Take Me as I Am

Here is this sin, Save me from it! 

Here is this snare, Break it to pieces! 

Here is this lust, Lord, subdue it! 

Here is this temptation, Deliver me out of it! 

Here is my proud heart, Lord, humble it! 

Here is my unbelieving heart, Take it away, 

and give me faith, give me submission to Your mind and will. 

Take me as I am with all my sin and shame and work in me everything well pleasing in Your sight!

[Joseph Philpot]

Jeremiah 17:14 ... Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved: for thou art my praise.❤

Love ~ Hate

LOVE is so powerful that it can outlast even death itself. 

HATE is so destructive that it cannot sustain even this fleeting life.

[Author Unknown]

 ✞  ✞   ✞ 

1 John 3:14 ...  We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.

1 John 3:15 ... Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him. ❤

Choose Jesus!

When it's difficult.

When it's easy.

When it's chaotic.

When it's peaceful.

In Joy and in Sadness.

Keep choosing Him.

[message from the Internet]

Deuteronomy 30:19 ... I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live: ❤

Closed Doors

 Not every closed door is rejection.

Some are protection.

You begged for it.

Prayed for it.

Prepared for it.

And it still didn’t open.

You thought it meant you weren’t ready.

Or weren’t worthy.

Or weren’t enough.

But sometimes the door didn’t close because you were unqualified.

It closed because you were misaligned.

God will block what would break you.

Delay what would derail you.

Remove what would reduce you.

You call it setback.

He calls it shielding.

If it didn’t open,

It wasn’t yours.

Trust the One who sees the hallway

When you can only see the handle.

Rejection is painful.

But redirection is powerful.

[message from the Internet]

Exodus 14:14 ... The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace. ❤

That One!!

Stop dimming your worship to match the room.

If they won’t lift their hands, you still can.

If they won’t kneel, you still can.

If they won’t shout, you still can.

Your praise isn’t crowd-dependent.

It’s covenant based.

You don’t need permission to adore Jesus.

You don’t need the atmosphere to be right.

You don’t need everyone else to go first.

You are not called to read the temperature.

You are called to set it.

Worship is not about fitting in.

It’s about pouring out.

Loud.

Quiet.

On your face.

With tears in your eyes.

It’s between you and Him.

And sometimes the breakthrough in the room

is waiting on one person

brave enough

to go first.

Be that one.

[Natalie Breckenridge]

John 4:24 ... God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

Psalm 29:2 ... Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name; worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.

Psalm 150:1 ... Praise ye the Lord. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power. 

Psalm 134:2 ... Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, and bless the Lord. ❤

Refinement

 Refinement is not rejection.

It’s preparation.

We pray for growth.

We pray for influence.

We pray for impact.

But we don’t always pray for the fire.

Fire exposes impurities.

Fire burns off what can’t stay.

Fire reveals what’s real.

Gold doesn’t fear heat.

It becomes purer because of it.

If this season feels intense…

If the pressure feels higher…

If the testing feels deeper…

Maybe it’s not punishment.

Maybe it’s refinement.

God doesn’t waste fire.

He uses it.

And when this season is over,

you won’t look the same.

You’ll be stronger.

Clearer.

More anchored.

More surrendered.

[David Baugh]

Job 23:10 ... But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.

1 Peter 1:7 ... That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: ❤

Your Calling

Your calling is going to crush you.

If you are called to mend the brokenhearted, you are going to wrestle with a broken heart.

If you are called to heal God’s little ones, you are going to experience your own share of trauma.

If you’re called to preach and teach the gospel, you WILL be sifted for the wisdom that anoints your message.

If you are called to empower, your self-esteem will be attacked your successes hard fought.

Your calling will come with spiritual warfare and a sifting BOTH are necessary for your mantle to be authentic, humble and powerful.

Your crushing won’t be easy because your assignment is not easy and you can’t minister POWERFULLY what you haven’t walked out. Read that sentence again.

When you’re feeling the weight of it coming down on you, RUN to the father who longs to be your comfort. Let him whisper your true identity over you while resting under the shadow of his wings. Position yourself against his heartbeat. Let him renew your strength and set your eyes forward.

No olives, no oil.

No grapes, no wine.

Your oil is not cheap my friend.

[Author Unknown]

Acts 14:22 ...  Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.

Romans 5:3-5 ...  And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

2 Corinthians 1:4 ... Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. ❤

Ride!!

Dear friends and cow folk,

In those dark hours when all seems lost and pain and sorrow surround us, we might think we’re all alone and without hope. It is then our ever-present God lays His hand upon us, holding us in His right hand and leading us from that terrible night into His bright and shining light. He is always with us!

Jesus is Lord!

Ride straight, ride strong, ride true, ride with love for one another and always ride for the Brand!

In Jesus’ name.

[ K & D ~ Cowboys for Christ]

Psalm 139:1-12 .... O lord, thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.  Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.  For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether. Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it. Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?  If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.  If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me. Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee. ❤

Pray Tonight!!

One song can change a moment.

One idea can change a world.

Once step can start a journey.

But prayer can change the impossible.

[message from the Internet]

 Luke 1:37 ... For with God nothing shall be impossible. ❤

Churches ...

A LIBERAL church says you are welcome here and you do not have to clean up your life.

A LEGALISTIC church says you are not welcome here until you clean up your life.

The Lord says you are welcome here and he will change your life from the inside out!

 ✞  ✞   ✞ 

John 8:10-11 ...  When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.

Romans 14:4 ... Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.

Romans 8:1 ... There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. ❤

Love Begets Love

 

Men, unfortunately, do not always understand a very simple truth: the woman, when she loves is intensely reciprocal. Female nature is like an echo, an emotional reflection. Let's absorb man's attitude towards us on an intuitive and energetic level his words, his actions, his intentions and if these match each other. And then, just we give it back. What goes around, comes around. 

Sometimes like tenderness, care, peace and a home to rest from the world. Other times like coldness, distance and a closed door forever. Because a woman is not a grudge It's not vindictive. It's a mirror. And it reflects exactly what you have put into it. 

Do you want a garden? Take care of it. Do you want love? Love her. Do you want loyalty? Be worthy of trust. If you have a calm, warm, loyal and loving woman by your side it's not a coincidence. It is the result of your actions. 

And if next to you there is coldness and emptiness, it's not a coincidence either. You are a reflection of what you sow. Look at your woman and you will see who you really are. Because she is your mirror. 

[Anonymous]

Ephesians 5:25 ... Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;

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Memories of Christmas!!

 One day years from now,

your Christmas tree won’t be graced with the same handmade decorations. You won’t be trying to find the time to book in Santa photos, and the only squeals of excitement are the echo of a memory you didn’t know would be your last.

You won’t be leaving milk and cookies out or gnawing on the end of carrots. You won’t be sending letters off to Santa, hiding presents, or stroking their head as they fight sleep hoping to catch that elf, or hear sleigh bells make music in the sky.

You won’t miss the exhaustion, but you will miss rising early and smiling behind a mug at the scene before you.

There will be Christmas movies, just without little limbs curled around you.

There will be Christmas lights, just not reflected in their eyes.

There will be magic, just less wonderment.

One day years from now, they will be older, wrapping presents of their own, their memories of Christmas wrapped up in you.

And you will talk of sleigh bells and reindeer once again, because if you are lucky, you get to relive the tired magic through rested eyes,

and you will realize,

these really are the days.

[Unknown]

🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄 

"The Past"

The devil appeared to three Pastors and said to them: "If I gave you the power to change something in the past, what would you change?"

The first of them, with great apostolic fervor, replied: "I would like to prevent you from leading Adam and Eve to sin, so that humanity does not separate from God."

The second, a man full of mercy, said to him: "I will prevent you from straying from God and condemning you forever."

The third of them was the simplest and instead of answering the tempter, he knelt down, bowed his head and prayed: "Lord, deliver me from the temptation of what might have been and what was not."

The demon, screaming and trembling with pain, fled.

The other two were surprised and said to him: "Brother, why did you react like this?"

And he answered them: “First, we should never talk to the enemy.”

“Secondly, no one in the world has the power to change the past.”

“Third: Satan’s interest was not to prove our virtue, but to trap us in the past, so that we neglect the present, the only time God gives us His grace and we can cooperate with Him to fulfill His will.”

Of all the demons, the one that most holds men back and prevents them from being happy is “what could have been and was not.” The past is left to the mercy of God and the future to His providence. Only the present is in our hands.

Live today loving God with all your heart.

[Author Unknown]

Luke 17:32 ... Remember Lot's wife.

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God Sees YOU!!

God sees in you that you cannot see in yourself!

 Psalm 33:18 ... Behold, the eye of the Lord is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy; ❤

Things The World Says but Jesus Never Said!

 The world says: “Live YOUR truth.”

JESUS never said that. JESUS said IF you: “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the TRUTH , and the TRUTH shall make you free.” (John 8:31-32)

The world says: "Follow your heart."

JESUS never said that. JESUS said follow ME. (Matthew 4:19) Jeremiah 17:9: "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?"

The world says: “Be true to yourself.”

JESUS never said that. HE said whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themself, pick up their cross, and follow ME. (Luke 9:23)

The world says: “Believe in yourself.”

JESUS never said that. HE said believe in ME. "I AM the WAY, THE TRUTH and the LIFE and NO ONE comes to the FATHER but through ME." (John 14:1,6)

The world says: “As long as you're happy, that’s all that matters."

JESUS never said that. HE said: "What would it profit a man if he gain the whole world and lose his own soul?" JESUS also said "Whoever seeks to save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it." (Mark8:35-36) 

STOP listening to what the world has to say, and BELIEVE what GOD has to say...ALL of it.

[Billy Green]

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Words To Live By ...

Look around you ><> Don’t ever forget how blessed you are. When we forget, we can become ungrateful, doubtful and surprisingly complacent. Being able to appreciate what GOD has already done will set your table of faith for what surely is to come. It will set the table for the peace and joy of the LORD in your life. It will set the table for a heart full of praise and a mind set on JESUS. 

1 Thessalonians 5:18, Whatever happens, always be thankful. This is how GOD wants you to live in CHRIST JESUS. Bottom line is, there are a lot of people who are a lot worse off than you or I materially and physically. If you look at from that prospective, we really have nothing to complain about. Have a great day and don’t miss a chance to tell somebody about JESUS. GOD Bless & Good Health!! 

[Chaplain Dave Baker - Cowboys For Christ]

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In The Midst of Life's Darkest Moments!

In these comforting words, we are reminded of the unwavering love and protection that our Heavenly Father extends to all of His redeemed people. When we feel overwhelmed by the crashing waves of life's difficulties, these verses speak a resounding message of hope and reassurance. God declares that He has ransomed us, claiming us as His own, and promising to be ever-present as we navigate the turbulent waters and raging fires that may threaten to consume us. 

No matter how deep the valley, or how scorching the flames of trial, we need not fear, for our Almighty God walks alongside us. He is the Holy One, our Savior, who will not allow the rushing torrents to sweep us away, or the blazing furnace to burn us up. Just as a loving parent shields their child, so does our Heavenly Father wrap us in His protective embrace, shielding us from harm and carrying us through every storm. 

These words are a steadfast anchor for our souls, reminding us that we belong to the King of kings, who has called us by name and will never abandon us, no matter what challenges we face. In the midst of life's darkest moments, we can cling to the unshakable truth that our God is with us, and that nothing can separate us from His unfailing love! 

[Anonymous] 

Isaiah 43:1-3 ... But now thus saith the Lord that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. For I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: I gave Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee.

✫❤•°*”˜˜”*°•.❤✫...•°*”˜˜”*°•.❤✫...•°*”˜˜”*°•.❤✫

True Hero of The Titanic

The night the Titanic sank in 1912 on April 14th, 1,528 people went into the frigid waters. John Harper, after putting his only daughter on a lifeboat, was seen swimming frantically to people in the water leading them to Jesus before the hypothermia became fatal. Rev. Harper swam up to one young man who had climbed up on a piece of debris. Rev. Harper asked him between breaths, "Are you saved?" The young man replied that he was not. Harper then tried to lead him to Christ only to have the young man who was near shock, reply: no. John Harper then took off his life jacket and threw it to the man and said, "Here then, you need this more than I do" and swam away to other people. A few minutes later Harper swam back to the young man and succeeded in leading him to salvation. 

Of the 1,528 people that went into the water that night, six were rescued by the lifeboats. One of them was this young man on the debris. Four years later, at a survivors meeting, this young man stood up and in tears recounted how John Harper had led him to Christ. Rev. Harper had tried to swim back to help other people, yet because of the intense cold, had grown too weak to swim. His last words before going under in the frigid waters were "Believe on the name of the Lord Jesus and you will be saved." 

Does Hollywood remember this man? No. Oh well, no matter. This servant of God did what he had to do. While other people were trying to buy their way onto the lifeboats and were selfishly trying to save their own lives, John Harper gave up his life so that others could be saved. John Harper knew what it meant to live life with urgency. 

[message from the Internet]

Titanic - The Little Known Story of John Harper (middletownbiblechurch.org)

Romans 10:9 ... That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

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The Window ...

A young couple moved into a new house. The next morning while they were eating breakfast, the young woman saw her neighbor hanging the washing outside. "That laundry is not very clean; she doesn’t know how to wash correctly. Perhaps she needs better detergent.” Her husband looked on, remaining silent. 

Every time her neighbor hung her washing out to dry, the young woman made the same comments. A month later, the young woman was surprised to see a nice clean wash on the line and said to her husband, "Look, she’s finally learned how to wash correctly. I wonder who taught her this?" The husband replied, "I got up early this morning and cleaned our windows." 

And so, it is with life. What we see when watching others depends on the clarity of the window through which we look. So don’t be too quick to judge others, especially if your perspective of life is clouded by anger, jealousy, negativity or unfulfilled desires. 

"Judging a person does not define who they are. It defines who you are." 

[Jonathan Kestenbaum]

John 7:24 ...  Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment. ❤

Becoming ....

Me: Hey God.

God: Hello.

Me: I'm falling apart. Can you put me back together?

God: I would rather not.

Me: Why?

God: Because you aren't a puzzle.

Me: What about all of the pieces of my life that are falling down onto the ground?

God: Let them stay there for a while. They fell off for a reason. Take some time and decide if you need any of those pieces back.

Me: You don't understand! I'm breaking down!

God: No - you don't understand. You are breaking through. What you are feeling are just growing pains. You are shedding the things and the people in your life that are holding you back. You aren't falling apart. You are falling into place. Relax. Take some deep breaths and allow those things you don't need any more to fall off of you. Quit holding onto the pieces that don't fit you anymore. Let them fall off. Let them go.

Me: Once I start doing that, what will be left of me?

God: Only the very best pieces of you.

Me: I'm scared of changing.

God: I keep telling you - YOU AREN'T CHANGING!! YOU ARE BECOMING!

Me: Becoming who?

God: Becoming who I created you to be! A person of light and love and charity and hope and courage and joy and mercy and grace and compassion. I made you for more than the shallow pieces you have decided to adorn yourself with that you cling to with such greed and fear. Let those things fall off of you. I love you! Don't change! ... Become! Become! Become who I made you to be. I'm going to keep telling you this until you remember it.

Me: There goes another piece.

God: Yep. Let it be.

Me: So ... I'm not broken.

God: Of course Not! - but you are breaking like the dawn. It's a new day.

[John Roedel]

2 Corinthians 4:16 ... For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.  ❤