Week Two: He Calls Us To ItJohn 13:15- For I have given you this as an example, so that you should do [in your own turn] what I have done to you. (Amplified Version)
It is Jesus Christ, the Beloved Redeemer of our souls, who spoke this. He had just, humbling Himself to do the work of a slave, washed His disciples’ feet. In doing so His Love had rendered to the body the service of which it stood in need at the supper table. At that same time He had shown in a striking symbol, what He had done for their souls in cleansing them from sin. In this twofold work of love He had set before them, just before parting, in one significant act, the whole work of His life as a ministry of blessing to body and to soul. And as He sits down He says, “I have given you an example that you also should do, even as I have done to you.” All that they had seen in Him, and experienced from Him, is made the rule of their life: “Even as I have done, do you also.”
The Word of Jesus to His disciples is for us too. To each one who knows that the Lord has washed away their sin, the command comes with all the touching force of one of the last words of Him who is going out to die for us: “Even as I have done to you, so do you also.” Jesus Christ does indeed ask everyone of us in everything to act just as we have seen Him do. What He has done to ourselves, and still does each day, we are to do over again to others. He is our example, each of us is to be the copy and image of the Master.
The power of an example depends mainly on two things:
1) The attractiveness of what it gives us to see.
2) The personal relation and influence of him in whom it is seen.
In both aspects, what power there is in our Lord’s example!
We know who the Lord Jesus is. He is the Son of the Living God! One with the Father in nature and perfection! In Him we see God. In Him we see how God would act were He here in our place on earth. In Him all is beautiful and lovely and perfect. If we want o see what is really Divine, we have only to look at Jesus, in all He does the glory of God is revealed.
But the blindness of some of God’s children is this: The heavenly beauty isn’t attractive to them, they have no desire for it.
The manners and way of living in the count of an earthly king exercise influence throughout the empire. The example it gives is imitated by all who belong to he nobility or the higher classes. But the example of the King of Heaven, Who came and dwelt in the flesh, that we might see how we might here on earth live a God-like life with how few of His followers does it really find imitation.
The power of an example consist not only in its own excellence, but also in the personal relation to him who gives it. Jesus had not washed the feet of others in the presence of His disciples; it was when He had washed their feet that He said, “Even as I have done to you, you should also do.” It is the consciousness of a personal relationship to Christ that enforces the command: Do as I have done. It is the experience of what Jesus has done to me that is the strength in which I can go and do the same to others. He doesn’t ask us to do more that has been done to us. But not less either. Even and as I have done to you. He doesn’t ask that I should humble myself as a servant deeper than He has done. Just as He has done.
He humbled Himself as low as humiliation could go, to love and bless me---and you. He counted this His highest honor and blessedness. He counted it joy…
Hebrews 12:2- Looking away [from all that will distract] to Jesus, Who is the Leader and the Source of our faith [giving the first incentive for our belief] and is also its Finisher [bringing it to maturity and perfection]. He for the joy [obtaining the prize] that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising and ignoring the shame, and is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God. (Amp)
He counted it as joy to go to the cross for us! How many of us could say that? How many of us can say when we go through a storm, a hard trial that we count it as joy? Well we are supposed to!
James 1:2- Consider it wholly joyful, my brethren, whenever you are enveloped in or encounter trials of any sort or fall into various temptations. (Amp)
There is one thing we must never forget. It is not the remembrance of what Jesus has once done to us, but the living experience of what He is now to us, that will give us the power to act Like Christ. His Love must be a present reality, the inflowing of a life and a power in which we can love Like Christ. It is only by the Holy Spirit we realize what Jesus is doing for us,and how He does it, and that it is He who does it, that it is possible for us to do to others what He is doing to us.
“Even as I have done to you, you also do.” Jesus is going to show forth in us the Divine Power of His Love, that we may show it forth to others. He blesses us, that we may bless others. He loves us, that we may love others. He becomes a servant to us, that we may become a servant to others. He saves and cleanses us, that we may save and cleanse others. He gives Himself wholly for and to us, that we may wholly give ourselves for and to others. We are to be doing only others what He is doing to us--nothing more, nothing less. We can do it just because He is doing it to us. What we are to do is nothing but the repeating, the showing forth of what we are receiving from Him.
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Monday, January 10, 2011
Bible Study: Like Christ Series Week One-Abide In Him
Week One: Like Christ: Abide In Him
1 John 2:6- Whoever says he abides in Him ought [as a personal debt] to walk and conduct himself in the same way in which He walked and conducted Himself. (Amplified Version)
Abiding in Christ and walking Like Christ:
These are the two blessings of the new life which are here set before us in this essential unity. The fruit of a life in Christ is a life Like Christ.
We are to abide in Christ. What does it mean to abide in Christ?
To “abide” means to live, continue, or remain.
So to abide in Christ is to live in Him or remain in Him. When a person is saved, they are described as being in Christ.
Romans 8:1- Therefore, [there is] now no condemnation (no adjudging guilty or wrong) for those who are in Christ Jesus, who live [and] walk not after the dictates of the flesh, but after the dictates of the Spirit. (Amp)
2 Corinthians 5:17- Therefore, if any person is [in grafted] in Christ (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creation altogether); the old [previous moral and spiritual conditions] has passed away. Behold, the fresh and new has come! (Amp)
Therefore, abiding in Christ isn’t a special level of Christian experience, available to only a few; rather it is the position of all true Believers. The difference between those abiding in Christ and those not abiding in Christ is the difference between the saved and the unsaved.
The phrase “abiding in Christ” pictures and intimate, close relationship, and not just a superficial acquaintance. In other words, abiding in Christ is more than going to church every time the doors are opened. It is more than only calling on Him when you need something. It’s more than doing only what you can in your Christian lifetime to get by and go to heaven. It’s a personal one on One with God.
We’ll get into that in a little while.
John 15:4-7- Dwell in Me, and I will dwell in you. [Live in Me, and I will live in you.] Just as no branch can bear fruit of itself without abiding in (being vitally united to) the vine, neither can you bear fruit unless you abide in me. I am the Vine, you are the branches. Whoever lives in Me and I in him bears much (abundant) fruit. However, apart from Me [cut off from vital union with Me] you can do nothing. If a person does not dwell in Me, he is thrown out like a [broken off] branch, and withers; such branches are gathered up and thrown into the fire, and they are burned. If you live in Me [abide vitally united to Me] and My Words remain in you and continue to live in your hearts, ask whatever you will, and it shall be done for you. (Amp)
Jesus tells His disciples that having salvation is essential, using the picture of branches united to a vine. Without that vital union with Christ which Salvation provides, there can be no life and no productivity.
There are proofs of one who abides in Christ (Proof that one is truly saved and not just pretending):
1) Obedience to Christ Commands.
John 15:10- If you keep My commandments [if you continue to obey My instructions], you will abide in My Love and live on in it, just as I have obeyed My Father’s commandments and live on in His Love. (Amp)
1 John 3:24- All who keep His commandments [who obey His orders and follow His plan, live and continue to live, to stay and] abide in Him, and He in them [They let Christ be a home to them and they are the home of Christ.] And by this we know and understand and have the proof that He [really] lives and make His home in us; by the [Holy] Spirit Who He has given us. (Amp)
2) Following Jesus’ Example.
1 John 2:6- Whoever says he abides in Him ought [as a personal debt] to walk and conduct himself in the same way in which He walked and conducted Himself. (Amp)
3) Living Free From Habitual Sin.
1 John 3:6- No one who abides in Him [who lives and remains in communion with and in obedience to Him--deliberately, knowingly, and habitually] commits (practices) sin. No one who [habitually] sins has either seen or known Him [recognized, perceived, or understood Him or has had an experiential acquaintance with Him]. (Amp)
4) The Awareness Of A Divine Presence Within One’s Life
1 John 4:13- By this we come to know [perceive, recognize, and understand] that we abide (live and remain) in Him and He in us; because He has given (imparted) to us His [Holy] Spirit. (Amp)
As the fruit of our surrender to live wholly in Him, His life works so mightily in us, that our walk, the outward expression of the inner life, become like His.
The abiding in Christ always precedes the walking Like Christ. And yet, the aim to walk Like Christ must equally precede any large measure of abiding. Only then is the need for a close union fully realized, or is God free to bestow the fullness of His Grace, because He sees that the soul is prepared to use it according to His Design.
The life of the vine and the branch is so completely identical, that the manifestation of that life must be identical too.
When the Lord Jesus redeemed us with His Blood and presented us to the Father in His Righteousness, He didn’t leave us in our old nature to serve God as best as we could. No, in Him dwelt the Eternal Life, the Holy Divine Life of Heaven, and every one who is in Him receives from Him that same Eternal Life in its Holy Heavenly Power.
This Mighty Life of God in the soul, doesn’t however, work as a blind force, compelling us ignorant or involuntary to act Like Christ. Walking Like Him must come as a result of a deliberate choice, sought in strong desire, accepted of a living will.
God showed us in Jesus’ life what the life of heaven would be when it came down into the conditions and circumstances of our human life. And with Jesus, when we receive the new life from Him, and when He calls us to abide in Him, that we may receive life more abundantly points us to His own life on earth, and tells us that it is to walk even as He walked that the new life has been bestowed. “Even as I, so you also,” that Word of the Master takes His whole earthly life and very simply makes it he rule and guide of all our conduct. If we abide in Christ, we may not act like He did. “Like Christ” gives one shout out all-inclusive Word the Blessed Law of the
Christian Life. We are to think, to speak, to act as Christ did, as Christ was, even so are we to be.
He that seeks to Walk with Christ---Must Abide in Him!
With some there is the earnest desire to follow Christ’s example without any sense of the impossibility to do so, except by deep, real abiding in Him. They fail because they seek to obey the high command to love Like Christ, without he Only Power to do so---the Living in Christ. With others it is the opposite: they know their own weakness, and count the Walking Like Christ an impossibility. As much as those who seek to do it and who fail, do those who do it seek because they expect to fail, need to understand this. To Walk Like Christ one must abide in Him; he that abides in Him has the power to Walk Like Him, not by or in himself or his own efforts, but in Christ, who perfects His strength in our weakness.
If you’re falling into temptation and sinning continually, doing the same old stuff over and over again---ask yourself this question: “Am I truly Abiding in Christ?” Go even deeper ask yourself, “Am I reading, studying, and meditating on the Word of God. Am I spending time with God daily in prayer and getting to know Him on a personal level? Do I know more of Him than I did when I first received Christ? Have I grown in Christ? Am I obeying what He tells me to do and what not to do?”
Prayer:
Dear Lord,
I come to you right now and I give You my life. I long to abide in You and have You abide in me. I long to follow You in all that I say and do in this life. I desire to Walk Like Christ and to Abide With Christ. I desire to do as You have done. Lead me and guide me. Help Me as I strive to remain in You constantly every day. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen
We will continue this Bible Study next week in my home. But after I'm done with these I will try and post them on here as well. I pray that this Series draws you closer and closer to Christ and what He has planned for your life. If you would like to know more about Christ or need prayer, contact Minda at 573-421-5024.
God Bless,
Minda
573-421-5024
arisetonewlife@gmail.com
1 John 2:6- Whoever says he abides in Him ought [as a personal debt] to walk and conduct himself in the same way in which He walked and conducted Himself. (Amplified Version)
Abiding in Christ and walking Like Christ:
These are the two blessings of the new life which are here set before us in this essential unity. The fruit of a life in Christ is a life Like Christ.
We are to abide in Christ. What does it mean to abide in Christ?
To “abide” means to live, continue, or remain.
So to abide in Christ is to live in Him or remain in Him. When a person is saved, they are described as being in Christ.
Romans 8:1- Therefore, [there is] now no condemnation (no adjudging guilty or wrong) for those who are in Christ Jesus, who live [and] walk not after the dictates of the flesh, but after the dictates of the Spirit. (Amp)
2 Corinthians 5:17- Therefore, if any person is [in grafted] in Christ (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creation altogether); the old [previous moral and spiritual conditions] has passed away. Behold, the fresh and new has come! (Amp)
Therefore, abiding in Christ isn’t a special level of Christian experience, available to only a few; rather it is the position of all true Believers. The difference between those abiding in Christ and those not abiding in Christ is the difference between the saved and the unsaved.
The phrase “abiding in Christ” pictures and intimate, close relationship, and not just a superficial acquaintance. In other words, abiding in Christ is more than going to church every time the doors are opened. It is more than only calling on Him when you need something. It’s more than doing only what you can in your Christian lifetime to get by and go to heaven. It’s a personal one on One with God.
We’ll get into that in a little while.
John 15:4-7- Dwell in Me, and I will dwell in you. [Live in Me, and I will live in you.] Just as no branch can bear fruit of itself without abiding in (being vitally united to) the vine, neither can you bear fruit unless you abide in me. I am the Vine, you are the branches. Whoever lives in Me and I in him bears much (abundant) fruit. However, apart from Me [cut off from vital union with Me] you can do nothing. If a person does not dwell in Me, he is thrown out like a [broken off] branch, and withers; such branches are gathered up and thrown into the fire, and they are burned. If you live in Me [abide vitally united to Me] and My Words remain in you and continue to live in your hearts, ask whatever you will, and it shall be done for you. (Amp)
Jesus tells His disciples that having salvation is essential, using the picture of branches united to a vine. Without that vital union with Christ which Salvation provides, there can be no life and no productivity.
There are proofs of one who abides in Christ (Proof that one is truly saved and not just pretending):
1) Obedience to Christ Commands.
John 15:10- If you keep My commandments [if you continue to obey My instructions], you will abide in My Love and live on in it, just as I have obeyed My Father’s commandments and live on in His Love. (Amp)
1 John 3:24- All who keep His commandments [who obey His orders and follow His plan, live and continue to live, to stay and] abide in Him, and He in them [They let Christ be a home to them and they are the home of Christ.] And by this we know and understand and have the proof that He [really] lives and make His home in us; by the [Holy] Spirit Who He has given us. (Amp)
2) Following Jesus’ Example.
1 John 2:6- Whoever says he abides in Him ought [as a personal debt] to walk and conduct himself in the same way in which He walked and conducted Himself. (Amp)
3) Living Free From Habitual Sin.
1 John 3:6- No one who abides in Him [who lives and remains in communion with and in obedience to Him--deliberately, knowingly, and habitually] commits (practices) sin. No one who [habitually] sins has either seen or known Him [recognized, perceived, or understood Him or has had an experiential acquaintance with Him]. (Amp)
4) The Awareness Of A Divine Presence Within One’s Life
1 John 4:13- By this we come to know [perceive, recognize, and understand] that we abide (live and remain) in Him and He in us; because He has given (imparted) to us His [Holy] Spirit. (Amp)
As the fruit of our surrender to live wholly in Him, His life works so mightily in us, that our walk, the outward expression of the inner life, become like His.
The abiding in Christ always precedes the walking Like Christ. And yet, the aim to walk Like Christ must equally precede any large measure of abiding. Only then is the need for a close union fully realized, or is God free to bestow the fullness of His Grace, because He sees that the soul is prepared to use it according to His Design.
The life of the vine and the branch is so completely identical, that the manifestation of that life must be identical too.
This Mighty Life of God in the soul, doesn’t however, work as a blind force, compelling us ignorant or involuntary to act Like Christ. Walking Like Him must come as a result of a deliberate choice, sought in strong desire, accepted of a living will.
God showed us in Jesus’ life what the life of heaven would be when it came down into the conditions and circumstances of our human life. And with Jesus, when we receive the new life from Him, and when He calls us to abide in Him, that we may receive life more abundantly points us to His own life on earth, and tells us that it is to walk even as He walked that the new life has been bestowed. “Even as I, so you also,” that Word of the Master takes His whole earthly life and very simply makes it he rule and guide of all our conduct. If we abide in Christ, we may not act like He did. “Like Christ” gives one shout out all-inclusive Word the Blessed Law of the
He that seeks to Walk with Christ---Must Abide in Him!
With some there is the earnest desire to follow Christ’s example without any sense of the impossibility to do so, except by deep, real abiding in Him. They fail because they seek to obey the high command to love Like Christ, without he Only Power to do so---the Living in Christ. With others it is the opposite: they know their own weakness, and count the Walking Like Christ an impossibility. As much as those who seek to do it and who fail, do those who do it seek because they expect to fail, need to understand this. To Walk Like Christ one must abide in Him; he that abides in Him has the power to Walk Like Him, not by or in himself or his own efforts, but in Christ, who perfects His strength in our weakness.
If you’re falling into temptation and sinning continually, doing the same old stuff over and over again---ask yourself this question: “Am I truly Abiding in Christ?” Go even deeper ask yourself, “Am I reading, studying, and meditating on the Word of God. Am I spending time with God daily in prayer and getting to know Him on a personal level? Do I know more of Him than I did when I first received Christ? Have I grown in Christ? Am I obeying what He tells me to do and what not to do?”
Prayer:
Dear Lord,
I come to you right now and I give You my life. I long to abide in You and have You abide in me. I long to follow You in all that I say and do in this life. I desire to Walk Like Christ and to Abide With Christ. I desire to do as You have done. Lead me and guide me. Help Me as I strive to remain in You constantly every day. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen
We will continue this Bible Study next week in my home. But after I'm done with these I will try and post them on here as well. I pray that this Series draws you closer and closer to Christ and what He has planned for your life. If you would like to know more about Christ or need prayer, contact Minda at 573-421-5024.
God Bless,
Minda
573-421-5024
arisetonewlife@gmail.com
Monday, January 3, 2011
New Year 2011 Message
What's your new year's resolution? Do you long for change? Do you long for a fresh new start? Do you long to be a better person than you have been? Why not try Jesus this year and grow closer and closer to Him and see what God can do in your life?! If you do have Christ in your life, remember this: you are NOT what you have done...You're what you've overcome! If you were an addict, you are not addict anymore you are an overcomer by the blood of Jesus Christ! Call us at 573-421-5024 for prayer or just to talk, we're here for you!
On a personal note, my name is Minda, if you're just tuning in to Arise Ministries. We started this on Septembe 20, 2010 to touch young girls and women for Christ. We've had several rededicate their lives to Christ, and some come to Christ for the first time. I'm excited to see what God is doing through this ministry. I owe everything to God and God alone. He's the One who has all power and authority to change people's lives. I'm just an instrument for God. My plans this year, my New Year's Resolution is simply this: Draw closer to God and touch other's lives for Christ and help them get on the right path to FREEDOM in Christ! How do we obtain this FREEDOM? Simple. We ask Christ into our lives and give Him full control...if He says "NO," it means "NO." If He says, "YES," then it means "YES." We let Him direct our steps. As long as we REMAIN in Christ, He will guide us and lead us into EVERLASTING joy, peace, and so much more than we can ever imagine possible.
Starting January 8th, 2011, at 5 pm at my home (for info call 573-421-5024) we will be hosting a Bible Study. Our first Study series is on "Like Christ." I'm so excited about this...and I pray that others are as well. I know a few of you are. I so can't wait until this study gets going. I feel God's gonna do some amazing things this next year, not only with this ministry, but so much more, our personal lives, our church families, and so much more. But in order to recieve His gifts and everything He has in store for us, we have to draw closer and closer to Him. And that's what this study is all about. Again, as I've said in status updates, if you don't have a ride, we will do our very best to get you a ride. We will aslo have refreshments as well.
In closing, I would like to pray for you. Each one of you are dear to my heart, but there's someone who loves you much more than anyone on this earth could. I love you and am praying for you all daily. I'm also praying for the ones that God hasn't even sent our way just yet!
Lord,
I thank You so much for each one of these young girls, women, even the guys, whose lives are represented in this Ministry, God. I pray that You pour out Your Spirit upon each one and let them know that they are valueable to You. They are precious. They are Yours, Lord. You Love them with an unconditional love...that means, You love them regardless of their past, regardless of what they have done, You still love them, Lord. I pray that You help each and everyone. To those battleing addictions, depression, anxiety, whatever it may be, Lord. I rebuke these strongholds, in the name of Jesus. I ask that You give them the strength, knowledge, and willpower Lord to combat and overcome whatever it is that may be holding them back from You and what You have called them to do. I ask that You be with each person this year and may they advance in You, grow in You and be strong in You! I thank You again, Lord for using me and speaking through me, to these people and I pray that You continue to touch people's lives, Lord. It's only by You that I can even do this. I pray blessing upon each individual and I thank You for sending them our way and I pray that they recieve a mighty outpouring of Your anointing and that they in turn touch other people they come in contact with. In Jesus' Name, I pray....AMEN.
God Bless each and everyone one of you, I love you and God loves you!
Minda
On a personal note, my name is Minda, if you're just tuning in to Arise Ministries. We started this on Septembe 20, 2010 to touch young girls and women for Christ. We've had several rededicate their lives to Christ, and some come to Christ for the first time. I'm excited to see what God is doing through this ministry. I owe everything to God and God alone. He's the One who has all power and authority to change people's lives. I'm just an instrument for God. My plans this year, my New Year's Resolution is simply this: Draw closer to God and touch other's lives for Christ and help them get on the right path to FREEDOM in Christ! How do we obtain this FREEDOM? Simple. We ask Christ into our lives and give Him full control...if He says "NO," it means "NO." If He says, "YES," then it means "YES." We let Him direct our steps. As long as we REMAIN in Christ, He will guide us and lead us into EVERLASTING joy, peace, and so much more than we can ever imagine possible.
Starting January 8th, 2011, at 5 pm at my home (for info call 573-421-5024) we will be hosting a Bible Study. Our first Study series is on "Like Christ." I'm so excited about this...and I pray that others are as well. I know a few of you are. I so can't wait until this study gets going. I feel God's gonna do some amazing things this next year, not only with this ministry, but so much more, our personal lives, our church families, and so much more. But in order to recieve His gifts and everything He has in store for us, we have to draw closer and closer to Him. And that's what this study is all about. Again, as I've said in status updates, if you don't have a ride, we will do our very best to get you a ride. We will aslo have refreshments as well.
In closing, I would like to pray for you. Each one of you are dear to my heart, but there's someone who loves you much more than anyone on this earth could. I love you and am praying for you all daily. I'm also praying for the ones that God hasn't even sent our way just yet!
Lord,
I thank You so much for each one of these young girls, women, even the guys, whose lives are represented in this Ministry, God. I pray that You pour out Your Spirit upon each one and let them know that they are valueable to You. They are precious. They are Yours, Lord. You Love them with an unconditional love...that means, You love them regardless of their past, regardless of what they have done, You still love them, Lord. I pray that You help each and everyone. To those battleing addictions, depression, anxiety, whatever it may be, Lord. I rebuke these strongholds, in the name of Jesus. I ask that You give them the strength, knowledge, and willpower Lord to combat and overcome whatever it is that may be holding them back from You and what You have called them to do. I ask that You be with each person this year and may they advance in You, grow in You and be strong in You! I thank You again, Lord for using me and speaking through me, to these people and I pray that You continue to touch people's lives, Lord. It's only by You that I can even do this. I pray blessing upon each individual and I thank You for sending them our way and I pray that they recieve a mighty outpouring of Your anointing and that they in turn touch other people they come in contact with. In Jesus' Name, I pray....AMEN.
God Bless each and everyone one of you, I love you and God loves you!
Minda
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
PEACE: Not As The World Gives
I recieve daily emails from Joel Osteen and as I read today's devotional, I immediately knew it was meant for someone who might be going through something right now. I've added a little bit to it and went a little more in depth with it and I pray that this helps someone as it has me. May God speak to your heart. Open your heart and let God take and embrace you in His arms as you deal with whatever you may be dealing with today or this week, or even next year. Remember, we are here for you if you need us. Give us call and we will be glad to talk to you or just listen. If you need prayer, we will pray for you. Ask for Minda 573-421-5024
PEACE: Not As The World Gives
John 14:27- Peace I leave with you, My [own] peace I now give and bequeath to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. [Stop allowing yourselves to be agitated and disturbed; and do not permit yourselves to be fearful and intimidated and cowardly and unsettled.] (Amp)
So many people today are in search for true, inner PEACE. They search through relationships, addictions, money, religion, etc to find something that will fill the void inside. I myself, don't rely on RELIGION to give me peace. I could never find PEACE in RELIGION...no one will be able to. True peace isn't found in anything this world has to offer. This true peace can only be found thorugh a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Only He can satisfy the longing in our souls and give us true, lasting peace.
In this world, Peace doesn't come without a price. To get peace, in this world we have to fight wars. We have to endure things. But according to the Word of God, TRUE EVERLASTING PEACE through Christ is FREE! You can't earn it and you can't buy it. There's absolutely no catch, no fine print and no strings attached! And you can rest assured that He is never going to take His Peace away, His peace is eternal! A life of peace, true peace begins when you invite Jesus into your life and let Him be your Lord and Savior! Why do I need to give Christ my life? Why do I need to ask Him to come in? Simple. God created you, you are His creation. If you created something, wouldn't you want the credit for it? I, myself am a photographer on the side, and if someone took my work, I would be a little upset because I worked so hard and did so much on my creation by editing, cropping, etc. Well God does the same to us. He created us, He sent Jesus to die on the cross for our sins. He knows what He's doing, after all, He created us the way we are for a reason. We may not know why we are the way we are, or why things happen to us, but it's all going to be okay. Trust me. I've had so much happen in my life and I've heard many more stories of worse things that people went through and they made it out----with God's help!
As you align your thoughts, attitudes, and actions with His Word (The Bible, if you don't have one, contact me at 573-421-5024 and I'll do my very best to obtain one for you), that peace will flood every area of your life! Peace is how we know we are following God's plan because God's plan ALWAYS leads us to peace!
If you're looking for peace, call upon His name. It's the name above all names---Jesus! Invite Him to be your Lord and Savior. Follow His Word and allow His peace to fill every area of your life!
Prayer of Salvation:
Lord,
I come to You today, I ask You to give me this Peace. The Peace that surpasses All Understanding! I ask that You be the Lord of my life. I ask that You forgive me of my past faults and failures and lead me down Your path to peace. I know I have tried everything besides You and I long to be FREE from that false peace. Guide me Lord, in Your ways. Help me as I go along this journey to knowing You and I pray that You help me adjust my thoughts, attitudes and actions to what You want for me. In Jesus' Name, AMEN
If you prayed this prayer, contact Minda at 573-421-5024 or send an email to arisetonewlife@gmail I would really love to hear from you and help you along your journey. If you would like to talk to me on any issue you can also do the same.
God Bless!
Minda
PEACE: Not As The World Gives
John 14:27- Peace I leave with you, My [own] peace I now give and bequeath to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. [Stop allowing yourselves to be agitated and disturbed; and do not permit yourselves to be fearful and intimidated and cowardly and unsettled.] (Amp)
So many people today are in search for true, inner PEACE. They search through relationships, addictions, money, religion, etc to find something that will fill the void inside. I myself, don't rely on RELIGION to give me peace. I could never find PEACE in RELIGION...no one will be able to. True peace isn't found in anything this world has to offer. This true peace can only be found thorugh a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Only He can satisfy the longing in our souls and give us true, lasting peace.
In this world, Peace doesn't come without a price. To get peace, in this world we have to fight wars. We have to endure things. But according to the Word of God, TRUE EVERLASTING PEACE through Christ is FREE! You can't earn it and you can't buy it. There's absolutely no catch, no fine print and no strings attached! And you can rest assured that He is never going to take His Peace away, His peace is eternal! A life of peace, true peace begins when you invite Jesus into your life and let Him be your Lord and Savior! Why do I need to give Christ my life? Why do I need to ask Him to come in? Simple. God created you, you are His creation. If you created something, wouldn't you want the credit for it? I, myself am a photographer on the side, and if someone took my work, I would be a little upset because I worked so hard and did so much on my creation by editing, cropping, etc. Well God does the same to us. He created us, He sent Jesus to die on the cross for our sins. He knows what He's doing, after all, He created us the way we are for a reason. We may not know why we are the way we are, or why things happen to us, but it's all going to be okay. Trust me. I've had so much happen in my life and I've heard many more stories of worse things that people went through and they made it out----with God's help!
As you align your thoughts, attitudes, and actions with His Word (The Bible, if you don't have one, contact me at 573-421-5024 and I'll do my very best to obtain one for you), that peace will flood every area of your life! Peace is how we know we are following God's plan because God's plan ALWAYS leads us to peace!
If you're looking for peace, call upon His name. It's the name above all names---Jesus! Invite Him to be your Lord and Savior. Follow His Word and allow His peace to fill every area of your life!
Prayer of Salvation:
Lord,
I come to You today, I ask You to give me this Peace. The Peace that surpasses All Understanding! I ask that You be the Lord of my life. I ask that You forgive me of my past faults and failures and lead me down Your path to peace. I know I have tried everything besides You and I long to be FREE from that false peace. Guide me Lord, in Your ways. Help me as I go along this journey to knowing You and I pray that You help me adjust my thoughts, attitudes and actions to what You want for me. In Jesus' Name, AMEN
If you prayed this prayer, contact Minda at 573-421-5024 or send an email to arisetonewlife@gmail I would really love to hear from you and help you along your journey. If you would like to talk to me on any issue you can also do the same.
God Bless!
Minda
Saturday, December 11, 2010
What Does the Bible Say About Drugs and Alcohol?
What Does the Bible Say about Drugs and Drinking Alcohol?
FAQ: What does the Bible say about using drugs and alcohol, other than for diseases and cooking?
In English translations, there is no verse of Scripture that clearly and specifically addresses the use of recreational or hallucinogenic drugs, but we will see that the Greek word pharmakeia does refer to this. There are, however, quite a few verses that speak to the wrong use of alcoholic beverages, which produces a similarly altered mental state. Let us look at a few of them to give us a framework to examine this topic.
Ephesians 5:18 (NKJ)
Proverbs 23:21a (NKJ)
1 Corinthians 5:11
But now I am writing you that you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat.
For the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty.
And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation [the Greek word for “dissipation” means “an abandoned, dissolute life; profligacy; prodigality”].
Despite what some
Why does God tell us not to get drunk? Because life is a
1 Peter 1:13 (NKJ)
Romans 12:2
1 Thessalonians 5:6-8
(6)
So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled [KJV=sober].(6)
(7) For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night.
(8) But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled [KJV=sober], putting on
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but
Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober [self-controlled], and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
Proverbs 23:7 (KJV) says that
In Scripture, God uses the word “heart” to refer to the inner core of one’s being, the depths of the mind where either true faith or unbelief resides. He admonishes believers to guard our hearts so that we allow no evil influences to come in, because if they do get in, they may have devastating consequences.
Proverbs 4:23
Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.
When one is drunk, he is, in reality, out of his mind. He cannot guard his heart, and it is difficult or impossible for him to serve God or God’s people in an effective way. A person who is drunk is not effective in praying for, or ministering to, others. Furthermore, a drunk opens himself up to the possibility of evil spirits entering his mind and causing confusion or harm to himself or others.
The Bible puts using drugs in the same category as getting drunk (Gal. 5:19-21): both are forbidden by God because of what they do to the individual personally, and how they make him unfit to minister to others. However, before we go into the specific verses that mention drugs, we need to understand something about God’s Word. The Bible is written in such a way that people who are seeking God’s will are able to find it. It is impossible for God to write a book that covers every sin—we can sin in ways today that no one in the biblical world would have even conceived of, such as child pornography on the Internet. The Word of God is “instruction in righteousness” (2 Tim. 3:16 KJV), general instruction that can be applied by wise people. LSD, crystal meth, crack, crank, etc., did not exist in biblical times, so God did not mention them in the Bible. What God does say, in many different ways, is that the Christian is a minister of God to His people, and should be alert and prepared to serve at all times, even if that is just being alone
Drugs used to alter one’s mental state and thus “escape reality” do the same thing that excess alcohol does, that is, they render a person “out of control” of his mind. As with alcohol, the individual who is “high” on drugs is in no position to fulfill the command to “be alert and self-controlled.” Many drugs are hallucinogenic, and a hallucination is “a false notion, belief, or impression; illusion; or delusion.” In the Bible, the Greek word for “truth” means “reality.” Satan’s goal is to get people to act upon a false reality.
Scripture does indirectly address the illicit use of drugs, and connects it to drunkenness, as per the following verses, where the Greek word for “witchcraft” is pharmakeia, which includes “the use or the administering of drugs,” “poisoning [by drugs]” (Thayer’s Lexicon), and the variant, pharmakon, in Revelation 9:21 focuses upon “the use of certain potions or drugs” and the casting of spells (Louw Nida Greek Lexicon).This same root word is also translated as “sorcerer” and “sorceries” (see Rev. 9:21, 18:23, 21:8, 22:15). The translation “witchcraft” is used in most English versions because pharmakeia also referred to the witchcraft or sorcery in which drugs were used for potions, spells, etc. Understanding that pharmakeia is related to the use of drugs, notice how it appears, along with drunkenness, in the list of the “works of the flesh” in Galatians.
Galatians 5:19-21
(19)
The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery;(19)
(20) idolatry and witchcraft [pharmakeia]; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions
(21) and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Recreational and hallucinogenic drugs were not invented in Haight-Ashbury in the 1960s. They have been weapons in Satan’s arsenal for thousands of years, and they have contributed significantly to the destruction of millions of people’s lives, as both Scripture and history confirm.
There are other biblical truths that make it clear that the use of recreational and hallucinogenic drugs is harmful. We are to take care of our bodies so as to be able to serve God for many years, and drugs are physically debilitating. Also, we are to steward the financial resources that God gives us, and using our money to buy such drugs is hardly good stewardship. Beyond that, many drug users turn to crime to support their habit, and those crimes range from stealing from other addicts to murdering innocent people to get their “fix.” Thus, beyond the sin of the drunkenness or drug use itself are the sins of lying, stealing, and murder to which such a lifestyle leads. In short, using drugs robs us of “the life that is truly life.”
Many users say they are looking for peace, joy, and the “high” that such drugs give them. How sad. Anything someone categorizes as something good that a drug does for him is something only God, our heavenly Father, can give us through Jesus Christ. God designed us to enjoy life and be engaged in it, and the so-called benefits of drugs and alcohol are a counterfeit at best. Recreational drug use and getting drunk is selfish and dangerous, and addiction is not an escape from pain; it is pain in the worst way, as countless thousands of ex-addicts sadly testify. In contrast, an intimate relationship with the Lord Jesus brings us all those things, and more. Thus we need not despair and grope for artificial means of altering our mental state. We will be so full of
Christians teach, there is no prohibition in God’s Word against drinking alcoholic beverages. It is not a sin to drink beer, or even whiskey. There is, however, a clear prohibition against getting drunk. A Christian might then conclude that drinking no alcohol at all would surely eliminate the possibility of abusing it, and choose never to partake. Each of us must choose for ourselves how we relate to “booze,” but we have no biblical basis to think less of our brethren in Christ who enjoy a drink once in a while, but do not get drunk.spiritual battle, and we must be self-controlled and alert (1 Thess. 5:6). First, we need to be alert in order to serve God. God wants us constantly tuned into Him, and people have needs at very unexpected times. The servant of God is always “on call,” and must be ready and willing to serve. Second, our enemy, the Devil, prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour (1 Pet. 5:8). Satan’s evil spirits usually infiltrate people through their minds, and Scripture is replete with instructions about properly managing our minds by controlling our thoughts and making them godly thoughts. For example:be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-- his good, pleasing and perfect will.faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet.as one thinks, so he is. That is because thoughts are the seeds of our words and deeds. The way we “renew our minds,” and “be sober” is by choosing to think what the Word of God tells us to think. 2 Corinthians 10:5 calls this “bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.” That is how we steel our minds against our enemy, Satan, who is constantly bombarding us with stimuli designed to hijack our thoughts in an ungodly direction, cause us to act in an ungodly fashion, and eventually open our minds to evil spirit influence.praying for people. Being drunk or high on drugs renders one incapable of being effective for God.joy and peace that anything that alters it would be “a downer.”Monday, November 29, 2010
Phone number for Arise Ministries
Hello all! I pray that God touches each one of you in a very special way today! We've set up a phone number for you to call us if you need to talk or if you need us to pray with you. The phone number is (573) 421-5024.
God Bless!
Minda
P.S. I will post a new blog I promise...It's been a lil crazy around here with Thanksgiving and such, but I promise I will have one up soon. Tell me what you would like to read about....I'll be glad to do some research on whatever you need.
Minda
arisetonewlife@gmail.com
arisetonewlife@yahoo.com
(573) 421-5024
God Bless!
Minda
P.S. I will post a new blog I promise...It's been a lil crazy around here with Thanksgiving and such, but I promise I will have one up soon. Tell me what you would like to read about....I'll be glad to do some research on whatever you need.
Minda
arisetonewlife@gmail.com
arisetonewlife@yahoo.com
(573) 421-5024
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Little By Little
I know I planned on doing addictions this month as our topic. But I really feel impressed to share this one for now. I know some of you who've contacted us are going through a lot right now. And, please know that we are praying for you. I am personally and so are a few others who are my helpers, and so is my church as well. We're here for you if you need us. I have several people lined up who are willing to jump in and help. Do not hesitate to contact us...email us at arisetonewlife@gmail.com and we will have some contact you. Include your number and we will be glad to help out in any way that we can.
Little By Little-
Reference: Exodus 23:20-33
God gave the Israelites 3 promises and He gives them to us as well.
1. God promised to lead the Israelites out of the Wilderness. He promised to guide them through the Wilderness into the Promised Land.
In verse 20, God sent out an angel before them...ahead of them. So God prepared the way before them, as well as led them through. He does the same for us as well.
When the Holy Spirit speaks to us, leading us a certain direction, or tells us to do something, we need to listen and obey Him.
God will be faithful to those who are faithful to Him.
God promises to bring us out of every trial that we may go through. We may have to go through them, but God will be the One to bring us through it and out victoriously!
"If God brought you to it, He'll bring you through it!"
2. God promised the Israelites that they would have a comfortable settlement in the Land of Canaan (the Promised Land) in which they would possess if they followed His Commands.
*They were given food to eat and water to drink. God promised to bless their bread and water and He also promised them it would be more refreshing and nourishing than a feast.
*They were given good health. God promised to take away all their sicknesses and disease-either by preventing it or removing it.
*They were given wealth. God promised that their cattle wouldn't be barren and so much more!
*They were given the promise of prolonged life. They would be able to live long lives.
The only condition for God to provide for them was to Obey His Commands....and they would arrive in thier Promised Land!
In order for us to reach our Promised Land and recieve our Blessings from God is simply this: OBEDIENCE
3. God promised the Israelites that they would conquer thier enemies---which was the occupants of the Land of Canaan (the Promised Land)
*This God would do---by HIS POWER-not their own.
*This God would do GRADUALLY---not all at once, but little by little.
As I was Studying and reading this, this morning I came across 2 little verses that just popped out. Then I ran with it... I was reading in Exodus chapter 23 and ran across verses 29-30 and oh my goodness, I had a revelation from God. I don't know how many times I've read this, heard these verses read, but today it popped out at me. I tried looking online for commentaries or Studies on this and didn't find anything on what God revealed to me. I was shocked that there wasn't, because it came so clear to me....so here's the verses:
Exodus 23:29-30: I will not drive them out from before you in one year, lest the land become desolate [for lack of attention] and the wild beasts multiply against you. Little by little I will drive them out from before you, until you have increased and are numerous enough to take possession of the land. (Amplified Version)
Here's my thoughts on the verses:
The reason why God doesn't take away things all at once is because if He did, we would be open to the attacks of Satan. We would think, we made it, we won! And that we were done with fighting him. And that he wouldn't try anything else on us. That's where we would make the mistake, and I believe God knows this. If God did take it all away at once and we took that for granted, come on, you know we would....we're human...but if God took it all away and we started doing our "happy dance" Satan could come in and us not know it and totally destroy everything that God gave us and has for us. We are to always be on guard and I believe that this is one way God helps us.
Instead God removes our obstacles (trials or whatever) little by little. And those trials will make us stronger and stronger. Each one we endure and overcome makes us stronger in Him, because He's right there beside us, helping us, leading and guiding us. And when Satan comes and tries to discourage us, we must remember we've come so far in this journey to give in to his lies. We are able to defeat Satan with each trial we overcome. It makes him so mad when we come out of each trial, but it makes God happy to see we've overcome each obstacle in our path! He rejoices with us! He knows we cry. He knows we hurt. He knows we get discouraged and disappointed, but we must remember, He's right there holding our hand through it all! And at the end of verse 30 He says we will have increased and we will be strong (numerous) enough to take back what Satan has taken away from us. Again----God doesn't take it all away at once---but little by little!
You may be going through a very hard time right now, whether it be physically, spiritually, emotionally, whatever....remember GOD IS HOLDING YOUR HAND! Every step you take, He's right there. He's gone before you, yet he's beside you. Every time you cry, He's wiping your tears. Everytime you call out to Him, He hears you! He loves you! Don't allow Satan to steal any of your joy! Just keep reminding yourself.....LITTLE by LITTLE God's taking care of me. LITTLE by LITTLE my trials will be gone. He's working things out. I pray that this helps someone, and remember we are here for you.... arisetonewlife@gmail.com.
God Bless,
Minda
arisetonewlife@gmail.com
Little By Little-
Reference: Exodus 23:20-33
God gave the Israelites 3 promises and He gives them to us as well.
1. God promised to lead the Israelites out of the Wilderness. He promised to guide them through the Wilderness into the Promised Land.
In verse 20, God sent out an angel before them...ahead of them. So God prepared the way before them, as well as led them through. He does the same for us as well.
When the Holy Spirit speaks to us, leading us a certain direction, or tells us to do something, we need to listen and obey Him.
God will be faithful to those who are faithful to Him.
God promises to bring us out of every trial that we may go through. We may have to go through them, but God will be the One to bring us through it and out victoriously!
"If God brought you to it, He'll bring you through it!"
2. God promised the Israelites that they would have a comfortable settlement in the Land of Canaan (the Promised Land) in which they would possess if they followed His Commands.
*They were given food to eat and water to drink. God promised to bless their bread and water and He also promised them it would be more refreshing and nourishing than a feast.
*They were given good health. God promised to take away all their sicknesses and disease-either by preventing it or removing it.
*They were given wealth. God promised that their cattle wouldn't be barren and so much more!
*They were given the promise of prolonged life. They would be able to live long lives.
The only condition for God to provide for them was to Obey His Commands....and they would arrive in thier Promised Land!
In order for us to reach our Promised Land and recieve our Blessings from God is simply this: OBEDIENCE
3. God promised the Israelites that they would conquer thier enemies---which was the occupants of the Land of Canaan (the Promised Land)
*This God would do---by HIS POWER-not their own.
*This God would do GRADUALLY---not all at once, but little by little.
As I was Studying and reading this, this morning I came across 2 little verses that just popped out. Then I ran with it... I was reading in Exodus chapter 23 and ran across verses 29-30 and oh my goodness, I had a revelation from God. I don't know how many times I've read this, heard these verses read, but today it popped out at me. I tried looking online for commentaries or Studies on this and didn't find anything on what God revealed to me. I was shocked that there wasn't, because it came so clear to me....so here's the verses:
Exodus 23:29-30: I will not drive them out from before you in one year, lest the land become desolate [for lack of attention] and the wild beasts multiply against you. Little by little I will drive them out from before you, until you have increased and are numerous enough to take possession of the land. (Amplified Version)
Here's my thoughts on the verses:
The reason why God doesn't take away things all at once is because if He did, we would be open to the attacks of Satan. We would think, we made it, we won! And that we were done with fighting him. And that he wouldn't try anything else on us. That's where we would make the mistake, and I believe God knows this. If God did take it all away at once and we took that for granted, come on, you know we would....we're human...but if God took it all away and we started doing our "happy dance" Satan could come in and us not know it and totally destroy everything that God gave us and has for us. We are to always be on guard and I believe that this is one way God helps us.
Instead God removes our obstacles (trials or whatever) little by little. And those trials will make us stronger and stronger. Each one we endure and overcome makes us stronger in Him, because He's right there beside us, helping us, leading and guiding us. And when Satan comes and tries to discourage us, we must remember we've come so far in this journey to give in to his lies. We are able to defeat Satan with each trial we overcome. It makes him so mad when we come out of each trial, but it makes God happy to see we've overcome each obstacle in our path! He rejoices with us! He knows we cry. He knows we hurt. He knows we get discouraged and disappointed, but we must remember, He's right there holding our hand through it all! And at the end of verse 30 He says we will have increased and we will be strong (numerous) enough to take back what Satan has taken away from us. Again----God doesn't take it all away at once---but little by little!
You may be going through a very hard time right now, whether it be physically, spiritually, emotionally, whatever....remember GOD IS HOLDING YOUR HAND! Every step you take, He's right there. He's gone before you, yet he's beside you. Every time you cry, He's wiping your tears. Everytime you call out to Him, He hears you! He loves you! Don't allow Satan to steal any of your joy! Just keep reminding yourself.....LITTLE by LITTLE God's taking care of me. LITTLE by LITTLE my trials will be gone. He's working things out. I pray that this helps someone, and remember we are here for you.... arisetonewlife@gmail.com.
God Bless,
Minda
arisetonewlife@gmail.com
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