Category Archives: Jesus Is Alive

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!!

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

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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

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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.”

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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!

Happy New Year!!! So, Were You At Jesus’ B-Day Party?!?!

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The Story Of Christmas…

As told by the children of St Paul’s Church, Auckland, New Zealand.

(Anyone is welcome to show this film publicly,

but not change it in any way, publish/broadcast it, nor make money out of it.)

Except for Joe. You can connect with his music here: https://www.facebook.com/EzraVine

Check out our prequel: Good News of Great Joy http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ttInl1…

Our new kids’ film: Star News Bethlehem: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBaTUw…

And our Christmas doco: O Little Town of Bethlehem: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bjQDl9…

You can download this film here: https://www.dropbox.com/s/3ju8ogav90r…

Unless there are too many downloads, then you’ll need to wait a few days.

And you can download the transcript here: https://www.dropbox.com/s/rf9q12k92ek…

We all celebrated here!

It was a blast!

And we all agree…

This is the cutest version of the Christmas Story we’ve ever seen!!

“Tis The Season!!! Oh, I Need A Silent Night! Badly!!

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Luke 2:4-7

“And Joseph also went up from Galilee,

out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David,

which is called Bethlehem;

(because he was of the house and lineage of David.)

To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

And so it was, that, while they were there,

the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

And she brought forth her firstborn son,

and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger;

because there was no room for them in the inn.”

I’ve made the same mistake before
Too many malls, too many stores
December traffic, Christmas rush
It breaks me ’til I push and shove

Children are crying while mothers are trying
To photograph Santa and sleigh
The shopping and buying and standing forever in line
What can I say?

I need a Silent Night, a Holy Night
To hear an angel voice through the chaos and the noise
I need a midnight clear, a little peace right here
To end this crazy day with a Silent Night

December comes then disappears
Faster and faster every year
Did my own mother keep this pace
Or was the world a different place?

Where people stayed home wishing for snow
Watching three channels on their TV
Look at us now rushing around
Trying to buy Christmas peace

I need a Silent night, a Holy Night
To hear an angel voice through the chaos and the noise
I need a midnight clear, a little peace right here
To end this crazy day with a Silent Night

What was it like back there in Bethlehem
With Peace on earth, good will toward men?

“There were shepherds out in the field
Keeping watch over their flock by night
And the glory of the Lord shone around them
And they were so afraid

And the angels said, ‘Fear not, for behold
I bring you Good News of a great joy that shall be for all people
For unto you is born this day, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.’

…And His Name shall be called, Wonderful Counselor, Prince of Peace.” 

(Luke 2:8-11, Isaiah 9:6)

I need a Silent Night, a Holy Night
To hear an angel voice through the chaos and the noise
I need a midnight clear, a little peace right here
To end this crazy day with a Silent Night
To end this crazy day with a Silent Night

Silent Night

Silent night, holy night,
All is calm, all is bright

Round yon virgin mother and Child.
Holy Infant so tender and mild,

Sleep in heavenly peace,
Sleep in heavenly peace.

“Silent Night” was written by a Catholic priest, Joseph Mohr, pastor in the Austrian Alps in a little town of Oberndorf.

It was Christmas Eve, 1815, when he meditated on the wonderful story of the birth of Christ and wrote the sweet, simple verses of this song.

The next day he took them to the village schoolmaster, an organist, Franz Gruber, who prayerfully put them to music that fits them so quietly and so well.

And that night they had the choir sing it for the first time with only guitar accompaniment, since the organ had broken down .

Through the years this sweet song drifted out to the world and now millions of people rejoice as they sing.

Read the entire post at:

http://www.jesus-is-savior.com/Books,%20Tracts%20&%20Preaching/Printed%20Sermons/Dr%20John%20Rice/silent_night.htm

Call on Jesus…

To find your Silent Night…

This Christmas!!

Amen!

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I’m Filled With Thanksgiving…Thank You For Giving, Lord!

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2 Corinthians 9:15

“Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!”

Ephesians 5:20

“…always giving thanks to God the Father for everything,

in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

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Lord, Thank You…

For Your promises…

 Your awesome scenery…

For finding me…

And for giving me life…

So I can serve You!

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Psalm 145:2

“Every day I will praise You   

and extol Your Name for ever and ever.”

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1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

“Rejoice always,

pray continually,

give thanks in all circumstances;

for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

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Colossians 3:17

“And whatever you do,

whether in word or deed,

do it all in the Name of the Lord Jesus,

giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”

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Psalm 100:4-5

“Enter His gates with thanksgiving   

and His courts with praise;   

give thanks to Him and praise His Name.

For the Lord is good and His love endures forever;   

His faithfulness continues through all generations.”

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Give thanks for who He is…

And what He’s done for us…

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Psalm 106:1

“Praise the Lord.

Give thanks to the Lord,

for He is good;   

His love endures forever.”

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Jesus gave everything…

He held nothing back…

Don’t take this for granted…

Value what He’s done for you…

Respond to His extraordinary love…

With heartfelt Thanksgiving!

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Don’t be stingy in your devotion…

Give your all, too!

Mark 14:8

“She did what she could.

She poured perfume on My body beforehand

to prepare for my burial.”

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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.'”

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Matthew 25:40

“…Truly I tell you,

whatever you did for one of the least

of these brothers and sisters of mine,

you did for me.”

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Lord…

Thank You for giving Your life…

So I could live…

And be alive in You!

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 When I consider my list of people and things to be thankful for…

Lord…

You’re at  the top of my list!!

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Isaiah 11:6

“…and a little child will lead them.”

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Well, I thank God we’re not TURKEYS!!!

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Amen to that!!

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Jesus, Set Me Free!!

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Galatians 5:1

“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.

Stand firm, then,

and do not let yourselves be burdened again

by a yoke of slavery.”

It hasn’t always been this way…

I remember brighter days!

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(My son, Casey… and our drama team choreographer, Kaya… at a community Outreach)

Before the dark ones came…

Stole my mind…

Wrapped my soul in chains!

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Now I live among the dead…

Fighting voices in my head…

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Hoping someone hears me crying in the night

And carries me away…

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Set me free of the chains holding me...

Is anybody out there hearing me?

Set me free!!

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Morning breaks another day

Finds me crying in the rain…

All alone with my demons I am!

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Who is this man that comes my way?

The dark ones shriek…

They scream His Name!!!

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Is this the One they say will set the captives free?

Jesus, rescue me!!!

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As the God man passes by…

He looks straight through my eyes!

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And darkness cannot hide!!

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Do you want to be free?

Lift your chains…

I hold the key!!

All power on Heav’n and Earth belong to Me!!!
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You are free !
You are free !!
You are free!!!!

Do you want to be Free???

Romans 8:1-2

“Therefore,

there is now no condemnation

for those who are in Christ Jesus,

because through Christ Jesus

the law of the Spirit who gives life

has set you free from the law of sin and death.”

John 8:36

“So if the Son sets you free,

you will be free indeed.”

Amen!!

“Marked By Our Past…Transformed By Love!”

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We are a small group of people humbled by the love of Jesus,”

Read the entire Denison Forum Cultural Commentary on Truth and Culture,

Tattooed Jesus:  Blasphemy or Blessing?

http://www.denisonforum.org/cultural-commentary/856-tattooed-jesus-blasphemy-or-blessing#jesus-tattoo-video

To form your own opinion!!!

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Saved!!!

Accepted

Free

Loved

Trusting

Holiness

Joy

Redeemed

Set Free

Purpose

Cherished

Brave

Humble

Peace

Confident

Child of the One True God!!!!

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No longer…

Outcast

Addicted

Jealous

Fearful

Sin

Hurt

Mistake

Scarred

Worthless

Invisible

Coward

Self-Righteous

Strife

Depressed

Lost!!!!!!

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1 Peter 2:21-25

“To this you were called,

because Christ suffered for you,

leaving you an example,

that you should follow in His steps.

 ‘He committed no sin,   

and no deceit was found in His mouth.

When they hurled their insults at Him,

He did not retaliate;

when He suffered,

He made no threats.

Instead,

He entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly.

‘He Himself bore our sins’

in His body on the Cross,

so that we might die to sins

and live for righteousness;

‘by His wounds you have been healed.”

For ‘you were like sheep going astray,

but now you have returned to the

Shepherd and Overseer

of your souls.”

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Isaiah 53:5

“But He was pierced for our transgressions,   

He was crushed for our iniquities;

the punishment that brought us peace was on Him,   

and by His wounds we are healed.”

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1 Peter 1:18-19

“For you know that it was not with perishable things

such as silver or gold

that you were redeemed from the empty way of life

handed down to you from your ancestors,

but with the precious blood of Christ,

a lamb without blemish or defect.”

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1 Peter 3:18

“For Christ also suffered once for sins,

the righteous for the unrighteous,

to bring you to God.

He was put to death in the body

but made alive in the Spirit.”

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Thank you, Jesus…

For taking the marks of my past on Your body…

And transforming me…

 With Your amazing love!!

I’m humbled!!!

Amen!

Where Does Jesus Live??? He Lives In Me!! Oh, Yeah!!!

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Who Is This Who Lives In Me???

Exodus 3:14

“God said to Moses,

I am who I am.

This is what you are to say to the Israelites:

I am has sent me to you.’”

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John 17:22-23

“I have given them the glory that You gave Me,

that they may be One as We are One—

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.”

Amen!

I’ve been the one to shake with fear
And wonder if You’re even here
I’ve been the one to doubt Your love
I’ve told myself You’re not enough

I’ve been the one to try and say
I’ll overcome by my own strength
I’ve been the one to fall apart
And start to question who You are

You’re the One who conquers giants
You’re the One who calls out kings
You shut the mouths of lions
You tell the dead to breathe
You’re the One who walks through fire
You take the orphan’s hand
You are the One Messiah
You are I AM
You are I AM

I’ve been the one held down in chains
Beneath the weight of all my shame
I’ve been the one to believe
That where I am, You cannot reach

The veil is torn
And now I live
With the Spirit inside
The same One
The very same One
Who brought the Son back to life!
Hallelujah, He lives in me!

You are the One Messiah
You are I AM
Hallelujah, He lives in me!
You are I AM
Hallelujah, He lives in me!

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 Who Are We When He Lives In Us???

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We’re children of the very same One  who…

Conquers giants!

Calls out Kings!

Shuts the mouths of lions!

Tells the dead to breathe!

Walks through fire!

Takes the orphan’s hand!

Is the One Messiah!

Is the great…

I AM!!!

Romans 8:9

“You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh

but are in the realm of the Spirit,

if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you.

And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ,

they do not belong to Christ.”

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Galatians 2:20

“I have been crucified with Christ

and I no longer live,

but Christ lives in me.

The life I now live in the body,

I live by faith in the Son of God,

who loved me

and gave Himself for me.”

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Colossians 1:27

“To them God has chosen

to make known among the Gentiles

the glorious riches of this mystery,

which is Christ in you,

the hope of glory.”

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1 John 5:11-12

 “And this is the testimony:

God has given us eternal life,

and this life is in his Son.

Whoever has the Son has life;

whoever does not have the Son of God

does not have life.”

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1 John 4:4

“You, dear children,

are from God

and have overcome them,

because the One who is in you

is greater

than the one who is in the world.”

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Oh, Yeah!!!

That’s the One in me!!!

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Speak Up! God Can’t Bare Your Silence!!

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Come Closer!!

You’re Too Far Away!!

Break your silence!

Talk to God…

About what you’re experiencing…

Let His Holy Spirit guide you through your life…

When you feel far from Him…

Whisper His Name!

Find a quiet place…

Away from the noise of this world…

Where you can be alone with God!

Speak Up!

Speak to Jesus in Love-tones!

Reach Out!

To have a relationship with Him!

Prepare to receive His Love!

It flows eternally from the Cross!

Seek His Face!

Then, listen!

Hear His Voice!

He’ll hear yours!

He’s delighted that you opened your heart…

To His Presence!

Take His Hand!

He’s already bridged the distance!

By running to you!

By sending His Son to die for you…

Go the distance!

He came to hear you cry out for Him!

He wants to commune with you!

“His eyes search to and fro throughout the earth…

Looking for one whose heart is seeking Him…”  (2 Chronicles 16:9)

Genesis 28:15

 “I Am with you

and will watch over you wherever you go,

and I will bring you back to this land.

I will not leave you

until I have done what I have promised you.”

And when you meet Him???

Ahhhh..

JOY!!!

Mutual JOY!!

(Read Jesus Calling by Sarah Young

April 4th Devotional-Pg. 99

and April 8th-Pg.103)

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“God shows His love

in spanning the canyon between mankind and Himself

with the humble cross.”

-Shawn Craig –

of

Phillips, Craig & Dean

You could’ve waited…

But You couldn’t stand the distance…

You wouldn’t bare the silence anymore

Love broke the fall…

Bridged across to reach us…

You opened Heaven’s door…

‘Cause You couldn’t stand the distance!

You saw the love I needed… 

You ran to where I was waiting…

Your love crossed the canyon between us…

You came to save me!

In Your mercy…

You ran to me…

Your forgiveness embraced me…

It called me by name…

Hallelujah!

You couldn’t stand the distance…

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1 John 4:19

“We love because He first loved us.”

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1 John 4:10

“This is love:

not that we loved God,

but that He loved us

and sent His Son

as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.”

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Genesis 5:1

“…When God created mankind,

He made them in the likeness of God.”

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Leviticus 26:12

“I will walk among you

and be your God,

and you will be My people.”

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Revelation 3:20

“Here I am!

I stand at the door and knock.

If anyone hears My Voice and opens the door,

I will come in and eat with that person,

and they with Me.”

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John 15:14-15

“You are My friends

if you do what I command. 

I no longer call you servants,

because a servant does not know his master’s business.

Instead, I have called you friends,

for everything that I learned from My Father

I have made known to you.”

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Ephesians 2:13

“But now in Christ Jesus

you who once were far away

have been brought near

by the blood of Christ.”

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God could never stand the distance between us…

Or my silence…

And when I no longer could stand it either…

He sent Jesus to bridge the gap…

And we connected!

Amen!

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Window Shopping????

Standard

While window shopping in Old Naples over the summer….

This was by-far my favorite window!!!

The Frog…

So dapper!

So welcoming!

“Come on in!”

He beckoned…

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Wind In The Willows – Beth Boutique, 793 5th Ave., Naples, FL 34102, (239) 643-0663

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I adored the bright, whimsical colors and patterns…

 I wanted to:

Try on the fashionable clothing,…

Read the Dare To Be Whacky book,…

Buy the beautiful hand-painted furniture …

Walk on the gorgeous carpet…

And, of course…

Cuddle with the perfectly groomed stuffed cat!

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Suddenly, I saw the cute little cat move!!

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I was mesmerized!

It’s alive!!

It’s breathing!

It’s not one of the mannequins, after all!

It’s not a prop…

It’s not just a display in the window!

It’s real!!

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I took so many photos of that beautiful cat…

From every angle…

While I watched it roaming around in that shop window…

No longer thinking about the other items…

The non-living items…

I focused only on the cat!!

I couldn’t get enough of it’s precious face…

It’s awesome lion-like tail…

It’s fluffy, white fur…

It’s four fuzzy feet!!

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And then the cat was gone!

The display was still nice…

But without the live cat in it …

It was now just an ordinary…

Empty-of-life…

Shop window!

Not all gods are alike!

Do you want to:

Try them on for size?

Read about them?

Buy into their theology?

Walk with them through life?

Cuddle with them in the time of need?

Find the God that’s Alive!

The One who Lives and Breathes!

I Have!

I can forget about non-essential items…

Non-living items…

And focus only on Jesus!!

I can’t get enough of His Precious Face…

The awesome strength of the Lion of Judah…

His Pure, White Robe of Righteousness…

His nail-scarred hands and feet!!

Not all religions are alike…

Is it alive?

Is it breathing?

Is it dead?

Is it just a display?

Is it real??

Not all churches are alike…

Some are so welcoming!

Putting on a “dapper” front…

“Come on in!”

They beckon…

But, has God left the building????

Remember, while window shopping…

Nothing’s the same without Him!!

Acts 17:28

“‘In Him we live

and move

and have our being;’

as even some of your own poets have said,

‘For we are indeed His offspring.’”

1 John 5:12

“Whoever has the Son has life;

whoever does not have the Son of God

does not have life.”

Revelation 1:18

“I am the Living One;

I was dead,

and now look,

I am alive for ever and ever!

And I hold the keys of death and Hades.”

1 Peter 6:6

“For this is the reason the Gospel was preached

even to those who are now dead,

so that they might be judged according to human standards

in regard to the body,

but live according to God in regard to the spirit.”

Hebrews 4:12

“For the Word of God

is alive and active.

Sharper than any double-edged sword,

it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit,

joints and marrow;

it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”

Acts 1:11

“’Men of Galilee,’

they said,

‘why do you stand here looking into the sky?

This same Jesus,

who has been taken from you into Heaven,

will come back in the same way

you have seen Him go into Heaven.”

Amen!