Fighting loneliness – The LORD God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.”

 

Genesis 2:18
The LORD God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.”

 

Help Fight Loneliness

 I know I frequent the definition of this word, loneliness. If you are single like me you probably do to. Loneliness, can lead to a good dose of depression. If you can think of one person who might be suffering from being alone, be a friend to them, pay a visit. It would mean the world to them. A lot of people seem to be very busy these days and forget about their single friends. I’ve had the feeling of abandonment quite often.  

 lonely

–adjective

1.	affected with, characterized by, or causing a depressing feeling of being alone; lonesome.

 

2.	destitute of sympathetic or friendly companionship, intercourse, support, etc.: a lonely exile.

 

3.	lone; solitary; without company; companionless.

 

4.	remote from places of human habitation; desolate; unfrequented; bleak: a lonely road.

 

5.	standing apart; isolated: a lonely tower.

 

  I was speaking to my doctor the other day and was discussing Christmas time and how it comes up before you know it, and then before you realize it; it’s over just like that. It’s like a frenzy, and a climax of frenziness. Then you are back to being alone again. I’ve found myself to be very annoyed by the whole thing. A lot of times I don’t really look forward to Christmas because I know I end up going back home alone. She said one way to battle that is to make some plans with friends.

 A lot of people volunteer around this time because it makes them feel good about themselves, which they are contributing to a commitment. I know I feel that way when I volunteer. It’s a great self gratifying feeling you get being a part of something that is bigger than yourself. That also will diminish your loneliness. It helps to alleviate stress, it has a great impact on your confidence and you might even want to do more! 

 It really isn’t good for anyone to be alone. They feel forgotten about, abandoned, left out and when you are left alone for long periods of time, of course loneliness feelings increase. Depression increases and you really feel like you are on a road that only you are traveling. Everyone else is on the highway and you are on the side streets, the unpaved paths and gravel roads. 

 Well, what do you do if you don’t have any friends? You do have at least one friend, or did you forget all about him? God is always with you no matter what. He’ll be the best friend you’ll ever have.

 I think the only way to overcome your loneliness situations is to get out and get involved in something that matters to you. It can be tough. But you need to start somewhere. Take the first step.

 

Ecclesiastes 12:6
Life, lovely while it lasts, is soon over. Life as we know it, precious and beautiful, ends. The body is put back in the same ground it came from. The spirit returns to God, who first breathed it.

  

I thought I would compile some websites I thought might be helpful if you are fighting loneliness.

Loneliness Fight  www.fightloneliness.us/ 
News article www.indiaenews.com/europe/20070918/70746.htm

Little Brothers www.littlebrothersmn.org/

Meet up Groups www.meetup.com/

VolunteerMatch www.volunteermatch.org/

Christians being persecuted in India (see photo’s)

Christians being persecuted in India (see photo’s)

See this link….

Here is a link to some pictures of persecuted Christians in India. Please put this somewhere in the Beacon of Hope area.
–
Aubri D Holler
Executive Director
Living Truth
http://www.livingtruth.us
Phone: 800-570-4203

—— Forwarded Message
From: Cheryl Durham
Reply-To: Cheryl Durham
Date: Thu, 9 Oct 2008 15:01:59 -0400
To:
Subject: Please embed this in the newsletter

This is Mary Ministry in India
Her brother ministers in Orissa, where there is rampant persecution of Christians. Please look at these pictures…this is who we are helping….won’t YOU please help us help them?
www.prayfororissachristians.blogspot.com

—— End of Forwarded Message

Proverbs 28

O’Bama Supports Gay Rights

O’bama Supports Gay Rights

As A Christian, Barack should know that God does not support gays and it’s a sin in both the new and the old testiments. (his support of LGBT rights is on his website, Obama Pride)

The Bible
What it says There are claims that the Bible does not really condemn homosexual behavior or that Jesus would not condemn this behavior. But let’s look at what the Bible actually says.

The Bible contains 9 specific references to homosexuality: 4 in the Old Testament (Genesis 19:1-25; Judges 19:22-30; Leviticus 18:22; and Leviticus 20:13) and 5 in the New Testament (Romans 1:24-28; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10; 1 Timothy 1:8-11; 2 Peter 2:6-10; and Jude 7). The passage in Romans, in particular is so clear that it seems to have been written by St. Paul in anticipation that people might challenge the idea that homosexual behavior is wrong (in case you don’t get it, let me make it perfectly clear!). In addition, there are numerous other passages that touch on this topic indirectly through comments on the biblical view of marriage and family, promiscuity, and sexual purity. Included in these references are Genesis 2:18-25; Proverbs 18:22; Mark 7:21, 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5; Romans 6:13, 13:13; 1 Corinthians 6:13, 18-19; Galatians 5:19-21; Colossians 3:5; Revelation 21:8, 22:15.

· Homosexual behavior is always discussed in the Bible as a serious sin. It is often discussed in the context of idolatry. In that context it is listed among other particularly heinous sins as examples of how depraved one can become when idolatry is present. Idolatry is a most serious offense against God, and its seriousness helps explain why homosexual behavior was a capital offense in the Old Testament. Historical Christian interpretation has consistently viewed homosexual behavior as sinful. The modern word sodomy even comes from the biblical account of Sodom and Gomorrah.

But it should be pointed out that what the Bible condemns is not personality traits such as feminine feelings on the part of a man (or masculine feelings on the part of a woman). It condemns the act of homosexual sex.

There are those who take some of the passages of Scripture above and attempt to show that they do not really mean to condemn homosexuality. But these arguments fall short, and upon investigation become an obvious ploy to distort the plain meaning of Scripture. As applies to other doctrines of the Bible, one must avoid trying to interpret Scripture in light of one’s proclivities, and instead, interpret one’s proclivities in light of Scripture. The Bible is the grid. It is wrong to overlay your own grid on the Bible.

Is the biblical view still valid? One view, that the law in Leviticus was intended for the ancient Hebrews and does not apply today, must be considered. The Old Testament condemns as evil many things that are commonly accepted in the modern world (eating pork, etc.). It is helpful to understand the difference between CIVIL or CEREMONIAL LAWS versus MORAL LAWS in the Bible. While civil or ceremonial laws can and do change from country to country, moral laws do not change because they are rooted in the nature of man. The New Testament repealed various Old Testament ceremonial Jewish laws (Acts 10:12-15, Colossians 2:11-16, Romans 14:17). But, the Bible is consistent throughout on moral law, which includes homosexual behavior.

What did Jesus say? No specific sermon or story that Jesus may have given about specific homosexual behavior is found in Scripture. But an argument from silence would be incorrect. The Bible does not record that Jesus ever mentioned rape, incest, pedophilia, or other blatant sins by name either. But just because Jesus does not mention them, does not imply that we should commit these offenses against God and each other. Jesus is very clear on the proper marriage relationship (Matthew 19:4-5). There can be no mistaking what Jesus taught in this regard. In this passage Jesus is reiterating what Moses taught (Genesis 2:24) about marriage and family. Anything contrary to this—any sexual relationship outside of a committed marriage relationship between one man and one woman—demeans the institution of marriage and is unbiblical.

Jesus was quite clear about his contempt for sexual immorality (Mark 7:21). Jesus’ teaching on moral issues in fact toughened and strengthened them, such as in Matthew 5:27-30 when he expanded our understanding of sexual sin to even lusting in our heart!

Jesus didn’t merely accept people as he found them—he turned people’s lives around. After his encounter with Jesus, the tax collector Zacchaeus pledged to pay back his debts fourfold (Luke 19). And Jesus made it clear to the adulteress in John 8 to leave her life of sin.

Further, Jesus specifically said that he did not come to abolish the law (Matthew 5:17). Jewish law was quite clear on homosexual behavior. To suggest that Jesus would have condoned homosexual behavior is twisting Scripture for political correctness.

The God of the Bible is not merely a God of love and forgiveness. God has characteristics of love AND justice (among others). Jesus, for example, warns about hell more than any other biblical figure! We must not underestimate the holiness of God, who demands right conduct—in fact, perfection (Matthew 5:48). For examples of the wrath and judgment of God, read: Genesis 2:17; 2 Kings 17:18; Psalm 74:1, 79:5, 90:11; Proverbs 10:16; Micah 7:9; Zephaniah 3:8; Matthew 5:29, 7:13, 25:46; Romans 1:32, 2:8, 6:23; Acts 3:19; 1 Corinthians 6:9; Galatians 6:7-8; Philippians 3:19; 2 Thessalonians 1:9; James 1:15; and Revelation 20:12-15.

There are those who suggest that God is merely a God of love and accepts people just as they are. Certainly that is incorrect. God does not accept us as we are. He demands repentance. We must not create a God to suit ourself. This is idolatry which is a violation of the Second Commandment.

http://www.faithfacts.org/christ-and-the-culture/gay-rights#bible

Has any other people heard the voice of God speaking out of fire, as you have, and lived?

Has any other people heard the voice of God speaking out of fire, as you have, and lived?

Having a voice – Scriptures with VOICE

Exodus 15:26
He said, “If you listen carefully to the voice of the LORD your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the LORD, who heals you.”
Exodus 15:25-27 (in Context) Exodus 15 (Whole Chapter)

We are to speak our voice the Lord says so.
Exodus 19:19
and the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder. Then Moses spoke and the voice of God answered him.
Exodus 19:18-20 (in Context) Exodus 19 (Whole Chapter)

Deuteronomy 4:33
Has any other people heard the voice of God speaking out of fire, as you have, and lived?
Deuteronomy 4:32-34 (in Context) Deuteronomy 4 (Whole Chapter)

Seeking Knowledge Scriptures with the word Knowledge
Exodus 31:3
and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts-
Exodus 31:2-4 (in Context) Exodus 31 (Whole Chapter)

2 Chronicles 1:12
therefore wisdom and knowledge will be given you. And I will also give you wealth, riches and honor, such as no king who was before you ever had and none after you will have.”
2 Chronicles 1:11-13 (in Context) 2 Chronicles 1 (Whole Chapter)

Proverbs 1:22

Listen to this passage

22 “How long will you simple ones [a] love your simple ways?
How long will mockers delight in mockery
and fools hate knowledge?

Footnotes:

Proverbs 1:22 The Hebrew word rendered simple in Proverbs generally denotes one without moral direction and inclined to evil.
Isaiah 11:9 (New International Version)
9 They will neither harm nor destroy
on all my holy mountain,
for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the LORD
as the waters cover the sea.

1 Corinthians 13:9-12 (New International Version)
9For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. 11When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. 12Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

Getting Facts Straight – Comments I received on Mac Hammond

I don’t want to sound or become negative about Mac Hammond , because I do like him. I was researching some information on him. Remember how he’s talked about his CargoCompany that he use to own / and or run before he became a minister / pastor?

I have one important question: if you are a pastor do you not have to pay taxes?

Well I read this for a fact in the Star & Tribune that his business had failed and that he owed the IRS $100,000 in back taxes. It didn’t say the reasoning for the back taxes but if you pay your taxes every year like you should , you should not owe the IRS anything.

I had a friend one time who told me they owed the IRS $13,000 in back taxes because of how he filled out his W2 form so that he wouldn’t have to pay taxes on his paycheck. Well it finally had caught up to him and they are automatically taking money out of his paycheck every time he get’s paid. Which leaves him with very little to work with.

And this was something of his own doing. The fact that Kenneth Copeland does not want to turn over financial records, really leaves me feeling bothered about the whole thing. Like I said I really do like Mac Hammond. So I don’t know what to think about the whole thing.

I do know that a letter was sent to the congregation. I don’t have a copy of the letter. So I don’t know what it says. Brian Sullivan was worried about the integrity of the investigation and I can see that.

Here are some excerpts from articles I’ve found:

http://www.startribune.com/local/north/15724587.html
States that Kenneth Copeland who is affiliated with Mac Hammond’s church states that he does not want to turn over financial records.

Here is an excerpt from the article read what he has to say :

Kenneth Copeland aggressively rejected the Senate Finance Committee request for records. “It’s not yours, it’s God’s, and you’re not going to get it — and that’s something I’ll go to prison over,” Copeland said at a meeting of prosperity ministers he sponsored in January.

Dealing with less prosperity, Mac Hammond’s church cuts back
Kenneth Copeland aggressively rejected the Senate Finance Committee request for records. … © 2008 Star Tribune. All rights reserved. …www.startribune.com/local/north/15724587.html – 76k
Dealing with less prosperity, Mac Hammond’s church cuts back

(my opinion) Yes – this could be a direct hit from the economy and has absolutely nothing to do with the investigation or it could.

This is not Hammond’s first brush with the IRS. After an air cargo company he owned failed in the 1980s, Hammond owed more than $100,000 in back taxes and interest, which he ultimately paid.

Hammond said in court documents in 1988 that, “We had no personal assets of any significance [in 1981], and still have none: we do not own a home, we do not have an investment/retirement/savings accounts.”

Hammond has since prospered. Last year, records show, his Destin homes were worth more than $3 million. He pays no taxes on his Plymouth home, and has a number of luxury vehicles and boats registered in his name.

Hammond has expressed disdain for the IRS, including an allegation in 1988 court files that “the IRS has conducted itself in a disgusting manner, with arrogant disregard for the moral, ethical and legal standards that no office of government should be above.”

A former board member of Hammond’s church, Robert Beale, was convicted this summer of tax fraud and fleeing to avoid prosecution. The church distanced itself from Beale after he was arrested, saying Hammond disagreed with Beale’s antitax philosophy.

Hammond’s church’s creed, often called the “prosperity Gospel,” says that following God’s word will lead not only to spiritual salvation but also earthly wealth.

“I think it’s important that I not be embarrassed about the increase the Lord does bring me,” Hammond said last year.

Jon Tevlin • 612-673-1702

http://www.startribune.com/27251534.html?page=3&c=y

Posted: Sep 18 2008, 08:41 AM by missjen92 | with 10 comment(s) | | [Edit Post]

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Comments
AmeriKan said:
missjen92….Let’s get the record straight here. The IRS is the overseer of all 501(c)(3) status and is grueling in their requirements. Kenneth Copeland Ministries turned over ALL records including the financial ones required by the IRS. After hundreds of pages of documents, much time, effort and money on behalf of KCM, they were given a clean slate of approval for their tax exempt status. Ever been audited by the IRS(?)…not pleasant!!

Grassley has ulterior motives in his arsenal and I do not blame some of the ministries for ignoring his superfluous and biased requests.

Blessings,

AmeriKan

# September 18, 2008 11:04 AM [Delete]
missjen92 said:
Who is Grassley

# September 18, 2008 1:24 PM [Delete]
AmeriKan said:
Oh my, missjen92…the Grassley issue has been all over the news for over 12 months. Sen Grassley is the Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee. After complaints by those like Ole Anthony and his Charismatic/WOF self-appointed police, Grassley called into question the finances of six well-known TV preachers. These six ministries are already governed by the IRS and I believe all six have met the IRS requirements for tax exempt status. Several of their IRS letters have been made public. Grassley is Baptist and takes exception with Charismatic/WOF teachings…this is not his decision to make as a Senator…only as a private individual. What Grassley has created has been a media circus resulting in the waste of time, manpower, and $$$ for these ministries to further satisfy his unfounded “concerns.”

Blessings,

AmeriKan

# September 18, 2008 1:49 PM [Delete]
missjen92 said:
I haven’t been following this investigation very closely so that is why I asked who he was. I don’t have all the details so that is why I am asking all of these questions. There has been some wrong doing that was done by a former board member.

But it’s good to know that they have been cleared.

Say, one more thing do you or anyone that you know have a copy of the letter that was sent to the congregation?

This is good news.

# September 18, 2008 4:04 PM [Delete]
slim said:
missjen92, I have found out it is best to be certain of your facts before you post. I have made the mistake of just taking things off the internet and posting on blogs and forums, sort of embarrassing, if you know what I mean.

I am not attempting to tell you what or how to blog, but rumors get started or are spread when we don’t check out our sources before hand and we can get in trouble.

In Love.

# September 18, 2008 7:28 PM [Delete]
CMW said:
This link will take you to the letter and all of the correspondence that Kenneth Copeland Ministries has had with everyone.

www.kcm.org/…/index.php

Please be very careful what you say about men of God such as Kenneth Copeland. Yes, he is human and can make mistakes but the Bible still says “touch not my annointed”. God will protect those He has called and I definitely wouldn’t want to get in the way of that. From what I understand of the situation, I see nothing wrong with how they have handled it and I stand by them 100%. KCM has brought life changing teachings into our family and for that we will be forever grateful!

CMW

# September 18, 2008 7:50 PM [Delete]
missjen92 said:
Guys…..All I am trying to do is get the facts.

God can’t punish me for doing that!! All I did was

post what was in the papers. Remember, I did not

write what was written in the papers. That was all

I did. I am not attacking anyone. I’m just

researching. And I have a right to do that. I am

not “persuing” an annointed one. I’m not going after

anyone who is annointed.

I am a Christian who feels that my faith is being

attacked by what is in the media. All I want are

facts.

I am trying to keep my faith strong by doing this

kind of research to keep my mind at ease.

# September 18, 2008 11:16 PM [Delete]
REDWRISTBAND said:
Another comment in love…Grace is not my strong suit.

First you state…Well I read this for a fact in the Star & Tribune. I would be hard pressed to accept as fact everything I read or hear from the MEDIA.

Yes Pastor Mac said he had back taxes and has paid them in full…owing no man. I have had back taxes, a long time ago as well, paid off end of story.

Kenneth Copeland is old news…over and done.

Why post this trash again, (trash my opinion) but to me Jon Tevlin is not fond of the Christian community at all. Read up on Jon Tevlin a little you will find an old post about him…if we assume is true… copying ie plagiarizing a fellow columnists article. That’s nasty is his line of work.

You are a member of Living Word??? In another post you state…I am a member of the church and I LOVE the church. I love the atmosphere and everything about it. I love the energy and especially the music. I just wanted to clear my conscious (spelling?) of Macof (sic) any wrong doing.

There were copies of the LETTER on the counter and there was a mailing how did you not get one? That part has me puzzled.

You also say…There has been some wrong doing that was done by a former board member. The church distanced itself from Beale after he was arrested, saying Hammond disagreed with Beale’s antitax philosophy….STAR TRIBUNE IS WRONG and you are re posting trash…..

The old board member is old alright like 10 years ago old. It is in the letter…over ten years has elapsed since Mr Beale resigned from the advisory board not the legal corporate board.

You know, bottom line, we can seek comfort and compassion we think we are doing the right thing and sometimes we need a kick in the rear to redirect us…my opinion….and I speak for myself as I find myself needing some readjusting more often than I like to admit.

But the devil would love for us to chase our tails all day instead of doing what God put us here to do.

This did bug me at first but God is bigger than any man or circumstance and if Pastor Mac or any other of the Men in question are wrong…bad…corrupt…God Himself will remove them…all I need to know…Thanks

# September 19, 2008 1:44 AM [Delete]
missjen92 said:
Thanks for the comment. But as I stated several times before. I am TRYING TO GET ALL THE FACTS STRAIGHT. I AM NOT TRYING TO PUT ANYONE DOWN. I DIDN’T NOT WRITE WHAT WAS IN THE PAPERS. THEY WROTE IT NOT ME.

YOU CAN NOT ACCUSE ME OF WHAT WAS WRITTEN IN THE PAPERS. I FEEL LIKE THAT IS WHAT YOU ARE TRYING TO DO. I HAVE MY OWN ISSUES IN LIFE THAT I AM TRYING TO DEAL WITH.

I FEEL LIKE YOU ARE ATTACKING ME NOW. FOR WHAT WAS SAID IN THE PAPERS. YOU CAN’T DO THAT. I’VE STATED A COUPLE OF TIMES NOW, THAT IT’S ALL RESEARCH. I’M TRYING TO PROVIDE MYSELF WITH KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING ON THE SUBJECT.

I AM NOT PUTTING MAC HAMMOND DOWN FOR ANYTHING. YES – I DID SEE HE ULTIMATELY PAID ALL THE MONEY BACK. GOOD FOR HIM.

YOU CAN’T GET UPSET WITH ME FOR THE THINGS THAT HAVE HAPPENED. THEY HAPPENED. I HAVE EVERY RIGHT TO RESEARCH AND DO FACT FINDING.

I HAVE EVERY RIGHT TO EXPRESS MYSELF ON MY OWN BLOG. I HAVE NOTHING AGAINST MAC HAMMOND OR KENNETH COPELAND AT ALL. I AM NOT GOING AFTER ANYONE AND ATTACKING ANYONE.

ALL I AM DOING IS FACT FINDING. PLEASE DO NOT ATTACK ME. I AM A CHRISTIAN AND FELLOW CHRISTIANS SHOULD NOT BE ATTACKING EACHOTHER ON A SUBJECT LIKE THIS.

WE ARE SUPPOSE TO FELLOWSHIP AND LOVE ONE ANOTHER NOT ATTACK ONE ANOTHER.

I AM NOT THE ONE TO BLAME OR PUT BLAME ON FOR THIS SITUATION.

DO NOT ATTACK ME. THESE ARE MY RIGHTS TO REARCH THESE THINGS.

DO NOT ATTACK ME. THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT YOU ARE DOING BY STATING “WELL THE LETTERS WERE ON THE COUNTER AT CHURCH.”

LIKE SAYING DUH, WHY DIDN’T YOU PICK ON UP STUPID????

DON’T DO THAT.

# September 19, 2008 9:49 AM [Delete]
AmeriKan said:
You both are right…to a degree. The facts are out there to be researched. But we must be careful where we get our “facts” because most local city newspapers do not get it right and it is often completely wrong. Other liberal sights including national media sites are totally biased. I often go directly to the “horse’s mouth” as in KCM’s site and get exactly what they have said and are doing on the issue.

And as was said, the local church also has good info on issues.

And, Cfaith, is also a good place to bone up on the issues with the info and resources we have. Either way, we love you, Missjen92 and keep up your diligence .

Blessings,

AmeriKan

Researching Mac Hammond – Not trying to cause controversy

Hello.

I would like to say that I have been searching articles, and asking questions because I knew that I did not have all the facts up front. I was trying to get the story straight. Because I didn’thave what I needed to firmly form an accurate opinion.

I know that in my heart that Mac Hammond is a good man. I know that Kenneth Copeland isa good man. When my Uncle Marshall started working in the ministry, he started working forKenneth Copeland in the early 1980’s.

So, I kind of have you say a personal connection with the church. I am not by any means tryingto put the church down. That’s not what I want to do. All I want to do is get my facts straight. That is why I pulled that information out of articles and posted the links to those articles so thatpeople could go back and reference them. It’s not my own information – it what was written in the
paper.

And that way it would look like I did not make this up. All the replies that I got have been very , very helpfull. I was just asking for some clarification on the whole subject of the investigation. And I am glad that they have both been cleared.

I am a member of the church and I LOVE the church. I love the atmosphere and everything about it. I love the energy and especially the music. I just wanted to clear my conscious (spelling?) of Macof any wrong doing.

That was my only intent was to get all the facts straight for myself.

Thanks again for helping me out.

MissJen

Plans of the Dilligent Jack Graham

September 18, 2008

The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty.

–Proverbs 21:5

Are you in financial bondage?

If you’re not sure, here’s what financial bondage looks like…

You charge daily expenditures for the lack of funds.
You put off paying a bill until next month.
You borrow money to pay fixed expenses such as your mortgage, insurance, or energy payment.
You are unaware of how much you owe your creditors.
You have creditors calling or writing you about past-due bills.
You take money from savings to pay your current bills.
You take out new loans to pay off old loans.
You and your spouse argue about money.
You consider being dishonest about your finances.
You find it difficult to tithe.
If any one of these markers describes your life today, I want to offer you a word of encouragement: There is a way to escape financial bondage!

Number one, you need to confront the problem. When you have a problem, you have to be willing to be honest about it.

Number two, you need to take decisive action. As our Scripture today says, you need to have a plan if you’re going to escape financial bondage. It’s not just going to take care of itself on its own! This will probably involve such things as reducing your spending, putting up or tearing up your credit cards, and budgeting your income.

The last way to escape financial bondage is to focus on what you can give–not on what you can get. In Luke 6:38, Jesus says, “Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”

If you find yourself in financial bondage, I encourage you… make the decision to free yourself today!

YOU WILL NEVER BE THE BLESSING AS GOD INTENDS AS LONG AS YOU ARE IN BONDAGE TO MONEY.

Five things to Consider when Reading the Bible

Five things to Consider when Reading the Bible
Rev. Dr. Cheryl A Durham
Above and Beyond Discipleship Ministries
www.livingtruth.us

Many people begin reading the Bible with the idea that it is simply a
timeless “how to” manual on the world’s major religions. This is
simply not so. The Bible is a story, and while it is ancient in its
history, it is a continuous story. It is God’s account of His creation
and intervention into the world He created from its inception until
His return; at which time He will fully redeem it from its lost
condition. It is not, however, an exposition on the subject of
religion as some who really have not read it claim that it is. As in
any story, it is important to know the “who, what, when, where, why,
and how’, to understand the point the author is making. This is also
true of the Bible. In order to understand what the Author “means’, we
cannot just make up what we think it means in our situation. Doing
that is revision, and can be way off base. By adding in elements that
were not available or relevant to the author’s experience, we change
the story significantly and therefore change the meaning. So here are
six things to consider to get a better understanding of God’s message
to us about His world.

1. Time- while there are elements of the Bible’s story that directly
relate to today, often we extract meaning from a text, as stated
above, that was not available to the author. One example of that in
our time is saying that abortion was an ancient practice in biblical
times, that was tolerated and considered normal. When you understand
what a life meant in Jewish history, the idea that people would throw
away something they saw as extremely valuable and coveted becomes
ridiculous. The time, or times, therefore is relevant to knowing what
kind of ideas were normative and understood at the time.

2. Place- tied to time, the place or setting of the story plays and
enormous part of what the author is talking about. For example, the
Middle East, has a completely different way of life than the West.
That being considered, an idea about family or the role of women,
cannot be extrapolated from one place to another without an
understanding of the meaning within the place it was written. Telling
western women to wear burqas to cover their heads is not appropriate
here unless one’s religion dictates that across cultural lines. It is
not so of Christianity.

3. Culture or “the ways things are done” is very important in how one
interprets scripture for today. Just as place and time, the culture of
a particular area is not universally true and cannot be picked up and
applied anywhere. Cultures, influenced by local activity and local
people, change constantly and are not universal.

4. Contextual Message- considering the three categories above, leads
one to look at the message of the text contextually. The author is
speaking to a particular people, in a particular time, within a
particular culture. Those three things clarify that particular
message. Once that message is clarified, one can look at the possible
correlations in today’s world. It is interesting to note that many
people with a progressive mindset, and who wish to dismiss the Bible,
will say there are no applications, but this is simply wrong. All
persons have common thoughts feelings and actions that even as seen
through another world, can apply today. Of course there are
fundamentalists on the other side of the coin who try to extrapolate
legalist rules in order to exact some kind of personal power out of
following those rules. That is also a bad reading of text. The
importance of the contextual message will lead to the final tip, the
relevant message for today.

5. Application- This is where I take what I have learned, by reading
the story within its natural limits and look at the common as well as
the uncommon aspects of the story. These details give me a fresh look
at my situation. They give me new ways to apply that message to my
life today. The reason that it gives me a fresh look is because of its
specific distance from my story. As cultures change, we forget what
happened in the past. We assume that people were always thinking like
us, and living in the same world. This is not so. As explained above,
cultural meaning changes from time to time and place to place. While
their ideas might be the same, they can be in reaction to something we
have not experienced. It could be that they based their conclusions on
different criterion. These five things can significantly enhance your
understanding of the Biblical story. It is not right to say that God
only wrote things that He wanted all people to do in all time and
space. There are cultural word pictures and ideas within Scripture,
that when taken out of context completely loses their rich and
wisdom-filled meaning. Don’t miss out, let the story tell itself,
don’t impose your ideas on the text and you just might enjoy it more.

You may reprint this article if you include the following; Rev. Dr.
Cheryl A. Durham, aka”Chaplydia”, Biblical Counselor, Speaker and
Discipleship Coach. www.abovenbeyonddiscipleship.net Living Truth and
it’s Soaring Success Over the summer months, Living Truth’s blogging
ministry has been working on a new approach for its readers by way of
reviews of significant books that pertain to the Christian worldview
and lifestyle. Living Truth has an account with Amazon to allow the
viewers of book reviews to buy the book right then, and there. In
addition, Chaplydia has been posting a commentary of the ways that God
works in everyday life, in order to assist those who seek to
understand the full power and wonder of His grace and character in
their own personal experiences.

Daily Word with Jack Graham

September 17, 2008

Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.

–Hebrews 12:1-3

Maybe you’ve experienced disappointment in your life lately. Possibly a challenge faces you just around the corner.

If so, how do you get up when you’re down? Look up! That’s what Nehemiah did when there was opposition to the rebuilding of the wall of Jerusalem.

Listen to his prayer in Nehemiah 4:4: “Hear, O our God, for we are despised. Turn back their taunt on their own heads and give them up to be plundered in a land where they are captives.”

Nehemiah didn’t waste time or divert from the task at hand dealing with all the criticism he received from those who opposed him rebuilding the wall. Instead of trying to handle it all on his own, you know what Nehemiah did? He went straight to the throne of God. Nehemiah recognized that God could do a better job of dealing with his enemies than he could, so he just gave it all to God!

The next time you’re down or discouraged, let me give you the best piece of advice that you could ever hear: Run to God! Cry out to Him! Now, how simple is that?

And yet, so often we try to figure everything out on our own. We try to fix things ourselves. And then we come to the end and we say, “Well, I guess it’s come to this; I guess I’m just going to pray now.”

Don’t make prayer your last chance… make it your first choice!

Somebody said if you look behind you, you’ll be defeated. If you look ahead of you, you’ll be distressed. If you look around you, you’ll be discouraged. But if you look above you, you will be determined.

As our verse for today says, when problems come, take them to the top! Go to the Lord and tell Him all about it. Look to Him to overcome the disappointments you face in life.

ARE YOU WORRIED? DISAPPOINTED? STRESSED?
TELL GOD ABOUT IT, AND HE WILL HELP YOU TODAY!

Daily Word With Jack Graham

 

September 15, 2008

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

–Proverbs 3:5-6

Do you think of yourself as a leader? If you think you could never lead anyone, let me remind you about Nehemiah in the Old Testament.

Nehemiah was one of the great leaders of the Bible. Yet he wasn’t a prophet. He wasn’t a priest. He wasn’t even a preacher!

Nehemiah described himself as a cupbearer to the king. He was just a guy who worked hard and had risen to some prominence in his day and time. Nehemiah was just a man, but he was a man who God raised up! 

There were some steps Nehemiah took that insured his success, steps that made him a very effective leader. They’re the same steps you can take as a follower of Christ to ensure you’re an effective leader in your sphere of influence as well.

Step number one is to pray fervently. We see this trait over and over again in the life of Nehemiah. He was a man of prayer. Real leaders understand that opportunity swings on the hinges of prayer.

Step number two is to proceed confidently and courageously. You accomplish this by living what today’s verse says: “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”

Step number three to being an effective leader is to plan wisely. Too often we have an idea or dream and we just blindly go for it rather than taking time to plan. But there’s a beautiful balance here. There’s the divine side of praying and then there’s the human side of planning. There is agonizing and then there is organizing. 

This is why Nehemiah was such a great leader. Because he not only prayed, he proceeded with confidence and trust in the Lord. And he not only proceeded with confidence and trust in the Lord, he planned effectively. 

These same steps, when applied to your life as a Christian, will help you become the effective leader God intends for you to be.

WHAT STEP DO YOU NEED TO TAKE TODAY TO BECOME THE LEADER GOD HAS CALLED YOU TO BE?