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The Habit of Recognizing God’s Provision " . . . you may be partakers of the divine nature . . ." —2 Peter 1:4 We are made "partakers of the divine nature," receiving and sharing God’s own nature through His promises. Then we have to work that divine nature into our human nature by developing godly habits. The first habit to develop is the habit of recognizing God’s provision for us. We say, however, "Oh, I can’t afford it." One of the worst lies is wrapped up in that statement. We talk as if our heavenly Father has cut...

An Update on the NDP and the Battle over Jesus Name Focus on the Family is reportedly planning a two-day program series on the National Day of Prayer on May 13 and 14. They are sending out emails claiming that what everyone has heard is inaccurate about Shirley Dobson and the NDP Task Force. I stand by all that we have said. The facts speak for themselves. 1. Dr. Ravi Zacharias, 2008 Honorary Chairman of the NDP, by his own admission, conformed to government demands that there be a non-sectarian, Jesus-free prayer. That prayer was on the Task Force website...

The Habit of Rising to the Occasion " . . . that you may know what is the hope of His calling . . . " —Ephesians 1:18 Remember that you have been saved so that the life of Jesus may be manifested in your body (see 2 Corinthians 4:10  ). Direct the total energy of your powers so that you may achieve everything your election as a child of God provides; rise every time to whatever occasion may come your way.You did not do anything to achieve your salvation, but you must do something to exhibit it. You must...

  Prayer RequestJim Robinson is having surgery tomorrow, May 15thSee the posts below for information about this procedure. Jim Update: It has been a frustrating day, I finally have a update for everyone. I called Jim at the hospital. The nurse was in his room and gave him the phone. Sheila took his cell phone to him so I will be able to contact him easier. Also they took his laptop. Due to major pain killers, he was able to sleep in the bed last night and was in bed when I called. He sounded better than he has for...

I went to see my doctor last week for an annual check up. Got some bad news about my blood sugar. I already have polycystic ovarian syndrome which hinges on insulin resistance, now she is saying that if I don't change my lifestyle, I may develop diabetes within the next year or so. I have already started an exercise program, walking 2 miles a day and changed my diet. The weight is not coming off as quickly as I would like and I am worried I will loose my resolve to be healthy. I really need to do this for...

The Habit of Enjoying Adversity " . . . that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body " —2 Corinthians 4:10 We have to develop godly habits to express what God’s grace has done in us. It is not just a question of being saved from hell, but of being saved so that "the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body." And it is adversity that makes us exhibit His life in our mortal flesh. Is my life exhibiting the essence of the sweetness of the Son of God, or just the...

DEAR ONES, IF any of you have suffered at all at the hands of Alcoholism in any form via any connection, then you may well know something of the traumas involved between and behind the hubby's words below. I believe that only The Grace of God AND great persistent dogged efforts on the part of all concerned can bring victory in such matters. PLEASE pray with me in behalf of this whole family . . . --that the wife will decide deeply and comprehensively to be done with such an addiction, affliction, oppression . . . --that her family members...

For those here that pray, my 5 year old nephew Joey was run over by a camping trailer this evening. His dad was backing the trailer up and didn't see him. I thank you all in advance.

Please join me in prayer for a dear man of faith who was recently diagnosed with ALS. He is married, 58 years old, and has 3 kids, 10, 13, and 15. Please pray for his and his family's patience, unwavering faith, as well as guidance for treatment. Also, if anyone out there has suggestions for those of us who care about this man, please let us know what we might do to help without being overbearing but lovingly helpful and encouraging. Thank you all.

The Habit of Keeping a Clear Conscience " . . . strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men " —Acts 24:16 God’s commands to us are actually given to the life of His Son in us. Consequently, to our human nature in which God’s Son has been formed (see Galatians 4:19  ), His commands are difficult. But they become divinely easy once we obey.Conscience is that ability within me that attaches itself to the highest standard I know, and then continually reminds me of what that standard demands that I do. It is the eye of...

WASHINGTON, May 11, 2008 – President Bush praised America’s mothers, especially those who’ve lost sons or daughters during the war on terror and those who gave their lives in service to their country, during his weekly radio address yesterday. An excerpt from the president’s remarks follows: “On this Mother’s Day weekend, we think of the many mothers who raised the brave men and women serving our country in uniform. And to those mothers, I offer the thanks of a grateful nation. “Your sons and daughters are defending our freedom with dignity and honor, and America appreciates the sacrifices that your...

The Habit of Having No Habits " If these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful . . . " —2 Peter 1:8 When we first begin to form a habit, we are fully aware of it. There are times when we are aware of becoming virtuous and godly, but this awareness should only be a stage we quickly pass through as we grow spiritually. If we stop at this stage, we will develop a sense of spiritual pride. The right thing to do with godly habits is to immerse them in the life...

'Love One Another' " . . . add to your . . . brotherly kindness love " —2 Peter 1:5, 7 Love is an indefinite thing to most of us; we don’t know what we mean when we talk about love. Love is the loftiest preference of one person for another, and spiritually Jesus demands that this sovereign preference be for Himself (see Luke 14:26 ). Initially, when "the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit" ( Romans 5:5 ), it is easy to put Jesus first. But then we must practice the things mentioned in...

Take the Initiative " . . . add to your faith virtue . . ." —2 Peter 1:5 Add means that we have to do something. We are in danger of forgetting that we cannot do what God does, and that God will not do what we can do. We cannot save nor sanctify ourselves— God does that. But God will not give us good habits or character, and He will not force us to walk correctly before Him. We have to do all that ourselves. We must "work out" our "own salvation" which God has worked in us...

Dearest Prayer Warriors.... Please cover tiny Ariella with your prayers. Prayers for life, health, strength, God's power to manifest through her body developing what the medical field says it does not have. Alayna, Ariella's mom, is an unwed teen whose family and church has supported her. Alayna was told during the pregnancy that Ariella was Hydrancephalic. They held out no hope for Ariella. Church prayed for the whole family. Alayna insisted on carrying the baby to birth. Ariella was delivered on 4-21-2008. Alayna was told that Ariella may only live 1-2 days. The following Sunday Alayna and Ariella were in...

Reaching Beyond Our Grasp " Where there is no revelation [or prophetic vision], the people cast off restraint . . . " —Proverbs 29:18 There is a difference between holding on to a principle and having a vision. A principle does not come from moral inspiration, but a vision does. People who are totally consumed with idealistic principles rarely do anything. A person’s own idea of God and His attributes may actually be used to justify and rationalize his deliberate neglect of his duty. Jonah tried to excuse his disobedience by saying to God, ". . . I know...

The Faith to Persevere " Because you have kept My command to persevere . . . " —Revelation 3:10 Perseverance means more than endurance— more than simply holding on until the end. A saint’s life is in the hands of God like a bow and arrow in the hands of an archer. God is aiming at something the saint cannot see, but our Lord continues to stretch and strain, and every once in a while the saint says, "I can’t take any more." Yet God pays no attention; He goes on stretching until His purpose is in sight, and...

Building For Eternity " Which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it . . . " —Luke 14:28 Our Lord was not referring here to a cost which we have to count, but to a cost which He has already counted. The cost was those thirty years in Nazareth, those three years of popularity, scandal, and hatred, the unfathomable agony He experienced in Gethsemane, and the assault upon Him at Calvary— the central point upon which all of time and eternity turn. Jesus...

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/ericrager Don't know if this guy is still a freeper but thought we could add him to our prayer list. Since I read his request on FR last June/July for his son, I've been following Matthew's remarkable recovery. When I check the site a few days ago, there was a care page for the dad.

The current "Top Headline Poll" on this page is being skewed by anti-Christian bigot PZ Myers and his Pzombies: http://www.journal-news.net/"Should local governmental bodies be allowed to open their meetings with a prayer?" Please help!

Liberty and the Standards of Jesus " Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free . . . " —Galatians 5:1 A spiritually-minded person will never come to you with the demand— "Believe this and that"; a spiritually-minded person will demand that you align your life with the standards of Jesus. We are not asked to believe the Bible, but to believe the One whom the Bible reveals (see John 5:39-40  ). We are called to present liberty for the conscience of others, not to bring them liberty for their thoughts and opinions. And if...

Quote of the Day: President Bush: (on what he will do after he leaves office) I'm heading home. (Laughter.) I tell people that, first of all, it's been a huge honor to serve the country, and I'm really glad I did. I thank the American people for giving me a chance to serve. As you can imagine, it's been a remarkable experience. ... I've lived in the White House now for seven and a half years, and the furniture is interesting -- (laughter) -- but it's like a museum. (Laughter.) And there's love in that White House, thanks to a...

My wife Mrs. Don-o is having gastric bypass surgery on Thursday, May 8. If all goes well, she should be discharged on Saturday. She is very confident in the surgeon, who has done over 1800 of these operations (four hour procedure). She is doing all the research possible on her own and expects do fabulously. The hope is for almost instant relief from diabetes and three or four related co-morbidities. The major post-op risk, statistically, is pulmonary embolism. In her case, this risk is mitigated by the fact that she's been walking and exercising a whole lot, but exacerbated by...

Bridgeport (WTNH) _ Struggling homeowners looking for help because of foreclosure have a new savior to turn to. Most people pray their homes will be safe from foreclosure and now there's help in a program called Homes Saved by Faith. "We have to intervene to save people from foreclosure," said Rev. McKlusker of the Shiloh Baptist Church. More than 350 churches in Connecticut are partnering with banks and housing groups so they can stop the tidal wave of foreclosures. There are have been about 14,000 in Connecticut, with the majority of those in Bridgeport. "We need to get banks to...

Judgment and the Love of God " The time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God . . . " —1 Peter 4:17 The Christian servant must never forget that salvation is God’s idea, not man’s; therefore, it has an unfathomable depth. Salvation is the great thought of God, not an experience. Experience is simply the door through which salvation comes into the conscious level of our life so that we are aware of what has taken place on a much deeper level. Never preach the experience— preach the great thought of God behind the...

Dear Father, we thank you and praise You for the grace and mercy You bestow on us each day. Thank You for life and health, in whatever measure You have given it to us. Father God we lift up the sidewalk counselors, prayer warriors and others who are doing battle on the frontlines against the Spirit of Death in the form of Planned Parenthood. Father, we thank and praise You that our voices are being heard, that others are lifting up their voices to join in this spiritual battle. Father God thank you that there were 1,000,000 praying the rosary...

Vicarious Intercession " . . having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus . . . " —Hebrews 10:19 Beware of thinking that intercession means bringing our own personal sympathies and concerns into the presence of God, and then demanding that He do whatever we ask. Our ability to approach God is due entirely to the vicarious, or substitutionary, identification of our Lord with sin. We have "boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus."Spiritual stubbornness is the most effective hindrance to intercession, because it is based on a sympathetic "understanding" of things we...

Vital Intercession " . . . praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit . . . " —Ephesians 6:18 As we continue on in our intercession for others, we may find that our obedience to God in interceding is going to cost those for whom we intercede more than we ever thought. The danger in this is that we begin to intercede in sympathy with those whom God was gradually lifting up to a totally different level in direct answer to our prayers. Whenever we step back from our close identification with God’s interest and concern...

Psalm 9: 1-2 I will praise You, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will tell of all Your marvelous works. I will be glad and rejoice in You; I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High.

The Patience To Wait for the Vision " Though it tarries, wait for it . . . " —Habakkuk 2:3 Patience is not the same as indifference; patience conveys the idea of someone who is tremendously strong and able to withstand all assaults. Having the vision of God is the source of patience because it gives us God’s true and proper inspiration. Moses endured, not because of his devotion to his principles of what was right, nor because of his sense of duty to God, but because he had a vision of God. ". . . he endured as...

Jim Robinson is in surgery today and the last thing he needs to be worried about is whether or not the freepathon is going to continue for another day/week/month. In the words of "Larry, The cable guy"... LETS GET 'ER DONE!!

Faith— Not Emotion " We walk by faith, not by sight " —2 Corinthians 5:7 For a while, we are fully aware of God’s concern for us. But then, when God begins to use us in His work, we begin to take on a pitiful look and talk only of our trials and difficulties. And all the while God is trying to make us do our work as hidden people who are not in the spotlight. None of us would be hidden spiritually if we could help it. Can we do our work when it seems that God has...

Even though they thought their faith would heal their daughter, two Wisconsin parents now face criminal charges in the child's death. Eleven-year-old Kara Neumann from untreated diabetes on Easter Sunday. Dale and Leilani Neumann are both charged with second-degree reckless homicide. The family lives in Weston, southeast of Wausau. "By Saturday you have a child that is not eating, is not drinking, is really not moving, not walking, and isn't able to speak -- and I think any combination of one of all of those symptoms would have alerted any other parents to seek medical attention," Marathon County District Attorney...

Spontaneous Love " Love suffers long and is kind . . . " —1 Corinthians 13:4 Love is not premeditated— it is spontaneous; that is, it bursts forth in extraordinary ways. There is nothing of precise certainty in Paul’s description of love. We cannot predetermine our thoughts and actions by saying, "Now I will never think any evil thoughts, and I will believe everything that Jesus would have me to believe." No, the characteristic of love is spontaneity. We don’t deliberately set the statements of Jesus before us as our standard, but when His Spirit is having His way...

Gracious Uncertainty " . . . it has not yet been revealed what we shall be . . . " —1 John 3:2 Our natural inclination is to be so precise— trying always to forecast accurately what will happen next— that we look upon uncertainty as a bad thing. We think that we must reach some predetermined goal, but that is not the nature of the spiritual life. The nature of the spiritual life is that we are certain in our uncertainty. Consequently, we do not put down roots. Our common sense says, "Well, what if I were in...

QUOTE OF THE DAY President Bush Meets with Guatemalan President Alvaro Colom Oval Office PRESIDENT BUSH: It's been my honor to welcome to the Oval Office the President and First Lady of a close friend of the United States. Mr. President, thank you for coming. We've had a good discussion about a variety of issues. We discussed bilateral relations between Guatemala and the United States, which are very strong. We are friends. We treat each other with respect. Our objective with U.S. foreign policy is to have a neighborhood that is peaceful and prosperous, where social justice is important; want...

What You Will Get " I will give your life to you as a prize in all places, wherever you go " —Jeremiah 45:5 This is the firm and immovable secret of the Lord to those who trust Him— "I will give your life to you . . . ." What more does a man want than his life? It is the essential thing. ". . . your life . . . as a prize . . ." means that wherever you may go, even if it is into hell, you will come out with your life and nothing...

Heavenly Father, we thank you for giving us life and breath. We thank you for our daily provisions. We thank you for your covering of protection, your mercy and grace. Father, we thank you for sending Your one and only Son to save us. Father God, I have just spent the past hour at Your mercy seat with 70 other brothers and sisters in the Lord, pleading for your mercy and grace for Ariella. Her mother chose life for her, rather than abortion. Her little life has defied the medical community to this day, in that she has been born...

What Do You Want? " Do you seek great things for yourself? " —Jeremiah 45:5 Are you seeking great things for yourself, instead of seeking to be a great person? God wants you to be in a much closer relationship with Himself than simply receiving His gifts— He wants you to get to know Him. Even some large thing we want is only incidental; it comes and it goes. But God never gives us anything incidental. There is nothing easier than getting into the right relationship with God, unless it is not God you seek, but only what He...

The Supreme Climb " Take now your son . . . and offer him . . . as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you " —Genesis 22:2 A person’s character determines how he interprets God’s will (see Psalm 18:25-26  ). Abraham interpreted God’s command to mean that he had to kill his son, and he could only leave this traditional belief behind through the pain of a tremendous ordeal. God could purify his faith in no other way. If we obey what God says according to our sincere belief, God will break...

Jeremiah 32 : 17 ‘Ah, Lord GOD! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. There is nothing too hard for You.

For the April 17th, 2008 Press Release, please click here (PDF) (the press release includes words of support from Cardinal Arinze (Vatican City); Archbishop Burke (Archdiocese of St. Louis); and, Mother Assumpta (Prioress General of the Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist).   On Saturday, May 3rd, 2008, the ONE MILLION ROSARIES FOR UNBORN BABIES prayer event is scheduled to take place. One may register for this prayer event by clicking on "Register as a Participant." (It may take you about a minute to register.)   People are very much needed to promote the ONE MILLION ROSARIES FOR UNBORN...

'Ready in Season' " Be ready in season and out of season " —2 Timothy 4:2 Many of us suffer from the unbalanced tendency to "be ready" only "out of season." The season does not refer to time; it refers to us. This verse says, "Preach the Word! Be ready in season and out of season." In other words, we should "be ready" whether we feel like it or not. If we do only what we feel inclined to do, some of us would never do anything. There are some people who are totally unemployable in the spiritual realm....

Leaders to adorn sackcloth and ashes to fight crime At Tuesday’s Birmingham City Council meeting, Mayor Larry Langford proclaimed Friday, April 25, a “day of prayer in sackcloth and ashes” in Birmingham. Birmingham Weekly reported two weeks ago that the mayor purchased 2,000 burlap sacks for ministers and other community leaders to wear at a Plan 10/30 summit. To many Christians, sackcloth and ashes symbolize humility and repentance, but the mayor’s decree came dressed with the usual accoutrements - printed on fine, invitation-stock paper and wrapped in a bright silver folder, adorned by the magic hat logo Langford commissioned for...

The Warning Against Desiring Spiritual Success " Do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you . . . " —Luke 10:20 Worldliness is not the trap that most endangers us as Christian workers; nor is it sin. The trap we fall into is extravagantly desiring spiritual success; that is, success measured by, and patterned after, the form set by this religious age in which we now live. Never seek after anything other than the approval of God, and always be willing to go "outside the camp, bearing His reproach" (Hebrews 13:13 ). In Luke 10:20  , Jesus...

Do You Worship The Work? " We are God’s fellow workers . . . " —1 Corinthians 3:9 Beware of any work for God that causes or allows you to avoid concentrating on Him. A great number of Christian workers worship their work. The only concern of Christian workers should be their concentration on God. This will mean that all the other boundaries of life, whether they are mental, moral, or spiritual limits, are completely free with the freedom God gives His child; that is, a worshiping child, not a wayward one. A worker who lacks this serious controlling...

WOULDN'T IT BE GREAT TO TURN ON THE TV AND HEAR ANY U.S. PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE, DEMOCRAT OR REPUBLICAN GIVE THE FOLLOWING SPEECH? 'My Fellow Americans: As you all know, the defeat of the Iraq regime has been completed. Since congress does not want to spend any more money on this war, our mission in Iraq is complete. This morning I gave the order for a complete removal of all American forces from Iraq This action will be complete within 30 days. It is now time to begin the reckoning. Before me, I have two lists. One list contains the names...

On Sunday 20 April 2008, Pope Benedict XVI visited the site of the terrorist attack in New York City, 11 September 2001. While there he offered the following prayer.O God of love, compassion, and healing,look on us, people of many different faithsand traditions,who gather today at this site,the scene of incredible violence and pain. We ask you in your goodnessto give eternal light and peaceto all who died here —the heroic first-responders:our fire fighters, police officers,emergency service workers, andPort Authority personnel,along with all the innocent men and womenwho were victims of this tragedysimply because their work or servicebrought them here...

Psalms 91:1 He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. Psalms 91:2 I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust." Psalms 91:3 Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler And from the perilous pestilence. Psalms 91:4 He shall cover you with His feathers, And under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler. Psalms 91:5 You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, Nor of...

The Light That Never Fails " We all, with unveiled face, beholding . . . the glory of the Lord . . . " —2 Corinthians 3:18 A servant of God must stand so very much alone that he never realizes he is alone. In the early stages of the Christian life, disappointments will come— people who used to be lights will flicker out, and those who used to stand with us will turn away. We have to get so used to it that we will not even realize we are standing alone. Paul said, ". . . no...