I ran across this beautiful note when I was reading a blog that emphasized the reason why we are supposed to so HIDDEN in Jesus that our true value and worth comes directly from the Throne Room of Grace.
'There is a gallant Prince waiting for you right at this very moment. Yes, in fact, He has waited His whole entire life for you. You were designed perfectly just for Him. No other one will do! He is already so madly in love with you!
There is a Perfect Gentleman, Best Friend, and Love of your Life waiting for you to take Him by the hand and go with Him on the most wonderful and adventurous journey! Please hear what I am saying and believe it is true!! Yes, a beautiful romance with the Lover of your soul is indeed possible and it is no fairy tale. In fact, it is 100 times better and more romantic than any fairy tale in a book. The key lies within every young woman who is willing. She is ready to surrender every part of her life to Him because she knows He loves her!! She realizes that He wants the best for His daughter and has His very best in mind for her life. He knows her even better than she knows herself and wants to bless her in every way. That is why He asks that she give heart *wholly* and *purely* to Him.
This love story is no dream-in fact it is far closer to reality than you might guess. Don't write it off as unattainable. Your feminine heart may be much closer to finding *true* love than you think! You see, the tender Prince and Ultimate Warrior Poet who is longing for you today is Jesus Christ!!!
Many of us think we know Jesus. We go to Him in prayer occasionally, visit Him in church two days a week, read our Bibles , and even declare that He is #1 in our lives. But as Leslie Ludy says in her book Authentic Beauty,"Just as there is a marked distinction between the definition of a rose in Webster's dictionary and actually holding one in your hand, there is a huge difference between saying you know Jesus Christ, and truly experiencing Him as your true Prince, you Hero, and the One you give up everything just to be with."
Some of you girls may realize that you do not know Jesus at all. You have not accepted Him into your heart as Lord and Savior of your life. But He has been working on you for quite some time now, tugging on your heartstrings asking you to please let Him in. For those of you saying,"Yes! That is me," I want you to know that Jesus Christ is *head over heels* in love with you and wants you to serve Him starting today. He is waiting to call you His own daughter marked with His seal of Love and take you on the journey of a lifetime!!! Accept Him today, and you can experience the depths of His love and grace not only in this life, but in the life to come--eternal life with God in heaven!!!!!!!! Please stop reading this now and send me a message privately. I would LOVE to talk with you about what God is speaking to you about :). I know that for the most part, you girls who joined this group have already accepted Jesus into your heart and life. You Love the Lord with all your heart. He is the most important thing to you and you do your best to live a life that is pleasing to Him in every way. But you also feel Him calling you to the next level with Him. You hear Him whispering to your heart, you may have never thought of Christ in a romantic way but the true is, our Prince longs for unhindered intimacy with us.
Jesus' death on the cross was the ultimate romantic gesture of the most pure and perfect love imaginable. This is a call from Christ for us to be *Lilies* among Thorns. Of course, our purity means so much to Him but it is so much more than simply saving sex for marriage. True purity is complete set-apartness for our Heavenly Prince. True purity comes only when we fall in the loving arms of our Prince, surrender ourselves fully to Him, and allow Him to tenderly shape us into *His lily white likeness*.
"He is looking through the windows;
He is peering through the lattice.
My beloved responded and said to me,
'Arise, my darling, my beautiful one,
And come along.' " Song of Solomon 2:9-10
~You may be asking yourself the question, "Is this standard too high?"
But following Christ is radical. It is extreme. And it does make others uncomfortable. As long as you are trying to blend Christianity in with your own beliefs and mediocre existence, you will never experience a passionate romance with your true Prince.
"Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of a cross." Philippians 2:5-8
"I have kicked myself off the throne of my life, so I no longer dictate how I live; but now Christ, living within me, has taken His position on my throne, and determines how I live. This life I live in this earthly body, I now live in total dependence and trust in Jesus Christ who loved me and sacrificed for me." Galatians 2:20
"And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." Romans 12:2
Christ loves us with an extreme and sacrificial love!!! And as His followers, we are called by Him to love the very same way.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Monday, July 28, 2008
A message from the heart of God
Revival- A mighty rushing wind of God's divine and infinite Presence. This nation is about to experience a mighty outpouring of HIS Spirit. Lives are going to be forever changed. People who have been bound are going to be set free-healed, anointed, and completely and totally cleansed from the top of their heads to the bottom of their feet.
Jesus is coming back very, very soon...for those who are ready will meet Him in the air, but for those who are not, they will experience God's unleashed wrath on the ungodly. If you are not saved or living right for Jesus, surrender your life completely over to Him right now! You can feel Him. He is tugging at your heart. Dear friend, it is never too late to answer to the call. You are loved, you are precious, and you are cherished. It does not matter what you have done, where you have been, or what you have seen. Jesus loves YOU and He has an amazing plan and destiny for your life! You are about to embark on the greatest adventure of your life...please do not reject the call of God on your life.
Your peers need you. They are crying out for someone to care about them. Be the voice that God uses to minister life to our generation. They need to know that the time has come to stop the martyrdom of innnocence and purity in our nation. Now is the time to stand against the tide, and refuse to see our friends hurt or injure themselves any longer. We are called to stand in the gap, and to continually pray and interceed for our nation.
With Jesus all things are possible, absolutely nothing is impossible through HIM!
Inspirational Promises by Jessica M. Farnam
© 2008. All rights reserved.
Jesus is coming back very, very soon...for those who are ready will meet Him in the air, but for those who are not, they will experience God's unleashed wrath on the ungodly. If you are not saved or living right for Jesus, surrender your life completely over to Him right now! You can feel Him. He is tugging at your heart. Dear friend, it is never too late to answer to the call. You are loved, you are precious, and you are cherished. It does not matter what you have done, where you have been, or what you have seen. Jesus loves YOU and He has an amazing plan and destiny for your life! You are about to embark on the greatest adventure of your life...please do not reject the call of God on your life.
Your peers need you. They are crying out for someone to care about them. Be the voice that God uses to minister life to our generation. They need to know that the time has come to stop the martyrdom of innnocence and purity in our nation. Now is the time to stand against the tide, and refuse to see our friends hurt or injure themselves any longer. We are called to stand in the gap, and to continually pray and interceed for our nation.
With Jesus all things are possible, absolutely nothing is impossible through HIM!
Inspirational Promises by Jessica M. Farnam
© 2008. All rights reserved.
Jesus has compassion and forgiveness for those who have sinned.
When we choose to say, "There is nothing black and white anymore; there is only grey." We are only hurting ourselves. When people choose to break the ten commandments, they think they are breaking the rules and that it will not personally affect them, in all reality, they are only hurting themselves. Everything we do here on Earth, someday we will have to give account of our actions to HIM-someday we will stand before the great white throne of Grace, and you will not have your friends to stand right next to you at the judgement. It will be between you and your Maker. He is our judge. Jesus is coming back for a pure and a spotless bride. There will be even many Christians who will be left behind when the rapture takes place, because of the rebellion that is in their hearts. We must choose to continually surrender our lives to HIM daily, and we must let our flesh die...so that our spirit man can live !
Hebrews 13:18
Keep praying for us, for we are convinced that we have a good (clear) conscience, that we want to walk uprightly and live a noble life, acting honorably and in complete honesty in all things.
Hebrews 12:15-16
Strive to live in peace with everybody and pursue that consecration and holiness without which no one will [ever] see the Lord.
Exercise foresight and be on the watch to look [after one another], to see that no one falls back from and fails to secure God's grace (His unmerited favor and spiritual blessing), in order that no root of resentment (rancor, bitterness, or hatred) shoots forth and causes trouble and bitter torment, and the many become contaminated and defiled by it--
That no one may become guilty of sexual vice, or become a profane (godless and sacrilegious) person as Esau did, who sold his own birthright for a single meal.
Romans 1:17-32
17For in the Gospel a righteousness which God ascribes is revealed, both springing from faith and leading to faith [disclosed through the way of faith that arouses to more faith]. As it is written, The man who through faith is just and upright shall live and shall live by faith.(A)
18For God's [holy] wrath and indignation are revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who in their wickedness repress and hinder the truth and make it inoperative.
19For that which is known about God is evident to them and made plain in their inner consciousness, because God [Himself] has shown it to them.
20For ever since the creation of the world His invisible nature and attributes, that is, His eternal power and divinity, have been made intelligible and clearly discernible in and through the things that have been made (His handiworks). So [men] are without excuse [altogether without any defense or justification],(
21Because when they knew and recognized Him as God, they did not honor and glorify Him as God or give Him thanks. But instead they became futile and [c]godless in their thinking [with vain imaginings, foolish reasoning, and stupid speculations] and their senseless minds were darkened.
22Claiming to be wise, they became fools [professing to be smart, they made simpletons of themselves].
23And by them the glory and majesty and excellence of the immortal God were exchanged for and represented by images, resembling mortal man and birds and beasts and reptiles.
24Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their [own] hearts to sexual impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves [abandoning them to the degrading power of sin],
25Because they exchanged the truth of God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, Who is blessed forever! Amen (so be it).©
26For this reason God gave them over and abandoned them to vile affections and degrading passions. For their women exchanged their natural function for an unnatural and abnormal one,
27And the men also turned from natural relations with women and were set ablaze (burning out, consumed) with lust for one another--men committing shameful acts with men and suffering in their own [d]bodies and personalities the inevitable consequences and penalty of their wrong-doing and going astray, which was [their] fitting retribution.
28And so, since they did not see fit to acknowledge God or approve of Him or consider Him worth the knowing, God gave them over to a base and condemned mind to do things not proper or decent but loathsome,
29Until they were filled (permeated and saturated) with every kind of unrighteousness, iniquity, grasping and covetous greed, and malice. [They were] full of envy and jealousy, murder, strife, deceit and treachery, ill will and cruel ways. [They were] secret backbiters and gossipers,
30Slanderers, hateful to and hating God, full of insolence, arrogance, [and] boasting; inventors of new forms of evil, disobedient and undutiful to parents.
31[They were] without understanding, conscienceless and faithless, heartless and loveless [and] merciless.
32Though they are fully aware of God's righteous decree that those who do such things deserve to die, they not only do them themselves but approve and applaud others who practice them.
Romans 2:1-29
1THEREFORE YOU have no excuse or defense or justification, O man, whoever you are who judges and condemns another. For in posing as judge and passing sentence on another, you condemn yourself, because you who judge are habitually practicing the very same things [that you censure and denounce].
2[But] we know that the judgment (adverse verdict, sentence) of God falls justly and in accordance with truth upon those who practice such things.
3And do you think or imagine, O man, when you judge and condemn those who practice such things and yet do them yourself, that you will escape God's judgment and elude His sentence and adverse verdict?
4Or are you [so blind as to] trifle with and presume upon and despise and underestimate the wealth of His kindness and forbearance and long-suffering patience? Are you unmindful or actually ignorant [of the fact] that God's kindness is intended to lead you to repent ([a]to change your mind and inner man to accept God's will)?
5But by your callous stubbornness and impenitence of heart you are storing up wrath and indignation for yourself on the day of wrath and indignation, when God's righteous judgment (just doom) will be revealed.
6For He will render to every man according to his works [justly, as his deeds deserve]A)
7To those who by patient persistence in well-doing [[b]springing from piety] seek [unseen but sure] glory and honor and [[c]the eternal blessedness of] immortality, He will give eternal life.
8But for those who are self-seeking and self-willed and disobedient to the Truth but responsive to wickedness, there will be indignation and wrath.
9[And] there will be tribulation and anguish and calamity and constraint for every soul of man who [habitually] does evil, the Jew first and also the Greek (Gentile).
10But glory and honor and [heart] peace shall be awarded to everyone who [habitually] does good, the Jew first and also the Greek (Gentile).
11For God shows no partiality [[d]undue favor or unfairness; with Him one man is not different from another].(
12All who have sinned without the Law will also perish without [regard to] the Law, and all who have sinned under the Law will be judged and condemned by the Law.
13For it is not merely hearing the Law [read] that makes one righteous before God, but it is the doers of the Law who will be held guiltless and acquitted and justified.
14When Gentiles who have not the [divine] Law do instinctively what the Law requires, they are a law to themselves, since they do not have the Law.
15They show that the essential requirements of the Law are written in their hearts and are operating there, with which their consciences (sense of right and wrong) also bear witness; and their [moral] [e]decisions (their arguments of reason, their condemning or approving [f]thoughts) will accuse or perhaps defend and excuse [them]
16On that day when, as my Gospel proclaims, God by Jesus Christ will judge men in regard to [g]the things which they conceal (their hidden thoughts).©
17But if you bear the name of Jew and rely upon the Law and pride yourselves in God and your relationship to Him,
18And know and understand His will and discerningly approve the better things and have a sense of what is vital, because you are instructed by the Law;
19And if you are confident that you [yourself] are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, and [that
20You are] a corrector of the foolish, a teacher of the childish, having in the Law the embodiment of knowledge and truth--
21Well then, you who teach others, do you not teach yourself? While you teach against stealing, do you steal (take what does not really belong to you)?
22You who say not to commit adultery, do you commit adultery [are you unchaste in action or in thought]? You who abhor and loathe idols, do you rob temples [do you appropriate to your own use what is consecrated to God, thus robbing the sanctuary and [h]doing sacrilege]?
23You who boast in the Law, do you dishonor God by breaking the Law [by stealthily infringing upon or carelessly neglecting or openly breaking it]?
24For, as it is written, The name of God is maligned and blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you! [The words to this effect are from your own Scriptures.](D)
25Circumcision does indeed profit if you keep the Law; but if you habitually transgress the Law, your circumcision is made uncircumcision.
26So if a man who is uncircumcised keeps the requirements of the Law, will not his uncircumcision be credited to him as [equivalent to] circumcision?
27Then those who are physically uncircumcised but keep the Law will condemn you who, although you have the code in writing and have circumcision, break the Law.
28For he is not a [real] Jew who is only one outwardly and publicly, nor is [true] circumcision something external and physical.
29But he is a Jew who is one inwardly, and [true] circumcision is of the heart, a spiritual and not a literal [matter]. His praise is not from men but from God.
Inspirational Promises by Jessica M. Farnam
© 2008. All rights reserved.
Hebrews 13:18
Keep praying for us, for we are convinced that we have a good (clear) conscience, that we want to walk uprightly and live a noble life, acting honorably and in complete honesty in all things.
Hebrews 12:15-16
Strive to live in peace with everybody and pursue that consecration and holiness without which no one will [ever] see the Lord.
Exercise foresight and be on the watch to look [after one another], to see that no one falls back from and fails to secure God's grace (His unmerited favor and spiritual blessing), in order that no root of resentment (rancor, bitterness, or hatred) shoots forth and causes trouble and bitter torment, and the many become contaminated and defiled by it--
That no one may become guilty of sexual vice, or become a profane (godless and sacrilegious) person as Esau did, who sold his own birthright for a single meal.
Romans 1:17-32
17For in the Gospel a righteousness which God ascribes is revealed, both springing from faith and leading to faith [disclosed through the way of faith that arouses to more faith]. As it is written, The man who through faith is just and upright shall live and shall live by faith.(A)
18For God's [holy] wrath and indignation are revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who in their wickedness repress and hinder the truth and make it inoperative.
19For that which is known about God is evident to them and made plain in their inner consciousness, because God [Himself] has shown it to them.
20For ever since the creation of the world His invisible nature and attributes, that is, His eternal power and divinity, have been made intelligible and clearly discernible in and through the things that have been made (His handiworks). So [men] are without excuse [altogether without any defense or justification],(
21Because when they knew and recognized Him as God, they did not honor and glorify Him as God or give Him thanks. But instead they became futile and [c]godless in their thinking [with vain imaginings, foolish reasoning, and stupid speculations] and their senseless minds were darkened.
22Claiming to be wise, they became fools [professing to be smart, they made simpletons of themselves].
23And by them the glory and majesty and excellence of the immortal God were exchanged for and represented by images, resembling mortal man and birds and beasts and reptiles.
24Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their [own] hearts to sexual impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves [abandoning them to the degrading power of sin],
25Because they exchanged the truth of God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, Who is blessed forever! Amen (so be it).©
26For this reason God gave them over and abandoned them to vile affections and degrading passions. For their women exchanged their natural function for an unnatural and abnormal one,
27And the men also turned from natural relations with women and were set ablaze (burning out, consumed) with lust for one another--men committing shameful acts with men and suffering in their own [d]bodies and personalities the inevitable consequences and penalty of their wrong-doing and going astray, which was [their] fitting retribution.
28And so, since they did not see fit to acknowledge God or approve of Him or consider Him worth the knowing, God gave them over to a base and condemned mind to do things not proper or decent but loathsome,
29Until they were filled (permeated and saturated) with every kind of unrighteousness, iniquity, grasping and covetous greed, and malice. [They were] full of envy and jealousy, murder, strife, deceit and treachery, ill will and cruel ways. [They were] secret backbiters and gossipers,
30Slanderers, hateful to and hating God, full of insolence, arrogance, [and] boasting; inventors of new forms of evil, disobedient and undutiful to parents.
31[They were] without understanding, conscienceless and faithless, heartless and loveless [and] merciless.
32Though they are fully aware of God's righteous decree that those who do such things deserve to die, they not only do them themselves but approve and applaud others who practice them.
Romans 2:1-29
1THEREFORE YOU have no excuse or defense or justification, O man, whoever you are who judges and condemns another. For in posing as judge and passing sentence on another, you condemn yourself, because you who judge are habitually practicing the very same things [that you censure and denounce].
2[But] we know that the judgment (adverse verdict, sentence) of God falls justly and in accordance with truth upon those who practice such things.
3And do you think or imagine, O man, when you judge and condemn those who practice such things and yet do them yourself, that you will escape God's judgment and elude His sentence and adverse verdict?
4Or are you [so blind as to] trifle with and presume upon and despise and underestimate the wealth of His kindness and forbearance and long-suffering patience? Are you unmindful or actually ignorant [of the fact] that God's kindness is intended to lead you to repent ([a]to change your mind and inner man to accept God's will)?
5But by your callous stubbornness and impenitence of heart you are storing up wrath and indignation for yourself on the day of wrath and indignation, when God's righteous judgment (just doom) will be revealed.
6For He will render to every man according to his works [justly, as his deeds deserve]A)
7To those who by patient persistence in well-doing [[b]springing from piety] seek [unseen but sure] glory and honor and [[c]the eternal blessedness of] immortality, He will give eternal life.
8But for those who are self-seeking and self-willed and disobedient to the Truth but responsive to wickedness, there will be indignation and wrath.
9[And] there will be tribulation and anguish and calamity and constraint for every soul of man who [habitually] does evil, the Jew first and also the Greek (Gentile).
10But glory and honor and [heart] peace shall be awarded to everyone who [habitually] does good, the Jew first and also the Greek (Gentile).
11For God shows no partiality [[d]undue favor or unfairness; with Him one man is not different from another].(
12All who have sinned without the Law will also perish without [regard to] the Law, and all who have sinned under the Law will be judged and condemned by the Law.
13For it is not merely hearing the Law [read] that makes one righteous before God, but it is the doers of the Law who will be held guiltless and acquitted and justified.
14When Gentiles who have not the [divine] Law do instinctively what the Law requires, they are a law to themselves, since they do not have the Law.
15They show that the essential requirements of the Law are written in their hearts and are operating there, with which their consciences (sense of right and wrong) also bear witness; and their [moral] [e]decisions (their arguments of reason, their condemning or approving [f]thoughts) will accuse or perhaps defend and excuse [them]
16On that day when, as my Gospel proclaims, God by Jesus Christ will judge men in regard to [g]the things which they conceal (their hidden thoughts).©
17But if you bear the name of Jew and rely upon the Law and pride yourselves in God and your relationship to Him,
18And know and understand His will and discerningly approve the better things and have a sense of what is vital, because you are instructed by the Law;
19And if you are confident that you [yourself] are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, and [that
20You are] a corrector of the foolish, a teacher of the childish, having in the Law the embodiment of knowledge and truth--
21Well then, you who teach others, do you not teach yourself? While you teach against stealing, do you steal (take what does not really belong to you)?
22You who say not to commit adultery, do you commit adultery [are you unchaste in action or in thought]? You who abhor and loathe idols, do you rob temples [do you appropriate to your own use what is consecrated to God, thus robbing the sanctuary and [h]doing sacrilege]?
23You who boast in the Law, do you dishonor God by breaking the Law [by stealthily infringing upon or carelessly neglecting or openly breaking it]?
24For, as it is written, The name of God is maligned and blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you! [The words to this effect are from your own Scriptures.](D)
25Circumcision does indeed profit if you keep the Law; but if you habitually transgress the Law, your circumcision is made uncircumcision.
26So if a man who is uncircumcised keeps the requirements of the Law, will not his uncircumcision be credited to him as [equivalent to] circumcision?
27Then those who are physically uncircumcised but keep the Law will condemn you who, although you have the code in writing and have circumcision, break the Law.
28For he is not a [real] Jew who is only one outwardly and publicly, nor is [true] circumcision something external and physical.
29But he is a Jew who is one inwardly, and [true] circumcision is of the heart, a spiritual and not a literal [matter]. His praise is not from men but from God.
Inspirational Promises by Jessica M. Farnam
© 2008. All rights reserved.
Abstinence
In our world today many people have questioned why abstinence is so important, and this is a poem that will begin to explain the true value of sexual purity, "Abstinence? In a world that focuses on pleasure, this word has no meaning. For those searching for love in all of the wrong places, this word has no meaning. For those who only rely on the approval and acceptance of others, this word has no meanisng. For those who only focus on the present and never look forward to the future, this word has no meaning. For those who only think, "What can I get?" this word has no meaning. For those who feel they have no purpose, this word has no meaning. In a world that is completely lost, this word has no meaning. Abstinence, Does it mean anything to you?" These are some very good points that explain/support why saving sex for marriage is worth the wait. The individual will not have to worry about getting pregnant, a sexually transmitted disease, and the they will be spared from much emotional pain and heartache. God is able to provide one with a way out of being tempted 100% of the time, one has the priviledge and the opportunity to live out and to excel in their dreams, and when someone gets married they will be able to present their whole self to their future mate.
First of all, an individual will not have to worry about getting pregnant, and the regret of not being able to completely be able to care for the child when it becomes older. The welfare rates in this country have skyrocketed, not to mention how many unwed teenage mothers will never truly have a chance to fulfill the dreams or opportunities that they could have once had. These are several examples of what a young girl might be telling her parents for the choice she made, "I could be pregnant." "Whom do I talk to?" "Why did I listen to him?" "I can't tell anyone." "But he said he loved me." "If I tell, he'll never speak to me again." Here is another common fact, "We all know the way it works, when a male and a female have sexual contact, it can result in a pregnancy. every day in America, 2,739 teenage girls get pregnant. That is one million teenage girls every year! A pregnancy can occur the very first time a person has sex. A girl can get pregnant even if birth control pills and condoms are being used. Abstinence means freedom from pregnancy." Here are some of their stories, "I've decided to save sex for marriage. I've seen pregnant girls in my neighborhood. They don't look happy, or confident. They look scared. Where is the guy who only a few months ago promised he would care for her, would always be there? Even when he does stick around, the respect is gone. It didn't mean enough to her to save such an important adventure for one guy. There are so many frogs out there, each one swearing that if you kiss him, he'll turn into Prince Charming. It's such a shame so many young girls fall for this trick." "I felt strange, and in a sense, used. It was like we were caring for the same person-him. I felt left out of it."-Elizabeth,15. "The benefits of remaining pure until marriage is great!"-Shane and Lisa, Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Second, an individual will not have to worry about getting a STD, and so far it has been almost impossible for the scientists to find a solution to these diseases. Here is a short list os the diseases that are rampant in most of the United States as well as around the world: Human Pampilloma Virus-It is the fastest spreading disease in the U.S. Many who have this incurable virus are asymptomatic, others may have genital warts. This virus also causes cancer, killing over 4,900 women each year. Since this virus can spread throughout the sexual area and is transmitted by skin-to-skin contact, condoms offer little to no protection. AIDS/HIV, Syphilis, Trichomoniasis, Common Infections, and Pubic Lice. There are about 50 known STD's today, but there could be more out there as well. These are several of the examples that one might ask, "Do I have a STD?" "It could be herpes." "What could be wrong?" "She said she was clean." "Is something wrong with me?" "Why do I feel like I'm burning?" "I can't have a STD, that wouldn't happen to me." "Maybe it wasn't her first time." "I don't feel good."
Third, they will be spared from much emotional pain and heartache, and another thing that many young people and adults do not take into consideration is the fact that there is no condom or contraceptive/birth control pill that can guarantee that one will not have broken heart in the end. There are many young women who give themselves away; and the very next morning they discover that they are alone. Another thing that many people do not realize is that when they give that part of their body or heart away to someone, they are giving that other person a special gift that they can never get back, but Jesus can give them a second chance in that area if they choose to ask Him to cleanse and to heal that area in their lives. Here is another quote: "I met him, I liked him, I loved him, I let him, I lost him."-Author Unknown. "I met her, I liked her, wanted her, I asked her, she said, "No." I married her, and I am still with her forty years later."-A man from Texas.
Fourth, God is able to provide one with a way out of being tempted 100% of the time, which will also enable them to keep pressing on, and being able to stay strong even when it seems like no one else is staying pure. There were many times during bhigh school that I was mocked for my choice to remain abstinent until marriage, and my reason is simple, someday I want to be able to look my future husband in the eye, and tell him that he was worth the wait.
Fifth, when someone gets married someday they will be able to present themselves wholly to their future mate. There will not be any regret, and they will know that the wait was worth it in the end. This an example of a couple that did not choose to wait for their future spouse in the past, "The groom waits for his bride to walk down the aisle. As they stand hand in hand at the alter, another woman appears and takes the groom's hand, then another, until there are several women holding on the groom. Likewise, there are several men holding onto the bride. As they both say their vows, they look at each other with sadness because so many had come before the,. How could anyone experience the intimacy of marriage when they had given so much of themselves away?" This is one's decision on why choosing abstinence is so important, "Hey, My name is Crystal Michelle. I decided to wait for SEX among other things for a while back. I have pledged to God that I would not kiss until the pastor says, "And NOW you may kiss your bride." I just feel that will be the most magical moment in my life. I know that others may not be capable of such temptation. But I know if a guy would wait for my first kiss...He must be one world of a guy! Everyone says I must be crazy and that is not possible. "We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us!" I know it is hard. OH DO I?!!!!! Because you naturally just want that closeness. But commitment=intimacy. No other way! Some people have been upset with me for choosing to wait and give my virginity over to the man I love. They tell me, "What if he is a horrible kisser?" "What if he is awful in bed?" My reply, "How will I know the difference? I do not want to be compared to." If you love someone ...you should not judge him or her. One thing that is something we should all think about is: "Am I going to be able to marry him/her? Is he/she someone that I would consider marrying? If not leave him/her alone! Stop playing the "dating game". When you start to "lust" after someone, say, "No what would he/she look like in 50 years? Other appearances don't matter as much as innner beauty. When we start looking for the opposite sex for, "What can they give me?" we are wrong! We are heading for the wrong direction! Stop and turn around! WE should look at the opposite sex as...brothers and sisters in the Lord until Marriage. The problem in some/most dating relationships is that people think they own the other person. They do not own the person until marriage. I have some quick replies for sex..."Real men are sexually active." (SO is my real DOG.). "If you loved me, you'd do it." (If you loved me, you wouldn't ask.). "But I want to." (But I don't.). "Have you ever done it?" (Have you ever made the wonderful discovery of knowing Jesus Christ?) "Don't you love me? (Yes, but I love God more.). "I won't get you pregnant." (That's right, because you aren't going to touch me.). "But you owe me!" (Okay, I'll get you a key chain or something.).-Crystal Michelle 10th grade, Bigelow, Arkansas.
Inspirational Promises by Jessica M. Farnam
© 2008. All rights reserved.
First of all, an individual will not have to worry about getting pregnant, and the regret of not being able to completely be able to care for the child when it becomes older. The welfare rates in this country have skyrocketed, not to mention how many unwed teenage mothers will never truly have a chance to fulfill the dreams or opportunities that they could have once had. These are several examples of what a young girl might be telling her parents for the choice she made, "I could be pregnant." "Whom do I talk to?" "Why did I listen to him?" "I can't tell anyone." "But he said he loved me." "If I tell, he'll never speak to me again." Here is another common fact, "We all know the way it works, when a male and a female have sexual contact, it can result in a pregnancy. every day in America, 2,739 teenage girls get pregnant. That is one million teenage girls every year! A pregnancy can occur the very first time a person has sex. A girl can get pregnant even if birth control pills and condoms are being used. Abstinence means freedom from pregnancy." Here are some of their stories, "I've decided to save sex for marriage. I've seen pregnant girls in my neighborhood. They don't look happy, or confident. They look scared. Where is the guy who only a few months ago promised he would care for her, would always be there? Even when he does stick around, the respect is gone. It didn't mean enough to her to save such an important adventure for one guy. There are so many frogs out there, each one swearing that if you kiss him, he'll turn into Prince Charming. It's such a shame so many young girls fall for this trick." "I felt strange, and in a sense, used. It was like we were caring for the same person-him. I felt left out of it."-Elizabeth,15. "The benefits of remaining pure until marriage is great!"-Shane and Lisa, Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Second, an individual will not have to worry about getting a STD, and so far it has been almost impossible for the scientists to find a solution to these diseases. Here is a short list os the diseases that are rampant in most of the United States as well as around the world: Human Pampilloma Virus-It is the fastest spreading disease in the U.S. Many who have this incurable virus are asymptomatic, others may have genital warts. This virus also causes cancer, killing over 4,900 women each year. Since this virus can spread throughout the sexual area and is transmitted by skin-to-skin contact, condoms offer little to no protection. AIDS/HIV, Syphilis, Trichomoniasis, Common Infections, and Pubic Lice. There are about 50 known STD's today, but there could be more out there as well. These are several of the examples that one might ask, "Do I have a STD?" "It could be herpes." "What could be wrong?" "She said she was clean." "Is something wrong with me?" "Why do I feel like I'm burning?" "I can't have a STD, that wouldn't happen to me." "Maybe it wasn't her first time." "I don't feel good."
Third, they will be spared from much emotional pain and heartache, and another thing that many young people and adults do not take into consideration is the fact that there is no condom or contraceptive/birth control pill that can guarantee that one will not have broken heart in the end. There are many young women who give themselves away; and the very next morning they discover that they are alone. Another thing that many people do not realize is that when they give that part of their body or heart away to someone, they are giving that other person a special gift that they can never get back, but Jesus can give them a second chance in that area if they choose to ask Him to cleanse and to heal that area in their lives. Here is another quote: "I met him, I liked him, I loved him, I let him, I lost him."-Author Unknown. "I met her, I liked her, wanted her, I asked her, she said, "No." I married her, and I am still with her forty years later."-A man from Texas.
Fourth, God is able to provide one with a way out of being tempted 100% of the time, which will also enable them to keep pressing on, and being able to stay strong even when it seems like no one else is staying pure. There were many times during bhigh school that I was mocked for my choice to remain abstinent until marriage, and my reason is simple, someday I want to be able to look my future husband in the eye, and tell him that he was worth the wait.
Fifth, when someone gets married someday they will be able to present themselves wholly to their future mate. There will not be any regret, and they will know that the wait was worth it in the end. This an example of a couple that did not choose to wait for their future spouse in the past, "The groom waits for his bride to walk down the aisle. As they stand hand in hand at the alter, another woman appears and takes the groom's hand, then another, until there are several women holding on the groom. Likewise, there are several men holding onto the bride. As they both say their vows, they look at each other with sadness because so many had come before the,. How could anyone experience the intimacy of marriage when they had given so much of themselves away?" This is one's decision on why choosing abstinence is so important, "Hey, My name is Crystal Michelle. I decided to wait for SEX among other things for a while back. I have pledged to God that I would not kiss until the pastor says, "And NOW you may kiss your bride." I just feel that will be the most magical moment in my life. I know that others may not be capable of such temptation. But I know if a guy would wait for my first kiss...He must be one world of a guy! Everyone says I must be crazy and that is not possible. "We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us!" I know it is hard. OH DO I?!!!!! Because you naturally just want that closeness. But commitment=intimacy. No other way! Some people have been upset with me for choosing to wait and give my virginity over to the man I love. They tell me, "What if he is a horrible kisser?" "What if he is awful in bed?" My reply, "How will I know the difference? I do not want to be compared to." If you love someone ...you should not judge him or her. One thing that is something we should all think about is: "Am I going to be able to marry him/her? Is he/she someone that I would consider marrying? If not leave him/her alone! Stop playing the "dating game". When you start to "lust" after someone, say, "No what would he/she look like in 50 years? Other appearances don't matter as much as innner beauty. When we start looking for the opposite sex for, "What can they give me?" we are wrong! We are heading for the wrong direction! Stop and turn around! WE should look at the opposite sex as...brothers and sisters in the Lord until Marriage. The problem in some/most dating relationships is that people think they own the other person. They do not own the person until marriage. I have some quick replies for sex..."Real men are sexually active." (SO is my real DOG.). "If you loved me, you'd do it." (If you loved me, you wouldn't ask.). "But I want to." (But I don't.). "Have you ever done it?" (Have you ever made the wonderful discovery of knowing Jesus Christ?) "Don't you love me? (Yes, but I love God more.). "I won't get you pregnant." (That's right, because you aren't going to touch me.). "But you owe me!" (Okay, I'll get you a key chain or something.).-Crystal Michelle 10th grade, Bigelow, Arkansas.
Inspirational Promises by Jessica M. Farnam
© 2008. All rights reserved.
Where will you spend eternity?
"......now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation." (2nd Corinthians 6:2)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Where will you spend eternity?
This question comes to you and me!
Tell me, what shall your answer be?
Where will you spend eternity?
Eternity! eternity!
Where will you spend eternity?
Many are choosing Christ today,
Turning from all their sins away;
Heav'n shall their happy portion be;
Where will you spend eternity?
Eternity! eternity!
Where will you spend eternity?
Leaving the straight and narrow way,
Going the downward road today,
Sad will their final ending be,
Lost thro' a long eternity!
Eternity! eternity!
Lost thro' a long eternity!
Repent, believe, this very hour,
Trust in the Saviour's Grace and Power,
Then will your joyous answer be,
Saved thro' a long eternity!
Eternity! eternity!
Saved thro' a long eternity!"
Hymn Words by Elisha A. Hoffman (1839-1929)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"And whosoever was not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire."
(Revelation 20:15)
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His Only Begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
(John 3:16)
--------------------------
"Where will you spend eternity?
This question comes to you and me!
Tell me, what shall your answer be?
Where will you spend eternity?
Eternity! eternity!
Where will you spend eternity?
Many are choosing Christ today,
Turning from all their sins away;
Heav'n shall their happy portion be;
Where will you spend eternity?
Eternity! eternity!
Where will you spend eternity?
Leaving the straight and narrow way,
Going the downward road today,
Sad will their final ending be,
Lost thro' a long eternity!
Eternity! eternity!
Lost thro' a long eternity!
Repent, believe, this very hour,
Trust in the Saviour's Grace and Power,
Then will your joyous answer be,
Saved thro' a long eternity!
Eternity! eternity!
Saved thro' a long eternity!"
Hymn Words by Elisha A. Hoffman (1839-1929)
--------------------------
"And whosoever was not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire."
(Revelation 20:15)
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His Only Begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
(John 3:16)
1 Timothy 4:11-16
"Command and teach these things. Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity. Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through a prophetic message when the body of elders laid their hands on you.
Be diligent in these matters, give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save btoh yourself and your hearers."
Be diligent in these matters, give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save btoh yourself and your hearers."
Father's Love Letter
The words you are about to experience are true
They will change your life if you let them
For they come from the very heart of God
He loves you, and He is the Father you have been looking for all your life ...
This is His love letter to you.
My Child ~
You may not know me, but I know everything about you ~ Psalm 139:1
I know when you sit down and when you rise up ~ Psalm 139:2
I am familiar with all your ways ~ Psalm 139:3
Even the very hairs on your head are numbered ~ Matthew 10:29-31
For you were made in my image ~ Genesis 1:27
In me you live and move and have your being ~ Acts 17:28
For you are my offspring ~ Acts 17:28
I knew you even before you were conceived ~ Jeremiah 1:4-5
I chose you when I planned creation ~ Ephesians 1:11-12
You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book ~ Psalm 139:15-16
I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live ~ Acts 17:26
You are fearfully and wonderfully made ~ Psalm 139:14
I knit you together in your mother's womb ~ Psalm 139:13
And brought you forth on the day you were born ~ Psalm 71:6
I have been misrepresented by those who don't know me ~ John 8:41-44
I am not distant and angry, but am the complete expression of love ~ 1 John 4:16
And it is my desire to lavish my love on you ~ 1 John 3:1
Simply because you are my child and I am your father ~ 1 John 3:1
I offer you more than your earthly father ever could ~ Matthew 7:11
For I am the perfect father ~ Matthew 5:48
Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand ~ James 1:17
For I am your provider and I meet all your needs ~ Matthew 6:31-33
My plan for your future has always been filled with hope ~ Jeremiah 29:11
Because I love you with an everlasting love ~ Jeremiah 31:3
My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore ~ Psalm 139:17-18
And I rejoice over you with singing ~ Zephaniah 3:17
I will never stop doing good to you ~ Jeremiah 32:40
For you are my treasured possession ~ Exodus 19:5
I desire to establish you with all my heart and all my soul ~ Jeremiah 32:41
And I want to show you great and marvelous things ~ Jeremiah 33:3
If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me ~ Deuteronomy 4:29
Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart ~ Psalm 37:4
For it is I who gave you those desires ~ Philippians 2:13
I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine ~ Ephesians 3:20
For I am your greatest encourager ~ 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17
I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles ~ 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you ~ Psalm 34:18
As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart ~ Isaiah 40:11
One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes ~ Revelation 21:3-4
And I'll take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth ~ Revelation 21:3-4
I am your Father, and I love you even as I love my son, Jesus ~ John 17:23
For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed ~ John 17:26
He is the exact representation of my being ~ Hebrews 1:3
He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you ~ Romans 8:31
And to tell you that I am not counting your sins ~ 2 Corinthians 5:18-19
Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled ~ 2 Corinthians 5:18-19
His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you ~ 1 John 4:10
I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love ~ Romans 8:31-32
If you receive the gift of my son Jesus, you receive me ~ 1 John 2:23
And nothing will ever separate you from my love again ~ Romans 8:38-39
Come home and I'll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen ~ Luke 15:7
I have always been Father, and will always be Father ~ Ephesians 3:14-15
My question is ~ Will you be my child? ~ John 1:12-13
I am waiting for you ~ Luke 15:11-32
Love, Your Dad, Almighty God
They will change your life if you let them
For they come from the very heart of God
He loves you, and He is the Father you have been looking for all your life ...
This is His love letter to you.
My Child ~
You may not know me, but I know everything about you ~ Psalm 139:1
I know when you sit down and when you rise up ~ Psalm 139:2
I am familiar with all your ways ~ Psalm 139:3
Even the very hairs on your head are numbered ~ Matthew 10:29-31
For you were made in my image ~ Genesis 1:27
In me you live and move and have your being ~ Acts 17:28
For you are my offspring ~ Acts 17:28
I knew you even before you were conceived ~ Jeremiah 1:4-5
I chose you when I planned creation ~ Ephesians 1:11-12
You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book ~ Psalm 139:15-16
I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live ~ Acts 17:26
You are fearfully and wonderfully made ~ Psalm 139:14
I knit you together in your mother's womb ~ Psalm 139:13
And brought you forth on the day you were born ~ Psalm 71:6
I have been misrepresented by those who don't know me ~ John 8:41-44
I am not distant and angry, but am the complete expression of love ~ 1 John 4:16
And it is my desire to lavish my love on you ~ 1 John 3:1
Simply because you are my child and I am your father ~ 1 John 3:1
I offer you more than your earthly father ever could ~ Matthew 7:11
For I am the perfect father ~ Matthew 5:48
Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand ~ James 1:17
For I am your provider and I meet all your needs ~ Matthew 6:31-33
My plan for your future has always been filled with hope ~ Jeremiah 29:11
Because I love you with an everlasting love ~ Jeremiah 31:3
My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore ~ Psalm 139:17-18
And I rejoice over you with singing ~ Zephaniah 3:17
I will never stop doing good to you ~ Jeremiah 32:40
For you are my treasured possession ~ Exodus 19:5
I desire to establish you with all my heart and all my soul ~ Jeremiah 32:41
And I want to show you great and marvelous things ~ Jeremiah 33:3
If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me ~ Deuteronomy 4:29
Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart ~ Psalm 37:4
For it is I who gave you those desires ~ Philippians 2:13
I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine ~ Ephesians 3:20
For I am your greatest encourager ~ 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17
I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles ~ 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you ~ Psalm 34:18
As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart ~ Isaiah 40:11
One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes ~ Revelation 21:3-4
And I'll take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth ~ Revelation 21:3-4
I am your Father, and I love you even as I love my son, Jesus ~ John 17:23
For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed ~ John 17:26
He is the exact representation of my being ~ Hebrews 1:3
He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you ~ Romans 8:31
And to tell you that I am not counting your sins ~ 2 Corinthians 5:18-19
Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled ~ 2 Corinthians 5:18-19
His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you ~ 1 John 4:10
I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love ~ Romans 8:31-32
If you receive the gift of my son Jesus, you receive me ~ 1 John 2:23
And nothing will ever separate you from my love again ~ Romans 8:38-39
Come home and I'll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen ~ Luke 15:7
I have always been Father, and will always be Father ~ Ephesians 3:14-15
My question is ~ Will you be my child? ~ John 1:12-13
I am waiting for you ~ Luke 15:11-32
Love, Your Dad, Almighty God
Influence to Legacy
Driven by Eternity:
Making your life count-
Today and Forever
Author: John Bevere
This reminds me of a true account that one of my employees read to me recently. It is about an athiest named Max Jukes and a godly man named Johnathon Edwards.
Here's the story:
Max Jukes, the athiest, lived a godless life. He married an ungodly girl, and from that union there were 310 who died as paupers, 150 were criminals, seven were murderers, 100 were drunkards, and more than half of the women were prostitutes. His 540 descendents cost the State one and a quarter million dollars.
But, praise the Lord it works both ways! There is a record of a great American man of God, Johnathon Edwards. He lived at the same time as Max Jukes, but he married a godly girl. An investiagation was made of 1,394 known descendents Johnathon Edwards of which 13 became college presidents, 65 college professors, 3 United States senators, 30 judges, 100 lawyers, 60 physicians, 75 army and navy officers, 100 preachers and missionaries, 60 authors of prominence, one a vice-president of the United States, 80 became public officals in other capacities, 295 college graduates, among whom were governors of states and ministers to foreign countries. His descendents did not cost the State a single penny.
Making your life count-
Today and Forever
Author: John Bevere
This reminds me of a true account that one of my employees read to me recently. It is about an athiest named Max Jukes and a godly man named Johnathon Edwards.
Here's the story:
Max Jukes, the athiest, lived a godless life. He married an ungodly girl, and from that union there were 310 who died as paupers, 150 were criminals, seven were murderers, 100 were drunkards, and more than half of the women were prostitutes. His 540 descendents cost the State one and a quarter million dollars.
But, praise the Lord it works both ways! There is a record of a great American man of God, Johnathon Edwards. He lived at the same time as Max Jukes, but he married a godly girl. An investiagation was made of 1,394 known descendents Johnathon Edwards of which 13 became college presidents, 65 college professors, 3 United States senators, 30 judges, 100 lawyers, 60 physicians, 75 army and navy officers, 100 preachers and missionaries, 60 authors of prominence, one a vice-president of the United States, 80 became public officals in other capacities, 295 college graduates, among whom were governors of states and ministers to foreign countries. His descendents did not cost the State a single penny.
The Soul of Modesty
1. The attitude of a modest woman-
*All respectable apparel is the statement of a modest woman.
* Immodesty is an expression of arrogance-it is the act of drawing attention to your dress.
Modesty=self control
*Modesty is foreign to the secular fashion designers.
*A woman should examine her motive and goals.
*Her heart will dictate her wardrobe and appearance.
*What statement does your clothes say about your heart?
*Do you take God to the Gap clothing store?
*Whose approval do you crave?
***There is timeless relevance to this message: is our style honoring GOD or choosing to obey the world's desires?
*Young women are often ignorant of their effect of their dress on men.
Men's testimonies:
"each and every day on campus is a battle. A battle against my sin-to flee from youthful lust."
"I rejoice when I see a woman choosing to honor GOD in her dress."
"Whenever I see a girl choosing to dress in an immodest way-it makes it harder for me to value her and to honor her."
2. The Appearance of the modest woman-
*What is the most noticeable thing about you: clothing or character
3. The Allegiance of the modest woman-
Women you are obligated to pray for the lost-we are to be distinctively different-not self-righteously distinct; but to have a heart for the lost.
*All respectable apparel is the statement of a modest woman.
* Immodesty is an expression of arrogance-it is the act of drawing attention to your dress.
Modesty=self control
*Modesty is foreign to the secular fashion designers.
*A woman should examine her motive and goals.
*Her heart will dictate her wardrobe and appearance.
*What statement does your clothes say about your heart?
*Do you take God to the Gap clothing store?
*Whose approval do you crave?
***There is timeless relevance to this message: is our style honoring GOD or choosing to obey the world's desires?
*Young women are often ignorant of their effect of their dress on men.
Men's testimonies:
"each and every day on campus is a battle. A battle against my sin-to flee from youthful lust."
"I rejoice when I see a woman choosing to honor GOD in her dress."
"Whenever I see a girl choosing to dress in an immodest way-it makes it harder for me to value her and to honor her."
2. The Appearance of the modest woman-
*What is the most noticeable thing about you: clothing or character
3. The Allegiance of the modest woman-
Women you are obligated to pray for the lost-we are to be distinctively different-not self-righteously distinct; but to have a heart for the lost.
"Why Wait?"-The Crisis-Facts about teenage health
Written by: Josh McDowell
Dick Day
-"A generation without moral convictions is a generation crumbling under the pressures of a secular world view."
Dick Day
-"A generation without moral convictions is a generation crumbling under the pressures of a secular world view."
Hope will change us
Anointing Fall on Me-Accessing the Power of the Holy Spirit
Written by: T.D. Jakes-
"Many of you are near a breakthrough in your life. You may have fought for years to get where you are with God. Many of YOU are pregnant with destiny. YOU are carrying within the womb of your spirit a ministry that could change this world."
Written by: T.D. Jakes-
"Many of you are near a breakthrough in your life. You may have fought for years to get where you are with God. Many of YOU are pregnant with destiny. YOU are carrying within the womb of your spirit a ministry that could change this world."
TRUE CONTENTMENT
Until we are content in GOD, we will never be content in anything else!
Inspirational Promises by Jessica M. Farnam
© 2008. All rights reserved.
Inspirational Promises by Jessica M. Farnam
© 2008. All rights reserved.
Purity
Why spoil something that GOD intended to be special?
Inspirational Promises by Jessica M. Farnam
© 2008. All rights reserved.
Inspirational Promises by Jessica M. Farnam
© 2008. All rights reserved.
No DRY Season
Written by: Rod Parsley God is searching for a people, a remnant church, who are repentent, refreshed, restored and eagerly execpting the return of JESUS CHRIST. 2 Corinthians 3:18 Be we all, with an open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord,are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. Gods banner miraculously changes all those who march under it. His standard transforms and refreshes all those who raise it. Raise the standard of Christ and be changed! We need standard bearers who realize that the heart of the human problem is the problem of the human heart and who will take up the standard of the Great Commission to get the life of God back into the hearts of humanity. Revived and Refreshed: Standard bearers who have truly repented before God are ready to exchange: Their dignity for a demonstration. Their degrees for a revelation. Their marketing for miracles. Their reputation for repentence. Their tongues of poison for tongues of fire by God.
Jeremiah 24:7
I will give them a heart to know me, that I am the LORD. They will be my people,and I will be their God, for they will return to me with all their heart.
Colossians 1:13 through 14
He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
Ephesians 6:11-20 The Full ARMOR of GOD
11Put on God's whole armor [the armor of a heavy-armed soldier which God supplies], that you may be able successfully to stand up against [all] the strategies and the deceits of the devil.
12For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the despotisms, against the powers, against [the master spirits who are] the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere.
13Therefore put on God's complete armor, that you may be able to resist and stand your ground on the evil day [of danger], and, having done all [the crisis demands], to stand [firmly in your place].
14Stand therefore [hold your ground], having tightened the belt of truth around your loins and having put on the breastplate of integrity and of moral rectitude and right standing with God,
15And having shod your feet in preparation [to face the enemy with the [a]firm-footed stability, the promptness, and the readiness [b]produced by the good news] of the Gospel of peace.(B)
16Lift up over all the [covering] shield of [c]saving faith, upon which you can quench all the flaming missiles of the wicked [one].
17And take the helmet of salvation and the sword that the Spirit [d]wields, which is the Word of God.
18Pray at all times (on every occasion, in every season) in the Spirit, with all [manner of] prayer and entreaty. To that end keep alert and watch with strong purpose and perseverance, interceding in behalf of all the saints (God's consecrated people).
19And [pray] also for me, that [freedom of] utterance may be given me, that I may open my mouth to proclaim boldly the mystery of the good news (the Gospel),
20For which I am an ambassador in a coupling chain [in prison. Pray] that I may declare it boldly and courageously, as I ought to do.
12For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the despotisms, against the powers, against [the master spirits who are] the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere.
13Therefore put on God's complete armor, that you may be able to resist and stand your ground on the evil day [of danger], and, having done all [the crisis demands], to stand [firmly in your place].
14Stand therefore [hold your ground], having tightened the belt of truth around your loins and having put on the breastplate of integrity and of moral rectitude and right standing with God,
15And having shod your feet in preparation [to face the enemy with the [a]firm-footed stability, the promptness, and the readiness [b]produced by the good news] of the Gospel of peace.(B)
16Lift up over all the [covering] shield of [c]saving faith, upon which you can quench all the flaming missiles of the wicked [one].
17And take the helmet of salvation and the sword that the Spirit [d]wields, which is the Word of God.
18Pray at all times (on every occasion, in every season) in the Spirit, with all [manner of] prayer and entreaty. To that end keep alert and watch with strong purpose and perseverance, interceding in behalf of all the saints (God's consecrated people).
19And [pray] also for me, that [freedom of] utterance may be given me, that I may open my mouth to proclaim boldly the mystery of the good news (the Gospel),
20For which I am an ambassador in a coupling chain [in prison. Pray] that I may declare it boldly and courageously, as I ought to do.
Salvation
Romans 10:9-10 (Amplified Bible)
9Because if you acknowledge and confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and in your heart believe (adhere to, trust in, and rely on the truth) that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
10For with the heart a person believes (adheres to, trusts in, and relies on Christ) and so is justified (declared righteous, acceptable to God), and with the mouth he confesses (declares openly and speaks out freely his faith) and confirms [his] salvation.
9Because if you acknowledge and confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and in your heart believe (adhere to, trust in, and rely on the truth) that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
10For with the heart a person believes (adheres to, trusts in, and relies on Christ) and so is justified (declared righteous, acceptable to God), and with the mouth he confesses (declares openly and speaks out freely his faith) and confirms [his] salvation.
Acts 2:1 through 4 The Holy Spirit comes at Pentecost
When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Experiencing God's presence and love
When you draw near to God, HE will draw near to you. He has loved us with an everlasting love. Right now, you can feel HIM wrapping HIS arms around you. HE is our everlasting FATHER. He Is the GREAT I AM! HE loved us so much that HE chose to give HIS ONE AND ONLY PRECIOUS SON to save us and die for US! When you ask Jesus to comfort your heart, not only will you feel a love that cannot be compared with anything else...but you will know THAT THIS LOVE...IS THE ULTIMATE LOVE :)! Jesus is my very best friend, HE is the ONE who has never left my side, HE has never let me go....even through the most trying times...HE has always been there. Wiping away my tears, even then...HE was crying with me. When we choose to surrender our very all to Jesus, He will take out any form of bitterness or hurt that might have been there, and HE will replace it with the most amazing love....that when you look at others, they will see Jesus in you. Even those who might have been cruel to you in the past, you will look at them with love and compassion..because now your heart and your emotions do not belong to you, they belong to Jesus...and now you will be looking at them through Jesus' eyes. When you ask Jesus to give you HIS heart, He will begin to show you things, and you will begin to feel what HE feels. So, when we go about our day, let others see Jesus in us. We are Jesus' hands and feet. To some people, we are the only Jesus that they will ever see. Let us live every moment of every day of our lives, as if it were our last. Let us show others God's love. That no matter what they may have done: great or small. There is forgiveness. If you are hurting right now, Jesus wants to pick you up, and hold you in HIS ARMS! In Revelation 21:3-4 it says that HE will wipe all tears from our eyes. He only has good planned for us. When we are walking in inward and outward rebellion, we will not be able to experience this ultimate love, because we have hardened our heart against the very one who chose to give HIS life for us. But when we choose to say, "Jesus, I am sorry . I am done doing my own thing. I surrender all that I am, all that I have. I am now yours. Use my life for your glory." We will begin to experience HIS GREAT LOVE. It is a love and a peace that surpasses all understanding.
If you wish to know and experience a love that will never die or fade pray this prayer with me right now, " Jesus, I know that I am a sinner. Please come into my heart and save me. I am sorry for all that I have done. Wash me and cleanse me with YOUR precious blood. I surrender my whole life to you. I done with living my life for my self. I now, choose to live my life for you. I will be a witness to everyone around me. I will live my life in such a way...that others will know that there is something very different about me. Let me be a light to my generation. I love YOU JESUS! Thank you so much for saving me, thanks you so much for dying for me...thank you for writing my name in the LAMB'S BOOK OF LIFE. I am a Christian. From this day forward, I will ask myself...is this something Jesus would be doing? If it is not glorifying and pleasing to Jesus, then I will no longer participate in these things. Now, my entire life belongs to Jesus. Thank you JESUS! In Jesus Name I pray, AMEN!
Inspirational Promises by Jessica M. Farnam
© 2008. All rights reserved.
If you wish to know and experience a love that will never die or fade pray this prayer with me right now, " Jesus, I know that I am a sinner. Please come into my heart and save me. I am sorry for all that I have done. Wash me and cleanse me with YOUR precious blood. I surrender my whole life to you. I done with living my life for my self. I now, choose to live my life for you. I will be a witness to everyone around me. I will live my life in such a way...that others will know that there is something very different about me. Let me be a light to my generation. I love YOU JESUS! Thank you so much for saving me, thanks you so much for dying for me...thank you for writing my name in the LAMB'S BOOK OF LIFE. I am a Christian. From this day forward, I will ask myself...is this something Jesus would be doing? If it is not glorifying and pleasing to Jesus, then I will no longer participate in these things. Now, my entire life belongs to Jesus. Thank you JESUS! In Jesus Name I pray, AMEN!
Inspirational Promises by Jessica M. Farnam
© 2008. All rights reserved.
Value and Honor
*Girls need to know that Jesus sees them as PRICELESS TREASURES and not heaps of garbage!
*Guys need to know that they are REAL MEN when they HONOR JESUS in EVERY WAY!
Inspirational Promises by Jessica M. Farnam
© 2008. All rights reserved.
*Guys need to know that they are REAL MEN when they HONOR JESUS in EVERY WAY!
Inspirational Promises by Jessica M. Farnam
© 2008. All rights reserved.
The prodigals are coming home
Now is the time for the prodigals to come home. HE is waiting for you. HE-FATHER GOD does not want to harm you; HE only wants to hold you in HIS arms-and wipe your tears away and tell you that everything will be alright, and that HE has LOVED you with an EVERLASTING LOVE. HE is always here. HE is from everlasting to everlasting! HE will never leave you, nor will HE ever forsake you.
Will you come home to HIM?
HE is waiting for YOU!
Inspirational Promises by Jessica M. Farnam
© 2008. All rights reserved.
Will you come home to HIM?
HE is waiting for YOU!
Inspirational Promises by Jessica M. Farnam
© 2008. All rights reserved.
Christian Artist: Jeff Deyo Song: All I Want
I come, with a heart that is desperate
And i cry, wanting just to be heard by You
And I pray, that You won't remain silent
That You'll stand here beside me
That my heart won't call out in vain
Chorus:
Cause All i want, is just to see You Jesus
And i long, just to hear Your voice
And i need, just to be near You
Cause Your presence is all I want
I come, with a heart that is hungry
And I sing, wanting You just to know my love
And i pray, that my life will be counted
For the sake of Your kingdom
That my heart will be truly Yours
Chorus
One day we'll look on Your face
We'll see You in all of Your glory
And we won't need the sun,
And we won't need the moon
All we will need is You
Chorus 2x
And i cry, wanting just to be heard by You
And I pray, that You won't remain silent
That You'll stand here beside me
That my heart won't call out in vain
Chorus:
Cause All i want, is just to see You Jesus
And i long, just to hear Your voice
And i need, just to be near You
Cause Your presence is all I want
I come, with a heart that is hungry
And I sing, wanting You just to know my love
And i pray, that my life will be counted
For the sake of Your kingdom
That my heart will be truly Yours
Chorus
One day we'll look on Your face
We'll see You in all of Your glory
And we won't need the sun,
And we won't need the moon
All we will need is You
Chorus 2x
THERE'S A WAVE COMING!
Book: The DAYS before ETERNITY
HOPE BEYOND THE SCOPE OF THE IMPENDING APOCALYPSE
REVISED EDITION
ROD PARSLEY
AUTHOR OF THE #1 BEST SELLER SILENT NO MORE
I declare to you that there is one last wave of revival that is currently swelling in the realm of the Holy Spirit that will make the Bible's day of Pentecost look like a Sunday school picnic! It is going to break on those who have gathered, as the one hundred twenty in Acts 2 did, to experience its twenty-first century outpouring. But God is not going to have only one hundred twenty this time; He's going to have millions who will participate in this final human drama.
It is going to happen suddenly, just as His outpouring in Acts 2.
"And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting."
-v.s
Suddenly, God is going to raise up churches that have been status quo over the past twenty-five years.
*Suddenly, dysfunctional homes will be put back together.
*Suddenly, miraculous signs will pour out in astounding numbers.
*Suddenly, cripples will walk, the blind will see, and the lost will be found.
*And suddenly, the serving remnant of the church today will awake to a mighty roar of the Spirit that will never end.
This coming revival will be a wave of glory that will fill the covenant people of God with miraculous, soulwinning power to harvest the fields of the earth prior to Christ's promised earthly return. It is swelling, and it is coming to crash down upon the earth to set the captives free.
HOPE BEYOND THE SCOPE OF THE IMPENDING APOCALYPSE
REVISED EDITION
ROD PARSLEY
AUTHOR OF THE #1 BEST SELLER SILENT NO MORE
I declare to you that there is one last wave of revival that is currently swelling in the realm of the Holy Spirit that will make the Bible's day of Pentecost look like a Sunday school picnic! It is going to break on those who have gathered, as the one hundred twenty in Acts 2 did, to experience its twenty-first century outpouring. But God is not going to have only one hundred twenty this time; He's going to have millions who will participate in this final human drama.
It is going to happen suddenly, just as His outpouring in Acts 2.
"And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting."
-v.s
Suddenly, God is going to raise up churches that have been status quo over the past twenty-five years.
*Suddenly, dysfunctional homes will be put back together.
*Suddenly, miraculous signs will pour out in astounding numbers.
*Suddenly, cripples will walk, the blind will see, and the lost will be found.
*And suddenly, the serving remnant of the church today will awake to a mighty roar of the Spirit that will never end.
This coming revival will be a wave of glory that will fill the covenant people of God with miraculous, soulwinning power to harvest the fields of the earth prior to Christ's promised earthly return. It is swelling, and it is coming to crash down upon the earth to set the captives free.
Isaiah 40:30-31 The Greatness of God
Even youths shall faint and be weary, and [selected] young men shall feebly stumble and fall exhausted;
But those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] shall change and renew their strength and power; they shall lift their wings and mount up [close to God] as eagles [mount up to the sun]; they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint or become tired.
But those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] shall change and renew their strength and power; they shall lift their wings and mount up [close to God] as eagles [mount up to the sun]; they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint or become tired.
John 10:1-17 Parable of the Good Shepherd
I ASSURE you, most solemnly I tell you, he who does not enter by the door into the sheepfold, but climbs up some other way (elsewhere, from some other quarter) is a thief and a robber.
But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.
The watchman opens the door for this man, and the sheep listen to his voice and heed it; and he calls his own sheep by name and brings (leads) them out.
When he has brought his own sheep outside, he walks on before them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice.
They will never [on any account] follow a stranger, but will run away from him because they do not know the voice of strangers or recognize their call.
Jesus used this parable (illustration) with them, but they did not understand what He was talking about.
So Jesus said again, I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, that I Myself am the Door [a]for the sheep.
All others who came [as such] before Me are thieves and robbers, but the [true] sheep did not listen to and obey them.
I am the Door; anyone who enters in through Me will be saved (will live). He will come in and he will go out [freely], and will find pasture.
The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it [b]overflows).
I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd risks and lays down His [own] life for the sheep.(A)
But the hired servant (he who merely serves for wages) who is neither the shepherd nor the owner of the sheep, when he sees the wolf coming, deserts the flock and runs away. And the wolf chases and snatches them and scatters [the flock].
Now the hireling flees because he merely serves for wages and is not himself concerned about the sheep [cares nothing for them].
I am the Good Shepherd; and I know and recognize My own, and My own know and recognize Me--
Even as [truly as] the Father knows Me and I also know the Father--and I am giving My [very own] life and laying it down on behalf of the sheep.
And I have other sheep [beside these] that are not of this fold. I must bring and [c]impel those also; and they will listen to My voice and heed My call, and so there will be [they will become] one flock under one Shepherd.(B)
For this [reason] the Father loves Me, because I lay down My [own] life--to take it back again.
But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.
The watchman opens the door for this man, and the sheep listen to his voice and heed it; and he calls his own sheep by name and brings (leads) them out.
When he has brought his own sheep outside, he walks on before them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice.
They will never [on any account] follow a stranger, but will run away from him because they do not know the voice of strangers or recognize their call.
Jesus used this parable (illustration) with them, but they did not understand what He was talking about.
So Jesus said again, I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, that I Myself am the Door [a]for the sheep.
All others who came [as such] before Me are thieves and robbers, but the [true] sheep did not listen to and obey them.
I am the Door; anyone who enters in through Me will be saved (will live). He will come in and he will go out [freely], and will find pasture.
The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it [b]overflows).
I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd risks and lays down His [own] life for the sheep.(A)
But the hired servant (he who merely serves for wages) who is neither the shepherd nor the owner of the sheep, when he sees the wolf coming, deserts the flock and runs away. And the wolf chases and snatches them and scatters [the flock].
Now the hireling flees because he merely serves for wages and is not himself concerned about the sheep [cares nothing for them].
I am the Good Shepherd; and I know and recognize My own, and My own know and recognize Me--
Even as [truly as] the Father knows Me and I also know the Father--and I am giving My [very own] life and laying it down on behalf of the sheep.
And I have other sheep [beside these] that are not of this fold. I must bring and [c]impel those also; and they will listen to My voice and heed My call, and so there will be [they will become] one flock under one Shepherd.(B)
For this [reason] the Father loves Me, because I lay down My [own] life--to take it back again.
Philippians 2:14-16 Be Like Christ
Do all things without grumbling and faultfinding and complaining [[a]against God] and [b]questioning and doubting [among yourselves],
That you may show yourselves to be blameless and guiltless, innocent and uncontaminated, children of God without blemish (faultless, unrebukable) in the midst of a crooked and wicked generation [spiritually perverted and perverse], among whom you are seen as bright lights (stars or beacons shining out clearly) in the [dark] world,
Holding out [to it] and offering [to all men] the Word of Life, so that in the day of Christ I may have something of which exultantly to rejoice and glory in that I did not run my race in vain or spend my labor to no purpose.
That you may show yourselves to be blameless and guiltless, innocent and uncontaminated, children of God without blemish (faultless, unrebukable) in the midst of a crooked and wicked generation [spiritually perverted and perverse], among whom you are seen as bright lights (stars or beacons shining out clearly) in the [dark] world,
Holding out [to it] and offering [to all men] the Word of Life, so that in the day of Christ I may have something of which exultantly to rejoice and glory in that I did not run my race in vain or spend my labor to no purpose.
Revelation 19:7-10 Marriage of the Lamb
Let us rejoice and shout for joy [exulting and triumphant]! Let us celebrate and ascribe to Him glory and honor, for the marriage of the Lamb [at last] has come, and His bride has prepared herself.(A)
She has been permitted to dress in fine (radiant) linen, dazzling and white--for the fine linen is (signifies, represents) the righteousness (the upright, just, and godly living, deeds, and conduct, and right standing with God) of the saints (God's holy people).
Then [the angel] said to me, Write this down: Blessed (happy, [a]to be envied) are those who are summoned (invited, called) to the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he said to me [further], These are the true words (the genuine and exact declarations) of God.
Then I fell prostrate at his feet to worship (to pay divine honors) to him, but he [restrained me] and said, Refrain! [You must not do that!] I am [only] another servant with you and your brethren who have [accepted and hold] the testimony borne by Jesus. Worship God! For the substance (essence) of the truth revealed by Jesus is the spirit of all prophecy [the vital breath, the inspiration of all inspired preaching and interpretation of the divine will and purpose, including both mine and yours].
She has been permitted to dress in fine (radiant) linen, dazzling and white--for the fine linen is (signifies, represents) the righteousness (the upright, just, and godly living, deeds, and conduct, and right standing with God) of the saints (God's holy people).
Then [the angel] said to me, Write this down: Blessed (happy, [a]to be envied) are those who are summoned (invited, called) to the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he said to me [further], These are the true words (the genuine and exact declarations) of God.
Then I fell prostrate at his feet to worship (to pay divine honors) to him, but he [restrained me] and said, Refrain! [You must not do that!] I am [only] another servant with you and your brethren who have [accepted and hold] the testimony borne by Jesus. Worship God! For the substance (essence) of the truth revealed by Jesus is the spirit of all prophecy [the vital breath, the inspiration of all inspired preaching and interpretation of the divine will and purpose, including both mine and yours].
Revelation 21:1-21 The water and tree of life
1THEN HE showed me the river whose waters give life, sparkling like crystal, flowing out from the throne of God and of the Lamb
2Through the middle of the broadway of the city; also, on either side of the river was the tree of life with its twelve varieties of fruit, yielding each month its fresh crop; and the leaves of the tree were for the healing and the restoration of the nations.(A)
3There shall no longer exist there anything that is accursed (detestable, foul, offensive, impure, hateful, or horrible). But the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall worship Him [pay divine honors to Him and do Him holy service].(B)
4They shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads.(C)
5And there shall be no more night; they have no need for lamplight or sunlight, for the Lord God will illuminate them and be their light, and they shall reign [as kings] forever and ever (through the eternities of the eternities).
6And he [of the seven angels further] said to me, These statements are reliable (worthy of confidence) and genuine (true). And the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, has sent His messenger (angel) to make known and exhibit to His servants what must soon come to pass.
7And behold, I am coming speedily. Blessed (happy and [a]to be envied) is he who observes and lays to heart and keeps the truths of the prophecy (the predictions, consolations, and warnings) contained in this [little] book.
8And I, John, am he who heard and witnessed these things. And when I heard and saw them, I fell prostrate before the feet of the messenger (angel) who showed them to me, to worship him.
9But he said to me, Refrain! [You must not do that!] I am [only] a fellow servant along with yourself and with your brethren the prophets and with those who are mindful of and practice [the truths contained in] the messages of this book. Worship God!
10And he [further] told me, Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book and make no secret of them, for the time [b]when things are brought to a crisis and the period of their fulfillment is near.
11He who is unrighteous (unjust, wicked), let him be unrighteous still; and he who is filthy (vile, impure), let him be filthy still; and he who is righteous (just, upright, in right standing with God), let him do right still; and he who is holy, let him be holy still.(D)
12Behold, I am coming soon, and I shall bring My wages and rewards with Me, to repay and render to each one just what his own actions and his own work merit.(E)
13I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last (the Before all and the End of all).(F)
14Blessed (happy and [c]to be envied) are those who cleanse their garments, that they may have the authority and right to [approach] the tree of life and to enter through the gates into the city.(G)
15[But] without are the dogs and those who practice sorceries (magic arts) and impurity [the lewd, adulterers] and the murderers and idolaters and everyone who loves and deals in falsehood (untruth, error, deception, cheating).
16I, Jesus, have sent My messenger (angel) to you to witness and to give you assurance of these things for the churches (assemblies). I am the Root (the Source) and the Offspring of David, the radiant and brilliant Morning Star.(H)
17The [Holy] Spirit and the bride (the church, the true Christians) say, Come! And let him who is listening say, Come! And let everyone come who is thirsty [who is painfully conscious of his need [d]of those things by which the soul is refreshed, supported, and strengthened]; and whoever [earnestly] desires to do it, let him come, take, appropriate, and drink the water of Life without cost.(I)
18I [personally solemnly] warn everyone who listens to the statements of the prophecy [the [e]predictions and the consolations and admonitions pertaining to them] in this book: If anyone shall add anything to them, God will add and lay upon him the plagues (the afflictions and the calamities) that are recorded and described in this book.
19And if anyone cancels or takes away from the statements of the book of this prophecy [these [f]predictions relating to Christ's kingdom and its speedy triumph, together with the consolations and admonitions or warnings pertaining to them], God will cancel and take away from him his share in the tree of life and in the city of holiness (purity and hallowedness), which are described and promised in this book.
20He Who gives this warning and affirms and testifies to these things says, Yes (it is true). [Surely] I am coming quickly (swiftly, speedily). Amen (so let it be)! Yes, come, Lord Jesus!
21The grace (blessing and favor) of the Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah) be [g]with all the saints (God's holy people, [h]those set apart for God, to be, as it were, exclusively His). Amen (so let it be)!
2Through the middle of the broadway of the city; also, on either side of the river was the tree of life with its twelve varieties of fruit, yielding each month its fresh crop; and the leaves of the tree were for the healing and the restoration of the nations.(A)
3There shall no longer exist there anything that is accursed (detestable, foul, offensive, impure, hateful, or horrible). But the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall worship Him [pay divine honors to Him and do Him holy service].(B)
4They shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads.(C)
5And there shall be no more night; they have no need for lamplight or sunlight, for the Lord God will illuminate them and be their light, and they shall reign [as kings] forever and ever (through the eternities of the eternities).
6And he [of the seven angels further] said to me, These statements are reliable (worthy of confidence) and genuine (true). And the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, has sent His messenger (angel) to make known and exhibit to His servants what must soon come to pass.
7And behold, I am coming speedily. Blessed (happy and [a]to be envied) is he who observes and lays to heart and keeps the truths of the prophecy (the predictions, consolations, and warnings) contained in this [little] book.
8And I, John, am he who heard and witnessed these things. And when I heard and saw them, I fell prostrate before the feet of the messenger (angel) who showed them to me, to worship him.
9But he said to me, Refrain! [You must not do that!] I am [only] a fellow servant along with yourself and with your brethren the prophets and with those who are mindful of and practice [the truths contained in] the messages of this book. Worship God!
10And he [further] told me, Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book and make no secret of them, for the time [b]when things are brought to a crisis and the period of their fulfillment is near.
11He who is unrighteous (unjust, wicked), let him be unrighteous still; and he who is filthy (vile, impure), let him be filthy still; and he who is righteous (just, upright, in right standing with God), let him do right still; and he who is holy, let him be holy still.(D)
12Behold, I am coming soon, and I shall bring My wages and rewards with Me, to repay and render to each one just what his own actions and his own work merit.(E)
13I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last (the Before all and the End of all).(F)
14Blessed (happy and [c]to be envied) are those who cleanse their garments, that they may have the authority and right to [approach] the tree of life and to enter through the gates into the city.(G)
15[But] without are the dogs and those who practice sorceries (magic arts) and impurity [the lewd, adulterers] and the murderers and idolaters and everyone who loves and deals in falsehood (untruth, error, deception, cheating).
16I, Jesus, have sent My messenger (angel) to you to witness and to give you assurance of these things for the churches (assemblies). I am the Root (the Source) and the Offspring of David, the radiant and brilliant Morning Star.(H)
17The [Holy] Spirit and the bride (the church, the true Christians) say, Come! And let him who is listening say, Come! And let everyone come who is thirsty [who is painfully conscious of his need [d]of those things by which the soul is refreshed, supported, and strengthened]; and whoever [earnestly] desires to do it, let him come, take, appropriate, and drink the water of Life without cost.(I)
18I [personally solemnly] warn everyone who listens to the statements of the prophecy [the [e]predictions and the consolations and admonitions pertaining to them] in this book: If anyone shall add anything to them, God will add and lay upon him the plagues (the afflictions and the calamities) that are recorded and described in this book.
19And if anyone cancels or takes away from the statements of the book of this prophecy [these [f]predictions relating to Christ's kingdom and its speedy triumph, together with the consolations and admonitions or warnings pertaining to them], God will cancel and take away from him his share in the tree of life and in the city of holiness (purity and hallowedness), which are described and promised in this book.
20He Who gives this warning and affirms and testifies to these things says, Yes (it is true). [Surely] I am coming quickly (swiftly, speedily). Amen (so let it be)! Yes, come, Lord Jesus!
21The grace (blessing and favor) of the Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah) be [g]with all the saints (God's holy people, [h]those set apart for God, to be, as it were, exclusively His). Amen (so let it be)!
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