Amazing, Truly Amazing Grace!

Bishop E. Earl Jenkins

"By Grace you have been saved" Ephesians 2:5 NAS

Have you any idea of the mess you were in, or moving toward, when God reached down and saved you? Perhaps an illustration may help you get the picture. If you took your children to a petting zoo and a little lamb came running towards you, you probably wouldn't be afraid at all because lambs are harmless. You might even reach out your hand and let the lamb lick it.

But let's say you're at the zoo and the alarm goes out that a lion has escaped from its cage. If you're standing there and that lion comes running towards you, you'll be terrified and start to run because you know what lions can do. But just suppose that the runaway lion corners you in one part of the zoo and comes up to you - but instead of attacking you it gently licks your hand the way the lamb did. If that happened whose gentleness would you appreciate more, the lamb's or the lion's? You'd appreciate the lion's gentleness more because you know that he could just as easily have destroyed you without violating his nature as a lion.

Well, grace is God's kindness and gentleness to us when He could have backed us into a corner as guilty sinners and destroyed us without violating His holy character. But God wanted to make us His children, so instead of expressing His wrath against us, He poured it out upon His own sinless Son on the cross. Jesus took our punishment so God could embrace us. Hence, we have a brand-new relationship with God through grace. Isn't that amazing!

To Gossip Or Not To Gossip

Image via Wikipedia

Cindy Beall

Gossip.
I imagine we've all done it at some point in our lives.

The word gossip as a noun means a person who habitually reveals personal or sensational facts about others; a rumor or report of an intimate nature. As a verb it means to relate gossip.

Not the most positive of definitions, I'd say.

And we can't forget what Paul says in Ephesians 4:29, "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen."

I can't tell you how many times I have revealed personal facts about others all in the name of "praying for them". And sometimes? Sometimes I just wanna share some juicy stuff about people, especially if I don't really care for them.

So, how do we do this? Especially us women who tend to be far more relational and sharing.
I think it comes down to motive.

My husband’s and my story has been shared not only by our senior pastor nearly eight years ago, but also by my husband in his messages and by me on my blog. Since that time, many others have shared our story with people they know. I even heard a girl say one time about us, "I feel like I'm gossiping." And to her I replied, "Well, don't. We have this story on the worldwide web so I think you're good." :)

However, sharing personal information about someone who has placed his or her confidence in you would be crossing the line. Disclosing negative things about someone just for spite is highly inappropriate as well.
So, what do you do when you want to share some personal and intimate stuff about others for reasons of genuine prayer?

Ask the person. See if they are comfortable with you sharing the information about them. Let them tell you what they want you to share. You'll find that many are open books and don't care what you tell others. Still others will be more private and ask that you share that "they need prayer." If they don't want you to share their lives with others just say, "I really am not at liberty to say anything out of respect for my friend."

People might get offended and the situation may become a bit awkward because of your honesty but really, that is their problem. Don't make it yours.

Whatever the situation, use your discretion and consider how you would feel if the following information was shared about you. That sure might make you adjust what you are about to say.

Is gossip your struggle?
What other suggestions might you share with others about overcoming a desire to gossip?

Are You At War?

Tanya James

As Christians, there are some things you can be sure of … battles will come, the enemy will try to take you out, people will come against you, and life as a Christian will not always be easy. There is simply no denying that spiritual warfare is real and present.

However, you can find encouragement in the fact that you will get through it. It’s one thing to be at war and not know the outcome. But how awesome is it to know that we have the victory in God? Even when it seems impossible … ultimately, we win.

There is a scripture that I absolutely love because it seems to sum it all up for me.

“We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.” II Corinthians 4:8-9

When I find myself in the midst of spiritual warfare, I go straight to God’s word. (This is a good time to have some scripture hidden in your heart). It’s true - you must put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. (Ephesians 6:11-18)

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:1

“…If God is for us, who can be against us?” Romans 8:31

“I have called you by your name, You are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you.” Isaiah 43:2-3

You can fight me. You can talk about me. You can run my name through the mud. You can hurt me. You can betray me. You can deny me. You can mistreat me. You can take everything I own. You can try to destroy. You can plot against me. You can misuse me. You can lie on me. You can try to kill me.

..and even if through human eyes it appears that I’ve been conquered – I can continue to stand firm on what GOD said. Yes, you may appear to win a battle here and there … but the war … you can’t win!

“No weapon formed against me shall prosper.” Isaiah 54:17a

Walk in Your Authority!

Dr. Creflo A. Dollar


You don't have to put up with the devil's oppression any longer. God has empowered you with the anointing to remove burdens, destroy yokes and to be an overcomer. The devil is a burden that can easily be driven away by exercising your God-given authority.

God has given you His Word and His Spirit as a defense against the devil's schemes. You've been clothed in the armor of God so "...that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil" (Ephesians 6:11). You have everything needed to defeat the devil whenever he shows up at your door. He will keep showing up because you possess something that he desperately wants-your God-given authority to rule and reign in the earth.

When God created Adam, he gave him dominion and authority over the earth (Genesis 1:26, AMP). However, when Adam rebelled against God, he turned his authority to rule over to the devil. Satan then had control over everything except the throne of God (2 Corinthians 4:4). Since Satan contaminated the ground with sin, God couldn't destroy Adam and make another man from the dust of the earth. Aren't you thankful that He had plan? He came to the earth as a man. Through Jesus' death and resurrection, he defeated Satan and took back our authority to rule (Hebrews 2:9, 14), and we have been restored to our rightful place of authority.

Jesus has all power and authority in heaven and earth (Matthew 28:18). Since we were raised with Him, we have all power and authority as well (Ephesians 2:4-7). Therefore, do not neglect your right to rule and reign in the earth. Every time the enemy tries to attack you, consider it an opportunity to exercise your power over him. You have the authority to declare what is lawful and unlawful in this earth, and to permit or to forbid things on the earth-even death (Matthew 16:18-19, AMP).

I challenge you to begin making demands in Jesus' name. John 14:13-14 says, "And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it." The word ask means "demand." What you demand in Jesus' name (from the Word), He promises He will do. Understand that when you make a demand, you aren't demanding that God do things. Instead, you are demanding that the devil submit to the Word, to loose his hold and to stop his operations against you.

Faith is involved in exercising your spiritual authority. You must base your faith on what the Word says, not on circumstances. When circumstances do not change immediately, some people become discouraged and begin to speak doubt and unbelief. This only gives the devil dominion over their words, which ultimately defeat them. Don't hand over your authority to Satan through your words. Instead, break the power of the devil by walking in your authority!

I Have A File

Cindy Beall

I'm realizing every day just how many women need hope.

I have spoken with numbers of women over the last 7 1/2 years about marriage issues and crises they are facing. So many so that I don't even remember who they all are. And that can get embarrassing when you meet them face to face.

I tell you that because a lot of these women are referred to me because they are now "going through" what I "went through". So, I visit with these women, mostly on the phone, sometimes via email, occasionally in person, and try to help them make sense of something that is absolutely senseless. When someone brings up pornography or infidelity around these parts where I live, a lot of my friends say, "You should talk to Cindy Beall."

Because you see, I have a file.

Sponsor AdMy file is 7 1/2 years old. It's got information in there that will make your head spin but will most certainly bring you unspeakable joy. My file is thick and gets thicker by the day with each story I hear and with each step I take. My file is a little tattered but is holding together fairly nicely because of the holy adhesive used to secure the frayed edges.

I've got a file.

My all-time favorite Bible teacher, Beth Moore, was speaking one time about a situation in which she was asked to participate. As she was preparing to go and minister, she told God, "But I don't have a file on this!"Beth Moore had never walked the road of those to whom she was about to minister. She did not have a file.

You may not have a file about something through which your best friend is enduring or what your child is experiencing or what your spouse is going through. But let me tell you what you do have.

The Holy Spirit.

And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession--to the praise of his glory. Eph. 1:13-14

If you are a Christ follower, you have the Holy Spirit inside of you ready and willing to lead you down the path that you don't think you have any business traveling.

Ephesians 5:18 tells us, "be filled with the Spirit." As we yield our lives to Him and allow Him to come in, he will become our file.

God allows us to use our past hurts to help others. But, don't sell yourself short on how God can and will use you. And don't forget, my fellow Christ follower, that according to 2 Peter 1:3, His divine power has given you everything you need for life and godliness.

Last time I checked, everything meant everything.