Monthly Archives: February 2014

Come with Me…To Lisa and Ariel’s House Blessing and Wedding Vows Renewal Ceremony!

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2 Samuel 7:27-29

Lord Almighty, God of Israel,

You have revealed this to Your servant, saying,

‘I will build a house for you.’

So Your servant has found courage to pray this prayer to You.

Sovereign Lord, You are God!

Your covenant is trustworthy,

and You have promised these good things to Your servant.

Now be pleased to bless the house of Your servant,

that it may continue forever in Your sight;

for You, Sovereign Lord, have spoken,

and with Your blessing

the house of Your servant will be blessed forever.”

Lisa, Ariel, Marisa, and Andre

Since you’ve moved into this new house…today we’re pronouncing blessings on your new home from the very beginning.  It would also be wonderful for you to renew this blessing year after year for as long as you reside there.  Blessing a house is simply taking the authority over it that belongs to you, and dedicating it to the Lord.

It’s inviting the Spirit of God to come, and everything else to leave.  Where God’s presence is, there is blessing and hope. When we bless our homes we make room for God to take up residence in every room and over all our possessions.

Your house blessing will be on the basis of your rightful authority over your own dwelling. When you moved in, someone put keys to the house in your hand.  Physically and Spiritually, you determine who, or what, has access to your home.

Joshua 24:15, says, “But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

Blessing your home, says your heart is in agreement with that Scripture!!  And, that you want your house to feel safe, peaceful, and be filled with God’s Spirit, so it will be godly place to live, and raise your family.

The authority you now take over your house, determines what the atmosphere will be like in this house from now on, and it is up to you to drive out any negative forces, in Jesus’ Name, in submission to the authority that is over you, the Lord Jesus Christ.

By blessing your house, property and possessions you are consecrating them as holy unto the Lord, and with His Light, you are dispelling any darkness.  Always keep His Light burning brightly in your home!

Pray!!!  Declare that this house belongs to God, and everything ungodly has to leave. Keep yourself holy and pure.  Bringing light to your home means everything else must leave.

Therefore, it is worth your time to take inventory and to rid yourself of spiritual garbage. As you pray in each room, ask the Holy Spirit if there is anything in that room that grieves Him. Take a look at books, magazines, music, videos, DVDs etc., Look at everything. What internet sites are accessed through your home? What television programs are allowed in? What radio stations are listened to?

Is your house set in order? Are relationships healthy? Is sin being permitted in your home? What is the spiritual atmosphere that you’re allowing?

Today, we’ll be anointing your doors and windows with oil representing the Holy Spirit. We’ll walk the parameter of the property, consecrating it, and placing it under the Lordship of Jesus Christ.  We can use the oil to anoint anything you wish out on the property, and on cars, garages, equipment etc.

Lisa and Ariel…

As the owners, you may want to speak out blessings, for us to agree with as we pray over each room, asking God to use this house for His glory. Thanking the Lord for providing you with a place to live, asking for His angels to be posted at all the doors and windows, keeping anything evil from entering in, by the blood of Jesus, and in the authority of His Name!

We will speak peace here in this home, the Name of Jesus. We invite you to come, Holy Spirit, and fill this place…anything ungodly will need to leave!

As you live in your house, fill it with praise and constant thanksgiving. God will be honored, you will love the atmosphere in your home, and everyone who enters will love it too.  Amen!

Based on:  http://www.hannahscupboard.com/pray-walk-house-blessing.html

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Wedding Vows Renewal Ceremony

Matthew 19:4-6

“Haven’t you read,”

he replied, “that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’

and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife,

and the two will become one flesh’?

So they are no longer two, but one flesh.

Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”

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The day was cold for Florida…

A high of 58 degrees…

The weather felt colder and breezier at the beach…

And since we’re all Floridians…

We were freezing!

Not your typical day-at-the-beach…

But still,

I was pleased and blessed…

To officiate at my friends’

25th Wedding Anniversary/Wedding Vows Renewal Ceremony!

Lisa and Ariel…

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When you first joined hands and hearts in marriage 25 years ago, you did not know where life would take you.

You promised to love, honor, and cherish one another through all things.

Life has surely brought you both wonderful blessings, and difficult challenges over the years. 

But here you are today, having fulfilled the vows to love, honor, and cherish… that you each made on your wedding day. 

And God is smiling!  

As you celebrate here today, and as you reflect back over all the years as husband and wife, do you now wish to reaffirm the vows you took 25 years ago? 

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Answer:  “WE DO!”

Please join hands as I continue with the Vows.

Lisa, will you continue to have Ariel as your husband and continue to live in this marriage? Do you reaffirm your love for him, and will you love him, keep him, and honor him in sickness and in health, and forsaking all others, being faithful to him as long as you shall live?

Ariel, will you continue to have Lisa as your wife and continue to live in this marriage? Do you reaffirm your love for her, and will you love her, keep her, and honor her in sickness and in health, and forsaking all others, being faithful to her as long as you shall live?

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May I have the rings and roses?  In the words of the prophet Isaiah, where relationships create love and compassion, even “the desert shall …bloom, like the rose.”  The rose, born of the tiniest of seeds, is a symbol of the potential and beauty contained in love’s promises.  In the merging of a spirit-filled vessel, and a fragrant rose…we proclaim a new relationship, a new future…one which love has unfolded, and is unfolding, before our very eyes.  As your gifts bring beauty and purpose to each other, may your lives continue to enrich and strengthen one another.

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Lord, I pray a prayer of re-blessing of these rings, and over the givers and receivers of each of the rings.

Ariel, repeat after me:  Lisa, I give you this ring as a symbol of my vow, with all that I am, and all that I have, I honor you, and with this ring I thee wed.

Lisa, repeat after me:  Ariel, I give you this ring as a symbol of my vow, with all that I am, and all that I have, I honor you, and with this ring I thee wed.

Lisa and Ariel, On your wedding day you exchanged rings as a symbol of the never-ending circle that symbolizes the eternal quality of God’s unending strength, and unending love!

Rings serve as a reminder of your wedding vows to each other, and your commitment to live in unity, love, and happiness. At this time, it is appropriate to reconfirm the meaning of the rings you wear.

Please join your left hands together so that Ariel’s hand is on top. Ariel, please repeat after me:

Lisa, I wear this ring you placed on my hand 25 years ago, as a symbol of my love and commitment to you.

Now, with Lisa’s hand on top, Lisa, please repeat after me:

Ariel, I wear this ring you placed on my hand 25 years ago, as a symbol of my love and commitment to you.

God bless these rings and the two who exchanged them in love on their wedding day.  Lord, keep Lisa and Ariel safe in the circle of Your protection and love.  Bless their marriage, which is a commitment to learning to care for one another… a life-long relationship always in the making.

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Marriage deepens and enriches every facet of life.  

Happiness is fuller, memories are fresher, commitment is stronger,

even anger is felt more strongly, and passes away more quickly.

Marriage understands…

and forgives the mistakes, life is unable to avoid.

It encourages and nurtures new life, new experiences,

and new ways of expressing a love that is deeper than life.

When two people pledge their love and care for each other in marriage,

they create a spirit unique unto themselves

which binds them closer than any spoken or written words.

Marriage is a promise made in the hearts of two people who love each other

and the promise requires a lifetime to fulfill.

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1 Corinthians 13:4-8

“Love is patient,

Love is kind.

It does not envy,

It does not boast,

It is not proud.

It does not dishonor others,

It is not self-seeking,

It is not easily angered,

It keeps no record of wrongs.

 Love does not delight in evil,

 But rejoices with the truth.

It always protects,

 Always trusts,

Always hopes,

Always perseveres. 

Love never fails…”

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Lisa & Ariel, as the two of you both now reaffirm you love for each other and the vows you made to each other many years ago, I ask that you each remember to continue to cherish each other as special and unique individuals, and that you each respect the thoughts and ideas of one another. And most of all, be able to forgive each other, and not hold grudges against one another. Live each day in love with each other, always being there to give love, comfort, and support to each other, in good times, and bad.  Amen!

Lisa and Ariel, today you have renewed the promises and vows you made to each other on your wedding day.  You have symbolized the renewal of the marriage union by the joining of hands, the taking of vows, and by the wearing of your wedding rings.

It is with pleasure that I conclude the ceremony of renewing the vows of marriage that joined you, and binds you as husband and wife. Please celebrate this renewal of vows with a kiss!

Since Lisa & Ariel have now exchanged vows and rings, and pledged their love and faithfulness to each other, it is my pleasure and honor to repronounce you Man & Wife. You may kiss the bride!

Based on:  http://www.themarriageman.com/renewal.htm

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1 John 3:16

“We know what love is

because Jesus gave His life for us.

That’s why we must give our lives for each other.”

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John 17:23

“I in them and You in Me—

so that they may be brought to complete unity.

Then the world will know that You sent Me

and have loved them even as You have loved Me.”

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1 John 3:18

“Dear children,

let us not love with words or speech

but with actions and in truth.”

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Ephesians 4:32

“Be kind and compassionate to one another,

forgiving each other,

just as in Christ,

God forgave you.”

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Ephesians 5:25-33

“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the Church and gave Himself up for her

to make her holy, cleansingher by the washing with water through the Word,

and to present her to Himself as a radiant Church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish,

but holy and blameless.

In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies.

He who loves his wife loves himself.

After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body,

just as Christ does the Church—

for we are members of His Body.

‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife,

and the two will become one flesh.’

This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the Church.

However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself,

and the wife must respect her husband.”

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Love & Laughter!!!

Thank you, Jesus, for all Your blessings!!

Great God Almighty…Rock ‘n Roll For Your Soul!!

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1 Corinthians 15:22

“For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.”

I just can’t believe
Where my life was at
All that I know is that my heart was broken
And I don’t ever wanna go back

Ain’t no explanation
How I saw the light
He found me and set me free
And it brought me back to life

Blame it on the transformation
Changed down to the core
His love is real
And I can’t sit still
‘Cause my name’s not shamed no more

Great God Almighty, gonna change this
Great God Almighty, He gonna change me

You gotta shake, shake, shake
Like you’re changed, changed, changed
Brand new looks so good on you
So shake like you’ve been changed

Come on and shake, shake, shake like you changed
Shake, shake, shake like you changed

Maybe He came to you
When everything seemed fine
Or maybe your world was upside down and hit you right between the eyes
No matter when it happened
At 7 or 95
Move your feet ’cause you are free
And you’ve never been more alive

Great God Almighty, gonna change me
Great God Almighty, He gonna change me
Great God Almighty, gonna change me
Great God Almighty, He gonna change me

Matthew 18:3

And He said:

“Truly I tell you,

unless you change and become like little children,

you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven.”

2-22-14 True Faith Outreach 203(Photos:  Tikaya and Casey at a drama team outreach at True Faith Deliverance Temple)

2 Corinthians 5:17

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ,

the new creation has come:

The old has gone,

the new is here!”

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Romans 12:2

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world,

but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.

Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—

His good, pleasing and perfect will.”

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Oh, yeah…

Amen…

Brand new looks so good on you!!

You’re changed! 

Changed! 

Changed!!

You’ve never been more alive!!

Reinhard Bonnke, “America Shall Be Saved!!”

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I was very blessed this year…

To stay at Christian Retreat for two nights…

For our annual Global Christian Ministry Forum Convocation…

http://www.gcmf.org/

Global Christian Ministry Forum International (GCMF Int’l) is a spiritually focused overseeing international presbytery consisting of national leaders from around the world.  The presbytery provides oversight and guidance to GCMF national leaders, working in partnership for the cause of Christ. The mission of Global Christian Ministry Forum International is to link with national Christian leaders and network with them to establish effective ministry organizations in various parts of the world, whereby pastors and Christian leaders can be locally equipped, inspired, and motivated for their unique ministry.

Global Christian Ministry Forum International provides ministry credentials to qualified individuals.  Ministry credentials are issued in conjunction with a national leaders’ recommendation coupled with accountability and oversight at the national level.

I’m a licensed minister with GCMF and

I’ve also spent many weeks over the years at Christian Retreat with

 Kids-A-Fame Camp and

YEX Youth Camp!

Christian Retreat in Bradenton, FL, is certainly…

“an oasis of spiritual refreshment!”

They host conferences, retreats, camping, events, family church, and more…

The facility includes the conference center and church, with hotel style lodging, a cafeteria,

meeting rooms, a gymnasium, a youth center, and outdoor recreation.

As soon as you turn onto Glory Way Boulevard,

you sense the peace that permeates Christian Retreat

located on the banks of the beautiful Manatee River in East Manatee County.

Towering oaks dripping with Spanish moss shade the 110-acre property

that is home to year-round residents, overnight guests, and groups

who use the conference center to host events, meetings and camps.

http://www.christianretreat.org/

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The speakers at the morning and evening services were phenomenal…

Rev. Eugene Weaver, our GCMF President, Pastor Emmanuel Derry from Trinadad, Dr. Phil Derstine, Pastor of Christian Retreat Family Church, which was founded by his Father, Dr. Gerald Derstine.

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The worship/choir music was anointed, also…

Led by Worship Pastor, Rick Giannico, of Glad Tidings Assembly

God has raised Pastor Rick up in this fellowship

and has equipped him to encourage others to fall in love with Jesus

and to make “Melodies from the heart unto the Lord”.

The Lord has blessed Pastor Rick with an ability to write songs, such as;

“‘Indebted”, “‘Lord Of Everything”, “Glory, Glory To The Lamb”‘, “Rescue Me” and several others.

The songs God gives him are specific for a time and season for the ministry of the church.

Pastor Rick has an evident theme of his heart-

Psalm 66:1

“Shout for joy to God, all the earth!”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1Wuue7UnFA

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On Wednesday evening, Evangelist Reinhard Bonnke spoke…

“Don’t think generally,” he said, “As in the country of America will be saved…

Think specifically, as in my family, my friends, my neighbors, my city, my state will be saved!!

Salvation is for everyone…

Every nation…

Christ for all Nations…

Salvation includes all: 

Your spouse, your children, your family, your friends, your neighbors, your acquaintances…

Our President?  Yes!!!

People you just met, people you’ve been praying for forever!

Your prayers are answered!

The Lord says, ‘Just like in Africa, America will be saved!

You do the preaching, God brings the people!

When Jesus is next to you, something is about to happen!'”

For the first time in his 35-year ministry history,

internationally known Evangelist Reinhard Bonnke

announced that he will host crusades throughout the United States.

Through Good News crusades, Bonnke will travel from city-to-city

to inspire Americans to draw nearer to a relationship with Jesus.

“I’ve recently become a U.S. citizen, and I have come to love my country,

but my heart is burning

as I witness the staggering decline of morals and faith in this nation.

America needs the Gospel like never before.

Despite years of sharing God’s saving message abroad,

I believe God is now calling me to turn my ministry inward

to help America find renewal and revival.”

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Reinhard Bonnke

Evangelist and Founder of Christ For All Nations

http://www.cfan.org/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reinhard_Bonnke

http://reinhardbonnke.com/#&panel1-2

http://reinhardbonnke.com/video/americamissionsubtitles.mp4

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He is known as one with a burning passion for the Gospel,

a vision for Africa and a message for the world.

http://reinhardbonnke.com/author.html

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“God is a consuming fire and God is love.

His touch torches us.

He sets driftwood on fire and makes firebrands of us.

By His flame of love we become burning and shining witnesses of Jesus Christ.”

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“If we are not “fired-up”,

we cannot convey God’s nature to others.

Therefore, everything in this book, One Soul, is about the Bible God of fire,

who fire-baptizes us with his Spirit

and sends us to preach the Good News to all creation.

Anyone who is saved is called to save souls!”

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Live, Work and Pray in the Power of the Holy Spirit!

Millions of people all over the world have been introduced to Jesus

through the ministry of Reinhard Bonnke.

These essential works describe how we too can be an extension of God’s love

by partnering with the Holy Spirit.

With a firsthand account of the mighty manifestations of God at work today,

Bonnke takes a careful look at what Scripture teaches

about the anointing and gifts of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus lived, worked, and prayed in the power of the Holy Spirit.

In the Gospel of John

He says, “He who believes in ME,

the works that I do he will do also.”

With this same anointing, we can live this way as well.

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“There is urgency in my heart to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ in America.

My team is now on two active Gospel fronts:

Africa and America.

Evangelist Daniel Kolenda,

http://www.bonnke.net/cfan/en/cfan/daniel-kolenda

Will take over for me in Africa…

He has the same anointing!

Anointing breaks the yoke!

Kick the devil, before you kick the bucket!

I have seen God in His omnipotence in Africa.

Over time our ministry saw 74 million people respond to the call of salvation.

Our God is an awesome God.

Thankfully, believers in America have enabled us financially to bring in this harvest of souls in Africa,

but now ‘the bread cast upon the waters shall return to you.’

God spoke to me that the time had come for a mighty wave of salvation to sweep the USA

from city to city, from state to state, and from coast to coast.

And since Jesus Christ is the same there and here,

I expect no small outcome.

Preach the ABC’s of the Gospel…

The simple message of the Gospel…

So they will understand and received God’s Word…

And be saved!

The key is to bring America to the foot of the Cross!

America shall be saved.”

http://whatgoodnews.com/

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“Reinhard Bonnke is one of the most passionate, faithful and effective evangelists of our generation.”
Joyce Meyer, President – Joyce Meyer Ministries

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“Africa is now being saved!

My work in Africa came paid for mostly by American Christians,

and I am so glad and thankful for their giving hearts,

But God spoke to me and said, ‘I did not send you to America

for the country to just be the offering plate for Africa.

I sent you to America for the sake of Americans.’

God will blow faith across America

In Acts 2, on the Day of Pentecost, the Lord spoke suddently! 

It was no slight atmospheric change! 

It was like a hurricane!

Hold on for dear life!

A mighty, rushing wind came!

Before the fire!!!!

The human heart is a fireplace, made for the fire of God, made to hold it!

The wind’s purpose is to blow out the ash and get rid of the trash!

We are made for the Gospel, made for His fire!

Tongues of fire!

Which fell on each of the 120 in the upper room!

No super anointed, or double anointed…

One flame of fire on each person was enough, two will kill you!

Everyone, get your own flame!

Not enough to be educated, at the expense of the fire!

Less Holy Spirit, means more cake & coffee…

There’s no substitute for the fire of the Holy Spirit.

There are no copies, you are an original!

Get the flame and serve as you are!

God knew we needed to have power, so He sent the Holy Spirit!

Enjoy Christianity!!!!

It’s a joy to serve You, Lord!

One-hundred and twenty people’s throats announced the Holy Spirit’s arrival…

As He wrapped Himself in them!

Glory to God!

The Holy Spirit needs people!!

The crowd was listening!

Don’t be ashamed of the power of God!

The fire is for keeps!

Get the fire!

Then, once we have it, the fire keeps us burning!!

No stoking necessary…

Permanent, forever!

The Holy Spirit lands on you like on a landing strip…

He doesn’t take off ’til you reach Heaven!

Lord…

Choose me!

Use me!

There is no need for jealousy…

Get your own Holy Spirit…

There’s more than enough for everyone!”

http://reinhardbonnke.com/partners.html

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“In February 2013, we conducted our first crusade in Vero Beach, Florida,

and the Holy Spirit moved mightily.

Then, in September we had our second outreach in the Amway Center in Orlando, Florida.

There we saw some 20,000 in attendance,

and nearly 2000 people make a decision for Christ!

Now, we will continue across the nation,

Gospel crusade after Gospel crusade, from stadium to stadium.

This is not the day to join the choir of the despaired

but to ‘blow the trumpet of God in Zion.’

This day is the best day ever, because it is the day of salvation.

There will be a crop for God’s glory, not a flop.”

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“Evangelism must always lead into the church.

This is a central truth I have practiced everywhere.

I, the evangelist, bring my nets and borrow the boats of the local churches.

Together we will cast our nets into the human ocean

and pull them in to be emptied on the beach.

My promise to you is not to take a single fish

but to leave them all with the local churches.

Then I will dry and mend my nets and move to the next place.”

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“I am scanning the skies for men and women

who pray and weep for the salvation of America.

As Bill Bright used to say, ‘Let’s leave our logos and egos.’

Let’s rally at the foot of the Cross of Calvary

And preach the Gospel of salvation to the nation.

The Holy Spirit will cooperate.

God is pouring out His Spirit

With glorious indifference to our differences!

He said, ‘I will pour out of my Spirit on all flesh.’

And it seems to me He pours Himself into the mold of any vessel.

Please determine how you and your church

can participate in any of these upcoming crusades.”

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“The primary truth about God is that He is the Deliverer, the Emancipator, and the Savior.

He is God only to the free.

Faith is a venture that turns life into an adventure.

Doubts get us nowhere.

They are mooring ropes.

Believing God means we cast off,

like ships designed for riding the high seas and going somewhere.

Faith inspires. Doubt paralyzes.

Faith says, ‘I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.’

Unbelief does nothing.

Faith in God is exciting. 

I’m an incurable believer, and I don’t want to be cured!

God bless you!” 

Rev. Reinhard Bonnke, Evangelist

hwww.facebook.com/evangelistreinhardbonnkettps://

I walk the streets of London
And notice in the faces passing by
Something that makes me stop and listen
My heart grows heavy with the cry

Where is the hope for London?
You whisper and my heart begins to soar
As I’m reminded
Every street in London in Yours, oh yes, it is

I walk the dirt roads of Uganda
I see the scars that war has left behind
Hope like the sun is fading
They’re waiting for a cure no one can find

And I hear children’s voices singing
Of a God who heals and rescues and restores
And I’m reminded
That every child in Africa is Yours

And it’s all Yours, God, Yours, God
Everything is Yours
From the stars in the sky
To the depths of the ocean floor

And it’s all Yours, God, Yours, God
Everything is Yours
You’re the Maker and Keeper
Father and Ruler of everything, it’s all Yours

And I walk the sidewalks of Nashville
Like Singapore, Manila and Shanghai
I brush by the beggar’s hand and the wealthy man
And everywhere I look I realize

That just like the streets of London
For every man and woman, boy and girl
All of creation
This is our Father’s world

And it’s all Yours, God, Yours, God
Everything is Yours
From the stars in the sky
To the depths of the ocean floor

And it’s all Yours, God, Yours, God
Everything is Yours
You’re the Maker and Keeper
Father and Ruler of everything

It’s all Yours, God
It’s all Yours, God
It’s all Yours, God
It’s all Yours, God

The glory is Yours, God
All the honor is Yours, God
The power is Yours, God
The glory is Yours, God
You’re the King of kings
And Lord of lords

And it’s all Yours, God, Yours, God
Everything is Yours
From the stars in the sky
To the depths of the ocean floor

And it’s all Yours, God, Yours, God
Everything is Yours
All the greatness and power
The glory and splendor and majesty
Everything is Yours, yeah, it’s all Yours

It’s all Yours
It’s all Yours
It’s all Yours

It’s All Yours, Lord!

Amen!

Bread And Water…That’s Just What We Need!!

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inspired by various people who have touched the country superstar’s life in one way or another.

‘Bread and Water’ is a poignant track about a seemingly homeless man who wanders into a mission looking for food but finding a whole lot more. The Country Music Hall of Famer sat down with The Boot to tell us how his brother Bob, who passed away in 1993, inspired the song.

“‘Bread and Water’ was a song I wrote with Leslie Satcher,” Vince explains. “I threw out this line: ‘One night, he wandered into that old mission.’ The first lines of songs are the most important part of the songs. If you really want to tell a story, that first line has to capture you. I said that line and then got a big lump in my throat and almost teared up. It reminded me of my brother.

“My brother had a rough stretch of life,” continues the country legend. “He had a car wreck at age 21 and was almost killed. He was in a coma for many months and wasn’t expected to live, and he never really fully recovered. He did pretty great considering the depth of the injuries and as a result of it, he would spend some time kinda hobo-ing around and not checking in with us. We didn’t know where he was for periods of time and found out he’s been down in the mission, or working at the Salvation Army or out picking fruit somewhere. So the song is loosely based on my brother.”

– See more at: http://www.vincegill.com/wired/?p=838#sthash.aBVMQ3ZM.dpuf

inspired by various people who have touched the country superstar’s life in one way or another.

‘Bread and Water’ is a poignant track about a seemingly homeless man who wanders into a mission looking for food but finding a whole lot more. The Country Music Hall of Famer sat down with The Boot to tell us how his brother Bob, who passed away in 1993, inspired the song.

“‘Bread and Water’ was a song I wrote with Leslie Satcher,” Vince explains. “I threw out this line: ‘One night, he wandered into that old mission.’ The first lines of songs are the most important part of the songs. If you really want to tell a story, that first line has to capture you. I said that line and then got a big lump in my throat and almost teared up. It reminded me of my brother.

“My brother had a rough stretch of life,” continues the country legend. “He had a car wreck at age 21 and was almost killed. He was in a coma for many months and wasn’t expected to live, and he never really fully recovered. He did pretty great considering the depth of the injuries and as a result of it, he would spend some time kinda hobo-ing around and not checking in with us. We didn’t know where he was for periods of time and found out he’s been down in the mission, or working at the Salvation Army or out picking fruit somewhere. So the song is loosely based on my brother.”

– See more at: http://www.vincegill.com/wired/?p=838#sthash.aBVMQ3ZM.dpuf

inspired by various people who have touched the country superstar’s life in one way or another.

‘Bread and Water’ is a poignant track about a seemingly homeless man who wanders into a mission looking for food but finding a whole lot more. The Country Music Hall of Famer sat down with The Boot to tell us how his brother Bob, who passed away in 1993, inspired the song.

“‘Bread and Water’ was a song I wrote with Leslie Satcher,” Vince explains. “I threw out this line: ‘One night, he wandered into that old mission.’ The first lines of songs are the most important part of the songs. If you really want to tell a story, that first line has to capture you. I said that line and then got a big lump in my throat and almost teared up. It reminded me of my brother.

“My brother had a rough stretch of life,” continues the country legend. “He had a car wreck at age 21 and was almost killed. He was in a coma for many months and wasn’t expected to live, and he never really fully recovered. He did pretty great considering the depth of the injuries and as a result of it, he would spend some time kinda hobo-ing around and not checking in with us. We didn’t know where he was for periods of time and found out he’s been down in the mission, or working at the Salvation Army or out picking fruit somewhere. So the song is loosely based on my brother.”

– See more at: http://www.vincegill.com/wired/?p=838#sthash.aBVMQ3ZM.dpuf

Vince Gill’s latest album, ‘Guitar Slinger,’ is an emotional rollercoaster ride, mixing fun uptempos with tearjerking ballads, along with a few songs that tap into his darker side. All of the project’s tracks, however, have one main thing in common: they’re inspired by various people who have touched the country superstar’s life in one way or another.

‘Bread and Water’ is a poignant track about a seemingly homeless man who wanders into a mission looking for food but finding a whole lot more. The Country Music Hall of Famer sat down with The Boot to tell us how his brother Bob, who passed away in 1993, inspired the song.

“‘Bread and Water’ was a song I wrote with Leslie Satcher,” Vince explains. “I threw out this line: ‘One night, he wandered into that old mission.’ The first lines of songs are the most important part of the songs. If you really want to tell a story, that first line has to capture you. I said that line and then got a big lump in my throat and almost teared up. It reminded me of my brother.

“My brother had a rough stretch of life,” continues the country legend. “He had a car wreck at age 21 and was almost killed. He was in a coma for many months and wasn’t expected to live, and he never really fully recovered. He did pretty great considering the depth of the injuries and as a result of it, he would spend some time kinda hobo-ing around and not checking in with us. We didn’t know where he was for periods of time and found out he’s been down in the mission, or working at the Salvation Army or out picking fruit somewhere. So the song is loosely based on my brother.”

– See more at: http://www.vincegill.com/wired/?p=838#sthash.aBVMQ3ZM.dpuf

All of the tracks on Vince Gill’s album, “Guitar Slinger,” 

have one main thing in common:

They’re inspired by various people

who have touched the country superstar’s life in one way or another.

“Bread and Water”

-is a poignant track about a seemingly homeless man

who wanders into a mission looking for food,

but finds a whole lot more.

Gill’s brother Bob, who passed away in 1993, inspired the song.

“‘Bread and Water’ was a song I wrote with Leslie Satcher,” Vince explains.

“I threw out this line:

‘One night, he wandered into that old mission.’

The first lines of songs are the most important part of the songs.

If you really want to tell a story, that first line has to capture you.

I said that line, and then got a big lump in my throat, and almost teared up.

It reminded me of my brother.

“My brother had a rough stretch of life,”

continued the country legend.

“He had a car wreck at age 21 and was almost killed.

He was in a coma for many months and wasn’t expected to live,

and he never really fully recovered.

He did pretty great considering the depth of the injuries

and as a result of it,

he would spend some time kinda hobo-ing around

and not checking in with us.

We didn’t know where he was for periods of time

and then found out he’s been down in the mission,

or working at the Salvation Army

or out picking fruit somewhere.

So the song is loosely based on my brother.”

Source:

http://www.vincegill.com/wired/?p=838

1-14-14-Christian Retreat 050

Lyrics:

One night he wandered into that old mission

The one out on the poor side of town

He really had no interest in salvation

Just a place to lay his drunk, ole body down

He said, Ma’am I sure am hungry

And I don’t have a penny to my name

Lord knows I hadn’t worked in a month of Sundays

I’m dirty, dead broke, and so ashamed

I need bread and water, ma’am, that’s all I need

Bread and water, and a place to rest my feet

I ain’t too proud to get down on my knees

For bread and water’s free

She said, “You’re always welcome at this table.”

Said, “Brother, you look like you could use a friend

And there’s no need to pay, if you’re not able

‘Cause even Jesus was a homeless man.”

Well, she opened up the Word, and started reading

About the Savior, and the woman at the well

Said, “It ain’t for me to judge this life you’re leading

There’s only two things can save your soul from hell.”

It’s bread and water, man, that’s all you need

Bread and water, and a place to rest your feet

If you ain’t too proud to get down on your knees

The bread and water’s free

When he bowed his head he kinda choked up

They spoke every word of our Lord’s Prayer

He closed his eyes, and never woke up

He’ll find bread and water waiting there

Bread and water, man, that’s all you need

Bread and water, and a place to rest your feet

Bread and water, man, that’s all you need

Bread and water, brother, just believe

If you ain’t too proud to get down on your knees

The bread and water’s free

Bread and water’s free

1-14-14-Christian Retreat 046

John 6:35

Then Jesus declared,

“I am the Bread of Life.

Whoever comes to Me will never go hungry,

and whoever believes in Me will never be thirsty.”

1-14-14-Christian Retreat 059

John 7:37-38

On the last and greatest day of the festival,

Jesus stood and said in a loud voice,

“Let anyone who is thirsty come to Me and drink.

Whoever believes in Me, as Scripture has said,

rivers of Living Water will flow from within them.”

Amen!

Lukewarm Is Not Enough!!! Yuk! We Need Crazy Love!

Standard

To serve the Lord!!!

Amen!

Revelation 3:15-17

“I know your deeds,

that you are neither cold nor hot.

I wish you were either one or the other! 

So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.

You say,

‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’

But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.”

Revelation 3:22

“Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”

Well…

The downfall of our 12-year old Sears Kenmore side-by-side refrigerator/freezer…

 Started with the melting ice cream in the freezer…

As with my dryer story

With its faulty heating element…

The lifespan of my major appliances is limited…

Several years ago the microwave went…

No fast meals for us, ’til we bought a new one!

The washer has been repaired…

We remember lugging dirty clothes to the Laundromat to wash…

And lugging them back home to dry…

But I feel good about the length of time they’ve all lasted…

Nothing’s built forever now-a-days…

And in Florida, if it makes it through a hurricane…

We consider ourselves blessed!!

So, the ice cream was melting…

And I say, to my perfectly intelligent husband…

“The ice cream is melting in our freezer!”

And he says…

“No, it’s just that I bought Breyers Creamier Butter Pecan Ice Cream!”

What?!?!

“It’s Creamier Butter Pecan Ice Cream Soup!!” I say…

As I pour it into his ice cream bowl…

“It’s fine,” he says…

That’s just husband talk for…

“I don’t want to have to call Sears and deal with this!”

Well, I didn’t want to deal with it either…

Since, we just had Sears here to fix our dyer right after Christmas!!!

So, I said, “Okay!”

When I knew perfectly well that the old freezer was biting-the-dust…

Especially when I saw the delicious chocolate fudgesicles melting and dripping…

All over the thawed fish sticks…

But, when I, as the wife, could no longer agree that a lukewarm freezer was ok!!

And, after procrastinating way too long, we finally went to Sears…

Ordered a nice Kenmore Elite in the bisque color that’s apparently hard to find…

 After 12 years…

But, of course that’s what we needed to match the other appliances…

Or, we’d have to get all new ones…

Are you crazy?!?!

And Sears rushed right out to deliver our much needed appliance…

Right???  Wrong! 

We have to wait two weeks more!!!

So, now with no freezer, we’re either cooking everything we can save…

Or, throwing things out…

Just like after the hurricane!

Then, just like that…

The refrigerator side is not staying cold at all…

And when the milk tasted lukewarm…

I had enough of that ‘frig…

Yuk!!!!!

So we packed up all our salvageable items…

Vacuumed all the dog hair from behind that piece of junk….mopped…

And left that useless piece of lukewarm metal sitting there, lifeless!!

My husband scrubbed the fish-smelling little ‘frig in the garage…

Filled it up…

Since it was COLD!!!

And out came all the coolers we own…

Bags of ice…filling and refilling…we felt like we were camping…

And we’re not really camping people!

Then, 2 days before Sears…

Ahhhhh…

Was going to deliver our long-awaited new ‘frig…

Our highly intelligent, college graduate, teacher/tutor, and getting his Masters, son says…

“Oh, did you guys remember I have that small refrig from my dorm room???”

No, we didn’t…

Do you think we would have chosen to play with ice for two weeks???

This is how we roll in this house…

Everyone’s too busy to think anything all the way through!!

Ha!

2-6-14 Refrig 001

So the moral of this story is that…

Lukewarm is not pleasing…

It doesn’t please the Lord!

He’ll spew you out of His mouth!!

My Mom used to call it, “So-So”

“How ya doing, Mom???”

“Oh, so-so!”

She’d reply…

Not good or bad…not hot or cold…lukewarm!!

Cold: 

Refreshing, quenching, invigorating, level-headed, crisp…

Intense, keen, sharp, piercing, breath of fresh air…

Hot: 

Passionate, alive, compassionate, contagious, blazing, fiery…

On fire, excited, masterful, impassioned, intense, significant…

Compelling, exhilarating, dedicated, fascinated, exuberant…

Glowing, fervent, healing…

Lukewarm: 

Tepid; foul; disgusting; lacking enthusiasm, excitement, or conviction…

Indifferent; little ardor, energy, or zeal; half-hearted, unconcerned…

Apathetic, unresponsive, uninterested, useless, self-deceived…

Shallow, bland, mundane, neither hot nor cold, nauseating, wretched…

Miserable, pitiful, poor, blind, naked…

Jesus:

Cleanses, refreshes, cools, washes, renews…

Comes in a cloud….

In a pillar of fire…

He’s the breath of the Holy Spirit…

He’s the Living Waters…

An All-Consuming Fire…

He heals…

Revelation 3:15-17 The Message

“I know you inside and out, and find little to my liking.

You’re not cold, you’re not hot—far better to be either cold or hot!

You’re stale.

You’re stagnant.

You make me want to vomit.

You brag, ‘I’m rich, I’ve got it made, I need nothing from anyone,’

oblivious that in fact you’re a pitiful, blind beggar, threadbare and homeless.” 

God wants complete commitment…

Not half-hearted service…

Are we totally in love with Jesus?  

Or, are we lukewarm, half-hearted,

or partially committed? 

Frances Chan says,

in his book Crazy Love

“There is no such thing as a lukewarm Christian. 

Jesus calls for total commitment.”

View online videos at:  

www.crazylovebook.com

Frances Chan says:

We should be willing…

To say to God that He can have whatever He wants. 

To believe that wholehearted commitment to Him is more important than any other thing or person in our life. 

To know that nothing we do in life will ever matter, unless it is about loving God and loving the people He has made. 

True faith means holding nothing back; it bets everything on the hope of eternity. 

This whole swimming-upstream, pursuing-Christ, taking-up-your cross, counting-the-cost thing isn’t easy. 

The road is narrow and few will actually find it! 

We can’t afford to just assume we’re one of the few on the narrow way. 

Be totally in love with Christ. 

Even Heaven would be a desolate place without Christ. 

Don’t just let life happen. 

Love and desire Christ, for when we love, we are free! 

Let God change us. 

We need to let Him in our life. 

We need God to help us love God, and if we need His help to love Him, a perfect being, we definitely need His help to love other fault-filled humans.   

Don’t hold back, be consumed with Christ. 

We need to show a “Love” that is crazy to the world. 

True love, a kind found nowhere else, but through Christ.

Don’t be lukewarm, be obsessed with Christ.  

People obsessed with Christ…

Love people and are friends to all…

They’re crazy risk takers for Christ…

They’re humble…

They serve…

They give…

They think about eternity…

They’re engrossed and delighted with God’s Word…

They’re passionately in love with God…

They’re unguarded and open with Him…

They meditate, are nourished by, and are rooted in the Word…

They’re dedicated and faithful to Christ. 

They know they’re a child and a friend of God.

Let’s evaluate our lives…

Is what we’re doing, what we want to be doing, when Christ returns????

Taken from:  Crazy Love by Frances Chan

Lukewarm is completely useless…

Neither like hot water (as in a comfortable bath)…

Nor like cold water (as in a refreshing drink)…

Interpret “hot” and “cold” in light of the historical context of Laodicea…

It had no permanent supply of good water…

Efforts to pipe water to the city from nearby springs were successful…

But, it would arrive lukewarm…

Located close to both natural hot springs by Hierapolis…

Often used for medicinal purposes…

And a cold, pure stream by Colossae…

Both hot and cold water are desirable…

Both are useful for distinct purposes…

All believers can be used of God…

The spiritual state of this church…

More closely resembled the tepid, lukewarm water…

 That eventually flowed into Laodicean pipes…

Neither hot nor cold…

It was putrid!

The metaphor condemns Laodicea for not providing…

 Spiritual healing (being hot)…

Or, spiritual refreshment (being cold) to those around them…

Revelation 3:15 is a condemnation of their lack of works and lack of witness.

They spread spiritual disease…

What disease?

They believed they were spiritually rich…

When in fact they had gone bankrupt…

They thought they could see…

But they were blind…

They thought they were healthy…

But they were corrupt….

They thought they were fully clothed…

But they were naked…

The difference was in their opinion of themselves…

  vs reality…

They thought they were well off…

But they were starving to death…

They were spiritually content and self-satisfied…

Although actually they were wretched and pitiful…

In Revelation 3:17, they had the audacity to say…

“I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing.”

The problem with being lukewarm…

And the case against Laodicea…

Revolves around the idea of self-deception…

They were self-deluded…

The church at Laodicea was made up of Christians…

Who were trusting in themselves and their wealth…

Or, what they thought their wealth could buy them!

Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words, says,

Lukewarm…

Useless and self-deceived…

They thought they were of great value…

But were hypocritical…

Promoting themselves, as those who saw the truth…

When in fact they did not…

Actively covering their sins with a cloak of religious observance!

Lord…

Help us to be obsessed with You…

  Show us where we’re lukewarm…

    Give us the strength to deal with these areas…

      Do whatever it takes…

For us to please You…

We need constant infilling of Your Presence…

A constant love relationship…

Constant prayer…

Constant worship…

Constant renewing of our minds…

With the Word of God…

We don’t want to be lukewarm:

A believer who isn’t a threat to satan’s kingdom,

A person who is unable to accomplish anything for the Lord,

Who no longer brings God glory,

Who no longer accomplishes His will,

Who no longer builds His kingdom.

Refresh!

Rekindle!

Our lukewarm hearts…

Restore!

Us to a heart perfect in its commitment to You!

Amen!!

 

Lukewarm is not enough…

 

Try Crazy Love!

2-6-14 Refrig 004

Ahhh…

My new non-lukewarm refrigerator!!!!

Cold and Colder!!

To match my repaired non-lukewarm dryer…

Hot and Hotter!!

Forget lukewarm!

If a dryer’s not HOT…

Or, a refrigerator’s not COLD…

They’re useless…

And so are we!!

Amen!

Don’t sing these Top Ten Songs Of The Lukewarm Christian!!!

1. Blest Be The Tie That Doesn’t Cramp My Style
2. Pillow of Ages, Fluffed for Me
3. I Surrender Some
4. I’m Fairly Certain That My Redeemer Lives
5. Sit Up, Sit Up For Jesus
6. What An Acquaintance We Have In Jesus
7. Where He Leads Me, I Will Consider Following
8. He’s Quite a Bit To Me
9. Oh, How I Like Jesus
10. It Is My Secret What God Can Do – See more at: http://diggingtheword.blogspot.com/2010/03/top-ten-songs-of-lukewarm-christian.html#sthash.IJf1kito.h1RhYzKB.dpuf
1. Blest Be The Tie That Doesn’t Cramp My Style
2. Pillow of Ages, Fluffed for Me
3. I Surrender Some
4. I’m Fairly Certain That My Redeemer Lives
5. Sit Up, Sit Up For Jesus
6. What An Acquaintance We Have In Jesus
7. Where He Leads Me, I Will Consider Following
8. He’s Quite a Bit To Me
9. Oh, How I Like Jesus
10. It Is My Secret What God Can Do – See more at: http://diggingtheword.blogspot.com/2010/03/top-ten-songs-of-lukewarm-christian.html#sthash.IJf1kito.h1RhYzKB.dpuf

1.  Blest Be The Tie That Doesn’t Cramp My Style

2.  Pillow of Ages, Fluffed for Me

3.  I Surrender Some

4.  I’m Fairly Certain That My Redeemer Lives

5.  Sit Up, Sit Up For Jesus

6.  What An Acquaintance We Have In Jesus

7.  Where He Leads Me, I Will Consider Following

8.  He’s Quite a Bit To Me

9.  Oh, How I Like Jesus

10. It Is My Secret What God Can Do

Taken from “Way of the Master”

Resources:

http://so4j.com/what-is-a-lukewarm-christian#hot_cold

 http://www.gotquestions.org/Jesus-lukewarm-faith.html

http://scripturenuggets.wordpress.com/2012/02/07/the-dangers-of-being-lukewarm/

http://www.learnthebible.org/lukewarm.html

http://konig.org/wc2.htm

http://maranathalife.com/teaching/lukewarm.htm

http://diggingtheword.blogspot.com/2010/03/top-ten-songs-of-lukewarm-christian.html

 

http://treymorgan.net/10-signs-you-might-be-a-lukewarm-christian/

http://biblestudywiki.com/articles/Answers/Where_Is_The_Scripture_About_Being_Lukewarm_And_How_It_Is_Like_Returning_To_A_Dog_S_Vomit?action=diff

(Keith Krell)

Top Ten Songs Of The Lukewarm Christian

“Ladies and gentlemen, I have in my hands a copy of today’s top ten list.”

“Today’s list is top ten songs of the lukewarm church.”

1. Blest Be The Tie That Doesn’t Cramp My Style
2. Pillow of Ages, Fluffed for Me
3. I Surrender Some
4. I’m Fairly Certain That My Redeemer Lives
5. Sit Up, Sit Up For Jesus
6. What An Acquaintance We Have In Jesus
7. Where He Leads Me, I Will Consider Following
8. He’s Quite a Bit To Me
9. Oh, How I Like Jesus
10. It Is My Secret What God Can Do

Let’s be fired up this Sunday when we sing. Our Savior was passionate for us and we need to be equally as passionate for him.

Taken from “Way of the Master”

– See more at: http://diggingtheword.blogspot.com/2010/03/top-ten-songs-of-lukewarm-christian.html#sthash.IJf1kito.dpufTop Ten Songs Of The Lukewarm Christian

“Ladies and gentlemen, I have in my hands a copy of today’s top ten list.”

“Today’s list is top ten songs of the lukewarm church.”

1. Blest Be The Tie That Doesn’t Cramp My Style
2. Pillow of Ages, Fluffed for Me
3. I Surrender Some
4. I’m Fairly Certain That My Redeemer Lives
5. Sit Up, Sit Up For Jesus
6. What An Acquaintance We Have In Jesus
7. Where He Leads Me, I Will Consider Following
8. He’s Quite a Bit To Me
9. Oh, How I Like Jesus
10. It Is My Secret What God Can Do

Let’s be fired up this Sunday when we sing. Our Savior was passionate for us and we need to be equally as passionate for him.

Taken from “Way of the Master”

– See more at: http://diggingtheword.blogspot.com/2010/03/top-ten-songs-of-lukewarm-christian.html#sthash.IJf1kito.dpuf