February 21, 2011
by Rev. Janet Marston
LOVE ONE ANOTHER
In today's world, hate and violence is so increasingly prevalent, that it is easy for people to wonder where GOD is and also, where the "so-called" Christians are. With all of the media showing the failures and sins of Christians instead of the good that we do - we are even more under the microscope and need to be careful how we witness to others.
JESUS gave us the greatest commandment, to "love one another" - when we show true unconditional love for others - not judging or condemning others, but just really loving others - the light of JESUS shines. We cannot shout aggressively against violence and hate and then act out violence and hate without being labeled hypocrites - we should do our best to "practice what we preach". For example, how can a servant of GOD preach against profanity and domestic violence, when you are abusing their own spouses? How can a servant of GOD preach against alcoholism and drug abuse, when you are abusing alcohol and drugs? YOU CAN'T. You will turn people away from GOD and that is NOT what JESUS wants from us.
To be Christ-like is to show love, forgiveness, kindness to others as CHRIST has done for us. We cannot force our opinions on others and we should not try. We can only express them and pray that the Holy Spirit will convict them of the truth. I truly do not believe you can reach the lost by shoving the spiritual spoon down anyone's throat. You CAN reach the lost by showing JESUS' love the way HE commanded us to - helping the helpless, homeless, disabled, sick, elderly, the hurting, and more - all of those who are in need. I have seen more people turn to GOD because of simple acts of love and kindness - NOT by violence, shouting, or judging.
Yes, we are in a world that is increasing in violence, profanities, vulgarities, addictions, pain, hurt and hopelessness. It is our duty, as servants of the Cross, to hold up the Cross in unconditional love - not judging - just showing people that GOD loves them - once the seed of Love is planted, the Holy Spirit will do the rest - we should then listen to GOD and minister to them as GOD calls us to.
FATHER GOD IN HEAVEN, IN THE NAME OF JESUS, YOUR BLESSED SON, I COME TO YOU TODAY AS YOUR HUMBLE SERVANT - HELP ME TO BE KIND AND LOVING TO OTHERS AND NOT JUDGE OR CONDEMN THEM - BUT INSTEAD, TO SHOW THE LOVE THAT YOU HAVE FOR THEM AND PRAY FOR THEM AND HELP THEM, AS YOU CALL ME TO DO. AMEN.
JOHN 13:34-35
34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.
35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
ROMANS 12:9-11
9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.
10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.
11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.
GALATIANS 5:13-14
13 You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.
14 For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
EPHESIANS 4:1-3
1 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.
2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.
3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
1 JOHN 4:11-13
11 Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
12 No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.
13 This is how we know that we live in him and he in us: He has given us of his Spirit.
Monday, February 21, 2011
Monday, February 14, 2011
FOOD FOR THE SPIRIT - 02/14/2011 - WHO IS YOUR VALENTINE?
February 14, 2011
By Rev. Janet Marston
WHO IS YOUR VALENTINE? WHO IS THE ONE YOU LOVE THE MOST?
Sure, we love our significant others, and our children, and our families - but, who do you love the most? Is GOD on your list? Do you love GOD more than anything or anyone? GOD commands that we put Him first. He showed HIs love for us by sending His only begotten Son to be the sacrifice for our sins. Today, let JESUS be your valentine. Show JESUS that you love Him the most. Tell Him you love Him and show Him how much you appreciate His love for you and do something nice for someone today. That would be a great Valentines Day present to the One who created TRUE LOVE!
JESUS, YOU ARE MY TRUE VALENTINE - THE ONE THAT I LOVE THE MOST - ABOVE ALL THINGS - ABOVE ALL PEOPLE. YOU ARE THE EXAMPLE OF TRUE LOVE - FORGIVENESS, SACRIFICE, KINDNESS AND GOODNESS. TODAY, I GIVE MY HEART AND SOUL TO YOU - LET ME SHOW MY LOVE FOR YOU BY BEING KIND AND AND SHOWING UNCONDITIONAL LOVE TO OTHERS. AMEN.
LEVITICUS 19:18 (NIV)
18 “‘Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.
DEUTERONOMY 6:5 (NIV)
5 Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.
PSALM 33:21-22 (NIV)
21 In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name.
22 May your unfailing love be with us, LORD, even as we put our hope in you.
ROMANS 5:8
8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
1 CORINTHIANS 13:2-4 (NIV)
2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.
3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast,[a] but do not have love, I gain nothing.
4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
By Rev. Janet Marston
WHO IS YOUR VALENTINE? WHO IS THE ONE YOU LOVE THE MOST?
Sure, we love our significant others, and our children, and our families - but, who do you love the most? Is GOD on your list? Do you love GOD more than anything or anyone? GOD commands that we put Him first. He showed HIs love for us by sending His only begotten Son to be the sacrifice for our sins. Today, let JESUS be your valentine. Show JESUS that you love Him the most. Tell Him you love Him and show Him how much you appreciate His love for you and do something nice for someone today. That would be a great Valentines Day present to the One who created TRUE LOVE!
JESUS, YOU ARE MY TRUE VALENTINE - THE ONE THAT I LOVE THE MOST - ABOVE ALL THINGS - ABOVE ALL PEOPLE. YOU ARE THE EXAMPLE OF TRUE LOVE - FORGIVENESS, SACRIFICE, KINDNESS AND GOODNESS. TODAY, I GIVE MY HEART AND SOUL TO YOU - LET ME SHOW MY LOVE FOR YOU BY BEING KIND AND AND SHOWING UNCONDITIONAL LOVE TO OTHERS. AMEN.
LEVITICUS 19:18 (NIV)
18 “‘Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.
DEUTERONOMY 6:5 (NIV)
5 Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.
PSALM 33:21-22 (NIV)
21 In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name.
22 May your unfailing love be with us, LORD, even as we put our hope in you.
ROMANS 5:8
8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
1 CORINTHIANS 13:2-4 (NIV)
2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.
3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast,[a] but do not have love, I gain nothing.
4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
THE LORD'S PRAYER
OUR FATHER, WHO IS IN HEAVEN
HOLY BE YOUR NAME
YOUR KINGDOM COME
YOUR WILL BE DONE
ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN
GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD
AND FORGIVE US OF OUR SINS
AS WE FORGIVE THOSE WHO SIN AGAINST US
AND LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION
BUT DELIVER US FROM ALL EVIL
FOR YOURS IS THE KINGDOM, THE POWER, AND THE GLORY
FOREVER AND EVER, AMEN!
HOLY BE YOUR NAME
YOUR KINGDOM COME
YOUR WILL BE DONE
ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN
GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD
AND FORGIVE US OF OUR SINS
AS WE FORGIVE THOSE WHO SIN AGAINST US
AND LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION
BUT DELIVER US FROM ALL EVIL
FOR YOURS IS THE KINGDOM, THE POWER, AND THE GLORY
FOREVER AND EVER, AMEN!
CREED (SHORT VERSION)
I BELIEVE IN GOD THE FATHER ALMIGHTY
MAKER OF HEAVEN AND EARTH
AND IN JESUS CHRIST, HIS ONLY SON, OUR LORD
WHO WAS CONCEIVED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT
BORN OF THE VIRGIN MARY
SUFFERED UNDER PONTIUS PILATE
WAS CRUCIFIED, DIED, AND WAS BURIED
HE DESCENDED INTO HELL
ON THE THIRD DAY HE ROSE FROM THE DEAD
AND SITS AT THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD THE FATHER ALMIGHTY
FROM THENCE SHALL COME AND JUDGE BOTH THE LIVING AND THE DEAD
AND I BELIEVE IN THE HOLY SPIRIT
THE HOLY CHRISTIAN CHURCH
THE COMMUNION OF SAINTS
THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS
THE RESURRECTION OF THE BODY
AND THE LIFE EVERLASTING.
AMEN - AMEN - AND AMEN!
JESUS IS LORD!
MAKER OF HEAVEN AND EARTH
AND IN JESUS CHRIST, HIS ONLY SON, OUR LORD
WHO WAS CONCEIVED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT
BORN OF THE VIRGIN MARY
SUFFERED UNDER PONTIUS PILATE
WAS CRUCIFIED, DIED, AND WAS BURIED
HE DESCENDED INTO HELL
ON THE THIRD DAY HE ROSE FROM THE DEAD
AND SITS AT THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD THE FATHER ALMIGHTY
FROM THENCE SHALL COME AND JUDGE BOTH THE LIVING AND THE DEAD
AND I BELIEVE IN THE HOLY SPIRIT
THE HOLY CHRISTIAN CHURCH
THE COMMUNION OF SAINTS
THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS
THE RESURRECTION OF THE BODY
AND THE LIFE EVERLASTING.
AMEN - AMEN - AND AMEN!
JESUS IS LORD!
STAND FIRM AND BELIEVE
No one is better or bigger than our God. No one can defeat God. No one can win against our Lord. Sometimes it is hard to stand firm and believe that God will deliver you from a terrible situation, when all seems hopeless. But, GOD can and GOD will - if you let Him. Say this:
I STAND FIRM IN MY FAITH AND STAND IN AGREEMENT WITH MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CHRIST THAT MY GOD SHALL SUPPLY ALL OF MY NEEDS ACCORDING TO HIS RICHES AND GLORY IN CHRIST JESUS.
I TRUST IN MY LORD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST - MY LORD SHALL DELIVER ME FROM ALL EVIL AND FROM ALL OF MY TROUBLES.
I HAVE COMPLETE FAITH IN MY GOD - MY GOD SHALL PROVIDE FOR ALL OF MY NEEDS AND I SHALL NOT BE AFRAID.
I REBUKE THE DEVIL AND ALL OF HIS WAYS AND TURN ONLY TO MY LORD FOR HELP AND STRENGTH.
IT IS WRITTEN "NO WEAPON FORMED AGAINST ME SHALL PROSPER."
I AM A CHILD OF GOD AND MY FATHER IN HEAVEN SHALL PROTECT ME AND DELIVER ME FROM ALL WHO COME AGAINST ME.
MY GOD NEVER LOSES - MY GOD ALWAYS WINS.
I GIVE ALL OF MY TROUBLES TO MY GOD - WHO SHALL DELIVER ME.
MY GOD SHALL HAVE HIS ANGELS IN CHARGE OVER ME.
I SHALL STAY STRONG AND KEEP MY HEART AND MIND FOCUSED ON MY GOD AND HIS WISDOM AND STRENGTH.
_________________________________________
MARK 11:22-25
22 “Have faith in God,” Jesus answered.
23 “Truly[f] I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them.
24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. 25 And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”
I STAND FIRM IN MY FAITH AND STAND IN AGREEMENT WITH MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CHRIST THAT MY GOD SHALL SUPPLY ALL OF MY NEEDS ACCORDING TO HIS RICHES AND GLORY IN CHRIST JESUS.
I TRUST IN MY LORD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST - MY LORD SHALL DELIVER ME FROM ALL EVIL AND FROM ALL OF MY TROUBLES.
I HAVE COMPLETE FAITH IN MY GOD - MY GOD SHALL PROVIDE FOR ALL OF MY NEEDS AND I SHALL NOT BE AFRAID.
I REBUKE THE DEVIL AND ALL OF HIS WAYS AND TURN ONLY TO MY LORD FOR HELP AND STRENGTH.
IT IS WRITTEN "NO WEAPON FORMED AGAINST ME SHALL PROSPER."
I AM A CHILD OF GOD AND MY FATHER IN HEAVEN SHALL PROTECT ME AND DELIVER ME FROM ALL WHO COME AGAINST ME.
MY GOD NEVER LOSES - MY GOD ALWAYS WINS.
I GIVE ALL OF MY TROUBLES TO MY GOD - WHO SHALL DELIVER ME.
MY GOD SHALL HAVE HIS ANGELS IN CHARGE OVER ME.
I SHALL STAY STRONG AND KEEP MY HEART AND MIND FOCUSED ON MY GOD AND HIS WISDOM AND STRENGTH.
_________________________________________
MARK 11:22-25
22 “Have faith in God,” Jesus answered.
23 “Truly[f] I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them.
24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. 25 And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”
Monday, February 7, 2011
FOOD FOR THE SPIRIT - February 7, 2011
When everything seems hopeless, lean on the One who gives HOPE.
When you are struggling with your faith, turn to the One who gives FAITH.
Do not look to the world for your comfort and peace - look to the LORD, who gives us Comfort and Peace.
All is not lost when you have the Lord - though the world may turn you away and even when you lose all of your possessions, no one can take your spirit and soul - which belongs to GOD.
No matter what you are going through - nothing is too tough for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who conquered death, and saved us from all of our sins. Everyone makes mistakes. GOD forgives. Everyone makes bad choices from time to time. GOD makes the right choices ALL the time. Most of us have felt betrayal and unfaithfulness by those we love in one way or another. GOD is faithful ALL the time.
You can trust GOD all the time. GOD will never leave you or forsake you. Turn to HIM now.
IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER, AND THE SON, AND THE HOLY GHOST, DEAR LORD, HEAR MY PRAYER. I COME TO YOU TODAY, LORD, WITH A HUMBLE HEART, WITH MY WHOLE HEART. I AM HURTING. I FEEL BETRAYED. I FEEL I CAN'T TRUST ANYONE IN THIS WORLD. BUT, I KNOW THAT I CAN TRUST YOU, LORD. YOU ARE FAITHFUL. YOU ARE THE WAY THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE. I PUT MY WHOLE LIFE AND EVERYTHING I HAVE IN YOUR HANDS TODAY, LORD. I ALSO PRAY FOR MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS - FOR THOSE WHO NEED YOU, AND ASK YOU TO BLESS THEM AND ANSWER THEIR PRAYERS. I ASK YOU TO FORGIVE ME OF MY SINS AND HELP ME TO BE STRONG AND TO LIVE THE REST OF MY LIFE SERVING YOU, MY WONDERFUL SAVIOR, MY PRECIOUS LORD. IN JESUS HOLY NAME, I PRAY, AMEN.
PSALM 25:16-18 (NIV)
16 Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted.
17 Relieve the troubles of my heart and free me from my anguish.
18 Look on my affliction and my distress and take away all my sins.
2 CORINTHIANS 1:3-24 (NIV)
Praise to the God of All Comfort
3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort,
4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.
5 For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ.
6 If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer.
7 And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort.
When you are struggling with your faith, turn to the One who gives FAITH.
Do not look to the world for your comfort and peace - look to the LORD, who gives us Comfort and Peace.
All is not lost when you have the Lord - though the world may turn you away and even when you lose all of your possessions, no one can take your spirit and soul - which belongs to GOD.
No matter what you are going through - nothing is too tough for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who conquered death, and saved us from all of our sins. Everyone makes mistakes. GOD forgives. Everyone makes bad choices from time to time. GOD makes the right choices ALL the time. Most of us have felt betrayal and unfaithfulness by those we love in one way or another. GOD is faithful ALL the time.
You can trust GOD all the time. GOD will never leave you or forsake you. Turn to HIM now.
IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER, AND THE SON, AND THE HOLY GHOST, DEAR LORD, HEAR MY PRAYER. I COME TO YOU TODAY, LORD, WITH A HUMBLE HEART, WITH MY WHOLE HEART. I AM HURTING. I FEEL BETRAYED. I FEEL I CAN'T TRUST ANYONE IN THIS WORLD. BUT, I KNOW THAT I CAN TRUST YOU, LORD. YOU ARE FAITHFUL. YOU ARE THE WAY THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE. I PUT MY WHOLE LIFE AND EVERYTHING I HAVE IN YOUR HANDS TODAY, LORD. I ALSO PRAY FOR MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS - FOR THOSE WHO NEED YOU, AND ASK YOU TO BLESS THEM AND ANSWER THEIR PRAYERS. I ASK YOU TO FORGIVE ME OF MY SINS AND HELP ME TO BE STRONG AND TO LIVE THE REST OF MY LIFE SERVING YOU, MY WONDERFUL SAVIOR, MY PRECIOUS LORD. IN JESUS HOLY NAME, I PRAY, AMEN.
PSALM 25:16-18 (NIV)
16 Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted.
17 Relieve the troubles of my heart and free me from my anguish.
18 Look on my affliction and my distress and take away all my sins.
2 CORINTHIANS 1:3-24 (NIV)
Praise to the God of All Comfort
3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort,
4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.
5 For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ.
6 If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer.
7 And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort.
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