Godly Witnesses For Christ

Can’t Work Way to Heaven

Posted on July 25, 2014 by Tracy K

There is nothing we can do that would be good enough to get us into Heaven, except accept God’s son as our Savior. We are as filthy rags before the eyes of God (Isaiah 64:6). Works will not make you righteous before God. God looks for the blood covering of the Lamb of God, which is from the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross. If righteousness were good enough, Jesus would not have died on the cross. Not by works of righteousness that which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost (Titus 3:5).

When we accept Jesus as our Lord, he forgives us and becomes our advocate with the Father. 1 John 2 says, “My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.”

Jesus forgives us if we ask him too. He doesn’t forgive you only once but as many times that you ask him to (Matthew 18:22). Peter his disciple asked him, “Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?” He said not seven times but seventy times seven in a day.

God is a forgiving God and gives his people grace. We are all sinners and don’t deserve the grace of God. Grace is unfavorable merit. It is unearned forgiveness of God. God’s grace allows all men that accept Christ to obtain eternal life. We do not have to work to go to Heaven but when you become a Christian, you care what happens to others. You should have compassion and love for others enough to tell them about what Christ did for you.

How do we obtain grace from God?

To obtain God’s grace all we must do is accept his son, Jesus Christ.—-Acknowledge that he died for the sins of the world by praying and asking for his forgiveness for your sins. God is willing to forgive all those that come to him in prayer. Romans 3: 23-25 says, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;

What happens when we sin?

When someone sins, and God forgives them, that is grace. God is without sin and hates it. God sent his only begotten son to die for the sins of the world. After you accept his son, then God forgives you of your sin. He loves us enough to forgive us when we ask. We are not perfect, but God knows this. That is why he give us grace. He tells us in Ephesians 2:2 that we were once the children of disobedience. We fulfilled the lust of the flesh, and the desires of our mind. We were the children of wrath. “But God, who is rich in mercy, for this great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in our sins, hath quickened us together with Christ”, Ephesians 2:4,5. “He is longsuffering, not willing that any should perish”, 2Peter 3:9.

What can we do to lose God’s Grace?

There is nothing you can do to lose God’s grace, unless you totally deny him. Mark 3:29, “But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation.” That is the only sin that God does not forgive. He redeems us by his grace through Jesus Christ, Romans 3:24.

How can we obtain Salvation?

If we believe in his son’s death on the cross and ask for his forgiveness, than we become sons and daughters of God. Joint heirs with Christ. That is pretty amazing isn’t it. So don’t delay, ask God for his forgiveness today. Romans 10: 9-10 says, “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Related Scriptures:

Isaiah 64:6-But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.

Matthew 18:22-Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.

Romans 3:23-25- For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged atonement, blood of Jesus, children of God, christian, compassion, faith, forgiveness, God, Grace, Jesus Christ, love, mercy, prayer, sins, works | Leave a comment

Spiritual Baptism- Anointing of the Holy Spirit

Posted on July 21, 2014 by Tracy K

Many today are turning to their own beliefs and are being deceived my seducing spirits. We must try the spirits to see if they are from God or not. Just because someone is claiming to be a minister for the name of the Lord, we must learn to discern the truth. Yesterday my pastor preached about Spiritual Baptism, which is receiving the Holy Spirit. I have been led to talk about this, even though this is not a topic many want to hear.

The Bible tells us that an atonement was necessary for the remission of sins for God to sanctify and accept you as his son (Exodus 29:33). God told the Israelites that they should do a continual burnt offering throughout their generations at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation before the Lord (Exodus 29:42). This sacrifice was for an atonement for their sins. When Jesus died on the cross, he became our sacrifice –the lamb without spot or blemish. 1 Corinthians 5:7 says, “Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us.”

God doesn’t accept just any sacrifice but only accepts an unblemished sacrifice. He expects only the perfect sacrifice, then we will receive the anointing of the Holy Spirit. Jesus Christ is the only perfect sacrifice freely given to those that accept him. We must have a personal relationship with him in order to receive this sin atonement. We need to resist the devil daily, and fully surrender to the Lord. We must be willing to take up our cross and follow the Lord. Our repentance needs to be genuine and whole hearted with a spirit of humility and bond of perfectness. Our works should show who we are in the Lord, always asking the Lord for his will for our lives. Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering (Hebrews 10:23). We should not be turned around with every wind of doctrine (Ephesians 4:14). We should hold true to the gospel of Christ and share it to others.

The people of Israel were unfaithful, complainers and unthankful for what the Lord had done for them. They end up wandering in the wilderness for forty years because they were not obedient. Today we wander around in the wilderness of sin but we can escape if we have surrendered to Christ. We can do this by bearing our cross daily. Matthew 16:24 says, ” Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” We must resist the devil and he will flee from us. It doesn’t matter what others say about you, your concern is to do the will of him that sent you.

Matthew 3:11 says, “I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance. but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire.” The Holy Spirit will teach you all things that you need to know about the Lord. Some preachers will tell you that speaking in tongues is necessary for Spiritual Baptism. That is not true. Speaking in different tongues was a gift given to only a select few. God gives different men different gifts. Not all men receive the same gift. See this related post.

I remember the day I received the Lord, there was a change in me. I had a desire to help those that didn’t know Christ. I was saddened at the thought of those going to Hell. I wanted to do whatever I could to help those that didn’t know Jesus. The question I ask you, have you fully surrendered your life to Christ?

I do not take this ministry lightly but whole-hearted to the Lord. I may have enemies that will fight against me but the Lord knows my heart. I pray that I will do his service and not my own. I pray that everything I do will be for his glory and for the work of the ministry.

Related scriptures:

Romans 6:3,4-Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

Malachi 3:3-And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness.

John 14:15-17-If ye love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

Matthew 7:14-Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

John 14:26-But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

Luke 11:13-If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?

Ephesians 4:14,15-That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

Saved by the Blood of Jesus

The Bonds of Sin

What is Baptism

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged anointing of the Holy Spirit, Comforter, cross of Christ, Holy Ghost, Holy Spirit, lamb, lamb of God, repentance, sacrifice, surrender, the cross | 4 Comments

Finding Your Spiritual Gift

Posted on July 19, 2014 by Tracy K

God wants you to seek his will for your life. 1 Corinthians 12:4 says, “Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.” If you continue to read the rest of Chapter 12 you will read about the different types of gifts that God has given men. Every Christian on this earth has been given a gift that will help him (1 Corinthians 12:7). Your gift might be teaching, being a prayer warrior, singing, teaching, encouraging others, witnessing or just being a friend. Once you find out what your gift is, use that gift. Seek answers through prayer and God will reveal what he wants you to do.

Your gift is probably something that you really enjoy doing and perhaps you didn’t realize that it could be used for God’s will. If you are a singer, use it to sing Christian or gospel music. Be careful because some have started singing for the Lord but went on to sing for things that didn’t pertain to the gospel. Some great singers started by singing in the church choir.

You are never too young to do anything for the glory of the Lord. Don’t let anyone tell you that you are too young to teach, lead the singing, etc… Don’t let Satan discourage you. The Bible says not to let anyone despise your youth (1 Timothy 4:12). If you have a gift that God has given you, use it for God’s will. Remember you are adding to your Heavenly foundation. God has set up an inheritance in Heaven for you. 1 Corinthians 2:9 says, “ But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.”

You don’t have to be perfect to be a witness for Christ. Paul said in 1 Corinthians 2:1, that he didn’t have excellent speech or great wisdom, but he set in his heart that he would spread the testimony of Christ. Exodus 4:11,12 says, And the Lord said unto him, Who hath made man’s mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the Lord? Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say.

When I was twenty I started teaching Sunday School. I did not have all the answers but I had a willing mind. If someone doesn’t teach others about Jesus, who will? Don’t always assume someone is a better teacher than you. Don’t think that because someone is smarter than you with more education than you, that they could do a better job. Remember God didn’t give the ability to teach to everyone.

“Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all things shall be added unto you,” Matthew 6:33. If you want to know more about the Bible Ask God. If you want to have wisdom, which is knowledge of God, than you can ask for it. Proverbs 2:6 says, “For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.” God wants us to seek after wisdom and understanding instead of riches, health or honor. He tells us in Proverbs 9:10, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.”

Related Scripture:

1 Corinthians 14:1,12-Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy. Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.

1 Corinthians 12:28-And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.

Colossians 1:28- Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:

Ephesians 4:7,8,11,12,13-But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

1 Timothy 3:2-4- A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity.

Related video- Spiritual Gifts:

Thanks to Settled In Heaven Ministries on Youtube for the use of this video.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged bishop, children of God, christian, Church, evangelist, gifts, holy spirit gifts, missionary, pastor, preaching, righteous, spiritual gifts, teaching, the holy spirit, the spiritual gifts | 4 Comments

Kicking Against the Pricks

Posted on July 18, 2014 by Tracy K

Paul was a Roman who persecuted the church and went into houses committing them to prison. Jesus appeared into him and said, “I am Jesus whom thou persecutes: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.” A prick was used in order to obtain obedience of cattle by farmers. The cattle would kick at the farmer’ pick in disobedience. Paul at that time went against what God had set up. He was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but he obtained mercy, because he did it ignorantly in unbelief (1 Timothy 1:13). Paul thought he was doing a great service by persecuting the church but he learned that he was not doing God’s will.

When Peter was told that he shouldn’t teach in the name of Jesus, he replied, “We ought to obey God rather than man” (Acts 5:29). Many disciples went against authority to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ and many were persecuted for doing so. Today the same applies. Many are persecuted and killed for believing on the name of Jesus Christ. Pastors are thrown in prison for preaching the truth. One day, they will have their reward. If God be for us, who can be against us? (Romans 8:31)

God is not someone to go against. God is the creator and maker of all things, who should be served with reverence and godly fear. We should not worry about those that threaten to harm us on this earth, but serve and honor a God that is able to deliver a soul to hell (Matthew 10:28). Hebrews 12:28 says, “Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.”

Related Scriptures:

Matthew 10:28-And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

2 Corinthians 2:14,15- Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish:

Matthew 28:18-And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

Romans 9:20-26- Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus? Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour? What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory, Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles? As he saith also in Osee, I will call them my people, which were not my people; and her beloved, which was not beloved. And it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people; there shall they be called the children of the living God.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Christ, godly fear, gospel, gospel of Jesus, Jesus, obedience, obedient, reverence, service, sharing the gospel | Leave a comment

The Bonds of Sin

Posted on July 16, 2014 by Tracy K

Sin is the way the devil has a hold over you. You are bound by sin that is in your life. You are weighed down so much that you are distressed and battered; and you may feel that you don’t know where to turn. Jesus Christ can loose those sins that are weighing you down and free you from your sins, if you would only allow him too. Someone may be so broken down that they don’t know where to turn. Life may not seem so joyful anymore and you are losing hope quickly. Trust in God to deliver you from the bonds of sin and allow him to work in your life. He can turn your heaviness to joy and sorrow unto laughter.

When a person has un-confessed sin, they are bound by it. God wants us to be free from sins so badly that he gave us son Jesus to bear our sins and iniquities on our behalf, so that we could then be freed from the bonds of sin. Isaiah 53:4-5 tells us that Jesus “bore our sins, sickness, weakness, distress … sorrows and pains.” That passage then goes on to declare that “by His stripes, we are healed.” God can cleanse you and rid those things that are trying to steal your joy and those things that are trying to defeat you. When you turn from sin, Satans grasp weakens and you are no longer bound by it. Acts 26:18 says, To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me. When you become a child of God, he cleanses you from all unrighteousness and frees you from sin. Romans 6:22 says, But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. If you haven’t turned from your sins, now is the day to accept Christ as your Savior and allow him to loosen the bonds of sin from your life.

If you are one that is burdened, grieved and are willing to turn in the towel, I urge you to trust in Jesus to deliver you from this anguish. Ask him into your life and you can be set free.

Related scriptures:

Galatians 4:3-Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world:

Galatians 5:1-Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

Hebrews 2:3-How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;

Hebrews 2:14,15- Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.

Romans 6:11-Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Romans 6:12-Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.

2 Corinthians 7:10-For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.

Sin & Death

Justified by Faith, Not by Works

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged bond, bond of sin, bound, Christ, death, deliverance, forgiveness of sins, Jesus Christ, salvation, sin, unrighteousness | 1 Comment

God is With You- Trust in Him

Posted on July 15, 2014 by Tracy K

God is always with you; you must learn to trust in him. I wanted to share two personal stories with you. One was when my father was dying in the hospital. God was waiting for my family and I to trust him with our whole heart. When we gave our sorrow and cares to God, he worked a miracle and healed my father. God did the unimaginable and what the doctors didn’t think possible. The doctors had given up on my dad and said he would die.

The other story I wanted to share is from this past weekend. My son is in the Air Force and I have been worried about him. He is a Christian but the military is not the best place for one. If you have ever served in the military, I know you understand what I’m saying. If you have read any of my post, you know that I have been telling everyone that Christ return is near. I see so many things going on in the world, and I see prophecy being fulfilled. The Bible speaks of how wicked this world will become in the last days.

My son arrived back in the states after two years and we flew to see him this weekend. There were so many things I wanted to tell my son. There were things I needed to know. We attended church together and God revealed to me the very things I needed to know. He showed me that he knew all the cares and worries that weighed heavily on my mind, as if to say, “I got this.” Amazing how God works.

God is always with us and loves us beyond measure. He doesn’t want us to worry but to trust in him. I am honored to serve an amazing God and hope that I can help others see how great God is. He can be there through your battles, and he can help calm your fears. Today I am reminded of the scriptures from 1 Peter 5:7, “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.”

See Peter had endured so much in his life that he knew what it felt like to have cares and worries of this life. Therefore, he learned how to trust in God during those times. Once when Peter was in prison, he trusted in God so much, that the Bible says that the angel had to smote him on his side to get him to wake up. The angel was trying to free him from the prison but Peter didn’t worry about his bondage. He trusted in God to deliver him or to take care of him no matter the situation. Read the story below about Peter and the angel. Have you trusted in God and accepted his son Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior? Trust in him and he can free you from your bondage.

Related scriptures:

Acts 12:5-11 –Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison.And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands.And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me.And he went out, and followed him; and wist not that it was true which was done by the angel; but thought he saw a vision.When they were past the first and the second ward, they came unto the iron gate that leadeth unto the city; which opened to them of his own accord: and they went out, and passed on through one street; and forthwith the angel departed from him.

Do Not Let Fear Take Control of your Life

Let Faith Be Your Guide

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged bible, cares, cares of the world, deliverance, faith, God is with you, protection, trust, trusting in God, worries, worry | Leave a comment

Charity- Love in Action

Posted on July 7, 2014 by Tracy K

Charity is not just love but love in action. If we do not show our love for others what good is it. The Bible says, “love never faileth.” Our main focus should be loving others the way the Lord loves us. He gave his life not only for you and me, but for the whole world. Now is the time to look at the main goal of the ministry of Jesus Christ. It is not the foolish things that are going on in the world, but that Jesus died for the sins of the world. Jesus cared not for his own life but the lives of others.

Christians should do things for others without expecting anything in return. They should care for the needs of others, including their salvation. Jesus set the perfect example of which we should live by. He fed the hungry, healed the sick, made the blind to see, lame to walk, he cast out devils, helped all people that would receive him, taught people about God, and he had compassion for others. He gave things to people that they didn’t know they needed, especially love and forgiveness. He comforted others by his words of wisdom. He set himself apart from the world’s unrighteousness, he was without sin. He showed man what living a godly life was all about, so that we would know how to live and behave. We must show forth the light of Jesus Christ, and we must love others because Christ loved us first. We should not look at a man’s skin color or race, but we should care for the souls of all man.

1 Corinthians 13:1-3 says, “Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.” The Bible says that out of faith, hope and charity, the greatest is charity (1 Corinthians 13:13).

Related scriptures:

1 Thessalonians 4:9 says, “But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another.”

Deuteronomy 11:1- Therefore thou shalt love the Lord thy God, and keep his charge, and his statutes, and his judgments, and his commandments, always.

Psalm 70:4- Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: and let such as love thy salvation say continually, Let God be magnified.

1 Corinthians 13:13- And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

Romans 5:8- But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

1 John 4:10- Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

Become A Living Sacrifice

The Love of God

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged caring for other, charity, Christ, faith, forgiveness, giving, Jesus, love, love of God, soul | Leave a comment

What’s In a Day

Posted on July 6, 2014 by Tracy K

What’s in a day is the ultimate question. What would you do if you only had one day to live? If God told you that you only had one day left on this earth, would you make changes to the things you are already doing? One day can make all the difference in the world. One day you can break someone’s heart, mend old friendships, renew your faith, give the gospel to someone, live life to the fullest or to do unspeakable acts.

What’s in a day? Life is fragile but there is so much we can do in our lives. We affect someone in every aspect of our lives without even realizing it. My uncle has terminal bone cancer and was given only a couple of months to live by his physician. He questions why he is still here, since six months has already came and gone. My answer to him is that God has a reason for him to be here. No matter what he is going through, pain and burning in his legs, having to wear a urine catheter, he still looks to his father above. His joy is to sing gospel songs to others; and he always uses each opportunity to do so. I look at his struggles but he looks ahead to a better home and comfort from God. He is a blessing to me and I know he is one to his family also.

The thing is no one knows the day or the hour when they are going to die. Not even the ones who die with cancer. We might have that opportunity to make our final arrangements and say our goodbyes, but we might have more time to do things that we shouldn’t. When we live here on this earth, we might not have any intention on hurting others but many have. You might say I’ve never cursed anyone, never hit anyone, never murdered, never stole from anyone. I want to say that even through all of this, you have hurt someone in one way or another. No one lived a perfect life except Jesus.

If we neglect to help others, we have hurt them. If we have neglected to give someone money or food when they needed it, we have hurt them. If we stand idly by without giving someone the gospel of Jesus Christ, then we have hurt them. So my question for you is what would you do if you only had one day left?

Related Scriptures:

Luke 6:38-Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.

Matthew 10:42-And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.

Matthew 7:11-If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?

A Time of Reflection

What Choice Do I have?

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged bible, children of God, choices, Christ, christian, Church, compassion, death, decisions, faith, forgiveness, gospel of Jesus, love, pain, witnessing | Leave a comment

Independence Day- 4th of July

Posted on July 3, 2014 by Tracy K

Independence Day- 4th of July.

Independence Day is the day we celebrate the liberties we have in this country to live peacefully, democratically with equality of rights and privileges to honor our true God. If it wasn’t for God we would not live in a land that is so blessed. May we thank God this day and pray that he will continue to hold his hand over this country and protect it from all invaders foreign and domestic.

Read the rest of the post via Independence Day- 4th of July.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged America, American flag, fourth of July, holiday, Independence Day, sacrifice | Leave a comment

Struggling With Depression, Anxiety or Stress

Posted on July 1, 2014 by Tracy K

This post is dedicated to those that are struggling with depression, stress or emotional struggles. You may have had to deal with things in your past that keep you anxious and in emotional turmoil. Satan works hard to hinder the lives of Christians and those that serve God in any way possible. Sometimes God allows us to go through things to help us and bring us closer to him. When a person has overcome a traumatic event or stressful situation, they can see the world in a different perspective than those that haven’t. When Satan attacks you in every direction, then you know that you are serving the Lord in the right way. Satan wants you to feel defeated, where you will become unprofitable for the Lord (Mark 4:19).

God has helped me overcome things that have been difficult to deal with. I was able to overcome those situations by relying more on God, therefore increasing my faith and trust in him. In the past, I have had my struggles with anxiety and health issues. From a teenager, my heart has had an abnormal heart rhythm that has left me anxious and tired many days. Another time, I was sick for three months and couldn’t hardly move. The doctors didn’t know what was wrong with me. After much prayer God healed me, and I have never had another episode again. Another situation was when my daughter started having seizures at an early age. I felt helpless and unable to deal with the problems she was facing. I questioned why God would allow her to go through what she went through. After a couple of years of praying, God worked a miracle in her life and she never had another one. I thank God for helping her overcome that situation and am constantly reminded how great a God I serve.

No matter what you are going through, you have a Heavenly Father who cares about you. He said, he will never leave you or forsake you. He says to cast your cares upon him, because he cares for you (1 Peter 5:7). When things become overwhelming I am reminded of the 23rd Psalm. Jesus is our Shepherd where we don’t have to worry. He calms us by “leading us beside the still waters;” He gives us that peace that compasseth all understanding. We do not have to fear our past sins because he can restore our souls, like he promised (1 John 1:9). He leads us into the path of righteousness. His scriptures can lead us into the right path and they can comfort us in times of sorrow. We can believe God when he tells us that his goodness and mercy will follow us all the days of our life, because one day we will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. Jesus will be our protector and shield and provide for us all the days of our lives. Have you fully surrendered to Jesus? Trust in him today and you will never be sorry.

Related scriptures:

Matthew 11:29- Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

Mark 4:19- And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.

Matthew 6:25- Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? …

Psalm 23- The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.