Now that you have hope are you prepared?

“But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,” - 1 Peter 3:15

More about love

1 Corinthians 13:1-3

1 If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.

Mens Advance Lake Geneva 25-26 Feb. 3-4 Mar 2011

Men we are closing in on the last week for early registration for mens advance you will be saving 10 dollars on the original tickets for both men and students.. if you have any further questions please contact me on my cell number.. I pray God blesses you all .. and I pray that you have the chance to come this year we already have three guys and three students going would love for more to come . and to share some quality time with Mighty Men of God... love ya all brothers. Dan

Love

1 Corinthians 13: 4-7

Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

I regret to say that I have not followed each and every one of these things in my life with the ones that I love and I am sorry for that. I hope to change that about myself and I hope others will read this and be inspired to change them in there lives as well.

With God's help all things are possible.

Shouting to the Lord

⁹ I will praise You, O Lord, among the peoples;
I will sing to You among the nations. (Psalm 57:9, New King James Version)

Making bread

My wife Reneé and I started baking bread from scratch this week. Now we had several reasons that we wanted to do this that are not important but in the process we began to learn several biblical principles. Reneé started talking about it and it has really got me to thinking.

What is bread? Bread is a basic staple food of life that gives us nourishment and sustenance. This nourishment and sustenance is something that we all need.

Most of us are familiar with what Jesus said in ⁴⁸ I am the bread of life. (John 6:48, New King James Version)

But when we make bread from scratch there are even more spiritual symbolisms that we must consider. First lets think of the ingredients there are only 4 basic ingredients in bread.

1- flour- the flour is us. It comes in all different flavors and colors just like we do. But in the end flour is flour.

2-yeast- the yeast is the Holy Spirit. This is what does the work in us and the bread. It is the action of the yeast that raises up the bread just as it is the action of the Holy Spirit that raises us up.

3-salt- salt is a flavoring we use in life.
¹³ “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.
(Matthew 5:13, New King James Version)

4-water- 1 Peter 3:21 says-water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Now when you make bread you dip flour into the water that is full of yeast and salt and a new thing emerges dough. Now when you are baptized you get dipped into water and the Holy Spirit is activated in you and you are a new thing that emerges from the water. You are now dough.

But just as it is with you this is not the end of making bread. Now you must let the dough be still for 2 hours. You can't do anything to speed this up you must let the yeast do its work. How many times have we all wanted something right away from God only to find out we must be still and let the Holy Spirit do its work.

Now the dough has to rest in the refrigerator for 2 hours. Again we are asked to be still and wait on the Lord.

Now you have to shape and work the dough. How many times have we thought we were perfect just the way we are only to find out God wants to reshape us and work us into a new form.

Now the dough has to sit again for an hour on the counter. Again we are asked to be still and wait on the Lord. We must be patient.

Now the dough is put into the oven and baked for 40 minutes. How many times in our lives do we feel like we are put into the fire. James 1:2-4 says Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. You see when we are facing the fire of our lives that is the testing of our faith and the perseverance. Now the dough is tested by the fire of the oven and only when it has finished its work is the dough mature and complete and it becomes bread.

Now of course when we eat the bread we get nourished for a time but our bodies need us to make more bread every day to continue this nourishment.

We also know that Jesus is the bread of life when we take of Him our spirit gets nourished forever.

But we also know that we must continue to walk with Him each and every day so that the Holy Spirit can work in us, so that we can be changed and reshaped, so that we can learn to be still and wait on the Lord, and so that we can face the fire of adversity and become something new. This is something if we choose we will do for the rest of our lives. So is baking bread!

Lord thank you for all the bread in my life both the physical and the spiritual. Amen

Our first loaf...

Being lifted up by the Lord

Lord, I am not worthy of your love and compassion but yet you give it to me freely. I am so grateful for you. Without you I could not continue at all, but with you all things in my life are possible. Thank you Jesus. Amen

¹⁰ Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up. (James 4:10, New King James Version)

O Lord how great thou really are

How great you really are.

Letting your life be built on Jesus

I feel so blessed to have ended the 21 days of prayer and fasting with all of you at RLC yesterday with our special Alabaster Sunday service. As I am moving forward now I have been praying about what Pastor Mike asked of us to fast every Wednesday for the rest of the year. While I was praying about it I read this verse today and it spoke to me about letting my life be built on Jesus. Even on Wednesdays.

^{Colossians 2:6-7 (NLT)}

6 And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. ⁷ Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.

Rejoice in the Lord Always

As we at Redeeming Love Church come to the end of 21 days of prayer and fasting I say thank you to all who participated and I say Rejoice in the Lord Always!

¹ Rejoice in the LORD, O you righteous!
For praise from the upright is beautiful.
² Praise the LORD with the harp;
Make melody to Him with an instrument of ten strings.
³ Sing to Him a new song;
Play skillfully with a shout of joy.
(Psalm 33:1-3, New King James Version)

I'll walk with God from this day on

I'll walk with God from this day on
His helping hand I'll lean upon
This is my prayer, my humble plea,
May the Lord be ever with me.
There is no death, though eyes grow dim
There is no fear when I'm near to Him
I'll lean on Him forever
And He'll forsake me never.

He will not fail me
As long as my faith is strong,
Whatever road I may walk along.

I'll walk with God, I'll take His hand.
I'll talk with God, He'll understand.
I'll pray to Him, each day to Him
And He'll hear the words that I say.
His hand will guide my throne and rod
And I'll never walk alone
While I walk with God.

Trials and Temptations while praying and fasting

For many of us who have been joining in Redeeming Love Church's 21 days of prayer and fasting we have found that we are suddenly facing some difficult things in our life. Be encouraged my brothers and sisters this is to be expected. For as we press in to do great things through prayer and fasting the enemy presses against us to try to discourage us before we reach our goals. We know from the story in Mark 9 that Jesus said that some the really difficult things only can happen through prayer and fasting. So be ready to face your trials and temptations but also be ready for God's great rewards.

² My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, ³ knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. ⁴ But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. (James 1:2-4, New King James Version)

For to You, O Lord, I lift up my soul

¹ Bow down Your ear, O LORD, hear me;
For I am poor and needy.
² Preserve my life, for I am holy;
You are my God;
Save Your servant who trusts in You!
³ Be merciful to me, O Lord,
For I cry to You all day long.
⁴ Rejoice the soul of Your servant,
For to You, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
⁵ For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive,
And abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You.

⁶ Give ear, O LORD, to my prayer;
And attend to the voice of my supplications.
⁷ In the day of my trouble I will call upon You,
For You will answer me.
(Psalm 86:1-7, New King James Version)

Mens Advance Lake Geneva 25-26 Feb. 3-4 Mar 2011

Mighty Men Of God, Mens Advance is coming up fast and just wanted to inform you that my son and I will be heading up this year. We will be going the first weekend. 25-26 of Febuary of 2011 .. Early registration is goes to Febuary 11, 2011 .. you save $10.00 if you register before then.. For further Information about lodging and tickets please contact me, or the church. I Pray for you and your families, and also pray that God blesses you richly.. Love you brothers.. and see ya soon ... Dan

Jesus saves everyone if you let Him

The Power of Prayer and Fasting

We are now into the last week of Redeeming Love Church's 21 days of prayer and fasting. If there is anyone out there who hasn't joined in yet its not too late. Start today. It doesn't matter if you choose to do a total fast, a liquid fast, a Daniel fast, a one meal a day fast, a sugar fast, or any other kind of fast there is great power in prayer and fasting. While you will be challenged during the fast you can expect great things from God when you finish. Please join us you won't be disappointed.

Setting yourself free

³¹ Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. ³² And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
³³ They answered Him, “We are Abraham’s descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How can You say, ‘You will be made free’?”
³⁴ Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. ³⁵ And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. (John 8:31-35, New King James Version)

The LORD has heard the voice of my weeping

¹ O LORD, do not rebuke me in Your anger,
Nor chasten me in Your hot displeasure.
² Have mercy on me, O LORD, for I am weak;
O LORD, heal me, for my bones are troubled.
³ My soul also is greatly troubled;
But You, O LORD—how long?

⁴ Return, O LORD, deliver me!
Oh, save me for Your mercies’ sake!
⁵ For in death there is no remembrance of You;
In the grave who will give You thanks?

⁶ I am weary with my groaning;
All night I make my bed swim;
I drench my couch with my tears.
⁷ My eye wastes away because of grief;
It grows old because of all my enemies.

⁸ Depart from me, all you workers of iniquity;
For the LORD has heard the voice of my weeping.
⁹ The LORD has heard my supplication;
The LORD will receive my prayer.
¹⁰ Let all my enemies be ashamed and greatly troubled;
Let them turn back and be ashamed suddenly. (Psalm 6, New King James Version)

You are so valuable to God

²⁹ Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. ³⁰ But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. ³¹ Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. (Matthew 10:29-31, New King James Version)

Feed on His faithfulness

¹ Do not fret because of evildoers,
Nor be envious of the workers of iniquity.
² For they shall soon be cut down like the grass,
And wither as the green herb.

³ Trust in the LORD, and do good;
Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.
⁴ Delight yourself also in the LORD,
And He shall give you the desires of your heart.

⁵ Commit your way to the LORD,
Trust also in Him,
And He shall bring it to pass.
⁶ He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light,
And your justice as the noonday.

⁷ Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him;
Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way,
Because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass.
⁸ Cease from anger, and forsake wrath;
Do not fret—it only causes harm.

⁹ For evildoers shall be cut off;
But those who wait on the LORD,
They shall inherit the earth.
¹⁰ For yet a little while and the wicked shall be no more;
Indeed, you will look carefully for his place,
But it shall be no more.
¹¹ But the meek shall inherit the earth,
And shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.

¹² The wicked plots against the just,
And gnashes at him with his teeth.
¹³ The Lord laughs at him,
For He sees that his day is coming.
¹⁴ The wicked have drawn the sword
And have bent their bow,
To cast down the poor and needy,
To slay those who are of upright conduct.
¹⁵ Their sword shall enter their own heart,
And their bows shall be broken.

¹⁶ A little that a righteous man has
Is better than the riches of many wicked.
¹⁷ For the arms of the wicked shall be broken,
But the LORD upholds the righteous.

¹⁸ The LORD knows the days of the upright,
And their inheritance shall be forever.
¹⁹ They shall not be ashamed in the evil time,
And in the days of famine they shall be satisfied.
²⁰ But the wicked shall perish;
And the enemies of the LORD,
Like the splendor of the meadows, shall vanish.
Into smoke they shall vanish away.

²¹ The wicked borrows and does not repay,
But the righteous shows mercy and gives.
²² For those blessed by Him shall inherit the earth,
But those cursed by Him shall be cut off.

²³ The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD,
And He delights in his way.
²⁴ Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down;
For the LORD upholds him with His hand.

²⁵ I have been young, and now am old;
Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken,
Nor his descendants begging bread.
²⁶ He is ever merciful, and lends;
And his descendants are blessed.

²⁷ Depart from evil, and do good;
And dwell forevermore.
²⁸ For the LORD loves justice,
And does not forsake His saints;
They are preserved forever,
But the descendants of the wicked shall be cut off.
²⁹ The righteous shall inherit the land,
And dwell in it forever.

³⁰ The mouth of the righteous speaks wisdom,
And his tongue talks of justice. (Psalm 37, New King James Version)

I have victory in Jesus

[Chorus]
I've got, got the victory
I've got the sweet, sweet victory in Jesus,
Yes I do!
He is our mighty conquerer,
In Him I will trust, all my battles He'll fight.
I've got, got the victory
I've got the sweet, sweet victory in Jesus.
For me He died but He rose on the third day
That’s why I have true victory everyday!

[Verse 1]
Truly I've been through the storm and rain.
I know everything about heartache and pain.
But God carried me through it all
Without His protection I'd surely fall.
I’ve been broke without a dime to my name.
But all my bills got paid ‘cause I called on Jesus name.
You can't tell me that God isnt real 'cause I've got the victory and that's why I’m still here.

[Chorus]

[Verse 2]
I'm not worried about material things I dont have
I just rest cause I’m sure in my Savior’s care
Because I know my blessing is on the way
I can't see it right now but I stand by faith.
I've fought many, many battles in His name
I held up the blood-stained banner and proclaimed
That Jesus is the truth and the light:
Believe me when I say He will make it all right!

[Chorus]

[Bridge]
Yeah I got the victory yeah
I got the victory yeah yeah yeah
[And if you have the victory sing it with me]
Yeah I got the victory yeah I got the victory
Yeah yeah yeah
[I've got the victory Sing it with me]

[Chorus out]

Fasting and taking up your cross for Jesus

Reneé and I were talking about fasting and how this year's RLC 21 days of prayer and fasting was going for each of us. It brought up the question of what really is fasting and what does it mean for us here in America in 2011. Reneé had a great observation that for her true fasting has to be uncomfortable and cost her something that she really wants. For example if you are fasting food then the hunger pangs are uncomfortable and they are the cost as you fast.

Below in Isaiah 58:7 we find that fasting that is truly pleasing to the Lord is feeding the hungry, giving shelter to the poor, clothing the naked, and not hiding yourself from your own flesh. These are all topics that Pastor Mike has been speaking about when he talks about taking up a cross for Jesus. They are all uncomfortable and are attained only from us doing something that costs us something. It seems that taking up a cross for Jesus and fasting are much the same.

Isaiah 58:1-9 (New King James Version)

Fasting that Pleases God

¹ “Cry aloud, spare not;
Lift up your voice like a trumpet;
Tell My people their transgression,
And the house of Jacob their sins.
² Yet they seek Me daily,
And delight to know My ways,
As a nation that did righteousness,
And did not forsake the ordinance of their God.
They ask of Me the ordinances of justice;
They take delight in approaching God.
³ ‘ Why have we fasted,’ they say, ‘and You have not seen?
Why have we afflicted our souls, and You take no notice?’


“ In fact, in the day of your fast you find pleasure,
And exploit all your laborers.
⁴ Indeed you fast for strife and debate,
And to strike with the fist of wickedness.
You will not fast as you do this day,
To make your voice heard on high.
⁵ Is it a fast that I have chosen,
A day for a man to afflict his soul?
Is it to bow down his head like a bulrush,
And to spread out sackcloth and ashes?
Would you call this a fast,
And an acceptable day to the LORD?
⁶ “ Is this not the fast that I have chosen:
To loose the bonds of wickedness,
To undo the heavy burdens,
To let the oppressed go free,
And that you break every yoke?
⁷ Is it not to share your bread with the hungry,
And that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out;
When you see the naked, that you cover him,
And not hide yourself from your own flesh?
⁸ Then your light shall break forth like the morning,
Your healing shall spring forth speedily,
And your righteousness shall go before you;
The glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard.
⁹ Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer;
You shall cry, and He will say, ‘Here I am.’

Why Me Lord?

Where is your treasure?

As I reach the one week point of this years 21 days of prayer and fasting I have been reflecting on everything in my life. After reflection this verse that I have read many times before is really sticking with me. Where is the treasure in my life?

¹⁹ “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; ²⁰ but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. ²¹ For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Matthew 6:19-21, New King James Version)

Psalm 130

¹ Out of the depths I have cried to You, O LORD;
² Lord, hear my voice!
Let Your ears be attentive
To the voice of my supplications.

³ If You, LORD, should mark iniquities,
O Lord, who could stand?
⁴ But there is forgiveness with You,
That You may be feared.

⁵ I wait for the LORD, my soul waits,
And in His word I do hope.
⁶ My soul waits for the Lord
More than those who watch for the morning—
Yes, more than those who watch for the morning.

⁷ O Israel, hope in the LORD;
For with the LORD there is mercy,
And with Him is abundant redemption.
⁸ And He shall redeem Israel
From all his iniquities. (Psalm 130, New King James Version)

Thank you Lord

When will you comfort me oh Lord?

⁸¹ My soul faints for Your salvation,
But I hope in Your word.
⁸² My eyes fail from searching Your word,
Saying, “When will You comfort me?”
⁸³ For I have become like a wineskin in smoke,
Yet I do not forget Your statutes.
⁸⁴ How many are the days of Your servant?
When will You execute judgment on those who persecute me?
⁸⁵ The proud have dug pits for me,
Which is not according to Your law.
⁸⁶ All Your commandments are faithful;
They persecute me wrongfully;
Help me!
⁸⁷ They almost made an end of me on earth,
But I did not forsake Your precepts.
⁸⁸ Revive me according to Your lovingkindness,
So that I may keep the testimony of Your mouth.

(Psalm 119:81-88, New King James Version)

God's Amazing Love

We all need God's amazing love...

Do not loose heart when the world seems bleak

¹⁶ Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. ¹⁷ For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, ¹⁸ while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. ¹ For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. ² For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed with our habitation which is from heaven, ³ if indeed, having been clothed, we shall not be found naked. ⁴ For we who are in this tent groan, being burdened, not because we want to be unclothed, but further clothed, that mortality may be swallowed up by life. ⁵ Now He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who also has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.
⁶ So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. ⁷ For we walk by faith, not by sight. ⁸ We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord. (2 Corinthians 4:16-5:8, New King James Version)

Faces of Persecution

LORD,

I pray for all of the people in this video and for all of the families who have been affected by there persecution. I pray that you would give them peace even in the very un-peaceful circumstances that they live in. I also pray that you would give the same strength of conviction to all the rest of us Christians who have yet to be persecuted. In JESUS name, Amen.

Encouragement for the New Year

Dear Brothers,

I am writing to encourage all of you to reinvigorate our efforts about posting on the Men's Blog. The second half of last year I like many others had gotten discouraged by what I thought was a lack of participation in the blog. The fact of the matter is that no one has regularly put up any blogs since last June.

Upon starting my 21 days of fasting and prayer I felt a leading to revisit the blog. I was very surprised to find that GOD has been using our blog even without our help. Since the last regular postings in June we have had 637 VISTIS TO THE BLOG SITE. I feel humbled that people out in the world are still reading and searching our little blog for JESUS. I am realizing that this blog really is about so much more than us here at RLC. I hope that you will join me in reinvigorating our efforts to post messages here regularly for who ever GOD leads to read it.

Blessings to you all,

Jason

Greetings

I was going to send a Christmas greeting to Dan DuRoss via the blog because I don't have his email address and then I thought why just him. So I want to wish all my brother's a very happy, Merry Christmas. I pray God's richest blessing on all you great men of God and on your families, for Christmas and the coming New Year. Jesus IS the REASON for the SEASON!!! Ken
(I'm sorry I haven't been on for a long time. My only excuse is I totally forgot about the blog)

LONELINESS WILL LEAD US TO RELATIONSHIP

Just recently I was talking with a brother about his "loneliness" and shortly after our conversation ended I was in prayer for him and others God had brought to my who also suffered from loneliness and before I could finish praying the word "heaven" came to my mind. And that heaven will be all about "relationship." And while we are here on earth we can get a glimpse at the heavenly relationship awaiting us. We can also work at and aggressively pursue relationships while we are here to again prepare for what we'll be doing in heaven! Our Father does not wanting us to be lonely on earth and has given us family, friends, and church FOR JUST THAT REASON. Loneliness should drive us to relationship. Once we have reached our heavenly destination all previous earthly relationships will be I'm guessing strangely dim in comparison to one we will enjoy eternally with the Lord!!! Prepare, prepare, prepare!

Giving honor

As some of you know my wife and I just celebrated our 40th anniversary..Sharon
is such a blessing and I honor her everyday or at least try..In reflecting on her and other
things , I am reminded how as men do we really honor each other..??I believe some of those
things are as follows:
i.e Putting information or encouragement on this blog is one.. I know I am as guilty
as most of us on not using this blog..we know it is a blessing and we shouldnt just do it
to get any kind of recognition..remember we are honoring each other.

I believe another one is to pray for one another. putting our fellowmen before God daily..I repent
of not doing this as faithfully as I should..I hope you can forgive me..

Another is to honor our leaders..board members..Pastors ..God bless all of you for all
you do..I pray you are blessed and the favor of God will become more apparent to you
each day..

And last but not least,,our fellow Men's breakfast leaders and attendees..Never get weary
in well doing..remember who you are really doing this for and the joy set before you will
always be greater than any small hindrance now or in the future..

I just felt I should say these things..and no one on the lis should take anything personal
but rejoice that your name is written in the Lamb's Book of Life..WE are all blessed to
know each other and have the fellowship of Jesus with us..God bless you all!!

Be happy??

Is being just happy good enough for you?..Real joy(not happiness) comes from knowing Jesus
and trusting Him no matter what comes in our lives..Sometimes when we see others
circumstances ours dont look so bad..Know that happiness as a goal is a lesser
expectation than wanting real joy..Why settle for less..People who are great know that
the joy of the Lord is our strength no matter what comes our way..Keep the faith!!

Waiting on the Lord

I have been pondering what it means to wait upon the Lord?

In today's drive-thru, microwave, instant message, buy now pay later society we don't seem to have to wait for much anymore. In fact you could argue that we are teaching a whole generation of people how not to wait for things.

In Psalm 27 David talks about how the Lord is his light and salvation and whom shall he fear. He then goes on to talk about how the Lord will protect him. He ends the Psalm with this...

Psalm 27:14 (NIV)

¹⁴ Wait for the LORD;
be strong and take heart
and wait for the LORD.

I find it very interesting that David doesn't say the Lord is my "INSTANT DELIVERER" he says wait for the Lord...twice

My wife Reneé and I have been waiting on the Lord and praying that He would speed up our adoption of a child from Ethiopia. We so wanted it to happen on our schedule. Instead the Lord had a plan for us and our new son to meet on His schedule.

This last Tuesday 2 years to the day that we started the adoption process we got the call to go to Africa and pick him up. We leave next week. God had this plan for us all along. Maybe He was just waiting on us?

Psalm 86:12 (NIV)

¹² I will praise you, O Lord my God, with all my heart;
I will glorify your name forever.

Rejoice

Just a reminder this is the day the Lord has made..Rejoice!! Rejoice!! in it
and be glad..Be glad that your name is written in the Lamb's Book of Life and
know that your redemption is drawing soon!!..That is enough right there to rejoice!!
Be glad in HIM...God bless you all..

Map update

For those of you who may be wondering the cluster map that shows what country everyone has been in reading our blog has reset itself back to zero. It does this every year. In case you missed it click here are the final map and totals for last year. We had 2169 visits from around the world.

Who do we honor?

IN lieu of the many words from people in our congregation like Larry Rich and of course
Pastor Mike as recent as yesterday, it seems to me God is really trying to tell us something..
WE must always do our best to honor one another and not to think to highly of ourselves,
and remember we are God's creation and must do what he asks..It sounds so simple, but
if we do these honoring things God will honor us ..like love our wives..dont discourage your
children but discipline in love.love our neighbors.and the list could go on..Keep pressing on
for the highest calling is in Christ Jesus!!..I honor all of you and pray the best for you in
all you are doing .. By the way May is military appreciation month..Thanks to all our military personnel and families of those who have served and are serving..See ya Saturday as well!!

BROTHERS WE MUST CONTEND

Brothers in Christ please lift up in your prayers and petitions before our God one of our brothers Bruce Axtman. Bruce as some of you may know was in a serious automobile accident about three weeks ago in Maryland (where he lives). Despite returning to work shortly after his accident he has suffered some set backs with his recovery and was recently re-hospitalized again.

Please be contending for Bruce as we are his family back here and he needs our support! Also thanks Larry K. for encouraging me this past Sunday and sharing the burning things that God has placed in your heart my contending energies have since been renewed increased 2 or 3X! Just a thought about contending as I was meditating on this yesterday I was reminded of Micheal (the arch angel) in Jude 9 that even after Moses died a (spiritual warfare) contending (by Micheal) was necessary to negate the enemies plans to destroy his destiny... how much more must we then contend until that great and terrible Day of our redemption!

Life'experiences

Sometimes little things that happen in life make us very bitter and upset..
I am trying to always show restraint and be patient but not perfect in either
area..I know the enemy wants us to not focus on Him,so any little interruption
or conflict causes us to lose our focus..It is all put into perspective when about
a 100 people come to Christ throughthe Easter production..Our little inconveniences
dont seem as important..However even as I say this God is still very interested
in our our little conflicts no matter how small and wants to help us through them
not necessarily around them..So even life's daily experieinces can cause us to
trust in Him more, and no that in the end of every trial no mater how small
God will always win the battle IF we keep trusting him..God bless you all!!!

Muslims in Africa are coming to Christ in droves

With all of the great news how God is moving around the world I have been looking to find some of the stories to share.

Here is an interview on the Arab television network about how in Africa they are loosing so many Muslims to Christianity they fear soon there will not be any left. It is now 16,000 per day!

Praise Jesus!

Resurrection Gospel

As we know the death and Resurrection of Jesus is the Gospel. Romans 6:11 says "to consider yourselves dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus." All of Romans 6 Paul is teaching us to personalize the death and Resurrection of Jesus. No life to God with out first death to sin through Jesus. Death to sin is not life. It is not what we don't do that makes us alive, but what we are free to do unto God in Jesus that is life to us. Simple but not easy. As Pastor Mike told us we would be the biggest fool knowing the Lord's love for us yet live like there is no God who gave us this Gospel. Like you, don't want to be a fool.

Easter Week as told by Matthew

I know I posted this last year but I really love reading this day by day during the Easter season so here we go again...

Please click on the verse links and reflect on the history of each day of this week.

Sunday - Triumphal Entry - Matthew 21:1-11
Monday- Jesus cleans the temple - Matthew 21:12-17
Tuesday- Woman anoints Jesus - Matthew 26:6-13
Wednesday- Judas' plot - Matthew 26:14-16
Thursday- Last Supper - Matthew 26:20-30
Friday - Betrayal & Arrest - Matthew 26:47-68
Trial - Matthew 27:11-31
Crucifixion - Matthew 27:32-50
Burial - Matthew 27:57-61
Saturday- Guard at Tomb - Matthew 27:62-66
Sunday- Resurrection - Matthew 28:1-10

God shows up in a bus ticket

Last Sunday Dave Medrano was picking up some of the homeless people at the Dorothy Day Shelter in St. Paul. One of the men named La Troy came up to Dave and said "I really need some money to buy a bus ticket to go back to my wife in Chicago." Dave told him he didn't have any money but that he should come to church with him because you never know what the Lord will do. Once at church La Troy was disappointed to find out that the Tzedakah homeless ministry is unable to give cash money to anyone as we would be overwhelmed by requests. Dave said we need to pray and if it is Gods will He will make a way for you to go home to your wife.

After church La Troy came running up to Dave with a huge smile on his face and said "some man here at church just came up to me and said the Lord wanted me to give you $40." La Troy said I never even asked him. Dave praised the Lord and what he had done.

Later I was driving people home to the shelter and I did not know La Troy or this bus ticket story. He asked me if I could drop him off at the bus station and I said sure. When we got there he asked me to wait and then he went in to get his ticket. He came out with a sad look on his face and said the ticket is $58. I felt the Lord strongly moving me so I looked in my wallet to see what I could add to his $40. I had to smile when I looked and had exactly $18 in my wallet. (I normally don't carry any cash) I said to La Troy I think that the Lord really wants you to go home to your wife and I gave him the money. At that point he did not understand the significance of exactly $58 because I found out that he could not count. He just held the wad of small bills in his had and asked me with a tear in his eye is this enough? Yes it is I told him and God really loves you and wants you to go home to your wife. I helped La Troy go in and buy his bus ticket and I am sure I will never see him again but I know God has put him on my heart always.

Let us give thanks to the Lord for through Him all things are possible.

Even bus tickets.

Amen

Terry Bradshaw's testimony

All The Time In The World

Said yesterday to to-morrow:

When I was young like you,
I too, was fond of boasting
Of all I meant to do.
But while I fell a-dreaming
Along the pleasant way,
Before I scarcely knew it,
I found I was to-day!
And as to-day, so quickly
My little course was run,
I had not time to finish
One-half the things begun.
Would I could try it over,
But I can ne'er go back;
A yesterday forever,
I now must be, alack!
And so, my good to-morrow,
If you would make a name
That history will cherish
Upon its roll of fame,
Be all prepared and ready
Your noblest part to play
In those new fleeting hours
When you will be today.
---The Pacific

Do you love life? Then do not
squander time, for that is the
stuff life is made of.

Remember how short my time is...
Psalm 89:47

Furious Love- revisited

For those of you who missed the first screening of Furious Love at RLC good news you get another chance.

Sunday April 11th at 5 pm. The cost is $5 per person or $15/family

Here is your chance to see a Christian film about what God is doing here on earth. How many times have you paid $7 or $8 to go see a secular film filled with things to help you turn away from God? Now for $5 you can see one to help you turn too God. And the popcorn is way cheaper at RLC!

I hope to see you there.

The world is shaking

There has been lots of discussion among people about what to make of the great earthquakes that have been happening around the world.

There are many verses in the Bible about earthquakes and how they are related to the end times or how God uses them to do His will.

Here are a few of the verses to read and pray about. My personal favorite is Psalm 99.

THE LORD REIGNS...LET THE EATH SHAKE!

⁵ And Jesus, answering them, began to say: “Take heed that no one deceives you. ⁶ For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am He,’ and will deceive many. ⁷ But when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be troubled; for such things must happen, but the end is not yet. ⁸ For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be earthquakes in various places, and there will be famines and troubles. These are the beginnings of sorrows.
(Mark 13:5-8, New King James Version)

⁶ “For thus says the LORD of hosts: ‘Once more (it is a little while) I will shake heaven and earth, the sea and dry land; ⁷ and I will shake all nations, and they shall come to the Desire of All Nations, and I will fill this temple with glory,’ says the LORD of hosts. (Haggai 2:6-7, New King James Version)

¹⁰ Then He said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. ¹¹ And there will be great earthquakes in various places, and famines and pestilences; and there will be fearful sights and great signs from heaven. (Luke 21:10-11, New King James Version)

⁶ And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for allthese things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. ⁷ For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. ⁸ All these are the beginning of sorrows.
(Matthew 24:6-8, New King James Version)

Psalm 99

¹ The LORD reigns,
let the nations tremble;
he sits enthroned between the cherubim,
let the earth shake.

² Great is the LORD in Zion;
he is exalted over all the nations.

³ Let them praise your great and awesome name—
he is holy.

⁴ The King is mighty, he loves justice—
you have established equity;
in Jacob you have done
what is just and right.

⁵ Exalt the LORD our God
and worship at his footstool;
he is holy.

⁶ Moses and Aaron were among his priests,
Samuel was among those who called on his name;
they called on the LORD
and he answered them.

⁷ He spoke to them from the pillar of cloud;
they kept his statutes and the decrees he gave them.

⁸ O LORD our God,
you answered them;
you were to Israel a forgiving God,
though you punished their misdeeds.

⁹ Exalt the LORD our God
and worship at his holy mountain,
for the LORD our God is holy.

Attitude

If you keep saying that things are going to be bad, you have a chance of being a prophet.

You are snared with the words of your mouth, you are taken with the words of your mouth. Proverbs 6:2

Chuck continually complained that he didn't make enough money, couldn't afford the things he wanted, and therefore, wasn't ever going to amount to anything. A counselor said to him, "You're throwing your energy away complaining instead of using it to get ahead." "But you don't understand. The job is the problem, not me," Chuck countered.
The counselor said, "Your low-paying job may be a problem and your boss may demand too much, but if you are continually that upset, you are causing yourself more harm than either the job or the boss."
"What can I do?" he asked.
The counselor said, "You can't control your boss or the job, but you can control how you feel about them. Change your attitude."
Chuck took his advice. When he stopped whining about his life, people around him noticed. He got a promotion, and with his new job status, he was more marketable. Within several months, he was transferred out of the department into a position with even higher pay and a more supportive boss.
Awful is a state of attitude. A change in attitude will change the state of things! From God's Little Devotional Book for Leaders

It's Not Time, Yet

A great deal of good can be done in the world if
one is not too careful who gets the credit.

So then, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you may do,
do all for the honor and glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31 AMP

On their way home from a lifetime of service as missionaries in Africa, an elderly couple found themselves on the same ocean liner as President Teddy Roosevelt, who was returning from a big game hunting expedition.
The couple watched in awe at the fanfare given the President and his entourage. When the ship docked in New York, a band was waiting to greet him, the mayor was there to welcome him, and the newspapers heralded his return.
Meanwhile, the missionary couple slipped quietly off the ship and found a cheap apartment. They had no pension, they were in poor health, and they were discouraged and fearful. The husband, especially, could not seem to get over how the President had received such acclaim, while their decades of service had gone without notice or reward. "God isn't treating us fairly," he complained bitterly to his wife.
"Why don't you pray about it?" his wife advised.
A sort time later, the wife noticed a change in her husband's demeanor. "What happened?" she asked. The man replied, "The Lord put His hand on my shoulder and simply said, 'But you're not home yet!"

Hang in there brothers/sisters we're not home yet either!!

MENS ADVANCE 2010

Each year men from all the Assemblies of God churches in Minnesota are invited to join together up in beautiful, Alexandria, Minnesota at the Lake Geneva Christain center. This event is typically held in the last weekend of February and the first weekend of March each year. Both weekend events are identical in format and feature the same speakers and same theme. This years theme is simply called 'CONTEND.' If you can attend both days we encourage you to go together. The Friday session each weekend starts as early as 1:00 pm with registration please check the schedule of events I posted below. (If you can't read it you can click on each flyer page and it will blow up automatically) The Advance ends at 3:00 pm on Saturday for both weekend events. Overnight accomadations as well as meals are included in the total cost to attend.

I can attest that this years event will be powerful and life changing because Jayme Montera (Evangelist) will be the main speaker again this year as he was three years ago when a number of us from Redeeming Love were able to witness the incredible annointing that God has placed on Jayme as he gave testimony of how God radically transformed his life and at the same time empowered him to help other (men) who want the same thing Jayme received!

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, whether you are going or need more information please contact me, Greg Holmquist 651 762 8288 or Dan Duross 651 491 3126. We need to hear from you, and we need to speak to you as well. Thanks men and Gods richest blessings to you!

How do YOU do the greatest commandments?

I have been meditating on what it means for me to follow God’s Greatest Commandments from Matthew 22:37-40

37 And He said to him “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the great and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: you shall love your neighbor as yourself. 40 On these two commandments depend all the law and the prophets”

I am hoping that some of you as my brothers can help me and tell me what it means in your life.

Please put your answers as a comment to this post. It will help to stir me up and maybe others as well.

Your Brother in Christ,

Jason

Hebrews 10:24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works.