Monday, September 30, 2013

Meditate On This


Sep 30

Meditate On This

Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.  Romans 8:37More Than Conquerors Through Christ’s Love

The sun shines on every blade of grass in a field. But if you put a magnifying glass over one particular blade of grass, it will center the heat from the sun over that blade, and that blade of grass will burn.

My friend, that is what you must do with God’s love. Put a “magnifying glass” over your life and see God’s love being focused and concentrated on YOU. Hear Him call you His beloved, the one He sent His only Son to die for, the one who has His complete attention, favor and unconditional love.

When you personalize God’s love for you, when you live each day knowing and conscious that God loves you, you will be blazing with a supernatural ability to overcome every challenge in life. Indeed, the Bible tells us that we are “more than conquerors” through Jesus and His love for us!

 

Day 199

Joyce Meyer: Promises for Your Everyday Life - a Daily Devotional
Day 199 of 365Understanding Our Emotions 

I talk a lot about how we need to follow the Spirit, not our emotions. However, I find that a lot of people don't even understand how our emotions operate in the first place.

Emotions are in the realm of the soul. Our soul is the intangible area between our spirit, the place where God lives, and our physical body. It is made up of our mind, will and emotions, it tells us what we think, what we want and how we feel. Of these three areas of the soul, it's our feelings that get stirred up the fastest.

In other words, our God-given inner voice of insight and understanding become easily drowned out by the cries of our emotions.
The Bible says that this kind of fleshly life doesn't please God. This doesn't mean that God doesn't love us. What it does mean is that He is not satisfied with nor will He accept fleshly behavior.

However, once you understand how negative emotions work, you can combat them. Our souls may be strong, but our spirits can be stronger if we strengthen them. Get in the Word today, and give your spirit the strength to overcome your emotions.

Prayer Starter: God, I don't want to let my emotions overpower my spirit. As I spend time with You and read Your Word, give me the power I need to be led by the Spirit, not just how I feel.
Romans 8:8 NIV 8 Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.

Et The Hip-hop Preacher

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kW-8wOvxAss&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Day 9 Elisha A Tale of Ridiculous Faith

Elisha’s life seemed full of strange and ridiculous moments. One of the strangest comes in 2 Kings 6:1-7. In this passage we find a group of prophets cutting down trees with axes that will be used to build new homes. One of prophets loses his ax head into the water and he becomes upset because it was borrowed. Elisha responds by taking a stick and throwing it into the place in the water where the ax head fell. The ax head immediately floats back to the surface. When you first read this story, it may seem like there is no purpose to it, but there is much to learn from this story. God cares about what you’ve lost. No concern is too small to our God, even a lost ax head.

What have you lost? Have you lost a blessing, a relationship, peace, financial strength, your reputation, or something else? The good news is that God cares so much about whatever you’ve lost that He can help you recover what you’ve lost. God can help you find what you lost by beginning to look at where it fell. Go back to where you got off track and allow God to help put you back on track. You may need to stop something and start doing something different. Your ax head isn’t gone; it’s just where you left it. God can defy gravity to give it back to you. What have you lost that you need God to help you reclaim? How will you go about doing it?

2 Kings 6:1-7 NIV

The company of the prophets said to Elisha, “Look, the place where we meet with you is too small for us. Let us go to the Jordan, where each of us can get a pole; and let us build a place there for us to meet.” And he said, “Go.”   Then one of them said, “Won’t you please come with your servants?” “I will,” Elisha replied. And he went with them. They went to the Jordan and began to cut down trees. As one of them was cutting down a tree, the iron axhead fell into the water. “Oh no, my lord!” he cried out. “It was borrowed!”   The man of God asked, “Where did it fall?” When he showed him the place, Elisha cut a stick and threw it there, and made the iron float. “Lift it out,” he said. Then the man reached out his hand and took it.

Day 13 Undying commitment to stewardship

Give Yourself

The affection with which Paul writes to the Thessalonians is evident in his words. He compares himself and his fellow workers to a mother caring for small children and to have a father interacting with his own children, showing how much Paul and his colleagues were willing to give to nurture the Thessalonians' faith and serve them. Paul reminds the Thessalonians that he and his fellow workers supported themselves so that the Thessalonians would not be burdened. It seems that they had encouraged many of the people individually and coached them in their Christian walk.

If stewardship, in part, is about giving, we cannot deny that one of the greatest gifts we can give others is our time, energy, and affection. It is especially true for those who are 'the least of these' (Mt 25:40): children, the lonely, the sick and the hurting. It does not have to be highly planned or costly, but giving a few moments or a few hours in humble and simple ways can be invaluable to the one who receives it. And often the giver is enriched with more than he or she gives. Teacher and author Jill Briscoe tells how ministry benefits both the receiver and the giver.

Ministry is being a blessing. It's serving and giving and not counting the cost. It's what we who love Jesus are supposed to be doing all day, every day. Ministry is talking about Jesus, serving Jesus, being Jesus where people are in need of Jesus. Ministry is the most exciting, stretching thing in the world. It's an art - a spiritual art.

Ministry - helping the poor - happens all day every day and all night every night. Ministry goes on all over the world and on all seven continents. Old people and young people minister. Black people and white people. Wealthy people and poor people. Sick people and healthy people. Ministry is a full-time twenty-four hour thing. An 'I can't wait to get going in the morning' thing. An 'I don't have time to sleep' thing. An 'I can't believe I have the privilege of doing this' thing. It's a hard thing, a glorious thing, a stretch, a reach, a 'pulling you in every direction' thing. It is exhausting and exhilarating, an emptying of yourself and a 'filling up to overflowing' thing. Ministry is in the end an art of the Spirit - a spiritual art!

So ministry is for all of us - those of us who have grown up in the church and those of us who, like me, have come to Christ from the outside of 'Christianity everything.' So don't say, 'But I don't have any opportunity to minister. I have no training.' Ask God to show you the hundreds of opportunities that are right under your nose every day.

Sunday, September 29, 2013

Words of Wisdom

You can’t worry and worship at the same time. Praise Him and watch all of your cares disappear!
 
 
When God looks at you, He doesn't see you in your failures and shortcomings. He sees you in Jesus' perfection and loveliness!
My personal testimony:
Sometimes you will get knocked down lower than you've ever been so you can stand taller than you ever were...
Don't let negative past experiences hinder your progress.. Remember! only a fool trips on whats behind them
Most of the time what we think is our problem is not our problem. Our problem is really the way we respond to our problem.
 

Dating Rules

Dating Rules

Top 10: Timeless Dating RulesiStockphoto.com
"What is a date really, but a job interview that lasts all night? The only difference is that in not many job interviews is there a chance you'll wind up naked at the end of it."
- Jerry Seinfeld

Since long before recorded history began, men and women have been dating. There have been different customs for different cultures, different dating rules for different times and each of them have some anthropological fascination. Everyone has heard of "chivalry," so much so that the idea of chivalry being dead has become something of a cliche.

Although the most famous code of courtship behaviors, the idea of chivalry isn’t incredibly relevant (in its strictest interpretation) outside of Shakespearean times. There are now many different physical cultures, sub-communities and even the modern online culture, each with its own set of dating rules and etiquette intricacies that have grown organically from the peculiar forms and demands of each social environment.

The courtship ritual is one of the most defining cultural behaviors for any group, and it should be as it leads to the next generation after all. From casual dating to arranged marriages, the cultural norms surrounding dating are wildly different. With the ease of travel in the modern era, and the rise of many multi-cultural cities and societies around the world, we are seeing a great mixing or mashing together of innumerable practices, codes and beliefs surrounding what we tend to call "dating." For these and other reasons, there exist nearly 700,000 web pages addressing the topic. If there's one thing the world wants to know about, it’s how to procreate -- and the road to sex almost always leads through dating.

Dating Rules on AM

AskMen.com has weighed in heavily on your behalf to make sure you're aware of the dating rules that make men successful in the dating world. When should you call her, for how long should you talk, should you leave a voice mail? These are nerve-wracking questions that can leave a pit in your stomach if you're unprepared.

No worries, though: AskMen.com has you covered. What's the story with online dating? Is it a legitimate way to get the ball rolling? AskMen.com has you covered. We've even got a few agents behind the lines giving you the inside scoop on what women really think. From top 10 primers to in depth specific tutorials, AskMen.com has addressed the dating rules that will keep you in the game and out of the penalty box.

Read more: http://www.askmen.com/dating/keywords/dating-rules.html#ixzz2gKuFG6j8

Nine Things Men and Women Argue About Most

Free Time

Who on earth argues about the precious gift that is free time? Couples! She wants him to spend more time just hanging with her, while he really needs his bonding time with the guys. The best advice in this scenario is to find someone equally independent, and willing to compromise. And as far as this photo is concerned - maybe this girlfriend should have let her boyfriend go jogging alone!
 

Money Matters

Not surprisingly, both men and women confess to arguing about finances. Whether it’s who is spending too much or who may be a bit frugal, it’s an issue big enough to split some couples up. To merge or not to merge bank accounts? That is the question – and something to figure out (help us Suze Orman!).

Household Chores

“I’m a guy so I take out the garbage, and you do the laundry.” While some women are perfectly cool with this, others may love hauling out the trash (well...maybe that’s a stretch). The bottom line is not to assume that one gender will automatically take care of certain responsibilities. Talk it out together and figure out what is going to work best for both parties. The solution may just be a housekeeper!
 

Politics

You’re an Independent – and he’s a Republican. You respect Hillary Clinton, while he adores Sarah Palin. Can it work? Yes, we have seen that it can. Is it easy? Definitely not if your topic of frequent conversation is the differing political parties. It is important to respect another’s beliefs and not to force your own agenda. Unfortunately, many lose sight of this, and this is why politics made the list.
 

Sex

It’s a wonderful thing shared between two people, yet this subject can cause lots of turmoil. Some couples argue about whether to engage in sex before marriage. Some couples argue about different levels of desire. The most important thing? To stay true to yourself in this intimate arena.


Kids -- and Furbabies! 

Out of all the issues on this list, this may be the one that can get the most emotional. We all have certain ideas about how to raise our kids – and this can cause big-time conflict. If you are dating someone with children, it is probably best not to interject your opinion about how permissive or strict they should be, or what type of discipline works best. Our precious pets can also cause a bit of friction in a relationship – especially if someone has serious allergies!


Religion

Before you get too involved in any relationship, make sure you know where your partner stands in regards to their religion. Many of us are deeply committed to our beliefs, and this isn’t necessarily an area that’s easy to compromise on.


Jealousy

“I saw you looking at her!” “I don’t want you going to lunch with him.” This relationship killer is at the center of many, many squabbles. While many men and women have no reason to be jealous (and could be just controlling and insecure), there are boundary issues which every couple should clearly define together.


The Culprit of Most Arguments: Stress

Ever had an argument with your partner – only to forget how it even started? We are all multitasking to the max in this busy society, and many of us are stressed to our limits. Sometimes this seeps into our relationships, and we take it out on one another. Being self-aware of when you reach that point can help to cut down on any stress-induced bickering. Just breathe and think twice – before you make any snarky comments. What do you and your partner argue about most? How did you resolve it?

 


The Twelve New Rules of Dating

Times have changed — and so have the rules regarding the biggest game of your life!

No More 'Waiting Game'

It's done. Dead. Over. Yes, we have now officially declared it ... no more waiting "three days" after a date to contact your new love interest. We never liked that silly rule, anyways. If you had an amazing first date, text them the next day and let them know...


Be Familiar with Modern Modes of Communication

Speaking of texting, if you don't do it, you might want to learn ... fast. Especially if you are returning to the dating scene after a long haitus. Smartphones can make your romantic life a little easier and a lot more fun. And your dates are going to text you. If you don't like it, let them know.

Be Careful What You Share Online...

Or at least be very aware of what you share online - especially in the social media arena. If you decide to show off the pics from a wild night on your Facebook page, remember that your potential dates might have access! Your friends know that you are an upstanding citizen, but a first impression by a stranger could lead to some wrong assumptions. Avoiding any "inebriated" tweeting is also highly recommended!
 
 

Ethnic Barriers Matter Less Than Ever

In the past ethnic differences often meant other significant differences as well - differences in faith, geography, and cultural preferences. It is now more and more common for individuals to share these socio-economic institutions, independent of their ethnicity. The ethnicity of who you date is still an important personal preference, but it is less a fundamental of compatibility.


Your Past is Always Present

Prepare to be Googled. Your dates are digging around in your past before they even shake your hand. If you were arrested 20 years ago at a protest, be prepared to talk about it. If your jazz group has a review in the local paper, your date may be humming one of your tunes. If your past is less than savory, be prepared to explain why you’ve changed.


Play Coy at Your Own Risk

People are busier than ever, and they have more opportunities to reach out to dating prospects than ever. This means if you like someone, you better let them know. The days of sitting around and pretending that you don’t really care in the hopes that your disdain will drive your suitor crazy are OVER.


Gender Roles are Negotiable

Sometimes the woman wants to pay for a night out -- and sometimes it's the guy who stays home to raise the children. This means your old fashioned dating rules will have to be a little more flexible nowadays... and that is a wonderful thing. Embrace it!


40 is the New 30

It's not just Jennifer Aniston and Demi Moore who look amazing and decades younger than they actually are. We are all living longer these days, and in many cases aging alot more gracefully. Maybe it's time to reconsider -- and widen -- your dating age parameters.


Marriage is No Longer Always the Goal

The "old maid" stigma is long gone. Some couples are opting to have families, live together and share a life without tying the knot. Marriage is a beautiful thing, but a long-term, satisfying relationship equals happiness -- and a perfect fit for many.

Do Not Assume Exclusivity

This may not be a brand "new rule," but it is important enough that it made the cut. In this modern landscape of romance, there are more people multi-dating than ever. If you have been seeing a special someone for a few months and are assuming that they are only seeing you - it is a really good idea to check. Communicate your expectations and hopes and get on the same dating page.

The World is Smaller Than Ever

Thanks to technology, we can all communicate more effectively than ever. You can have nearly- real conversations via things like Skype (great for long distance relationships) ...


The Best Rule of All – Charm Matters More Than Ever

In a fast, casual, abbreviated world charm, grace, etiquette and consideration count more than ever. In times past, when manners and social graces were more common, it was assumed you would present a natural charm. But in the age of Tweets, a phone call makes a man seem like Sir Walter Raleigh. Make a point of holding to the best parts of the past - thank you notes, phone calls, thoughtful surprises, and other affectations of a gentler age.





10 Tips for Getting your Christian Life Back on Track

SERIES, PART 1

There are times in our Christian lives when we may feel uninspired, unfulfilled, and incomplete. Perhaps we've lost our joy and enthusiasm for the cause of Christ. Perhaps priorities are out of focus.

If this describes you, then it's time to get your Christian life "back to the basics."

Here are 10 simple steps you can take to help get your life back on the right path...




Tip #1: Re-establish your relationship with God and Christ

It's very possible to be a "religious person" but not have a real "relationship" with your Heavenly Father.

Such was the case with the Pharisees of Jesus' day, and I'm convinced is also the case with many modern Christians (John 5:42).

They may go to church, attend Bible studies, and be very religious—and still may not have truly developed a relationship with God and Christ. Obviously, there isn't a more important relationship you can develop than this one! Everything in your Christian life hinges on this, including your very eternal future (Romans 8:15; Jeremiah 30:21-22).

The Bible says: "Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you." (James 4:8)

God desires to be near you, but the relationship must be mutual. It's also important to know that you must put God first to have a proper relationship with Him. Jesus said:
The most important [commandment] is this: `Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.'
(Mark 12:29-30)
So, step #1 is to draw near to God. Re-commit yourself to God and Christ. Fully—with "all your heart, soul, mind, and body." 100%. Anything less is not enough.

Truly be willing to do WHATEVER He asks of you in the Bible. If it says it, do it. Let no one or nothing keep you from it (Matthew 7:21; 28-18-20).

If you do this, you're going to make it.



Tip #2: Commit to everyday Bible reading and/or listening

We communicate to God in prayer, but God communicates to us through His word, the Bible.

And all of it is important. Jesus said:
Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.
(Matthew 4:4)
Did you catch the phrase "every word?"

Failure to understand this will result in spiritual disaster (as you'll hopefully soon see).

Trying to live your spiritual life without daily ingesting of God's word is like trying to live your physical life without eating enough food. What happens? You gradually become weaker and weaker until death occurs.

Spiritual weakness is almost always accompanied by a lack of reliance on the Bible. Remember, if your faith is weakening, increased faith comes through the word of Christ in the Bible (Romans 10:17).

If you sincerely ask God for stronger faith, He will give it to you (Matthew 7:7).

Personally, I recommend that you find an accurate, readable translation, and then determine to read the Bible each day (Acts 17:11). Or, if you prefer listening to the Bible, purchase some Bible CDs in a good easy-to-listen-to translation (older translations are difficult to understand, and many old English words have changed in meaning).

If you commit yourself to this as a life-long habit, your faith will grow, as will your perspective on life.



Tip #3: Commit to everyday prayer

Bible reading is how God speaks to us. Prayer is how we speak to God.

The Bible commands Christians to "pray continually" (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Daniel, one of the greatest men of the Old Testament, prayed to God three times a day (Daniel 6:10).

And when you pray, don't be repetitive, like the Pharisees of Jesus' day were (Matthew 6:5-15). Be sincere in your requests. Pray from the heart.

Find a peaceful place to pray and have a meaningful prayer to God.

Tip #4: Be spiritually minded!

This is another crucial step—one that's often ignored by many Christian people today. But the results of ignoring it are spiritually fatal.

The Bible is clear: We must be spiritually minded. But what does it mean to be "spiritually minded?"

Being spiritually minded doesn't mean merely staying busy doing church-related things. Nor does it mean simply having interesting, unspiritually related Bible discussions (for example, examining history as it relates to Bible prophecy).

True "spiritual mindedness" obviously means having a mind that is focused on spiritual things. The Bible states:
Those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh—but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. The mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace.
(Romans 8:5-6)

Therefore, if you have been raised with Christ, keep seeking the things from above—where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.
(Col 3:1,2)
Of course, we talk about what we think about. If you have a spiritual mind, that's what you're going to be talking about to your family, fellow Christians, and friends. Jesus said [speaking at first to the Pharisees]:
You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him.
(Matthew 12:34-35)
The Bible also indicates (Proverbs 1:2) that we will be "blessed" if our "delight is in the law of the LORD, and on His law [we] meditate day and night."

It's always been puzzling to me to attend a worship assembly, and then discover—time after time—that no one seemed interested in discussing what was taught—or had anything else from the Bible they wanted to discuss. Or, attending church dinners and not a spiritual comment is ever made. Or, calling Christians together for entertainment and having everyone turn out, but calling them for a Bible study and hardly anyone shows up. These are disturbing signs of a congregation that is unspiritually-minded. In other words, a church that may have truth but not the spirit.

Spiritually minded people love to share things about the spirit. It's part of their nature. I believe it is impossible for true Christians to not speak of things of the spirit frequently, especially when they are around others of like mind.

So, meditate about God's words, plant them in your heart, and speak about them. They will be your salvation (James 1:21; Romans 2:15; 2 Corinthians 3:2).



Tip #5: Make sure your worship experiences are meaningful

When we attend worship, it's important to have our minds focused, and that we are "into the worship"—in spite of occasional distractions of children or those around us. It's also important that our families are maintaining an atmosphere where others can worship without distraction, especially if we have young, untrained children. (By the way, churches described in the Bible did not have "day care centers"—instead, they trained their children to be obedient—see Ephesians 6:1-2, among many other possible verses.)

The Bible is clear...true worship MUST be in spirit (i.e., being in the right spirit or attitude)—not just in truth (i.e., according to the teachings of God). Jesus said:
God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth. (John 4:24)
I believe many churches today are worshiping perhaps in spirit, but not in truth.

And, more commonly among Bible-believing churches: many may be worshiping in truth, but not in spirit (which technically IS NOT in truth). In other words, they may feel they are "Bible believing," but they are not "Bible practicing."

Many modern members do not appear to have their minds and thoughts and speech focused on things that are from above, where Christ sits on the right hand of God. Such Christians need to re-evaluate their commitment to Christ.

So, worship in the right spirit. The Bible says:
So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my mind. (1 Corinthians 14:15)
One final note about worship. Some have developed the tradition of entering the place of assembly, sitting down, and evidently "meditating" or reading the Bible—not realizing God has specifically commanded us to greet and spiritually encourage one another.

This is a classic example of how another tradition has supplanted the actual, plainly spoken will of God.

Obviously, the worship part of the assembly begins at the appointed time. Prior to, and after that time, we should be busy "encouraging and building one another up" in our spiritual families.



Tip #6: Be a person of love

Many modern Christian people have developed cold, judgmental, and even harsh attitudes about the world around them. They don't appear to have much love and compassion for others (John 5:24).

While it's true that we should not be naive, and that sometimes "tough love" is necessary (Jude 23)—at the end of the day, we must never forget that we must be people of love (1 Corinthians 13).

So, let's resolve to be compassionate, patient, and helpful toward those around us. Not only will we be living as Christ directed, our examples to the world will be more like it should be.

Love certainly doesn't replace the other commandments of God, but it's the greatest of all Christian characteristics.

Therefore it's impossible to lack proper love and still be a true Christian (1 Corinthians 13:13). 



Tip #7: Don't compromise with error

As incredible as it sounds, believers can sometimes find themselves defending the need to defend truth. While most matters of life are "compromisable" and we should certainly seek to live at peace with everyone, truth can never be compromised. Truth is a foundational principle of God's will—it will indeed "set you free." And just as Christ adhered strictly to truth, so must His people. Doing so, sadly, will put us at odds with others.

Many people apparently confuse love with tolerance (1 Corinthians 5).

And tolerance these days implies "acceptance." So, they learn to accept the corrupt lives of those around them in society, simply because it's politically or religiously correct to do so.

These same casual attitudes often also reflect themselves in their view of false Christian religions. They learn to develop tolerant attitudes toward those God has strictly warned us about. Due to these attitudes, they may eventually even find themselves part of and in support of those religions.

However, the Bible has repeatedly warned us about the danger of false prophets and teachers, who are numerous in our world today. For example: 1 John 4:1; 2 Peter 2:1-2; Matthew 7:15-16; 24:11-12; 2 Timothy 4:1-4; Acts 20:29-30; Matthew 15:14; 1 Timothy 1:3-4; 6:20-21; 2 Corinthians 11:13-15; Philippians 3:2-3—and many others.

As you can see, time after time the Bible warns Christians to be on serious guard against CHRISTIAN false prophets. Yet so few today seem to be aware of them—and usually because they ignored tip #2 above. The Bible says:

Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
(1 John 4:1)
If a Christian takes these warnings lightly, and begins to compromise with anti-Biblical practices and teachings, it will be impossible for that person to have a proper relationship with Christ.

Some Christians become discouraged because their conservative churches are cold, inactive, and unspiritual. Consequently, they seek out liberal Christian religions that clearly are unBiblical in both teaching and practice.

If your congregation worships in truth, but lacks the spirit, find out how you can have both. It makes no sense to worship God in spirit without the truth either. Remember (see above), both are REQUIRED to do God's will (John 4:24).

Don't make the mistake of throwing out the baby with the bathwater.

And one more VERY IMPORTANT matter. To find truth, you must obviously be open-minded. But please don't be so "open-minded" that your brain falls out.



Tip #8: Don't let church traditions discourage you from your quest for truth

Many modern churches worship according to the Bible—except they've developed traditions that sometimes become more important than what's best for Christ and His church.

Over the years, I've discovered several common church teachings and practices that are really based on "men's traditions" rather than on God's word. Traditional Christians will often pressure others to follow their traditions (Colossians 2:16), even when those traditions have become burdens that hamper the cause of Christ—or even directly disobey Biblical teachings (which they often do—Matthew 15:1-9). Jesus said:
They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men." (Matthew 15:9)
Regardless of others' pressure on you, continue to remember that if it's not in the Bible, it's not in the Bible. The Bible is our guide, not men or women.

Conversely, if it IS in the Bible, do it! Everything there was put there because it belonged there.

Don't be like many modern liberal Christian religions that have decided to ignore plain Biblical teachings in order to attract larger audiences. Determine to obey all of it, because that's the will of Christ (Matthew 28:18-20).

Being in the minority because you're doing the right thing is nothing new. The Bible is full of examples of people who had to do that to please God—and they were greatly rewarded for doing so.



Tip #9: Find a work of Christ you can "throw yourself into"

God is Spirit, but He put you in a physical world. One reason is that He wants you to serve Him in this physical world, with your physical body.

So, evaluate your talents and find a cause you can pour yourself into. Remember, God does not want Christians to be complacent, but zealous for Christ's cause—above all other causes (Romans 12:11).

Therefore, find a cause of the church that matches your talents, and then busy yourself with it. And thereby you will start laying up treasure in heaven.



Tip #10: Stay in close touch with other spiritually minded true Christians

Isolation is the last phase of spiritual death. Just as the lion seeks to devour those on the fringes of the herd—the weak and young—so satan desires those who are on the fringes of the church and have become weak and isolated. The Bible states:
Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. (1 Peter 5:8)
So, get in touch and stay in touch with other spiritually minded Christians, and seek to continually grow in Christ. Early Christians met very frequently. The Bible states:
Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts.
(Acts 4:26)
Your very soul, and those of your family, may depend on your dedication to this and the other points of this article.

Apply yourself to them, and watch your Christian life begin to blossom again.

Day 7 Elisha: A Tale Of Ridiculous Faith

2 Kings 4:38-44 


38 Elisha came back to Gilgal during a famine in the land. The sons of the prophets were sitting before him, and he said to his servant, Set on the big pot and cook pottage for the sons of the prophets.
39 Then one went into the field to gather herbs and gathered from a wild vine his lap full of wild gourds, and returned and cut them up into the pot of pottage, for they were unknown to them.
40 So they poured it out for the men to eat. But as they ate of the pottage, they cried out, O man of God, there is death in the pot! And they could not eat it.
41 But he said, Bring meal [as a symbol of God's healing power]. And he cast it into the pot and said, Pour it out for the people that they may eat. Then there was no harm in the pot.
42 [At another time] a man from Baal-shalisha came and brought the man of God bread of the firstfruits, twenty loaves of barley, and fresh ears of grain [in the husk] in his sack. And Elisha said, Give to the men that they may eat.
43 His servant said, How am I to set [only] this before a hundred [hungry] men? He said, Give to the men that they may eat. For thus says the Lord: They shall be fed and have some left.
44 So he set it before them, and they ate and left some, as the Lord had said.

Devotional

In 2 Kings 4:38-44, Elisha continues to work miracles that are similar to Jesus’ miracles. In the first miracle, Elisha cures the poison in a stew that was made for the prophets. The second miracle consists of Elisha multiplying 20 loaves of barley bread so that it became more than enough to feed 100 men. These miracles are another example of God using Elisha to meet the needs of others. Chances are you’ve had some “poisoned stew” in your life that God has brought healing to. Maybe it was something physical or something internal within your heart or in your mind. Maybe you have something poisonous in your life right now that you can’t remove on your own and it can only be removed by the power of God. Just like He did with something simple like stew, God can remove any and all poison out of your life and make you new and healthy once again. What poison has God healed your life from? What poison might you need God to heal out of your life right now?
 

Undying Commitment: A 14-day Study in Stewardship Day 11

Acts 17:22-34 

22 So Paul, standing in the center of the Areopagus [Mars Hill meeting place], said: Men of Athens, I perceive in every way [on every hand and with every turn I make] that you are most religious or very reverent to demons.
23 For as I passed along and carefully observed your objects of worship, I came also upon an altar with this inscription, To the unknown god. Now what you are already worshiping as unknown, this I set forth to you.
24 The God Who produced and formed the world and all things in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in handmade shrines.
25 Neither is He served by human hands, as though He lacked anything, for it is He Himself Who gives life and breath and all things to all [people]. [Isa. 42:5.]
26 And He made from one [common origin, one source, one blood] all nations of men to settle on the face of the earth, having definitely determined [their] allotted periods of time and the fixed boundaries of their habitation (their settlements, lands, and abodes),
27 So that they should seek God, in the hope that they might feel after Him and find Him, although He is not far from each one of us.
28 For in Him we live and move and have our being; as even some of your [own] poets have said, For we are also His offspring.
29 Since then we are God's offspring, we ought not to suppose that Deity (the Godhead) is like gold or silver or stone, [of the nature of] a representation by human art and imagination, or anything constructed or invented.
30 Such [former] ages of ignorance God, it is true, ignored and allowed to pass unnoticed; but now He charges all people everywhere to repent (to change their minds for the better and heartily to amend their ways, with abhorrence of their past sins),
31 Because He has fixed a day when He will judge the world righteously (justly) by a Man Whom He has destined and appointed for that task, and He has made this credible and given conviction and assurance and evidence to everyone by raising Him from the dead. [Ps. 9:8; 96:13; 98:9.]
32 Now when they had heard [that there had been] a resurrection from the dead, some scoffed; but others said, We will hear you again about this matter.
33 So Paul went out from among them.
34 But some men were on his side and joined him and believed (became Christians); among them were Dionysius, a judge of the Areopagus, and a woman named Damaris, and some others with them.
 

Devotional

Lord of All
Paul begins his famous speech about the unknown God by proclaiming that God made the world and therefore is the Lord of his creation. Acknowledging that God is the originator of all things is the beginning of lifestyle stewardship, declares pastor and author Ray Stedman (1917-1992).
What is [Paul] saying here? First, that God is the Maker and not the one who was made. God was not created by man; he is the One who makes man and everything else that exists in all the universe. He is the originator of all things.
We have not moved very far from ancient idolatry. In the ancient world, they took a piece of gold or silver or wood and carved or formed an idol, thus worshiping the works of men's hands. Today we don't use images, but we still see men worshiping themselves, projected to infinite proportions. Man simply thinks of himself, projects this into infinity, and worships that. That is his god. That is exactly what idolatry [is]. Paul points out that this is not in line with reality. God is not the projection of man; God is greater than man. God originated man. Everything that exists came from his hands. He is the Maker, and not the made.
Second, God is the giver, and does not have any needs himself. 'The God who made the world and everything in it [is the Lord of heaven and earth! He is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else].' God is not looking for anything from man, as idolatry and paganism taught. Men had to bring gifts to the gods, they had to do things for their gods, to propitiate them and sacrifice them, and bring them all kinds of things.
Although the idols of today may look a bit different, people today surely still have them. Stedman continues:
Do not think that we are free from idolatry, for if a god is that which is the most important thing in your life, that to which you give your time and effort and energy, that which occupies the primary place of importance to you, the thing you live for, then men have many gods even today. Money is a god for some. Fame is a god to others. Your children can be your gods. You yourself can be your own god; you can worship yourself! These are the false gods that people everywhere worship. They make continual demands upon us. They do nothing for us, but we must work for them.
Paul cancels all this out. He says the real God is one who gives, who pours out. He does not need anything from you.
 

Day 11 Pursuit Of His Presence

Ephesians 2:4-10 


4 But God–so rich is He in His mercy! Because of and in order to satisfy the great and wonderful and intense love with which He loved us,
5 Even when we were dead (slain) by [our own] shortcomings and trespasses, He made us alive together in fellowship and in union with Christ; [He gave us the very life of Christ Himself, the same new life with which He quickened Him, for] it is by grace (His favor and mercy which you did not deserve) that you are saved (delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ's salvation).
6 And He raised us up together with Him and made us sit down together [giving us joint seating with Him] in the heavenly sphere [by virtue of our being] in Christ Jesus (the Messiah, the Anointed One).
7 He did this that He might clearly demonstrate through the ages to come the immeasurable (limitless, surpassing) riches of His free grace (His unmerited favor) in [His] kindness and goodness of heart toward us in Christ Jesus.
8 For it is by free grace (God's unmerited favor) that you are saved (delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ's salvation) through [your] faith. And this [salvation] is not of yourselves [of your own doing, it came not through your own striving], but it is the gift of God;
9 Not because of works [not the fulfillment of the Law's demands], lest any man should boast. [It is not the result of what anyone can possibly do, so no one can pride himself in it or take glory to himself.]
10 For we are God's [own] handiwork (His workmanship), recreated in Christ Jesus, [born anew] that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us [taking paths which He prepared ahead of time], that we should walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live].
 

Devotional

The Household of Faith

by Kenneth Copeland

“As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.” Galatians 6:10
According to Galatians 6:10, if you are born again, you are a member of the household of faith.
“But, Brother Copeland, I just don’t think I have any faith.”
You have to! You couldn’t possibly be of the household of faith unless you had faith! And you can’t be born again and not have faith. Settle it right now in your mind and your heart that God has given you His faith. He hasn’t shortchanged you. He has put in you enough faith to blast through every mountain that gets in your way.
He expects you to use it, and He will develop it to the point where it can keep your body healed and your family prosperous and blessed. He expects you to use it to get your kinfolk saved and obtain every other promise given you in the Word of God.
If you haven’t had much success in those areas, it isn’t because you don’t have enough faith. It’s because what you have has never developed. You’ve been lying around on your sofa, eating spiritual junk food and watching videos all day. So when the devil kicked your door in and announced he was taking over your household by bringing sickness and calamity to it, you didn’t have enough strength to stop him.
But don’t let that discourage you. Come over to God’s gym with the rest of us and start working out. Start studying your Bible, listening to tapes, fellowshiping with the Lord and exercising your faith until you’re a spiritual Schwarzenegger.
Then, the next time the devil comes bursting through your door, you can stand up, flex those faith muscles and say, “Stop, thief! You’re not taking over this household. It belongs to me and don’t you touch one thing in it. I’ll cut you up one side and down the other with the Word of God. Now, get out and don’t let me see your ugly face on this block again!”
Now that’s what I call acting like who you are...a member of the household of faith!
Speak the Word
“My heavenly Father provides me with the measure of faith and I am determined to build my faith by meditating on His Word.” —Romans 12:3
Need prayer? Call 817-852-6000. We’re here for you, 24/7!
 

Elisha: A Tale Of Ridiculous Faith Day 6

8 One day Elisha went on to Shunem, where a rich and influential woman lived, who insisted on his eating a meal. Afterward, whenever he passed by, he stopped there for a meal.
9 And she said to her husband, Behold now, I perceive that this is a holy man of God who passes by continually.
10 Let us make a small chamber on the [housetop] and put there for him a bed, a table, a chair, and a lamp. Then whenever he comes to us, he can go [up the outside stairs and rest] here.
11 One day he came and turned into the chamber and lay there.
12 And he said to Gehazi his servant, Call this Shunammite. When he had called her, she stood before him.
13 And he said to Gehazi, Say now to her, You have been most painstakingly and reverently concerned for us; what is to be done for you? Would you like to be spoken for to the king or to the commander of the army? She answered, I dwell among my own people [they are sufficient].
14 Later Elisha said, What then is to be done for her? Gehazi answered, She has no child and her husband is old.
15 He said, Call her. [Gehazi] called her, and she stood in the doorway.
16 Elisha said, At this season when the time comes round, you shall embrace a son. She said, No, my lord, you man of God, do not lie to your handmaid.
17 But the woman conceived and bore a son at that season the following year, as Elisha had said to her.
18 When the child had grown, he went out one day to his father with the reapers.
19 But he said to his father, My head, my head! The man said to his servant, Carry him to his mother.
20 And when he was brought to his mother, he sat on her knees till noon, and then died.
21 And she went up and laid him on the bed of the man of God, and shut the door upon him and went out.
22 And she called to her husband and said, Send me one of the servants and one of the donkeys, that I may go quickly to the man of God and come back again.
23 And he said, Why go to him today? It is neither the New Moon nor the Sabbath. And she said, It will be all right.
24 Then she saddled the donkey and said to her servant, Ride fast; do not slacken your pace for me unless I tell you.
25 So she set out and came to the man of God at Mount Carmel. When the man of God saw her afar off, he said to Gehazi his servant, Behold, yonder is that Shunammite.
26 Run to meet her and say, Is it well with you? Well with your husband? Well with the child? And she answered, It is well.
27 When she came to the mountain to the man of God, she clung to his feet. Gehazi came to thrust her away, but the man of God said, Let her alone, for her soul is bitter and vexed within her, and the Lord has hid it from me and has not told me.
28 Then she said, Did I desire a son of my lord? Did I not say, Do not deceive me?
29 Then he said to Gehazi, Gird up your loins and take my staff in your hand and go lay my staff on the face of the child. If you meet any man, do not salute him. If he salutes you, do not answer him.
30 The mother of the child said, As the Lord lives and as my soul lives, I will not leave you. And he arose and followed her.
31 Gehazi passed on before them and laid the staff on the child's face, but the boy neither spoke nor heard. So he went back to meet Elisha and said to him, The child has not awakened.
32 When Elisha arrived in the house, the child was dead and laid upon his bed.
33 So he went in, shut the door on the two of them, and prayed to the Lord.
34 He went up and lay on the child, put his mouth on his mouth, his eyes on his eyes, and his hands on his hands. And as he stretched himself on him and embraced him, the child's flesh became warm.
35 Then he returned and walked in the house to and fro and went up again and stretched himself upon him. And the child sneezed seven times, and then opened his eyes.
36 Then [Elisha] called Gehazi and said, Call this Shunammite. So he called her. And when she came, he said, Take up your son.
37 She came and fell at his feet, bowing herself to the ground. Then she took up her son and went out.

Devotional

Throughout the life of Elisha, we see that many of the miracles he performed are almost identical to Jesus’ miracles. In 2 Kings 4:8-37, Elisha performs one of these similar miracles in the healing of Shunammmite woman’s son. When Elisha first encounters the woman he is so overwhelmed by her kindness and hospitality that he decides to reward her with what he thought she wanted most, a child. God gives the woman a child, but years later the son dies and the woman asks for Elisha’s help in bringing him back to life. There are two things interesting about this passage. The first is the ridiculous way Elisha attempts to resurrect the son by laying on top of him mouth-to-mouth, eyes-to-eyes, and hands-to-hands. The second is the fact Elisha’s efforts to resurrect the son were not successful the first time.
How many times have you found yourself in Elisha’s position? You are asking God to do something and know He can do it, but it doesn’t happen the first time you ask. It may take days, months, or even years. Don’t give up when you aren’t successful the first time. Keep praying. Keep seeking God. He will answer your prayer in the way and time that is best for you. Don’t lose heart and keep praying. What’s one thing you have been asking God for but He has yet to answer? What can you do to ensure you don’t give up in asking and seeking God through prayer for this thing?

Mark 4:10-20

10 And as soon as He was alone, those who were around Him, with the Twelve [apostles], began to ask Him about the parables.
11 And He said to them, To you has been entrusted the mystery of the kingdom of God [that is, the secret counsels of God which are hidden from the ungodly]; but for those outside [of our circle] everything becomes a parable,
12 In order that they may [indeed] look and look but not see and perceive, and may hear and hear but not grasp and comprehend, lest haply they should turn again, and it [their willful rejection of the truth] should be forgiven them. [Isa. 6:9, 10; Matt. 13:13-15.]
13 And He said to them, Do you not discern and understand this parable? How then is it possible for you to discern and understand all the parables?
14 The sower sows the Word.
15 The ones along the path are those who have the Word sown [in their hearts], but when they hear, Satan comes at once and [by force] takes away the message which is sown in them.
16 And in the same way the ones sown upon stony ground are those who, when they hear the Word, at once receive and accept and welcome it with joy;
17 And they have no real root in themselves, and so they endure for a little while; then when trouble or persecution arises on account of the Word, they immediately are offended (become displeased, indignant, resentful) and they stumble and fall away.
18 And the ones sown among the thorns are others who hear the Word;
19 Then the cares and anxieties of the world and distractions of the age, and the pleasure and delight and false glamour and deceitfulness of riches, and the craving and passionate desire for other things creep in and choke and suffocate the Word, and it becomes fruitless.
20 And those sown on the good (well-adapted) soil are the ones who hear the Word and receive and accept and welcome it and bear fruit–some thirty times as much as was sown, some sixty times as much, and some [even] a hundred times as much.
 

Devotional

The Fruitful Steward

Fruitfulness is a vital facet of Christian stewardship. The parable of the sower is about fruitfulness, but traditional interpretations have been more about working than about fruit. Author Robert Farrar Capon makes this point with a close study of the parable in The Parables of the Kingdom.
The Sower is God the Father, not Jesus. What Jesus turns out to be - since he is the Word [see Jn 1:1-18] - is the seed sown. But note what that in turn means. It means that one the plain terms of the parable, Jesus has already, and literally, been sown everywhere in the world - and quite without a single bit of earthly cooperation of even consent.
Capon explains that the way the Word (Jesus) works is with catholicity - the seed is scattered throughout all times and throughout the world; the kingdom of the Word is at work 'everywhere, always, and for all.' It also works with mystery - like seed that disappears into the earth, there is an element of hiddenness of the Word, which [Martin] Luther said can neither be known nor felt, but only believed, trusted. It works with actuality - that the seed's life is contained within it (it was a common idea at that time that the seeds grew without help). 'The seed, and therefore the Word, is fully in action! Everything necessary for its perfect work is in the works from the start.' Finally, the Word works in the midst of hostility; just as seed eaten by birds still gets spread around, the Word's work, despite whatever efforts have been made by Satan or the world to stop him, has been done. Capon continues:
True enough, and fittingly enough, the most obvious point in the whole parable is that the fullest enjoyment of the fruitfulness of the Word is available only to those who interfere with it least! Those on the good ground, he says, are those who simply hear the Word, accept it, and bear fruit; some thirty, some sixty, and some a hundredfold. It's not that they do anything you see; rather, it's that they don't do things that get in the Word's way.
The receptiveness with which we accept the Word, the extent to which we remain in the vine (see Jn 15:1-17), the extent to which we allow the Holy Spirit to produce fruit in us (see Gal 5:22-23) - these are our responsibility. Capon says that
The biggest difference made by responses to the Word is the difference they make to us, for us, and in us. They decide not whether the Word will achieve his purposes but whether we will enjoy his achievement - or find ourselves in opposition to it! For a plant, the failure to bear fruit is not a punishment visited on it by the seed, but an unhappy declination on the plant's part from what the seed had in mind for it. It is a missing of its own fullness, its own maturity - even, in some deep sense of its own life.
As you read through today's passage, try to reflect upon the ways you are bearing fruit.
 

Day 12 Pursuit of His Presence

 Psalm 103:1-12 

1 BLESS (AFFECTIONATELY, gratefully praise) the Lord, O my soul; and all that is [deepest] within me, bless His holy name!
2 Bless (affectionately, gratefully praise) the Lord, O my soul, and forget not [one of] all His benefits–
3 Who forgives [every one of] all your iniquities, Who heals [each one of] all your diseases,
4 Who redeems your life from the pit and corruption, Who beautifies, dignifies, and crowns you with loving-kindness and tender mercy;
5 Who satisfies your mouth [your necessity and desire at your personal age and situation] with good so that your youth, renewed, is like the eagle's [strong, overcoming, soaring]! [Isa. 40:31.]
6 The Lord executes righteousness and justice [not for me only, but] for all who are oppressed.
7 He made known His ways [of righteousness and justice] to Moses, His acts to the children of Israel.
8 The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and plenteous in mercy and loving-kindness. [James 5:11.]
9 He will not always chide or be contending, neither will He keep His anger forever or hold a grudge.
10 He has not dealt with us after our sins nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.
11 For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great are His mercy and loving-kindness toward those who reverently and worshipfully fear Him.
12 As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.

Devotional

Don’t Just Open the Door—Take It Off the Hinges

by Gloria Copeland

“We have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand....” Romans 5:2
When people came to Jesus and asked, “What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent” (John 6:28-29). All through the Old Testament, every mighty exploit that was done, every time the mercy of God flooded into a situation, every time a miracle was performed, someone had to have faith. Someone had to believe God enough to act on His Word and open the door.
That’s what happened to me the day I was born again. I read that scripture in Matthew 6:26 that God cares for the birds of the air, and faith came into my heart. I didn’t know anything about the new birth, yet when I spoke that faith out, I opened the door just a crack and God’s mercy flooded my heart and changed it forever.
The same thing is true today. However wide you open that door of faith is how much of God’s mercy and goodness will flow into your life. He’ll fill up every inch you’ll give Him.
I’m telling you, He’s ready. He is eagerly yearning to bless you. He is hovering over you in mercy. He has an ocean full of salvation benefits and He’s longing to pour them out on you.
When I say salvation, I’m not just talking about a ticket to heaven. Salvation denotes deliverance. From what? Oppression, poverty, sickness, danger, fear—anything from which you need to be delivered!
Salvation also means “soundness, protection, liberty, health and restoration.” Glory to God!
Psalm 68:19 says God daily loads us with benefits of salvation. When you wake up in the morning, you ought to start the day thanking God for the salvation that’s going to happen to you today. You ought to start by opening the door of faith. And don’t just open it a crack—take it off the hinges!
Say, “Lord, here I am. Pour it on me!”
That’s what Ken and I did. We didn’t just ease into this. Once we heard it, we jumped into it with both feet. And we’ve never stopped!
Speak the Word
“I have access by faith into the grace of God.” —Romans 5:2
Need prayer? Call 817-852-6000. We’re here for you, 24/7!

Mali suicide bomber killed in accidental fireball

A suicide bomber was killed instantly when he accidentally detonated his explosives belt in the Malian rebel bastion of Kidal on Sunday, without killing or wounding anyone else, a local government official told AFP.
The incident came after militants carried out two attacks in northern Mali in less than 72 hours, marking an upsurge in violence since the breakdown of peace talks between the government and rebel groups on Thursday.
"The bomber was wearing his belt. He did something wrong, the belt exploded, and he was killed on the spot, before he could go on to commit a terrorist attack in the city," an official in the Kidal governor's office said.
"There was a big explosion that blew up part of the building the bomber was in."
An African military source said the explosion went off in a disused warehouse of the UN World Food Programme near the Kidal governor's official residence, currently occupied by Tuareg separatist rebels.
"I believe that the bomber came from outside the city. He came discreetly," he said, without elaborating.
The incident came after four suicide bombers blew up their car at an army barracks in Timbuktu on Saturday, killing two civilians and wounding six soldiers, and two days after two men threw hand-grenades at Malian troops, wounding two soldiers in Kidal.
Mali has suffered a series of attacks claimed by Islamist insurgents since France launched a military operation in January against Al-Qaeda-linked groups occupying the north of the country.
But no Islamist group has claimed any of the latest attacks, which followed the suspension of peace talks on Thursday between the government and Tuareg and Arab rebels who want autonomy for northern Mali.
The government urged Malians to remain calm after Saturday's attack, saying security was being enhanced across the country.
"The multiplication of these attacks shows that the war against terrorism is not over and that the security situation remains fragile throughout the Sahel-Saharan region," it said in a statement.
The National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad (MNLA) took control of Kidal in February after the French-led military operation ousted Al-Qaeda-linked fighters who had piggybacked on the latest Tuareg rebellion to seize most of northern Mali.
The Malian authorities reclaimed the city after signing a ceasefire deal with the MNLA but the situation has remained tense.

Suicide bombers attack Mali's Timbuktu

The bombers let off explosives on Saturday in a car in front of army camp in the desert city of Timbuktu.

Last Modified: 29 Sep 2013 08:22
 
Four suicide bombers have blown themselves up at an army barracks in northern Mali, killing two civilians in an upsurge in violence against the military since the failure of peace talks with rebel groups.
The bombers let off explosives on Saturday in a car in front of an army camp in the desert city of Timbuktu, also wounding six soldiers, the government said, just 24 hours after troops in the rebel bastion of Kidal were hurt in a grenade attack.
"This cowardly attack resulted in the death of six people, including two civilians and four fighters who were killed on the spot. The explosion resulted in extensive damage," the government said in a written statement, according to AFP news agency.
Witnesses said the suicide bombers detonated their vehicle near the Malian army camp in Timbuktu, killing both occupants of the vehicle and two passers-by.
"The city was shaken by a loud explosion followed by the crackling of machine-gun fire," Fatoumata Cisse, whose house is near the military camp said by telephone.
An African military source from the United Nations' MINUSMA peacekeeping mission confirmed the attack, the first suicide bombing in the mainly Tuareg and Arab northern fabled caravan town since March.
Small-scale attacks
Mali has been the target of a series of attacks claimed by fighters since France launched a military operation in January against al-Qaeda-linked groups occupying the north of the country.
The French-led operation forced the fighters from the cities they seized in the chaotic aftermath of a military coup that overthrew Mali's government in March 2012.
Residual groups of these fighters are no longer able to carry out coordinated assaults, but are still capable of regular small-scale attacks, mainly against Malian and French soldiers.
On March 21, a suicide bomber blew up a car near the Timbuktu airport at the start of an overnight assault on the city, killing a Malian soldier.
Saturday's attack came a day after two men threw hand-grenades at Malian troops in the ethnic-Tuareg northern town of Kidal, wounding two soldiers.
The incidents follow the suspension of peace talks on Thursday between Tuareg and Arab rebels who want autonomy for northern Mali and the government.
The government urged Malians to remain calm, saying security was being enhanced across the country.
 

Former Chilean Intelligence Chief Commits Suicide

SANTIAGO, Chile — A former director of a Pinochet-era intelligence agency killed himself on Saturday, officials said, days after the government announced that it would close the exclusive military prison where he was being held for human rights crimes and transfer the inmates to a less privileged detention center.
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The former intelligence chief, Gen. Odlanier Mena, 87, shot himself at home, officials said, where he had been allowed to spend weekends since mid-2011. At that time, he had completed half of a six-year sentence for the 1973 murder of three leftists while he was commander of an army regiment in Arica, in northern Chile. General Mena, who retired from the army, was director of the National Information Center intelligence agency from 1977 to 1980.
The Cordillera Detention Center in eastern Santiago, where General Mena had been serving his sentence, was set up on the grounds of the army’s telecommunications command center in 2004. At the time, the Supreme Court was abandoning its practice of applying a 1978 amnesty law in human rights cases, and the government feared that Punta Peuco, a special military prison created in 1995 to hold human rights offenders, would not suffice.
General Mena’s lawyer, Jorge Balmaceda, blamed the recent government decision for his client’s suicide. “In the last letter he sent me he expressed concern for the eventual transfer, which would cause him serious moral, physical and psychological harm,” Mr. Balmaceda said in an interview with TVN, the Chilean national television station.
On Thursday, after news reports about the preferential treatment of the Cordillera inmates prompted a public outcry, President Sebastián Piñera announced that he would close the prison and transfer the 10 inmates there to Punta Peuco, on the outskirts of the capital, Santiago.
The president’s decision came after a televised interview with Gen. Manuel Contreras, former director of Gen. Augusto Pinochet’s National Intelligence Directorate, which was responsible for systematic human rights violations in the first few years of General Pinochet’s military dictatorship. In the interview with CNN Chile on Sept. 10, one day before the 40th anniversary of the coup that toppled President Salvador Allende, General Contreras denied that the directorate had been responsible for any torture or crimes and expressed no remorse. He was also imprisoned at Cordillera, serving a sentence of nearly 360 years for multiple murders and disappearances.
The Cordillera inmates, who range in age from 68 to 86 and include top commanders of the National Intelligence Directorate, lived in five cabins — each with a private bathroom — on grounds that include a tennis court, according to a court report on a visit to the prison last Monday. They were assisted by nutritionists, kinesiologists, doctors, psychologists, social workers and a physical education professor, the report said.
Despite the suicide, the government announced Saturday that it would go ahead with the transfer, and the nine remaining inmates were taken to Punta Peuco overnight.

Day 198

Settle the Dispute To be successful in accomplishing God's will for our lives, we must have determination. One definition of determine is 'to settle a dispute by an authoritative decision or a pronouncement.' This definition encourages me because I make 'pronouncements' often as a way of building my determination in certain areas. Sometimes the best way to overcome the temptation to give up is to say to yourself: 'Oh, no you don't! Stop your whining and straighten up right this minute!' Galatians 5:17 tells us that the flesh and the spirit don't get along. Remember, the definition of determine carries the idea of settling a dispute. This is important because if you are going to commit to anything, you will have to settle the never-ending dispute between your flesh and your spirit. You may not always want to make the effort to be determined, but don't give up or you'll be outside of God's will. Find the discipline today to make 'pronouncements,' encouraging yourself to stay determined and settle the dispute between your spirit and flesh as you follow God's plan. Prayer Starter: Holy Spirit, I want to settle the dispute between my flesh and spirit, and I can't do it without determination. Strengthen me and give me the right pronouncements to ensure that I never give up. Galatians 5:17 Galatians 5:17 NIV 17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want.

Meditate On This

29 Sep Meditate On

And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.” Matthew 8:20
Meditate On His Love I find what Jesus said in Matthew 8:20 so beautiful. Let me tell you why. In the original Greek text, the word “lay” is a very unique Greek word, klino. It is seldom used in the New Testament. The only other place it is used in terms of Jesus resting His head is at the cross. When Jesus hung on the cross and cried, “It is finished,” the Bible says that “He bowed His head, and gave up the ghost” (John 19:30, KJV). The word “bowed” here is the same Greek word klino. My friend, it was only at the cross that the Son of Man finally found a place to rest His head. Jesus found His rest in redeeming you, in saving you. He found His rest in loving you. So beloved, feed on Jesus’ love for you. Listen to sermons or sing songs about His love for you. You will be surprised at how strong it will make you. You will become more than a conqueror, not through your love for Him, but through Him who loves you (Romans 8:37)!  

Thursday, September 26, 2013

September 26,2013


Words of Wisdom

Please remember... God's word will NEVER return void! In other words, What God told u would ALWAYS hold value! What does God's word say? He says that you're fearfully & wonderfully made! He's says that you're the head & not the tail... Above & not beneath... A lender not a borrower! He says that all things work together for the good to them who love him & r called according to his purpose! & so much more... So, I challenge u today... Use the word of God in EVERY situation & see God's glory in action!!!! I love u all... Enjoy your day!
 
God, please meet me today where I need you the most! Amen.
 
 
The Word of God will give birth to your destiny and your dream! Search His Word!!!
In our trials, God is making blessings available for us that we didn't even ask for. Stop trying to abort the journey! - Pastor Jackie McCullough #ARestoredGeneration
Christ's love is deeper than anything you have known. Give Him the chance to come in your heart and heal your pain!
 
You’ll never have more than you can handle!! It might be tough, but you’ll find your way through it! #TheologyThursday