Count YOUR Blessings

It's all too human to envy others who have what we don't. When we're poor and hungry it's no surprise that we're jealous of those who are materially comfortable. When our family life is in a shambles, it's natural to wonder why others get to enjoy peaceful, happy homes.

 As natural as it is, envy is one of the most insidious and dangerous emotions. In contrast to simple greed, envy involves an element of resentment against those who have what we lack. When allowed to fester and grow, envy eats away at the spirit and soul, makes us miserable and angry, and can move one to selfish, even violent and destructive, action. It alienates family members, changes friends into enemies, pits classes and groups against each other, and when turned to political ends by clever manipulators, can tear apart whole societies.  Ironically, action driven by envy almost never achieves its goals, and all too often leads only to frustration, bitterness, and despair. Envy led to Cain's murder of his brother Abel, and the Prodigal Son's brother to resent him and their father. No wonder envy is numbered among the "Seven Deadly Sins"!

As the Apostle James reminds us, "[w]here envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work." (James 3:16 (KJVA)).  And he pulls no punches in describing how this destructive process works: "You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions." (James 4:2-3 (ESV)). How do we avoid or escape the trap of envy, that leads to so much woe?

Perhaps the only way is to keep the true spirit of Christ and His love burning brightly within us. Of course, we must do all we can to avoid the sinful conduct that puts distance between us and God. Aside from that, regular prayers of thankfulness are essential--how can we be envious when we're constantly thanking the Lord for what we do have? No matter how bleak your own life may seem at any given moment, there are many, many people all over the world who have it much worse, and would give almost anything to have what you do. You always have blessings of your own to count--don't trouble yourself counting someone else's!

As with so many other human frailties, ultimately the best antidote to envy is faith and trust in our Lord, that He will provide everything necessary for us to do His will on this earth, so that there's no need take account of what others have. As David said, "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want." (Psalm 23:1 (KJV)). Likewise: "Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart." (Psalm 37:4). The Apostle Paul, too, reminds us that "love envieth not."  (1 Corinthians 13:4 (ASV))  So, if we keep Christ's selfless love burning inside us, delight in Him, and follow Him as our Shepherd, we won't dwell on what we (think) we lack, but will rejoice unceasingly in our countless blessings. We can be free of envy's spiritual corrosion, at peace with ourselves and others, and content to be an eternal citizen of His glorious kingdom!  What more could one want?

Tom Fleming

Songs of Praises

ABUNDANT LIFE FROM ANOTHER PERSPECTIVE

In the calculation of the national income of a nation, or even an organization or a family, there two (2) ways/ perspectives you can look at it, namely: the demand side and the supply side. The demand side is the aggregation of all the demand made by the economic agents in the economy within a time period, while the supply side looks at all that was produced into the economy within a specific time period (products and services…)

Our life as a Christian can also be looked at from two perspectives especially when considering Jesus statement in John 10:10b

                “…I have come so that they might have life and that they might have it more abundantly”. (NKJV)

The most popular interpretation of this verse has always been that of us having a blissful, pleasurable, rest-filled life in which all our needs are met and our enjoyment knows no bound…. Sounds like the demand side.

Of course, this interpretation is not wrong like the computation of the national income from either the supply or demand side; however, it is instructive to look at this scripture from another perspective. The supply side.

Thus, the scripture’s interpretation will be something like our having abundant life means that we “extend grace and goodness to others”.

This, to me, is the crux of the matter knowing fully well that we are the beneficiary of these in great measures (and that is why we are here today), Talking about a life that is full of (abundant in) Love, Patience, Kindness, Mercy, Compassion, Peace, Tolerance, Hospitality and other virtues.

Permit me to say that this supply side perspective is the most needed in our days. We are prosperous and advancing in levels that no generation before us thought possible and going with it are crises and challenges beyond human imaginations.

As we are advancing technologically, in knowledge, science and medicine in leaps and bounds, we have more billionaires now than ever, also, we have more poor people, insecurity, perversion, abuse, violence, hopelessness, and desperation all over the place.

It is so disturbing when our eyes are opened to see that behind the smile, nice dressing and make up of our neighbours, colleaugues, clients, even church members are those things listed above...

If only so many more of us think of the abundant life as life full of virtues. And try to make life more “liveable” for others in quality not (quantity alone)… and remembering that our Saviour and Lord is who He is to us because He lived His life from the Supply side perspective… Acts 10:38.

God Bless You.

To God nothing is Impossible

Today I was remembered about a special word of God that brought peace and hope upon my heart and I am here to share with you and praying  you can be renewed  by the Holy Spirit.

 Luke 1:28-38 ...But the angel said: “Do not be afraid, Mary; You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you". "I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.”

Sometimes is the same in our lives. We look to the circumstances. We look to our finantial troubles, families issues, confuses sentimental and hearts in pain and we say NOT, it is not to my, my life is hard and nothing works well. We think that happiness, peace, joy these kind of things is just to other not to us.
Lets to think together. Bible says that God works toward us and He works trough our faith. Many times we have faith, but faith in the trouble and circumstances! We have faith in things will never change. We believe that that people never will change ( maybe sons, husband or some friend!), BUT now is time to have a new behavior. When Good gave a word to Mary, in the first time she answered that it would be impossible in sight of the circumstances she lived. So, the angel  gave her a word and said: GOD WILL DO, IT IS A GOD THING. So dear reader, even you and me are facing a hard time and bad circumstances,we have to looking for God's word and believe in what He said about us. 
God's word is faithful and He is working toward us.
Have faith and even you had a bat reaction at first time when you hear some 'new', stop a bit and listen to God voice. He are saying to you FAITH! I AM WITH YOU AND NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE TO ME " With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God." Mark 10:27
Stand up today, look in faith and see what God will do.
He is with you
God bless and gives you strength  today, it is my prayer toward you in Jesus Name.
Pati Nanni

Prison Break

Hebrews 13:3 (NET) - Remember those in prison as if you were in prison with them, and those ill-treated as if you too felt their torment.

I can never read this verse without thinking of someone.

Some years ago, I accompanied my boss on a business trip where we were worked with a gentleman who took over his company after his father retired.

Some of the questions we had regarded matters from when the father ran the firm.

The gentleman called his father who agreed to come down and answer our questions.

He arrived and was most cooperative with us.

After some time went by, we all agreed that we should break for lunch.

At the restaurant, I sat directly across the table from this older gentleman.

He asked me about my faith which pleasantly surprised me.

I gladly shared my faith with him and he, in turn, shared his with me.

That is when he told me how Hebrews 13:3 changed his life.

After he retired, this man wasn’t sure what to do with the extra time he had on his hands.

The answer came to him as he read his Bible one evening.

When he read this verse, he felt moved to start a prison ministry.

He wasn’t sure how or even where to begin.

He prayed about this and as a result, he contacted some retired friends of his and told them about his desire to start a prison ministry.

Some were interested.

As a team, they now go into prisons and minister to those incarcerated.

As I stated before, I cannot read this verse without thinking of this fine Christian man and how he felt moved to live according to it.

I also remind myself that prisons are not always buildings with high walls, iron bars and  guard towers.

People cam be prisoners in other ways.

They can be prisoners languishing in a cell of self doubt.

They can be imprisoned by the harsh words others have told them in the past.

They  can be held captive by memories of abuse.

We should remember these prisoners as well.

We should feel their pain.

We should do everything within our power to help them.

But how?

Paul, a prisoner, gives us the answer.

2 Timothy 2:8-9 (NET) - Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, a descendant of David, such is my gospel, for which I suffer hardship to the point of imprisonment as a criminal, but God’s message is not imprisoned!

Paul was imprisoned by powers that tried to silence his ministry.

Yet the Word of God can neither be silenced nor imprisoned.

That is how we can best help free these captives from their prisons.

We must be willing to share the Word of God with them.

The Word of God can break one out of their prison.

It can do so because it also has the power to break into it.


Blessings,
Jim Pokorny
The Other Brother Jim
http://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/

GOOD SMELL

II Cor. 2:15, 16

"… because for God we are the aroma of Christ among those who are saved and those who are perishing. For these are the smell of death, for those life fragrance, … "

            The Apostle Paul says that we are the aroma of Christ, we are the good smell of Christ, we are the smell of Christ.

            In Hebrews 10: 9 and 10 we read: "…Here I am; I have come to do your will ". He cancels the first that he may establish the second. For the fulfillment of such sanctified desire, through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ, offering once and for all.

            The sacrifices of the Old Testament were cancelled when Jesus meets the father's will and surrender your body to sacrifice for us. Now we became the gentle aroma of sacrifice. For the saved, and life's smell and for those who perish, the smell of death.

            When the Apostle Paul talks about it, he makes an allusion to the return of a victorious general and his soldiers. It released a incense that smells for the winners and the losers life smells like death. We don't have that smell of death, but our life needs to take the ungodly know how will be your final.

             I John 5:12 says that "he who has the son has life; who does not have the son of God does not have life. "

             When he says that we are the aroma of Christ, he says that we are the messengers of the word of God spread His message as a fragrance. And all of this has to do with justification, sanctification and testimony of life.

                     Our essence is Jesus Christ!

            The good perfume influences without fanfare. No screams, it penetrates. Does not speak, but if necessary. Attracts people and is engaging. Makes the environment more pleasant.

            I Peter 2: 9 says that "… we are the chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a Holy nation, a people unique of God, to announce quantities that called us from darkness into his wonderful light." With respect to the Act of witnessing, that smell you have vented?

            The Bible tells us to live a straight life and fair, that reflects the life and character of Jesus. We were made to be like him and do as he did and we walk as he walked. With reference to your conduct, your posture, your attitudes and your words.

             May God bless us and empower us to live in a way that pleases. Remember that we are your housing and that His spirit dwells in us. When we are filled with the Lord, we face the whole time. If you commit any fault, feel uncomfortable, there is repentance and confession. So we continue serving the Lord.

Blessings, 

MaryGondim

www.verdadecongelada.blogspot.com

Follow the Leader

"After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven." ~ Matthew 6:9-10

One of the hardest things for a person--even the typical believer--to do is lay aside his or her own will and let the Lord lead.  Growing up we're encouraged to become self-reliant, and if we're fortunate enough to live in a land of freedom and opportunity, we learn to choose own goals and chart our own path to their accomplishment. We make our own decisions day-to-day, according to our own judgment of what will best advance our own purposes.

Did you notice the theme--"our own"?  This may seem like a liberating way of life, especially for people who live in countries or cultures where people's basic decisions are made for them by state or other authorities. But there can be a misleading quality to this freedom: where the primacy of God in daily life is spurned or forgotten, we're essentially "on our own," seeing but "through a glass, darkly" (1 Corinthians 13:12), left (by our own choice), groping about in the murk of earthly life without the light and confidence that come from God's leadership. We're limited to our own ill-informed and fallible judgment about what's right and best for us, and we struggle to identify and manage the resources we think we'll need to realize our dimly-perceived objectives. We can't begin to see all the pitfalls and the opportunities that our Father in Heaven can see. As a result, we make innumerable mistakes and fly down blind alleys over and over again; we get frustrated and discouraged, or turn our own and other people's lives upside down pursuing vain goals with a single-minded vengeance. Too often, this leads to the ruin of families and lives.

The answer is to maintain an attitude of submissiveness and readiness to serve our Heavenly Father, and to seek Him constantly in prayer ("Pray without ceasing." 1 Thessalonians 5:17). In all things, we must first strive to discern His will for us, and then do our best to follow it. When deciding on goals, long-term or shorter, we should ask the Lord in prayer what He wants for us, and whether particular goals we may have proposed for ourselves are consistent with His will for us. As we go along day-to-day, continue asking for His guidance and inspiration to see opportunities and hazards, and to receive those often-quiet promptings of the Spirit that, if faithfully heeded, enable us to make our way safely and productively along His chosen path. By doing this we'll always know that we're doing the best thing, in the best way, for ourselves and our families.

This was the lesson taught in one of my favorite hymns, Lead, Kindly Light, written in 1833 by John Henry Newman (1801–1890).  The hymn relates the experience of one who once was determined to pursue his own goals in his own way, who "loved to choose and see my path," who "loved the garish day," and whose will was ruled by pride. Now, the writer prays God to "Keep Thou my feet; I do not ask to see the distant scene; one step enough for me."

Lead, kindly Light, amid th’encircling gloom, lead Thou me on!
The night is dark, and I am far from home; lead Thou me on!
Keep Thou my feet; I do not ask to see
The distant scene; one step enough for me.

I was not ever thus, nor prayed that Thou shouldst lead me on;
I loved to choose and see my path; but now lead Thou me on!
I loved the garish day, and, spite of fears,
Pride ruled my will. Remember not past years!

So long Thy power hath blest me, sure it still will lead me on.
O’er moor and fen, o’er crag and torrent, till the night is gone,
And with the morn those angel faces smile,
which I Have loved long since, and lost awhile!

Meantime, along the narrow rugged path, Thyself hast trod,
Lead, Savior, lead me home in childlike faith, home to my God.
To rest forever after earthly strife
In the calm light of everlasting life.

So, before you do make your next decision, big or small, go the the Lord in prayer and ask Him what HIS will is for your life. Accept His leadership in place of your own, and don't be afraid to follow it, even though you may not see in advance or understand every step along the path. Walk in faith with Him, trusting in His guidance, every day. Keep going, even through times of hardship and doubt. With the Lord of the Universe showing the way, you can't go wrong!

Tom Fleming

Songs of Praises

A DANGEROUS PLACE

Slavery is an unpopular word but there was a time in history when it was the norm and a matter of public discourse the same way poverty and climate change dominate in our time.

Jesus in John 8:35a made a profound statement, though, it is an analogy it speaks a lot on our state today as it did for the people listening to Him inside the temple. Jesus says”And the servant abideth not in the house for ever…” KJV.

A servant (slave) to a large extent, share so much in a house that some even graduate to become a member of the house. They share the same roof with the children, eat the same meals (after all, they make the meals), some like Joseph was in the house of Potipher become so trustworthy that the management of the house/farm/business is turned over to them to management but they “they abideth not in the house forever”- whatever they end up becoming. Expressed in other words, “they share no inheritance with the children”.

So many of us are slaves in the house of God, yes, we eat the crumbs that  fall from the children’s table, we enjoy the same covering they enjoy, the same grace, some favours, sometimes the freedom we enjoy in the house is more than those of the children but we are still not His children.

This is a dangerous place to be. These benefits that accrue by virtue of association can mislead us to think that perhaps we don’t need to be as obedient as we should, as holy as we should, as consecrated as we should, and so on afterall, we are enjoying what the children are enjoying.

It is called costly assumption or self deceit and without listening as Jesus admonishes us right now to whom the fullest of time has come, we will end up as slaves end up….OUTSIDE THE INHERITANCE OF THE CHILDREN.

Why? Jesus make us know that “Not everyone who calls me 'Lord, Lord' will enter the Kingdom of heaven, but only those who do what my Father in heaven wants them to do.”Matt 7:21 (GNB)

Let us examine ourselves once again to see whether we are in Christ. It is not a matter of the benefits of sonship that we enjoy or how much use we are of God but it’s all about WHOSE WILL WE ARE DOING. Matt 7:22 (GNB)

The place of Slaves enjoying the status of sons is the most dangerous place. May you not be found there and may I not be found there in Jesus name. Amen

Disney Channel

Some time ago I wrote at my blog things about this and i am writing here to share things that all of us need stop a bit to think about!

I think that Disney Channel should come with a warned: danger for teenagers
why?
#1 - they encourage futility. People are what the wear, eat, school they study and outside appearance
#2 - to Disney channel, teenager know everything. Their parents always are wrong in the end when do not allow them follow what they want and think be the best for their life (as if like teenager we know all that is good and better to lived!) To Disney parents are that bored people that is in our life just to say NO when we want have fun or follow our feeling. All adult know that when we are teenager our feelings are intense and each experience we have, we think be the bigger and only, teenager think that what they live is the only day, love and opportunity in all life. It is why we have parents, to show us that life is more than our 14 or 16 years already lived and more experiences we will get along of our lives! Almost don't have parents in their programs and, when have parents, they are coadjutants because their sons gains the money that maintain the house.

#3 – some characters just depreciated their friend because some of them do not have too much money like them!
#4 – For them, brothers compete more than are partners, friends and helpers one of others.
WHAT does THE word FAMILY means to Disney Channel? Think about =)
What kind of character and values we are putting in our kids when we allow them watch this many hours.
Some families spend more time in front of TV than with bible or at church or church works.

Remember what bible says

The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron. Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.
1 Timóteo 4:15-16

Keep your family save from devil one. Pray from them, talk with them. Spend time with them.

Bring the God's love into your house. Some believer I know that are the one believers in their houses, just complain about be the one. They do not share God's love inside the house. They just go to church and come back in silence, some times complaining unless say come on, lets dinner together, lets lunch together or lets just sit and talk a bit! Well lets go and invite our beloveds to God's kingdom more than just church. Share the love you have gotten ... it pleasures God and save you and yours!!!
LOVE
God bless

It is Completed!

John 19:29-30 (NET) - A jar full of sour wine was there, so they put a sponge soaked in sour wine on a branch of hyssop and lifted it to His mouth. When He received the sour wine, Jesus said, "It is completed!" Then He bowed His head and gave up His spirit.

Jesus said, "It is completed!"

What, exactly, was completed?

From a human perspective, a good number of things were completed the moment Jesus experienced physical death on our behalf.

His suffering was completed for one thing.

All the physical and emotional pain He endured was over.

The pain from the flogging was over.

The torture of the thorns and nails piercing His flesh was over.

The unimaginable agony of the crucifixion was over.

The humiliations He endured at the hands of His tormentors was over.

Yet, that was not all that was completed.

Jesus followed the Father’s will through to the end.

He lived  among us and never sinned.

His perfect earthly life, too, was completed.

There is more.

All the prophecies concerning Jesus in the Old Testament were now fulfilled.

They were now completed.

There is more.

Man’s salvation, our salvation, is now a real possibility.

His making that possible is completed.

All these things and much more are now completed.

For Jesus, all these things and the others were part of one mission.

That mission is completed.

It is humbling to realize that it was Jesus who made all things complete that darkest of days.

We did not.

We could not.

Nor can we add anything to it.

There is something we can do.

We can return to the tomb and see with our own eyes that it is indeed empty.

We can then spread the word and say, "It really is completed!"

I wish you a most blessed Easter!


Blessings,
Jim Pokorny
The Other Brother Jim
http://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/

Independence and Death!

          I start my post with a story I read this week.

              "Several men went on a missionary journey to Haiti where they found a 19-year-old boy who loved deeply to Christ. The youngster impressed them so, who invited him to visit the United States. When they arrived, a whole new world opened up before the eyes of the young Haitian. Never dormira on linen, had never had three meals in one day, never had used water and never proved a Big Mac.

              Traveling through the United States, young made a lot of friends. At the end of a long visit six weeks, their hosts offered him a farewell dinner. After that meal, several members of the group drove him words of warm farewell. Then they asked the young Haitian if you would like to say something. Yes, I do. I desire to thank you for having invited me. Really enjoyed this period in the United States. But I'm very happy to come back home. You have both in America, that I'm almost losing confidence in Christ daily dependence! "

               This story shocked my life, because our tendency has increasingly to seek independence. Do not like to depend on anyone, right? We Proclaim confidence in an unseen God, proclaim from the rooftops their love, care and provision, but all the time, worked for independence. Financial, emotional and even spiritual.


               This is more real than we care to admit. It is a pattern of secular thought which have shaped us. Our many resources have prevented us from relying on God and depend on God and the fear is to have confidence that the Lord has the power to give us what we need. We are like the people of Israel who grew tired of the daily allowance and felt nostalgia for the "onions of Egypt."

                We know that walk without Jesus means to die. But building trust in HIM has to be constant and daily. The Lord will lead us to genuine trust and dependency if not we die wealthy, leaving possessions, but not inheriting anything!

In the love of Christ ,

MaryGondim

www.verdadecongelada.com

Walking by faith

"And saw two ships standing by the lake, and the fishermen had goneout of them, were washing their nets.And he entered into the boat, which was Simon's, asked him to put out a little of the earth, and we sat down and taught the crowds from the boat.And when he finished speaking, he said to Simon, Put out into the sea, and cast your nets for a catch.And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all night and taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.And in so doing, reaped a lot of fish, and broke them up the network.And they beckoned to their partners were in the other boat to come help them. They came and filled both boats so that they began to sink.And Simon Peter saw it, fell down at Jesus' feet, saying, Lord, Depart from me, I am a sinful man.For what was astonished him, and all who were with him, because of the fishes that had "Luke 5:1-9When we read this passage from the Gospel of Luke, is not essential to emphasize the obedience of one man to his master, Jesus.Simon Peter was a fisherman since childhood, was raised in this way, becoming then an expert in fishing. It was what he could do better, he understood everything that was conducive to having good fishing, moon phase, right time ... But that night, having tested a lot, found nothing.When Jesus saw what had happened, gave him one word: 'launches the network. " At this point I imagine that many things went at the head of Peter, such as: Who am I mean fishing, but the Lord Master is good to speak the Word of God, the things of the kingdom of His FatherBut he an attitude of faith to a command given by Jesus, the network launched and caught a huge amount of fish. Peter knew who had given the order, recognized the voice of his Master and knew I could trust Him because He is a God who delivers what it says.He never tells us to do anything to frustrate us or suffer. All He asks of us is to see us grow and to be blessed even more. Except that sometimes our unbelief, self-sufficiency, self-justification in the center take the will of God and delay the fulfillment of His Word in our lives.As children of God, we must learn to recognize who speaks to us, the importance of sweat that has His Word and obey immediately. Questioning that we are not waiting explanations, reasoning it logically, because when God gives a command is just to be obeyed and nothing else.We live in a world where it is necessary to give an explanation for everything, have answers for everything, but it's time to learn to live by faith, believing that what is visible came into existence of the invisible, as we see in II Cor 5:7 "For we walk by faith not by sight