Category Archives: Scripture

Feb26

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

Posted on February 26, 2014 by sagescenery

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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

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.”

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…

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?

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?

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.

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.

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.

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…”

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

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.”

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.”

1 John 3:18

“Dear children,

let us not love with words or speech

but with actions and in truth.”

Ephesians 4:32

“Be kind and compassionate to one another,

forgiving each other,

just as in Christ,

God forgave you.”

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.”

Love & Laughter!!!

Thank you, Jesus, for all Your blessings!!

Feb23

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

Posted on February 23, 2014 by sagescenery

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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.”

(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!”

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.”

Oh, yeah…

Amen…

Brand new looks so good on you!!

You’re changed!

Changed!

Changed!!

You’ve never been more alive!!

Feb11

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

Posted on February 11, 2014 by sagescenery

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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.

– 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.

– 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.

– 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

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

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.”

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!

Feb6

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

Posted on February 6, 2014 by sagescenery

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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!

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!

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

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.”

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.”

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

Jan5

Okay, A Dryer That Doesn’t Dry Is An Oxymoron!!!

Posted on January 5, 2014 by sagescenery

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So is a believer who doesn’t believe…

A follower who doesn’t follow…

A Christian who doesn’t act like Christ…

A child of God who doesn’t obey God…

My dryer stopped drying the day before we were leaving for vacation…

I washed a load of clothes…

And the dryer did it’s thing of sounding like it was a normal laundry day…

It flipped the clothes around and around and around…

But when I checked, the clothes were as cold as ice…

Problem!!!

It worked, but it didn’t heat up…

Duh, we need the heat to dry clothes…

Now it’s just a large, metal box with a door…

Taking up space in my laundry room…

Useless to me…

For the purpose it was intended!!

So my son had to cart our laundry basket over to a loving neighbor’s house…

So we wouldn’t need to leave the last load I washed…

Sopping wet over vacation!

Mildew, Yuk!

It certainly held us up from leaving on time…

When one of our appliances wasn’t doing its job!

Thank God my neighbor’s dryer did have heat!!

And she was gracious enough to let us use some of it!

Well, when we got back from vacation…

The Sears repairman came…

Opened up the back of the dryer…

Saw immediately what was wrong…

Went to his truck outside to get a part…

And in about 5 minutes…

Inserted a brand new heating element…

In our 12 year-old dryer!!

Voilà!!

Don’t just take up space…

You were intended to advance the Kingdom of God…

So do what you’re called to do!

I’ve been reading Pastor Daniel Kolenda’s book…

As the successor to world renowned Evangelist Reinhard Bonnke, Daniel is the president and CEO of Christ for All Nations; a ministry which has conducted some of the largest evangelistic events in history, has published over 190 million books in 104 languages and has offices in 10 nations around the world. He also hosts an internationally syndicated television program. – See more at: http://livebeforeyoudiebook.com/?geo=USA&vid=Xnn9yAgu3aI#sthash.Q7247EvA.dpuf

s the successor to world renowned Evangelist Reinhard Bonnke, Daniel is the president and CEO of Christ for All Nations; a ministry which has conducted some of the largest evangelistic events in history, has published over 190 million books in 104 languages and has offices in 10 nations around the world. He also hosts an internationally syndicated television program. – See more at: http://livebeforeyoudiebook.com/?geo=USA&vid=Xnn9yAgu3aI#sthash.Q7247EvA.dpuf

Live Before You Die

http://livebeforeyoudiebook.com/?geo=USA&vid=Xnn9yAgu3aI

It’s important for you to find God’s will for your life!

If you’re a dryer…

Dry!!

If you’re a Christian…

Love, follow, serve!!!

If you’re a teacher…

Teach!

Whatever God’s called you to do…

Do it!

Be useful in God’s Kingdom!

And don’t just be satisfied with working…

Heat Up!!

With love and compassion for people!

My dryer worked…

It looked good…

But, it wasn’t heating up…

So it wasn’t effective…

It couldn’t serve it’s purpose…

To dry our clothes!

Don’t just be a Christian that looks good and sounds good…

But is ineffective!

James 2:26

“As the body without the spirit is dead,

so faith without deeds is dead.”

Be effective!

Be a Christian with power…

Not just a good picture of a Christian!

Resolve! Ha!

To “Be” more…

For Christ!

Nothing gets dried without the dryer’s heating element…

There’s no heat when a Christian is not led by the Spirit!

Jeremiah 29:11

“For I know the plans I have for you,”

declares the Lord,

“plans to prosper you and not to harm you,

plans to give you hope and a future.”

Find God’s plan for your life…

The Holy Spirit is our heating element…

Ask the Holy Spirit to fill you to overflowing…

Overflow!!!

Reveal the Holy Spirit to everyone!

Desire the best gifts from God!

And use them to further God’s Kingdom!

Don’t just sit there…

Heat up!!

Be a fire!

Be on fire for God!

Filled with the Holy Spirit and fire!!

Acts 2:1-4

“When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place.

Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven

and filled the whole house where they were sitting.

They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them.

All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues

as the Spirit enabled them.”

Each person is important…

Each church member…

Each disciple of Christ…

Must receive power…

To do God’s will!

A dryer…

Without the heating element…

Has no power to do the job…

A disciple without God’s Holy Spirit…

Has no power to do the job God wants us to do…

Advance His Kingdom!!

Amen!

Jan4

Ok, Please Shut The Refrigerator Door Up There!!

Posted on January 4, 2014 by sagescenery

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Your freezing cold temperatures are affecting our warmth!!

It’s a cold, windy 46 degrees here in FL right now…

Feels like 40…

The high today was 69…

We all have our winter coats, hats, and gloves on!!

Shut your refrigerator door up there…

You’re lettin’ out the cold!!

And it’s leaking down to us!

I know you don’t feel sorry for us!!

But I’m sending prayers of warmth for all of you!!

God must feel bad that we don’t get any snow…

So He made our clouds look like snow today!!

Such a nice backdrop for our Palm Trees!

And it looks like our Evergreens have a dusting of snowflakes!

He really knows how to put on a show, huh???

Psalm 19:1

“The Heavens declare the glory of God;

the skies proclaim the work of His hands.”

Dec18

Family Christmas Photos!!

Posted on December 18, 2013 by sagescenery

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Hey Everyone!

Merry Christmas!

Welcome to our home!!

We’ll be in Longboat Key at the beach for Christmas to relax…

It’s been a busy “work/school/drama team, etc.” year so far!!

Here are some photos of Casey as Santa in our Christmas drama on Sunday at our church!!

He’s not in the “Ho! Ho! Ho! Jolly Santa” character, yet!

Oh, that’s better!! Ha!

He had to learn the real meaning of Christmas…

Through the song…

“This Is Christmas”

By Kutless

What is Christmas?!?”

It’s all about a Savior wrapped in a manger!!

What is Christmas???

Without Christ??

Also, some photos of our Pre-Christmas Italian Dinner…

Hubby stirring the huge pot of sauce, meatballs, and boiled eggs I made!!

Yes, boiled eggs!

My Mom put everything in our sauce!!

Yum!!!

Dig in!!!

And…add lots of Parmesan/Romano Cheese!!!

Come on in and join us!!

Don’t forget the Crazy Siberian!!!!

Since we’ll be away on Christmas Day…

We opened presents early!!

When did sneakers become toys?!?!

Let’s read the Christmas story!!!

Luke 2

“…For unto you is born this day in the city of David

a Saviour,

which is Christ the Lord.

And this shall be a sign unto you;

Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

And suddenly there was with the angel

a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

“Glory to God in the highest,

and on earth Peace, Good Will toward men…

And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds…

And the shepherds returned, glorifying

and praising God

for all the things that they had heard and seen,

as it was told unto them….”

The doggie wants to hear, too!!!

Praying you and your family have a…

Very Blessed and Merry Christmas

And a…

Healthy and Happy New Year!!

Love! Love! Love!!

God Bless!!

From All Of Us!!

From Our House to Yours!

Love, Mom, Dad, Son, Dog, and Snake!!!

Amen!

Dec15

Christmas Time! Christmas Bells! Christmas Peace!

Posted on December 15, 2013 by sagescenery

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Ring Christmas Bells
Ring them loud with the message bringing
Peace on the earth
Tidings of good cheer
Come carolers
Come and join with the angels singing
Joy to the world
Christmas Time is here again

Children gather around and listen
You’ll hear the sound
Of angels filling the sky
Telling everyone
Christmas Time is here

Loved ones close to our hearts
And strangers in lands afar
Together share in the joy
Emmanuel
To tell the world
He has come to dwell
The time is near
With one voice
Let the world rejoice

Christmas Time is here

Children gather around and listen
You’ll hear the sound
Of angels filling the sky
It’s Christmas Time is here again

All the lights, sights, and sounds of Christmas Time…

Point to one thing…

That we should…

Rejoice!!

We’re celebrating the birth of our Savior!!

Matthew 1:22-23

“All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet:

“The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son,

and they will call him Immanuel”(which means “God with us”).

Amen!

Dec14

The Night Before Christmas…The World Didn’t Know!

Posted on December 14, 2013 by sagescenery

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“Redemption so sweet and so strong…

Salvation was writing a song…”

Empty manger, perfect stranger, about to be born.

Into darkness, sadness, desperate madness, creation so torn.

We were so lost on earth, no peace, no worth, no way to escape.

In fear, no faith, no hope, no grace, and no light

But that was the night before Christmas.

Warm hay, cold sweat, a mother, not yet.

Praying godspeed the dawn.

She looks to her man, holding her hand. They wonder how long.

And the shepherds, wise men come to find them, and bow to a king.

One star above shining on love, so bright, it lit up the night before Christmas.

And the world didn’t know mercy was meek and so mild.

And the world didn’t know that truth was as pure as a child.

The night before Christmas.

And the world didn’t know, redemption was sweet and so strong.

And the world didn’t know salvation was writing a song.

The night before Christmas.

Empty manger, perfect stranger, about to be born.

I wonder if you’ve heard the story
Of little fame and lesser glory
The night the keeper of the inn
In the little town of Bethlehem
Encountered Joseph and his Mary
About to birth the Savior of the world.

His wife said, “Go and see who’s knocking.”
He ran down to the gate, unlocked it
The moment he heard Mary’s cry
He couldn’t look them in the eye
Denied them in, went back to bed
When his wife asked who was there, he said…
“I don’t know… Just a girl
Just a couple of gypsies begging at the door
Told them we don’t have room for anymore
And closed the door
It was just a girl” He tried to sleep, but wasn’t able
He snuck out to the dirty stable
Where two had found the covering
And later in her suffering
The keeper knelt outside the barn
And in the light of that great star, he prayed
“What have I done? He’s just a babe
Just minutes old there trembling in the hay
I could’ve found a room for them to stay
I’m so ashamed
He’s just a babe.”

There was no robe
There was no crown
The shepherds stood on Royal ground
The keeper wept, for what he’d done
He turned away, God’s own Son

Just a King
Just a million angels crowding in to see
Jesus there among humanity

Just a babe
Just minutes old there trembling in the hay
Staring at His mother in the face
She’s just a girl

Just a girl
Does she even know that she just changed the world?
Does she even know that He will save the world?
Does Mary know that He will save the world?
She’s just a girl
Just a girl
Just a girl

If you told me all about your sorrows

I’d tell you about a cure

If you told me you can’t fight the battle

There’s a Baby Boy who won the war

The war was won by a Baby Boy

Alleluia, we can sing it

Alleluia, Heaven’s ringing

Alleluia!

Endless hope and relentless joy started with a Baby Boy

Oh, before that silent night

No Savior and no Jesus Christ

The world cried out so desperately

And the Baby Boy was the reply,

Yes, Heaven’s reply was a baby boy

Alleluia, we can sing it

Alleluia, Heaven’s ringing

Alleluia!

Endless hope and endless joy started with a Baby Boy

See, the King is coming down

And He’s here without a crown

The Baby Boy without a bed

Giving life back to the dead

And hear the angels shout it out

As the people are coming down

Unexpected majesty

Alleluia, what a King

Alleluia, we can sing it

Alleluia, Heaven’s ringing

Alleluia!

Endless hope and relentless joy started with a Baby Boy

Alleluia, we can sing it!

Alleluia, yeah, Heaven’s ringing!

Alleluia!

Endless hope and relentless joy started with a Baby Boy!

He’s knocking…

Make room for Him, now…

In your heart…

Don’t turn away God’s own Son…

This Christmas!

Dec12

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

Posted on December 12, 2013 by sagescenery

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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!