Clicking on the next blog button, I found I WRITE. I really liked his answer to "What Makes a Church Live?"

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This is another cool e-mail fwd that I received. This a picture of the Helix Nebula taken by the Hubble telescope. NASA calls it the Eye of God. Can you imagine what it would be like to look through a telescope and see God looking back? Wow! Imagine, God is looking at you-is He happy with what He sees? If not, please take this opportunity to know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.

Salvation Prayer
Lord Jesus, I call upon your name and ask you to save me. I recognize I am a sinner in need of a savior.. I believe that you are the son of the living God. I ask that you come into my heart, Lord, and save my soul. I ask you to forgive me for my sin as I turn my back on the things of this world. Lord, you said that if I would confess with my mouth and believe in my heart, I would be saved. (Romans 10:9-10), (John 3:16) Thank you Lord for saving my soul. Jesus, you are Lord! In Jesus' name, Amen.

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This is deep, so take your time. Why Did You Make Me Black, Lord?



Why did you make me black, Lord? Lord, why did you make me black? Why did you make me someone the world would hold back?




Black is the color of dirty clothes,of grimy hands and feet...Black is the color of darkness; of tired, beaten streets...
Why did you give me thick lips,a broad nose and kinky hair? Why did you create someone
who receives the hated stare?





Black is the color of the bruised eye when someone gets hurt...Black is the color of darkness, black is the color of dirt. Why is my bone structure so thick, my hips and cheeks so high? Why are my eyes brown, and not the color of the sky? Why do people think I'm useless? How come I feel so used? Why do people see my skin and think I should be abused? Lord, I just don't understand...What is it about my skin? Why is it some people want to hate me and not know the person within? Black is what people are "labeled"when others want to keep them away...Black is the color of shadows cast...Black is the end of the day. Lord, you know my own people mistreat me, and you know this just ain't right...They don't like my hair, they don't like my skin, as they say I'm too dark or too light! Lord, don't you think it's time to make a change? Why don't you redo creation and make everyone the same?

GOD's Reply:
Why did I make you black?
Why did I make you black? I made you in the color of coal from which beautiful diamonds are formed...I made you in the color of oil, the black gold which keeps people warm. Your color is the same as the rich dark soil that grows the food you need...Your color is the same as the black stallion and panther...Oh! what majestic creatures indeed! All colors of the heavenly rainbow can be found throughout every nation...When all these colors are blended, you become my greatest creation! Your hair is the texture of lamb's wool, such a beautiful creature is he...I am the shepherd who watches them, and I will ALWAYS watch over thee! You are the color of the midnight sky, I put star glitter in your eyes...There's a beautiful smile hidden behind your pain...That's why your cheeks are so high! You are the color of dark clouds from the hurricanes I create in September...I made your lips so full and thick, so when you kiss...they will remember!Your stature is strong, your bone structure thick to withstand the burden of time...The reflection you see in the mirror, that image that looks back-that is MINE! So, get off your knees, look in the mirror and tell me what you see? I didn't make you in the image of darkness...I made you in the image of ME!




Send this to every African-American person you know.....

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Brother Tom's Tidbit:

Matthew 7:7 (New American Standard Bible)
7 "Ask, and it will be
given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you."

For most of us Christians, we like the asking. We pray, pray, pray, pray...not a problem to pray. It's the seeking and knocking we have a problem with. A lot of Christians have the misconception that we pray and that's all we have to do...God doesn't materialize things into our hands. We need to get up off our knees, exit our comfort zones, and go out seeking and knocking on doors. We may be told no, but eventually if we seek and knock enough we'll turn up at where God wants us to be to hear the yes. Remember, we have a role in our prayers being answered. Nothing is going to be Fed Exed, UPSed, or USPSed.

Sister Theresa's Tidbit:

We are God's ambassadors. We are, for some people, the only Jesus they
will see. We need to walk fearlessly in our faith--we are not
alone. Christ is with us; fear not. Be bold in faith.
Do your Christian duty confidently.

Pastor Chris:

Genesis 12:1-3; 9-20 (New American Standard Bible)
1 Now the LORD said to
Abram, "Go forth from your country, And from your relatives And from your
father's house, To the land which I will show you;
2 And I will make you a
great nation, And I will bless you, And make your name great; And so you shall
be a blessing;
3 And I will bless those who bless you, And the one who
curses you I will curse And in you all the families of the earth will be
blessed."
9 Abram journeyed on, continuing toward the Negev.
10 Now
there was a famine in the land; so Abram went down to Egypt to sojourn there,
for the famine was severe in the land.
11 It came about when he came near to
Egypt, that he said to Sarai his wife, "See now, I know that you are a beautiful
woman;
12 and when the Egyptians see you, they will say, 'This is his wife';
and they will kill me, but they will let you live.
13 "Please say that you
are my sister so that it may go well with me because of you, and that I may live
on account of you."
14 It came about when Abram came into Egypt, the
Egyptians saw that the woman was very beautiful.
15 Pharaoh's officials saw
her and praised her to Pharaoh; and the woman was taken into Pharaoh's house.
16 Therefore he treated Abram well for her sake; and gave him sheep and oxen
and donkeys and male and female servants and female donkeys and camels.
17
But the LORD struck Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai,
Abram's wife.
18 Then Pharaoh called Abram and said, "What is this you have
done to me? Why did you not tell me that she was your wife?
19 "Why did you
say, 'She is my sister,' so that I took her for my wife? Now then, here is your
wife, take her and go."
20 Pharaoh commanded his men concerning him; and
they escorted him away, with his wife and all that belonged to him.

God blesses us, so that we will will be a blessing. God blesses us, so that we'll bless others. Often times, in order to bless us, He puts us to action. But, He's not going to give us a map and plan of action. We have to step out on faith, step outside our comfort zone-just do what it is He has called us to do. As we follow the path that God has set before us, He blesses us.

If you are not stepping out in faith to get blessed, you are depriving not only yourself but those whom you were to bless. You will have to step outside of your comfort zone and do whatever God puts in your heart to do.

Break from the shell of complacency and apathy in your praise, so you can receive blessings to bless others. It is not enough to fill a pew every Sunday. It is not enough to be there physically. You need to be there in body, mind, and soul-active in your praise.

When we walk in disobedience, we affect not only ourselves but all those around us. When we take matters into our own hands, we will mess up, but God still has a plan for your life-He has not given up on you. He still wants to bless you; make you a blessing unto others.

The good new is that despite all our failures, God has a plan for our lives. He wants us to be blessed abundantly in order that we will bless others.

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Hi Kimya,

           Thank you for your comments. I promptly pulled out my bible and read the scriptures you left for me. What great blessings are found in the teachings of Christ. I wish you well and I will pray for you as I hope you will pray for me.

 

In His Service

 

Mike.

Combs1@preferred.com

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Community Gospel

What I really like about my church is that all are welcome, truly. I really feel at home and that I belong there. The scripture tells us to love our neighbor as we love ourselves and my church is really a place where this is evinced.

...................................

The Hunger Site

So often we get caught up in the cares of the world. We obsess over not being able to keep pace with our neighbor's consumerism/materialism. We often forget to praise God for the daily blessing of seeing each new day, having shelter, having enough food to eat...speaking of eating, here's your good deed for the day--click the link to feed some of the world's hungry. It's free!!

......................................

American Red Cross

Now, with the all the recent natural disasters, it is important to give financial assistance to the relief fund.

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Whenever I want to know whether I am on the right track, I can use Sunday's sermons to gauge it. This morning's service tied in nicely with my post on resolutions. First, Brother Tom's tidbit on what his New Year's resolution was dittoed my own:

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Matthew 6:33

But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Luke 12:31

He said that all he wanted was to grow in Christ, seek God's kingdom. If you do that, you don't have to worry and stress over how the bills will get paid, how you are going to make it. Because if you put God first, make a commitment to do His will, all the other stuff will be taken care of.

Pastor Chris preached on Joshua 1:1-9. Here are the notes that I took.

Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.
Joshua 1:9

Regardless of our circumstances, whatever present situations we are faced with, we can be strong and courageous because God is with us wherever we go. Now, you may be whining and complaining, "But, you don't know my situation. You don't know what I'm going through." And, you'd be right, but I don't have to know because I know my God is an awesome God and there is nothing impossible for him.

We are like the children of Israel: we've been wandering in the wilderness. We've seen the power of God, we know what He can do. We've received His good works and blessings, but have not yet entered the Promised Land. In order to receive all that God has in store for you, you have to believe and walk in faith.

If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Galatians 5:25

So, how do you do that? Simply be obedient to the Lord with joy. Obey God in all circumstances, regardless of your feelings, circumstances, etc. How do you obey God? You worship and praise Him always. You love the Lord so you can praise and worship Him in whatever manner you wish: waving a flag or banner, dancing, playing a musical instrument, whatever... And, whatever God puts in your heart to do, do it. If it's to go up to someone and give them a hug and encouraging word, if it's to be an active member of your church,...whatever it is, do it joyfully.

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What's your New Year's Resolution?

How did you celebrate New Year's Eve? It's said that how you bring in the new year is how you'll spend the new year. I went with Kennetta to the special church service at her church. The following is my summation of the sermons, along with additional thoughts taken from Paula White.

What are your New Year's Eve resolutions? To lose weight? To stop smoking? How about to have more joy in your life? Do you constantly worry and stress yourself out, wondering how to get from under and stop living paycheck to paycheck? Do you constantly replay your life and beat yourself up over all the mistakes and poor choices you made? To increase your joy, keep the past in the past.

As far the east is from the west, so far hath He removed our transgressions from us.
Psalm 103:12 KJV

Bretheren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before.
Phillipians 3:13 KJV

These two scriptures can be translated thusly, if you've accepted our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, all past transgressions are forgiven. If you are open to God's gift of grace, you will be saved. Know that your future will be greater than your past and present. If you are holding on to past hurts, past mistakes, guilt, worry, and stress, you have no space to hold your blessings. Not to forget, but to linger in our past experiences, frustrates our further pursuance of Christ. So, how do you do it?

Rejoice evermore.
Pray without ceasing.
In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
I Thessalonians 5:16-18

So, what does that mean? Basically, regardless of your present circumstance, keep the joy of salvation fresh and new in your heart. Satan comes to steal, kill and destroy your joy--don't let him succeed. Keep an active prayer life. An active prayer life is simply uninterrupted fellowship with God in our spirit. It requires perserverance. The more you converse with Him and allow yourself to be open to what He can reveal to you, the more joy you will have. You'll have joy because your faith is renewed, your spirit strengthened. Regardless of your present circumstances, give praise and thanks to God. Now, this is where most people have trouble. We give thanks in all situations because all things work together for our good that we may be transformed and conformed to the image of Christ. God wants us to live a rejoicing, praying and thankful life. Such a life is a glory to God and a shame to His enemy.

Know that there is nothing too great for our God. Nothing is impossible. Be encouraged, have have faith in God. Recall the story of David and Goliath. Goliath was the champion of the Philstines whose height was over nine feet. He was arrayed in a brass helmet and coat of mail. Like Goliath, our problems can loom like powerful giants. David was the youngest son of Jesse. Like David, we can seem small and insignificant in comparision to our problems. Of all the men, only David had faith that were he to fight Goliath, God would ensure His victory. Like David, we need to be steadfast in our faith, that when troubles arise we can let go and let God. King Saul armed David with a brass helmet, coat of mail, and sword. But David refused them and took up his staff, chose five smooth stones from the brook, and his slingshot. People will want to give you advice on how to handle your problems, but what worked for them may not be the way you need to do it. Think about the five smooth stones:
1) stones came from the brook: formed by years and years of water rushing over rocks and breaking pieces off to form the stones
2) because the stones came from the brook, they were smooth and therefore aerodynamic

You don't have to fret and worry about your life and how your needs will be met because just like God delivered David, He'll deliver you. For every problem in your life, there is a brook for you to retreive the smooth stones needed to vanquish it. Those stones were there thousands of years ago, waiting until it was time for you to use them. You just have to go and retreive them. Have faith that you will champion over anything the enemy throws your way.

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