Wisdom is Available

Wisdom is not hidden for a specific few. See Proverbs 1:20, 8:1. We all have access to the wisdom of God. All we have to do is seek for it and we will obtain it. See also Proverbs 2:1-12. Wisdom is of great benefit to the one who has it and, as I said previously, it is available to all.

Keys to Discretion

Solomon gives us a key for wisdom and understanding. This Godly divine writing is a key to us obtaining wisdom and understanding from God. See Proverbs 1:1-6 for the statement. I strongly recommend that you read the entire book of Proverbs for words of wisdom, insight, and knowledge.
Proverbs 9:10 also tells us that the reverence of God is the beginning of wisdom and knowledge of him is understanding. This is very important because it places the essence of wisdom and understanding on God. The knowledge of God is not solely based on facts or a familiarity with Him. The knowledge of God involves a personal experience of God. Knowing God is to experience him intimately to the point where He is the primary influence in your life. Knowing God is to be connected to Him. Solomon also stated:
(Proverbs 15:33 NIV) "The fear of the LORD teaches a man wisdom, and humility comes before honor."
There are two principles revealed in this verse. The first is that the reverence (fear) of God leads us to wisdom. Also we see that humility precedes honor. We must practice humility in order to be honored by God or man.
Proverbs 11:2 teach us that humility is also important in the acquisition of wisdom. Humility in this verse references submission to God or man (those who are wise and upright). See also James 3:13
Solomon informs us, by inspiration of God (See 2 Timothy 3:16,17), that discipline is important in obtaining the knowledge that comes from God.
(Proverbs 12:1 NIV) "Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid."The word discipline here refers to training by word or deed according to the Ryrie Study Bible Commentary

THE WISDOM OF GOD

James gives us some insight into the wisdom that comes from God.
(James 3:17 NIV) "But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere."
The wisdom of God is undefiled (pure) in that it contains nothing contrary to the nature of God or His word. The wisdom of God is geared toward peace (order, calmness). That is, the wisdom of God will not produce or feed strife or discord. The wisdom of God is also considerate (gentle, submissive). That is, it is not harsh and insensitive to you or the needs of others. It is not a cold law that produces a desired result no matter what. The wisdom of God is full of mercy and it produces good fruit in the end. It is also non-biased and sincere for the desired outcome from God.

Discernment From God

(1 Kings 3:9 NIV) "So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?""
(1 Kings 3:12 NIV) "I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be."
This is consistent with what James said about wisdom.
(James 1:5 NIV) "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him."
(James 3:17 NIV) "But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere."
(Proverbs 2:6 NIV) "For the LORD gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding."

See also Psalm 119:124, 1 Chronicles 22:12, and 2 Chronicles 1:10.
The point here is that the ability (or power) to discern rightfully comes from God. We have no wisdom of our own. We must rely on God for proper judgment or discernment. Therefore, if you need to make a decision then trust God who has all wisdom and knowledge.

The Divisions of the Spirit of God

This particular passage of scripture (Isaiah 11:1-3) has been for a long time disputed. Some believe that this passage lists the spiritual components of the Spirit of God. Others believe that there is another component which is the Spirit of The Lord itself. However, I simply believe that the following passage simply is a list of components of God’s Spirit and are not necessarily all of the components. The emphasis in this scripture appears to be judgment and these attributes seem to center around that point. What does this prophecy say that Jesus will have—having the Spirit of God?

· The Spirit of wisdom
· The Spirit of understanding
· The Spirit of counsel
· The Spirit of power
· The Spirit of knowledge
· The Spirit of the fear (reverence) of the LORD

Jesus was anointed with the Spirit of God and so are we (Christians). Therefore, we can rely on the Spirit of God to guide us to truth. We can rely on the Spirit of God to direct our lives (paths) via the decisions that we make.

Consider that we do not have sufficient wisdom, understanding, counsel, power, knowledge, and fear of the Lord to affect anything. For example, the Bible says,
(Isaiah 64:6 NIV) "All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away."
(John 15:5 NIV) ""I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."
Therefore, the wisdom, knowledge, understanding, etc. that are referred to above are from the Spirit and is nothing that we have of our own. It would seem appropriate to say that we can judge effectively or even rightly because of the Spirit of God within us. It therefore becomes important that we do all we can to get into agreement with the Spirit of God and be guided by the Spirit.

The Component of the Spirit of God

I would like to propose that the Christian has another information source and processing basis then the senses and facts. The scripture above says that the Spirit of the LORD would rest upon him (Jesus). We have this same Spirit IN us to guide us to all truth.
(1 John 2:20 NIV) "But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth."
(John 16:13 NIV) "But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come."
What the Christian has is the Spirit of God. We are taught to live by that Spirit. This means that we have to incorporate the Spirit of God in our decision making process since it is one of the most important aspects of our lives. We don’t have to judge by what we see, hear, understand, or the plain facts. We can judge rightly by listening to what the Spirit of God says. I don’t believe that the Holy Spirit tells us the answer to every decision that we face because that would negate the necessity for knowledge, understanding, and wisdom which the Bible teaches much about. We should incorporate the knowledge and insight of the Holy Spirit in our lives since He lives in us (Christians).

MAKING EFFECTIVE DECISIONS - Time Frame

What is the time frame for your decision? Do you have to make a decision now, tomorrow, next week, or next month? Knowing how much time you have to make a decision can make the process a lot easier on you if you find that you have plenty of time that can be used for research. However, if you don’t have much time then be content to do what you can. No one can logically expect you to be the bionic brain. You need information to make a decision and limited time means limited information.

Judge by Senses?

Consider the decision making process that we have discussed so far. It involved the acquisition of information, the processing of that information, and then a decision based on the process. Notice, in an absolute sense, there seems to be no provision for God to intervene in the process. However, that is not true. There are plenty of places for God to intervene in the decision making process if we include more than the senses that we have, the knowledge, and abilities that we have. Consider the following scripture.
(Isaiah 11:1-3 NIV) "A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit. {2} The Spirit of the LORD will rest on him-- the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of power, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD-- {3} and he will delight in the fear of the LORD. He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes, or decide by what he hears with his ears;"
This scripture is a prophecy concerning Jesus Christ. However, I want to point out something that this scripture reveals. It reveals a decision making process that is not dependent on what is seen with the eyes or heard with the ears. In a general sense, we can say that this decision making process is not dependent on the physical senses. What then is the bases of this process? These scriptures reveals the answer to this question. It says that The "Spirit of the LORD will rest on him-- the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of power, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD."

MAKING EFFECTIVE DECISIONS - GET HELP

Read Exodus 18:12-27. The point that I want to bring out here is that Moses was making many decisions that he did not have to make thus wearing himself down. There may be many times when we feel that we have to make a decision alone. However, sometimes it would be most helpful if we either got help from someone or if we can delegate the decision making process to someone else whom we trust.
Therefore, try asking yourself the following questions when you are confronted with a situation that seems to demand a decision.

* Do I have to make this decision, that is, is a decision necessary?
* Can someone help me in the decision making process?
* Can I delegate?

Never feel that you have to do everything yourself. We are tempted to think this way because we want things to go a certain way—our way. However, sometimes it is more effective and efficient to get help or even to delegate the decision to someone else if that is applicable.

Advisors

The President of the United States have advisors to help him make decisions. Company officials also have a similar advisory board structure. This results in the load of making the decisions being spread out over different people providing different insights, perspectives, and experiences.

Do you have an advisor or advisors. Your advisor may not be the same for all situations. However, it is good to know who your resources are. Who can you talk to about certain thing. Your goal for the most part is not to turn the decision over to them but to acquire information that will help you ease your decision making process. It is also easier on your mind.

MAKING EFFECTIVE DECISIONS - No Formulas

Let me say here that there are no formulas that you can use to make a decision. All people are different and all situations are different. That is why we have to rely on a process that incorporates Godly principles and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Also, if there were formulas then the decision process would be negated and our path would be predetermined. However, since we do have free will and therefore a choice, the decision making process is a real process that must be activated by us.

Influence

We have to be on guard against influences. It is very possible to begin to move in the direction of influence from others instead of making an objective decision based on simple information. For example, we may tend to move in one direction in the decision making process because of the biased comments of someone. Try to ignore or put aside any opinions of others. Only accept facts from people and not their pains, expectations, etc. Try not to be influenced by someone when you are trying to obtain information.
You do not want to be influenced. Just be careful what influences you and how. You definitely want to be influenced by the Holy Spirit and the word of God. Furthermore, your own convictions and desires will influence you as well. Also realize that the people closest to you have a greater opportunity to influence you the most (Ex. Wife, co-worker).

MAKING EFFECTIVE DECISIONS - The Basic Process

The way to make an effective decision is simply to weigh the facts and information including the things that we listed above. Your convictions, affections, priorities, and the prompting of the Holy Spirit will guide you to the decision that needs to be made. The basic process is to weigh the information and generate a decision based on the outcome of processing the information you have. What is important here is having quality information and resources as well as having as sound a mind as possible in order to process the information that you have gathered. Let's look at the processing stage a little closer.

Using Your Mind

Some Christians may feel that they have to hear a word from God in order to inform them of which choice to select in the overall decision making process. God did not create you with a mind to think and not intend for you to use it. We do have to think in order to make a decision else we are not really deciding. However, what is involved with our thinking is the real question. The Holy Spirit is just as active in our thinking process as he is in all areas of our life. Therefore, do not think that thinking implies a neglect of hearing the voice of God. Thinking is only using the God given process that you have.

THANKS GIVING

I am thankful for:...the mess to clean after a party because it means I have been surrounded by friends....The taxes I pay because it means that I'm employed....The clothes that fit a little too snug because it means I have enought to eat....My shadow who watches me work because it means I am out in the sunshine....A lawn that needs mowing, windows that need cleaning and gutters that need fixing becuase it means I have a home....All the complaining I hear about our government because it means we have freedom of speech....The spot I find at the far end of the parking lot because it means I am capable of walking....My huge heating bill because it means I am w! arm....The lady behind me in church who sings off key because it means that I can hear....The piles of laundry and ironing because it means my loved ones are nearby....Weariness and aching muscles at the end of the day because it means I have been productive....The alarm that goes off in the early morning hours because it means that I'm alive.

MAKING EFFECTIVE DECISIONS - THE BASICS

There are some basic items that we need to do and have in order to make effective decisions. Foremost we need information. Though information is very important in the decision making process, there are many other factors that are needed. Let me list the items that I believe we need to make effective decisions.
Information – How much do you know about the things involved? The more information you have about the options the more effective decision you can make. Without sufficient information, your decision may be based on emotions or the influences of others. For example, if you are trying to decide whether to purchase a Honda Accord or a Volvo Station wagon, then you need to know as much about both vehicles as possible. Only then will you be able to make an effective decision.
Proper priorities – Establish proper priorities relative to the situation at hand. What may be a major decision may not be necessary because the situation and its outcome may have a very low priority relative to other things that are going on in your life. Of course, establishing proper priorities is a job in itself and no one can do this except you.
Proper perspective (The overall picture) – It is very beneficial that you obtain a bird’s eye view of the entire situation. Otherwise, something that may seem extremely significant may not be significant at all relative to the entire scope of things in your life or the situation itself. Also, what may seem a minor decision may in fact be a major decision relative to the overall situation. Don’t focus on the immediate. Try to see the situation as a whole.
An awareness and sensitivity to the Holy Spirit – We must be aware of the Holy Spirit operating in our life. We have to consider him when we view the information, make our priorities, and view the entire situation. If we do not consider the Holy Spirit then we are left with the activity of leaning on our own understanding and abilities. Awareness of the Spirit of God is crucial to making effective decisions.
Biblical principles relevant to the situation at hand – It will be most helpful in many situations if we are aware of a Biblical principle relating to the situation at hand. Knowing what the word of God teaches about a situation will remove much of the pressure and stress to decide one way or another.
Resources – Resources provide information. Use as many resources as you can or deem necessary to obtain insight, proper perspective, and information concerning your situation. One of your greatest resource is other people. People will help you by providing various insights and perspectives of a situation which in turn will help your perspective of the whole.
Awareness of your own convictions, desires, and affections – This is very important to making an effective decision. You may end up making a decision based on the influences of others (external things in general) instead of being influenced by your own convictions if you don’t consider what you want. Know what you want and where you want to go so that you avoid going where others think you should go or do what they think you should do.

MAKING EFFECTIVE DECISIONS - What Is Good?

I want to distinguish a good decision from an effective decision. "A good decision satisfies and an effective decision produces." We are prone to make a decision that will satisfy our desire to have something good or to do something that is good. On another note, we are prone to make a decision that will be good for us. However, what we perceive as good for us may indeed be bad for us or at the very least not in accordance with God’s plan. Good is relative to our emotions and perception. Our concept of good is very faulty and will not stand up to the will of God. Jesus said "There is only One who is good." in Matthew 19:17. All that is good is of God. No one can determine what is good and what is not on an absolute sense. Consider the following scenario.
Suppose we see an animal that is suffering to the point that you know it is going to die? A common answer is to put the animal out of it’s misery. That would be good for the animal because we would relieve it of its suffering because of our mercy. Killing the animal looks cruel on the surface but we have justified it by our concept of what is good for the animal. Consider also a person who we consider to be a good person. What makes that person good? They are a nice person, they don’t hurt anyone, they are kind, etc. These things are only superficial however and cannot be used to determine what is good. I would dare say that the trials and pains that we go through in life are sometimes ordained by God for our good. That doesn’t mean that God is going around harming people but that sometimes our pains, associated with trials, tribulations, and the situations of life, will in effect produce good in us or for us.
Now if we apply the above principle to decisions we see right away that we cannot depend on our concept of what is good for us. We are forced to look to God for assistance. We aren’t looking for God to tell us what to do all of the time as some do. We are looking to God for wisdom (discernment), knowledge, information, insight, etc. so that we can use the Spirit trained mind (see Romans 12:2) that we have to make the most effective decision. We see in yet another life situation where we have to learn to trust God. We also see that we are not alone and that God is for us in all aspects of our life. Consider the following scripture.
(Romans 8:28 NIV) And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

(Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV) Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; {6} in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
The concept of "the good" must be referenced to God’s realm else we will move into things that we think are good. God’s omniscience and omnipresence transcends anything that we can bring to the table in an effort to do what is good—including making good decisions. Leaning on our understanding should be understood in light of the fact of excluding God from normal everyday decisions and activities. Consider that your life and where you go is a result of the decisions that you make. How important do you think it is to get God involved in those decisions thus your life!

MAKING EFFECTIVE DECISIONS - PURPOSE

The purpose of this study is to provide you with information that I believe will help you make more effective decisions. I am not trying to present a formula for making good decisions because what is called good is relative and no two decisions involve exactly the same circumstances. Therefore, I am presenting my knowledge of making effective decisions..
I define an effective decision as a decision that is made and produces the desired or most effective result. What we perceive as good, therefore may not point to the most effective decision. Let me talk about this a little bit.

Duele amar a alguien y no ser correspondidos, pero lo que es más doloroso es amar a alguien y nunca encontrar el valor para decirle a esa persona lo que sientes. Tal vez Dios quiere que nosotros conozcamos a unas cuantas personas equivocadas antes de conocer a la persona correcta, para que al fin cuando la conozcamos, sepamos ser agradecidos por ese maravilloso regalo.

Una de las cosas más tristes de la vida es cuando conoces a alguien que significa todo y solo para darte cuenta que al final, no era para ti y lo tienes que dejar ir. Cuando la puerta de la felicidad se cierra, otra puerta se abre, pero algunas veces miramos tanto tiempo a aquella puerta que se cerró, que no vemos la que se ha abierto frente a nosotros

Es cierto que no sabemos lo que tenemos hasta que lo perdemos, pero también es cierto que no sabemos lo que nos hemos estado perdiendo hasta que lo encontramos. Darle a alguien todo tu amor nunca es un seguro de que te corresponderán, pero no esperes que te correspondan; solo espera que el amor crezca en el corazón de la otra persona, pero si no crece sé feliz porque creció en el tuyo.

Hay cosas que te encantaría oír que nunca escucharás de la persona que te gustaría que te las dijera, pero no seas tan sorda(o) para no oírlas de aquel que las dice desde su corazón.

Nunca digas adiós si todavía quieres tratar. Nunca te des por vencida(o) si sientes que puedes seguir luchando. Nunca le digas a una persona que ya no la amas si no puedes dejarla ir.

El amor llega a aquel que espera, aunque lo hallan decepcionado; a aquel que aun cree, aunque haya sido traicionado; a aquel que todavía necesite amar, aunque antes haya sido lastimado; y a aquel que tiene el coraje y la fe para construir la confianza de nuevo.

El principio del amor es dejar que aquellos que conocemos sean ellos mismos, y no tratarlos de voltear con nuestra propia imagen, porque entonces solo amaremos el reflejo de nosotros mismos en ellos. No vayas por el exterior, este te puede engañar; no vayas por las riquezas porque aun eso se pierde; ve por alguien que te haga sonreír, porque toma tan solo una sonrisa para hacer que un día oscuro brille.

Siempre hay una respuesta..

Es Imposible?:
Todo es Posible - Lucas 18:27 -

Estoy Canzado:
Yo te haré descanzar - Mateo 11:16-30 -

Nadie me ama:
Yo te amo - Juan 3:16 y 13:34 -

No Puedo Continuar:
"Mi gracia es suficiente" - 1 Corintios 12:9 -

No Entiendo las Cosas:
"Yo te guiaré" - Proverbios 3:5-6 -

No lo puedo hacer:
Tu puedes hacerlo - Filipenses 4:13 -

No me puedo Perdonar:
Yo te perdono - 1 Juan 1:9 y Romanos 8:1 -

Me siento Solo:
Nunca te dejaré solo - Hebreos 13:5 -

a las cosas negativas tenemos que decirle: Dios tiene la respuesta para ello..

Dominican Stuffs (spanish)

Diccionario Dominicano Nuestro pueblo ha cambiado el rumbo del Castellano:


El dominicano no te engaña: te lo mete frío
El dominicano no en infiel: pega cuernos
El dominicano no es mentiroso: es jablador
El dominicano no es experto: es un verdugo
El dominicano no eyacula: echa un polvo El dominicano no consigue: liga o guisa
El dominicano no anda en autobuses: anda en guagua
Al dominicano no le dan un aventón: le dan una bola
El dominicano no se emborracha: se da un jumo
El dominicano no resbala: patina El dominicano no se cae: gotea
El dominicano no espía: brecha
El dominicano no bromea: tripea
El dominicano no se enamora: se asfixia
El dominicano no convence: da muela
El dominicano no besuquea: chulea
El dominicano no lame: lambe
El dominicano no acaricia: soba
El dominicano no se lanza: se jondea
El dominicano no molesta: fuñe
El dominicano no se baña: se echa agua
El dominicano no llena su estomago: se jarta
El dominicano no se molesta: se quilla o encojona
El dominicano no te golpea: te e'plota
El dominicano no sufre de diarrea: sufre de churria
El dominicano no fracasa: se gualla
El dominicano no encuentra: jalla
El dominicano no comparte en grupo: hace coro
El dominicano no trepa: se encarama
El dominicano no se abaja: se aplata
El dominicano no se baja: se apea
El dominicano no ordena: acoteja
Al dominicano no le es difícil: coje lucha
El dominicano no va rápido: va como un chele o como la jond'er diablo
El dominicano no te abandona: te saca lo' pie'
El dominicano no rie hasta mas no poder: s'eplota 'e la risa
El dominicano no toma siestas: hecha pavitas
El dominicano no se viste: se cambia
El dominicano no sale corriendo: se embala
Los dominicanos no se ven luego: se "chequean"
El dominicano no quiebra: Ta' en olla
El dominicano no se va del lugar: se desgarita
El dominicano no se atraganta: se añuga
El dominicano no busca pelea: arma una piña
El dominicano no te da una bofetada: te da una galleta
El dominicano no se pasa de tragos: se prende, se enciende o se pone en 'su punto'.
El dominicano no habla incoherencias: es un baboso
El dominicano no duda: se pone chivoY al final... El dominicano no muere: guinda los tenis.

Tree of Dreams

each dream is a seed

the seed ofa tree

a tree fun of life

and what your life can be

your dreams are windows

throughwich you can see

a hint of your future

and what you can be

each night when you sleep

you are feeding the seed

the seed of the tree

of who you will be

NEVER LET GO OF YOUR DREAMS!!

thought

Age is like mind over matter, if you don't mind, it don't matter.

Life

I'm afraid to look ahead I don't know want to know what I will find But lately I've been thinking and a few things have come to mind
Where will I be tomorrow when the sun begins to rise?
Where will I be in 20 years when I look back and remember the time?
Life is just a passing thing it was never meant to stay
We were all put here together
but could be taken back any day
Friends come and goand relationships never last
But these are the good old days the ones that will fill our past
Don't let these days slip away you'll never get them backyou were put here to live and you're never going to last
So when it's all said and done and your time on earth is through
Don't look back and have regrets
Be happy with everything you do.

Create Your Own Dreams

Always Create Your Own Dreamsand
Live Life to the Fullest Dreams can come true
if you take the time to think about what you want in life
Get to know yourselfFind out who you are
Choose your goals carefullyBe honest with yourself
Always believe in yourself
Find many interests and pursue them
Find out what is important to you
Find out what you are good at
Don't be afraid to make mistakes
Work hard to achieve successes
When things are not going rightdon't give up - just try harder
Give yourself freedom to try out new things
Laugh and have a good time
Open yourself up to loveTake part in the beauty of nature
Be appreciative of all that you have
Help those less fortunate than you'
Work towards peace in the world
Live life to the fullest
Create your own dreams andfollow them until they are a reality

Happiness

We convince ourselves that life will be better after we get married, have a baby, then another.Then we are frustrated that the kids aren't old enoug hand we'll be more content when they are. After that, we're frustrated that we have teenagers to deal with. We will certainly be happy when they are out of that stage.We tell ourselves that our life will be complete when our spouse gets his or her act together,when we get a nicer car,we are able to go on a nice vacation, or when we retire.
The truth is, there's no better time to be happy than right now.If not now, when?Your life will always be filled with challenges.It's best to admit this to yourself and decide to be happy anyway. Happiness is the way.
So, treasure every moment that you haveand treasure it more because you shared it with someone special, special enough to spend your time with...and remember that time waits for no one.
So, stop waiting....

--until your car or home is paid off--until you get a new car or home--until your kids leave the house--until you go back to school--until you finish school--until you lose 10 lbs--until you gain 10 lbs.--until you get married--until you get a divorce--until you have kids--until you retire--until summer--until spring--until winter--until fall--until you die

There is no better time than right now to be happy. Happiness is a journey, not a destination.
So, if you want to brighten someone's day,
Work like you don't need money, Love like you've never been hurt, And dance like no one's watching.

Happiness

Happiness is not something that comes from "things" or other people. It is a state of mind caused by our reaction and interaction with all things and people. If you decide to be happy–in spite of the trials and tests that life brings–you will be in a much better spot to bring about the changes and pursue the goals that you want.

am i loneley?

i was just thinking.. i write too much stuffs, i write too much poems, to people actually, and never have receive one back.. like i dont have anybody that writes to me a poem, a song or anything.. i know i'm not alone, that i have jesus and he conforts me and all, but.. is all the writing i have made are all a waste?? i dont even know if all my writings have make any difference in someone else life...

Real Love "Beleives All Things"

At first glance, this next characteristic of love might leave the impression that those who care about others must learn to be gullible or naive. That was not Paul's point. Neither was he saying that love always gives others the benefit of the doubt. Sometimes a loving teacher, coach, counselor, or friend must be "unbelieving" in order to get to the bottom of a matter.
No, Paul was not saying that love is blindly accepting of what others say. Rather it seems he was celebrating the foundational relationship between faith and love. First Corinthians 13 reminds us that real love is fueled by our faith in God. Real love grows and is sustained by faith as we believe "all things" God tells us about Himself, about ourselves, and about one another.
If we doubt what God says about His love for us, we will lose a strong incentive for loving one another. If we doubt God's assurance that He is patient and kind to us, we will not be as apt to be patient and kind with one another. If we doubt that God is able to provide for our needs, we will not be as inclined to be generous with others.
The truth that "love believes all things" is central to our understanding of Christlike love. Real love is rooted and grounded in faith. Faith, in turn, is rooted and grounded in what God has said in His Word.
Without faith in God, love quits and dies. Unless we continue to "believe all things" God has said, our love will not survive the disappointments, rejections, and insults of life. Unless we build our love firmly on the Word of God, love will throw in the towel. Only by faith in God can love remain strong.

Follow your heart

Just follow your heart, for your heart will know the love that's meant for you; the love that's going to change your world and last a lifetime through. The perfect love that's yours alone and has been from the start; the love that you can only find by following your heart. As you follow your heart to wherever it leads I'm hoping you'll find it will be into the arms of someone who needs you.

The Beach

why is t that we like the beach that much? i know at least why i like it.. its a place you dont need that much clothing, and if you just lay down and hear the sound of the waves in the beach with your eyes closed and the sounds of the gulls and all the beach birds and the coconut bushes ita all amazing.. and its cool all the things you can do in the beach, ride a wave, it feels awesome riding a wave.

i just wish that the sea water where sweet.. though it has it reasons.. if the sea water where like the river water we cant float that much and it will be harder to swim.

The Deeds Undone

It isn't the thing you do, friend, it's the thing you leave undone,Which gives you the bitter heartache, at the setting of the sun:The tender words unspoken, to letter you did not write,The flowers you might have sent, are your haunting ghosts at night.

The stone you might have lifted, out of a dear friend's way,The bit of heartsome counsel you were hurried too much to say:The loving touch of a helping hand, the gentle and winsome tone,That you had no time or thought for, with troubles enough of your own.

These little acts of kindness, so easily out of mind,These chances to be angels, which even mortals find.They come in night and silence, each chill reproachful wraith,When hope is faint and flagging, and a blight has dropped on faith.

For life is all too short, friend, and sorrow is all to great,To suffer our slow compassion, that tarries until too late.So, it's not the things you do, it's the deeds you leave undone,Which gives you a bitter heartache, at the setting of the sun.

See It Through

When you're up against a trouble,Meet it squarely, face to face;Lift your chin and set your shoulders,Plant your feet and take a brace.When it's vain to try to dodge it,Do the best that you can do;You may fail, but you may conquer,See it through!
Black may be the clouds about you,And your future may seem grim,But don't let your nerve desert you;Keep yourself in fighting trim.If the worst is bound to happen,Spite of all that you can do,Running from it will not save you,See it through!
Even hope may seem but futile,When with troubles you're beset,But remember you are facingJust what other men have met.You may fail, but fall still fighting;Don't give up, whate'er you do;Eyes front, head high to the finish.See it through!

Wouldn't it be??

Wouldn't this old world be betterIf the folks we meet would say, "I know something good about you!"And then treat us just that way?

Wouldn't it be fine and dandyIf each handclasp warm and trueCarried with it this assurance, "I know something good about you!"

Wouldn't life be lots more happy,If the good that's in us allWere the only things about usThat folks bothered to recall?

Wouldn't life be lots more happy,If we praised the good we see?For there's such a lot of goodnessIn the worst of you and me.

Wouldn't it be nice to practiceThat fine way of thinking, too?You know something good about me!I know something good about you!

Everybody Knows:
You can't be all things to all people.
You can't do all things at once.
You can't do all things equally well.
You can't do all things better than everyone else.
Your humanity is showing just like everyone else's.

So:
You have to find out who you are, and be that.
You have to decide what comes first, and do that.
You have to discover your strengths, and use them.
You have to learn not to compete with others,Because no one else is in the contest of
*being you*.

Then:
You will have learned to accept your own uniqueness.You will have learned to set priorities and make decisions.You will have learned to live with your limitations.You will have learned to give yourself the respect that is due.And you'll be a most vital mortal.

Dare To Believe:
That you are a wonderful, unique person.
That you are a once-in-all-history event.That it's more than a right, it's your duty, to be who you are.
That life is not a problem to solve, but a gift to cherish.
And you'll be able to stay one up on what used to get you down.

What Does the Bible Say About Forgiveness? part 7

It Is Utterly Imposbhsible For Love To Be Defeated

In all of God's creation, one thing can absolutely never be defeated, and that is Love. Though it has been trivialized, mocked, perverted, ignored, and trampled on, True Love will eventually change the whole order and fabric of creation. It is impossible for this not to happen. God is Love, and God will never be defeated. Love cannot fail, but it will vanquish every foe that is set against it, of which unforgiveness, bitterness, hatred and pride are a part. These things will cease absolutely one day. But we can hasten that day and speed it's coming, by applying the parameters of love to our lives now. If we do this, we wage spiritual war with the most powerful (and essentially only) weapon of spiritual warfare that there is.
We all love to talk about love in the abstract, but the depth of our commitment to it is revealed in our willingness and ability to forgive. It is the true measure of what sort of warrior we really are, in the kingdom of God. No matter what accusations the Enemy may make, forgiveness drowns them in the blood of Jesus, and turns the bullets of his words into butterflies. That is why forgiveness and walking in love cannot be mere options for the Christian. Either we do it, or we don't. If we don't, we deceive ourselves that we are Christ's followers. If we want to follow Jesus then we must walk where He walked. We must forgive as He forgives and love as He loves. The simplicity of this gospel is the only thing that can and will transform us--and the world!
We've all heard these words, but let's read them again from the Amplified Bible:
"Love endures long and is patient and kind; love never is envious nor boils over with jealousy; it is not boastful or vainglorious, does not display itself haughtily. It is not conceited--arrogant and inflated with pride; it is not rude (unmannerly), and does not act unbecomingly. Love (God's love in us) does not insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not self-seeking ; it is not touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it--pays no attention to a suffered wrong. It does not rejoice at injustice and unrighteousness , but rejoices when right and truth prevail. Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best about every person, its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances and it endures everything (without weakening). Love never fails--never fades out or becomes obsolete or comes to an end" (1 Corinthians 13:4-8).
If you need to pray for forgiveness, here is a sample prayer to help you:
"Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for Your grace and mercy to me. Forgive me for my hardness of heart which I have displayed to others as well as You. Cleanse me of all self-absorption, self-pity, anger, hatred, bitterness, vengefulness, hopelessness and resentment. Help me to walk in Your love and to know Your love in my own heart. Though I don't have it within me, I know that You have it within You and that you share your power with the weak. I confess my weakness and I look to You to make me strong in love, patience, longsuffering and humility. I look to all the testing of my faith as something good, for You know it will make me stronger in it. You are rich in mercy and will not chide and scold forever. I'm calling on You for forgiveness and the strength to believe Your Word and to follow it. Now, Lord, please send me the power of the Holy Spirit to strengthen me so I can follow through with all You've put in my heart. Help me not to stumble back into my old ways, but walk in the newness of life that You have promised those who are born again. Let my life be the very fragrance of grace to all I meet. Let me show others the the kind of love that You have shown me. Thank you for your faithfulness Lord. I cling to your mercy and love You with all my heart."

Moving thoughts

Maybe God wants us to meet a few wrong people before meeting the right one so that when we finally meet the right person, we will know how to be grateful for that gift.

When the door of happiness closes, another opens, but often times we look so long at the closed door that we don't see the one which has been opened for us.

The best kind of friend is the kind you can sit on a porch and swing with, never say a word, and then walk away feeling like it was the best conversation you've ever had.

It's true that we don't know what we've got until we lose it, but it's also true that we don't know what we've been missing until it arrives.

Giving someone all your love is never an assurance that they'll love you back! Don't expect love in return; just wait for it to grow in their heart but if it doesn't, be content it grew in yours. It takes only a minute to get a crush on someone, an hour to like someone, and a day to love someone, but it takes a lifetime to forget someone.

Don't go for looks; they can deceive. Don't go for wealth; even that fades away. Go for someone who makes you smile because it takes only a smile to make a dark day seem bright. Find the one that makes your heart smile.

There are moments in life when you miss someone so much that you just want to pick them from your dreams and hug them for real!

Dream what you want to dream; go where you want to go; be what you want to be, because you have only one life and one chance to do all the things you want to do.

May you have enough happiness to make you sweet, enough trials to make you strong, enough sorrow to keep you human, enough hope to make you happy.

Always put yourself in others' shoes. If you feel that it hurts you, it probably hurts the other person, too.

The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the most of everything that comes along their way.

Happiness lies for those who cry, those who hurt, those who have searched, and those who have tried, for only they can appreciate the importance of people who have touched their lives. Love begins with a smile, grows with a kiss and ends with a tear. The brightest future will always be based on a forgotten past, you can't go on well in life until you let go of your past failures and heartaches.

When you were born, you were crying and everyone around you was smiling. Live your life so that when you die, you're the one who is smiling and everyone around you is crying.

El servicio, la compasión, la bondad, son considerados cosas del pasado, como Elvis, Stanislao Marino, Raphael, el periódico Ultima Hora y Saved by the Bell (Salvado por la Campana), cosas lindas, que valoramos pero ya no se usan. Hay muchas razones para esto, y el 80% de ellas podrían ser consideradas como excusas buenas y válidas: que los que roban o los que engañan o para qué van a usar las cosas que les voy a regalar. Para el cristiano la posición es diferente, no son cosas del pasado SON COSAS DE SIEMPRE.En ese sentido las enseñanzas de Cristo son siempre radicales: siempre da... al que te pide prestado regálale... al que te pide que lo acompañes por dos cuadras acompañalo por cuatro si es necesario... y la más famosa de todas: si te dan en una mejilla preséntale la otra. WOW! Gandhi vivió mejor las enseñanzas de Cristo, aún siendo de una religión pagana de ultra derecha, que la mayoría de nosotros los cristianos. Y como dijo Pablo les digo: ¡ESO NO FUE LO QUE USTEDES APRENDIERON DE CRISTO!Durante los próximos 30 días (aunque de verdad nuestra intención es que dure mucho más) nos embarcamos en servir, mostrar compasión y ayudar a quien sea sin esperar nada a cambio, sin prejuicios, e INTENCIONALMENTE. Si todos nos disponemos a eso será de super bendición para nuestras vidas, principalmente sino esperamos ser bendecidos.Dios te bendiga, aunque no lo esperes, creo que así es mejor.

Fausto Liriano

What Does the Bible Say About Forgiveness? Part 6

"Standing on the promises of God"

Many have written us with a fear that perhaps they have "gone too far." They have continually struggled with a besetting sin that seems to master them again and again. They wonder if they have lost their salvation, if God has given up on them, of if they were ever truly saved at all.
Please know this: If you are crying out to Him for forgiveness, it is only because He has given you the grace to do so--and He WILL answer your heart's cry. If you were past the point of no return, you wouldn't even care about the concept of forgiveness. It is only because you belong to the Lord that you are still seeking Him.
Jesus said in John 6:37, "All whom My Father has given (entrusted) to Me, will come to Me and I will most certainly not cast out--I will never, no never reject one of them who comes to Me" (Amplified).
If you are feeling weak, understand this about your beautiful Savior: "He does not crush the weak, or quench the smallest hope..." (Matthew 12:20, Living Bible).
God loves you and He is on your side to help you overcome sin. He is not against you. He is for you. Please refer to the above (and following) scriptures as often as you feel the need--as often as the devil would whisper lies of condemnation in your ear (Satan literally means "Accuser" and that is what he does best). Jesus stood against the devil with scripture and we should do the same thing! These promises are true and precious, for "God is not a man that He should lie" (Numbers 23:19). Even if you don't "feel" forgiven, that is beside the point. God's word is truer than our emotions.
All of us have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. That is why Jesus died for us in the first place! This is the most basic tenant of Christianity, yet it seems it is the primary lesson we all must learn again and again. God doesn't love us because we are worthy. He loves us because He IS Love.
Hebrews 10:18-23, "Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin. Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; And having an high priest over the house of God; Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised.)
1 John 4:16-18 (NIV), "And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God and God in him. In this way love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgement, because in this world we are like him. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love."
Psalm 103: 8-13, "The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. He will not always chide neither will he keep his anger for ever. He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him."
Psalm 34:18, "The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit."
Isaiah 44:22 (NIV), "I have swept away your offenses like a cloud, your sins like the morning mist. Return to me for I have redeemed you."
Micah 7:19, "He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea."
Psalm 103:2-3, "Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;"
Romans 10:11, "For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed."
Jesus said that the one who is forgiven much will love much. We all need to be forgiven of much, but very few of us recognize it. If you recognize your sins and mourn deeply because of them, you are closer to true love than all the multitudes who are doing "just fine."
However, just as there is a time to mourn for our sins, there is also a time to rejoice that we are truly forgiven and clothed in the very righteousness of Christ Himself. Once we have been forgiven, God wants us to walk free of the burden of guilt. That is why He assures us over and over in His word that He literally forgets our sins. I used to think preachers only made that up, until I saw it in the Bible. As if forgiveness were not enough, God also gives us the royal robes of holiness to wear. In Him, we are made righteousness in Christ. If that is not something to rejoice about, nothing is! Praise God!!!
2 Corinthians 5:21, "For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him."

What Does the Bible Say About Forgiveness? part 5

Forgiveness In Practice

If you have been wounded, God will take even this frustration and pain of rejection in your life and work it for something good so you can be a vessel of healing to His people--if you let Him.
"...But what if they don't even see how bad they've hurt me?" Whether they see it or not is between them and the Lord. Your responsibility is simply to forgive them.
"...I'm afraid if I forgive, I'll only get hurt again." If you call on the Lord for wisdom He will help you in your situation. If you are in an abusive relationship/partnership/friendship you need to pray about whether you should stay in it. You can still forgive them, but it doesn't mean that you have to live with, or be closely associated with them. There is a difference.
"...If I forgive them, they'll only go on hurting others." If the person who hurt you has done it in an illegal way such as sexual abuse, theft, murder, etc., you have a responsibility to do all you can to stop others from being hurt in the same way. However, you can still forgive them, in the sense that you do not actively hate them, and can pray for God's mercy on them.
When God forgives us, He no longer holds our sins against us. Therefore, we don't have the right to hold others' sins against them--not if we belong to Jesus. If we belonged to the world, we could indulge in bitterness, but the blood-bought child of a merciful King has no such right.
Whether we "feel" forgiveness in our hearts or not, we are under obligation to obey God. As we obey Him, He will supply the feelings. Obedience must come first, then the right feelings will follow. We can't wait for a special nudge from On High to get us to do what His Word already tells us plainly to do. The longer we wait, the worse off we will be. Oswald Chambers, in his famous devotional, "My Utmost For His Highest," preaches strongly about this concept:
"Revise where you have become stodgy spiritually and you will find it goes back
to a point where you knew there was something you should do, but you did not do
it because there seemed no immediate call to, and now you have no perception,
no discernment; at a time of crisis you are spiritually distracted instead of
spiritually self-possessed."
The best way to be rid of bearing a grudge against someone (or a race, nation, gender, or church, etc.), is to confess it to the Lord and seek His help. Then, begin to pray for that person as if you were praying for yourself.
"Lord, bless so and so. Cause their way to be pleasing to You in all that they do. Lead them closer to you! Cleanse them of all sin and give them the grace and strength to repent of any wickedness in their heart. Cause them to thirst for intimacy with You, and let them be fulfilled in Your presence. Let them honor You and put You first in all their ways. Send Your Holy Spirit to minister to them, to strengthen them, and to lead them. Let them fulfill the call of God on their life. Bless their family/job/ministry/etc. Cause them to be fruitful and to be established in your love. Minister to them in the area of their deepest needs. Help me to be truly concerned for them. Let me have your heart for this person. Show me how to pray for them and love them as you want me to...."
Then, bind away any spirit of deception that has come over them, or anything else the Lord may show you in prayer. This is what "loving our enemies" is all about. It is looking past the sin they have committed against us, and honestly wanting the best for them and for God to be merciful to them.
Matthew 5:44-48: "But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? Do not even the publicans the same? And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? Do not even the publicans so? Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect."
As you are faithful to pray for those who have wronged you in this way, you will see a change come about in them--and in you!!! Instead of hate, you will begin to have God's compassion for them. There is nothing that pleases the Lord more than to see His children bearing each other's burdens, loving each other from the heart, and living in humility toward each other.

What Does the Bible Say About Forgiveness? part 4

Steps to Receive God's Forgiveness

Forgiveness is not automatic. Through the blood of Jesus, every person alive has the opportunity to receive forgiveness, but it does not happen involuntarily. The Bible makes it clear that there are some conditions we must meet to obtain God's forgiveness. Let's look at the following verses to find out what we must do to obtain forgiveness.
1. 1 John 1:9 "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
Hosea 14:2-3 "Take words with you and return to the Lord. Say to him: 'Forgive all our sins and receive us graciously, that we may offer the fruit of our lips...We will never again say 'our gods' to what our own hands have made'" (NIV).
From the above verses, the first thing we see is that we must confess our sins. We must recognize where we have erred, and hurt God by our actions. When confessing your sins to God, be as specific as you can. General confessions do very little to convict of sin, or to convince God of your seriousness, or to bring healing in those areas.
2. Isaiah 55:7 "Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon."
Ezekiel 18:21, "But if the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath committed, and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die."
Our next step in receiving forgiveness, is to turn from our wicked ways and change them. We may struggle with a certain sin, but if our intent is truly to change our ways and overcome that sin, God will give us the grace to do it. Many want to receive forgiveness from God without changing their ways. God knows the difference between those who are sincere and those who are using Him to temporarily ease their conscience. He is not mocked or deceived. If one comes to him in sorrow, humility and sincerity, His grace is abundant. However, He has little patience for those who would abuse His mercy. Search your heart and ask God to give you the grace for true repentance, and the power of the Holy Spirit to make the changes you need to do. His greatest joy is to help those who repent in sincerity.
This should include asking forgiveness of those you have wronged and making restitution to them. True repentance will always be accompanied by corresponding actions.
3. Along these lines, the Bible also makes it clear that we are to "make right" any situations where we have failed in our responsibilities to others.
Matthew 5:23-25 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift. Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.
Romans 13:7 "Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor" (NIV).
If we are sincere in our repentance we must be willing to pay the penalty for our crimes against others. This could include restoration of any goods, monies, or services that were taken wrongfully, (or never given at all, if we owed them). The Lord says to "agree with our adversary." If we are in dispute with someone, that means we must admit to what we have done and quit trying to defend ourselves. If we are in the wrong (even partially) it is better to take responsibility for it, than to argue for our rights.
Many of us have failed to give honor and respect to those who are due it. That includes elders of any kind. They may be our parents, those in ministry, government leaders, our employers, those who are merely older than us in general, etc. Even if we don't agree with all their decisions, we are to honor and respect them for the office and position they hold. We are to refer to them with respect, both to their face and behind their back. Furthermore, God also commands us to treat everyone with common courtesy and respect regardless of who they are, because they are created in His image. Again, we do not have to concur with everything they do, but we owe them basic respect, out of respect for God. In fact, how much we really respect God will be evident in how we treat others.
If you have failed to show proper respect and/or honor for someone, it is your responsibility to apologize (if applicable), and to change your ways. No one can do this for you. If you do not change your ways, you will face the inevitable slide into prideful self-deception and self-righteousness, both of which are an abomination to God.
4. Matthew 6:14-15, "For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses."
Mark 11:25-26 (Amplified) "And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him and let it drop--leave it, let it go--in order that your Father Who is in heaven may also forgive you your (own) failings and shortcomings and let them drop. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your failings and shortcomings."
These verses are perhaps some of the least applied Scriptures in the Kingdom of God. Somehow, many of us are deceived into thinking that we do not have to take them literally. However, Jesus emphasized this principal over and over again in His parables and teachings. If we receive God's forgiveness, it is our duty to forgive those who have wronged us. The two are inseparable. Jesus said plainly that God will not forgive us, if we do not forgive others. Many Christians are full of condemnation and guilt because they still feel the weight of their sins, even though they've asked God to forgive them. Could it be that they have not been able to receive God's forgiveness because they still have bitterness in their own hearts toward others? Sometimes, we may carry bitterness and hurt so long, that we no longer even recognize it as a problem. It becomes a part of our very nature. We may not scheme for revenge, but our souls are clouded with a quiet, persistent bitterness.
Some of us have been betrayed in devastating ways, and have suffered profoundly at the hand of abusive people. Others have been horribly mistreated by those of other races, nations, and religions. If you are suffering with deep unhealed wounds, know the Lord has also been hurt with your pain. He loves you and wants to heal you. It is because of His great love for you that He is calling you to forgive. It is your only release from the emotional prison that you are now in.
You do not have to live in a continual state of submission to evil emotions. You can be free of them, through the power of the cross. "Behold, I make all things new" says the Lord. You can be made new on the inside, and no longer staggering under a load of bitterness, hatred, pain, and depression. God wants to set you free right now!

What Does the Bible Say About Forgiveness? Part 3

Walking In The Joy Of A Clean Conscience

Up to this point, you may be feeling less optimistic than you did when you started this article. If you are, it is a good sign. Believe it or not, you are closer to freedom than you have ever been! As we stated earlier, to be free from any problem, we must first recognize that we have one. Sometimes this is the hardest part. Recognizing and dealing with our sin is the only way to overcome the consequences of it. Are you ready for the good news now?

You can know beyond a shadow of a doubt that if you were to die tonight, you could stand before your Creator with a clean conscience. You don't have to rely on hopeful wishes or vague optimism. You can be washed clean and fragrant and sparkling. You don't have to hide from the guilty feelings that oppress you deep inside. You don't have to mete out penance for yourself to ease your conscience. You don't have to feel unworthy to come before the Lord in prayer, or accept the evil things Satan would try to do to you as your "punishment" from God. (Satan loves to masquerade as God Himself)!

God already punished Jesus in your place. If you were to receive your true punishment, you'd already be long dead! God's grace has kept you alive this long for a reason. Part of it is bringing you to this very place so you can hear Him calling out to you. It's not too late! No matter what you've done, it isn't too late for you to repent and to change you ways! If you are willing and ready to change your life, God is more than ready to help you, forgive you and restore you.

When Jesus cried out "It is finished!" on the cross, and took His last breath, the curtain in the temple was ripped from top to bottom. This curtain was extremely thick, and separated the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies. This inner sanctuary was where the presence of the Living God dwelled. No unclean thing could enter into this sacred place. A priest only went in once a year and if he had any sin in his life, he would die as he came to minister before the Lord. Yet, when Jesus finished the work on the cross, that curtain that kept us away from God's presence was ripped open, symbolizing a new relationship that we can now have with the Living God.

Jesus' atoning death on the cross made it possible for us to receive complete access to the presence of God. We can be forgiven of all our sins and no longer need to cower in the distance, afraid to face God. This problem has been dealt with once and for all, but we need to apply it for it to have any significance in our lives. This will not work if we agree only in theory. It must become a practical action in our lives.

What Does the Bible Say About Forgiveness? Part 2

We All Need Forgiveness

The psychologist, Freud, accurately determined that the main source of all humanity's woes are feelings of guilt. He came to this profound truth, but didn't know what to do with it. Today, we are encouraged by pop psychologists to "feel good about ourselves," and to do away with the troubling guilt that we all have. The Bible teaches the opposite. It says we must face our sin and deal with it--and only then can we have the peace that the world craves so badly. It can be a frightening and painful thing to face our sin, yet we will never receive healing unless we do. Our guilt will continue to torment us and wreak havoc on our lives until we receive forgiveness for our sins. The key is not to ignore our guilt or try to gloss over it, but to face it and seek God for forgiveness, through the blood of Jesus.

When Jesus died on the cross, He took our punishment upon Himself. He took the guilt of our sins and bore them in our place. He received all the emotional pain of the abuse, betrayal, injustice, and scorn that we ourselves have given and received. In a prophetic portrait of the future Christ, Isaiah wrote, "But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed" Isaiah 53:5.

In Hebrews 9:22, it says, "In fact, under the Law, almost everything is purified by means of blood, and without the shedding of blood, there is neither release from sin and its guilt nor the remission of the due and merited punishment for sins" (Amplified Bible, emphasis mine).
The weight of sin is so great that only shed blood can atone for it. We treat it so lightly, yet all the world is reeling and stunted and dying under the consequences of it. In the days of the Old Covenant (before Jesus came), God made laws requiring specific animals to be sacrificed to atone for certain sins. The one who committed the sin, was to slay the animal himself. We look at the Old Testament and wonder why God would be so strict, so seemingly cruel, and so specific. In confusion, many of us have said "Well, that is how God was back then..." and we try to put it out of our heads. There is something we must understand about God though. He does not change. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. What He hated 2,000 years ago He hates today, and will hate 2,000 years from now. He hates what destroys His creation, and He will be merciless against all forms of sin and injustice until every last bit is purged from us. (Please note that He is merciless with the sin, but not the repentant sinner!!)

Sin has destroyed this planet far more than even the most perceptive of us can realize. Only by shedding blood can we understand the extreme consequences of the price of sin. The shedding of blood is a vivid illustration that all sin will end in death. God, in His mercy, has allowed us to see and receive a small portion of the consequences of our sin in this lifetime, so we can change while we still have the opportunity to do so. After we die it will be to late.

When we see that the price that we must each pay for our sins is lifeblood of something or someone-- and that there is no way around it--the dept must be paid, only then we begin to have a true appreciation of what happened on the Cross.
If we do not understand the Cross, we can never receive absolution from the guilt that eats away at us. The Cross is essential for us to have new life. It is our only path to freedom.

What Does the Bible Say About Forgiveness? part 1

The Bible speaks about every person needing forgiveness and every person needing to forgive. Why? Because we are all sinners in need of God's forgiveness. None of us is perfect. We need God's grace and we need to extend that same mercy to others. This subject is the very essence of true Christianity. Until we understand it, we will not really understand God Himself.
Likely, if you are reading this page, you want to receive God's forgiveness, and you want to forgive. You want your slate to be clean. The problem is how? If we do not receive this grace from God, and extend it to others, the Scriptures make it clear that we will die in our sins. God has made forgiveness so important, that all our happiness and fulfillment depend on it--in this life and in the next.
He knew that all of us, without exception will be wronged. Furthermore, all of us will treat others wrongly. All of us will sin against God and others. These sins block and hinder our relationship with Him. Jesus spoke more of forgiveness than possibly any other topic. This is a lesson we must learn on deeper and deeper levels until the very core of our being is changed into Love.
There is no life apart from God's love. Therefore, there is no life apart from forgiveness, for forgiveness is the seal, the mark, and the proof of Love. If we say we have love and cannot walk in forgiveness, we deceive ourselves, and our "love" is only a parody of the real thing.

waiting for to hit me

trust me, its paradice, this is where the hungry comes to feed,from mind as a generation that circle the globe and search for something we've never tried before, so never refuse an invitation, never resist the unfamiliar, never fail to be polite and never outstay the welcome just keep your mind open and suck in the experience, and if it hurts, you know what? its probably worth it.

you hope and you dream, but you never beleive that something's gonna happen for you, not like it does in the movies and when it actually does, you want it to feel different,more visceral, more real, it was waiting for to hit me.

Waiting for God.

A friend once told me that the way to make the bus come was to light a cigarette. Though I don’t smoke, on coldwinter days when waiting became intolerable, I would imagine pulling out a cigarette, striking a match, and inhaling. It didn’t make the bus come any faster, but it kept me occupied. (Psalm 40:1-11). This passage begins with the psalmist waiting for God andends with a plea for God’s mercy—he is waiting for God again.In between, he considers different options of how to wait, some even more dangerous than smoking.
In the first verses, God rescues the psalmist from the “desolatepit,” “the miry bog” (v. 2). These may be taken literally butare also a good description of despair. When God doesn’t answer immediately, some of us tend to panic and sink into gloom.Verse 4 suggests that some people look for other options—pride, false gods, plan B—rather than trusting God. Verse 6 reveals aself-help strategy—sacrifice and offering—in hopes that these will earn our way or God’s approval.
Do any of these sound familiar? Waiting is never easy, but how does the psalmist wait? He remembers the ways God has delivered him in the past, “more than can be counted” (v. 5). He finds happiness in trusting God and delights in obeying God’swill and sharing God’s faithfulness with other believers. He continues to knock on God’s door, asking for what he waits for. While he waits, he sets his mind on the mind of God and finds joy even in the waiting. Respond: God, I am waiting on you today. Help me to please you and find joy in you even as I wait. And please answer my prayers.

Waiting for God:
I waited patiently for the LORD; he inclined to meand heard my cry (Psalm 40:1).

The Monopolizer

Then there is that boring fellow who always wants to monopolize the conversation completely. He is always busy telling us all he has done, or to be sure we know about all of his aches and pains. He is not interested in your . problems, only the chance to tell you his.
Some treat God the same way too. They are not interested in listening to God or trying to assist God with His problem (saving lost souls). If God seeks to correct that which they are doing, they do not hesitate to interrupt with their boasts of "good works" and to continue their side of the conversation again. Yet, on the other hand, they expect God to have a willing ear to listen to all their projects of human wisdom (so much better than His, of course), and to be ready to assist them any time they feel like pouring out to Him all their problems, desires and goals.
Certainly God wants us to communicate with Him in prayer (1 Thess. 5:17), but let us be careful we are not acting like the tax-gatherer (Luke 18)-so busy telling God of our great deeds and projects that we do not have the time to listen to His instructions too (see Matt. 7:21-23). Nor can we expect God to constantly be ready to hear. and answer our pleas if we do not intend to also hear His (Prov. 28:9).
Yes, talking with God is a wonderful and rewarding experience, but let us make sure it is a two-way communication, and not a one-sided dialogue. The latter no one sticks around to listen to for very long--and neither will God! Are YOU talking WITH God?

"No Conversation Drop-Out"

Have you ever been engaged in a conversation, and been interrupted by someone who catches only a fragment of the conversation? Usually his remarks are completely unrelated to the topic under consideration, a rehash of what has already been established previously now being set forth as some great new idea. Generally, we grin, and quietly perhaps remark that "he has no intentions of becoming a conversation drop-out."
Again, in talking with God we find the same problem. Many who do not bother to listen to God seek to impress others by injecting themselves as conversational authorities. They have little real grasp of what God is saying, but feel ready and willing to start commenting and expressing their views on morality, salvation, eternity, doctrine, etc. Sometimes they even resent the efforts of others to help them or to redirect the conversation back. No one, I guess, likes to admit they were caught in such a blunder.
Those interested in listening to God can see the folly of such comments, but cannot always afford to "grin and wink" at such, lest others be led astray and turned from the true conversation (2 John 9-11, I John 2:4, Rom. 16:17), and the vital message gets side-tracked on another subject (Gal. 1:6-7). Much credit goes to Cecil Willis, Ron Halbrook and others in their efforts to stop these "no conversation drop-outs" on the subject of God's grace and fellowship today. Others have also held true to God's message in opposing neo-pentecostalism, institutionalism, the "new morality," etc. As Christians interested in helping others listen to God's important message, we need to beware those who would side-track the conversation with some unrelated comment (Jude 3).

soft names makes soft people

I bet you anything that 10 times out of 10 that Nicky and Tony will beat out Todd and Kyle

One-Sided Conversation

Have you ever tried to talk to someone who could care less if you were there or who seemed determined not to talk with you? Maybe they patiently "listened," but never actually heard one word you said. It is indeed a very frustrating experience, especially if you feel you have something important to say and they seem determined to "tune you out." You find yourself calling upon all the resources you have available to find the words that might finally penetrate that barrier and get their attention.
God is indeed faced with that problem. He speaks to us through the Bible, as we see in Heb. 1:1-2. Jesus said those who listened to the apostles were listening to Him (Luke 10:16), and promised that the Holy Spirit would guide them (the apostles) in all their teaching (John 16:13, 1 Cor. 2:13). But so many today do not want to listen to God. They are not interested in the Bible or anything it may have to say to them. God has used many avenues therein to try and arouse their attention: prophecy, the death of His Son on the cross, the recorded miracles, the lives of the apostles, the church, and the word preached. by those who paused long enough to listen and obeyed His soul-saving message. But, they are determined not to be bothered.
Others sit in church every Sunday, going through the ritual of "listening" to God, when in reality that is all that it is-a ritual. God's message is "tuned out"-except for a key expressions they want to hear. And when God listens for their response, it is not there. They have no time to talk to God. Perhaps they have "out-grown" prayer and God, or feel too "preoccupied" to be bothered. In either case, they seek to "tune God out."
But even God will not force His communications upon us. His efforts are limited to His revealed word (John 20:30-31, Rom. 1:16, 2 Tim. 3:16-17, 2 Pet. 1:3) and the efforts of others to tell us about it (Rom. 10:1415, Matt. 28:19-20). If we refuse to listen, eventually God will tire of trying (2 Thess. 2:11-12, Rom. 1:26ff), and turn to those more willing to hear (Matt. 7:6). The tragedy here is some will not bother to listen until it is too late (2 Thess. 1:7-8). None of us like to be snubbed, but how freely we sometimes snub God!

the daily word

The Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says, "Only in returning to me and waiting for me will you be saved. In quietness and confidence is your strength." Isaiah 30:15

God appreciates the strong, silent type. He wants you to wait on him, listen to him, and trust in him. Have confidence that he will guide you. It's that simple.

The daily Word

He will shield you with his wings. He will shelter you with his feathers. His faithful promises are your armor and your protection. Psalm 91:4

Although God may not save you from external troubles, he will protect your spirit in the midst of them. In the heat of battle, rest in God's promises and put your faith in his protection.

What Will Matter

Ready or not, some day it will all come to an end. There will be no more sunrises, no days, no hours or minutes. All the things you collected, whether treasured or forgotten,will pass to someone else.

Your wealth, fame and temporal power will shrivel to irrelevance. It will not matter what you owned or what you were owed.

Your grudges, resentments, frustrations, and jealousies will finally disappear.
So, too, your hopes, ambitions, plans, and to-do lists will all expire. The wins and losses that once seemed so important will fade away.

It won't matter where you came from, or on what side of the tracks you lived.
It won't matter whether you were beautiful or brilliant. Your gender, skin color, ethnicity will be irrelevant.

So what will matter? How will the value of your days be measured?
What will matter is not what you bought, but what you built; not what you got, but what you gave.

What will matter is not your success, but your significance.

What will matter is not what you learned, but what you taught.

What will matter is every act of integrity, compassion, courage and sacrifice that enriched, empowered or encouraged others to emulate your example.

What will matter is not your competence, but your character.

What will matter is not how many people you knew, but how many will feel a lasting loss when you're gone.

What will matter is not your memories, but the memories of those who loved you.

What will matter is how long you will be remembered, by whom and for what.

Living a life that matters doesn't happen by accident.

It's not a matter of circumstance but of choice.

Choose to live a life that matters.

Spirit Lift

A friend is someone we turn to When our spirits need a lift. A friend is someone we treasure for our friendship is a gift

A friend is someone who fills our lives with beauty, joy, and grace. And makes the world we live in a better and happier place. Thanks for the gift of your friendship. I hope this lifts your spirit!!

What Will You Be?

As I gazed up at the mountains,I was awed by their majesty;I bowed my head and asked myself,"Why should He care for me?I am not great like the mountainsthat tower so high above,What is there about me that God can find to love?"
"Father, I am not strong like the windthat makes your tall trees sway,I cannot sing sweetly like your birds;will you love me anyway?
But most of all, I am simply me,and often have cause to fear,In spite of all my weaknesses,do you promise to be near?"
With eyes closed tight against my tears,I wished He could hear me pray.Then I felt His Spirit tell me,"Child, look up, I have something to say."
"You are simply you, the spirit I love,a part of my great plan.I put you here to learn of lifeand to return to me again."
"You are more beautiful to methan the loveliest mountain I made,And your strength exceeds that of the wind's,so do not be afraid."
"I love you not for what you are,but for what I know you will be.I am always beside you watching you grow,you are very special to me."
A smile touched my lips - I knew it was true,my Father had always been there.Giving me comfort and blessings and loveand my own special talents to share.
So I do my best to make Him proud.I am not afraid, for you see,He loves me not for what I am,but for what He knows I will be.

sometimes you feel lost looking for something more beautiful, something more exciting, something more dangerous, this is where the hungry comes to feed, so never refuse aninvitation, never resist the unfamiliar, never fail to be polite and never outstay the welcome just keep your mind open and suck in the experience, and if it hurts, its probably worth it.

The Daily Word...

The master said, "Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities."Matthew 25:23

Do you desire to be used by God? If you do your best at the job you've been given, God will call you to greater work!
are you ready to walk on water??

Beauty

I never saw an ugly thing in my life;for let the form of an object be what it may - light, shade, and perspective will always make it beautiful.

The Daily Word

The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up only one body. So it is with the body of Christ. 1 CORINTHIANS 12:12


What are your gifts? Are you using them to spread the Good News?

Si tu no diseñas tu propio plan de vida, tomas el riesgo de caer en el plan de otro y adivina que ellos an planeado para ti? no mucho...

If you don't design your own life plan, chances are you'll fall into someone else's plan. And guess what they may have planned for you? Not much.

Success

Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome while trying to succeed."

life

Life is like a parachute jump: you have to get it right the first time

Daily Word

I am going to prepare a place for you. . . . When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me. John 14:2-3

Are you homesick for heaven? Imagine Jesus the carpenter hard at work on our mansions. Someday soon we'll get to move in and live with him forever..

A Real Relationship

We can’t walk along the beach with Jesus like Peter and John did. We can’t ask Him for a few minutes of His time to talk face to face. Yet we know that God has told this world, “Draw near to Me, and I will draw near to you. If you seek Me, you will find Me. So how can we have this personal, intimate relationship with Jesus that He promised His disciples?

The juice is worth the squeeze

some times you cut yourself loose from finding that thing you more care about, that one special thing that means more to you than anything else in the world, and when you find it, you fight for it, you risk it all, you put it in front of everyting, your future, your life, all of it, and maybe the stuff you do to help it isn't so clean, you know what, it does not matter, because in your heart, you know that the juice is worth the squeeze

paradise..

and me?, i still beleive in paradise, but now at least i know its not someplace you can look for because its not where you go, its how you feel for a moment in your life when you are part of something, and if you find that moment..it lasts forever.

i wanna see

You know what I want to see? I want to see a generation that will rise up and say, 'God, we want You more than any other thing