I know you have seen this in different places, felt it should be here also.

This is to those who: feel like giving up you cannot see Hope anymore, hold on. Remember why you gave your heart to begin with, hold on. Life is full of questions, all to often we spend more time focusing on them, instead of Him. Go back to that moment in time when, you realized your sins. But, in a blink of your eye you were shown His Love; His Forgiveness; just like that you saw Jesus. And, when you did the weight of your sins were lifted, you could not wait to give your heart to Jesus. Hold on dear one, hold on to that Joy, stretch out your Faith. And, hold on to why you came to Jesus, to begin with.
This is to those who: know how to Pray. We have Family who need our help, let us stand in the gap for them. We know what it is like to want to quite. We also know the unspeakable Joy we receive when, we continue with God and not quite. Let us stand between those who are weary, and Father God. We will lift them up to the Lord, we will be obedient to the Spirit, and follow through whatever we are being lead to do for them. There by the Grace of God..., we will not forget them, we will not turn our backs. We are Prayer Warriors and this is a call to action.
Gal 6:9 So let's not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don't give up.
2Chro 15:7 But you must remain strong and not become discouraged. Your actions will be rewarded."
Joshua 1:9 This is my command--be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go."
We may let one another down for this reason or that, but He will not! No matter what the enemy tells you. Hold on because, you are Loved. There was a reason you turned to Jesus, that reason has not changed. I ask in Jesus Holy and Powerful Name, do Not give up, Hold On. I also ask in the Most Holy and Powerful Name of Jesus, Pray and lift up those who are having a hard time seeing, Hope. We are Family bound by the Blood of Jesus, we Need one another. As Jesus goes to get that on 1, we the 99 will lift up that 1. So many of us have been that 1 before. To those who are that 1, Jesus is there with you, He wants to bring you back, Hold on. Please and Thank you.

Dear Lord, I thank You for this day, I thank You for my being able to see and to hear. I'm blessed because You are a forgiving God and You have done so much for me and You keep on blessing me. Forgive me this day for everything I have done, said or thought that was not pleasing to you. I ask now for Your forgiveness. Please keep me safe from all danger and harm.

 Help me this day with a new attitude and plenty of gratitude. Let me make the best of each and every day to clear my mind so that I can hear from You. I know that when I can't pray, You listen to my heart. Continue to use me to do Your will. Continue to bless me that I may be a blessing to others. Keep me strong that I may help the weak...

Keep me uplifted that I may have words of encouragement for others. I pray for those that are lost and can't find their way Please broaden my mind that I can accept all things. Let me not whine and whimper over things I have no control over.And give me the best response when I'm pushed beyond my limits.I pray for those that are misjudged and misunderstood. I pray for those who don't know You intimately. I pray that every eye that reads this knows there is no problem, circumstance, or situation greater than God. Every battle is in Your hands for You to fight. I pray that these words be received into the hearts of every eye that sees it in Jesus'  name.  Amen!

God I love you and I need you, come into my heart, please.

[[[ BUT THE WORD OF OUR GOD SHALL STAND FOR EVER ...
BUT THE WORD OF THE LORD ENDURETH FOR EVER ]]]

A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Father, thank You for loving us enough to work in our lives. Today I release the things I don’t understand into Your hands. I believe that You are working behind the scenes on our behalf. I believe that You have good things in store for our future. I choose to wait on You and trust You now and forevermore in Jesus’ name. Amen.

To my dear friends although my faith in God may not be as strong as it is for you here in this group and on AAG, I have this passage that I love and though you might like.

Hast thou not know? Hast thounot heard, that the ever lasting God, the Lord, the creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching for his understanding;

He gaveth power to the faint; and them that have no might he increaseth strength;

even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall;

But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles, they shall run and not be weary, and they shall walk and not faint. ISAIAH 28,29,30,31.

food for thoughts
Welcome to Verse of the Day!
Today's Bible Verse:
John 12:3
Mary therefore took a pound of expensive ointment made from pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. (ESV)
Today's Inspiring Thought: Extravagant Worship
"What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly; it is dearness only that gives everything its value." --Thomas Paine

Mary loved Jesus dearly. She had recognized the true value of her Savior. Her lavish, costly gift expressed whole-hearted, intense devotion to the Lord. The fragrance of her costly perfume represented Mary's extravagant worship.

This incident is recorded in three of the gospels, and in each case the disciples complained about Mary's wastefulness. These men had not yet realized the priceless worth of Jesus their Messiah. Have you?

I'm truly a living WITNESS TO THIS so all who is in a dry season don't give up ,keep you head up and look for your change to come in JESUS  NAME AMEN

Dig Deeper TODAY’S SCRIPTURE “So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up” (Galatians 6:9, NLT) TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria I read that back in the 1800’s some explorers were going across a huge desert and didn’t bring enough water. They started digging at different spots underneath the surface about a foot or two trying to find water. They ended up losing their lives in the desert because of a lack of water. Many years later, it was discovered that there was water right there where they had lost their lives about three feet underground. If they would have just dug down a little bit further, they would have found the water and saved their lives. The same principle is true when you’re in a dry season and not getting any good breaks, business is slow, or you’re struggling in a relationship. It’s easy to think, “This is never going to change. I’m never going to see my dreams come to pass.” No, just like those early explorers, water is there. Provision is there. You just have to dig down a little bit deeper. If you will shake off the self-pity, shake off what didn’t work out, shake off the complacency and turn up your praise, you’ll soon tap in to the blessing and provision He has prepared for you! A PRAYER FOR TODAY Father God, thank You for Your provision and blessing in my life. I know that You are making a way even when I don’t see a way. Help me to stand strong in You so that I may see the harvest of blessing You have prepared for me in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Amen to your prays Elaine.

Our Relationship to God

To All

I must apologize for not being on as much as I should have been.  Not that it would of stopped anyone from leaving, but to share His Love as I should be doing everyday.  Char is hurt but not far.  My money is on the fact that she will be reading much of all this.  Choco Praise God for your Love for it is clear.  Marty and Elaine the same can be said of your Love.  I have been both attacked and accused of attacking, both hurt deeply.  Both can be traced back to the enemy.  As we have decided to follow Jesus, we are to count it all Joy, no matter what happens, why is that?  Like Love the enemy cannot fight against Joy.  It can only try to convince us not to have either one.  It cannot take them away from us, we give them both up if we chose.  Char is and will always be a Sister to us, we Love her and Mike, and the rest of her people.  She has had many things attack her, we will All continue to lift her up!  We are Family and we do not give up on Family, just as you three are doing.  We will and are not letting her go!  She may need some time, but we all do for time to time.  I am so proud to know and see HIS LOVE working in you all.  Again forgive my absence, I have never been far, just had a few dragons and monsters that had to be dealt with.  But, Lord willing I am back.  

Love to All

Chris 

food for thoughts much love to you all

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		Printer version   James 5:15-16 (15) And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. (16) Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. New International Version   Change Bible versions God never intended prayer to change His purpose or move Him to come to fresh ideas. He has ordained that we be saved through the means of preaching the gospel, but prayer is also a means of salvation. We have seen that it is His will that we pray; it fits into the design of His purpose. Prayer is therefore not a vain exercise but a means by which God exercises His decrees. When we pray for things God has already decreed, things happen! These prayers are not meaningless. Elijah was a man close to God, and he knew God's will, but that certainly did not prevent him from asking God in prayer for rain (I Kings 18:41-46). Therefore, even though we know His will and that He knows our need, He requires we ask for it. Does not Jesus command us to do this regarding end-time events? "Watch . . . and pray always," He says in Luke 21:36. Prayer keeps our minds focused on what is important to God's purpose. Perhaps we need to change our views about prayer. Frequently, the prevailing idea of many is that we come to God and ask Him for something we want, expecting Him to give it if we have enough faith. But this is actually degrading to God! This popular belief reduces God to a servant--our servant, like a genie in a bottle--performing our pleasures and granting our desires. No, prayer is worshipfully coming to Him, humbly acknowledging His sovereign authority and loving wisdom, telling Him our need, committing our way to Him, and then patiently allowing Him to deal with our request as it seems best to Him. This does not mean we should not confidently present our needs to God as we see them, but then we should leave it with Him to deal with in His time and manner. Remember, He already knows what He wants to accomplish and when. Doing this works to make our will subject to His. No prayer is pleasing to Him unless the attitude motivating it is "not [m]y will, but Yours, be done" (Luke 22:42). When God grants blessings on praying people, it is not because of their prayers, as if they motivated Him to act, but He acts for His own name's sake and His sovereign will. He intensely desires that His thoughts become ours because we reflect His image this way. If we think like God, we will act like Him, which is the purpose of conversion. Much of the communication of His thoughts to ours takes place in prayer. God answers every faithful prayer, but not always in the way or when we think best. Often His answer is the opposite of what we feel to be best, but if we have really left it with God, then at least we know it is indeed His answer. The story of the resurrection of Lazarus in John 11 illustrates this well. Interestingly, Mary and Martha never directly ask Jesus to heal Lazarus, though they clearly suggest it in calling Him to come. God in the flesh, however, responds in a way totally different from what they anticipated. Nonetheless, their approach is still a good example of the proper attitude in presenting a need to God. They do not even go into much detail in expressing their need--just simple trust that He could and would do the right thing. John W. Ritenbaugh Excerpted from: The Sovereignty of God: Part Nine

ALL GLORY GOES TO OUR HEAVENLY FATHER THROUGH HIS PRECIOUS SON JESUS THE CHRIST, LOVE  YOU MY BELOVED SISTER

FOOD FOR THOUGHTS ,AND CHIS THIS IS RIGHT ALONG WITH YOUR DISCUSSION ON US BEING BLESSED

Miracles All Around You TODAY’S SCRIPTURE “Sing to the LORD, for he has done glorious things; let this be known to all the world” (Isaiah 12:5, NIV) TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria One time, I read about this medical doctor. He was in his late 80’s, but he still went to the office every day. He loved to operate. His friends and family tried to get him to retire, but he just wouldn’t do it. He had invented a procedure that he had performed over 10,000 times. He was asked in an interview if he ever got tired of doing it, if it ever got old. He said, “No. The reason why is because I act like every operation is my very first one.” He was saying, “I don’t let it become so common that I lose the awe.” What has God done in your life? What can you be thankful for? Do you have your health? Do you have someone to love? There are miracles all around us. Don’t lose the amazement of what God has done in your own life. Don’t spend life waiting for the next “big” thing. Instead, thank God for the glorious things He’s done in your life. Thank Him for loving You. Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus, the Author and Finisher of your faith! A PRAYER FOR TODAY Father, thank You for the miracle of life. Thank You for the air that I breathe. Thank You for every promise found in Your Word. You are good, and You have done glorious things! Let everything I do bring glory as a testimony to how great You are in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Hi All I agree with all the comments and Choco you are so very right.

We have to be aware when writing because it can be taken out of context.

I am very guilty of speaking my mind here, but its never against anyone on its usually God. I am aware also that this might offend people so I am greatfull for my lovley friends on here.

My prays are with you all and especially Char, God shine on you all and bring peace and harmony to Char and her family. God bless.

GOOD MORNING FAMILY ,GOT SOMETHING GOOD TO SHARE WITH YOU TODAY ,THAT TOUCHED ME BECAUSE I'M ABOUT TO START A NEW BUSINESS TODAY IN NAME BUT STILL DOING THE CONCRETE WORK BUT FOR PEOPLE 45YEARS OLD AND OLDER AT COST ONLY AFTER THEY JOIN MY CONCRETE CLUB ,BUT THIS IS WHAT I WANT TO SHARE

Another Victory Is On The Way TODAY’S SCRIPTURE “But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him” (2 Corinthians 2:14, NIV) TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria Are you facing challenges or difficulties today? Maybe something has happened that could easily discourage you and cause you to give up on your dreams. I want to remind you today that where you are is not where you are going to stay. God has a good plan in store for your future. When you stay in step with Him, you’ll walk right into victory. Scripture tells us that God wants to take us from glory to glory, from victory to victory. Even if you are between victories right now, keep your passion. Keep your enthusiasm. Focus on the fact that God has another level for you — another level of glory, another level of increase, another level of His favor. Today I encourage you, go out with a smile on your face. Give Him your best. When you thank God for what He has done, you are sowing a seed that He will use in your future. Keep praying, keep believing, keep hoping and stand strong because another victory is coming your way! A PRAYER FOR TODAY Father God, right now I choose to focus my mind and heart completely on You. I choose to step out of discouragement, step out of complacency, step out of worry, and step in to Your glory. You alone are worthy, and I thank You for the victory You have in store for my future in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Elaine my beloved sister ,that is my prayer also ,wow and Ijust got this and want to share and your pray line right up with it o how beautiful is your spirit and what a great pleasure to know you as a sister in CHRIST LOVE YOU MY SISTER

Today's Bible Verse:

Matthew 25:45
He will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.' (NIV)

Today's Inspiring Thought: The Least of These

In my city, the homelesspopulation is drastically increasing. It's all too easy these days to become calloused to the needs of people living around us. If we ignore hurting people by showing no kindness, and doing nothing to help them, in essence we are neglecting our Lord Jesus.

Tolstoy, the great Russian writer, was passing along a street one day when a beggar stopped him and pleaded for alms. The great Russian searched through his pockets for a coin, but finding none he regretfully said, "Please don't be angry with me, my brother, but I have nothing with me. If I did I would gladly give it to you."

The beggar's face flamed up, and he said, "You have given me more than I asked for. You have called me brother." --Evangelistic Illustration

Family ,WOW,check this out it really touched me

"To abide in the flesh is more needful for you, and having this confidence, I know that I shall abide" (Philippians 1:24, 25).

One of the most blessed things about divine healing is that the strength it brings is holy strength, and finds its natural and congenial outflow in holy acts and exercises.

Mere natural strength seeks its gratification in natural pleasures and activities, but the strength of Christ leads us to do as Christ would do, and to seek our congenial employment in His holy service.

The life of Christ in a human body saves it from a thousand temptations to self-indulgence and sin, and not only gives us strength for higher service, but also a desire for it, and puts into it a zest and spring which gives it double power.

Lord, help us to-day to claim Thy life and then give it for the help of others.

Have you found the branch of healing?
Pass it on.
Have you felt the Spirit's sealing,
Pass it on.
'Twas for this His mercy sought you,
And to all His fulness brought you,
By the precious blood that bought you,
Pass it on.

Elaine my beloved sister our HEAVENLY FATHER through his son JESUS THE CHRIST get all the GLORY  I'm just a vessel that SHARE what touches my spirit and is Grateful when what I share help or touches another brothers or sisters spirit because we all has the spirit of GOD THROUGH JESUS OUR BIG BROTHER ,LOVE YOU MY SISTER 

WOW FAMILY I THOUGHT THIS WAS REAL GOOD WHEN I GOT IT

Thought to Apply: You are the only Bible some unbelievers will ever read, and your life is under scrutiny every day. Do they see an accurate picture of your God?—John Macarthur(pastor, writer) . IT CAME FROM MEN OF INTEGRITY

Dear Elaine, your prays are read by me all the time, though I don't reply.

I hope things are going well for you and your son.

God bless you my dear friend I admire your faith and stamina (if that is the right word?)

I pray God shines on you always and that you will always feel his love.

My sister I hear you but don't let satan steal your  joy for the group because of what the others are doing just continue to do as the Holy Spirit is leading you to do like our dear beloved sister Elaine ,she is faithful no matter what and I just love it , I read all the comments and try to respond to all that are addressed to me ,but my respond is as the Spirit guide me because all my comments are what the Holy Spirit is feeding me so I share it, love you my beloved sister 

FOOD FOR THOUGHTS
Today's Bible Verse:

Galatians 2:20
I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. (ESV)
Today's Inspiring Thought: Crucified With Christ

Crucifixion was one of the most horribly painful methods of execution. If you've never felt the pain of sacrifice in your life as a Christian, then you've probably not yet experienced the kind of walk that Paul was talking about here in Galatians 2. So, here's a question to consider:
"Is the world crucified to you tonight or does it still fascinate you?" --Leonard Ravenhill

I need to apologize first, as I have not been on as much as I had been before.  As Alcedes, Hamm, and others have said, we read the comments and Prayers everyday yet for whatever reason are not able to post a response.  I started this group, to give any and all a platform to share information with others, that would help in, "Working Our Faith Out."   The more we share things with each other, the more we All see.  As we discover what bothers one person, we learn to adjust.  As we share in Love, we can all see how best to be.  It take a lot of courage to share with others, things that bother us, as we Live in Christ.  And, as long as we All stay in Love, we all can and will learn.  Because the bottom line will always be, ALL THE GLORY GOES TO THE LORD!  I believe we all live by this.  So share those things that bother you.  We all grow as One Body.  As we all know and trust that, we can share with honesty and Love.  We all will learn, we all will work at being better.  When all the Glory goes to Jesus, ego's will learn to bow and humble themselves, so even more Glory goes to God.  So it is a "win,win" we grow together, we are honest with each other, we learn to be humble, how can we not win?  Love to All

Marty my dear friend I am sorry you feel a little disheartened with this group.

I understand what you are saying and appreciate where you are coming from.

I read the comments most of the time, there are sent straight to my e-mail daily, hourly.

I must admit I feel guilty sometimes as Elaine and Alcedes are flowing with comments all the time, I read but don't resond because I can't I don't have the words, and most of the time I am reading because I am learning about christianity. ALL here have given great inspiring and thought provoking comments and scriptures and great help. I love and appreciat them all and all who are in the group, including you. 

Because I don't reply please don't think I am not taking on board what has been said and is being saying.

May our Heavenly Father continue to get all the glory as he lead us through his HOLY SPIRIT ,love to all through the love of our big brother JESUS THE CHRIST 

GM FAMILY I just received this and it gave me such a GREAT JOY when I thought about every one here for when I joined no one asked any question about me but I was accepted with love and it has grown based on the fact that I love our Heavenly Father through his son and our big brother JESUS THE CHRIST ,who also is our HIGH PRIEST ,and to me that is what this is saying that we should do love on one another no matter what their walk of life was ,GREAT LOVE FOR EVERYONE HERE ,and here is the post that I got

Today's Bible Verse:

Matthew 9:10
Later, Matthew invited Jesus and his disciples to his home as dinner guests, along with many tax collectors and other disreputable sinners. (NLT)

Today's Inspiring Thought: Dine Together

In ancient Jewish culture, eating a meal together was a spiritual matter. Observing the law meant staying ceremonially clean even during mealtime. Jesus observed food laws, too, but he chose to dine with people who were considered ritually unclean. In Bible times, sharing a meal with someone also indicated social equality. For this reason, the pharisees were offended by Jesus' willingness to eat with tax collectors and sinners.

When Jesus accepted Matthew's dinner invitation, he demonstrated grace. This act of grace,forgiveness, and equal acceptance carried over into the early believers' observances of communion.

Jesus removed the wall of separation between us and God, and for this reason we ought not have any barriers in our fellowship with one another.

Amen my sister GRACE A ND PEACE TO YOU AND BE SAFE LORD'S WILLING 

FOOD FOR THOUGHTS 

Father I come to You in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ.  I Praise the Most Holy Name.  His Name is above Everything.  If it has a name, the Name of Jesus is above it, no matter.  I lift up the members of this group, the members of AAG, and the members of the Body of Christ.  I thank You for Victory in any and all circumstances.  I Praise You for Your Love.  By and through that Love we know we are cared for by You.  Since we are cared for by You we have the confidence to stand and face all aspects of our life.  We are stronger because of Your Love.  That is why no matter what we face, we are strengthen.  Not because of the obstacles, by Your Love.  The obstacles are only exercises, Your Love is the strength we use to overcome them all.  I Pray that Your Love binds us together, not tears us apart.  You are the ONLY ONE who deserves Glory.  Without You we are unable to enjoy the Victory, that is ours.  The Victory that was given to us from the cross, the resurrection, which are very Powerful aspects of Your Love for us.  In Jesus Name i thank You for this Great benefit we have in You.  We do not compete with one another, but together we stand against the wicked one, and all its schemes.  Thank You Father, Thank You Jesus, and Thank You Spirit, from You God we can do anything.  And, all that we do, we trust that we remember it is unto You, for Your Glory, Praise, and Honor.  For You have given us Life.  We have life here and we have Life, Eternal in Heaven.  In these and all things, I Thank You and Praise You in Jesus Name.  Amen!

Amen and Amen, and again AMEN!!!

Father I also Thank You for Freedom.  That All know the Freedom we have here, to share the Love of God.  I am in agreement with Marty that, "Elaine, Hamm, Alcedes, , Grace Mercy, Wayne, myself and all the others that pop in from time to time"  we All share the same desire to spread the Love of the Lord.  That each of us add knowledge of that Love, and Wisdom from above, to each other.  In Jesus Holy Name. Amen.

IN JESUS HOLY NAME AND POWERFUL BLOOD ,O HEAVENLY FATHER I COME TO YOUR THRONE OF GRACE IN AGREEMENT WITH THESE POWERFUL PRAYERS THAT YOU THROUGH YOUR SPIRIT HAS PLACED IN THE HEART OF CHRIS ,MARTY AND ELAINE ,CONTINUE TO BLESS EACH AND EVERYONE HERE BUT NOT HERE ONLY BLESS ALL OF OUR SISTERS AND BROTHERS ALL OVER THE ENTIRE WORLD ,CONTINUE TO GIVE US ALL THE ZEAL TO LOVE YOU AND TO SHOW YOU THAT LOVE BY LOVING OTHERS AROUND US IN JESUS NAME I PRAY 

As we grow together in the Body of Christ, we learn many things about one another.  What we do with that information is very important.  When we see a weakness in another.  It is always best to build up and protect that person.  When we see a strength in another.  It is best to learn and not envy.  Jesus is most Strong in that persons weakness.  He is showing us His Strength and Grace, in the one with strength.  At first it can be difficult to bond together.  Yet, as we learn the advantages we All gain by coming together as One in His Love.  We will seek it out more and more.  For it is All for His Glory, Praise, and Honor.  Our benefits; our Blessings are without measure.  How does one weigh eternity.   We are here for Him.  We are here for one another.   Our Trust is in the Lord for, any and all else.  May the Lord richly Bless you All. 

Your candid comments Marty are so very brave and I agree so much with what Chris and others are saying.

In my honesty i have spent many years looking into my self and going to therapy to discover myself. (Opening my Jorhi window.) I have seen my demons and accdepted them and understand myself more, on this level. I don't think I could my job unless I had.

Though my journey as a christian or should I say with christianity has been just as hard and contradicory. Even harder.  The more I give myself and my life over to it, the worse my life gets, the weaker I get, the more vulnerable I am, the more nasty and trials my life  is taken up with. the less I feel I have contact with others in my life, the less I feel I have anything in common with anyone, the more the world seems stranger and I am out of place on it.There are times when its seems I am being sent all these to prove that I am finding it hard to love certain people in these situations.

I accept people for who they are and what they have done, but should others selfishness keep on hurting others and ruling the world, we live in the 21st century about 2012 years after christs and his teachings, but we are still killing each other, we are still slaves to profiteers, tax men, salesmen, politicians, economists, bankers etc. (ranting i know)

I find an honesty here in this group and admire everyones faith & I like it because you all do accept each other and I recon & understand maybe I come across as a very testing person with regards to christianity & negative, (I am not really) about the bible, but both yours, Chris, Acledes, Elaine and  others in others groups, acceptence of me, has given me more faith in the good side of humanity. My growing in christianity is helped by this group. Thank you. God bless.

Martyp my beloved sister and Hamm my beloved brother,first let me say this our HEAVENLY FATHER KNEW both of you before the foundation of the world plus he choose us ,we did not chose him,oh how I can go on  telling you two of his grace and mercy once you are adopted in his family but that we all know ,but what I would LIKE to say for my beloved brother Hamm sake that we are a work in process ,and it is GOD who is doing the molding and he will continue to mold us until we stand before him ,and then we must give an account of our life to him and my brother don't be so hard on yourself about the hardness of the life down here ,for when things is not going good as you see it think about the times that have pasted and you thought those time was hard and look back to see did you come through the fire and how did you make it and did you make it by yourself or did you get help or things worked out in ways that you had no idea that it would go down like that ,and if any of these things happen and I'm sure that they did, it was our Heavenly Father holding satan at bay because satan want you to think that JESUS AND GOD IS NOT REAL BECAUSE OF THE WICKEDNESS THAT IS IN THE WORLD AND THAT IS WHY WE MUST STAY WATCHFUL BECAUSE WE ARE IN A WAR ,THE FLESH AND THE SPIRIT. If I could only take you two back to my life from 17 to 21 and then from 21 to now the two of you would not even worry about how you two are  ,for you would see what GOD did that many people thought was impossible and even myself look back and say that I was so dumb and crazy back then but GOD GET ALL THE GLORY AND THAT IS WHY I SERVE AND LOVE HIM LIKE I DO, LOVE TO THE TWO OF YOU AND THE WHOLE GROUP FOR WE HAVE AN AWESOME HEAVENLY FATHER WHO KNOWS AND SEE ALL THINGS   

  The fashion in which you all share with such honesty, Praise God for trusting Family members.   A few things that I saw.  It seems many times when we are learning how to love, many people come our way who seem, "unlovable."   But, when you think about it, what better way is there to learn.   As we learn to yield to God, it can take a few steps.  I am going to use what Hamm has shared, { i promise to be careful Brother} " The more I give myself and my life over to it, the worse my life gets, the weaker I get, the more vulnerable I am, the more nasty and trials my life  is taken up with."   I have always loved your honesty Hamm.  This is common, remember the farmer and the seeds.  Matt 13:4 As he scattered them across his field, some seeds fell on a footpath, and the birds came and ate them. v19 The seed that fell on the footpath represents those who hear the message about the Kingdom and don’t understand it. Then the evil one comes and snatches away the seed that was planted in their hearts.   This is what the enemy tries to do.  We have the "inside skinny" so we are able to be prepared.  As you said Hamm the more you give yourself over, the more these other things happen.  To give yourself over is the first step.  Then we begin to put our Faith forth.  We will trust {or at least begin to} as we do this, we are exercising our Faith.  Now no one is saying, "all we be perfect."  This takes time.  However, our Father knows our heart, He is able to see right where we are.  God is THE ONLY ONE WHO CAN MAKE THINGS GROW.   Always remember this, YOU ARE LOVED!   No matter what happens never forget this.  If we know we are Loved, no matter what we face, time will run out.  We have eternity on our side.  Also since we are Loved, this is all a learning exercise.  Our Dad knows what is going on, again we are Loved.  The harder the trial, the stronger the result!  We are Loved, we have Grace and Mercy, we are Forgiven, we have been given the Victory.  We are part of the Wonderful Bride of Christ; we are part of the Powerful Body of Christ.  As we ponder and ponder; meditate and meditate, on these things, Holy Spirit we reveal many things to us, as the Lord sees fit for His purpose.  {did not mean to write a book}  Love to you All.

MY SISTER YOU ARE WELCOME ,AND LET ME SHARE THIS I JUST GOT IT AND IT GOES  ALONG WITH WHAT OUR FAITHFUL BROTHER CHRIS SAID

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		Printer version   Psalm 119:165 (165) Great peace have they who love your law,  and nothing can make them stumble.  New International Version   Change Bible versions What does "great peace" mean? "Peace" automatically suggests an absence of war, no battling, no fighting. Under temptation, a battle always rages, even if we are winning. In such a case, no peace exists, much less "great peace." As an illustration, initially, the U.S. in Iraq won every battle handily, but it was still war. The spiritual war we fight is caused by temptation from Satan, our human nature, and the world. Remove temptation, and war stops. What remains is great peace. How do we achieve not just peace, but "great peace"? The last half ofPsalm 119:165 tells us: "nothing causes them to stumble." What causes a human to stumble? Temptation! This means that we have to be sheltered from it. The American Standard Version renders this phrase, "they have no occasion of stumbling," Young's Literal Translation puts it as "they have no stumbling-block," and the Rotherham's Emphasized Biblereads, "nothing to make them stumble." All of these renderings mean that not even the opportunity to stumble is presented. Other scriptures mention protection from stumbling: Psalm 121:3 (NLT): He will not let you stumble; the one who watches over you will not slumber. I John 2:10: He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him. Jude 24: Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceedingjoy. . . . God through the gift of His Holy Spirit is the only power in the universe that can accomplish such a feat. If God does not place that shield around us, we have no hope of success. Alone, we are powerless in the face of temptation. We overcome it not by our strength, but by God's power, the shield of faith (I John 5:4) given to us as His gift (Ephesians 2:8). It is our only sure defense. To acknowledge God and to pray always are to be in alignment with one of Christ's most basic principles, a principle found in Matthew 6:33—to "seek first the kingdom of God" in all things. Praying always is stepping out in faith, believing that if we seek God first, He will add all the things we need (Philippians 4:19), including the strength to overcome, to finish this journey, and to enter His Kingdom. When faced with the myriad decisions we have to make during each day, if we are not acknowledging God's presence, we have placed ourselves in the position of fighting our battles on our own. Israel made the same mistake, choosing the hard road in their fight, one littered with bodies. We probably all know of some bodies that now litter the spiritual road we have walked. We veterans carry scars from the battles we have lost. Our battles to overcome are more like skirmishes than battles. In fact, we experience our most severe temptations and trials in everyday events like eating, conducting business affairs, or relating to others in the family or community. Luke 16:10 acknowledges this: "He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much." What better way to win those little skirmishes than to have an invincible Champion, God, in the van of the battle? Because these skirmishes are in the myriad of details we deal with every day, only striving to pray always during the day gives us that unyielding first line of defense. Our deceitful human nature has in its arsenal countless ways, reasons, and excuses to avoid confronting the real issue of life—overcoming and allowing God to form and shape us into His image. Just bringing God into the picture unleashes forces that will not only help us to overcome, but will also protect us from the pitfalls that litter our path (Psalm 91:12). It is this striving to pray always that a Laodicean naturally avoids because he feels no need. Pat Higgins  Excerpted from: Praying Always (Part Six)

Amen. Great,

Truly, by the grace and the mercies of our LORD JESUS, through his guidance and as we diligently study His words and as we learn to listen and wait upon the Lord, we can, through the Holy Spirit know what His will for us. The moment we accepted Christ in our Life, the moment we surrendered our life to God, we did accepted Him as our Lord and as quoted, let's not be conform to the world but be transformed by the renewing of our mind. Let Christ live in us and reign in our lives. Amen, Praise God, everyday, little by little God is changing us and is taking from glory to glory.. Amen.

God bless you all guys! :)

Thank you all so very much for your comments below, they are all taken on board and appreciated. I love you all very much.

I know we have all suffered and experienced hardships and lessons,some of us still are. I know noone here on this group or on AAG is judging me, I have never felt this, quite the opposite I think everyone has been very acceppting. Thank you.

The point I am trying to get acorss, is that as I am experiencing my journey and comment on it here. My comments are taken on board by others who express their opinions, knowledge, wisdom, learning and understanding. These help me.

"As we grow together in the Body of Christ, we learn many things about one another."

Thank you, love you all here, Marty, Elaine,Chris,Alcedes,Grace and others God bless you keep shining.

love you too my brother

Romans 9:14-24

   14What shall we say then? There is no injustice with God, is there? May it never be! 15For He says to Moses, “I WILL HAVE MERCY ON WHOM I HAVE MERCY, AND I WILL HAVE COMPASSION ON WHOM I HAVE COMPASSION.” 16So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy. 17For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, “FOR THIS VERY PURPOSE I RAISED YOU UP, TO DEMONSTRATE MY POWER IN YOU, AND THAT MY NAME MIGHT BE PROCLAIMED THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE EARTH.” 18So then He has mercy on whom He desires, and He hardens whom He desires.

      19You will say to me then, “Why does He still find fault? For who resists His will?” 20On the contrary, who are you, O man, who answers back to God? The thing molded will not say to the molder, “Why did you make me like this,” will it? 21Or does not the potter have a right over the clay, to make from the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for common use? 22What if God, although willing to demonstrate His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction? 23And He did so to make known the riches of His glory upon vessels of mercy, which He prepared beforehand for glory, 24even us, whom He also called, not from among Jews only, but also from among Gentiles.

Colossians 2:6-23

  6Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, 7having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude.

      8See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ. 9For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form, 10and in Him you have been made complete, and He is the head over all rule and authority; 11and in Him you were also circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, in the removal of the body of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ; 12having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised up with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. 13When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions,14having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. 15When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him.

      16Therefore no one is to act as your judge in regard to food or drink or in respect to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day— 17things which are a mere shadow of what is to come; but the substance belongs to Christ. 18Let no one keep defrauding you of your prize by delighting in self-abasement and the worship of the angels, taking his stand onvisions he has seen, inflated without cause by his fleshly mind, 19and not holding fast to the head, from whom the entire body, being supplied and held together by the joints and ligaments, grows with a growth which is from God.

      20If you have died with Christ to the elementary principles of the world, why, as if you were living in the world, do you submit yourself to decrees, such as, 21“Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch!” 22(which all refer to things destined to perish with use)—in accordance with the commandments and teachings of men? 23These are matters which have, to be sure, the appearance of wisdom in self-made religion and self-abasement and severe treatment of the body, but are of no value against fleshly indulgence. 

Dedicated Service

      1Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. 2And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

      3For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith. 4For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, 5so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. 6Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us,each of us is to exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith; 7if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching; 8or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

      9Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. 10Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor; 11not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord;12rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, 13contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality.

      14Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. 16Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation. 17Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men.18If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. 19Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY,” says the Lord. 20“BUT IF YOUR ENEMY IS HUNGRY,FEED HIM, AND IF HE IS THIRSTY, GIVE HIM A DRINK; FOR IN SO DOING YOU WILL HEAP BURNING COALS ON HIS HEAD.” 21Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. 

Earl,

What a story, and what a turn-around in your life. We shall pray for your continuing walk with God and ask him to help you where he can. God bless.

Thank you, William.

Thanks, Elaine. I always feel funny about asking for prayer for myself, there are others that need prayer more than this guy.  We were praying last night asking for help in finding a financial answer to my house when I broke down and cried.  Not for my situation, but for all the children in this world that went without food yesterday.  I sometimes forget just how fortunate we are.

Be Imitators of God

      1Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; 2and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.

      3But immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints; 4andthere must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. 5For this you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.

      6Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7Therefore do not be partakers with them; 8for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light 9(for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth), 10trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. 11Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them; 12for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret. 13But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light.

14For this reason it says,
         “Awake, sleeper,
         And arise from the dead,
         And Christ will shine on you.”

      15Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, 16making the most of your time, because the days are evil. 17So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit, 19speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; 20always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father; 21and be subject to one another in the fear of Christ.

E Ephesians 1:3-23

      3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, 4just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love 5He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, 6to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. 7In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace 8which He lavished on us. In all wisdom and insight 9He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him 10with a view to an administration suitable to the fullness of the times, that is, the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth. In Him 11also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will, 12to the end that we who were the first to hope in Christ would be to the praise of His glory. 13In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory.

      15For this reason I too, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which exists among you and your love for all the saints, 16do not cease giving thanks for you, while making mention of you in my prayers; 17that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him. 18I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, 19and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe.These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might 20which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, 21far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. 22And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, 23which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.

I want to Thank you all for your Prayers.  You might may or may not have known that you were Praying for us.  Arnette and I have been under a very strong attack.  I know many of you Pray for us everyday.  However, maybe you have been Praying in the Spirit, or just remembering us.  Either way Thank you all.  We still are in the mist of a battle.  Yet, All Praise and Glory go the the Lord.  Things are still going on, but we have seen much Grace.  And we Believe we are already seeing much more.  I would ask that you would continue to lift us up.  Our health and finances have been attacked in many ways.  Yet, we have and will continue to see the Victory in Jesus.  Lord Bless you all for your Prayers and thoughts.  God Bless. Chris