Celebrating~ Blessed and Breaking Through

“Consult not your fears but your hopes and your dreams. Think not about your frustrations, but about your unfulfilled potential. Concern yourself not with what you tried and failed in, but with what it is still possible for you to do.”
—Pope John XXIII (1881-1963), 261st Pope of the Roman Catholic Churchwww foundationforabetterlife.org
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I really don't think life is about the I-could-have-beens. Life is only about the I-tried-to-do. I don't mind the failure but I can't imagine that I'd forgive myself if I didn't try."
-Nikki Giovanni , Poet, Author, Extraordinary Human Being, Lecturer, Activist
http://www.famouspoetsandpoems.com/poets/nikki_giovanni/quotes

Friends the honor was all mine; it was a surreal moment my holding the hand of one of the Moton School Student Protestors ( a spry senior citizen), meeting Julian Bond up close, taking a photo with Blair Underwood and chatting with the incomparable, esteemed, noble, tremendous poetess sister Nikki Giovanni! I really wanted to jump up and down and scream with uncontained joy, “Nikki, Nikki it’s really you in the flesh!” -but I think, well I’d like to believe that I was very composed as my husband and step daughter stood at the book signing table and smiled at wonderful Nikki. I had no clue that I’d be so privileged to have this divine encounter with one of my favorite poets! She was extremely cordial as we reminisced about our love for her poetry- It’s My House and her spoken word album and how during our college days her words ignited our hearts on and on and on.

Just an hour or so earlier she had dazzled our souls again, as she had given a heart rendering, heart clapping, heart song of a powerful celebratory poem honoring the wonderful and timely occasion saluting the unsung children who were heroines and heroes of the Virginia Civil Rights Movement. This historic occasion was an important moment in time and there we were witnessing the unveiling of a Civil Rights Monument that beautifully honored some very courageous youngsters that marched out of a segregated school causing this very act to snowball nationally into the Brown vs. Board of Education. Some of the surviving students that had been grade schoolers which protested shabby treatment and a substandard education, now stood proudly before the world being honored and validated as change agents in this national Civil Rights Movement! These fearless children now seasoned senior citizens are a testament that God does honor His own.

Well friends I can’t share an audio, but I certainly can share this link http://www.vacivilrightsmemorial.org/memorial/render/ and hope you’ll take the time to marvel at this very historical occasion and possibly venture out of your comfort zones to downtown Richmond,Virginia’s Capitol Square -find your way to this historic monument and converse with your travel companions and the other onlookers about the significance of placing a memorial depicting individuals from all walks of life ( especially the young African American girl leading the way) - hopeful, courageous, and insightful moving through the stony walls of all of societies ills and biases.

I’d like to believe with you also that a new day in dawning! No this isn't simply symbolish, but a new reality and a new opportunity to celebrate a national movement, the pioneers and the significance of a child's vision! We can without reluctance embrace the notion that God does delight us and awaken us with wonderful occasions to celebrate our humanity and dignity and even witness in the flesh another phenomenal human being, another heart lesson for our good.

To all the change agents who seek to live a better life and make a difference- I praise God for you!!! Take a bow Nikki, take a bow Julian, and take a bow all who know that the spirit of Barbara Johns lives within us!

…the Lord who created you says: "Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine. When you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown! When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.Isaiah 43: 1-3

Lord thank you! What a day, what a day, I lift my hands in praise to you!!!

Joyfully Submitted by Linda Mose Meadows

The Blessedness of Believing-A Devotional Journey of Life’s Lessons and God’s Promises

blessedlm@hotmail.com

All rights reserved, no use without prior written permission of Linda M. Meadows

Destructive Forces

Destructive forces are not intended to “accomplish" God’s will in our lives.
On the contrary; they are intended to “keep” God’s will from being done.

Destructive forces, (and all evil) come to steal God’s blessings from us, they come to kill us, to prevent us from performing God’s will, and to destroy God’s glory and our witness of his goodness in the earth. Destructive forces come to destroy.

Do you think that the storm that Jesus calmed in the Sea of Galilee came to accomplish God’s will? No, it came to destroy it. It came to keep Jesus and the apostles from reaching the other side and it came to keep them from fulfilling God’s will for their lives. It came to kill them. It was not sent by God nor “allowed” by God for his purposes. That is why Jesus calmed the storm, so that it could not do the evil that it could have done. If that storm were God at work and was God’s will to destroy, Jesus would never have rebuked it. He would have let it do its work. (Mk. 4:35-41)

Destructive forces were birthed from sin. Before sin, there were no destructive forces in the earth, and no evil harming men’s lives. And since destructive forces were birthed from sin and God is against sin, he is consequently against destructive forces. He is not for them. Destructive forces are an intrusion into God’s plan for man. They were released by man and out of God’s control who had warned man about the consequences of sin. God never wanted destructive forces in the earth and because God never changes still doesn’t. They destroy his creation and those he loves. That is why God sent Jesus, to deliver us from destruction!

Jesus said, “The thief cometh not but for to steal and to kill and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly;” Period (Jn. 10:10, the “Period” is mine)

Good is good and evil is evil and never will the two ever meet. God is good and the devil is evil. God gives life, he creates, blesses and restores; the devil steals, kills and destroys. God’s works are works that are good and never evil. He does not purposely use evil as a tool. He does not destroy people’s homes and lives for his purposes. If the means is evil, it is not something God will choose to use. (Jas. 1:17)

Yes, God is big enough and good enough to bring good out of evil, but he never purposely uses evil to bring good. Do we really think that God needs evil to do his work? No, he does not. He never did and he never will. It is only the enemy that does. That is why Jesus always stood against evil and destruction, because destructive forces are the work of the enemy, not God. In fact, the purpose Jesus came was to DESTROY the works of the enemy. He never used them nor did he ever teach that the works of the enemy were God at work in anyone’s life. (1Jn. 5:8)

Jesus came to reveal God and God’s works to us. One day he said to one of his apostles, “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father… How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living me, who is doing his work. Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves.” (Jn. 14:8-11 NIV)

Jesus and the Father are one. And the words that Jesus spoke and the works that Jesus did were the Father at work through him. And those words and those works were always of deliverance and of restoration.

Jesus also said, “I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. For the father loves the Son and shows him all he does.” (Jn. 5:19 NIV) So, Jesus did ONLY what he saw the Father do and the Father showed Jesus ALL that he does. And all that Jesus ever did was to stop or destroy the works of the enemy. He NEVER used them or said it was God who was at work in them.

(It was Jesus who revealed God’s character and God’s will to us, and it was Jesus who was God at work. And if there is anything in scripture that seems to reveal anything about God that Jesus never did or ever taught; it is being misunderstood. In my book, “Suffering (God’s Will?)” I address and explain many of these misunderstood passages.)

Destructive forces are NOT God’s judgment on sin either. Not only does Jesus and the bible teach that judgment does not come until judgment day in the next world, after we die (Jn. 5:47-48, Heb. 9:27) …but listen to this… Paul said in his second letter to the Corinthians that God does not even hold anyone’s sin against them. That’s right. Read on.

“…God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them.” (2Cor. 5:19)

That’s right, through Christ; God actually reconciled the “world” to himself, the WHOLE world. And, according to what is written, God does NOT impute ANY man’s sin against them, whether they are saved or not. WOW! Talk about not traditional, but nonetheless, SCRIPTURAL!

The truth is this; That Jesus paid the price for ALL men’s sin and because of that God is satisfied. (Isa. 53:11) He is no longer angry with ANYONE. He still hates sin and what sin produces, but all the sin that has ever been committed and ever will be committed has already been paid for. That is how and why we are in a time of GRACE, AND NOT JUDGMENT…because of what Jesus did for the WHOLE world!

The reality is that there is no more judgment necessary; Jesus bore that judgment for the whole world. God is not judging ANYBODY in this life, and does not want to judge anyone in the next. The price has been paid and eternal life is being offered. BUT, because men have a free will, God has left it up to them as to whether they enjoy this benefit or not. To enjoy it, men need to accept Jesus as their savior. If they don’t accept Christ in this world, they will suffer the consequences of their own sin, (here and now) according to the law of sowing and reaping, but not according to condemnation and judgment. It is after they die, (if they had not accepted Christ during their life), that they will suffer judgment and eternal death for sin. (Gal. 6:7-8, Heb. 9:27)

Now, the bible says that “My people are destroyed for a lack of knowledge.” (Hos. 3:6) The reason God’s people are destroyed today (by destructive forces or anything else) is because of a lack of knowledge of God’s will, his ways, and the power that he has given us to keep destructive forces from stealing, killing and destroying. We are supposed to have and live the same life that Jesus lived. And before Jesus allowed evil men to take his life, though he faced destructive forces (just as we do), he was NEVER harmed by them. He always controlled them or defeated them or changed them. And not only did he control them in his own life, but he controlled them in the lives of ALL those who asked for his help. Now wouldn’t you like to live that kind of life? Well, we can!

Jesus came to give us life, not death. Of himself he said, “The spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that bruised. To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.” This is the ministry of God to the human race; the only one he ever had, and the only one he has towards us now. (Lk. 4:18-19)

Destructive forces are a hindrance and an obstacle to the obtaining of God’s will for our lives, not a part of God’s will. We may learn something from them, but they are not here because God wants them to be here, and they are not here to do us any good. They were birthed from sin and from Satan and come only to steal, kill and to destroy. And if we believe anything other than God’s willingness to protect and deliver us from evil and destructive forces or if we doubt our dominance over Satan and his works, we will be opening the door for the enemy to destroy us. No faith means no power, no protection, and no deliverance. Yes, we may have to endure temptation, trial, and tribulation coming against us as did Jesus, but we have the same authority over them and protection from their harm that he had. We too can learn to protect ourselves, to dominate, to defeat, and to have victory over all evil. (1Pet. 5:8-9)

Total dominion over the devil and protection from all evil! Now doesn’t that sound like God to you? It sure does to me. And that’s because it is! (Ps. 91, Mk. 16:17-18, Eph. 6:10-18)

Submitted by John B. Agati
Author of : “Suffering (God’s Will?)”

More information about this and an upcoming book “Suffering, Unanswered Prayer, (And How to Fix the Whole Thing),” along with a short bio may be found at: www. jbagati.com

Part II V. Richardson's Appeal to Obama

Vera Richardson is the author of “A Case of Racial Discrimination and Retaliation Real or Imagined.” http://books.google.com/books?id=sx1cLRaobBQC

My Appeal To Senator Obama

Senator Obama I am a loyal supporter of your quest to be the President for "All" Americans. In an article on CNN.com you were quoted as saying, “I do think part of the role of president is to offer his or her opinions about critical issues, not all of which can be solved by government, but make a big difference in the quality of our society. That doesn’t mean that we’re going to solve these problems overnight, but I’d like to think that if a president says that something’s important, that some people might pay some attention.”

As a Black American I want what everyone else in America wants. I want to be treated fairly according to the rules, according to the law, and according to the United States Constitution. To be Black in America means that as a race of people we are not only victims of injustice in criminal court cases but also victims of an unjust civil court system. In my discrimination lawsuit and in my disability retirement legal proceedings the America judicial system including the United States Supreme Court failed me. A judicial system that has failed and continues to fail many Black citizens of this great nation.

Senator Obama please read all of my I-Reports on CNN that detail my discriminatory employment experience with NYS Department of Correction, the fact that Eliot Spitzer’s staff of the NYS Attorney General’s Office filed perjured declarations in federal court and the unjust ruling by the American judicial systems that included the United States Supreme Court. I have posted several I-Reports on CNN and my blogs on Oprah.com and yourblackworld.com that present my credible argument to support the fact that for twelve years I have been denied equal justice in America.

Senator Obama please help me to help myself. I need your personal and legal opinion on this critical issue (employment discrimination) in my life and the lives of many other hard working Americans. I am entitled to justice and my case of employment discrimination is "true" just like your statement that some black men have been missing in their children's physical and financial lives. If you mean what you said about personal accountability and responsibility for “black people” that same standard must be held for all people.

The New York State Attorney General’s Office must be held “ACCOUNTABLE” for their actions in my case. You can take a stand on this issue even if that stand means using your current status as the head of the Democratic Party. The current governor of New York (Patterson) and the current NYS Attorney General Cuomo are both members of our party. I have contact both Patterson and Cuomo and haven't gotten any results.

Respectfully Submitted,

Vera Richardson author of “A Case of Racial Discrimination and Retaliation Real or Imagined.” http://books.google.com/books?id=sx1cLRaobBQC

Blessed In The Rough Times

Hibiscus II Photography by Taylor J. Meadows, 2008

“Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. With long life will Isatisfy him, and show him my salvation.” saith the Lord.

Psalm 91:14-16

My son phoned from his internship today with that frantic undertone in his voice. My mother instinct kicked in when I heard his voice. He tried to mask it with a cordial “Hi Mom!” but I knew better.Finally we got to the heart of the matter, he needed money for food and I really don’t have to tell you that it was only several days ago that my paycheck was received and now there is little indication in my account that I was even paid.I honored his request the way most of our parents do and sailed to the convenient branch banking location in my neighborhood supermarket to deposit something in his account.

"Thank you Lord God!"

I chatted with my favorite Bank Teller/Manager and after we discussed favorite travel spots, she too got to the heart of the matter- the words fell from her lips, I am sure unexpectantly, that her husband was returning to the Middle East for his third tour of duty. I learned that after I inquired had he already been? My heart sank when she shared a faint smile. This smile belied the apparent truth that her heart was very heavy about her husband's approaching departure date. I promised I pray for them.

After leaving the bank/supermarket with a few grocery items that had shot up in price in a weeks time, I just shook my head in amazement. There was one more stop before going home. I drove to my neighborhood Shoe Repair Shop that had not been maintaining their usual business hours. I quickly ran in the shop surprised that the door was ajar and wondered why there had been a sign on the door with the handwritten words Closed for several weeks?

The young proprietor confessed in an apologetic tone that his family was facing difficulty and he worked elsewhere during the day. He shared that financially they were having difficulty with their mortgage and his elderly mother now covered the shop. Once again I knew well about mortgage woes. But friends what really resonated in my spirit was when the young man said, "But it’s going to be all right I guess!”Without a doubt these are some of the most difficult times that this many people have encountered simultaneously in a while. It feels like more than a pinch, it’s often a strangle hold to stay afloat making a living. Yes, indeed it’s rough-it’s real, it’s personal hardships on an intimate level!

But as our elders say,
"But God!"

God’s word reminds us that He loves us, you-his children; no matter the heartship, and the tumultuous hardships. With God's protection daily we can abide under His care: His Lordship, His deliverance and most assuredly His love and shelter will protect us even in the rough places.

Hang on friends and take to heart the scripture:

“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is [our] my refudge and [our] my fortress [our] my God in who I trust.”Psalm 91:1,2

Joyfully Submitted by:
Linda Mose Meadows, author
The Blessedness of Believing
A Devotional Journey of Life’s Lesson’s and God’s Promises
Enjoy other writings Click on Blessed Chronicles http://blessednessofbelieving.blogspot.com/

The Judgment Of God II

Jesus said,

“And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not; for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.
He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.” (Jn. 12:47-48)

So, the bible reveals to us that the judgment of God does not come until the “last day;” that is, in the next world, after we die.

“And it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.” (Heb. 9:27)

We are now in a time period of grace. Jesus has died for the sin of man and God is now offering salvation to all men, not judgment. “For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” (Jn. 3:17)

When the scribes and Pharisees caught a woman in adultery, they brought her to Jesus to see what he would do with her. Confronting Jesus, they said to him about the woman, “Now the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou?” But Jesus refused to condemn her. In fact, he protected her from her accusers saying, “He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.” And when this challenge compelled all of the woman’s accusers to leave, Jesus simply corrected her and commanded her to “go and sin no more.” (Jn. 8:3-11) Thus, Jesus would not judge this woman even though the law commanded her to be judged. He was bringing a time of grace to the earth instead of the law. (Jn. 1:17)

And when the apostles wanted to “call down fire from heaven” to consume a group of Samaritans for not receiving Jesus into their village, Jesus rebuked the apostles saying, “Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of.” This spirit of judgment was not from the spirit of God and neither was “fire coming down from heaven” to consume those who reject Christ.” (Lk. 9:51-56)

Yet people today think that some calamities, disasters, and other bad things that happen in life are the hand of God judging people for sin or God “working” in people’s lives. But they are not.

When Jesus was on earth he refused to judge people, AND he refused to allow tragedies and disasters to destroy people lives. He ALWAYS delivered people from them. He healed the sick, raised the dead, cast out devils, fed the poor, and calmed storms, (so people would not be destroyed).

Well then, if Jesus came not to destroy but to save, and if he is not using destructive forces on men, (even those that reject him and his word) then where do these things come from and what is their purpose? And then of course, if God is against them, why doesn’t he do something about them?

Whew! That’s a lot of questions. But let’s start with the first and the second. They are the easiest to answer… Where do “destructive forces” come from and what is their purpose?

All destructive forces were birthed from sin and the devil, not from God. Destructive forces were not present in the beginning of creation. It was when man sinned in the Garden of Eden that these forces, (and all evil) were released into the earth. They were never part of God’s will for us nor were they active before sin. And ever since man released these forces, God has been trying to deliver us from them. In fact, he sent Jesus to “destroy the works of the devil,” (not to use them). It is actually the devil that has been using them to destroy us, not God… (1Jn. 3:8)

Speaking of the devil Jesus said, “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy…” (Jn. 10:10) Thus, the devil, and the devil’s works of destruction come to steal and to kill and to destroy; Period. They are not good, are not intended to bring good, are not the “hand of God” and are not the judgment of God. (Remember, God did not send Jesus to judge but to save and has reserved judgment until after we die).

But one way that the devil has misled men is to deceive them into believing that sickness, disease, death, destruction, or natural disaster of any kind has come from or is “allowed” by God to correct men or to teach, train, or judge them. However, the bible does not say that. The bible says that God uses the Holy Spirit and the Word of God to teach and to train and to correct men, not death and destruction. (Jn. 14:26; 16:8-13, 2Tim. 3:16-17) And as we have seen, when Jesus was present, he never allowed these forces to destroy for ANY reason, nor taught that they were from God to teach or train or to judge. But not knowing this truth keeps us from resisting the enemy and his work like Jesus did. When these forces come against us, many people either become confused and ineffectual against them, or simply “allow” them to occur, thinking they are from God. But in truth, they are not from God, they are from the devil and are evil, and have come to steal, to kill and to destroy.

It is good to note here that God does not control the devil (or the devil’s works) any more than he controls man. If God controlled the devil, God would NEVER allow him to steal or kill or destroy because stealing, killing and destroying is SIN. And God forbids sin. In fact, if God controlled the devil, (or man) neither would have sinned in the first place because it was against God’s will for them to do so. No, both Satan and man have free wills and choose to do as they please. And the devil will devour us if we let him, and so will some men.

That is why the scripture says to us,

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about seeking whom he may devour;
Whom resist stedfast in the faith…” (1 Pet. 5:8-9)

If the devil can find a way to devour us, he will. But it is not God at work.

That leads us to our third question. If it is true that Jesus is against the devil and all destructive forces in the earth, then why doesn’t he do something about them? The answer really is simple; maybe too simple for some. The answer is that Jesus is not here anymore. It is “we” who are here in his place and “WE” are called to do his works for him.

The bible says that after Jesus offered himself a sacrifice for sin he sat down at the right hand of God, “Since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool.” (Heb. 10:13 NIV)

Jesus is “waiting” for his enemies to be made his footstool because he gave us, (the Body of Christ) the power and authority to do God’s works on earth. When Jesus was on earth, he showed us what God’s works were and what God would do if he were here, and it is now OUR responsibility to continue those works, putting under our feet, (and under the Lord’s) the works of the devil. This is part of what we call the “Great Commission." (Mk. 16:15-18)

See what I mean about being too simple? But being too simple is not the problem. The problem is that we often complicate things when they are simple. Now I realize that we may complicate things because we are unsure and are searching for answers, but sometimes I think we do it as an excuse, avoiding the responsibility of learning how to control and destroy the works of the devil ourselves. But OUR responsibility it is! And if we don’t recognize our authority and learn how to use it, the works of Christ will not get done, and destruction will continue to destroy.

It is not God who is judging us or dealing with us in tragedy... It is God who redeemed us and set us free, breaking the power of sin and judgment over our lives. It is God who defeated Satan so that we do not have to suffer affliction from him, giving us armor to protect us from his works. It is God who gave us the authority to dominate evil and destruction. And it is God who gave us weapons to defeat the enemy on every front, just like Jesus did. Now it is up to us to believe God’s word and to appropriate what Jesus has purchased for us. We ALL have a part in learning about and developing God’s goodness and his power, and to use it for good as Jesus did, and we can do it as MANY, not just one as Jesus was. This is the only way that Jesus’ work will continue and spread throughout the earth as he had begun it.

Are you ready…? Jesus is waiting for us and so is the world!

(Rom. 8:2, Col. 2:15, 1 Jn. 5:18, Eph. 6:13-18, Mk. 16:15-18)

Submitted by John B. Agati
Author of : “Suffering (God’s Will?)”

More information about this and an upcoming book “Suffering, Unanswered Prayer, (And How to Fix the Whole Thing),” along with a short bio may be found at: www. jbagati.com

Serena Williams Not Voting for Obama, or Anyone

Why Serena Williams won't vote for Barack Obama. - By Jacob Leibenluft - Slate Magazine

Serena Williams told reporters at Wimbledon on Wednesday that she's excited about Barack Obama's candidacy but won't vote for him because Jehovah's Witnesses "don't get involved in politics." Her sister Venus—who is also a Jehovah's Witness—wouldn't even comment on the presidential election. Why don't Jehovah's Witnesses vote?

Because of John 17:14 and other passages in the Bible. In that verse, Jesus says of his followers: "They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world." Jehovah's Witnesses have interpreted that statement as a call to remain neutral in all political matters. (In some of the sect's literature, members are described as "representatives of God's heavenly kingdom"; they are thus obligated to stay out of local political affairs in keeping with the behavior of ambassadors.) Witnesses also refrain from serving in the military, running for public office, and pledging allegiance to the flag.

Voting is not expressly prohibited, but it is discouraged. The Watchtower, the official publication of the Jehovah's Witnesses, ran an article in 1999 suggesting that the decision whether to vote was one of personal conscience, although it carefully laid out reasons for staying out of the voting booth. In reference to countries that require all citizens to show up at the ballot box, the Watchtower has explained that "[w]here Caesar makes it compulsory for citizens to vote … [Jehovah's Witnesses] can go to the polls and enter the voting booths," but the Watchtower did not specify what Witnesses should do with the ballot itself. According to some, the requirement for political neutrality led to the violent persecution of Witnesses in Malawi during the late 1960s and early 1970s, when adherents refused to register with the ruling Congress Party.

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The Judgment Of God

Just hearing the statement, “the judgment of God” can strike fear in the hearts of Christians, but only because it is misunderstood.

Jesus said, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.” (Jn. 5:24)

And Paul said, “Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (Rom. 8:1 NIV)

Both of these scriptures (and many others) make it clear that there is no condemnation, (the same Greek word translated judgement) for Christians here on earth and in the after life.

But you might say, what about the sins that I commit now? Isn’t there judgment for them? Well, those sins have been paid for by the death of Jesus. Simply receive forgiveness for them if you feel guilty and afraid.

Well, what about the sins of non-Christians? Don’t they bring God’s judgment? Yes, but the bible makes it clear that their judgment is not in this world but in the next.

The bible says, “…it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment. (Heb. 9:27)

The judgment of God comes AFTER we die, not before. (For Jesus “came not to judge the world but to save the world.”) (Jn. 12:47)

After we die, those who have accepted Christ as savior will be judged according to the perfect works and life of Christ; thus will pass from death unto eternal life. Those who have not accepted Christ as savior will be judged based upon their own imperfect works, which will not be good enough to earn them eternal life. And since they have not accepted the sacrifice of Jesus for their sins, (and all sin must be paid for) will eternally pay for them themselves. The reason it is eternal punishment is because the only payment good enough to remove sin is the Lord’s. That is why it is so vital to accept Christ’s sacrifice for our sins… NOW, in THIS world…!!! So we don’t have to pay for them in the next! (Jn. 3:16, 18, 5:24; Heb. 9:27, 1Jn. 5:11-12)

Let’s now look at what Jesus and the bible say about the judgment of God.

Jesus said, “For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son.” (Jn. 5:22)

So, first of all, we see here that the Father doesn’t judge men. He has left judgment up to the Son. And in the following scripture, we will see what Jesus does with his authority and when it is that judgment is planned for.

Jesus said, “And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world. He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.” (Jn. 12:47-48)

So, even though Jesus has the authority to judge men, he will not do it. It is his word that will judge men, and then it will not be until the “last day,” that is judgment day, in the next world.

The point is this… We are not living in a time period that God is judging man. We are living in a time of grace. Jesus paid the price for all sin, so instead of judging, God is now offering salvation to all. Indeed there is a day of judgment coming, but it is not now.

Think for a moment about this. Even before Jesus went to the cross, do you remember him condemning the woman caught in adultery? If anyone would be judged for their sin, would it not be her? After all, the Law of Moses said that she should be judged and stoned. But Jesus would not condemn her; in fact he PROTECTED her from those wanting to condemn her. Then Jesus simply corrected her, telling her to go and sin no more. This he did despite not having died for sin yet and the fact that the Jews were still under the law, not grace. (Jn. 8:1-11)

Now consider this passage:

“And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be received up, he stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem,
And sent messengers before his face: and they went, and entered into a village of the Samaritans, to make ready for him.
And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem.
And when his disciples James and John saw this they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did?
But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of.
For the Son of man is not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them. And they went to another village.” (Lk. 9:51-56)

Wow! If they didn’t know what manner of spirit they were of, just what “manner of spirit” were they of? It was not the spirit of God, or of Jesus, because Jesus rebuked them for it… “For the Son of man is not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them.”

Despite all of this, I know that many people believe that certain disasters that occur here on earth are “the judgment of God,” or the “hand of God at work,” so let’s look at one of them. And that is destructive weather. There are a lot of people that think destructive weather is God “at work” in people’s lives or that he is judging man. However, neither is true.

God does not control the weather any more than he controls man, (unless he does it through a man, as he did through Jesus when he calmed the storm) (Mt. 8:23-26) Weather patterns have a “life” of their own, and along with all of creation were affected adversely by the sin of man. No longer do they act as God had intended. And because of the laws of nature, when certain atmospheric conditions interact with other conditions, we have certain kinds of weather. And some of it can be destructive, even deadly. (Gen. 3:17-19 Rom. 8:19-22)

It was the fall of man that gave rise to destructive storms, not God. And it is not God who initiates or “uses” these forces to deal with man now. In fact, Jesus came to “destroy the works of the devil,” not to use them. (1Jn. 3:8) If we want to control these weather patterns and these destructive storms, we can calm them just as Jesus did. “WE” can keep them from destroying us because Jesus said, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also…” (Jn. 14:12)

Besides, we are not under the Old Covenant. We are under a New Covenant. (It is not that God was different in the Old Testament, but the covenant he had with man was different.) In the Old Testament, Jesus had not yet paid the price for sin, and man was under a covenant of law, which was a covenant of condemnation and death. (2 Cor. 3:6-9) But in the New Testament, man is under a covenant of life and grace, where Jesus paid the price for man’s sin, averting man’s judgment until after we die. (2Cor. 5:19, Heb. 8:6-13) Again, the point is that we are not in a time period where God is judging man, by destructive storms or by any other means. Judgment comes at the end of time.

Well then, if the bible teaches that Jesus came not to destroy but to save, and that he does not use natural destructive forces to deal with man, (even those that reject him and his word) then where do these things come from and what is their purpose?

It will be in my next article that I will touch on answers to these questions, but in order to obtain a more comprehensive understanding of this topic, you can read my book, "Suffering (God’s Will?)" In it I thoroughly cover this subject, supporting what I say with many biblical references. And along with a full study of suffering, you will be able to read a chapter on God’s Correction and Judgment and on the book of Job and how each has been traditionally misunderstood.

Submitted by John B. Agati
Author of : “Suffering (God’s Will?)”

More information about this and an upcoming book “Suffering, Unanswered Prayer, (And How to Fix the Whole Thing),” along with a short bio may be found at: www. jbagati.com

IN ARM'S REACH

“Far away there in the sunshine are my highest aspirations. I may not reach them, but I can look up and see their beauty, believe in them, and try to follow where they lead. ”—Louisa May Alcott (1832-1888), novelist (http://www.forbetterlife.org/)

There it was, plump and waddling around my front yard in plain sight. I glanced at it as I ran towards my car in a dash for my morning commute. I commented to myself that that seemed odd that normally when you approach a bird; it flutters away quickly -but not this little creature. Instead it reminded me of a toddler amiably moving around with no real destination, just glad to be moving, delighted with its new found freedom ,walking and stumbling with out the assistance of an eagle eye parent.

Then when I returned home, I noticed again the same little chick hopping around on the bricks. It wasn’t until the very next day that as I walked once again down my driveway to jump in my parked car that I glanced at the bird and then it occurred to me this was our baby-I was sure of it. As my husband stood in the doorway I called back, “Hey that’s our baby bird!” Several days prior to that I hadn’t really grasped that this was really a gift from God-in arm’s length!
As I reflect back, first it was the discovery of the beautiful Robin’s eggs displayed in the nest in our backyard-but now this was even better-the eggs had hatched and the dream, the long awaited arrival of the chicks had occurred and I had been totally oblivious of their birth and this divine wonder-well almost.

It’s no happen stance that today’s inspirational quote would tug on my heart strings and remain etched in my memory. As I read Exodus 17 and could picture the travelers weary and grumbling, Louise May Alcott’s words must have mirrored the sentiment of Moses. to look up and live, instead of looking out and grumbling.

“Far away there in the sunshine are my highest aspirations. I may not reach them, but I can look up and see their beauty, believe in them, and try to follow where they lead. ”
—Louisa May Alcott (1832-1888), novelist (http://www.forbetterlife.org/)

Often I too have been guilty of being oblivious of many of life’s lessons until well after the situation had concluded and the smoke cleared. I regret not embracing the gift of God’s grace (more) readily and honestly appreciating the (particular) trial, the (uninvited) circumstance, the(embarrassing) difficulty, the (long awaited and timely) blessing, the (tough) learning experience-whatever you wish to call it more sooner than later.

What might have happened had I been appreciative of the learning experience in the midst of it all? This must be what folks mean when they say; we should thank God while we are “going through” being pulled and shaped on the potter’s wheel during our uncomfortable valley experiences!

Be assured that we are all experts about trials, but I’d like to think that God wants us to be cognizant on this day-that so many gifts from God/blessings are in our midst, yes, right there before us! Theses blessings are like my baby chick –visible- and in arms reach, in direct view. I am sure that the Holy Spirit is sharing that with our new mind set we’ll negate our obstructed view and won’t loose sight of the divine gift that is presented to us.

I think you’ll agree that when the truth is told, we’re audibly or inaudibly caught up in our grumbling, sulking, hurting, rushing and consequently we fail to appreciate the beauty of the moment. Do you recall my bird’s nest in Expectant Joy? Well, I really appreciated the gift of the bird’s nest that was so symbolic for me. It represented so much: birth, new beginnings, expectant joy, blessings on the way, the good that was on the horizon, God’s gift’s and promises to come and on and on-but then even with that epiphany I missed it!

Yes, I needed to believe-get my faith in gear and mentally grasp the next level! What might that be you ask? I am glad you asked I believe the answer is: That God really had intended that my joy and yours evolve and spill over into something greater and erupt into our paying attention to all the blessings which are in arm's reach!!

Did I really think that I‘d behold the blessings in my own front yard? Nope! I almost missed that wonder.

Take some time and read Exodus 17, I expect that you’ll appreciate your wilderness experiences all the more and like Moses acknowledge God’s provision of resources, support and favor designed especially for the faint of heart and the weary traveler.

So, friends look outside your tents, go on and pull back your curtains, better yet stand in your front yards and behold what blessings are in your arm's reach!!! Have a wonderful day!

I will meet you by the rock at Mount Sinai. Strike the rock, and the water will come pouring out. then the people will be able to drink.” Moses did just as he was told;and as the leaders looked on water gushed out.” Exodus 17:6 (NLT)

Joyfully Submitted by:

Linda Mose Meadows, author

The Blessedness of Believing A Devotional Journey of Life’s Lesson’s and God’s Promises

Enjoy other writings Click on Blessed Chronicles

http://blessednessofbelieving.blogspot.com/

House of Yahweh Leaders' Doomsday Prediction Didn't Happen

It appears that "Buffalo Bill" Hawkins, founder of the House of Yahweh, wasn't correct in his prediction that the world was going to end on June 12. It's now June 13th at 1:18 am, so I guess his prediction of a nuclear holocaust that has persuaded many members of his cult to empty their bank accounts (giving money to him of course) is not going to happen.

Here is an excerpt of some of Hawkins' words:

'...Nuclear war will begin next Thursday, June 12, or sooner, according to the latest prediction of self-proclaimed prophet Yisrayl "Buffalo Bill" Hawkins, the founder of a religious sect in Abilene, Texas.

"It could be turned loose before then," Hawkins told 20/20 for a report to be broadcast tonight. "You're going to see this very soon, really soon," he said.

Hundreds of truck trailers have been loaded with food and water on the group's 44-acre compound, in preparation for the coming war...'

Hawkins is an interesting character. In the 20/20 special, he had all of his followers change their name to Hawkins. He was also recently arrested for a series of allegations, including polygamy. Sounds like the same old stuff. Hawkins does have that "Jim Jones" charisma, so you can see how his followers were fooled.

Here is a story on Hawkins.

The Key To Christianity

The key to Christianity is receiving. It is not giving and it is not doing.

Giving and doing is secondary and will flow out of our receiving.

The truth is; we can’t even become Christians without receiving. Christ must be received as savior in order to become a Christian. And the reason for this is simply because we need him and the salvation that he has for us. We cannot produce it ourselves.

And it is no different after we have accepted Christ as savior. In order to have what we lack, we must receive it from God.

The bible says that “every good gift and every perfect gift is from above and cometh down from the Father of lights…” they come from God. They do not come from us. (Jas. 1:17)

And unless we receive what we need from God, we will not have anything from God to give… How can we forgive like God forgives if we have not received his forgiveness; and how can we love like God loves if we have not received God’s love? And how can we have finances and goods from God to give, unless we first receive them from God. If we do not receive God’s blessings, we will not have God’s blessings to give.

For those of you who are familiar with the story of the prodigal son, think for a moment of the elder brother, the one who stayed at home while his younger brother was in the world wasting his inheritance in sinful living. It turned out that this elder brother, (though loyal and committed) thought his life was about his work and serving his father, never knowing or taking advantage of his father’s provision. And because he did not know or receive his father’s goodness and blessings and love for himself, he had no love to give when his younger brother repentantly came home. He was resentful and bitter when his father received the wayward boy with joy and forgiveness, and when he put a robe on his back, a ring on his finger, and honored him with a great feast. The elder brother simply did not have the same love to give as the father had because he had never received it for himself.

And do you think this elder brother’s lack of understanding may have contributed to the younger brother leaving home in the first place? As the younger brother looked up to his older brother, (as younger brothers will do) he may have seen that his older brother was unfulfilled and bitter. Maybe the boy wanted no part of that kind of life. Why would he? He then mistakenly went into the world to get what he thought he could not get at home, only to find that this type of getting was destructive to his life and his substance.

How many of our children choose to live in the world and in sin because all they see is that Christianity is about serving and doing and demands? Ouch! (Lk. 15:11-32)

Christianity is about God and what he has done for us through Christ. It is not about what we can do for God. When Christianity becomes about what we can do for God, it then becomes about us and what WE do, not about God and what HE does. It becomes “self” centered and “self” righteousness, not God centered, not fulfilling and not loving. We then can become as the elder brother in this story became; dry, bitter, and law oriented.

But the enemy wants us to believe that receiving is selfish and that all Christianity is about is serving and doing and giving. He wants to drain us, make us miserable, self-righteous, bitter, unfulfilled and unable to bless the world. And he wants God to look like a demanding God who always “wants” something from us, rather than be the giver and blesser that he is.

But an attitude of receiving is NOT selfishness. It is in reality selflessness. It is thinking of God who wants to bless us. And it is thinking of Jesus, who suffered and died so we could be blessed, and it is thinking of those around us who need what we receive from God. And, yes, it is thinking about ourselves, but not in a selfish way. As I will explain receiving from God is how we are to love ourselves.

Jesus commanded us to love others as we love ourselves. We cannot love others unless we first love ourselves. And the way we love ourselves is to let God love us. For example, it is the best kind of self love when we receive Jesus and the forgiveness he offers us!

The truth is that God just loves us and wants to bless us and be a part of our lives. That is all he ever wanted. And he knows that if we receive from him, we will have “him” to give. And if we don’t, we won’t. Receiving from God is not selfishness. It is just the opposite.

When Jesus came to Peter to wash his feet, Peter said, “Thou shalt never wash my feet.” But Jesus answered him saying, “If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.”

Peter had it all backwards. He thought humility was to not let Jesus wash his feet, but that was actually pride and it was arrogance. Can you imagine telling Jesus no to what he wanted to do, as if Jesus was making a mistake? But Peter quickly corrected himself saying, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head.” True humility is to let God wash our feet. And if we don’t allow God to wash our feet and to serve us, we will not have any part with him. Yes, it takes humility to let God serve us, but that’s what it takes. (Jn. 13:8-9)

Think for a moment about the relationship of children and their fathers. Do children think it is their responsibility to meet their father’s needs? How can they? They rightfully expect the father to meet theirs, and a good father takes great pleasure in pouring his love and blessings and gifts on his children. Of course he wants them to be responsible and generous with what they have, but first and foremost he wants to bless them. And it is no different with God and his children.

God spoke through John the apostle when he said, “Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as your soul prospers.” In other words, as much as God wants our souls to prosper is as much as he wants every part of our lives to prosper, (and above ALL things). That means that before anything else he wants to bless his children. That is first on a good father’s heart and it is first on God’s. (3Jn2)

Putting God first in our lives does not mean serving him. It means receiving from him.

And love is not about our loving God, it is about God loving us. Again St. John said, “Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loves us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. (1Jn. 4:10)

God is the greatest giver of all. And the only way to be part of him is to become a receiver. Without receiving from God, we’ll have nothing of God for ourselves or for the world, nor will the world be able to see what God is really like.

The key to Christianity is receiving!

One last point here… Things are simply different in the New Testament than they were in the Old. Jesus came to change them and he did. Whereas the Old Testament laid out the law and what man was required to do for God, (and was only given to prove that we could not do them) the New Testament is about grace and what God has done for us through Jesus. And the only way to enter into God’s grace and to have what we cannot produce ourselves is to receive.

Let’s let God be God and live a life of receiving from him as our God. It is what God always wanted for us and always will. He is a good Father and wants to pour his life and his blessings on us, and he has done so through his Son. And it is in receiving from him that we will be filled with all he is and all he has and then can be a blessing to the world around us.

The truth is; what goes in will come out, but nothing in, nothing out.

And don’t worry; God will never run out and neither will we if we live a life of receiving from him!

Submitted by John B. Agati
Author of : “Suffering (God’s Will?)”

More information about this and an upcoming book “Suffering, Unanswered Prayer, (And How to Fix the Whole Thing),” along with a short bio may be found at: www. jbagati.com

Each Day!!!!

Each and every day that we wake up is a true gift from God. It wasn't guaranteed that we'd see another day.

I think that we tend to take this for granted. We wake up, rush in the morning, & mainly head out the door. Do we stop and say a simple "Thanks" to God just for opening our eyes? Do we pray for travelling mercies? Are we truly grateful???

Slow down and see what God wants you to see in the midst of the new day arising. There may be something so simple that you're supposed to take in and grow from.

Thank you God for allowing me to see another day!!!

Psalm 118:24 This is the day which the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

photo from: greenvilledailyphoto.com

Thank You God For The Audacity of Hope

I watched and enjoyed Barack Obama's 2004 Democratic National Convention speech. The speech titled "The Audacity of Hope" was electrifying and gave Americans especially black Americans glimmers of hope. Those hopes include the possibility that Obama a black man might one day win, The Presidency, the highest office in the land.

I have been urging people to endorse Obama since his historic victory in Iowa. I was so excited about Ted Kennedy's endorsement of Senator Obama on Monday, January 28, 2008. Listening to the speeches of Obama and all of the Kennedy clan gave me great joy and hope.

(Thank you Senator Kennedy. May God continue to shower you with his grace and mercy during your current trial)

Hope that we will continue to seek God's face and that God will heal our land. Hope that we will come together as a one nation united under God. Hope that Obama will win the nomination of the Democratic Party and hope that he will become the next President of the United States of America.

Today, June 3, 2008, as a fifty-four year old black woman I hope that this man Obama time has come, that his time is now! Today I have the audacity to hope, pray, and believe that Senator Barack Obama will be the next President of the United States of America.

Vera Richardson is the author of “A Case of Racial Discrimination and Retaliation Real or Imagined." http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?r=1&EAN=9780615177014

Praying and Waiting with Expectation

One thing I've learned (and am continuing to learn) is to pray and to wait with expectation. I mean, many of us do pray out of habit and wonder why things aren't coming to pass. However, do we pray expecting that big thing or that event to occur or are we praying with "hope"?

Hebrews 11:1 & 6 states: 1Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 6But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Faith and prayer, prayer and faith; the 2 go hand and hand.

What are your expectations? What are you seeking? God already knows, He just wants to know that your faith and expectations are in line with what He can do!

photo from: imses on www.flickr.com

EXPECTANT JOY!

Photography by Richard D. Meadows, Jr.

Commit your way to the Lord,
Trust also in Him,
And He shall bring it to pass.
Psalm 37:5

This was a real joy, seeing first hand this beautiful bird's nest with turquoise colored eggs in our backyard. My husband announced with joy, "We have a bird's nest in our yard that you need to see!" I said,"Ok show me, let's get the camera!"

He said in jest, "Ok at your own risk, don't be surprised if you get your eyes pecked out!" He reminded me that after we take the picture to be sure to cover the nest with the branch, he's orginally cut down, not knowing what lay underneathe. My husband pointed out that the bird is guarding the nest from predators.

Earlier that afternoon, Ricky had been busily working in our yard, mowing the lawn, cutting down bushes and clearing debris of leaves and branches. My husband said initally he ignored the bird's loud chirpping. But then wondered why a bird suddenly began acting erratic with his flight pattern.

Ricky then discerned that there was something that he stumbled upon that the bird obviously wanted him to leave alone. There it was an amazing creation, the bird's nest woven intricatley together with pieces of blue plastic strips, branches, sticks and whatever else the bird had selected from nature to create this sturdy nest. Not only did it appear sturdy, but it was a masterpiece, it's beautiful! I am so glad I could share the phot0 with you. Imagine the time and energy this small bird devoted to creating the nest? He or she conceived in it's mind the nest and then got to work making this idea a reality! The bird or maybe several birds collectively were devoted to creating a sturdy nest to lay these eggs. They are anticipating the arrival of their creation.

Friends this is really another gift from God, encouraging us to do the same, to use the birds as a model to conceive in our minds what we endeavor to accomplish:

What are dreaming of?
What is your heart's desire?
What has God commissioned you to birth?

Well, breathe deeply and take heart! I am confident that God desires that you to get busy not only dreaming, but creating an action plan to realize it! Pray about the direction, ask Him to guide your steps and when the doors open and opportunities present themselves, trust that you are on your way to the realization of your heart's desire. It's on the way! Tell your self, " it's on the way!! " Your dream(s) can come to pass. Guard it, believe in it and see it done-it's sacred.

Prayer of Thanksgiving

Thank you precious Holy Ghost for encouraging our hearts not to be timid about executing the plan that God has given us. We are active and alive and grateful that when we follow your lead and trust You, the plans, and the dreams you placed in our hearts will wonderfully unfold right before your eyes. So we will believe and choose to celebrate now with expectant joy the gift of a dream come true!! Amen!

Friends, I pray you'll be encouraged as you marvel at the beauty of nature and carry the gift of an expectant joy in your hearts.

Joyfully Submitted by:
Linda Mose Meadows, author
The Blessedness of Believing A Devotional Journey of Life's Lessons and God's Promises
http://blessednessofbelieving.blogspot.com/

The Democratic Party Can't Wait Until May 31, 2008

The Democratic Party is bigger than Bill and Hillary Clinton. The Democratic Party has given Hillary more than enough time to gracefully bow out of this race. She not only refuses to leave the race but she is dividing and not “unifying” our party.

Months ago on FOX news Hillary announced her intentions to take her impossible fight for the Democratic nomination all the way to the convention. After Hillary followed Obama to Florida she stated again that she is willing to take her fight for the Florida and Michigan delegates to the floor of "our" convention.

Senator Clinton is demanding that she receive all of the delegates from the Michigan primary election. This fact is evident that she doesn’t have any intentions of achieving a fair settlement of Florida and Michigan primaries or ending her fight for the nomination.

There is no doubt in my mind that Hillary will reject any resolution proposed by the DNC on May 31, 2008. Bill and Hillary will not only reject the resolution but also seek court intervention. Therefore, the only way to prevent the total destruction of our party is for the undeclared superdelegates to end Hillary's blind ambition for to become President.

Senator Obama played by the rules and won this race fair and square. He won more state elections and most importantly more pledged delegates than Hillary. Obama needs to reach the current 2025 or 2026 number of delegates needed to secure the nomination before Bill and Hillary Clinton file their legal challenges in court and/or Hillary executes her planned nuclear option.

You can't wait. Democratic Party leader and undeclared superdelegates must pledge their support for Senator Obama before May 31, 2008. Senator Reid, Representatives Nancy Pelosi, and Shelia Jackson-Lee, Governor Edward G. Rendell, Donna Brazile, President Carter, and Al Gore PLEASE endorse Senator Obama today and unite this party. The urgency is now.

Again, I say you can’t wait until May 31, 2008. Democratic Party leaders please don't wait until May 31, 2008, or for the primaries to end on June 3, 2008, to declare that Senator Barack Obama is the Democratic Presidential nominee. The urgency is right now!!!!!!!

Vera Richardson is the author of “A Case of Racial Discrimination and Retaliation Real or Imagined.”http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbninquiry.asp?ISBN=9780615177014

Prayer Is Not The Answer?

I know that this may not sound right to you, but prayer is not the answer.

Jesus never said that it would be done unto you according to your prayer. What he did say was that it would be done unto you according to your faith. (Mt. 8:13, 9:29, Mk. 11:22-24)

What he said was, “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” (Mk. 11:24 NIV)

Without faith, (believing that you have received the answer to your prayer) prayer just won’t work. In fact, faith is the part of the process that makes prayer work. Without faith, you can pray and pray and pray, even for years upon years and get little or no results at all. It will be like trying to turn on a light without flipping the switch. You will not connect to the power and it just won’t work.

You may say, well, if God wants to answer your prayer he will. But Jesus never said that it would be done unto you according to God’s will. He said that it would be done unto you according to your faith. You will ultimately get what you believe for.

With all due respect, most people seem to pray and hope that they get an answer. Unfortunately, that is not what Jesus said must done for prayer to be answered and it will not work. A bit strong here, but when you think that you might receive an answer to your prayer or might not; or thinking maybe it’s God’s will, or maybe its not is called in the bible to be wavering and being double minded, and the book of James says that a double minded man will not receive anything of the Lord. (Jas. 1:5-8)

(Another thing that the bible does not say anywhere is that God has three answers to prayer; yes, no, or wait)… So let’s take a look again at what Jesus said about prayer answers.

“Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” (Mk. 11:24 NIV) Period. If we do what Jesus said, we will have the answers to our prayers, if we don’t we won’t.

It is vital to notice however, that when Jesus talks about believing here, he is talking in the past tense. He said “believe that you have received it (already) and then it will be yours.” Bible faith dictates that you believe that you have what you asked for before it actually comes to pass. And according to the Lord, that is the kind of faith that will bring answered prayer. And though this process may seem odd to the natural mind; that is how prayer works.

Let’s take for an example, Abraham, (who is the “father of faith”) and see how he received the miracle of a child when he and his wife were beyond child bearing years.

When God changed his name from Abram, (exalted father) to Abraham, (father of many nations) he was about one hundred years old, childless, and his body and the womb of his wife were “dead” and past being able to have children. Yet Abram accepted the name change and the promise of a child as if it were already so in his life. He simply understood “God’s” kind of faith and believed that he received the child long before the child was born… Like God, he “called things that were not as though they were.” (Rom. 4:17-21)

This is the kind of faith that Jesus taught about and the kind of faith that brings results. And we all know what this kind of faith did for Abraham. He received the miracle he believed he had.

Let’s look at why this works.

Everything in God’s kingdom is governed by laws. Consider first the natural world. Electricity, flight, physics, biology, mechanics, mathematics etc. etc. are all governed by laws. And since the bible says that we can see the spiritual in the natural, we can know that the spiritual world is governed by God’s laws as well. (Rom. 1:20) And this is exactly how Jesus taught. Again and again he used earthly illustrations to describe spiritual things and always compared spiritual law to natural law. And as we have read from his words, he taught how prayer is governed by God’s law; faith being the law that must be applied in order to get results.

The bible says that faith is a law. And because faith is a law we can be sure it will work if we apply it properly. (Rom. 3:27) Jesus confirmed that because he always got results when he prayed. And he always got them immediately. You may say that that is because he was Jesus, but if we have accepted the Lord as our savior, we are created in his image and have available to us exactly what he had. Jesus said, "he that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my father. And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask anything in my name, I will do it."(Jn. 14:12-14) Wow!

Now, if we compare the power of prayer to the power of electricity, we know that the power of electricity was always available to man, yet mankind was not able to take advantage of its vast potential until he learned about the laws that governed it. Likewise, the power and potential of prayer has always been available, (Jesus proved that) yet without the knowledge of the laws that govern prayer and the proper application of those laws, results will not be seen.

The Old Testament prophet Hosea said that “my people are destroyed for a lack of knowledge.” (Hos. 4:6) And so it is with unanswered prayer. Lack of knowledge of how prayer works will always result in a lack of prayer answers. And the thing is; Jesus never had the problem of unanswered prayer, and neither should we.

The only problem I think we have with all of this is that we begin to realize that answers to prayer are “our” responsibility (as much as they are God’s). But our responsibility they are. It is our responsibility to believe, and then it is the Lord’s responsibility to perform, and as we can see in the bible, he wants to answer our prayers and he will… if we believe.

“And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.” (Mt.21:21)

My first book, “Suffering (God’s Will?) biblically establishes God’s willingness to answer prayer, to deliver us from evil and to protect us from harm.

My upcoming book, “Suffering, Unanswered Prayer, (and How to Fix the Whole Thing)” is the follow up book, and is a practical guide to the laws of prayer and explains how to apply them in order to get the results promised by the bible.

For those of you who are hungry to know or who are desperate for answered prayer or seeking the reality, truth, and results that the bible promises, these books will be a great help to you. Look for the first book and the upcoming second on my website.

Submitted by John B. Agati
Author of : “Suffering, (God’s Will?)”

More information about this and an upcoming book “Suffering, Unanswered Prayer, (And How to Fix the Whole Thing),” along with a short bio may be found at: www. jbagati.com

Senator Obama Just Say No To Hillary Clinton

Senator Obama should not offer the Vice President position on the Democratic ticket to Senator Clinton.

One of my daughters mentioned that she recently viewed a film depicting the pain, violence, and outraged expressed by many African-Americans when Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was murdered. She stated that watching that footage made her grieve in her heart at the thought of what would happen to this country if something happened to Senator Obama.

Terry McAuliffe, Hillary Rodham Clinton’s campaign manager appeared on “Meet the Press” today. During his appearance he stated in part that Hillary is staying in the race in case "a natural disaster" happens to Obama. I hope and pray that this is not a coded message.

I also hope and pray that Senator Obama does not offer Hillary Clinton the VP spot on the Democratic ticket. The contributor of another political blog wrote,” If Hillary is Obama's VP he should get a food taster." I share the above-mentioned sentiment based on Pakistan's Benazir Bhutto assassination and the poisoning of Alexander Litvinoenko, a former Russian KGB operative in 2007.

On a more positive note quoting another blogger "Obama has won more declared delegates and Clinton cannot overtake his lead. The Democratic Party has their nominee Obama, they should be dancing in the streets...."

Undeclared superdelegates Senator Obama has won. Please endorse Obama now and give him the 2025 delegates needed to end this process. It is time that all of his supporters (Whites, the hard working class, Blacks, Hispanics, Asians, young and older Americans) indeed dance in the street and not worry about Obama and this nation suffering "a natural disaster."

Vera Richardson is the author of “A Case of Racial Discrimination and Retaliation Real or Imagined." http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbninquiry.asp?ISBN=9780615177014

Time In God's Word

I love those fist-pumping; emotion charged, faith building, pep-rallying, evangelistic messages. And I need them. We all do… to encourage us and prompt us to do those things God has called us to do. But what I like better is the day to day sitting at Jesus feet reality of it all; first of all because I love the Lord, but also because I know that this is where we become equipped for the battle. It is at Jesus feet where we learn to hear from God, where plans are birthed, where direction, timing and provision is given for the reaching of our goals.

The emotion charged corporate messages we hear are like the rallying, high powered motivational speeches a good coach gives their team at half-time. But these action producing talks can only be as effective as that which has been built into the players during the day to day grind of practice. When the coach urges his team to “dig down deep,” there has to be something deep down to dig into.

Remember the story of Martha and Mary, the two sisters who had received Jesus into their home? The bible says that while Jesus was in their home that, “Martha was “cumbered” about with much serving, but Mary sat at Jesus feet and heard his word.” This troubled Martha who said to Jesus, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Bid her therefore that she help me. And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things; But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.” (Lk. 10:38-42) Imagine that… Jesus said that “One thing is needful.” Wow! That should give us pause to think.

Jesus said this because it is his word that is the one thing needed to prepare us to accomplish all that he calls us to do. It is at Jesus feet, and in his word, that we hear from God, are directed by him, filled up and built up and developed into all we need to be. After all, where does life come from, where does wisdom come from, where does encouragement and ability and insight come from but from God himself. And it is a daily, consistent feeding in his word that will do the trick, like a garden that grows from regular watering and care… once in a while will just not work.

Paul commanded that we “study to show ourselves approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (2Tim. 2:15)

It is not that our study is needed for God to approve of us. We are already approved of God because we have accepted his Son and become his children. What this is saying is that our study will show to the world that we are approved of God because it will produce understanding, wisdom, character, blessings, and successful ways of doing things. This will be like a stamp of “approval,” a validation to the world that we are of God and that we indeed know the “truth.”

Going back to Martha; it is not that her serving was wrong. It’s just that she had not put first things first. Instead of putting God’s word first, she put her serving first, not realizing that Jesus had taught, “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” (Mt. 6:33) It is simply a matter of practicality. Putting God and his word first is what is necessary to make things work.

It is amazing how much easier things are accomplished when we are filled with God and his word, and how much more time we have to do it. And it is amazing how some things just happen supernaturally… Did Martha not realize that it was Jesus who was in her home, and that he just fed 5000 people on his own, without her help?

Jesus said, “If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (Jn. 8:32-33) This is true discipleship, and it is the lifestyle where we will come to know the truth and the truth will free us to do what we need to do. Without it, we will be limited to our own understanding, and our own power. We may know God and even know what his will is for us, but we won’t have what we need to fulfill it.

Even Jesus lived like this. He used to get up early in the morning and go hide in the hills in order to spend time with God. He knew that he too must be filled with God in order to successfully triumph over every situation that faced him. And you may also remember that he spent the whole night in prayer preparing to choose the twelve apostles the next day. He knew what task he was to perform and he knew where to get what he needed to perform it.

I am not suggesting that we spend full nights in prayer, but that we simply put God and his word first in our lives; to sensibly and consistently prioritize; spending regular time in his word, growing and learning to recognize truth, and obtaining all that we need from the source of all things.

One of my favorite scriptures says this,

“My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh. (Pr. 4:20-23)

That is Hugh! The word of God is life and health to “those that find it!”

The word of God is one of the few tangible things we have of God’s existence and is the key to all life, knowledge, wisdom, health and growth. It is time in God’s word where we can absorb the substance and building blocks of life itself.

The bible says, “The worlds were framed by the word of God,” “all things are upheld by the word of God,” and “we are born again by the word of God.” God has even magnified his word above his name and of course, Jesus name is the Word of God. (Heb. 11:3; 1:3, 1Pet. 1:23, Ps. 138:2, Jn. 1:1)

And just as a consistently good diet will produce a healthy body, it will be consistent time spent in God’s word that the rest of our lives will increase and flourish and produce all kinds of excellent fruit. This is what the psalmist meant when he said, “He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.” (Ps. 1:3 NIV)

It is time in God’s word that will cause us to prosper in all that we do, and it will make us “a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. (2Tim. 2:15 NIV)

Submitted by John B. Agati
Author of : “Suffering, (God’s Will?)”

More information about this and an upcoming book “Suffering, Unanswered Prayer, (And How to Fix the Whole Thing),” along with a short bio may be found at: www. jbagati.com

My Open Letter To Congresswoman Shelia Jackson-Lee

Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee on May 14, 2007, the Clinton Campaign announced your endorsement of Senator Clinton for President. Staff of her campaign named you National Campaign Co-Chair and Gulf States Regional Co-Chair.


In your endorsement of Senator Clinton you stated, ”I am pleased today to endorse Hillary Rodham Clinton for President. Senator Clinton has a great love for America and has a deep understanding of the issues that face our nation. I look forward to having a strategic role in the campaign and helping this dedicated public servant become the next President of the United States”

I truly admire you Congresswoman Sheila Jackson-Lee and your determination to keep your promise to Hillary. But we can’t afford to wait for two more weeks and/or six more primary contests to unite our Party. The urgency is now. Please counsel your dear friend and tell her to end her valiant quest for the Oval Office now.

If Hillary refuses to end her candidacy please endorse Senator Obama today and help unite this party and this country. It’s time to embrace and endorse Senator Barack Obama as the Democratic nominee of our great party. It is his time to run for the Presidency. He has won more states, more popular votes, and more delegates.

I am very passionate in my support for Senator Obama. I believe in my heart that this is a divine time for Obama and this country. We all know that our God works in mysterious ways. God has given all of us free will. I hope and pray that the people in power will not let greed and the need for more power cause us to self-destruct as a democracy and as a nation.

As a nation we united after we were attacked by al-Qaeda led by Osama bin Laden on September 11, 2001. Therefore, we know that it is possible for this country to unite again.

Congresswoman Lee you know that the American people voted for change during the 2007 election. Unfortunately Congress has been unable to deliver that change.

Senator Obama is the change agent that we need to make positive changes for all Americans. Under the leadership of President Barack Obama this country will once again stand united as one nation under God.

Respectfully,

Vera Richardson author of “A Case of Racial Discrimination and Retaliation Real or Imagined.” http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?r=1&EAN=9780615177014http://www.lulu.com/content/1362173

Message of Encouragement From My Daughter

Today I received the following e-mail from my twenty-nine year old daughter Erica. The e-mail was addressed to a total of twenty people. I hope that everyone reading this will enjoy it as much as I did.

All,
I was in Barnes & Noble this weekend picking up a book for my book club. Anyway I brought this magnet while I was there and I wanted to share what is says with all of you:

“Just when the caterpillar thought the world was over it became a butterfly”

I really want to encourage you all if you are going through hard times right now, know that it is not over. Know that you serve an awesome God who may just have you in a cocoon right now as He is preparing to change you into a butterfly. Remember to speak scriptures over your life and your circumstances. His word says that when the enemy comes to surround you like a flood God will raise up a standard! During your hard times stop focusing on you and the problem. Focus on God and serving others. I listen to gospel music every morning when I work out and normally God deals with me through song. A song that has really ministered to my spirit lately is a song by Kirk Franklin from his new album. The chorus goes like this: “If I say I love Jesus but you can’t see my Jesus my words are empty if they can’t see Jesus in me. No more excuses I give myself away, because I may be the only Jesus they see” - That is so powerful to me. So step outside of yourself and your circumstances what are you doing so that others can see Jesus in you.

When someone is going through are you there for them or do you just tell them to pray. Or do you go to them and pray with them, do you take them out for a cup of coffee so that they can see the love that God has for them through you. You hear let go and let God all the time but a lot of us may not know how to do that. Well you do that by focusing on others by serving others as you serve others you will not focus on your problem you will let it go without even realizing it.

There are so many opportunities for you to serve others outside of church – yes I said you can serve outside of church. Actually that is where God wants us to serve…the world, the world that doesn’t know Him, that may only come to know Him through you. And I am not just talking about strangers, but your friends and family. How many of us know of a friend who is having a hard time right now, do we go and spend time with that person or do we avoid them because the situation is uncomfortable. There may be a new coworker on your job, have you tried to make that person feel welcomed? What are you doing for your children, are you really concerned with their day to day life and what happened at school? Do you take the time to really listen to how their day went? Do you spend the time you should with them just playing with them and allowing them to be kids and feel secure and safe? Do share too much of your problems with your kids…remember this is their childhood they should be able to be carefree children they shouldn’t know everything that mommy and daddy are going through, and they also shouldn’t have to take sides….

Everything I said above is what God has spoken to me about me and my life and so I am sharing with you all as it may also pertain to you and your life.

Father God we come before you today grateful to have another day on this earth to serve you. We ask that you forgive us of our sins and help us to repent. Father please be with us on this week as we look for opportunities to serve others. We thank you because your word says that you will never forsake us or leave us! So no matter how bad things look right now we know that you are with us. We thank you because no weapon formed against us shall prosper and ALL things are working for our good because we love you and you know that we love you because we keep your commandments! In Jesus name we pray – Amen.

I love you all have a great week and know if you ever need me to pray for you or with you please just call me. I would love you too!

Vera Richardson Author of "A Case of Racial Discrimination and Retaliation Real or Imagined."