Everyone remembers the story of Daniel and the Lion’s den. In Daniel chapter 6 verse 3 we read how much the king favored Daniel “Now Daniel so distinguished himself among the administrators and the satraps by his exceptional qualities that the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom.” Well, you can imagine that the news of this went over like a lead balloon because the very next verse tells us “at this, the administrators and the satraps tried to find grounds for charges against Daniel in his conduct of government affairs, but they were unable to do so. They could find no corruption in him, because he was trustworthy and neither corrupt nor negligent.”
We’ve all worked with people like the administrators and satraps, haven’t we? Or maybe, if you’ve been lucky enough not to have to work with someone like this, chances are that you’ve known someone like this. These people first went after Daniel by looking at his work, nitpicking it and turning over every page, reading every memo that Daniel sent out, just trying to find something that they could take to King Darius to use against Daniel and to try and get him fired. In verse 5 we are told “Finally these men said, "We will never find any basis for charges against this man Daniel unless it has something to do with the law of his God." If you are a Christian that is what the lost people in the world are doing to you. The world is very good about watching our every move so that when we stumble they can point at us and make themselves feel better about how they are living their own lives.
The administrators and satraps huddled together to devise a plan to be able to charge Daniel with something so that they could get him out of their hair once and for all. So they decided to play up to the king’s pride. In verse 6 we read “So the administrators and the satraps went as a group to the king and said: "O King Darius, live forever! 7 The royal administrators, prefects, satraps, advisers and governors have all agreed that the king should issue an edict and enforce the decree that anyone who prays to any god or man during the next thirty days, except to you, O king, shall be thrown into the lions' den. 8 Now, O king, issue the decree and put it in writing so that it cannot be altered--in accordance with the laws of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be repealed." 9 So King Darius put the decree in writing.”
The decree was issued and for the next 30 days anyone caught praying to any god or man other than the king would be thrown into the lion’s den. Well, Daniel ignored this decree and went right on praying to God. Daniel was ignoring the king’s decree and doing what he knew he was supposed to do and that was to follow what God told him to do. Well you know the rest of the story. Daniel was placed in the lion’s den, but the Lord sent an angel to shut the mouth of the lions. The king realized that those that came up with the decree were jealous of Daniel and he also knew that he had done wrong by listening to them and by issuing the decree. When he realized that Daniel’s God had saved him, the king then had the men that accused Daniel thrown into the lions den along with their wives and children. Before they even hit the floor of the lions den they were devoured.
What lessons can we learn from this story? We learn that lost people watch us closely. They watch to see how we conduct business and how we live our lives. We also learn that when we are diligent and continually walk in the way of the Lord, our God does reward us for our faithful service to Him. In Daniel’s case he was first rewarded through his job and then he was saved from a horrible death. In verse 10 we read “now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before.” Even though the decree was issued that anyone breaking the order would be thrown in the lion’s den, Daniel didn’t hesitate to pray to God. Daniel knew that being obedient to God was a cause that was worth dying for.
With the way the world is going these days, it’s not a stretch of the imagination to see the events unfolding from the book of Revelations. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to realize that one of these days all Christians will be under severe attack. We will each have to take a stand and decide if being obedient to Christ is a cause that is worth dying for.
Cindy
Bible Verse taken from the New International Version
@copyright 2011 LVC Ministries, Inc
Monday, February 28, 2011
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Hot or Cold, or Somewhere In Between?
[14] “To the angel of the church in Laodicea write:
These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God's creation. [15] I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! [16] So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. [17] You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. [18] I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.
[19] Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent. [20] Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.
[21] To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne. [22] He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” Rev 3:14-22
Jesus, who is the faithful and true witness, who sees all we do, chastised the church in Laodicea by showing how the world around them was moving them into a lukewarm, or indifferent state in their works for God. Laodicea was known for its lukewarm water that was piped in by aqueduct from the Hot Springs of Hierapolis and cold water from Colossae. By the time the water reached Laodicea, it was lukewarm and nasty! Laodicea was a very wealthy community. They were well known for garments made of black wool and for medicinal eye salve that came from their university. With this in mind, you can see how Jesus used their worldly situation to challenge them to change from their “lukewarmness”.
There are good uses for hot water and for cold water, but they were neither hot nor cold. Their lukewarmness, or indifference, was so detestable to Jesus that He was ready to vomit them out of His mouth, like someone who drank of the detestable, lukewarm water of Laodicea would spit it out of his mouth. They thought they were rich because they had all that they needed. They thought how wealthy they were with their black wool garments, but spiritually, they were poor and naked. They needed to put on Jesus’ white garment of righteousness. With their university, they thought they had much knowledge, but they were blind and needed spiritual salve for their eyes so they could be opened up to see their spiritual state. Does this sound familiar? As a nation, Americans have been richly blessed. But so many people don’t think they need God because they think they can do everything on their own. With all of our knowledge and technology, we Americans think we are so smart, but are we really just being lukewarm?
Jesus challenged the Laodicean church to buy gold from Him that was refined by fire. Perhaps He was referring to 1 Cor. 3:12-15 which says,
“[12] If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, [13] his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work. [14] If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. [15] If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames. “
Are your works building on the foundation of Jesus Christ? Will they stand the test of fire? Or do you think you have everything you need without God's help? How much do you really rely on Him? Are you too prideful to be corrected by Jesus? Don’t be, instead, repent and turn from your ways. He only corrects and disciplines those He loves. Jesus is telling His followers that He’s knocking at the door of your heart. Will you open the door and let Him come in? He is a gentleman, and won’t force His way in, but only comes in by invitation. When is the last time you invited Jesus into your heart and into every area of your life? This is something we can do daily, not just when we first believe in Him.
To those who overcome this indifference and apathy, this lukewarmness, Jesus says that you will have the right to share His throne with Him. I don’t know how this will happen, but it reminds me of a child sitting on his daddy’s lap. You can’t help but be close when you’re sitting together, and Jesus is offering that kind of closeness with Him when you overcome the sin of indifference. Let's ask God to help us overcome being lukewarm.
Dear Heavenly Father,
I pray that you will show me anywhere that I am being indifferent, lukewarm or apathetic in my service to You. I open up all aspects of my life to You and invite You in. I ask that You anoint my eyes with spiritual salve so I may see. I also ask that You would help me to walk clothed in Your righteousness. Thank You, Jesus. It's in Your precious name I pray. Amen.
~Lisa
Scripture references are from the New International Version.
@Copyright 2011 LVC Ministries, Inc.
These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God's creation. [15] I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! [16] So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. [17] You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. [18] I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.
[19] Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent. [20] Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.
[21] To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne. [22] He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” Rev 3:14-22
Jesus, who is the faithful and true witness, who sees all we do, chastised the church in Laodicea by showing how the world around them was moving them into a lukewarm, or indifferent state in their works for God. Laodicea was known for its lukewarm water that was piped in by aqueduct from the Hot Springs of Hierapolis and cold water from Colossae. By the time the water reached Laodicea, it was lukewarm and nasty! Laodicea was a very wealthy community. They were well known for garments made of black wool and for medicinal eye salve that came from their university. With this in mind, you can see how Jesus used their worldly situation to challenge them to change from their “lukewarmness”.
There are good uses for hot water and for cold water, but they were neither hot nor cold. Their lukewarmness, or indifference, was so detestable to Jesus that He was ready to vomit them out of His mouth, like someone who drank of the detestable, lukewarm water of Laodicea would spit it out of his mouth. They thought they were rich because they had all that they needed. They thought how wealthy they were with their black wool garments, but spiritually, they were poor and naked. They needed to put on Jesus’ white garment of righteousness. With their university, they thought they had much knowledge, but they were blind and needed spiritual salve for their eyes so they could be opened up to see their spiritual state. Does this sound familiar? As a nation, Americans have been richly blessed. But so many people don’t think they need God because they think they can do everything on their own. With all of our knowledge and technology, we Americans think we are so smart, but are we really just being lukewarm?
Jesus challenged the Laodicean church to buy gold from Him that was refined by fire. Perhaps He was referring to 1 Cor. 3:12-15 which says,
“[12] If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, [13] his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work. [14] If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. [15] If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames. “
Are your works building on the foundation of Jesus Christ? Will they stand the test of fire? Or do you think you have everything you need without God's help? How much do you really rely on Him? Are you too prideful to be corrected by Jesus? Don’t be, instead, repent and turn from your ways. He only corrects and disciplines those He loves. Jesus is telling His followers that He’s knocking at the door of your heart. Will you open the door and let Him come in? He is a gentleman, and won’t force His way in, but only comes in by invitation. When is the last time you invited Jesus into your heart and into every area of your life? This is something we can do daily, not just when we first believe in Him.
To those who overcome this indifference and apathy, this lukewarmness, Jesus says that you will have the right to share His throne with Him. I don’t know how this will happen, but it reminds me of a child sitting on his daddy’s lap. You can’t help but be close when you’re sitting together, and Jesus is offering that kind of closeness with Him when you overcome the sin of indifference. Let's ask God to help us overcome being lukewarm.
Dear Heavenly Father,
I pray that you will show me anywhere that I am being indifferent, lukewarm or apathetic in my service to You. I open up all aspects of my life to You and invite You in. I ask that You anoint my eyes with spiritual salve so I may see. I also ask that You would help me to walk clothed in Your righteousness. Thank You, Jesus. It's in Your precious name I pray. Amen.
~Lisa
Scripture references are from the New International Version.
@Copyright 2011 LVC Ministries, Inc.
Monday, February 21, 2011
BUILD UP OR TEAR DOWN?
During the exodus while the Israelites were wandering around in the desert we read in chapter 17 how the Amalekites came and attacked them. Moses told Joshua to choose some of the Israelite men to go and fight the Amalekites. He told Joshua that he, Aaron and Hur would go to the top of a hill to watch the battle and that he would take with him the staff of God. Early the next day, Joshua went to battle the Amalekites and Moses took the staff of God to the top of the hill where he could watch the battle, Joshua and the Israelites could look up at any time to see Moses appealing to God for an Israelite victory by holding up his hands toward heaven. “As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning. 12 When Moses' hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up--one on one side, one on the other--so that his hands remained steady till sunset.” Ex 17:11-12
When Moses’ hands got tired and he started to lower them, the Amalekites would begin to win the battle, but as long as Moses kept his hands raised up toward heaven, the Israelites were winning. The battle began early that morning and it was obvious that the battle would continue all day. There was no way that Moses could stand there all day and keep his hands raised toward heaven without help. So, his Israelite brothers, Aaron and Hur came to his rescue. They found a stone for Moses to sit on and Aaron stood on one side of Moses while Hur stood on the other side and they each took one of Moses’ hands and held them up to heaven until sunset. Aaron and Hur recognized that Moses was struggling to keep his hands raised and they also realized that in order for the Israelites to prevail, the three of them had to work together in unison.
That brings me around to the build up portion of the title. We, you and I must work together in unison to build up the body of Christ. As Christians, we have one goal, we have the same goal and we will never reach that goal unless we work together as one body with one mind. What is our goal? Our goal is to reach the lost people in our communities. Our goal is to nurture and mature the newest Christians in our churches by giving them the tools and support that they need to grow in Christ. Our goal is to help each other overcome the obstacles that Satan throws in our individual paths and the way we do that is through fellowship and prayer. Our churches depend on each of us to step up and do whatever is necessary to stay Christ focused.
Well now, what about the tear down part of the title? Unfortunately, that also happens in our churches. Even though Christians are sons and daughters in God’s family, we don’t always act like family. “So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir.” Gal 4:7. Just as a regular family has different personalities, the church is also made up of many people with different personalities and sometimes, these personalities clash. But, what we have to remember is that the lost people in the world are watching us and when they see us stumble because we can’t get along with each other, the world immediately says “what hypocrites, why should I bother going to church?” Recently, I heard this exact reaction to an incident that occurred in a “high profile” church and it broke my heart. This incident not only affected the testimony of a “high profile” person within the church, but it also spilled over giving a Christian school the same hypocritical reputation. Make no mistake, the lost people in the world constantly watch us and are happy to use us as an excuse for them to stay away from church.
“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.” 1 John 4:7. If you have been born of God and know God....you always have a decision to make.....build up or tear down?
Cindy
Bible Verse taken from the New International Version
@copyright 2011 LVC Ministries, Inc
When Moses’ hands got tired and he started to lower them, the Amalekites would begin to win the battle, but as long as Moses kept his hands raised up toward heaven, the Israelites were winning. The battle began early that morning and it was obvious that the battle would continue all day. There was no way that Moses could stand there all day and keep his hands raised toward heaven without help. So, his Israelite brothers, Aaron and Hur came to his rescue. They found a stone for Moses to sit on and Aaron stood on one side of Moses while Hur stood on the other side and they each took one of Moses’ hands and held them up to heaven until sunset. Aaron and Hur recognized that Moses was struggling to keep his hands raised and they also realized that in order for the Israelites to prevail, the three of them had to work together in unison.
That brings me around to the build up portion of the title. We, you and I must work together in unison to build up the body of Christ. As Christians, we have one goal, we have the same goal and we will never reach that goal unless we work together as one body with one mind. What is our goal? Our goal is to reach the lost people in our communities. Our goal is to nurture and mature the newest Christians in our churches by giving them the tools and support that they need to grow in Christ. Our goal is to help each other overcome the obstacles that Satan throws in our individual paths and the way we do that is through fellowship and prayer. Our churches depend on each of us to step up and do whatever is necessary to stay Christ focused.
Well now, what about the tear down part of the title? Unfortunately, that also happens in our churches. Even though Christians are sons and daughters in God’s family, we don’t always act like family. “So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir.” Gal 4:7. Just as a regular family has different personalities, the church is also made up of many people with different personalities and sometimes, these personalities clash. But, what we have to remember is that the lost people in the world are watching us and when they see us stumble because we can’t get along with each other, the world immediately says “what hypocrites, why should I bother going to church?” Recently, I heard this exact reaction to an incident that occurred in a “high profile” church and it broke my heart. This incident not only affected the testimony of a “high profile” person within the church, but it also spilled over giving a Christian school the same hypocritical reputation. Make no mistake, the lost people in the world constantly watch us and are happy to use us as an excuse for them to stay away from church.
“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.” 1 John 4:7. If you have been born of God and know God....you always have a decision to make.....build up or tear down?
Cindy
Bible Verse taken from the New International Version
@copyright 2011 LVC Ministries, Inc
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Faithful Friends
[7] “To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write:
These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open. [8] I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. [9] I will make those who are of the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews though they are not, but are liars—I will make them come and fall down at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you. [10] Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come upon the whole world to test those who live on the earth.
[11] I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown. [12] Him who overcomes I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will he leave it. I will write on him the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on him my new name. [13] He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches." Rev 3:7-13
Those in the church in Philadelphia were faithful friends to Jesus—they persevered in their faith. Jesus didn’t have anything against this church, He just wanted them to continue on with what they were doing and not let anyone steal from them what they had. We know Philadelphia as the city of “brotherly love”, and that love is just what this church had for Jesus, and He had for them. At first, it may not seem loving that Jesus tells them they had “little strength”, but that isn’t necessarily a bad thing. If we look at ourselves, don’t we all have little strength compared to God? Having little strength helps us depend on God. When we recognize that we have little strength, and all our power comes from God, it shows humility. So, where does your strength come from—within yourself, or from God?
Jesus knows your works, and He is the only one who will open and shut doors for you. Have you had a door that recently opened or shut in your circumstances? When Jesus opens the door, you better walk through quickly, maybe even run! And when Jesus closes the door on a situation, don’t bother trying to open the door on your own, because it isn’t going to happen. You have little strength, remember? Or it could be that you have been waiting on God in a certain situation. Have you asked Him to open or close a door for you? Maybe He’s just waiting for you to ask…
Jesus commended the church for keeping His word. The Greek word for “keeping” actually means to keep an eye on or watch like a warden or guard. Are you guarding God’s word so much that nothing escapes your notice, like a warden watching the inmates? When’s the last time you opened your Bible? You can’t guard it when you’re not in it. He also commended the church for not denying His name. Can we confess to being a Christian and still deny Jesus’ name? What about when we hide the fact that we’re a Christian? Do your friends, family and co-workers know that you believe in Christ, or are you a closet Christian? Be aware that looks are deceiving now just as they were back then. Just because someone wears a cross doesn’t make them a Christian. Not everyone who wears a cross knows the meaning behind it. Just as going to church doesn’t make you a Christian nor does having parents that are Christians make you a Christian. You must, at some point, make a decision for yourself, knowing that you are a sinner who needs a Savior. You need to believe, for yourself, that Jesus took your sins upon Himself on the cross and that He rose from the dead, and is now seated at the right hand of God. Once you understand that free gift of saving grace, then you can also ask Jesus to be the Lord of your life, so that you can become more and more like Him for as long as you live. (For more understanding on what it means to accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior, please read the blog titled, “New Life in Christ”, dated April 2nd, 2010.)
There were plenty of people around the church in Philadelphia who lied about who they were and whose they were. The reality is, those who don’t know Jesus belong to Satan. That’s a hard thing to say, but it needs to be said. You are in one camp or the other. You are either on Jesus’ side or Satan’s side. Do you know whose side are you on? God tells us that there is only one way to Him and that is through Jesus Christ. (Jn 14:6) Jesus doesn’t want anyone to belong to Satan, but He is not going to force Himself on you. He gives you the opportunity to choose Him of your own free will because of His love for you. Jesus loves us all, but to really know the love of Jesus, you must be His. That’s when you hear His voice and see Him at work in your life, and that’s when you come to understand His love for you more and more. When you start to have a personal relationship with Jesus, you start to understand just how much He loves you. Don’t you want to know the love of Jesus?
To those who continue as faithful friends to Jesus, you will have a place in God’s presence. Jesus will go so far as to mark you with the name of His God and His own new name. That’s just another way that Jesus shows His love for you—a love that lasts forever!
~Lisa
All Scripture references are from the New International Version.
@Copyright 2011 LVC Ministries, Inc.
These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open. [8] I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. [9] I will make those who are of the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews though they are not, but are liars—I will make them come and fall down at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you. [10] Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come upon the whole world to test those who live on the earth.
[11] I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown. [12] Him who overcomes I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will he leave it. I will write on him the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on him my new name. [13] He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches." Rev 3:7-13
Those in the church in Philadelphia were faithful friends to Jesus—they persevered in their faith. Jesus didn’t have anything against this church, He just wanted them to continue on with what they were doing and not let anyone steal from them what they had. We know Philadelphia as the city of “brotherly love”, and that love is just what this church had for Jesus, and He had for them. At first, it may not seem loving that Jesus tells them they had “little strength”, but that isn’t necessarily a bad thing. If we look at ourselves, don’t we all have little strength compared to God? Having little strength helps us depend on God. When we recognize that we have little strength, and all our power comes from God, it shows humility. So, where does your strength come from—within yourself, or from God?
Jesus knows your works, and He is the only one who will open and shut doors for you. Have you had a door that recently opened or shut in your circumstances? When Jesus opens the door, you better walk through quickly, maybe even run! And when Jesus closes the door on a situation, don’t bother trying to open the door on your own, because it isn’t going to happen. You have little strength, remember? Or it could be that you have been waiting on God in a certain situation. Have you asked Him to open or close a door for you? Maybe He’s just waiting for you to ask…
Jesus commended the church for keeping His word. The Greek word for “keeping” actually means to keep an eye on or watch like a warden or guard. Are you guarding God’s word so much that nothing escapes your notice, like a warden watching the inmates? When’s the last time you opened your Bible? You can’t guard it when you’re not in it. He also commended the church for not denying His name. Can we confess to being a Christian and still deny Jesus’ name? What about when we hide the fact that we’re a Christian? Do your friends, family and co-workers know that you believe in Christ, or are you a closet Christian? Be aware that looks are deceiving now just as they were back then. Just because someone wears a cross doesn’t make them a Christian. Not everyone who wears a cross knows the meaning behind it. Just as going to church doesn’t make you a Christian nor does having parents that are Christians make you a Christian. You must, at some point, make a decision for yourself, knowing that you are a sinner who needs a Savior. You need to believe, for yourself, that Jesus took your sins upon Himself on the cross and that He rose from the dead, and is now seated at the right hand of God. Once you understand that free gift of saving grace, then you can also ask Jesus to be the Lord of your life, so that you can become more and more like Him for as long as you live. (For more understanding on what it means to accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior, please read the blog titled, “New Life in Christ”, dated April 2nd, 2010.)
There were plenty of people around the church in Philadelphia who lied about who they were and whose they were. The reality is, those who don’t know Jesus belong to Satan. That’s a hard thing to say, but it needs to be said. You are in one camp or the other. You are either on Jesus’ side or Satan’s side. Do you know whose side are you on? God tells us that there is only one way to Him and that is through Jesus Christ. (Jn 14:6) Jesus doesn’t want anyone to belong to Satan, but He is not going to force Himself on you. He gives you the opportunity to choose Him of your own free will because of His love for you. Jesus loves us all, but to really know the love of Jesus, you must be His. That’s when you hear His voice and see Him at work in your life, and that’s when you come to understand His love for you more and more. When you start to have a personal relationship with Jesus, you start to understand just how much He loves you. Don’t you want to know the love of Jesus?
To those who continue as faithful friends to Jesus, you will have a place in God’s presence. Jesus will go so far as to mark you with the name of His God and His own new name. That’s just another way that Jesus shows His love for you—a love that lasts forever!
~Lisa
All Scripture references are from the New International Version.
@Copyright 2011 LVC Ministries, Inc.
Monday, February 14, 2011
WHAT IS LOVE?
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” 1 Cor 13:4-7. Whether you are a Christian or not, most of us know the above verses, but how many of us remember this verse, “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13
Romans 5:8 tells us “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Even as a long-time Christian it is hard for me to wrap my mind around this. Why would God love sinners enough to step down from His throne in Heaven and die for us? What makes us so special? The answer to that question is nothing! We are not special and we certainly are not worth Jesus, the Prince of Heaven, becoming mortal and dying a cruel death on the cross for us.
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son.” John 3:16-18.
I know you are getting ready to celebrate Valentine’s Day. You’ve already got your flowers ordered, the card and gift bought and you’ve made reservations to that hard to get into restaurant. But as you think about this day of love, don’t think about it the way the world thinks about it. I know you love your spouse, your boyfriend or your girlfriend, but as you take time to think about love today....think about the sacrificial love that was made on your behalf over 2000 years ago. Take this day and think about what Christ’s sacrifice means to you and you alone.
One of these days, there will come a day of reckoning, a day of accountability, a day when each one of us will stand before the judgment throne of God. When God asks you what your definition of love is, what are you going to say? As much as I love my husband, my heart breaks because I will never understand the magnitude of real love...God’s love for me. I can not fathom the love that it took to allow His Son to bear all of my sins. Because of what Jesus did for us, God has said “For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more." Heb 8:12. When I stand before the judgment throne and God asks me what my definition of love is, all I will be able to do is point to Jesus Christ!
As you celebrate Valentine’s Day today think about the sacrifice that Christ made on your behalf all those years ago. Think about how much God loves you! No matter how hard we try, we will never fully understand the great depths of love that God has for us. Feebly, all we can do is point to Jesus and strive to let others see Christ’s love through us.
“He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. 11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; 12 as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. 13 As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him; 14 for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust.” Psalms 103:10-14 (NIV)
On behalf of Lisa, Vanessa and myself we wish you a very Happy Valentine’s Day.
Cindy
Bible Verse taken from the New International Version
@copyright 2011 LVC Ministries, Inc
Romans 5:8 tells us “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Even as a long-time Christian it is hard for me to wrap my mind around this. Why would God love sinners enough to step down from His throne in Heaven and die for us? What makes us so special? The answer to that question is nothing! We are not special and we certainly are not worth Jesus, the Prince of Heaven, becoming mortal and dying a cruel death on the cross for us.
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son.” John 3:16-18.
I know you are getting ready to celebrate Valentine’s Day. You’ve already got your flowers ordered, the card and gift bought and you’ve made reservations to that hard to get into restaurant. But as you think about this day of love, don’t think about it the way the world thinks about it. I know you love your spouse, your boyfriend or your girlfriend, but as you take time to think about love today....think about the sacrificial love that was made on your behalf over 2000 years ago. Take this day and think about what Christ’s sacrifice means to you and you alone.
One of these days, there will come a day of reckoning, a day of accountability, a day when each one of us will stand before the judgment throne of God. When God asks you what your definition of love is, what are you going to say? As much as I love my husband, my heart breaks because I will never understand the magnitude of real love...God’s love for me. I can not fathom the love that it took to allow His Son to bear all of my sins. Because of what Jesus did for us, God has said “For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more." Heb 8:12. When I stand before the judgment throne and God asks me what my definition of love is, all I will be able to do is point to Jesus Christ!
As you celebrate Valentine’s Day today think about the sacrifice that Christ made on your behalf all those years ago. Think about how much God loves you! No matter how hard we try, we will never fully understand the great depths of love that God has for us. Feebly, all we can do is point to Jesus and strive to let others see Christ’s love through us.
“He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. 11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; 12 as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. 13 As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him; 14 for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust.” Psalms 103:10-14 (NIV)
On behalf of Lisa, Vanessa and myself we wish you a very Happy Valentine’s Day.
Cindy
Bible Verse taken from the New International Version
@copyright 2011 LVC Ministries, Inc
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Church of the Dead
[1] “To the angel* of the church in Sardis write:
These are the words of him who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. [2] Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your deeds complete in the sight of my God. [3] Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; obey it, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you. [4] Yet you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes. They will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are worthy. [5] He who overcomes will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out his name from the book of life, but will acknowledge his name before my Father and his angels. [6] He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. Revelation 3:1-6
This church in the book of Revelation is one that looked alive, but was dead. The church was doing some sort of works, but something made their deeds dead. Could it have been that their motives were not right? Or maybe it was that they were doing their works in their own strength and not through the power of the Holy Spirit? If that’s the case, how much of our deeds within our own church are dead? What about our own service in the church? Are our works done in the power of the Holy Spirit? Are we doing the works that God has called us to do?
There was a time in my life when I wanted to leave my church. It was just where I was at that time in my walk with God, but God wouldn’t allow me to go. I soon came to realize that God had a purpose for me being at my church. I didn’t realize at the time that I would one day meet the two ladies that God has bound me to through A Cord of Three and LVC Ministries. Not only that, but I know God still has us at our church for a purpose, and He has you at your church for a purpose too. Maybe your church is like Sardis—it appears on the outside to be alive, but on the inside it’s dying. God has you there for a reason, and the reason is this…to strengthen what remains and is about to die. We always want an easy fix, and leaving a church is a lot easier than fixing it. But God is not allowing you to go until your work is complete. Maybe you are one of those in the church who has been dead and needs to wake up and repent! Or maybe you are one of the few who is wearing the white robe of righteousness. Either way, God is calling you to wake up and strengthen those parts of the church that are about to die. How can you do this? These verses tell us! First, look into your heart and see what God has been urging you to do in your church. Remember what you have received and heard from God and then do it! Be obedient! You don’t know when the Lord will return or how much time you have left. Second, repent from your sin! It’s time to “Wake up!” and come to life as the body of Christ! Just as the prophet Ezekiel in Ezekiel 37 prophesied to the breath that it would come into the dry bones so that they would live, God will raise up the dry bones in our dead churches and breathe life into them, making a vast army! Only, you haven’t seen it happen yet because He’s waiting for you to be obedient and do your part in the power of the Holy Spirit. It will all be worth it when one day, you hear Jesus acknowledge you before His Father and the angels. We who are His long to hear our Lord and Savior say, “Well done good and faithful servant!”
“He who has an ear to hear, let him hear what the Spirit says…”
~Lisa
Scripture reference from the New International Version.
@Copyright 2011 LVC Ministries, Inc.
These are the words of him who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. [2] Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your deeds complete in the sight of my God. [3] Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; obey it, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you. [4] Yet you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes. They will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are worthy. [5] He who overcomes will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out his name from the book of life, but will acknowledge his name before my Father and his angels. [6] He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. Revelation 3:1-6
This church in the book of Revelation is one that looked alive, but was dead. The church was doing some sort of works, but something made their deeds dead. Could it have been that their motives were not right? Or maybe it was that they were doing their works in their own strength and not through the power of the Holy Spirit? If that’s the case, how much of our deeds within our own church are dead? What about our own service in the church? Are our works done in the power of the Holy Spirit? Are we doing the works that God has called us to do?
There was a time in my life when I wanted to leave my church. It was just where I was at that time in my walk with God, but God wouldn’t allow me to go. I soon came to realize that God had a purpose for me being at my church. I didn’t realize at the time that I would one day meet the two ladies that God has bound me to through A Cord of Three and LVC Ministries. Not only that, but I know God still has us at our church for a purpose, and He has you at your church for a purpose too. Maybe your church is like Sardis—it appears on the outside to be alive, but on the inside it’s dying. God has you there for a reason, and the reason is this…to strengthen what remains and is about to die. We always want an easy fix, and leaving a church is a lot easier than fixing it. But God is not allowing you to go until your work is complete. Maybe you are one of those in the church who has been dead and needs to wake up and repent! Or maybe you are one of the few who is wearing the white robe of righteousness. Either way, God is calling you to wake up and strengthen those parts of the church that are about to die. How can you do this? These verses tell us! First, look into your heart and see what God has been urging you to do in your church. Remember what you have received and heard from God and then do it! Be obedient! You don’t know when the Lord will return or how much time you have left. Second, repent from your sin! It’s time to “Wake up!” and come to life as the body of Christ! Just as the prophet Ezekiel in Ezekiel 37 prophesied to the breath that it would come into the dry bones so that they would live, God will raise up the dry bones in our dead churches and breathe life into them, making a vast army! Only, you haven’t seen it happen yet because He’s waiting for you to be obedient and do your part in the power of the Holy Spirit. It will all be worth it when one day, you hear Jesus acknowledge you before His Father and the angels. We who are His long to hear our Lord and Savior say, “Well done good and faithful servant!”
“He who has an ear to hear, let him hear what the Spirit says…”
~Lisa
Scripture reference from the New International Version.
@Copyright 2011 LVC Ministries, Inc.
Monday, February 7, 2011
THE BATTLE BELONGS TO THE LORD!
For a time, the country of Israel was split into two kingdoms, the northern and southern kingdoms. The Southern Kingdom was made up of the tribes of Benjamin and Judah which was the lineage that Jesus came through. The Northern Kingdom was made up of the other ten tribes of Israel. The Northern Kingdom met its demise at the hands of the Assyrians.
After the Northern Kingdom fell, the king of Judah, Hezekiah invited all of Israel to come to Jerusalem and celebrate the Passover as one people, one united country. For the first time since Solomon, the entire nation observed Passover together. We read in 2 Chronicles 31:21 “In everything that he undertook in the service of God's temple and in obedience to the law and the commands, he sought his God and worked wholeheartedly. And so he prospered.”
One day, Sennacherib, the king of Assyria decided to invade Judah. Hezekiah took measures to keep Sennacherib out of Jerusalem by blocking the streams off so that the Assyrian army would not have water. He also took measures to fortify the city walls and he built up an arsenal of weapons. King Hezekiah then encouraged his people with these words: "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged because of the king of Assyria and the vast army with him, for there is a greater power with us than with him. 8 With him is only the arm of flesh, but with us is the LORD our God to help us and to fight our battles." 2 Chron 32:7-8.
Sennacherib’s army stood outside the walls of Jerusalem, hurling insults against the people and their God saying "Just as the gods of the peoples of the other lands did not rescue their people from my hand, so the god of Hezekiah will not rescue his people from my hand." 2 Chron 32:17. Even though Hezekiah went on the offensive and took action to fortify his army and his city, he did not depend on his own efforts to save his kingdom. “King Hezekiah and the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz cried out in prayer to heaven about this. 21 And the LORD sent an angel, who annihilated all the fighting men and the leaders and officers in the camp of the Assyrian king. So he withdrew to his own land in disgrace. And when he went into the temple of his god, some of his sons cut him down with the sword.” 2 Chron 32:20-21
Did you catch that? The city of Jerusalem was surrounded and any observer would think that Sennacherib would win this battle, but when King Hezekiah and the prophet Isaiah prayed, the Lord sent one angel to annihilate the Assyrian army - just one angel! To add insult to injury when Sennacherib limped home, he went into the temple of his god and some of his own sons cut him down with the sword.
The lesson that I get from King Hezekiah’s story and the lesson that I hope you get is that when you live a life that honors and glorifies God and you are obedient to God, nothing and I mean nothing can stand in the way of God’s plans being fulfilled in your life. I am not trying to trivialize your problems. I know many people have serious problems going on in their life with marriage, family, finances, just name it! King Hezekiah and the people of Jerusalem were faced with being killed or taken into slavery. Although they were proactive and went on the offensive, they did not depend on themselves to solve their problems. They prayed and placed their trust in God. If God sent just one angel to destroy an army....what can He do for you? As a Christian, as a son or daughter of God, remember this “....with us is the LORD our God to help us and to fight our battles." 2 Chron 32:8b.
Cindy
Bible Verse taken from the New International Version
@copyright 2011 LVC Ministries, Inc
After the Northern Kingdom fell, the king of Judah, Hezekiah invited all of Israel to come to Jerusalem and celebrate the Passover as one people, one united country. For the first time since Solomon, the entire nation observed Passover together. We read in 2 Chronicles 31:21 “In everything that he undertook in the service of God's temple and in obedience to the law and the commands, he sought his God and worked wholeheartedly. And so he prospered.”
One day, Sennacherib, the king of Assyria decided to invade Judah. Hezekiah took measures to keep Sennacherib out of Jerusalem by blocking the streams off so that the Assyrian army would not have water. He also took measures to fortify the city walls and he built up an arsenal of weapons. King Hezekiah then encouraged his people with these words: "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged because of the king of Assyria and the vast army with him, for there is a greater power with us than with him. 8 With him is only the arm of flesh, but with us is the LORD our God to help us and to fight our battles." 2 Chron 32:7-8.
Sennacherib’s army stood outside the walls of Jerusalem, hurling insults against the people and their God saying "Just as the gods of the peoples of the other lands did not rescue their people from my hand, so the god of Hezekiah will not rescue his people from my hand." 2 Chron 32:17. Even though Hezekiah went on the offensive and took action to fortify his army and his city, he did not depend on his own efforts to save his kingdom. “King Hezekiah and the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz cried out in prayer to heaven about this. 21 And the LORD sent an angel, who annihilated all the fighting men and the leaders and officers in the camp of the Assyrian king. So he withdrew to his own land in disgrace. And when he went into the temple of his god, some of his sons cut him down with the sword.” 2 Chron 32:20-21
Did you catch that? The city of Jerusalem was surrounded and any observer would think that Sennacherib would win this battle, but when King Hezekiah and the prophet Isaiah prayed, the Lord sent one angel to annihilate the Assyrian army - just one angel! To add insult to injury when Sennacherib limped home, he went into the temple of his god and some of his own sons cut him down with the sword.
The lesson that I get from King Hezekiah’s story and the lesson that I hope you get is that when you live a life that honors and glorifies God and you are obedient to God, nothing and I mean nothing can stand in the way of God’s plans being fulfilled in your life. I am not trying to trivialize your problems. I know many people have serious problems going on in their life with marriage, family, finances, just name it! King Hezekiah and the people of Jerusalem were faced with being killed or taken into slavery. Although they were proactive and went on the offensive, they did not depend on themselves to solve their problems. They prayed and placed their trust in God. If God sent just one angel to destroy an army....what can He do for you? As a Christian, as a son or daughter of God, remember this “....with us is the LORD our God to help us and to fight our battles." 2 Chron 32:8b.
Cindy
Bible Verse taken from the New International Version
@copyright 2011 LVC Ministries, Inc
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Tolerating Jezebel
[18] “To the angel of the church in Thyatira write:
These are the words of the Son of God, whose eyes are like blazing fire and whose feet are like burnished bronze. [19] I know your deeds, your love and faith, your service and perseverance, and that you are now doing more than you did at first.
[20] Nevertheless, I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess. By her teaching she misleads my servants into sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrificed to idols. [21] I have given her time to repent of her immorality, but she is unwilling. [22] So I will cast her on a bed of suffering, and I will make those who commit adultery with her suffer intensely, unless they repent of her ways. [23] I will strike her children dead. Then all the churches will know that I am he who searches hearts and minds, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds. [24] Now I say to the rest of you in Thyatira, to you who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned Satan's so-called deep secrets (I will not impose any other burden on you): [25] Only hold on to what you have until I come.
[26] To him who overcomes and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations—
[27] ‘He will rule them with an iron scepter;
he will dash them to pieces like pottery’*—
just as I have received authority from my Father. [28] I will also give him the morning star. [29] He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” Rev 2:18-29
These verses of Scripture are about the Church which has been corrupted to follow the world’s ways. This church was listening to a false teacher named Jezebel, whom they followed into sexual immorality. You can compare it to Christians today when we tolerate the teachings of the world that lead us into sexual immorality. The world tells us it’s ok to have sex outside of marriage. Do we believe the world or the Word? The world tells us that adultery is ok because it’s between two consenting adults. Do we believe the world or the Word? The world tells us that homosexuality is natural. Do we believe the world or the Word? None of these things are acceptable to God. (1 Cor 6:18, Ex 20:14, Heb. 13:4, Lev. 18:22, 20:13, Rom 1:26-27) It doesn’t matter what you or I think, what matters is what God thinks. God created sex, but it has boundaries. Those boundaries are between one man and one woman within marriage (Gen 2:24, 1 Cor 7:2-3). When we listen to the lies that tell us it’s ok to go against God’s Word or that we are being intolerant of other people when we stand up and show we trust what God says about sexual immorality to be true, we can very easily be targeted as unloving, intolerant bigots, or worse! What is wrong with standing up for the truths in God’s Word? We don’t have to do it in an ugly way, but we need to lovingly confront this behavior in fellow Christians – especially those we have a relationship with. We need to seek guidance from the Holy Spirit with much prayer and discernment. If the person isn’t a Christian, there’s no point in starting out telling them about their sexual immorality. Instead, they need to hear about Jesus and the love he has for them. They will be closed to hearing anything about sexual immorality until God prepares their heart to know and love Him first. You notice in Rev. 2:21 that Jesus gave Jezebel time to repent. But here’s the thing…once you’ve expressed God’s Word on the matter of sexual immorality to a fellow Christian, there’s no need to continue harping on it. Stand your ground and don’t change your convictions that follow God’s Word. Make sure you don’t put yourself in situations that will cause you to compromise your beliefs. But give them some space and time, and give God the opportunity to work on their heart as you pray for them. God wants us all to repent of our sins. When God sees repentance of our sins, He forgives us and cleanses us.
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” 1 Jn 1:9
Repentance from sin is our choice. God doesn’t ever make us choose to repent. It’s something we have to do of our own free will. In verse 22 above, Jezebel chose not to repent, and there were consequences for that. But for those who overcome the way of Jezebel and sexual immorality, we have the promise that one day we will reign with Christ! What a wonderful promise for those who overcome!
~Lisa
All Scripture References are from the New International Version.
@Copyright 2011 LVC Ministries, Inc.
These are the words of the Son of God, whose eyes are like blazing fire and whose feet are like burnished bronze. [19] I know your deeds, your love and faith, your service and perseverance, and that you are now doing more than you did at first.
[20] Nevertheless, I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess. By her teaching she misleads my servants into sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrificed to idols. [21] I have given her time to repent of her immorality, but she is unwilling. [22] So I will cast her on a bed of suffering, and I will make those who commit adultery with her suffer intensely, unless they repent of her ways. [23] I will strike her children dead. Then all the churches will know that I am he who searches hearts and minds, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds. [24] Now I say to the rest of you in Thyatira, to you who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned Satan's so-called deep secrets (I will not impose any other burden on you): [25] Only hold on to what you have until I come.
[26] To him who overcomes and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations—
[27] ‘He will rule them with an iron scepter;
he will dash them to pieces like pottery’*—
just as I have received authority from my Father. [28] I will also give him the morning star. [29] He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” Rev 2:18-29
These verses of Scripture are about the Church which has been corrupted to follow the world’s ways. This church was listening to a false teacher named Jezebel, whom they followed into sexual immorality. You can compare it to Christians today when we tolerate the teachings of the world that lead us into sexual immorality. The world tells us it’s ok to have sex outside of marriage. Do we believe the world or the Word? The world tells us that adultery is ok because it’s between two consenting adults. Do we believe the world or the Word? The world tells us that homosexuality is natural. Do we believe the world or the Word? None of these things are acceptable to God. (1 Cor 6:18, Ex 20:14, Heb. 13:4, Lev. 18:22, 20:13, Rom 1:26-27) It doesn’t matter what you or I think, what matters is what God thinks. God created sex, but it has boundaries. Those boundaries are between one man and one woman within marriage (Gen 2:24, 1 Cor 7:2-3). When we listen to the lies that tell us it’s ok to go against God’s Word or that we are being intolerant of other people when we stand up and show we trust what God says about sexual immorality to be true, we can very easily be targeted as unloving, intolerant bigots, or worse! What is wrong with standing up for the truths in God’s Word? We don’t have to do it in an ugly way, but we need to lovingly confront this behavior in fellow Christians – especially those we have a relationship with. We need to seek guidance from the Holy Spirit with much prayer and discernment. If the person isn’t a Christian, there’s no point in starting out telling them about their sexual immorality. Instead, they need to hear about Jesus and the love he has for them. They will be closed to hearing anything about sexual immorality until God prepares their heart to know and love Him first. You notice in Rev. 2:21 that Jesus gave Jezebel time to repent. But here’s the thing…once you’ve expressed God’s Word on the matter of sexual immorality to a fellow Christian, there’s no need to continue harping on it. Stand your ground and don’t change your convictions that follow God’s Word. Make sure you don’t put yourself in situations that will cause you to compromise your beliefs. But give them some space and time, and give God the opportunity to work on their heart as you pray for them. God wants us all to repent of our sins. When God sees repentance of our sins, He forgives us and cleanses us.
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” 1 Jn 1:9
Repentance from sin is our choice. God doesn’t ever make us choose to repent. It’s something we have to do of our own free will. In verse 22 above, Jezebel chose not to repent, and there were consequences for that. But for those who overcome the way of Jezebel and sexual immorality, we have the promise that one day we will reign with Christ! What a wonderful promise for those who overcome!
~Lisa
All Scripture References are from the New International Version.
@Copyright 2011 LVC Ministries, Inc.
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