And I say again: "Jesus Christ isn't a personal genie. He is the Savior. He died in agony to satisfy the wrath of a holy God and to forgive the sins of humankind... The truth about Christianity is that the cost is high, but the rewards are priceless; abundant and eternal life that comes only from faithfully following Christ."
04.14.05
I am so full of grace. I have so much that I don't deserve. I have so much to be thankful for.... But how long will the sins of my past come back to haunt me? How long will I be suffering from the consequences of my past mistakes, foolishness, and stupidity? How long will I continue to hurt people who don't deserve to be hurt? How many more times must I fail.... So much on my mind right now. I need to get away. And a getaway I'll get. Meet with us this week Lord. I'm desperate for You.
[[edit:]]
.......inspiration: "Something the Lord Made" ...thank You Lord, for letting me watch this movie....
Uncategorized
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when God is killing your flesh, it will hurt. flesh ripping off does hurt. but in your obedience to God, He renews your body, in the likeness of His Son, Jesus Christ. the peace, joy, and blessings that come with being a slave to righteousness, and not to sin, is beyond what you can possibly imagine, if them chains are still holding you down.
The Landmine of Covetousness Ephesians 5:1-5
One of the best-concealed landmines in the life of a believer is covetousness. We tend to think the term simply describes a desire for an item belonging to another person, but it goes deeper than that. Covetousness is an intense yearning for something we do not have coupled with the belief that we will not be happy or satisfied until we get it.
If we are driven by an insatiable longing that distracts us from our relationship with God, then we are in danger—such intense craving is really a form of idolatry. Our preoccupation with satisfying the desire translates into our placing higher priority on the object than on God. That is the very nature of idol worship.
We all have desires of the heart, many of which are planted by God Himself; longings within the framework of His will are acceptable. There is nothing in the Scriptures that says it is wrong to want a nice house or a reliable car. God has a purpose, plan, and time worked out to meet our needs and supply legitimate wants. However, whenever we choose to fulfill a God-given desire in a way that is not in keeping with His will, we are guilty of covetousness.
The reason covetousness is so damaging is that it has no end. When we achieve one goal that we thought would satisfy, we discover that we are still not content. So we look to something else that we think will bring satisfaction. But nothing can bring peace and genuine contentment to our heart except a relationship with Jesus Christ. -Dr. Charles Stanley
2 Corinthians 10
3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: 4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds
5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; 6 And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.
i dunno 'bout u, but im sick n tired of givin' the devil any sort of satisfaction on my life. and so i say again: i'm comin' at depression, despair, fear, worry, guilt, sin, disobedience, and the devil with a vengeance!! because "vengeance is Mine," saith the Lord God of hosts! and if God be for me, who in the world can be against me?! make me strong Lord Jesus.
honestly, the things we go through, and will go through, as Christians, will physically tear us apart, and potentially destroy us. we can only endure in righteousness and in Christ. but i mean think about eternity. now put things in perspective. will the suffering you and i go through, say, in the worst case scenario, for the rest of our lives, even compare to the glory that awaits us for eternity??! no, i don't think so: Romans 8:18. so think about those people who reject Christ, because being a Christian is too hard (which it can be). think about the people who reject Christ and want to do their own thing, or those who live glamorous, easy, and care-free lives, who can get anything in the world (key word: world) that they wanted. do you think all that will matter when they die? do you think their earthly satisfaction will even compare to an eternity in.... well, the-opposite-of-heaven??! i don't think so....
the mockers can mock, and the scoffers can scoff... but hell will still be there. eternity will always exist. GOD will always rule. GOD will always win (you can't play games with God). the spiritual realm will still exist. and the honor and joy of living eternity in the presence of God will always be your final destination, or simply a place you missed by 1 foot, because you knew about Him in your head, but you chose not to know Him in your heart.
to mah fellow brothers and sisters, with whatever ure goin' thru, let this reminder of our future in Christ bring you hope and encouragement, and know that He will reward every single moment of obedience to Him (even moments that you think don't matter):
Revelation 21
3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. 4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. 5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. 6 And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. 7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. 8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
Revelation 22
1 And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. 2 In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. 3 And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: 4 And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads. 5 And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever. 6 And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to shew unto his servants the things which must shortly be done. 7 Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book. 8 And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things. 9 Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God. 10 And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand. 11 He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still. 12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. 13 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. 14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. 15 For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie. 16 I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star. 17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. 18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: 19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. 20 He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. 21 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
Revelation 21:27 27 And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.
i kno ure prolly thinkin': "dag, that's a lotta Scripture right there. and Revelation is real serious." but wordup, even tho the book of Revelation is thought to be one of the more "confusing" books that people tend to stay away from, and is furthermore thought of as scary or even fairytale, the fact is it's all truth. and beyond what the world says about it, i find it to be a beautiful book, of insight and fair warning, of amazing prophesy, as well as a true testament of God's love for us.
thought2ponderOn: "You no doubt have access to a Bible within your reach right now. Hold it, if you can, and think of those who have lived and died to get it into your hands. Think of the treasure that it is—from God to you." -
the secret to being content with your life: see grace in everything that happens to you
If you’ve ever wondered how far God would go to show His love, look in the mirror and wonder no more. We need not look any further than ourselves to find the most shocking and amazing displays of God’s grace. If we think otherwise, it is only because we have not seen ourselves as we truly are.
It has been said and sung many times: “There but for the grace of God go I.” At first this sounds grateful, but such sentiment masks a dangerous pride. It is actually not unlike the statement of a religious leader in Jesus’ day as he looked upon a sinner on his knees who was crying out for God’s mercy. “I thank you, God,” said the Pharisee, “that I am not a sinner like everyone else, especially like that tax collector over there” (Luke 18:11 NLT)! It is a view that focuses on someone else’s misfortune. Someone else is worse than I am. Much better to be thinking and praying, “Here, because of the grace of God, and for no other reason, am I.” I am the only person I truly know about when it comes to sin. I am the authority on the subject.
The Pharisee hasn’t a clue about the sinner—who he is or what he has done. He has no point of reference to judge the man’s life but from his own inflated view of himself. If he had even the slightest clue about his own sin, he would realize he doesn’t have any business making the assumption that the sinner is any worse than he is. The only prayer any of us can pray on the subject of sin is: “Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner.” This is the one prayer that sends heaven scurrying.
It is best to steer completely clear of the comparison game. Any attempt to better ourselves at the mercy of someone else’s failure will always bring a twisted view of us and others.
The immensity of God’s mercy is not displayed in what He did for the world, or for someone else. It is not displayed in someone else’s story about how low they were before Christ picked them up (of course, never as low as we would ever go—heaven forbid!). Nor is it discovered through some theological understanding or study of the many nuances of His grace. No, the immensity of God’s mercy is revealed finally—and only—in the incredible realization that, lo and behold, it found out the worst of the lot. God’s mercy looked down from heaven and found out me! -John Fischer
.::I love this picture, because there's so much of God's beauty in it::. 
Tomorrow morning if you wake up, and the sun does not appear
I... I will be here
If in the dark we lose sight of love, hold my hand and have no fear
'Cause I... I will be here
I will be here, when you feel like being quiet
When you need to speak your mind, I will listen
And I will be here, when the laughter turns to crying
Through the winning and losing and trying
We'll be together, 'cause I will be here
Tomorrow morning if you wake up, and the future is unclear
I... I'll be here
As sure as seasons are made for change, our lifetimes are made for years
I... I will be here
I will be here, you can cry on my shoulder
When the mirror tells us we're older, I will hold you
And I will be here, to watch you grow in beauty
And tell you all the things you are to me
I will be here
.::Here's my baby and me sportin' green for the CCF Teahouse event::.
[[R.E.S.E.T. is Ministry]]
BBoy LayZ xFx: yeah its been rough
ROxRedeemed: i cant even begin to imagine.. uve been thru a lot for ure age
BBoy LayZ xFx: but im living
BBoy LayZ xFx: God blessed me to make it through
ROxRedeemed: AMEN...
....
ROxRedeemed: im going thru something kinda but not kind of similar to what ure going thru
....
ROxRedeemed: my father wanted to fight me... but i backed down because my mother was there
ROxRedeemed: i have to constantly hear from them about how disappointed they are in me.. and
ROxRedeemed: they make me feel like im worthless, useless, such a sinner, a rebellious child, that i dont love them.. they put so much pressure on me
ROxRedeemed: not too long ago.. i lost 10 pounds again in 2 weeks because of depression
ROxRedeemed: my father gave me an ultimatum
ROxRedeemed: to choose them or her.. and i chose her.. and they basically kicked me out of the house.. they told me they would stop supporting me
ROxRedeemed: in every way.. n when would i leave the house.. etc [[that didn't go thru, me getting kicked out, because i still go home once in a while; my parents were just bluffing me, trying to scare me, and really desperate]]
ROxRedeemed: it was really bad.
ROxRedeemed: but...
BBoy LayZ xFx: mhm
ROxRedeemed: God has been faithful.. and while the issues are not resolved.. its kinda like ure situation.. we are talking.. but it hurts
ROxRedeemed: u kno?
BBoy LayZ xFx: yeah
ROxRedeemed: but u know what ive learned.. ive learned that...
ROxRedeemed: u got to pray that God will work in you so that you can deal with the situation in the best way possible.. meaning.. for me: i had to pray that God would take away my anger.. that He would take away all hate and bitterness inside of me.. in the beginning.. i yelled back.. i gave attitude bak... but..
ROxRedeemed: i saw that it didnt help the situation.. it only made it worse.. and bro.. if u knew how i get when i am angry... i am told that i have this look.. in my eyes.. i yell... i USED TO curse.. and i USED to hit things like the wall and throw things.. and just create havok
ROxRedeemed: key word is USED TO.. because...
ROxRedeemed: amazingly enough.. God has been working in my life.. and has cured me of my anger problem.. then i came to another stage. in my life.. and that is....
ROxRedeemed: i knew God was speaking to me.. and i prayed for HUMILITY and MEEKNESS... at first, my girlfriend could not understand.. she thought i was letting people like my parents walk all over me.. but its not about that.. its about...
ROxRedeemed: conducting ureself in the way Jesus would deal with the situation.. its about LOVING the other person so much, that ure willing to swallow ure pride, ure willing to hold ureself back, for the good of that person...
BBoy LayZ xFx: mhm
ROxRedeemed: if u think about Jesus... He came unto His own, and His own knew Him not.. He KNOWS what ure goin thru derek
ROxRedeemed: He KNOWS how it feels
ROxRedeemed: and i mean... i kno that when it gets physicall and there is abuse.. its a different story... but.....
ROxRedeemed: as u are in ure situation... and while u are still semi-able to deal with it... pray for meekness humility WISDOM and DISCERNMENT.. because
ROxRedeemed: i truly believe.. that... one of the MOST effective ways for God to change the heart of ure mother..
ROxRedeemed: is if she sees CHRIST in you
ROxRedeemed: thats what it comes down to... and ure suffering is seen by the ONE who sees all
ROxRedeemed: and ure suffering is not in vain..
ROxRedeemed: Romans 8:18.. ure suffering is nothing compared to the glory that God has planned for u
ROxRedeemed: He will give u His strength to endure.. and His wisdom so u can kno what to do next... dont ever stop praying... and believing and hoping
ROxRedeemed: dont lose ure faith.. stay in HIM and bro man.. u will be alright.. i dont doubt it
ROxRedeemed: all the mountains we face are only meant to draw us closer to HIM
BBoy LayZ xFx: amen
ROxRedeemed:
BBoy LayZ xFx: bro
ROxRedeemed: whussup..
BBoy LayZ xFx: the things u remind me of
BBoy LayZ xFx: and tell me of
BBoy LayZ xFx: are always inspirations
BBoy LayZ xFx: thanx
BBoy LayZ xFx: a lot
ROxRedeemed: glory to God ...anything good from me is not from me at all, but from the One who speaks to you through me.... and u are very welcome.. dont forget that u got me, and other people down in jersey PRAYING FOR U!
ROxRedeemed: and ure family..... God is doin' sumthing right now.. u dont see it yet.. but one day u will
BBoy LayZ xFx:
....
But yeah, I just wanted to say to my Moshn headz: Thank you again for all the love and support you have all shown me, Alana, R.E.S.E.T., and everything else that I do or am involved in. Even though I don't get to see you guys all that often anymore, I will always love my Moshn fam. God bless ya'll*
lol. Even though I'm not able to be there anymore for pre-performance prayer, don't you guys ever stop finding purpose, inspiration, and strength from Almighty God*
-
On my way back to Jersey City, there was a semi-old Hispanic man who started preaching the Word of God as soon as the train left its first stop. Throughout the whole ride he proclaimed His Savior, and no, it wasn't in a screaming and condemning way, it was in the purest form of humility. He was loud, but softspoken, as his words just overtook the entire section of the train I was in. As he spoke, I saw people laughing. I saw people smirking or making weird looks at each other. I heart some guy tell his friend that, "Yo man, this guy's got some serious problems." But none of that crap phased him, and he was steadfast in the message, and spoke of God in a way that the simplest person could understand, but with such profoundness and deepness that I know there were people in there who were convicted in their hearts. He quoted the ill scriptures and explained it with confidence. Now, I started thinking about all the Christians in that train who were listening to this man, and what they must be thinking. I just wanted to share what I was thinking.
I admired and respected this man incredibly for boldness. Nevermind being in New York City, nevermind a standing-room only train, and nevermind having a thick Hispanic accent; how many of us can honestly say that we could go out publicly, and actually proclaim the Name of our Lord to the masses of the lost?! Now I understand that we all have different gifts, but for this man I had a great deal of respect for. Then I thought, wow, here he is preaching and proclaiming GOD, and I can't even let out a simple, "Amen!"?! None of us silent Christians on that train had the courage to encourage a brother in the field of battle?! Apparently not. What were we afraid of? Were we afraid of somebody laughing at us? somebody looking at us? Were we afraid that someone would answer back and mock us, or question us (and further afraid of not having the "right" answers)? Were we afraid to identify ourselves with the Kingdom of God?? Now I know it's not like I or the others did anything wrong, but it's the principle of it all.
It's the understanding where we are in our spiritual walk and where we are in terms of how in love are we with our Savior?? It's not to say that anyone did anything wrong by not saying Amen, or that someone should have done this or done that: no. It's to make you think about your standing with God. It's to make you think about your standing with our fellow soldiers and brothers and sisters in Christ. It's to make you think about just how much do you care, that this one or that one will come to know what you know: that Jesus Christ is the only way, and that Jesus Christ saves.
Then this man even had an alter call right there on that train, and recited the sinner's prayer. After he was done and had explained what he needed to explain, he said God bless to the crowd, and kept his peace. A man commented on something, and instantly he was now engaged in one-on-one witnessing. The woman next to this man also started asking questions, and he spoke with the two strangers with such amazing love and compassion. He spoke like a father would to his children. Hearing some of their conversation, I know that this man was not on some holier than thou ego trip, or an accept God or I hate you mindset, but this man was forreal, down to earth, and authentic: he told it like it is, smiled, and did not condemn. Afterward he encouraged them to keep searching, said God bless, and moved on to the next train (which was just as crowded as our train).
The last stop of the train was Journal Square, and the man got off. I kinda tapped him on the arm and just told him that I wanted to say God bless, and to keep on doin' what you're doin'. I shook his hand, encouraging him just to let him know that he had my support (and my prayers), and what do you know?- I heard him once again start doin' his thing, addressing God's lost sheep, right there on that crowded platform, full of rushing people who seem to have no time for God.
I had shaken the hand of a celebrity, a prestigous and most honored man not in this world, but in God's Kingdom. Pray for the GOD soldiers out there. Keep doin' all you can for the Kingdom of God. And fall more in love with your Savior, Jesus Christ.
That's my piece on tonight. God bless you* -
i'm comin' at depression, despair, fear, worry, guilt, sin, disobedience, and the devil with a vengeance!! because "vengeance is Mine," saith the Lord God of hosts! and if God be for me, who in the world can be against me?!
[God's] Word-Up* 
[[R.E.S.E.T.]] i praise God for R.E.S.E.T. (!!)
-all of ya'll-
..::your heart in the sight of GOD, is so important::.
I just want to take this time out right now to publicly praise God for the job that I currently have. I've been working at the BioMaPS (Biological Mathematical and Physical Sciences) Institute for almost 3 years now, and I must say that it is probably the best campus job that a person like me could ever have. I make my own hours (in compliance with my supervisor) that are flexible when I am sick or have exams, I get a lot of "study" time when they have no work for me, I get a mini-office with a computer connected to the internet as well as a color printer, I have supervisors who are overly nice, courteous, respectful, caring, and friendly towards me, I get to read my Bible whenever I want to, I can eat and drink on my desk if I have no work, I can listen to Praise Songs on my mp3 player as I run errands, post up flyers, or perform tasks, I can make short stops to my room when I'm out running errands since it's so closeby, and I am exposed to scientific concepts, ideas, and professionals all the time. So thank You Lord for this blessing that I have often taken for granted. You have always provided for me financially, and You have always had my back in even the little things. I praise You and thank You Lord so much. Please bless the people I've worked with, and I pray that You will make me to even shine brighter in my workplace. I will stop working here once I graduate, but God's goodness will never stop.
I just want to take this time out right now to publicly thank everyone who has been keeping me in their prayers. And know for sure, that I have you in mine every night. For those of you who don't know, I done registered for the April MCATS, am taking Kaplan courses for preparation, and I done given up the result to GOD Who knows what He is doing in my life. My only prayer is that I stay as close to perfect as I can, and that I walk only in righteousness, for I am a servant to righteousness, and not sin. My Kaplan classes are pretty serious: 7 hours on Saturday and 7 hours on Sunday (hour breaks in between), and I take them in NYC (Manhattan Village, right where NYU is). Weekends are killer, but God has been sustaining me only by His grace. Lord, I don't know what my future holds careerwise (or any other thing-wise for that matter), but I trust in You to see me through, and I pray that Your will be done in my life, for only You know what is best for me, and only You know where I can be put so that I can most effectively serve You and work for Your kingdom, even above working for anything else. I might not make it to Medical School, or I might, but please continue to pray for God's leading in my life, and for sure, I am praying for YOU.
i'mma leave you with this my friend, from the JESUS LOVES YOU daily devotional (Word of God speak, AMEN! i know i needed to read this):
A Practical Application of Hebrews 12:5-13
When God judges His people, He never dispenses punishment as an end in itself but as a means to an end. Hebrews 12:5-13 expounds this truth as clearly as any passage in scripture. When faced with chastisement, we either 1) despise our condition or 2) despair of recovery (and thereby "faint" - v.5). But neither of these are necessary. If you are under chastisement, take to heart these steps of obedience as suggested by this passage.
1) Accept your condition as God's right to deal with your life as He sees fit (v.5). The dullest warrior is he who deems it his right to fight against God.
2) Determine to press on until God accomplishes His will in your life (v.5). Quitters only fail. Their fainting does not relieve their misery. Press on! "Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong" (I Cor.16:13).
3) Recognize God's chastisement as proof of God's love and an indication of your sonship (v.6-8). If He allowed you to prosper in rebellion, He would be showing hatred instead of love. You are never nearer to the love of God than when at the wrong end of His correction rod.
4) Actively submit to God's working in your life (v.9). Willingly come under His yoke for it is easy and His burden is light (Matt.11:30).
5) Take advantage of the "profit" of chastening (v.10) for by it we learn holiness. The hotter the fire, the greater the chance of permanent change in our character. Work with God and not against Him.
6) Look beyond the chastisement to the time of joy (v.11). God has promised "the peaceable fruit of righteousness" as the reward of enduring chastisement. We can trust in His promises. "[W]eeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning" (Ps.30:5
7) Shake yourself out of your dejection and self-pity (v.12-13). "Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; And make straight paths for your feet" (v.12-13). Remember, the biggest fight a Christian has is the inner battle to surrender to God. Pick yourself up and "revenge all disobedience" (II Cor.10:6; see also 7:11).
8) Let God heal your spirit (v.13). Sometimes we defeat God's purpose in our lives by holding on to defeat, dejection or bitterness--thus the warning against the "root of bitterness" (v.15). You have been injured for your own good. Now is the time to "let it rather be healed" (v.13).
By David F. Reagan
....stay writing. stay Praising God, no matter what you're goin' through, and it's all good in the hood.... -
[from]Saving Grace
by Australia Hillsongs
Night and day, I seek Your face
Long for You, in the secret place
All I want, in this life
Is to truly know You more
As the waters, cover the sea
So Your love, covers me
Guiding me on, roads unkown
I trust in You alone, I trust in You alone
My Saving Grace
My Endless Love
Deeper and deeper, I'm falling in love with You
My One Desire
My Only Truth
Deeper and deeper I'm falling in love with You
And I will rise on wings of eagles
Soaring high above all my fears
I rest in Your open arms of love
As the waters, cover the sea
So Your love, covers me....
....covers me
Purging
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (I John 1:9).
This familiar promise is often quoted as a sort of pat formula for dealing with sin in a believer's life. Simply identify and acknowledge the sin, and all is forgiven.
This is gloriously true, so far as it goes, but the last part of the verse is also vitally important. The Lord wants His people to be cleansed from all unrighteousness. "If we walk in the light, as He is in the light, . . . the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin" (I John 1:7).
In these and other verses, the verb translated "cleanse" is the Greek, katharizo, from which we get such English words as "cathartic." It is a strong word, sometimes translated as "purify" and even "purge." The sin not only is to be confessed, it must be purged!
The Lord Jesus Christ "by Himself purged our sins" (Hebrews 1:3), so that God can be perfectly "faithful and just to forgive us our sins" on the basis of His cleansing blood and sanctifying Word. But this is far more than an academic formula, for this cleansing, purifying, and purging must become a real experience in one's life, and the Lord will do whatever is necessary to make it so. He "gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify [same word as `cleanse'] unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works" (Titus 2:14).
We must learn to "walk in the light" and to be "zealous of good works," as He "purgeth us from all unrighteousness" when we "confess our sins." It is necessary that we be constrained to become more "like Him," for "when He shall appear, . . . we shall see Him as He is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as He is pure" (I John 3:2-3). Thus, His forgiveness of our sins is inevitably accompanied by a purging of our lives.
-Henry M. Morris -
[[edit:]]
Solving this jigsaw puzzle and posting about this sweepstakes for Big Red makes me eligible for free Xanga Premium for life...
[[end edit]]
"If I can endure for this minute
Whatever is happening to me,
No matter how heavy my heart is
Or how dark the moment may be ...
If I can remain calm and quiet
With all the world crashing about me,
Secure in the knowledge God loves me
When everyone else seems to doubt me ...
If I can but keep on believing
What I know in my heart to be true,
That darkness will fade with the morning
And that 'this will pass away, too!' ...
Then nothing in life can defeat me
For as long as this knowledge remains
I can suffer whatever is happening
For I know God will break all the chains
That are binding me tight in 'the darkness'
And trying to fill me with fear ...
For there is 'no night without dawning'
And I know that 'my morning' is near."
-loc a.k.a. autumn_anjel
i don't deserve Your goodness Father.. You and i both know it.
thank You Lord, with all of my heart and soul, for loving me.......
"For some reason, this picture of the Bay Area in California from a friend of mine reminds me that we are apart of this landscape too. It's called "life". And it's our function to define His glory in all that we do. So, yes, bloom where you are planted. There's a reason why you are where you are. Don't over-analyze the "whys" but just be and do. Yes, we stumble, if we didn't, we'd be inhuman; what separates us from other "beings" is that we have a choice to do otherwise. So, when you fall, get right back up (by grace we can) Thank God we can
" -paul anciano
"....but they don't see inside of me, I'm hiding all the tears
They don't know, that I come running home when I fall down
They don't know, Who picks me up, when no one is around
I drop my sword and cry, for just a while
'Coz deep inside this armor, the warrior is a child"
-Gary Valenciano "Warrior Is a Child"
II Corinthians 4:8-11, 14, 16-18
8 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9 Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; 10 Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. 11 For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.
14 Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you.
16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. 17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; 18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.
Lord, i think we'd all be going crazy without You.... -
[[there are those who might read my words here, in contempt, disappointment, or bitterness. i humbly and sincerely ask for your forgiveness, and i pray that one day you can truly forgive me for my foolishness in the past. please understand that God is still working in this life of mine
]]
[[EDIT:]] R.E.S.E.T. promotional video, by Spunk (it's a big file, so please be patient with the downloading) [[end edit]]
Oh fire in our hearts, burn strong and bright! Pierce through the darkness of the darkest night! C.C.F.: Have you ever taken part in a raffle? How awesome would it have been if you won? Now shift gears for a second: have you ever done something that caused you to say later on, "Thank goodness nobody saw me doing that." So what's the connection? Think "Enemy of the State" and imagine this: for a whole week, technology has become so advanced, that every single thing you do can be monitored and recorded. Everything you ever said, anything you ever looked at, everything you ever did, and with this technology, everything you ever thought. Just everything. And after a week, there's going to be a raffle, and the person whose name is chosen will have all their stuff from that week laid out and exposed to an audience, to the world. That's a raffle you probably wouldn't want to win. The point is: wouldn't it be awesome, if the only thing, the only fault, anyone, including the devil, could ever find against us, was loving God too much. Just like Daniel in the Old Testament. His enemies sought to trap him, and find fault in him, but they realized, after continually spying on him, that the only fault they will ever be able to find in him would be with regard to his God. So they had the law changed, sending him to the lion's den because of his faith and steadfastness. See, the devil lies in wait, watching us, seeking whom he may devour. Live your life with integrity, in the strength of Jesus Christ, so that He might find you faultless and blameless. And in the evil day, the Lord can justly deliver you out of the lion's den, just like He did Daniel. For our God is the Lion of Judah: rules all, judges all, and knows all. Oh and another thing, even though our technology probably can't make the raffle example possible, God's "technology" allows Him to do just that: He knows all that you do, see, or think, and He sees it all. Have a continual awareness of God: His presence and Who He is. Who you are, and Who you belong to. Live your life with integrity. Be a man and a woman after God's own heart. A man and a woman of faith. God bless*
Lord inspire; inspire, inspire! We live our lives, in Your holy fire*
....The Fire of the Cross....
As warriors for Christ, we work as a team
Look into our eyes and behold God supreme
Our playbook: His Word; our Leader: Yeshua
We fight with the strength of the Lion of Judah
This sister, this brother, on my right and my left
Lifting me high when I fall out of step
For that sinister other, our enemy in wait
Is the main opposition to our holy conviction
So rebuke that weight and resolve to live straight
Workout that faith though the river's upstream
And aspire to be, on God's all-star team
Know: this part of the body is strongly resolved
To work as a unit and to live as we're called
Though wounds be nursed and injuries iced
We proclaim certain victory, in our Lord Jesus Christ
Valentines Day 2005: NY Knicks at Philadelphia 76ers Thank you Hunni, for making this the best and most memorable Valentines Day I have ever had. I love you unconditionally, with all of my heart
.::group pic: phil, margaret, me, and lana::.
Love always Protects, always Trusts, always Hopes, always Perseveres
Love Never Fails -1 Corinthians 13:7-8
. I know that we still have a long way to go, with a lot of work ahead of us, but baby: I have no doubts, and I have so much faith. A simple thank you does not do you any justice.... you're so beautiful.
my best friend.......my prayer partner.....my warrior buddy......my heart......my love.
*singing*
There's no more need for the sun in the sky
There's enough light for the world in her eyes
Every man, woman, child, can gladly testify
They rely, on her smile, just to get by, everyday
She gives more than she takes, and she's a woman of faith
Alana's perfect for me, in every single way
She's sweeter than chocolate cake (Mmmm)
More refreshing than a tall glass of lemonade
She keeps me simplified
In a world full of lies, she gives me peace of mind
She'll take chocolates over diamonds just 'bout anytime
She keeps me simplified....
-Marq Romero (with the Ro twist) "Simplified"
.::Happy 50th Birthday to My Dad::. ((Join this Blogring!!: Christians at Rutgers-NB))
I don't know what the future holds, but my heart yearns and longs for you and mom to know that I love you both so much. I honor and respect you both to the uttermost, and I pray every single night and every single day, for God to restore peace in your lives and in our family. My hope and faith is in Christ alone. Again, although you will probably never see this, I love you both so much. Happy Birthday Dad* God bless*
Celebrating Darrvi's Birthday @ Edison Diner Last Night
[[go sam! go sam! it's darbz's birthday, get busy!.... hahhaha]]
that's all for now folks....
love, your usual gang of undeserving yet ever so grateful praising God loving you and ever so prayerful gang of r.e.s.e.t. buddies -
Mathew 17:20 And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall move: and nothing shall be imposssible unto you.
Do you know who you are?
Don't you know what you have?
Do you not know Who you belong to?
[[Bboy Weapon X]] -
There is no problem too big, God cannot solve it.
There is no mountain too tall, He cannot move it.
There is no storm too dark, God cannot calm it.
There is no sorrow too deep, He cannot soothe it.
If He carried the weight of the world upon His shoulders,
I know my brother, that He will carry you.
If He carried the weight of the world upon His shoulders,
I know my sister, that He will carry you.
He said, "Come unto Me, all who are weary, and I will give you rest."
-Joseph the Dreamer "He Will Carry You"
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