You Are God Alone

You're the only God whose power none can contend
You're the only God whose name and
Praise will never end
You're the only God who's worthy
Of everything we can give
You are God, that's just the way it is

-William McDowell

After Hezekiah had read the note from the king of Assyria, he took it to the temple and spread it out for the Lord to see. He prayed:

Lord God of Israel, your throne is above the winged creatures. You created the heavens and the earth, and you alone rule the kingdoms of this world. But just look how Sennacherib has insulted you, the living God.

It is true, our Lord, that Assyrian kings have turned nations into deserts. They destroyed the idols of wood and stone that the people of those nations had made and worshiped. But you are our Lord and our God! We ask you to keep us safe from the Assyrian king. Then everyone in every kingdom on earth will know that you are the only God.

2 Kings 19 CEV

Rooted

They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they never stop producing fruit.
Jeremiah 17:8 NLT

God Keeps His Promises to Israel

Golan Heights, Israel

I, the LORD, have spoken,

and my words will come true.

You will have such a harvest

that you won't be able

to bring in all of your wheat

before plowing time.

You will have grapes left over

from season to season;

your fruitful vineyards

will cover the mountains.

I'll make Israel prosper again.

You will rebuild your towns

and live in them.

You will drink wine

from your own vineyards

and eat the fruit you grow.

I'll plant your roots deep

in the land I have given you,

and you won't ever

be uprooted again.

I, the LORD God, have spoken.

Amos 9:12-15

Give it to God

My son Cameron has a way of encouraging me at just the right time. Here is an email he sent me a while back when I was going through a transition:

When we endure loss, and decide to give it to God, that becomes our seed for the harvest. We gain authority to pray for others to be vindicated and healed and delivered. This is why so many times, when God brings someone out of something, he gives them that thing as their ministry.

I believe that God has a special place for you, one where you will see awesome victory and breakthrough. Because you have not hardened your heart towards God (and even if in some ways you have), if you give up that offense, He will give you a place of intercession that will produce fruit. You will see the power of God manifest because it will be the Spirit's will established through you.

Come, Lord Jesus, Come!

This song was the theme song of a revival meeting in Lisbon, Portugal in 2001. I had the privilege of going with Steve Hill's prayer team. The large enthusiastic choir was made up of members of Teen Challenge Lisbon, many of them new believers in Christ. We got to pray with hundreds of people at the altars every night, hungry to know the God of forgiveness and love.

Here it is sung by Kimberly Rivera.

Knowledge

 credit

This is a photo of hundreds of thousands of stars taken from Hubble. A few of you may remember standing out under the night sky as a child hoping to catch a glimpse of "Sputnik".

On October 4, 1957, the Soviet Union successfully launched Sputnik I, the first artificial satellite, which was about the size of a beach ball, and took about 98 minutes to orbit the Earth. The thought of space travel was mind-boggling at that time.

My grandparents remembered as children, being in awe the first time they saw an airplane fly over their little north Georgia town.

I marvel at how rapidly knowledge has increased in my lifetime. How puzzling it must have been to Daniel when God revealed in a vision the events of the last days.

Daniel 12:1-4

And at that time [of the end] Michael shall arise, the great [angelic] prince who defends and has charge of your [Daniel’s] people. And there shall be a time of trouble, straitness, and distress such as never was since there was a nation till that time. But at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone whose name shall be found written in the Book [of God’s plan for His own].

And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake: some to everlasting life and some to shame and everlasting contempt and abhorrence.

And the teachers and those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament, and those who turn many to righteousness (to uprightness and right standing with God) [shall give forth light] like the stars forever and ever.

But you, O Daniel, shut up the words and seal the Book until the time of the end. [Then] many shall run to and fro and search anxiously [through the Book], and knowledge [of God’s purposes as revealed by His prophets] shall be increased and become great.

Today

Someone said that continually bemoaning the past, or dreading the future, is just a way to get out of hearing and obeying God right now....Ouch.

Lord, Thank you that you have given me the gift of the PRESENT! Help me to enjoy and love the people who cross my path today - one at a time.

The Cost of Getting Even?

George O. Wood posted this:

A visitor to Yellowstone National Park observed grizzly bears feeding. The park service guide explained that the grizzly bear can whip any animal in the West with the exception of the buffalo and the Kodiak bear.

Later the visitor noticed the grizzly allowed one animal to eat with him—the skunk. Could the bear have taken on the skunk and won? By all means. He probably resented the skunk for barging in on his meal, but he did not attack the skunk. Why? He knew the high cost of getting even. It would not be worth it.

Click on his name to read Dr. Wood's complete post.

Brand New

When I think of Grandma, I usually picture her at the sewing machine in her cozy den, scraps and strings littering the floor under her feet. She was quick as lightning as she sewed for people in town.

I remember a lady who brought her a dress that had been torn, and she said, "I'd rather make you a new dress than try to repair a tear. It will never be 'right'"!

When I gave my sinful broken heart to God, I am glad that He didn't just patch me up. His Word says that when we come to Him, He makes us "right" with Him.  We become born again - brand new.

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV

Make Yourself at Home

Years ago, I had a dream that I went to God's house. It was a normal house and He looked like a kind grandpa. He invited all who came to get a plate of food from the kitchen and have a seat at His table. He seemed to delight in listening to the conversation about everyday things.

Our Heavenly Father wants us to know that we are "family". He wants His children to gather around His table and have a conversation with Him.

You serve me a six-course dinner
right in front of my enemies.
You revive my drooping head;
my cup brims with blessing.

Your beauty and love chase after me
every day of my life.
I'm back home in the house of God
for the rest of my life.
Psalm 23:5-6 Message

WAVES OF MERCY

Waves of mercy

Waves of grace

Everywhere I look

I see Your face

Your love has captured me

Oh, my God, this love

How can it be?

David Crowder

Listen to song

God's Unfailing Love

Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed," says the LORD, who has compassion on you.
Isaiah 54:10

 beautiful piano instrumental

"I'm Sorry"- A short anecdote by Pastor Frangipane - This is so sweet!

Strong Arm

"Strong Arm" by Lenny Leblanc

My child I knew you
before the world began

And I was there every time
you put your name on the sand

But lately I know
you've been through quite a storm

My child I've been there,
since the day you were born

Oh, and I rule the wind.
O yes, and I calm the sea

And the sun won't go down
until I say that it can leave

Just as sure as my Word
I stand here right by your side

And if you're just too weak
to go on

Remember child
that I'm your strong arm

The people will wonder,
and they'll stand amazed

They say you are a miracle
and I will be praised

And even though your pain
has been too hard to bear

Just know that I am with you,
there's no need to despair

Reagan Quote on Israel

"Israel exists; it has a right to exist in peace behind secure and defensible borders; and it has a right to demand of its neighbors that they recognize those facts.

I have personally followed and supported Israel's heroic struggle for survival, ever since the founding of the State of Israel 34 years ago.

In the pre-1967 borders Israel was barely 10 miles wide at its narrowest point. The bulk of Israel's population lived within artillery range of hostile Arab armies. I am not about to ask Israel to live that way again."

Ronald Reagan, September 1, 1982