gifts of the holy spirit

Lets exercise the Gifts of the Holy Spirit...Ask God that he will mightily use us through these gifts for the Glory of HIS name!!!!!

Blesses Sunday to All!!!!!!!!!

featured website:www.insight.org

Insight For living
The bible-teaching ministry of Charles R. Swindoll

How to Begin a Relationship with God

by Insight for Living

The world is filled with competing theories about God, religion, and salvation. Alternate views of Jesus vie for our attention at every turn. Different paths to different gods market themselves in the ever-changing desert of ideas. Yet in the midst of this world of contradictory claims, Jesus Christ made a bold assertion: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me” (John 14:6).

In a confusing world filled with signs pointing us down different roads of philosophies and religions, can we be sure we’ve placed our feet on the right path? The answer to this question comes from the all-time bestselling book, translated into more languages and read by more people than any other book in human history. The Bible alone clearly marks the way of truth and salvation with four vital markers.

1.Our Spiritual Condition: Totally Depraved

The first marker is rather personal. One look in the mirror of Scripture, and our human condition becomes painfully clear:

There is none righteous, not even one;There is none who understands,There is none who seeks for God;All have turned aside, together they have become useless;There is none who does good,There is not even one. (Romans 3:10-12)

We are all sinners through and through—totally depraved, completely corrupt. Now, that doesn’t mean we’ve committed every atrocity known to humankind. We’re not as bad as we can be, just as bad off as we can be. Sin colors all our thoughts, motives, words, and actions.

You still don’t believe it? Look around. Everything in this broken world bears the smudge marks of our sinful nature. Despite our best efforts to create a paradise on earth, crime statistics continue to soar, divorce rates keep climbing, and families keep crumbling.

Something has gone terribly wrong in our society and in ourselves, something deadly. Contrary to how the world would repackage it, “me first” living doesn’t equal rugged individuality and freedom; it equals death. As Paul said in his letter to the Romans, “The wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23)—our emotional and physical death through sin’s destructiveness, and our spiritual death from God’s righteous judgment of our sin. This brings us to the second marker: God’s character.

2. God’s Character: Infinitely Holy

When he observed the condition of the world and the people in it, the wise King Solomon concluded, “Vanity of vanities, all is vanity” (Ecclesiastes 1:2; 12:8). The fact that we know things are not as they should be points us to a standard of goodness beyond ourselves. Our sense of injustice in life implies a perfect standard of justice. That standard and source is God Himself. And God’s standard of holiness contrasts starkly with our sinful condition.

Scripture says that “God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all” (1 John 1:5). He is absolutely holy, which creates a problem for us. If He is so pure, how can we who are so impure relate to Him?

Perhaps we could try being better people, try to tilt the balance in favor of our good deeds, or seek out wisdom and knowledge for self-improvement. Throughout history, people have attempted to live up to God’s standard by keeping the Ten Commandments or by living out their own code of ethics. Unfortunately, no one can come close to satisfying the demands of God’s law. Romans 3:20 says, “By the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight; for through the Law comes the knowledge of sin.”

3. Our Need: A Substitute

So here we are, sinners by nature, sinners by choice, trying to pull ourselves up by our own bootstraps and attain a relationship with our holy Creator. But every time we try, we fall flat on our faces. We can’t live a good enough life to make up for our sin, because God’s standard isn’t “good enough”—it’s perfection. And we can’t make amends for the offense our sin has created without dying for it.

Who can get us out of this mess?

If someone could live perfectly, honoring God’s law, and would bear sin’s death penalty for us—in our place—then we would be saved from our predicament. But is there such a person? Thankfully, yes!

Meet your substitute—Jesus Christ. He is the One who took death’s place for you!
[God] made [Jesus Christ] who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. (2 Corinthians 5:21)

4. God’s Provision: A Savior

God rescued us by sending His Son, Jesus, to die on the cross for our sins (1 John 4:9-10). Jesus was fully human and fully divine (John 1:1, 14), a truth that ensures His understanding of our weaknesses, His power to forgive, and His ability to bridge the gap between God and us (Romans 5:6-11). In short, we are “justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus” (Romans 3:24). Two words in this verse bear further explanation: justified and redemption.

Justification is God’s act of mercy, in which He declares believing sinners righteous, while they are still in their sinning state. Justification doesn’t mean that God makes us righteous so that we never sin again; rather, He declares us righteous—much like a judge pardons a guilty criminal. Because Jesus took our sin upon Himself and suffered our judgment on the cross, God forgives our debt and proclaims us PARDONED.

Redemption is Christ’s act of paying the price to release us from sin’s bondage. God sent His Son to bear His wrath for all of our sins—past, present, and future (Romans 3:24-26;2 Corinthians 5:21). In humble obedience, Christ willingly endured the shame of the cross for your sake (Mark 10:45; Romans 5:6-8; Philippians 2:8). Christ’s death satisfied God’s righteous demands. He no longer holds your sins against you, because His own Son paid the penalty for them. You are freed from the slave market of death, never to be a slave again!
Placing Your Faith in Christ

These four markers pointing us to the way of truth describe how God has provided a way to Himself through Jesus Christ. Since the price has been paid in full by God, we must respond to His free gift of eternal life in total faith and confidence in Him to save us. We must step forward into the relationship with God that He has prepared for us—not by doing good works or being a good person, but by coming to Him just as we are and accepting His justification and redemption by faith.

For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.(Ephesians 2:8-9)

We accept God’s gift of salvation simply by placing our faith in Christ alone for the forgiveness of our sins. Would you like to enter a relationship with your Creator by trusting in Christ as your Savior? If so, here’s a simple prayer you can use to express your faith:

Dear God,

I know that my sin has put a barrier between You and me. Thank You for sending Your Son, Jesus, to die in my place. I trust in Jesus alone to forgive my sins, and I accept His gift of eternal life. I ask Jesus to be my personal Savior and the Lord of my life. Thank You. In Jesus’s name,

amen.

If you’ve prayed this prayer or one like it and you wish to find out more about knowing God and His plan for you in the Bible, contact us at Insight for Living. You can contact a pastor on staff by calling 972-473-5097 or writing to the address below.
Of all the relationships you enjoy in this life, none can compare with a relationship with God through Jesus Christ, who loved us and gave Himself for us. That first step by faith onto the true path begins a personal and eternal relationship with God.
Pastoral Ministries DepartmentInsight for LivingPO Box 269000 Plano, Texas 75026-9000


Article Summary:This article presents a very clear explanation for why all people need a Savior and why Jesus Christ is the only one in all of history who can provide salvation. Finally, it offers the step of faith needed to begin a personal walk with God. If you haven’t taken that step, read this article today!
Keywords: Bible, religion, salvation, Jesus Christ, sin, depravity, law, judgment, Savior, pardon, faith

Qoutable qoutes

"If I had a thousand lives, I would give them all for the women of China".

Qoutable qoute

"Obedience to GOD in one's life is the most apt expression of Worship to Him".



by: janniever Tan

Qoutable qoutes

Expect Great Things from GOD,

Attempt Great Things For GOD

Whatever the Devil is Trying to Hit You With: Shake It Off !

Children of God, we must never allow the devil to get an upper hand on us. We must stand firm, steadfast in the faith, knowing for a fact that God is a good God and that He will meet our needs! If you're under attack right now, I believe this article will be of help to you. We start with Paul shaking off an attack of satan.

Paul Shakes Off An Attack of Satan

The Devil Tries to Kill Paul But Paul Shakes Him Off

Acts 28:3-6:

3.And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid them on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand. 4. And when the barbarians saw the venomous beast hang on his hand, they said among themselves, no doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he hath escaped the sea, yet vengeance suffereth not to live. 5. And he shook off the beast into the fire and felt no harm. 6. Howbeit they looked when he should have swollen, or fallen down dead suddenly: but after they had looked a great while, and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds, and said the he was a god.

In the above scriptures we find Paul gathering a bundle of sticks. After gathering the sticks Paul lays them on a fire. This is when a venomous snake comes out of the bundle and fastens onto his hand. Immediately Paul shakes the snake off into the fire and felt no harm. All those standing around thought Paul was going to die. But, much to their amazement, he didn’t. Instead, Paul shook the snake off into the fire and then went on about his business.

Has the devil come out of the woodwork and attacked you in some way? Is he trying to inject his poisonous venom into your life? Maybe he is trying to put depression on you. Maybe he’s attacked your marriage or finances. Perhaps he is trying to penetrate your body with sickness? The devil takes on many forms. He used a snake to attack Paul. He will even appear as an angel of light so stay sober and vigilant in your walk with the Lord. (1st Peter 5:8)

We have power over the devil so don’t allow him to put anything over on you. (Luke 10:19) If you’re under attack exercise your authority over him. Paul shook off the devil’s attack and you can too! So, whatever the devil is trying to do to you, rise up and shake it off.

Command Your Mountain To Be Removed

Another way of shaking off your problems is by commanding them to be removed from your life.

Mark 11:23 says,

For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.

The devil doesn’t want you to know that you have power to move mountains. He knows when you find that out his world will end. Well I am here to tell you that the devil’s world has come to an end. Jesus provided us with more than enough power to move mountains and defeat the devil. So whatever your problem is, you can move it out of your way.

If the devil has put a mountain in front of you, speak to that mountain. Call it by name. If it is debt, speak to your debt and command it to be removed. If it is sickness, speak to that sickness and tell it to be removed from your body. When you speak to your mountain don’t allow any doubt to come into your heart. Jesus is a man of His Word and He said we could move mountains so let’s get to it.

A Woman Moves a Mountain

I was told about a lady who wanted a mountain moved that was adjacent to her property. She didn’t own this property so she couldn’t do anything in the natural about the mountain being there. But in the spiritual realm she could do something about it. She started praying and speaking to the mountain everyday to be removed. She did this for some time. Then one day some men came with mountain moving equipment and started moving dirt. They leveled that mountain in a short time. She received what she wanted because she had mountain-moving faith and put it into action. The mountain was moved by the words of her mouth.

Would you like to level the devil and get him out of your way? Then speak to him and tell him to GO in the name of Jesus! Submit yourself to God then resist the devil and he will flee. (James 4:7)

If you want a mountain moved, speak to it!

Rise Up and Shake Off Your Problem!

Acts 3:1-9 tells us about a man who was crippled from birth. He had never been able to walk a day in his life. As he sat at the gate of the temple called Beautiful, begging alms, along came Peter and John. Peter said to him, silver and gold have I none but such as I have I give unto you, rise up and walk. Then Peter took him by the right hand and lifted him up. The man started leaping and praising God for his healing. This man, with the help of Peter (sometimes we need help from a brother or sister in the Lord) shook off the devil’s attack on his life.

Has the devil crippled you in some area of your life? Is he trying to keep you out of church and away from the work of God? Is he discouraging you with one trial right after the other? Making you think you’ll never be delivered. That you’ll never get to the place you need to be in Christ. Well, rise up and walk back to where you belong spiritually. Don’t allow the devil and the junk he conjures up to cripple you emotionally, financially, spiritually, or even physically for that matter. Rise up and walk by faith just as the lame man above. Rise up and shake off the attack of the devil!

Casting Down Imaginations

2nd Corinthians 10:5 tells us to cast down imaginations and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God and to bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.

This scripture instructs us to watch our thought life. If you’re going through something that is hard right now, the devil may try to use your imagination against you. If he does, cast down that imagination. Don’t allow him to fill your mind with negative thoughts about your situation. Instead, choose to think on good things. Philippians 4: 7 says, whatsoever things are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report. If there be any virtue, if there be any praise, think on these things. If we fill our minds with good thoughts there won’t be any room for the devil’s thoughts to get in.

Cast the devil out of your thought life. Shake him right out of your head! When a thought comes to your mind that you’re depressed, shake it off! If the devil is trying to clog your mind with fear, shake it off! If you’re sick and a thought comes to your mind that God won’t heal you. Shake it off! When you think you can’t go on. Shake it off and keep on walking by faith.

Hang On! God Will Bring Deliverance To You!

I don’t know what you’re going through at this time, but whatever it is God will bring deliverance to you. In the midst of all your trouble God is right there. He is ready, willing, and more than able to reach out and touch you. The devil will tell you that God doesn’t care. That He won’t heal you. That you’ll never be delivered from your present circumstances and that you’ll never receive any peace from the turmoil you’re in. These are all lies of the devil. God is a good God so don’t believe anything to the contrary. If you’re sick God will heal you. If you’re having a financial struggle God will meet that need. No matter the type of satanic attack you’re under, God cares and wants to help. Tell the devil to take a hike. Shake him off!

Until next time remember, I said it and you read it, right here at The Christian Online Magazine.

Copyright 2007 Darlene Osborne (ALL RIGHTS RESERVED)

By Darlene Osborne, Publisher

darlene@christianmagazine.org

http://sites.silaspartners.com/partner/Article_Display_Page/0,,PTID42281CHID147904CIID2381044,00.html

What is faith?

Faith is a Substance: A Spiritual Material
Hebrews 11:1, "Now faith is the substance of the things hoped for; the evidence of the things not seen."

Faith is the substance from which our prayer life should be assembled. According to the dictionary another word for substance is material. So faith is not just a substance, it’s actually the material of which our prayers are made.

Let’s say you were going to build a house. You would use the precise material (substance) that is needed to start the foundation before you even thought about the walls, windows, flooring etc.

So before we do anything else concerning our faith walk we need to make certain that our foundation is secure in Jesus. He is our Rock. Our faith should be grounded in Him because He is the Author and finisher of our faith. (See Hebrews 12:2, Matthew 7:24-25, and I Corinthians 10:4)

After we accept Jesus as Savior, He is the foundation on which we build our faith. If we don’t lay a solid foundation, however, anything else that we build on our foundation will not hold up. So we must be certain that the faith we have is truly of the Lord.

Remember; the only way to attain spiritual success is to use the precise spiritual material that is required. The spiritual material I am speaking of is faith, the faith that we obtain from God.
How do we obtain faith?

You may say you don’t have any faith. But God has already given to each of us the measure of faith. (See Romans 12:3) So stop saying you don’t have any faith because we all have faith.

In Luke 17:6 the apostles asked Jesus to increase their faith. By this they meant they wanted to have greater faith. But Jesus said, "If you had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you."

It only takes a small amount of faith to accomplish great things for the Lord. But first, you need to realize that the faith you already have needs to be feed regularly.
How do I feed my faith?

Faith is only attainable from God and through Gods’ Word
Romans 10:17, "So then Faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of God."

As I have already stated above God gives each of us a certain amount of faith. But let’s face it, He is not going to serve everything to us on a silver platter. We need to take the initiative and go to church to hear the preaching of God’s Word. Our faith depends on the Word.

What happens if I don’t go to church?

If you don’t go to church your faith will suffer. Pretty soon you will become discouraged and disheartened. You will get to where you won’t even want to go at all. But – the big thing is—and an important one—if you don’t hear the Word of God preached, your faith will starve, dry up and leave you stranded in a pool of disappointment or even worse, trouble. If you don’t go to church you will be allowing this to happen. The devil wants nothing more but to isolate you from other believers.

What Exactly is the Prayer of Faith?

This kind of faith not only will heal your body, but at the same time, forgive your sins.
James 5:15, "And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he has committed any sins, they shall be forgiven him."

This scripture is an interesting one in that, not only do the elders have the faith to heal if called upon, but the person being prayed for may also be forgiven if they have committed any sins. So, with one prayer one can be healed and forgiven.

Many people don’t realize that salvation is not only for the soul but also for the body. When we fully accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior we are no longer in bondage to sin or sickness. You may disagree with me on this, but I can’t find one single scripture in the Bible that states we are to remain sick after we become Children of God.

Lets take look at a couple of scriptures:

3rd John verse 2 says, "Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth."
St. Matthew 10:1, "And when He had called unto Him His twelve disciples, He gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease. "

Jesus gave His disciples power to cast out devils and to heal all manner of sickness.
If He didn’t want to heal Jesus would not have given them the power to heal.
Yes, the above scriptures make it clear. As our soul prospers day to day through reading and obeying Gods’ Word, so should our body and mind. Peradventure we do get sick, through the prayers of our brothers and sister, He will raise us up.
How Long Does It Take for Faith to Work?

Ask until you receive, seek until you find, knock until the door is opened.
Luke 11:9, "And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and it shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you."

When you first pray about something you may not see an answer to your prayer right away. But if you keep praying and relying on Gods’ Word you will reap if you faint not.
So no matter how bad the situation may seem, keep on asking, seeking and knocking until you have what you are asking God for. (See Matthew 7:7-8 and Mark 11:23)

Conclusion:

Yes, your prayers, if prayed in faith, will be answered if you don’t give up and quit the job. If you were building a natural house you wouldn’t give up until the last board was in place, so why would you want to give up on your prayers being answered? After all, it’s more important that your spiritual house is built with the utmost care than your natural house. And, through prayer, this is attainable.

Copyright 2000-2001 by Darlene Osborne (Revised Jan. 2008)