Tag Archives: ministering

Feb16

Reinhard Bonnke, “America Shall Be Saved!!”

Posted on February 16, 2014 by sagescenery

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/

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.

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

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.”

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

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

“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.”

“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!”

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.

“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/

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

“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

“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.”

“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.”

“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.”

“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!

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!

Dec4

Here’s Looking At You, “Kidd!” – In Memory Of Justin Kidd…

Posted on December 4, 2013 by sagescenery

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I sat outside on my lanai…

With my cup of coffee on a bright sunny day last week…

Reading through some old Pentecostal Evangel magazines…

I have ready outside for just such an opportunity to sit and relax!

I came across an article about “Dave and Robin Kidd, who pastor True North Church (Assemblies of God) in Minerva, Ohio, and offer marriage seminars through their Binding Hearts Marriage and Family Ministries. The Kidd family suffered the destruction of their home to a fire on the night of April 27, 2013. Their son, Justin, 20, was unable to get out of his basement bedroom, and perished in the fire. The Kidds have continued in ministry during the months following Justin’s death, and reflect this Thanksgiving on the blessing of his life.”

To read the entire interview with

Scott Harrup, Pentecostal Evangel managing editor…

Go to:

http://www.pe.ag.org/archives/connections.cfm

Oh, my heart broke for them…

I have a 23 year-old son…

I can’t even begin to imagine such a thing…

I prayed, Lord, please comfort them…

Then, I noticed that his parents mentioned…

He had a blog on WordPress…

And that it was very popular with his youth group…

As I read his posts…

I, first of all, felt the love he had as a youth pastor…

And I was so amazed at the spiritual maturity of this 20 year-old!

(Please check out his entire blog and pray for his family)

http://justinkidder.wordpress.com/

For instance…

I reblogged an awesome post by Reality of Christ last June…

Debunking the lie that God won’t give us more than we can handle!

https://godssceneryandpromises.wordpress.com/2013/06/26/debunked-god-wont-give-us-more-than-we-can-handle/?preview=true&preview_id=7942&preview_nonce=2bf23c0624&post_format=standard

And Justin had posted the same topic to his youth group!

It caught my attention, because…

I had just counseled one of our young adults on the same subject!

God gives us more than we can handle…

God asks us to do difficult things…

But, we aren’t expected to do them alone…

We’re expected to depend on Him and not on our own understanding!!

Here’s

Justin’s Post of Apr. 18, 2013

Can You Handle?

One of the most common things you will hear people say is simply this: “God Will Not Give You More Than You Can Handle.” Seriously…I have lost count of how many times I have heard this said. Not only have I heard it numerous times, I am also guilty of saying this myself over the years…But here is the thing..It actually is another one of the lies that we buy..Before I started studying the word of god, and actually getting to know him better over the last year I have learned that this is actually in fact false.

This Statement, is actually misquoted scripture coming from 1 Corinthians 10:13 which says simply this:

“No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be TEMPTED beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”

Saying that God will not give you more than you can handle, and saying he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear, IS NOT THE SAME! Temptation is not circumstances..they are separate. You will be tempted and Tested in life, but as it says with the temptation will come a way out so you can endure the temptation, but he didn’t say he wouldn’t give us problems we couldn’t handle. This is why so many people misquote this scripture.

I in fact now believe the opposite. God does in fact give us more than we can handle. This is for the sole purpose of our need for his divine intervention. We alone can not handle..but with his help we can. That is why he allows test/trials.

Yes the saying God won’t give you more than you can handle sounds good..but here is the catch…just because something sounds good…doesn’t mean its true or biblical. There are plenty of things out there in the world that people will tell you that sounds great, but as I said, that doesn’t mean it is true.

So what is my challenge to my readers this week?

Before believing anything you hear, go to gods word first. As I already said, just because it sounds good, that doesn’t mean it is true. CHECK IT!

This is a new thing that is new to my youth, since this is what I preached last night, but I have been doubting myself and this message since last night, and just now my Aunt turned on a movie, and it just had a scene that I caught and in the scene this message was just taught by the pastor in the movie, so to me this was a confirmation that this is what was to be shared. And for that I thank god for. I needed that myself.

I just loved his passion for God…

For God’s Word…

And for the youth he worked with!

Here’s another one of his posts…

Perfectly Broken

An excerpt from Justin’s post on March 28th, 2013:

1.) If we think we are perfect, we simply are not real and we are empty.

2.) We are perfect at one thing…..being broken!

3.) We are imperfect and broken people being brought back together by the Perfect God!

4.) The sooner we stop trying to achieve the perfect life, the sooner we can start focusing on things that matter more, and do greater and better things!

Rest in God’s Peace, Justin…

You truly left a legacy of trust in God’s Word!

Amen!

Sep29

The Fields Are White…

Posted on September 29, 2013 by sagescenery

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What a breathtaking view from where I’m sitting!

Matthew 13:38

“The field is the world,

and the good seed stands for the people of the kingdom.

The weeds are the people of the evil one,”

Let me get a closer look!!

John 4:35

“Say not ye,

There are yet four months,

and then cometh harvest?

behold, I say unto you,

Lift up your eyes,

and look on the fields;

for they are white already to harvest.”

Luke 10:2

“He told them,

‘The harvest is plentiful,

but the workers are few.

Ask the Lord of the harvest,

therefore,

to send out workers into His harvest field.'”

The fields are white!!!

John 4:36-38

“Even now the one who reaps

draws a wage

and harvests a crop for eternal life,

so that the sower and the reaper

may be glad together.

Thus the saying

‘One sows and another reaps’

is true.

I sent you to reap what you have not worked for.

Others have done the hard work,

and you have reaped the benefits of their labor.”

Lord, let me see what You see in the fields of the world!

Let me be as hungry as birds after a rainfall!

To see Your Kingdom come!

Exodus 23:16

“Celebrate the Festival of Harvest

with the first fruits of the crops

you sow in your field.

Celebrate the Festival of Ingathering

at the end of the year,

when you gather in your crops from the field.”

Psalm 126:6

“Those who go out weeping,

carrying seed to sow,

will return with songs of joy,

carrying sheaves with them.”

John 12:32

“And I,

when I am lifted up

from the earth,

will draw all people to myself.”

Amen!

Sep19

Need A Revelation? Sing A New Song!

Posted on September 19, 2013 by sagescenery

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Worthy is the, Lamb who was slain
Holy, Holy, is He
Sing a new song, to Him who sits on
Heaven’s mercy seat

Holy, Holy, Holy
Is the Lord God Almighty
Who was, and is, and is to come
With all creation I sing
Praise to the King of Kings
You are my everything
And I will adore You

Clothed in rainbows, of living color
Flashes of lightning, rolls of thunder
Blessing and honor, strength and glory and power be
to You the only wise King

Filled with wonder, awestruck wonder
At the mention of Your Name
Jesus Your Name is power
Breath, and living water
Such a marvelous mystery

2 Corinthians 5:21

“God made Him

who had no sin

to be sin for us,

so that in Him

we might become

the righteousness of God.”

Revelation 4:8

“Each of the four living creatures

had six wings

and was covered with eyes all around,

even under his wings.

Day and night they never stop saying:

‘Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty,

who was,

and is,

and is to come.'”

Revelation 22:1-21

Eden Restored

“Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life,

as clear as crystal,

flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb

down the middle of the great street of the city.

On each side of the river stood the tree of life,

bearing twelve crops of fruit,

yielding its fruit every month.

And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.

No longer will there be any curse.

The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city,

and his servants will serve Him.

They will see His face,

and His name will be on their foreheads.

There will be no more night.

They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun,

for the Lord God will give them light.

And they will reign for ever and ever.”

John and the Angel

“The angel said to me,

‘These words are trustworthy and true.

The Lord, the God who inspires the prophets,

sent His angel to show His servants

the things that must soon take place.’

‘Look, I am coming soon!

Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy written in this scroll.’

I, John,

am the one who heard and saw these things.

And when I had heard and seen them,

I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel

who had been showing them to me.

But he said to me,

‘Don’t do that!

I am a fellow servant with you

and with your fellow prophets

and with all who keep the words of this scroll.

Worship God!’

Then he told me,

‘Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this scroll,

because the time is near.

Let the one who does wrong continue to do wrong;

let the vile person continue to be vile;

let the one who does right continue to do right;

and let the holy person continue to be holy.’

Epilogue: Invitation and Warning

‘Look, I am coming soon!

My reward is with Me,

and I will give to each person

according to what they have done.

I am the Alpha and the Omega,

the First and the Last,

the Beginning and the End.

Blessed are those who wash their robes,

that they may have the right to the tree of life

and may go through the gates into the city.

Outside are the dogs,

those who practice magic arts,

the sexually immoral,

the murderers,

the idolaters

and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.

I, Jesus,

have sent My angel to give you this testimony for the churches.

I Am the Root

and the Offspring of David,

and the bright Morning Star.”

The Spirit and the bride say,

‘Come!’

And let the one who hears say,

‘Come!’

Let the one who is thirsty come;

and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life.

I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this scroll:

If anyone adds anything to them,

God will add to that person the plagues described in this scroll.

And if anyone takes words away from this scroll of prophecy,

God will take away from that person

any share in the tree of life

and in the Holy City,

which are described in this scroll.

He who testifies to these things says,

‘Yes, I Am coming soon.

Amen.

Come, Lord Jesus.

The grace of the Lord Jesus

be with God’s people.

Amen.'”

Aug21

“Some Fell On Rocky Places…”

Posted on August 21, 2013 by sagescenery

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(All the photos on this post were taken by my sister, Tina!)

Matthew 13:5-6

“Some (seed) fell on rocky places,

where it did not have much soil.

It sprang up quickly,

because the soil was shallow.

But when the sun came up,

the plants were scorched,

and they withered because they had no root.”

Matthew 13:13-17

“Though seeing, they do not see;

though hearing,

they do not hear or understand.

In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah:

‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding;    
you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.

For this people’s heart has become calloused;   
they hardly hear with their ears,   
and they have closed their eyes.

Otherwise they might see with their eyes,    
hear with their ears,    
understand with their hearts
and turn, 
and I would heal them.’

But blessed are your eyes because they see,

and your ears because they hear.

For truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous people

longed to see what you see

but did not see it,

and to hear what you hear

but did not hear it.”

Matthew 13:18-23

“Listen then to what the parable of the sower means:

When anyone hears the message about the Kingdom

and does not understand it,

the evil one comes and snatches away what

was sown in their heart.

This is the seed sown along the path.

The seed falling on rocky ground

refers to someone who hears the Word

and at once receives it with joy.

But since they have no root,

they last only a short time.

When trouble or persecution

comes because of the Word,

they quickly fall away.

The seed falling among the thorns

refers to someone who hears the Word,

but the worries of this life

and the deceitfulness of wealth

choke the Word,

making it unfruitful.

But the seed falling on good soil

refers to someone who hears the Word

and understands it.

This is the one who produces a crop,

yielding a hundred,

sixty

or thirty times what was sown.”

Don’t let your heart become calloused!

Open your eyes to

See...

Open your ears to…

Hear the Word…

Open your heart to…

Understand the Word…

Turn to the Lord…

He will Heal…

So you can be Fruitful

and…

Produce a Crop!!

Amen!

Aug5

My Savior!! Loves! Lives! My God!! He Was! He Is!

Posted on August 5, 2013 by sagescenery

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We’re not skilled to understand…

God’s will and His plan…

Only know at His right hand…

Stands the One who is your Savior!!

Take Him at His word and deed…

Christ died to save you, you can read…

In your heart there is a need…

For Him to be your Savior!!

He left His place on high…

To die for sinful man…

Seemed strange…

Before I knew my Savior

My Savior Loves!

My Savior Lives!

My Savior’s always there for me!

My God He Was!

My God He Is!

My God He’s always gonna be!

He who lives to be my King…

Once died to be my Savior!!

Zephaniah 3:17

“For the Lord your God is living among you.

He is a mighty Savior.

He will take delight in you with gladness.

With His love, He will calm all your fears.

He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.”

Romans 8:29-30

“For God knew His people in advance,

and He chose them to become like His Son,

so that His Son would be the firstborn

among many brothers and sisters.

And having chosen them,

He called them to come to Him.

And having called them,

He gave them right standing with Himself.

And having given them right standing,

He gave them His glory.”

Romans 8:38-39

“For I am convinced

that neither death nor life,

neither angels nor demons,

neither the present nor the future,

nor any powers,

neither height nor depth,

nor anything else in all creation,

will be able to separate us

from the love of God

that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Jesus is our Savior.

Nothing can separate us from His great work on the Cross…

From His love!

That truth…

That promise…

Is at the core of who we are as Christians!!

Savior…

Thank You for Your Abundant Love…

Displayed through Your Sacrificial Life…

So the God Who Was…

Is Now Our God Who Is!

Jeremiah 32:17

“Ah, Sovereign Lord,

You have made the Heavens and the earth

by your great power

and outstretched arm.

Nothing is too hard for You.”

Romans 4:21

“He was fully convinced that

God is able to do whatever He promises.”

Amen!!!

Jul31

Teachers…Parents Are Sending You The Best That They Have!!!

Posted on July 31, 2013 by sagescenery

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Give Them The Best You Have!!

A Back-To-School Lesson!

Romans 12:7

“If your gift is serving others,

serve them well.

If you are a teacher,

teach well.”

Titus 2:7-8

“In everything

set them an example by doing what is good.

In your teaching show integrity, seriousness

and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned,

so that those who oppose you

may be ashamed

because they have nothing bad to say about us.”

For additional verses about teachers, go to:

http://www.prayers-for-special-help.com/bible-verses-about-teachers.html

Where according to:

Prayers for Special Help,

“These Bible verses about teachers enlighten us

first on the exceptional responsibility that one has while teaching.

Due to the impact a teacher has on a student,

one quote warns us that teachers will be judged

with a greater strictness than others.

Jesus is often called a teacher

and he himself confirmed that he was one;

the apostles were also teachers.

The teaching passages above

also insist that the ability to teach is a gift

in which the teacher serves others

and leads by example

with the objective to make the students

as wise as the teacher.

It is the teacher’s task to study,

handle the truth correctly,

and teach accurate information

while treating the pupil with respect.

These quotes identify integrity,

dignity,

faithfulness,

and lack of hypocrisy

as traits that the teacher should possess.

Overall, the teacher is warned about too much study

that does not focus on the fear of God

and living a godly life.”

Humbling stuff, huh???

James 1:5

“If any of you lacks wisdom,

you should ask God,

who gives generously to all without finding fault,

and it will be given to you.”

Proverbs 22:6

“Train up a child in the way he should go:

and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”

Luke 12:12

“…for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time

what you should say.”

2 Timothy 3:14-17

“But as for you,

continue in what you have learned

and have become convinced of,

because you know those from whom you learned it,

and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures,

which are able to make you wise for salvation

through faith in Christ Jesus.

All Scripture is God-breathed

and is useful for

teaching,

rebuking,

correcting

and training in righteousness,

so that the servant of God

may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

Deuteronomy 11:18-21

“Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds;

tie them as symbols on your hands

and bind them on your foreheads.

Teach them to your children,

talking about them when you sit at home

and when you walk along the road,

when you lie down

and when you get up.

Write them on the door frames of your houses

and on your gates,

so that your days

and the days of your children

may be many in the land the Lord

swore to give your ancestors,

as many as the days

that the heavens are above the earth.”

Lord,

Teachers are going Back-To-School now!

We need Your help!!

Please help us to show Your love!

Even when our days are chaotic!

Especially, when our days are chaotic!!!

Amen!!

Jul27

Light Pushes Back Darkness!!

Posted on July 27, 2013 by sagescenery

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Josh Wilson’s story behind…

“Pushing Back the Dark”

http://www.joshwilsonmusic.com/posts/07-18-13/story-behind-pushing-back-dark

“I was in seventh grade.

It was five minutes until our Wednesday night youth service,

and I was hiding,

sitting on the cold tile of a bathroom in a dark corner of our church.

They were about to start the worship music,

and I was supposed to be playing guitar.

I told them I was sick and couldn’t go.

I wasn’t sick. I was scared.

I was scared of what everyone else might think of me.

What if I messed up?

What if I failed miserably?

God had given me a talent and passion for music,

but I was afraid to use it.

To this day, the darkness of doubt pushes me to avoid my calling.

Last year, as I was working on this album (Carry Me),

that darkness became tangible

as I began to struggle with anxiety and panic attacks.

At one point, I thought I might have to quit music altogether.

But God promises to never leave or forsake us,

and He kept that promise.

As he carried me through the rest of the record,

I realized that there will always be darkness pushing me to hide.

At some point, though, every Christ-follower

has to realize that we carry a sacred,

burning light that is infinitely more powerful than the lies of the enemy.

Your light might seem small,

but even the smallest act of love can illuminate the shadows.

To every single mother,

every missionary,

every doctor

and poet,

every seventh grader who is scared to sing in youth group,

every truck driver,

politician,

and school teacher,

anyone who is rich,

poor,

young

or old:

someone else desperately needs the light you carry.

I think it’s time that we each take that light

and start pushing back the dark.

Ultimately, this difficult season has caused me

to rely on God’s strength

to carry me through each day.

I’ve been praying more often and more earnestly,

and I’m thankful that coming to the end of myself

has brought me so close to a

Father and Savior

who loves me and will never leave me.”

Oh, yes, this is so true!!

There are a million reasons not to try!!

When you’re just one candle in the dark…

Where the shadows are scary…

Thinking you don’t have what it takes!!

Do you dare to try to make a change?

Never underestimate the God you follow!

Don’t look back…

Somebody needs the light you have!

Don’t lose heart…

Keep on pushing back the dark!!

Be a shining city on a hill…

Every sinner saved by grace…

Has a purpose and a place!

Sometimes we don’t understand the bigger plan!

Just keep walking on…

To see His Kingdom come!

Let your lights all shine…

He’s the Light that burns inside your soul…

You’ve got keep shining for the whole world to know…

Even when you feel like you’re too small…

We all need to shine…

Like sunrise through the window…

A symphony crescendo…

Wake up…

Rise from the dead…

Shine like stars…

Pushing back the dark!!

With your lights!

Push back the darkness at every step…

Light pushes back darkness!!

Amen!!

1 John 1:5

“This is the message we have heard from Him

and declare to you:

God is light;

in Him there is no darkness at all.”

Jul18

Nicaragua

Posted on July 18, 2013 by sagescenery

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Our friends from church,

Mike and Janene Harper and their family (Brittany, Bethany, and Nataley)

are in Nicaragua working with

YWAM (Youth With A Mission)

http://www.ywam.org/

for about 10 days.

Many in our church family have helped sponsor and support them

on their last couple of trips.

Our Pastor shared last Sunday

about being the “Salt & Light” of the World…

Now they’re sharing the Light of Christ in Nicaragua.

He asked for prayer for them and the team that is there,

along with the country they’re serving…

Prayer for their safety,

for the people there who do not know Jesus,

and that lives will be forever changed!

Here’s the latest update from the Harper’s

and it’s truly amazing to read.

“Boy, are we beat!

We spent yesterday in the town of Masatepe learning the town.

We began prayer-walks all over the city that we’ll distribute Bibles in.

They’re hard covered whole Bibles,

and the people are so excited we’re coming.

The churches were asked to respond, if they wanted to help.

Over 35 churches and 180 people responded!

Amazing!

Today our 4 teams of 12 will start distribution.

My team will be at the construction site

and at the YWAM base, building a home,

and working on updating the base.

This town is Dirambe.

It’s a very poor area,

where the base started its vision in 1996

of getting a Bible into the hands of every Nicaraguan family by 2020.

This first city reached, has seen dramatic changes in crime and violence.

They have become a city with Hope!

They love Jesus!

And now reach other cities!

I can’t wait to visit this city again.

Kelly, the director, should be there today.

He has been a missionary in Nicaragua

through YWAM for a long time.

We’ve worked with him before,

so it’s nice to know a face there.

The YWAM school we are considering is his school.

It’s a bilingual school.

My husband, Mike, preached last night

for about half an hour

on the importance of relationship with Christ,

and allowing that overflow to pour out to others.

The Nicas “Amend-ed” and agreed!

He had a translator, who is our team leader.

She’s from Spain.

Her name is Gail.

They worked great together.

The church was an Assembly of God.

It was a whopping 1 1/2 hour worship time.

Wow!

We sang,

‘Open The Eyes Of My Heart, Lord’

in English and Spanish

Wow!

How it pleases God’s heart to hear our worship!!

We’re all still well, so far.

We’ve eaten many foods and styles of foods.

It was hard on the tummy at first,

but it’s getting better.

We’ve had an amazing several days.

God’s given the girls great boldness in witnessing.

We’ve been distributing Bibles with churches.

My team has 2 precious Nica ladies.

They helped me lead a family

to Jesus, who

they had never even heard of.

I got to tell them the whole story.

They cried,

and were excited to give their lives to Christ.

When we left,

we saw them reading the Bible already.

Amazing!

Their names were taken down by the local church,

who saw many families already added to their numbers.

The church had new people show up for the Wednesday service to hear more.

The Pastor could not stop thanking us,

and the people in America who sent us.

It put feet to the ministry God started for him.

Some locals and our team ministered at the dump with about 100 children.

I met Eduardo (an 8-year-old boy) there,

and again God allowed my heart to break.

Oh, my heart!

We fed them and played with them.

It was such a day!

I so could have packed him up and kept him.

I could have kept all of them!

Today was distribution and school ministry.

The Principal allowed us to minister to 250-300 kids.

This was a public school!

It was unheard of before.

We went from class to class with the Gospel.

Only God allowed such favor!

We talked to the children about how the world labels us,

and how Jesus cuts those labels off,

and calls us His children!

Each of us spoke.

Brittany gave the Gospel to high schoolers.

What boldness!

Please keep praying.

When I felt very low and overtired,

I prayed,

and God revealed to me

that there are so many lifting us to the Father

right at that moment!

I so needed that.

Thank you for agreeing to do that for us.

We love you

and thank you all for believing in this mission.

Live from Nicaragua (Tuesday PM)

“Today was a very long day for us,

but we saw God do great things.

We had the privilege of teaming up with several local churches

to hand out Bibles door to door.

We told many people the Gospel,

encouraged them to read their shiny, new Bibles,

and laid hands on the sick.

Many gave their lives to God!

In spite of our poor attempts at the Spanish language,

God still used us to do great things!

Later in the day,

we went to one of the city dumps,

where many families live by digging through the garbage for their food and belongings.

One person said it well,

‘It was hard for us to take, but it was well received by them.’

We fed them,

demonstrated God’s love for them,

and made them feel important.

Here, many consider them ‘garbage.’

Yesterday, we helped build a house for a needy family,

did some much needed painting at the YWAM base here in Nicaragua,

and did street ministry.

We are definitely not sitting around wasting time

and, as you can see, neither is God!!

He is answering your prayers,

working in our hearts

and moving in Nicaragua!

He is a great God to say the least!!

Love, Janene and familia”

Please pray for our friends…

For the children and people of Nicaragua…

That Jesus would become real to them!!

Isaiah 52:7

“How beautiful on the mountains

are the feet of those who bring good news,

who proclaim peace,

who bring good tidings,

who proclaim salvation,

who say to Zion,

‘Your God reigns!'”

Amen!