True Love and True Life

Suffer, Prepare to Die

2010-03-03T13:16:00.000-08:00

Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country just then, was pressed into SERVICE to carry Jesus' cross (Simon is the father of Alexander and Rufus)Mark 15:21

Even in our service to Him,
It's all about what He's done for us.

It's only by His blood,
That we're given
Everything and
So we follow Him

With our cross, no longer I
Who lives, but
He!
Lives in me, through me

Go through, go through
The gates.
Hallelujah!
He

Went through, Went through
For yooooou
The Lamb of God
Did, It is Finished

Then he called his disciples and the crowds to come over and listen. "If any of you wants to be my follower," he told them, "you must put aside your own pleasures and shoulder your cross and follow me closely..." Mark 8:34
Following Jesus involves dying to all the bad that is in us, throwing out what you always thought it meant to truely live and accepting true life. So we all have different kinds of deaths that we experience at different seasons in our life. And we shouldn't compare the path God is asking you to walk with the path God is asking someone else to walk.
"...They will mock me and spit on me and flog me with their whips and kill me; but after three days I will come back to life again." Mark 10:34
This was the path God asked Jesus to walk, and He knew it in advance. I believe we suffer, not to die, but so the people we suffer for -- will die.
Ever since the coming of John the Baptist the kingdom of Heaven has been subjected to violence, and violent men are seizing it. Mathew 11:12 NEB
We must FIGHT evil with GOOD. Love those who crucify you, because this leads to resurrection of the dead! If you wash their feet, their whole body will be clean. yuck. Fear not! The meek and lowly will inherit the whole wide world. So if you suffer, you can prepare them to die to themselves and receive Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
For John is the man mentioned in the scriptures--- a messenger to precede me, to announce my coming, and prepare people to receive me. Mathew 11:10
Just as John the Baptist announced the coming of the kingdom of God before Jesus came, we must announce with our lives the evidence of the kingdom and the second return of Jesus. Look like Jesus, by letting Him use you, and let the people see God!
......" ' Jesus is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there, just as he told you before he died!' " Mark 16:7
And they beat him on the head with a cane, and spit on him and went down on their knees to "worship" him. Mark 15:19
And when all those you came for are born of the Spirit, then we will all be one creation under God. This is a war of possession. Love is the aim of your sacrifice, and you will succeed. Prepare the way for the rightful owner to possess the nations.
John the Baptist ate locusts, but he also ate honey. True life is sweet. Thank God Jesus died! He died of the flesh. And received immortality. As long as you have work for God to do on Earth, you are immortal. And death of our physical bodies is only the beginning. Jesus will meet you there (in heaven). But Jesus meets us here on earth with his Spirit.
"...But after I am raised to life again, I will go to Galilee and meet you there. " Mark 14:28
Colossians 1:24 says But part of my work is to suffer for you; and I am glad, for I am helping to finish up the remainder of Christ's sufferings for his body, the church.

Joseph bought a long sheet of linen cloth and, taking Jesus' body down from the cross, wound it in the cloth and laid it in a rock-hewn tomb and rolled a stone in front of the entrance. Mark 15: 46
So let us boldly come to the very throne room of God and stay there to receive his mercy and to find grace in our times of need. Hebrews 4:19
Boldly ask God, through Jesus, to help you forgive yourself and forgive anyone who has personally caused to suffer in any way. If you confess your need for Jesus, and believe He will help you, He already has. He's already gone ahead of you to meet you there. And this is the "entrance." This is true life. God loves us.
Then I went in too, and saw, and believed.
[that he had risen] John 20:8
In all their affliction he was afflicted, and he personally saved them. In his love and pity he redeemed them and lifted them up and carried them through all the years. Isaiah 63 : 9
And He said, " Yes, it was written long ago ^ that the Messiah must SUFFER and die and rise again from the dead on the third day. .... There is forgiveness of sins for all who turn to me.
Luke 24:46-47
And when he sees all that is accomplished by the anguish of his soul, he shall be satisfied; and because of what he has experienced (what have you experienced?) my righteous Servant shall make many to be counted righteous before God, for he shall bear all their sins. Isaiah 53:11
We must finish up the work of the kingdom that Jesus set into motion and Finished on the cross.

Worthy

2010-02-10T10:22:00.000-08:00

Kingdom Worthiness and What Love Has Got To Do With It.

If you love father or mother more than you love me, you are not worthy of being mine;

or if you love son or daughter more than me, you are not worthy of being mine. Matthew 10: 37

Next verse:

If you refuse to take up your cross and follow me, you are not worthy of being mine.

From these two verses, I can gather that God requires all our love and devotion, our entire life. The first thing God asks of us is to love Him. Jesus commands our emotions to Him, the Only True God, and to Him alone.

And you must love Him with all your heart and soul and mind and strength. --Jesus

( Mark 12:30 )

We should love God with our toes, love God with our arms, love God with our goosebumps, and love Him with our sweat, muscles, and endurance.

Sin .. .. will cool the love of many, But those enduring to the end shall be saved.

-- Matthew 24:12-13

The kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure lying in a field. The man who found it, buried it again, and for sheer joy, went and sold everything he had, and bought that field.

---Matthew 13:44 New English Bible

Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. I Corinthians 11: 27

Do you cherish the cross?

God will give you the love; He will give you the love to love Him.

Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Luke 12: 32

1st Prize

2010-01-01T09:10:00.000-08:00

In a race, everyone runs but only one person gets first prize. So run your race to win.
To win the contest, you must deny yourselves many things that would keep you from doing your best. An athlete goes to all this trouble just to win a blue ribbon or a silver cup, but we do it for a heavenly reward that never disappears.
So I run straight to the goal with purpose in every step. I fight to win. I'm not just shadow-boxing or playing around. I Corinthians 9:24-26

and the Lord loves us. He will bring us safely into the land and give it to us. It is very fertile, a land 'flowing with milk and honey'! Numbers 14 : 8

Then the Lord said to Moses, "Quit praying and get moving! Forward, march! ..... Exodus 14 : 15

2009-12-08T13:16:00.001-08:00

She gave birth to a son, a male child, who will rule all the nations with an iron scepter. And her child was snatched up to God and to his throne.
Revelation 12:5 (NIV)

Promise is a Promise

2009-11-30T06:20:00.000-08:00

God is not a man that he should lie, nor a son of man that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?
Numbers 23:19 NIV

A Woman Goes from Revelation to Reproduction

2009-10-02T17:47:00.000-07:00

She receives revelation for herself but also for a powerful purpose of reproduction.

After the Christ conquered death, nobody realized the good news of his resurrection. The first to find out was Mary Magdalene, because she was searching for Him.

John 20: 11 says....

but Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb.

The angels were present and they asked her, "Why are you crying?" Once again, an angel precedes revelation.

John 20: 14, 15a says....

At this she turned around

and saw Jesus standing there

but she did not realize that it was Jesus.

"Woman, "

he said, "Why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?"

She was dying on the inside.

John 20:16

Jesus said to her, "Mary."

This time He calls her name, and she knew!!!

She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, "Rabboni!" (which means

Teacher).

Jesus said, "Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet returned to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ' I am returning to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.'"

There was an urgengy, I believe, for life to be brought forth to the light. Jesus desired that the disciples hear the news. They were his brothers that He died for.
Out of the side of Adam, came Eve. Then there was destruction, death, and divorce from the King. BUT out of the side of Jesus, came life, life everlasting, and life more abundantly. Give Jesus your burdens. What are you giving birth to? Who are your brothers? Burdens/ wounds run deep; Destiny flies high. Hebrews 10:9,10 says "Here I am, I have come to do your will." He sets aside the first to establish the second.
And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
Mordecai speaks in Esther 4:14 "...For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your Father's family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to a royal position for such a time as this.?"

2009-09-30T15:33:00.000-07:00

for this is my blood, sealing the New Covenant. It is poured out to forgive the sins of multitudes. Mark my words --- I will not drink this wine again until the day I drink it new with you in my Father's Kingdom.

^Matthew 26: 28, 29

They will all sign a treaty giving their power and strength to him.

^Revelation 17: 13

August in July, A Foreshadowing

2009-07-28T09:56:00.000-07:00

Among other things, the sum of which it would take too long a time to mention, Abraham was tested with regard to the offering up of his beloved son Isaac, in order to prove his obedience to God and make it known to the world, not to God.
And on this account Isaac carried the wood on which he was to be offered up to the place of sacrifice, just as the Lord Himself carried His own cross.
Finally, since Isaac himself was not killed---for his father had forbidden to kill him---who was that ram which was offered instead and by whose foreshadowing blood the sacrifice was accomplished? For when Abraham had caught sight of him, he was caught by the horns in a thicket. Who then did he represent but Jesus, who, before He was offered up, had been crowned with thorns? --- Augustine, City of God 16, 32
{The Bible As It Was by James L. Kugel pages 30, 177, 178}

Jeremiah 29:11

2009-06-19T10:08:00.000-07:00

" . . . For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, " plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. . . . . "

NIV

Jesus Washed the Feet of Those Who Called Him "Master."

2009-04-09T19:31:00.000-07:00

Jesus knew on the evening of Passover Day that it would be His last night on earth before returning to His Father. During the supper the devil had already suggested to Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, that this was the night to carry out his plan to betray Jesus. Jesus knew that the Father had given him everything and that he had come from God. And how he loved his disciples! So he got up from the supper table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his loins, poured water into a basin, and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel he had around him. When he came to Simon Peter, Peter said to him, "Master, you shouldn't be washing our feet like this!" John 13:1-6 ( The Living Bible Paraphrased)
vs. 14 ... And since I , the Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet you ought to wash each other's feet...

And now turn to Mathew 20:28 ...Your attitude must be like my own, for I, the Messiah, did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give my life as a ransom for many."
When Jesus washed the feet of Peter, this was one of the very LAST lessons before the Crucifixion. Jesus demonstrated how we are supposed to show love. It is great to love our neighbor, but if don't they feel it, then what good does it really do? Love is powerful enough to conquer the world. Being a servant is a good way to make someone feel the love of Christ. So imagine the power in servanthood. I don't claim to understand it all, but there is definately a very special power in this lifestyle that can miraculously change hearts and minds for Jesus.
I wonder how Peter felt. Can you imagine if Jesus in the flesh knelt down to wash to nastyness from your toes? Maybe your feet are squeaky clean while you are reading this; But I dont think this was the picture. John, chapter 13, speaks of infinite humility.
It has been said that Christianity is Humility, Humility, and Humility. Servanthood is one of those "Humility's" that we all need to strive towards on a day to day walk. Jesus, the Son of God, set aside every piece of dignity to work and serve those that His Father loved. This is our example in the flesh. If we claim to work for God, we should be taking care of His most precious.
I am reading God's Secret to Greatness by David Cape and Tommy Tenney. So far I've read 3 chapters in this book about servanthood. I always used to think maybe we're supposed to wash the feet of the people we sit next to in church on Sunday mornings. I wasn't really sure. I'm starting to think that it is more about the whole world rather than being only about a few of your friends. The attitude God wants us to have is for us to esteem others greater than ourselves. People don't care how much you know until they know... how much you care!
Let us stop going over the same ground again and again, always teaching those first lessons about Christ. Let go on instead to other things and become mature in our understanding, as strong Christians ought to be. Hebrews 6:1
For God is not unfair. How can He forget your hard work for Him, or forget the way you used to show your love for Him-- and still do-- by helping his children. Hebrews 6:10
Jason Upton sings, "There's no mistaking love. (When people see it, they see it.)" It's true.

So here's your memory verse:

Your attitude should be the kind that was shown us by Jesus Christ, who, though he was God, did not cling to his rights as God, but laid aside his mighty power and glory, taking the disguise of a slave and becoming like men. And he humbled himself even further, going so far as actually to die a criminal's death on a cross. Yet it was because of this that God raised him up to the heights of heaven and gave him a name which is above every other name. Philippians 2:5-9

Only Son He Be Gotten

2009-03-29T13:35:00.000-07:00

There is only one Son and only 1 rhyme.

In our weakness, God is strong.

In our surrender, God will help.

In our cluelessness, God is wisdom.

In spite of our selfishness, Jesus is sacrifice.
To those with anxiety, God gives peace.

Though all will sin, God gives grace.
For those in slavery, there is freedom.

And all who die, they find life.

Because all who seek, so shall find.

And the God of love will renew your mind.

3.16 For God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son so that anyone who believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

"On Knowledge" by Rehman Baba

2009-03-05T19:46:00.000-08:00

This is a good poem. Click on the link. http://learnpashto.wordpress.com/2007/08/07/on-knowledge/
"Thursday, 05 Mar, 2009 01:53 PM PST Militants blew up the mausoleum of the 17th century poet apparently because women visited the shrine. —"-- Azad Khel , pashto.org

Jungle Missions

2009-02-28T10:40:00.000-08:00

Just now on Lesea Broadcasting, I heard about the short-wave radio outreach from Palau. World Harvest Radio needs money ($30,000/mo.) to operate from this strategic location in east Asia. It really captured my attention because they explained how many people use these little radios. Millions. A billions across the globe especially in places like African and Asia where that's all there is or the Internet and television are censored.
Just tonight on 20/20, that old tv show, was a story about a kidnapping in the Colombian jungles. For many tortuous years, these American men were hostages in the jungle after their airplane had crashed into the territory. Some wished to die but somehow maintained a piece of hope to survive. One day, the Colombian military put together a team and a plan to rescue them. They used a short-wave radio to fool the bad guys into thinking the head chief wanted to see the hostages and someone was coming to get them to transport them to the leader of the bad guys. They practiced their acting so when they helicoptered in, unarmored, the mission would be pulled off successfully. At the point of exchange, one of the hostages was skeptical of the rescuer's accent and even asked for identification. The rescuer showed his I.D. and said, "Trust me; I will get you out of here!"
Not only were the American hostages rescued that day but many other hostages the story had not even told about. Pulling up into the safety of the heavens, the rejoicing on the helicopter was videotaped. I could feel the emotional release of these people who could not even believe this was happening. They partied "like it was 1999." Watching the videotape, I couldn't even believe that many people could fly on one helicopter!
I believe the short-wave radio is not only being used to rescue physical lives but spiritual lives in remote jungle locations. So many other people in other countries have little to no access to the knowledge of Christ. In 2009, they've never heard! With this short-wave radio outreach stationed on the island of Palau, thousands will have daily Christian radio and the opportunity to write the radio for a Bible. They read a letter from a China man named Ma who risked his life to write the radio for a Bible. It was a powerful letter to hear of, because earlier today I saw a Chinese foreign film where one of the characters was named Ma. This gave me the visual I needed to think about the realness of every single person in Asia. And I thought, even if this only touches or encourages one single Ma, I want to reach out my hand in the body of Christ. I'm so thankful I can be a part of reaching the unreached with World Harvest Radio. (http://www.harvest-tv.com/)
Mark 16:15 You are to go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone, everywhere.
Mark 14:41 The third time when he returned to them he said, "Sleep on; Get your rest! But no! The time for sleep has ended! Look! I am betrayed into the hands of wicked men. ..(vs. 42)..Come! Get up! We must go! Look! My betrayer is here!
Mark 13:31 Heaven and earth shall disappear but my words stand sure forever.
Mark 13:36 Don't let me find you sleeping.
Mark 13:10 And the Good News must first be made known in every nation before the end time finally comes.
Luke 1:78, 79 And this will be because the mercy of God is so very tender, and heaven's dawn is about to break upon us.
To give light to those who sit in darkness and death's shadow and to guide us to the path of peace.
Luke 5:4 When he had finished speaking he said to Simon, "Now go out where it is deeper and let down your nets and you will catch a lot of fish!"

Kindness

2009-02-16T19:45:00.000-08:00

Psalms 89:1,2
Forever and ever I will sing about the tender kindness of the Lord! Young and old shall hear about your blessings. Your love and kindness are forever; your truth is as enduring as the heavens.

So God is KIND. This is always a revelation to me. Its not natural to think that the Supreme Being, the Man Upstairs, whatever you call God is kind. We watch the news and see all the unfairness. Its so normal to think ' If God was kind, why this and that?'
(If anyone thinks he knows all the answers, he is just showing his ignorance. I Corinthians 8:2) Soon after we learn to walk, we learn other kids are not always kind. I have been to church many times and have heard much more about what is sin and how I am supposed to behave than I've ever heard that God is kind. You imagine God might just send a lightening bolt to electrocute someone if they sin too much. But God is not only loving but full of kindness and mercy, lovingkindness I am seeing many times in the Psalms. Actually its a major theme of the entire Bible.

Some like to quote Romans 3:23. Now its all the truth but Romans 3:24 says :
yet now God declares us "not guilty" of offending him if we trust in Jesus Christ, who in his kindness freely takes away our sins.
God not only saves us from death but cares about our every need, desire, pain, and joy.
Romans 5:21 Before sin ruled over men and brought them to death, but now God's kindness rules instead, giving us right standing with God and resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Yes because of God's great kindness, Jesus tasted death for everyone in all world. Hebrews 2:9.b
Taste Jesus.
II Corinthians 6:1
all scripture is from the Living Bible

I believe that only His kindness can bring repentence.

2009-01-26T13:20:00.000-08:00

I would like to share 3 readings from the book of John, Ch. 6.

1. vs. 65: And He remarked, "That is what i meant when I said that no one can come to me unless the Father attracts him to me."

2.vs. 63: Only the Holy Spirit gives eternal life.

Those born only once, with physical birth, will never receive this gift.

But now I have told you how to get this true spiritual life.

3.vs. 44-45: For no one can come to me unless the Father who draws him to me, and at the Last Day I will cause all such to rise again from the dead. As it is written in the scriptures: 'They shall all be taught of God.' Those the Father speaks to, who learn the truth from him, will be attracted to me.

Love conquers all.

2009-01-23T21:16:00.000-08:00

"..... and my love will know no bounds, for my anger will be forever gone!" --Hosea 14: 4 (Living Bible)

Introduction to Last Post, (Jan. 17)

2009-01-19T16:02:00.001-08:00

Psalms 146: 3 (Living Word) Dont look to men for help; Their greatest leaders ("princes, kings" depending on what version of the Book, The Bible you have) fail.
The following notes are not about politics. God bless and touch our new President and his team. May they have many successes. However, I am talking about the Ultimate Leader. (refer to the post Jan 17)

The question "Who is Rahm Emanuel?" is not so much the question we should be asking as it is " Who is Jesus?" May you come to know him as the Ultimate hope and change in history, today, and forever.

Emmanuel

2009-01-17T15:09:00.000-08:00

What is this guy Rahm Emanuel all about?

He talks of being an ambassador and says he gave up something from his previous position to serve Barack and the people. Says he wants to do what he's supposed to, to fulfill the president's purposes. Says the president says it will get worse before it gets better. (Revelation 22:11)

Talks about never letting a good crisis go to waste. Says the people need to give something of themselves to make it work. Timing is as important as each of the investments. Talks of protecting the country and leading the world.

He says Barack welcomes unconventional thinking. We can't get the prize without boldness of action. Road between oval office and mainstreet will be open! Chief Officials know that something must be done. Says he has a close relationship with O'bama, yo Mamma!

President had to convince him to give up his seat in Chicago to most impact people's lives and leave you a thumbprint (in history). The White House was the place to make immediate change. Children of immigrants, our friendship is in that same sense of what we can do for people. We're both about the future, building future for the people we serve. (Wants healthcare for kids.) Ambassador, Advisor, Counselor, Make sure Plan is Executed. (He helped write The Plan.) DNA is the same as the president's. President is putting all his eggs in one basket to make His play.
We need not be partisan or for political posturing. The country is in a state of peril. The world is watching and hungry and waiting for that indespensible portion of freedom. The country of anything goes dominated the people. The leaders have to lead by example.

[Charlie Rose said, "There may be time for a Grand Bargain!?!?!" <---Charlie Rose Show, interview by Charlie Rose, January 2009]

Rahm, "Reforms have to be coupled with the way we do business. Obama is willing to personally put things on the table." No ear marks (Peter?)

[Charlie Rose, "How is Isreal going to be affected by an Obama Administration?" Paraphrase--->You say you speak the truth!?!]

{John 8:58 : Jesus: "The absolute truth is that I was in existence before Abraham was ever born!" (Living Bible)}

My policy comes from the President. The Chief of Staff serves the president. We challenge the assumptions.

Pelosi and others committed publicly and we gave them a personal phone call to thank them for their devotion. He has a plan for your healthcare, a plan for your finances, and a plan for your job (purpose). We will have troops on the ground, and you will walk with Comfort.

[Charlie Rose, "When will this take place?"]

Rahm Emmanuel and Emmanuel says, "When the President chooses. There must be transparency and trust." I'm breaking the traditional system. We want to bring education (knowledge) to the children.

You want to know, ' Will we be a more secure country?' You will see. My kingdom will lead the world. He is not intimidated by opposition. It is essential of the President to fulfill His vision in His time. It is an extraordinary time and purpose.

John 10:10b : My purpose is to give life in all its fullness. (Living Bible)

Revelation 22:5 : And there will be no night there--no need for lamps or sun--for the Lord God will be their light; and they shall reign forever and ever.

Revelation 22: 11 (inserted at top of this article): And when that time comes, all doing wrong will do it more and more; the...........

*I'm not saying Rahm Emmanuel IS Jesus or Obama -- God*

*I'm saying Jesus is God. God loves us. Jesus did not come to condemn the world but to save. And God is a verb, waiting for your response. Respond to Him today*