Only Believe

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a word of encouragement for those going through hard times, may this lift your spirit

ONLY BELIEVE

Has that trial in your life been going on so long
That everything in you screams, “This is so wrong.”

You can’t understand, it seems God is far away
As with tears you cry out to Him everyday,

If you read God’s Word His truth you will see
That He has a job for you and a job for me,

ONLY BELIEVE! is what He has to say
At His feet this problem you must lay,

In His time and in His way
An answer to your problem will be there one day,

Keep on believing, don’t lose hope
He’ll give you His grace enabling you to cope,

Keep your eyes on Him as to to Him you cleave
He has promised He will never forsake you or leave,

Give Him time to work it all out
The devil just wants you to worry and doubt,

Praising Him is one thing He’s looking for
To bless you is what He has in store,

So no matter what, even when you don’t understand
ONLY BELIEVE! that’s what moves His hand.
—By Beverly Shaffer

BE OF GOOD CHEER YOU HAVE THE VICTORY!

Popularity: 2% [?]

The Church of Oprah?

There is truth in the saying, “the bigger the lie the more people believe.”

I received an interesting email with a video clip which portrays Oprah Winfrey as the leader of a new religion based on her latest book club choice, online class, personal beliefs, past statements, and her endorsement of Barack Obama. This email is making its rounds quickly! Apparently some Christians are extremely offended by Oprah’s views and actions and have made it their mission to expose The Church of Oprah. I wonder if The Church of Oprah gives its congregation free cars and houses lol. On a more serious note, have you seen the video?

I can certainly see and understand how and why some Christians find this offensive. However, this video does not reveal all of the facts surrounding the clips shown, nor does it give us total insight as to Oprah’s intentions or beliefs. After watching the video one should ask, who benefits from it and what is the intended purpose. This video reeks of strategic propaganda, it’s the same type of propaganda that plays on Christian fears, and its also the same type of propaganda that bamboozled some Christians into voting for George W. Bush, (but that’s another blog entirely)! The twisting of words and Bible interpretation has been used and abused throughout history for selfish gain (but I won’t go there today either). At some point, people must really begin reading between lines and lies. Start by asking questions like what do the people behind this video have to gain from this? What if anything are they trying to sell you and what details are they leaving out?This video paints Oprah Winfrey as “the enemy” to Christianity. The enemy is NOT Oprah, the author of that book, or Marianne Williamson. You may not share their beliefs or agree with them on spiritual matters but they are not the enemy. According to the Christian Bible:

“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” Ephesians 6:12

Why are Christians so bothered by all of this? Are some operating from a spirit of fear? Are Christians afraid that people will be swayed by new and false doctrines? If a Christian can be led astray by Oprah Winfrey and the concepts in A New Earth, then perhaps that person was not ever really rooted in the Christian faith.

If the concern is for those that are not “saved” being led astray, then Christian’s must seriously ask themselves what (if anything) are Christians doing to really reach the “unsaved.” There is just as much unholiness going on within the Church as there is in the “World”… so much so that the “World” often has a tough time differentiating between the two. There are far too many Christians talking the talk but not walking the walk. So if unsaved people are flocking to religions other than Christianity then perhaps it is an opportunity for Christians to revisit the meaning of:

“You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.” —Matthew 5:13

Some have taken this video as a sign of apostasy which is prophesized and often pointed to by Christians when finding fault within the world, but too often Christians overlook or refuse to take ownership for the Churches role in the apostasy as mentioned in the messages to the 7 churches in Revelations. It is always easier to point out what we perceive to be shortcomings of others… but it is always tougher to look at ourselves. There is truth in the saying, “people who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones.”

The Christian Bible says:

Judge not, that you be not judged.
For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.
And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye?
Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye?
Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye. —Matthew 7:1-5

Just as Christians are instructed to rightly divide the word of God , Christians must also rightly divide everything else that they read, see, hear, and/or come in contact with… It just seems to me that too many Christians spend too much time and focus too much energy casting judgment, being offended and/or protesting things that either do not matter or are completely beyond their control. When it comes to the prophecy of the apostasy it is just like every other prophecy in the Christian Bible, in that these things must come to pass… they cannot be stopped or prevented…according to the Christian Bible the apostasy must happen in order for Jesus to even come back right?

If Christians would direct the same energy and time letting their light shine the world might be a different place. Maybe our prisons wouldn’t be filled, maybe 3rd graders wouldn’t be plotting to attack teachers, maybe there would be no war in Iraq, maybe homelessness wouldn’t be an issue, maybe the sick would be healed, and the blind would regain sight!

The bottom line is this video is counterproductive and the anti-Oprah sentiment does not help win not one soul to the kingdom of God. The only thing that this video does is stir up controversy and create buzz for an 80 page book called Dont Drink The Kool-Aid: Oprah, Obama and The Occult which is going for $12.95.

“God is not the author of confusion, but of peace” —1 Corinthians 14:33

Now once again I ask, who benefits from this video and how many souls does it save from hell fire and damnation? See through the lies of the machine! Christians should not be moved by this video or the book, but should keep their eyes on Jesus. I know this might step on some toes but I’m fed with the nonsense. Be about the Father’s business.

Wake Up And Smell the Coffee!

Don’t Drink the Kool-Aid: Oprah, Obama, and The Occult

is PROPAGANDA see it for what it is!

According to Merriam Webster Dictionary, Propaganda is defined as:
* the spreading of ideas, information, or rumor for the purpose of helping or injuring an institution, a cause, or a person
* ideas, facts, or allegations spread deliberately to further one’s cause or to damage an opposing cause; also : a public action having such an effect

Propaganda Techniques Exposed »

Popularity: 11% [?]

My Attorney

My Attorney
After living a “decent” life, my time on earth came to an end. The first thing I remember is sitting on a bench in the waiting room of what I thought to be a court house. The doors opened and I was instructed to come in and have a seat by the defense table.

 

As I looked around I saw the “prosecutor.” He was a villainous looking gent who snarled as he stared at me. He definitely was the most evil person I have ever seen.

 

I sat down and looked to my left and there sat my lawyer, a kind and gentle looking man whose appearance seemed familiar to me. The corner door flew open and there appeared the judge in full flowing robes. He commanded an awesome presence as he moved across the room. I couldn’t take my eyes off of him. Read more

Popularity: 2% [?]

Acknowledging God

A newly arrived soul in Heaven was met by St. Peter. The saint toured the soul around Heaven. Both of them walked side by side inside a large workroom filled with angels. St. Peter stopped in front of the first section and said, “This is the Receiving Section. Here, all the petitions to God said in prayer are received”. The soul looked at the section, and it was terribly busy with so many angels sorting out petitions written on voluminous paper sheets from all the people of the world.

They walked again until they reached the 2nd section, and St. Peter told the soul, “This is the Packaging and Delivery Section. Here, the graces and blessings the people asked for are packed and delivered to the persons who asked for them down on earth.” The soul saw how busy it was. There were so many angels working in that room, since so many blessing were being packed and delivered to Earth.

Finally at the farthest corner of the room, the soul stopped at the last section. To the surprise of the soul, only one angel stayed there idly, doing nothing. “This is the Acknowledging Section,” St. Peter told the soul. “How is it that, there is no work here?” “That’s the sad thing,” St. Peter answered. “After the people received the blessings they asked for, very few send their acknowledgments”. “How does one acknowledge God’s blessing?” “Simple,” St. Peter answered. “Just say, “Thank you, Lord.”

Thank you Lord, for giving me the chance to share this message with others and also, for giving me so many wonderful people to share this with.

—Author Unknown

Popularity: 2% [?]

Opened and Closed Doors

We need to learn to thank the Lord for closed doors just as much as we do for open doors. The reason God closes doors is because He has not prepared anything over there for us.

If he didn’t close the wrong door we would never find our way to the right door. Even when we don’t realize it, God directs our paths through the closing and opening of doors . When one door closes, it forces us to change our course. Another door closes; it forces us to change our course yet again.

Then finally, we find the open door and walk right into our blessing.  But instead of praising God for the closed door (which kept us out of trouble), we get upset because we ‘judge by the appearances.’ And in our own arrogance, or ignorance, we insist that we know what is right.

We have a very present help in the time of need that is always standing guard. Because He walks ahead of us, He can see trouble down the road and HE sets up road blocks and detours accordingly. But through our lack of wisdom we try to tear down the roadblocks or push aside the detour signs.

Then the minute we get into trouble, we start crying.

‘Lord how could this happen to me?’

We have got to realize that the closed door was a blessing.
Didn’t He say that ‘No good thing will He withhold from them that love Him?’

If you get terminated from your job - don’t be down, instead thank God for the new opportunities that will manifest themselves - it might be a better job, or an opportunity to go to school. If that man or woman won’t return your call - it might not be them, it might be the
Lord setting up a roadblock (just let it go).

One time a person had a bank he had been doing business with for many years tell him ‘NO’ for a $10,000 loan. The Lord led him to call another bank.

That bank approved a $40,000 loan for him at a lower interest rate than his own bank had advertised.

I’m so grateful, for the many times God has closed doors to me, just to open them in the most unexpected places.

‘The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and He delights in his way.’ (Psalms 37:23)

The Mountain top is glorious, but it is in the Valley that I will grow!

Always Remember God gives you…
Enough Happiness to keep you Sweet
Enough Trials to keep you Strong
Enough Sorrows to keep you Human
Enough Hope to keep you Happy
Enough Failure to keep you Humble
Enough Success to keep you Eager
Enough Friends to give you Comfort
Enough Wealth to meet your Needs
Enough Enthusiasm to make you look forward
Enough Faith to banish depression, and
Enough Determination to make each day a better day than the last.

Life must be lived forward but can only be understood backwards.

Commit to the Lord in whatever you do and your plans will succeed. —Proverbs 16:3

AUTHOR UNKNOWN

Popularity: 1% [?]

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