Bible studies and don’t work them into your life, you are like a stupid carpenter who built his house on the sandy beach. ²⁷When a storm rolled in and the waves came up, it collapsed like a house of cards.”

EVERYONE is going to encounter the storms of life. No One gets it perfect, except Jesus, and He encountered many severe storms in His own life. The storms are a result of the sin infested, self centered world in which we live. He warns us that even though these storms can literally shake your foundation and cause your life to self destruct, there are steps you can take to stand firmly in the midst of the Storm.

He basically says this… “The ones who will come through and survive the storms of life are those who discover AND apply the principles contained in His Word. The ones who fall apart when struggles happen upon the scene are those who either do not ever discover His Principles or those who do discover, but do NOT APPLY them!”

When I read the Bible, I’m usually searching for two important characteristics.

1) Revelations concerning the Character & Nature of God. Josea 6:6 in one translation says that God “…wants us to know Him & to love Him.” I want to discover what God is really like. I do not wish to learn it second hand!

2) Revelations concerning His life Principles, so that I may apply them in my life, and pass them on to others. In John 10:10 Jesus says that he came that we “… might have life, and that life more abundantly.” If He wants me to live the God kind of life, then bless God I don’t want to disappoint Him or me. In Proverbs 4, the Bible tells us that the Word of God is “life to those who find it and health to all our flesh.”

Ho 4:6 ¶ My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge… If we don’t know His ways or don’t apply the ones we discover (Disobedience)…WE SELF DESTRUCT!

When the storms roll into your life, and they will, will you fall like a house of cards or will you be firmly established upon the Rock?

It’s your choice!

Rest in His Presence!

PLEASE TELL OTHERS ABOUT THIS WEBSITE. IT'S ABSOLUTLEY NECESSARY TO SPREAD THE TRUTH OF GOD'S GOODNESS AND MERCY BY AS MANY MEANS AS POSSIBLE! TELL THEM TO GO TO THIS ADDRESS AND SIGN UP FOR AUTO DELIVERY: http://heart2heartblog.blogspot.com/