Abraham

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HIS NAME — WONDERFUL!..

His Name shall be called Wonderful." So spoke the Old Testament seer, Isaiah, as he looked down the long corridor of the centuries and envisioned the entrance of the Son of God upon the stage of world events. Through the ages there have been many wonderful men, men whose personalities and exploits have fired the world with admiration, but the prophetic finder pointed past them all and singled out the Man Christ Jesus. "His Name shall be called Wonderful." It is not only that He is wonderful but that is His Name.
  The strange paradox which Isaiah predicted was that He whose Name is Wonderful would have no appeal to the average man. They would see "no beauty in Him that [they] should desire Him." but by divine revelation His beauty and glory has dawned upon many hearts and brought them as worshippers to his feet.
  His Name is wonderful because of the Person He is; the everlasting God the one and only Potentate; the Creator and Upholder of all things; coequal with the Father; Jehovah the Saviour; without beginning of years or end of days. Yet the contemplation of those divine attributes cannot tell us all the story of the One whose name is Wonderful. The person who knows Him only as a supreme Being will never catch Isaiah's vision of Him. Isaiah spoke of this One who, being the eternal Potentate, was making a descent from those heights of glory and majesty down to the world which His hands had made.
  Unto us a child is born; unto us a son is given (Isa. 9:6).
THE WONDER OF HIS BIRTH
It is when we first get a glimpse by faith of this blessed Person becoming God incarnate', that the wonder of it dawns upon us. His coining had been foretold by inspired prophets tor centuries. Moses had told us what race He would come. Isaiah predicted He would be born of a virgin. Micah told exactly where He would be born in Bethlehem of Judea. Daniel gave us a prophetic clock upon whose face we should read the time of His coming. These things alone serve to set this wonderful Person apart from all others that were ever born into this world. 
As we contemplate the wonder of His birth, in our minds we stand on the darkened hills of Judea, and see a bright star in the heavens. It was His star, travelling across the dark bosom of night to direct the wise men to His birthplace. This is no errant planet wandering by some accident of nature from its appointed path. This was a star set in the heavens, its course planned from creation's birth. Its pace was set by divine accuracy, that it might fulfil its unhurried journey through trackless space to arrive with utmost precision in the eastern sky the very moment these wise men cast their inquiring gaze
heavenward. Its journey of many centuries brought it directly over the humble dwelling where the Christ child lay.
Nor was the star alone in its miraculous mission; while the shepherds were standing among their sheep on the hillside, the angels were proclaiming, "Glory to God in the highest, on earth peace, good will toward men." The shepherds went to Bethlehem and "saw this thing which had come to pass."
  Never was a baby born like this. The host of heaven was filled with the wonder, yet only a few wise men and shepherds were stirred enough to witness the spectacle. There was no room for Him in the inn. This Babe must be born in the little town of Bethlehem, not in the metropolis of Jerusalem, not wrapped in royal linen or costly garments, but in swaddling clothes and laid in a feeding trough.
  Can this be He to whom Isaiah pointed, saying, "His Name shall be called Wonderful"? Yes, this is He! Had He come like a prince to be born in the palace of the Herods, with royal acclamation and great fanfare, hailed by earth's grand and great ones, then His Name would not have been wonderful. But He who "thought it not robbery to be equal with God...made Himself of no reputation and became in the likeness of men". 
  That is wonderful!

THE WONDER OF HIS LIFE
See Him as He grows up. He is a carpenter's boy and his earthly parents arc poor and humble people. He' works as a carpenter also. Think of this One who made the worlds, working with patience and grace for twenty years as a humble carpenter. How the zeal of the Lord must have burned within Him during those long years, yet Ho never was in a hurry. Why should He be? Was He not the First and the Last always?
  Our imagination staggers as we think what it must have been to have a plowshaft or a yoke made by His skillful hand. He would be a master craftsman. His yokes would not bruise the shoulders of the oxen. I wonder if He did not nave this in mind when He said. Take my yoke upon you and learn of Me,, My yoke is easy and my burden is light.
  Thirty years He waited in the obscurity of his is native village, unknown and unobserved until He stepped into the public eye. Beginning in Nazareth where He was brought up. He presented himself in the synagogue to the wonderment of the rabbis who handed Him the sacred scroll. He went about doing good and healing all that were oppressed. He opened blind eves. He delivered the demon- possessed. 
  He raised the crippled. He spoke peace to troubled hearts. The rich and the poor, the Jew and the Gentile, all received blessing from His hand.
How would His people receive such a Visitor to this vale of tears? In Nazareth, they sought to stone Him. In Jerusalem, they tried to cast Him over the brow of the city's hill. The Pharisees spurned Him; the Sadducees mocked Him. Multitudes thronged Him to eat of the bread He gave, and then deserted Him when they were filled. He was hated, cursed, spat upon, mocked, slapped in the face, scourged with a whip. Throngs in the street put their tongues out at Him, drunkards sang their obscene ditties about Him. Children were pushed away when they drew close to His side.
  He was dragged to the Sanhedrin and given a mock trial. A thief and murderer was preferred before Him. A purple robe of mockery was put on Him. A crown of thorns was driven into His head and a heavy cross was laid upon His bleeding shoulders as the bloodthirsty mob led Him up Calvary's hill. "There they crucified Him, and two oth-
ers with Him" What was His response to such hatred and violence against Him He prayed for them, "Father, forgive them; they know not what they do!" Wonderful indeed is He!
  THE WONDER OF HIS DEATH
  Having then suffered ignominy and shame at the hands of ruthless men. He became their sin-bearer, and for three long hours the judgment of a holy God against sin fell on His blessed head. The sun hid its face in abject shame, and the world was plunged into great darkness—a darkness that bespeaks the anguish of the silent Sufferer's soul.
Then, when it seemed as if the blackness of the pit itself had finally enveloped the world 
in eternal night, the voice of the Crucified was heard from the deep darkness, crying, "It 
is finished!" His voice echoed throughout creation's vault and shook the universe to its 
core. Then the Prince of life died. "His Name shall be called Wonderful." In His birth; in 
His life; in His death," His Name is wonderful!
THE WONDER OF HIS RESURRECTION
  Three days and nights pass by and the body of Jesus lay silent in Joseph's new tomb. Then, as the dark shadows of night give way to the rising sun, Mary of Magdala kept lonely and sorrowful vigil in the garden. Suddenly He broke the silence of the tomb and came forth, triumphant from the grave. His Name is wonderful!

  THE WONDER OF HIS COMING AGAIN
  After forty days He ascended the heavens. There he sits today, on the right hand of the majesty on high. Soon His saints will hear His voice for He will "descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and the trump of God". The dead in Christ will spring forth from the dust of the tomb, the living shall be changed, and caught up together to meet I HIM in the air. Shortly after. He will come forth in power and great glory with His saints to reign, "and every eye shall see Him, and they that pierced Him shall wail because of Him." 
  The gladness of His magnificent kingdom will bring peace and joy to this sad earth. Then Isaiah's prophecy will be fulfilled to the letter. "His Name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, the Mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace, there shall be no end" (Isa. 9:6-7)."Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other Name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved" (Acts 4:12). 
Tom Eastwood

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JESUS North American

            This classic film portrays 3½ years of Jesus' ministry as told in the Gospel of Luke from the Good News and King James translations of the Bible. Producer John Heyman created a film so true-to-life, you will feel like you are in first-century Palestine. Everything from clothing, to customs, to food of the country during that time period was studied to ensure authenticity. With a cast of more than 5,000 Israelis and Arabs, "JESUS" was filmed on location in Israel.

 

Click to Watch the Film Trailer 

Unit Price: $5.00

http://www.jesusfilmstore.com/JESUS-North-American  

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Stop Worrying! Start Believing...

"Don't worry about a twister headed your way??" Yep, that's what I said! Let me explain...

God has been teaching me and refining me in very unique ways! Well the other day while I was driving, the skies got really gray and the wind started blowing quite a bit... I started to get terrified that there would be a twister (it's my worst fear by the way).

Then as I was driving down the street, I looked to my right and what did I see? A twister! I saw things just flying in a circle and I panicked! I did however, make it home safely. Later that day I heard that a tornado hit and damaged a neighborhood very close to me and pulled up some trees from their roots. Thank God for keeping me and my daughter safe!

So what's the point of me telling you this? Well, this is what God used to teach me a lesson! Stop worrying, even if a twister is headed our way, we need to be reminded of who God is, and that He is always in control! Why was I fearing the weather if God is control of the weather? If God is the One who sends out the rain, who let's out the snow from the storehouses of heaven, who tells the lightning where it will strike, then why was I worried? It's because I did not have enough faith. It always boils down to faith! We need to stop worrying and start believing! 

It's kind of like God was saying, "You know what, you already know who I am, and you know that you are protected, yet you are afraid that I will 'mess up' and accidentally let that twister get you? Well then, I'm going to let you give in to your fear and let you see that twister you're scared of!" I laugh now just thinking about it. This however, wasn't the end of the story...

Later that same day in the evening, I decided to read a devotional to my daughter who's 4 years old. It's actually a devotional for preschoolers (I guess I needed that lol). And guess what the page that I happened to open the book to said? This was the exact message (emphasis added);

"Do you know what it means to TRUST? It means to believe everything will be okay. We trust that our parents will take care of us. We trust that our beds will keep us warm. We trust that God will always love us and protect us....The Bible tells us we can be happy when we trust in God. When you trust in God, he shows you what to do. And you don't have to worry about anything."


And the bible verse at the bottom of the page was Romans 15:13, "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him."


Isn't that just something?! God is truly amazing! And apparently quite humorous too when He feels like it :]. I'm so thankful to the Lord for teaching me this lesson so that I can share it and encourage you. If you're in your own "twister" right now in your life, just relax! God is always in control, even when it seems things are out of control. Even through the chaos, God is working. Stop worrying, start believing!




God bless you.

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Virtuous Woman-Being a Proverbs 31:10 woman!

What is a godly woman like? How do we as women make sure that our ways are always pleasing to God? One of the best examples of what the characteristics of a godly woman is is found in Proverbs 31:10-30. The context is of a good wife, but we can use this as an example for the single woman alike! It reads as follows (I've added only the relevant verses to our day):



       Who can find a virtuous woman?
       For her worth is far above rubies.
       The heart of her husband safely trusts her;
       So he will have no lack of gain.
       She does him good and not evil
       All the days of her life....


       She extends her hand to the poor,
       Yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy...


       She opens her mouth with wisdom,
       And on her tongue is the law of kindness.
       She watches over the ways of her household,
       And does not eat the bread of idleness. 

       Her children rise up and call her blessed;
       Her husband also, and he praises her:
       “Many daughters have done well,
       But you excel them all.”
        
       Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing,
       But a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised. 




Here's a list of the virtues of the Proverbs woman in a nutshell:


1. She has faith. A virtuous woman seeks God's will in all areas of her life, and is wise enough to seek Him for counsel all her days. (Hebrews 11:6)


2. She has passion and wisdom. A virtuous woman is passionate about what she does and about her family. Most of all, she's passionate about her relationship with the Lord. But her passion is based on faith and knowledge of God's word. (Romans 10:2)


3. She is respectful. A virtuous woman respects her husband and submits to him as Ephesians 5:22 commands. She also respects friends and family alike and strives for righteousness. (1 Peter 2:17)


4. She loves in action. A virtuous woman's love for others can be seen by her actions. She volunteers or gives to the needy. She shows compassion to those in need. (James 2:18)


5. She's a good mother. A virtuous woman's main goal is to raise her children in the way of the Lord. She teaches them about God from infancy, and gears them towards the path of life. (Proverbs 22:6)


6. She accepts correction. A virtuous woman does not turn an ear away from correction. She willingly accepts God's discipline in areas of her life that need it, and works on changing them to please God. (Proverbs 10:17)


7. She cares about health. A virtuous woman cares about her and her family's health and well being, and treats her body as a temple of the Lord. (1 Corinthians 6:15)


8. She uses her time wisely. A virtuous woman isn't idle. She doesn't want to waste her days away as a lazy person does. She believes in making the most of her time and using it for God's glory. (Proverbs 31:27)


9. She is beautiful! A virtuous woman is beautiful! But not necessarily in the way most people in the world describe beauty. She is the essence of beauty on the inside, and is a treasured possession of Christ! (1 Peter 3:3-4)

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Does God love me? Am I Forgiven?

Does God love me? Am I forgiven?

These are two phrases that many Christians ask everyday. There's a reason why many of us (myself included) ask these questions, and that reason is because the enemy puts the idea in our minds that we're just not good enough for God. You may think that you don't pray eloquently enough, or that you don't go to church enough, or maybe you've sinned recently and you feel that you're just a failure and there's no way you can come to God now. These thoughts are from your adversary, not from God!

The bible tells us we are made righteous through the blood of Jesus Christ, not through our own efforts, because Romans 3:23 says, "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God..", so none of us are good enough on our own. However, through CHRIST, we are good enough! 

So does God love you? Let me ask you this: do you believe in the bible? The bible makes itclear that God loves you no matter what you've done. Romans 5:8 says, "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Did you catch that? While we were still sinners, God loved us! God loves sinners! But don't make the mistake in believing you can continue to sin because of this. God loves you, but He loves you too much to let you stay the way you are!

More verses about God's love:

This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 

(1 John 4:9-11)

Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands.  

(Deuteronomy 7:9 )

For the LORD loves the just and will not forsake his faithful ones. . .

 (Psalm 37:28)

I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me.  

(Proverbs 8:17)

Are you forgiven? According to God's word, YES! In Matthew 26:28 Jesus said, "...for this is my blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for many for the remission of sins." In dictionary.com, Remission is defined as "1. The cancellation of a debt, charge, or penalty." So because of what Jesus did on the cross for us, our sins are literally "cancelled/blotted out". It's like when you have debt, and the creditors call you to collect your payment, and someone comes along and pays it for you, your debt is paid in FULL thanks to Jesus Christ! 

"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 

(1 John 1:9)

"Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." 

(Acts 2:38)

When you apply Acts 2:38 in your life, and you are living a life for God, God doesn't look at you and see a failure, He looks at you and sees righteousness through the blood of Jesus Christ! "This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe.." (Romans 3:22)

God bless you! 

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Who Is Jesus..

                  Who is Jesus Christ? Is Yeshua (Hebrew for “Jesus”) really the promised Messiah of Israel (Hebrew for “Christ”) of the Old Testament?” Is Jesus Christ truly the Son of God … literally God Himself, the Divine living within human flesh? Were Jesus Christ’s claims that of a Liar or Lunatic … or is He really Lord of the universe?

              You may want to take a tour of some of the major highlights of Jesus’ life. Or you may want to preview what people were saying before Christ was born. Of course, you may want to check out Jesus’ claims about himself. Some may be interested in learning about the muscle Jesus exercised and the miracles he performed.

                Knowledgeable people will agree that Jesus Christ has made quite an impact on the world. You may even come to learn that Yeshua is indeed the promised Messiah of the Old Testament. If you prefer, you can take time to further investigate Jesus Christ’s claims in the New Testament.

                But after all is said and done, the key question for you is, “What does all this information about Jesus Christ have to do with my life?” Or, you may have other questions. The following describes how you can begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ today, experience forgiveness of your sins, receive eternal life, and gain a whole new purpose for living.

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