Thank you Lord for being our provider.

Now read this again:

“By all indications from the responses he had received either by mail, email, phone calls and messages, not to mention those that had spoken to him in person, everyone thinks he should be in prison ministry!”

Proverbs 25:11  A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.

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More Great Words… His Word!

Proverbs 18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.

Proverbs 12:18 There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

Matthew 15:18 But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person.

Proverbs 16:24 Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.

Ephesians 4:29 Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.

Proverbs 13:3 Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life; he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.

Proverbs 21:23 Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble.

Proverbs 17:9 Whoever covers an offense seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates close friends.

Proverbs 10:19 When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.

Psalm 19:14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

Romans 12:14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.

Matthew 12:34 You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.

John 8:31 So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples,

John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

Proverbs 17:27 Whoever restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding.

Proverbs 15:4 A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.

Proverbs 15:1 A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

Ephesians 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,

John 8:31-32 So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

John 1:14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Luke 6:45 The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.

Matthew 12:37 For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”

Isaiah 54:17 No weapon that is fashioned against you shall succeed, and you shall confute every tongue that rises against you in judgment. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord and their vindication from me, declares the Lord.”

Proverbs 29:20 Do you see a man who is hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him.

Proverbs 16:23-24 The heart of the wise makes his speech judicious and adds persuasiveness to his lips. Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.

Proverbs 27:2 Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips.

Proverbs 17:28 Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent.

So go by and see Hunt or Jennifer and check out all The God Mafia merch (ask for it by name) and while you’re there look around, they have some really great stuff!

Once again, a big welcome to “The Family” from all of us at The God Mafia Clothing and Apparel.

I have been asked these questions many times…. Do you really believe in a God that created Heaven and Earth? Do you really believe that this God of yours sent His Son, Jesus Christ to die on a cross for your sins? And that you can confess your sins to Him and be forgiven so when you die you will spend eternity in Heaven?  Do you really believe that the Bible is the inspired word of God? And my answer to all of these questions is very simple I know, but that answer is YES!

To the non-believer here is what you need to consider. Because I believe that all these things are true and I have confessed my sins before God, I am forgiven, I am saved, and I am set free. Therefore I do my best to understand God’s written word and ways. I try (I am not perfect) to do my very best to live the best life I can here on Earth. Now because I believe that, my life seems to be and is driven by blessings from the Father. I live a happier, healthier and more enriched life, which in turn has a wonderful overflowing effect on my family, my friends, my co-workers and even complete strangers that I am around. I am not saying that life is always perfect; we live in a fallen world, so there are difficulties that arise. But that’s were faith and hope collide. That’s a whole other writing in itself, more on that at another time.

Okay so here is when the non-believer really comes in. What happens when the day comes and I die and I find out there is no God? Oh well, right? I lived a richer, fuller, happier life and now I am dead. Nothing happens, right? But if there is this God in Heaven that I believe in, I live an eternal life that words can’t begin to describe.  So let say you die and there is no God. Oh well, right? But what type of life have you lived while you were here? Were you happy, healthy, and content or were you lacking and continually searching for answers? Once again, if there is no God and you die, you are just like me, dead. But what happens if there is this God, then what? What does your promised eternity look like?

Bottom line: I die – No God – Oh well. You die – there is a God – OH HELL!

Why not believe in something that promises a much better life, rather than a continued struggle here on Earth? My God is a loving, forgiven, caring God that longs to have a relationship with you. Call on His name today and start painting your eternal picture now.

Another thing that’s amazing is that I don’t believe I have ever heard this song done as a Christian Rock song. If you’ve heard it done this way, please let me know who did it. I’d love to hear it.

Okay, read the lyrics and be amazed! 

Amazing Grace by John Newton (1725-1807)

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.

T’was Grace that taught my heart to fear.
And Grace, my fears relieved.
How precious did that Grace appear
The hour I first believed.

Through many dangers, toils and snares
I have already come;
‘Tis Grace that brought me safe thus far
and Grace will lead me home.

The Lord has promised good to me.
His word my hope secures.
He will my shield and portion be,
As long as life endures.

Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.

When we’ve been here ten thousand years
Bright shining as the sun.
We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise
Than when we’ve first begun.

Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.”

John 8:12 

In short….Praying to God puts me to sleep!

Psalm 55: 22    Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall.

Why aren’t more people standing up and speaking out for our nations Spiritual well being? I’d say that Healthy Fruit versus Sinful Nature has far greater meaning and need in this world, both in our present needs and eternal future, wouldn’t you?

Today is the day to SPEAK UP and have some Fruit!

Living by the Spirit’s Power

Galatians 5: 16-26

So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions. But when you are directed by the Spirit, you are not under obligation to the Law of Moses.

When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.

But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!

Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. Let us not become conceited, or provoke one another, or be jealous of one another.

If you don’t know who Christine Caine is, you need to get to know her and the mission that she is on. You can find her at http://www.equipandempower.org and see what she and her husband Nick are up to for the Kingdom of God.

The last time Christine was in Oklahoma City visiting Victory Church, www.vc.tv , she told the story of her daughter and her at at local store shopping for a few things when her daughter asked if she could get a flashlight. Of course that’s understandable, don’t you remember when you were a child how cool it was to shine a flashlight around outside or even in your bedroom after the sun went down? Good times!

Back to the story….. she got the flashlight and with it in hand and it still being daylight, the little girl made a great statement. This is where I’d love to take credit. She said “Mumm (said with an Australian accent) let’s go find some dark to shine the light into.”

Isn’t that what Jesus wants us to do? Find some dark to shine His light into?

Are you that shining light?

Being the light is good!

Genesis 1:2-4 

Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.

And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. God saw that the light was good, and He separated the light from the darkness.

John 8:12

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

Matthew 5: 13-16

“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.

“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.