The High Price of Sin

"When we violate the Word of God through the sin of compromise, we open doorways of destruction not only affecting us, but our children's children."

Geri McGheeAbiding Life Ministries
Lindale, TX
http://www.abidinglifeministries.org/


NUM 14:18 "The LORD is longsuffering, and of great mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression, and by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation."

2TI 3:16 "ALL scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness."

"The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe."Proverbs 29:25

Are You Weary? Enter Into His Presence And You Will Be Renewed

O God, you are my God,
earnestly I seek you;
my soul thirsts for you,
my body longs for you,
in a dry and weary land
where there is no water.

I have seen you in the sanctuary
and beheld your power and your glory.

Because your love is better than life,
my lips will glorify you.

I will praise you as long as I live,
and in your name I will lift up my hands.

My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods;
with singing lips my mouth will praise you.

On my bed I remember you;
I think of you through the watches of the night.

Because you are my help,
I sing in the shadow of your wings.

My soul clings to you;
your right hand upholds me.

Psalm 63:1-8

Thot: Sometimes, like David, we all go through a parched and dry time in our lives. Yet, as we admit this to ourselves and God, and then enter into His presence we find that He renews and strengthens us. The vitality and strength we need for life comes from abiding in Him. We need to make sure we take the time to abide. When we do, He will fill us and restore us because He is faithful.
-Ross

God's Call To His People At This Hour Is Concerning The Priority of His Presence

God desires that you overcome today. David gives us the proper focus in Psalm 27:4 when he says, "One thing I have asked of the Lord and that I will seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple."

He underscores the high priority of God's presence staying focused on the place where His glory dwells with us. I believe today God is saying on the basis of His word, you and I need to arrive at that place of decision - a place where we take a stand with the Lord and seek His presence. He says, "follow these steps on your way to seeing greater confidence living an overcoming life." He says, "Fear no man; make no room for evil and ask what you would that I could do for you. I will do mighty things even greater that what you could ask me for." 

Stand today in the fearless abode of a loving Father who desires to publish abroad a miraculous testimony through your life that rescues, heals, and delivers.

Kyle Nees
Grace Missions Ministries
www.abidinglifeministries.org
http://kyleneesgracelife.wordpress.com

Don't Despair! There Is A Dawn After The Darkness

The resurrection is an historic fact. It is also a spiritual reality, as well as an ever present hope for us today. The resurrection proved that Jesus has conquered sin and death, and He did this for us. Through Him we have the victory. 1 Corinthians 15:57 says "But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ".

Often we face problems that look insurmountable and undeniable. Yet, God sent His Son, Jesus, so we can have life, and life abundantly (John 10:10). What does this mean for us? Simply, as well as profoundly, God loves us so much that as we turn to Him, let Him be the Lord of our lives, He overcomes every obstacle, every sin, and every hardship. 1 John 5:4 says "For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith."

So, when life seems to be at its darkest and our circumstances seem to be hopeless, know that God overcomes whatever you are facing. Know that He cares so much that He has already secured the victory for you.

How will He do this in your life and situation? First, know that He is able. Second, understand that He is faithful. Yes, that is correct, He is faithful! As you trust in Him, watch Him move. Be careful to wait on Him, to pray, and give Him the victory/praise, even before He moves in your life and circumstances. Why praise Him before you see your victory? Because, that is called faith, and doing so brings you into agreement with God and it is also a powerful action that releases the very power of heaven itself, on your behalf.

Watch Him turn your darkness into dawn. Jesus is our resurrection hope!

..."And to God [are] thanks, who at all times is leading us in triumph in the Christ, and the fragrance of His knowledge He is manifesting through us in every place, because of Christ a sweet fragrance we are to God" - 2 Corinthians 2:14-15

-Ross

Have More Faith In God's Word Than In Your Problems!

"Faith -Bible Faith- is a matter of making a choice to believe God's Word rather than the problems that confront you. Yes, you will have to stand on God's Word until the problems come in line with the Word. But you don't have to be defeated by problems and negative circumstances!

And sometimes standing on the Word in the midst of trails requires some perseverance and patience. But having done all to stand on God's Word, then begin declaring your faith: 'God said it. I believe it! Therefore, I receive my petition according to the Word of God, and I count it as done!'

When you can't see your answer, feel it, touch it, or taste it - you must still stand on God's Word, praising Him that He has already answered your prayers! That's real faith in God. Thank God, He will meet your every need... But strong faith believes God even when things go wrong and the pressures of life seem to press in on every side. And your faith in God will always be rewarded by victory if you'll just persevere in God!"

Kenneth W. Hagin
Another Look at Faith
pages 37-38

God Causes Us To Triumph In All Things

Luke 18:27 And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.

True story! In 1940, a large and wonderful Christian family, the Rudolph's, announced the birth of their 20th baby! Though the baby was not expected to live, having been born prematurely and with polio, she defied all odds. She did live, but by the time she was four she had suffered polio, pneumonia and scarlet fever. This little girl was badly crippled with hardly any use of her left leg. While her brothers and sisters enjoyed running and playing outside, she was left confined to braces.

"Will I ever be able to run and play like the other children?" she asked her parents. "Honey, you only have to believe," they responded. "If you believe, God will make it happen." And she did! Now and again, she would practice walking without her braces with the aid of her siblings. On her twelfth birthday, she surprised her parents and doctors by removing her braces and walking around the doctor's office unassisted. She never wore braces again.

Her next goal was to play basketball. The coach only agreed to let her play as a means of getting her older sister on the team. She was given an outdated uniform, but she was allowed to work out with the other players. One day she approached the coach and promised him if he would give her an extra ten minutes of coaching each day, she would give him a world class athlete. He laughed, but seeing she was serious, half-heartedly agreed. Before long her determination paid off. She became one of the team's best players.

Her team went to the state basketball championships. One of the referees noticed her exceptional ability. He asked if she had ever run track. She hadn't. He encouraged her to try it. So after the basketball season she went out for track. She began winning races and earned a berth in the state championships.

At the age of 16, she was one of the best young runners in the country. She went to the Olympics in Australia and won a bronze medal for anchoring the 400-meter relay team. Four years later in Rome she won the 100-meter dash, the 200-meter dash and anchored the winning 400-meter relay team -- all in world-record times. She received the prestigious Sullivan Award as the most outstanding amateur athlete in America.

This is the amazing story of Wilma Rudolph, an Olympic gold medalist, who believed the promises of God.

We must be very careful never to allow our circumstances to dictate what we can accomplish or who we can become! Let's believe the promises of God for our lives and be encouraged to move forward for him! All things are possible to them that believe!

George, Rivka, Elianna & Obadiah

Negev Desert, Israel

worthministries.com

Don't Judge Based On What You See

"May God give us eyes to see from His point of view and may He deliver us from a temporal value system."

Geri McGhee

Abiding Life Ministries

Lindale, TX

www.abidinglifeministries.org

JOB 10:4 "Hast thou eyes of flesh? or seest thou as man seeth?"

PSALMS 18:28 "For thou wilt light my candle: the Lord my God will enlighten my darkness."

PSALMS 19:8 "The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes."

Ephesians 1:18 "The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints."

Grace Like Rain

Would Jesus Really Talk With A Nazi?

Let me ask you...What was your first reaction when you first saw this photo? Be honest! I'll tell you mine; I was stunned, a little confused and provoked. Once I settled down, I could relate to it and even see that it is an accurate portrayal of the compassion and love of my Savior illustrated in this 'disturbing' and 'thought-provoking' photo.

So, what does it do either to you or for you?? Does this picture make you feel a little uncomfortable? If so, why? Think about it for a moment.

Jesus has always provoked reactions from people. He always did and He always will. Why? Because He is God and people can have a hard time with that. Jesus has always had a habit of interrupting and challenging our assumptions, beliefs, and values. Just read the gospels (particularly the Gospel of John in the New Testament) and you will see Him confronting and being confronted.

Why does Jesus provoke us so much? Because God is God, He has always been active in human history, and He is also active in our lives today. He is mindful to challenge and confront us and our paradigms with the truth, motivated out of His pure love for us. What is this truth? It is that whether someone is a housewife, teacher, grandmother, manager, student, or even a Nazi; we are all lost and in need of a savior.

To think that Jesus shouldn't be found talking to a Nazi, or anyone else for that matter, regardless of how "good" or "bad" they may seem to be, is to judge Him. Think of it...how can we possibly and accurately judge God and His motives? Unfortunately, we frequently do.

The disciples did! Just read the story in the Gospel of John chapter 4 about the woman at the well and how the disciples were amazed to find Jesus speaking to her. Yet, what was Jesus doing in this story? He sat with a woman, well known as one who "got around", and He set her free from her sins.

The Pharisees and Scribes did too! Just read the story about the woman caught in adultery in John 8:1-11. The teachers were ready to kill her because she sinned, yet Jesus restored her to life by forgiving her and told her to sin no more. He also rebuked the teachers because they erroneously thought they had no sin. Was their sin less than hers? Obviously not.

How have you and I judged Jesus? When we judge God or others we do so from our own perspective which, because we have been broken by what the bible calls sin, is flawed. We are only to judge based upon His Word and that doesn't allow us to judge Him. Why? Because Jesus is not like us, He is holy and His motives are pure. Therefore, we have to be careful not to think that Jesus doesn't have any right to talk to a Nazi or any other terrible sinner because, in reality, we are all terrible sinners.

Aren't you glad that Jesus reached out to a "Nazi" like you?

John 10:10 -The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

-Ross


This amazing photo of Jesus with the Nazi is actually titled “The Second Mile,” and is a part of the 'Journeys With the Messiah Project' created by Michael Belk, a veteran fashion photographer, whose prior works have appeared in such places as Vogue, Vanity Fair, GQ and Elle. You can see the entire portfolio of photos at www.thejourneysproject.com.

There is also a great article with additional information on Michale Belk posted at http://theundergroundsite.com/index.php/2009/09/take-the-journey-10320

Every Man's A Brick!

The LORD will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.

Exodus 14:14

An ambassador was sent to Sparta on a diplomatic mission and was surprised to find no walls protecting the city. He exclaimed to the king, "Sir, you have no fortifications for defense. Why is this?" "Come with me...and I will show you the walls of Sparta" the king replied. He led the ambassador to where the Spartan army stood in full battle array,and pointing proudly to his soldiers who stood fearlessly in place, he said, "Behold, the walls of Sparta - 10,000 men and every man's a brick!"

We have something far greater than even the legendary, fearless Spartan army. We have God and a host of angels who stand firmly between us and the enemy. When pressure mounts, when we experience a loss of income, when we are persecuted for our values and beliefs, faithfulness to our fearless King will see us through, for though the battle is raging, He is standing watch over us, protecting us against destruction.

We have the ability to be "a brick" during the difficult and trying times in our lives. We just have to come alongside God who is already guarding us, and remain faithful and fearless.

By Dr. David Jeremiah

Turning Point Ministries

"When a train goes through a tunnel and it gets dark, you don't throw away the ticket and jump off. You sit still and trust the engineer."

Corrie ten Boom

He is Always Faithful

2 Corinthians 5:7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)

When Corrie Ten Boom (author of "The Hiding Place") was a little girl in Holland, her first realization of death came after a visit to the home of a neighbor who had died. It suddenly impressed her that some day her parents could also die. When Corrie went to her father about her concern, he comforted her with these words of wisdom. "Corrie, when you and I go to Amsterdam, when do I give you your ticket?" "Why, just before we get on the train," she replied. "Exactly," her father said, "and our wise Father in heaven knows when we're going to need things too. Don't run out ahead of Him, Corrie. When the time comes that some of us will have to die, you will look into your heart and find the strength you need--just in time."

Many of us don't think about it but we, as humans have such a problem with fear -- fear that God won't come through when we're in need. We want insurance -- insurance for our cars, insurance for our houses, for our health and for our lives. We want to be insured that we'll be okay if something happens. It has become our way of life in the western world.

Now, we're not saying go and cancel all your insurance plans -- but at the same time, God wants us to trust in His provision in our time of need! In our time here in Israel, we have truly learned the meaning of "never early, never late". Every single day since we have been here our faith has been tested and time and time again, God has provided for us in ways we could never conceive -- physically, spiritually, emotionally, financially and in every other way -- never early, never late -- always just when we need it.

We need not fear anything that is before us. God will give us the strength to endure anything that comes our way. He has our ticket!

George, Rivka, Elianna & Obadiah
Worthy Ministries
Negev Desert, Israel

His Name Is Above All Names!

"The answers you are looking for are as close as the mention of His name."
Pastor Kyle Nees

JOHN 16:24 - "Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full."

LUKE 11:9 -"And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you."

The Revival Hymn

This is a 35+/- minute video with compiled audio clips of some great men of God from the past talking about revival. How can we see revival come? Listen to these men talk about the devotion Jesus had to the Father and the devotion we must have as well. Listen to the hunger and thirst people have had and how God moved mightily in their midst. You will be blessed!

A Good Reason To Forgive Our Parents

"In every area our parents failed to train us up according to the Word of God, we will have an anger issue. It will manifest inwardly or outwardly as a button pusher until we forgive our parents for each failure."

Geri McGhee
Abiding Life Ministries
Lindale, TX

EPH 6:4 "And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord."

Thot: If you have a problem with anger in your life or feel blockage from receiving God's blessing examine your heart and ask God if you need to forgive your parents.

Be A Cultivator of Good Soil!

Hosea 10:12 Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.

At any time, how receptive your heart is will determine your response to God's word. If your heart has been trampled, and hardened by bitterness and unforgiveness, then receiving God's message for you will become more difficult. If your heart is like shallow soil on top of a rock, then your mind comprehends God's truths, yet these truths do not penetrate your heart to make a real difference in your actions. Or if you are concerned about the riches of this life, then your focus is on the here and now, and these pursuits prevent God's Word from taking hold and producing quality fruit. But a heart that is on good soil, receives the Word, applies the Word, and in due time bring forth abundant fruit! This is God's desire for you -- to have a heart cultivated on good soil!

How do you cultivate a heart on good soil? Repent of any bitterness, unforgiveness, anger, or any other sin that is hardening your heart! Seek the power of God to search your heart thoroughly and completely to root out all the weeds that hinder cultivating good soil. Cultivating good soil is a daily task -- weeds spring up out of nowhere to hinder our growth. But, you are not ignorant of Satan's devices (2 Cor. 2:11). So break up your fallow ground, sow yourself in His righteousness, and soon you will bring forth abundant fruit fit for the kingdom!

Be careful to cultivate your life in Him -- and He will produce His fruit through you!

George, Rivka, Elianna & Obadiah
Negev Desert, Israel
worthyministries

Faith, Not Fear

"Instead of faith in God, fear is faith in what satan is telling you. If God has not given us a spirit of fear, the devil has?"

Geri McGhee
Abiding Life Ministries
Lindale, TX

HEB 10:38 "Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him."

2TI 1:7 "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."

Isaiah 9:2-3

2 The Spirit of the LORD will rest on him—
the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding,
the Spirit of counsel and of power,
the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD -

3 and he will delight in the fear of the LORD.
He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes,
or decide by what he hears with his ears... (NIV)

Thot: We need the Spirit of wisdom, understanding, counsel, power, knowledge, and fear of the Lord. So, let's delight ourselves in the Lord. We don't live by sight but by faith. Be careful not to trust and judge in what you see or hear. Trust only in the Lord and in what His Word says! Let that dictate what you see and hear. The true reality is what God says, not what we see with our eyes or hear with our ears.

Glorious by Paul Baloche

Awesome and anointed worship! Enter in and be blessed!

The Beginning of the Path

This blog is intended to be one of insights and sharing concerning the path of faith we as believers are called to walk in order to come closer to God the Father through His Son Jesus Christ. I desire to reflect upon the beauty, majesty, and faithfulness of our God.

Because I am part intercessor, teacher, faith-guy, and lover of God; this blog will reflect those things. I hope this blog truly blesses those who read it. My prayer is that God reaches and touches your soul and spirit by His Spirit as you read the entries in the days, months and maybe even in the years ahead.

Please feel free to contribute with your comments provided they are uplifting, edifying and done in love.

Now, let's begin our journey. Are you ready? Let's go!

-Ross