Hebrews 12:1
Hebrews 12:1 (NKJV) Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Holy Laughter
Psalms 37:12The wicked plot against the righteous
and gnash their teeth at them;13but the Lord laughs at the wicked,
for he knows their day is coming.
Proverbs 17:22 A merry heart doeth good [like] a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.
Suddenly, she laughed…
With unbridled joy it bubbled up!
It came from her depths and was rich, it was bold and full of faith….
It was a worship! It was a praise, it was confidence in the Most High!
As it rippled forth uncontrolled ,the dams burst, as wave after wave overtook her!
Her laugh shattered strongholds and broke the chains, as she realized that her God reigns, …no matter what!
So she laughed until she cried, and laughed all over again, all the while expressing her love and being purged of her pain and her fears.
Her healing was complete on the day she laughed!
Divine Beauty
There is a beauty to behold
That is not on a display
A gift not wrapped in boxes
Or for sale in any way
More lovely than a flower
That fades in a short time
This beauty is eternal
For it is born from the divine
Our precious Savior loves us
Promising with every test
To breathe upon our testimony
And give us peace and rest
He gives the beauty for ashes
As we hold our hearts open
With sweet words of life
He heals what is broken
And bring forth what is hidden
In the faithful passage of time
That has eternal power
To breaks all things that bind
So come before the Prince of Peace
Lay your Burden at his feet
In His presence there is sweet release
Your hope and joy will be complete
And Beauty will flow from your soul
It is awesome to behold…
For what comes from the divine
is now released into time.
The Church’s Most Important Truth
Awesome Post and Blog: Please check it out.
And may we all truly receive the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Col 3:4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
“The One Most Important Truth for the Christian Believer”
John 14:20 At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.
“And Preached Christ Unto Them.”
Acts 8:5 Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them.
Acts 9:20 And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.
· After I got saved in 1979, I used to be troubled by scriptures such as the ones above. These scriptures illustrate for us some of the evangelistic efforts under the ministry of Phillip, the evangelist. I could not figure out why, and how, Phillip could possible preach a person instead of preaching about things.
For me, Christianity was all about my relationship with Christ, and how He could impart eternal life, and innumerable amounts of benefits and blessings to me…
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Don’t Even Think About It (7/25/13)
Right on my street! Reblogged from the River Walk!
Empowered by the Spirit
A Tale of Evangelism God’s Way
John 4:35b …Behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.
James Cannon reached out his hand and hit the alarm right before the buzzer went off at 5:45. “This is the Day that the Lord has made, I will be glad and rejoice in it!” he declared confidently as his feet hit the floor. He was ready to begin the new day. He spent a brief time in prayer submitting his day to the Lord and then jumped in the shower. He had much to accomplish.
Before he began to shave he flipped on the radio. He immediately heard the voice of his favorite radio evangelist, who was in the middle of his message say,
“Sharing the Gospel is everyone’s responsibility but unfortunately many do not have it as a priority.” He then quoted Mark 16:15, “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.”
James contemplated this as he shaved and listened intently to the rest of the message. He loved the Lord and the things of God. He loved His Church, but he had to admit He had not made sharing the Gospel a priority, and he could not count how many months, years, even, it had been since the last time he had told someone who was not a Christian about Jesus. As the message went on, he felt more convicted about this very fact. By the time he grabbed his keys, and went out to his car, he was ready to make a fresh commitment to share the Gospel with those around him. He prayed all the way through rush hour traffic as he went to work.
His morning went by uneventfully. The sales job was difficult, but he was catching on as well as could be expected, especially under the tutelage of Ben Steel the star salesperson on the team. Ben was a fortunate man who had a great marriage, a beautiful, sprawling home and two beautiful, well-adjusted children. He seemed to have everything. Everything that is, except the most important thing; a relationship with Jesus Christ. As a believer James felt he has an obligation to reach out to Ben, but he just did not know how. They spent many lunches talking easily about everything from their days at college to sports to family and children. James shared briefly one day that he was a Christian but Ben did not seem interested and quickly changed the subject.
Right before lunch James got a ping on his instant message account. It was Ben. “Want to grab a bite to eat?” he asked.
“Sure.”James fingers quickly pecked out in response, “Want to meet in ten?” It was go, and James quickly wrapped up the email he was working on. He got up and strode through the sea of cubicles to Ben’s desk. As he came up from behind, he was shocked to see that Ben was wiping away tears. He stopped short and walked away for a brief moment allowing some time to pass before he returned.
He wanted to reach out right then to his new friend, but thought better of it, since they were still in the office. He slowly walked back over.
“Ready?” He asked, as if he saw nothing.
Minutes later, they settled into a booth at a diner close to the office. As they sat there, James knew something was really wrong. James allowed the waitress to take their orders looked into Ben’s eyes intently “Is everything ok?”He asked.
“No” he said after a nervous sip of water, “I need someone to talk to and I feel I can confide in you. Can you keep this confidential?”
“You can trust that nothing that you say to me will go anywhere else.”
Ben leaned closer as he began to explain. He was having serious money problems from several bad personal investments.
“I feel so lost. How am I going to get out of this pit that I am in?”
It was a story James knew too well. Unbeknownst to Ben, he had walked the same path five years before, racking up several hundred thousand dollars in debt. Christ alone has pulled him out. He knew the power of God in this area, and had sat right where Ben sat now.
But even though he knew exactly what Ben needed fear gripped him. He wanted to share what God did for him but he did not know where to begin. Ben was his superior at work. If this conversation did not go well, it may not go well for his career. Negative thoughts flooded his mind.
“Where should I start?”
“He will not want to hear what I have to say. I am only a junior associate”
“What if he rejects me? I will lose a key relationship.”
His heart pounded and sweat began to bubble up on his brow. “Speak up!” he said to himself. Although he felt obligated to say something, he kept silent during lunch, just listening. In the end, he told Ben to keep his head up, that he would be thinking about him, and went back to work.
James settled back in at his desk, but he was kicking himself. “Keep your head up?”…”Thinking about him??” “Where did that come from?” he internally chastised himself, not realizing how politically correct he had become. There it was an awesome opportunity to share the love of God, and what does he do? He blew it! He made a few phone calls, and tried to get back into his work, but his mind stayed mostly on Ben. How could he stay silent? He felt like a failure to his friend and more importantly to God.
At home he made a simple dinner and continued working on a report he needed to finish. Before he went to bed he got on his knees.
“Father, he prayed, I am sorry that I disappointed you today. I know I missed an opportunity to witness to Ben. Lord, wash me in the blood of Jesus. I feel a special responsibility to talk to him about you. But I do not know how. I don’t know how to help him. Lord I feel so inadequate. Please give me a second chance.”
James got into bed and peacefully drifted off to sleep. Far, far above him, there was much activity going in the heavenlies, as the Lord Himself heard his prayer in the Throne Room. The Father addressed the Son, “Did you hear my servant James, who desires to see his friend saved? He has My desire for I long for all of my children to come to Me! That is why I gave You,My Son as an offering that the world would be saved through You!”
“Yes.” Replied Jesus, “He does well to hear My call for evangelism, but he is afraid, and taking all the responsibility on himself.”
“He needs to be reminded that it is not his responsibility to convince people,for I alone draw men to me, and I alone change and transform the heart of a man.” said the Lord.
“Amen Father. And that You do so well, Hallelujah!” Jesus praised exuberantly which began a thunder of praise from the countless number of angels that surrounded the throne for they were always ready to praise Him.
The Lord began to speak which brought everyone back to rapt attention. “Holy Spirit, instruct James. Give him My Words, and empower him to minister to Ben.”
“As You desire Lord. That is an excellent command as always!” This began another round of thunderous praise.
James eyes opened and looked at the clock. It was 2:10. He let out a sigh of relief because he still had a few hours left of sleep. He rearranged his pillows and closed his eyes, planning to pick up in his dreams right where he left off, but his mind went back to earlier in the day and his conversation, and lack of input with Ben. He reached over to his night table and turned on the night-light. He picked up his Bible and flipped it open, and his eyes immediately fell on Ephesians 2:10 that seemed to be illuminated on the page:
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
At the bottom of the page was a short devotion:
“God has already planned out or steps and the good works that He has called us to do. We only need to yield to Him and His plan and He accomplishes the work in us.”
James received these words into his spirit and closed his eyes. He asked the Lord to empower Him and slowly drifted off to sleep, as he felt the embrace of the Holy Spirit around him.
As the clock reached 5:45, James was sound asleep. He was exhausted, and hit the buzzer 2 or three times before he got up. After spending some time with the Lord, he flipped on the radio. There was the voice of his Pastor again, continuing his message on evangelism from the previous day. As James began to walk to the bathroom to turn on the shower, he heard the Pastor quoting Ephesians 2:10. James stopped in his tracks and turned back to the radio. That was the verse from last night! He listened with rapt attention as the Pastor said the next verse, out of Matthew 10 which talked about the Holy Spirit instructing believers on what they are to say even in times of persecution:
But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you. Matthew 10:19-20
He then said, “Only God can draw a man to Himself and give him a desire for the things of God. You only need to allow God to direct you in the small part that you are to play. He will give you what to say, and you can be confident to leave the outcome up to Him.”
When James got to the office he went straight to Ben’s desk intending to invite him to lunch but he was not there. As he walked past his boss’s office, he overheard that Ben was as the hospital.
James heart sank fearing the worst. “I had a prime opportunity with Ben, and now he is in the hospital! What if it is serious? I really blew it!”
“Well, “ he thought with determination, “Maybe not.” After saying a few words to Richard, his boss, He ran out the door headed to the only hospital in town; County General. As he sped through town, he felt empowered, and emboldened by forces unseen. The revolving doors emptied him into the well-lit lobby. He immediately saw Ben who was standing near the Reception Desk. He smiled, but seemed surprised to see him. “James?” he asked quizzically, “What are you doing here?”
An out of breath James, who was expecting to see Ben on a stretcher, answered by asking, “Is everything alright?”
“Yes,” Ben said. “Actually it is great! My sister just gave birth to twins today!”
James flushed, and wiped his brow. “Well, I came to see about you, I just happened to be passing by Richard’s office when I overheard that you were at the hospital. I was worried something serious happened so I came right over.”
“Oh, wow! Well it was great of you to come. I am glad you did because I really could use a friend right now with everything else going on” James said motioning Ben to a seat. “We can talk until my sister is ready to see me.”
James sat down and said, “Well I am so glad that we do have time to talk, because you have been weighing heavily on my mind since our conversation yesterday. I have a confession to make. I was just where you were 5 years ago, in worse debt than you.
Ben looked dumbfounded. “You were?”
“Yes. I was. And I would still be there if it wasn’t for Jesus Christ in my life.”
Ben’s listened intently James went on to share his struggle and what God did, and how his life is different today.
When James finished, there was a long silence.
Ben’s voice shook slightly as he began to speak. “I don’t think it is by chance that I came to you. The other day I felt so desperate, that I got on my knees to pray. I did not even know how. But I was longing for one thing, someone to confide in; someone who could help me through this. After I got up, you were the only person that came to mind. I don’t even understand this God thing, but it sure does seem like He answered me.”
“That He did,” James said solemnly. “And that He will continue to do.” James put his hand on Ben’s shoulder, as he began to share the Lord and pray with Ben. He had done God’s will, but felt more blessed by what he had learned in the last two days, as he heard and obeyed God. They were timely lessons he knew he would never forget.
Hide and Seek
From the foundation of time
I had a plan, I had a purpose
A destiny so precious
Only your heart could hold
Something so beautiful
Needed just the right container
So that I hid it my great promise
Deep down in your soul
A treasure in an earthen vessel
that gives way to an awesome light
As you seek My very presence
It bursts forth to My delight
As you seek Me, My love will be found in you
as you look to Me, the world will see Me in you
And what has been Hidden for generations
Will come forth for all the nations..
Christ within
The Hope of Glory
As you seek
I am alive in thee
My Living waters will purge your soul
As My Glory you behold
Copyright 2009 Ebony Anderson
…JUST LIKE THAT
A Modern Parable about Friendship and Forgiveness
Two friends since childhood, Rocky(for Rochelle) and Clay; short for (Clarice) loved to be together. Although both very different people, they enjoyed sharing their lives. They were inseparable ; not one was ever too far from the other. It was a picture perfect relationship. Or so it seemed. But one day, it all changed, as quickly as storm clouds can roll in on a hot and sunny day.
Now if you ask them, they would tell you they don’t recall how it all started that day at Clay’s house. Maybe it was because of the bad day that Rocky had; or maybe it was because of the struggles that Clay had already been going through. What it really was a secret, that was between them; that neither one wanted to discuss any more; an irritation that persisted and brought gray clouds into their sunny relationship. One thing led to another and before either of them knew it; they were in a loud argument! It happened so quickly; each voice rising higher than the other! Louder and louder they got at every exchange! So fast and so loud, they were just speaking and not hearing; expressing but not being understood. Turn after turn, until the breaking point, when words became daggers in the mouth of a skillful marksman hurling themselves at their target at in the most painful places; no longer discussing the issue at hand at all.
Instead it was“ You always”, and the “you nevers”, and the” so what’s” and “the don’t you evers” along with disgusting , disgraceful, words that were just downright distasteful. And as quickly as it all began it was over in a huff as they vowed this is the last time they’d ever speak again… Just like that!
ROCKY
It was like Rocky’s feet grew wings the way she flew out of there and reached her place down the block in record time. She flung open the door and slammed it shut shaking her whole house. She was steamed!
She marched to the phone and dialed her friends one by one Self Righteousness, Instigator and Gossip ; venting; “Guess what Clay said to me!”, as she ran down her version of the story which seemed to diminish her part and magnify Clay’s “Can you believe it!”Of course none of them could. Self righteousness, told her she was absolutely right in what she did. Instigator had a stronger sentiment when she told her Rocky she should have smacked her upside the head and Gossip, who had the least advice seemed to take it all in and then shared with Rocky a dirty little secret about Clay. “Oh my goodness! Rocky raged;” I knew it! I asked her about this and she lied but all the while I really knew the truth!” that made Rocky even madder.
CLAY
Clay was stunned. What had just happened? Her best friend had just walked out the door. The tears sprang forth and began to flow. She had a long cry but through the tears the sweetest prayer began. “Lord! I really messed up this time, but I am sorry! Please forgive me.” She realized she had no peace. And soon remembered the scripture that said that she should not come to God before she went to her friend to apologize. Immediately, she ran out of the house and down the street to knock on Rocky’s door.
“Who is it ? “ Rocky spat nastily after many rounds of knocks and Clay’s insistent calls. “You know it’s me , Clay!” Well I don’t want to talk to you ! Go away! “But I wanted to apologize,” Clay called!
“ But I don’t want to talk to you!” Rocky screamed. “In fact, I never want to see you again! You are a liar and We are not friends”! And then she opened the door and began to recite what Gossip told her earlier that day.
Clay went home… crushed.
SEPARATION
The next few weeks were difficult for Rocky and Clay. They had spent so much time together that their lives; once knit together were ripped apart. Each was hurting in different ways.
Rocky had the hurt before her all the time. She was so angry at Clay. How could she keep things from her? The more she talked to friends, the more they affirmed her thoughts which caused her anger to burn like wildfire, until it was no longer just anger, but rage, with thoughts of revenge and the desire to hurt the one who hurt her. “I’ll fix her!” she said.
The next day, at lunch Clay sat at the friends regular table. But Rocky did not come to her. Instead she sat a few tables away with Gossip and Self Righeousness… and snickered from time to time; eyeing Clay.
Clay hurt just as much; guilt and shame because of the secret as well as rejection because Rocky did not forgive her. One day at the Church she found herself at the altar for prayer. She was greeted by distant but longtime friends; the sisters Grace and Mercy. They embraced and as they prayed, they began to restore her with words of comfort. As they surrounded her with hugs reminding her of the love of Jesus, Clay exchanged her shroud of Guilt and Shame for Forgiveness and Peace. After service , while chatting, they asked about Rocky because after all; Rocky and Clay used to be inseparable, and they had not seen her in some time. Clay winced, but began to tell them briefly about they falling out; being careful not to reveal too much about Rocky’s part but taking full and complete responsibility for her part.
Well Grace and Mercy had known Rocky and Clay all their lives, and they could not believe that they were not even on speaking terms. So they asked if they could go with Clay to pay Rocky a visit. Because after all , she was no longer in fellowship. At first Clay said no, but then Grace showed her a Bible Passage in Matthew 18:
15 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.
. 19 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
As Grace finished , Mercy began to pray, that God would truly be in the mist of them as they went to see Rocky and that these two longtime friends would reunite.
REUNION
After an argument with Gossip about something she blabbed to someone else, and Instigator nearly getting her into a fist fight with Self Righteous, Rocky had been all alone for a few days and had time to think. She missed her friend.
Wasn’t her friendship more than the secret? More than what happened even? It was. She finally began to pray. For herself, but also for Clay.
But look! Who was coming down the walk? It was none other than Grace, Mercy and Clay. As soon as Rocky saw them walking down her walk , she rushed out to greet them. She was so glad to see her friend she shouted, “ I’m sorry” as she wrapped her in a bear hug ; tears streaming down her face. At this point, she didn’t even want to talk about what happened; just move forward. But Clay insisted that they did talk, with Grace and Mercy there to mediate ; this time they talked truly listening, one then the other. Through many tears they , each shared their hearts , speaking words of love and forgiveness until they were knit back together…
…Just Like that.
Copyright 2013 by Ebony Anderson
The Sound of Faith
Luke 18:8b (KJV) …Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?
The Sound of Faith is released from every Spirit led believer.
It praises in hardship, it is strong in weakness…..
It is defiantly jubilant in times of persecution… it is overwhelmingly truimphant in times of disappointment. It is recklessly fearless when confronted, as it exalts truth and exposes lies.
It is the soft answer that turns away wrath, it is the effectual, fervent prayer, it is the decree that establishes God’s will.
The Sound of Faith empowers the the angels and makes the demons flee. It moves mountains and causes living waters to flow.
The Sound of Faith pleases God… As it is heard, He opens doors of opportunity when there is none, creates substance when there is lack and He resurrects dead situations.
It confirms to Him that we know Him, that we trust Him and we are not ashamed of the Gospel.
God is waiting and longing for His body to release it; the Sound of Faith.
Beauty for Ashes 
