To Lead Is...

To Lead is to Serve;

To Lead is to guide, direct, and instruct; 

But never neglect, and dare not forget to do so with genuine, and heartfelt Love...

...Therefore, to Lead is to Love!

To Lead is to sacrifice;

To Lead is to place the needs of others ahead, and yours behind;

To Lead is not only an Honor, and a Privilege;

It is more importantly, a gift; an incubation; a mission, with which comes great responsibility!

To Lead is to rid oneself of vanity, 

and clothe oneself in genuine and true humility.

To Lead is to love justice and righteousness;

To Lead is not to compromise when it comes to telling, and sharing the Truth;

To Lead is to be merciful and compassionate...

To Lead is to be human enough to understand the struggles faced by man, 

while retaining the strength, courage, and boldness required to teach right from wrong.

To Lead is to teach by example.

Words are secondary; used only when absolutely necessary;

For just as faith without deeds is dead, words without action are empty.

And empty words are full of hypocrisy.   

A true leader Cannot be a Hypocrite...

...For to be a leader is to be, first and foremost, a servant.

To serve is his/her goal.
To lead in love, mercy, compassion, humility, and righteousness is his/her calling.

To Lead is to have the ability to forgive;

(Granted one cannot forget...)

To Lead is to be an instrument of instruction, guidance, hope, encouragement, and restoration in God's hands! (Amen! Hallelujah! Let it be so LORD!)

To Lead is to stretch out a hand to those can no longer stand,

And bring them back to their feet again; leading them in the Light of Jesus Christ! (Amen! Hallelujah!)

To Lead is to be brave enough to be Humble; 

Especially when it means preventing a crumble.

To Lead is to Learn daily.

To Lead is to be a voice to the voiceless;

To bring Hope to the hopeless, healing to the broken, and encouragement to the discouraged.

But in order to lead effectively, the leader in question MUST willingly surrender to the LORDSHIP of JESUS CHRIST!

So, essentially, to Lead is to Surrender;

To Lead is to Submit;

To Lead is to Serve.

To serve Whom...? Jesus Christ!

...And consequently, in obedience to God's Holy Word, our brothers and sisters in Christ!

So let us Serve in humility, so that we may Lead in honor;

Let us be last, so that we shall be first!

Let us lose our lives, so that we may find it in Jesus Christ! (Amen! Hallelujah!)

Let us sow generously into the Kingdom of God!

Be it in works, deeds, or even financially. For if we truly and genuinely believe, we SHALL reap a harvest according to our individual deeds.

For God is Just and Righteous;

And no work done in His name shall be in vain! (Amen! Hallelujah! Glory be to God Everlastingly! Amen and Amen!)

All glory, honor, and praise be to God!
Forever & Always!

Amen & Amen!

Isaiah 53

No words from me today. Simply words from Isaiah 53:

"Who has believed our message?
To whom has the LORD revealed [H]is powerful arm?"

"My [S]ervant grew up in the LORD's presence like a tender green shoot, like a root in dry ground. There was nothing beautiful or majestic about [H]is appearance, nothing to attract us to [H]im."

"He was despised and rejected-a [M]an of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief. We turned our backs on [H]im and looked the other way. He was despised and we did not care."

"Yet it was our weaknesses [H]e carried; it was our sorrows that weighted [H]im down.

And we thought [H]is troubles were a punishment from God, a punishment for [H]is own sins!"

"But [H]e was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so that we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed."   

(Amen! Hallelujah! Glory be to God Everlastingly!)

"All of us, like sheep, have strayed away.
We have left God's path to follow our own.
Yet the LORD laid on [H]im the sins of us all."

"He was oppressed and treated harshly, yet [H]e never said a word.
He was led like a lamb to the slaughter.
And as a sheep is silent before the shearers, [H]e did not open [H]is mouth."

"Unjustly condemned, [H]e was led away.
No one cared that [H]e died without descendants, that [H]is life was cut short in midstream.
But [H]e was struck down for the rebellion of my people."

"He had done no wrong and had never deceived anyone.
But [H]e was buried like a criminal; [H]e was put in a rich man's grave."


"But is was the LORD's good plan to crush [H]im and cause [H]im grief.
Yet when [H]is life is made an offering for sin, [H]e will have many descendants.
He will enjoy a long life, and the LORD's good plan will prosper in [H]is hands." 

(Amen! Hallelujah! Glory be to God Everlastingly! For He has made all things new, through, by, and with the Precious and Ultimate Sacrifice of His Son-Jesus Christ! So let us praise, and give thanks to the LORD our God, who has graciously made provision for the atonement of our sins, through the sacrifice of His Holy Lamb-our Precious LORD and Savior-Jesus Christ! Amen! Hallelujah! Glory be to God! From Everlasting to Everlasting! Amen, Amen, and Amen!)

"When [H]e sees all that is accomplished by [H]is anguish, [H]e will be satisfied. 
And because of [H]is experience, my Righteous Servant will make it possible for many to be counted righteous,  for [H]e will bear all their sins."

"I will give [H]im the honors of a victorious soldier, because [H]e exposed [H]imself to death.
He bore the sins of many and interceded for rebels."

 (Isaiah 53:1-12; New Living Translation of the Bible)

All glory, honor, and praise be to God Everlastingly!

Amen, Amen, and Amen!

"Healer"

Hey Guys!

I just came across this incredibly amazing, and inspiring music video montage with the lyrics to the song "Healer." It was originally recorded by PlanetShakers. But this particular version of it, is sung by Hillsong. And it really struck a chord with me; ministering straight into the very depths of my heart! Words cannot express what a blessing this song was for me. So, I couldn't resist; I have to share it with you.

It is my hope and prayer to God, the Father, that this song will be as much of a blessing to you, as it was for me. No, strike that. I hope and pray that this anointed song from God, will increase your faith in such a way, that you will indeed believe in the impossible. Believe that ALL things are possible with God! He does not know limits. He does not know impossibilities. (Amen! Hallelujah! Glory be to God forevermore!) And just as all things are possible with God, all things are possible for those who place their faith and trust in God! (Hallelujah! Amen!)  In other words, all things are possible to those who truly and genuinely BELIEVE in God, first and foremost, and consequently in the promises given to us in His Holy Word! For His promises are true and completely trustworthy! God's Word is the ULTIMATE and ABSOLUTE TRUTH!

And now, without further ado, here's the video I'd like to share with you. As you listen to this anointed worship song, remember that it contains words of EVERLASTING TRUTH. So, in humility, I urge  you, let them minister to you! Let them heal and restore you! Let them remind you of, and keep your mind focused on, God's EVERLASTING TRUTH! (Amen! Hallelujah! Glory be to God Everlastingly!) For these are indeed words of Everlasting Truth! And those who truly are in Christ-who IS the Truth-shall surely recognize it, and believe that these are indeed words of Everlasting Truth! (Amen! Hallelujah LORD! Glory be to God Everlastingly! AMEN! AMEN! and AMEN!)


Video Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GaB53_AS7Ug

Scriptural food for thought: "Surely [H]e hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: Yet we did esteem [H]im stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, [H]e was bruised for our iniquities: [T]he chastisement of our peace was upon [H]im; and with His stripes we are healed."  

(Isaiah 53: 4-5; King James Version) 

(Amen! Hallelujah! Glory be to God Everlastingly!)
(Yes! I believe LORD! I believe in the truthfulness of your precious Word, and its precious and powerful promises, with ALL the strength of my heart!) 
(So, again I say, Glory be to God Everlastingly! For His Word is Eternal and True! And His promises are trustworthy! Amen! Hallelujah! Amen!)

"Yet it was our weaknesses [H]e carried; it was our sorrows that weighted [H]im down. And we thought [H]is troubles were a punishment from God, a punishment for His own sins! But [H]e was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so that we could be whole. [H]e was whipped so that we could be healed." 

(Isaiah 53: 4-5; New Living Translation)

"He personally carried our sins in [H]is body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By [H]is wounds you are healed." (I Peter 2:24; New Living Translation) 

Amen, Amen, and Amen!

Let all glory, honor, and praise be to God Everlastingly!
For He is our Savior and our Healer!
And He is Truly and Solely worthy of it!

Amen, Amen, and Amen!

Again I say,
Glory be to God Everlastingly!
Amen & Amen!

Back To The Battlefield!

I don't know if anyone out there would agree with me; but today, I can honestly say, that worship is a great remedy for the soul. For as we worship the LORD our God, in spirit and in truth, He draws near to restore us, to strengthen us, to encourage us, to remind us of who we are in Jesus Christ! (Hallelujah! Amen!). The reason I am mentioning such fact, is because on this particular day, God Himself has called me back to the battlefield as I worshiped Him. He has encouraged me, He has restored me, He has given me hope anew. Through various ministries of song and worship God has ministered to my heart and revived my spirit through and in Christ! And I praise the LORD for loving me so much that He would care to restore me and to bring me back to my feet yet again! (Hallelujah! Amen! I praise the LORD for His never-ending mercy and grace upon my life each and every day! Hallelujah! Amen!)

Yet I must confess: I am amazed, as I ponder upon the fact, that no matter how many times I fall, God's still there when I call. As a matter of fact, I am awe-struck by His everlasting mercy and grace; which is poured upon me, (and you), each and every day. It is beyond me, to attempt to figure out why He has not given up on me. After all, just between you and me, He has PLENTY of reasons to do so. But the fact of the matter is, He has NOT given up on me. And He WILL NOT. He WILL NOT RELENT. He WILL NOT LET GO of me. As if that's not enough, not only is God clutching tightly to me, but He's also calling me back to the battlefield!-"And why is that so amazing?"-you may ask. Well, the answer to such question is fairly simple, yet incredibly remarkable to me. In other words, the very fact that God is calling me back to the battlefield regardless of the countless times I've fallen, is precious evidence of His everlasting love, and relentless belief in me. That is to say, in spite of all my short-comings and character flaws, despite my weaknesses, The LORD GOD, my Friend and King, still sees potential in me. Or better yet, He still wants to use me. And that, my dear friend, is truly comforting, unbelievably awesome, and genuinely amazing to me.

But of course, it is imperative that I reiterate the fact, that God's amazing grace applies not only to me, but also to all of those who believe. So, please allow me to minister to your life right now. If you have fallen down, if you feel weary and weak, if you believe you've gone too far and there's no turning back, don't lose heart just yet; because God is calling you back to the battlefield. Yes! He is calling you back to the battlefield indeed! All you have to do, is to answer the call, and present yourself before the LORD. Just as you are; flaws and all. All that God requires of you, is sincerity, and honesty before Him. Do not try to cover up your flaws. As a matter of fact, I would humbly encourage you to do just the opposite. That is, bare them before the LORD. Do not try to justify your sins, or to deny your weaknesses. It is pointless to do so. For God knows the deepest and darkest secrets of your heart. He is well acquainted with the intermost part of your soul. So, I urge you to please pour your heart and soul to God without reservations or restrictions. Show yourself to Him just as you are. Confess your sins before the LORD and plead for His mercy and forgiveness from the very bottom of your heart. For God does not reject those of contrite hearts and spirits. And He swiftly and promptly restores and strengthens them. So that they may be living witnesses of God's everlasting love, mercy, and grace! (Amen! Hallelujah!) And so that the world may know, that no one is eternally doomed for disgrace and defeat if they truly and earnestly seek God's face, and embrace the gift of God's grace and everlasting redemption by faith! (Amen! Hallelujah! Glory be to God!) 

Therefore, once again I say, pour your heart, your soul, and your spirit out to the LORD, and let Him take care of you. Let Him strengthen and restore you. Let Him heal your wounds. Believe in God against all hope. Believe that God can indeed make all things new! (Amen! Hallelujah!) And above all, once you've poured  your heart out to God, made known to Him all your afflictions in prayer and thanksgiving, trust in the LORD with all your heart! Have faith in Christ Jesus! And I assure you, that you will NOT be disappointed or dismayed! (Amen! Hallelujah! Yes, Lord! I believe!)

In sum, always remember and be grateful for the gift of God's grace. DO NOT forsake it. Do NOT forget it. And DO NOT, under any circumstance, take it for granted. For a very high price was paid on that wooden cross for your life and mine. A price so high that we could never repay. But what we can do however, is to truly embrace the gift of God's EVERLASTING GRACE! (Amen! Hallelujah!) For we know, that in and through the Holy and Ultimate sacrifice of Christ we have eternal redemption from sin. We are forgiven and redeemed. We are washed clean and set free by Christ's precious blood. We are no longer enslaved to our sinful nature. We are no longer bound by chains. We are free, and free indeed! So, let us go back to the battlefield at once; under the leadership of Christ who strengthens the meek, and rescues those who are oppressed. And let us rejoice in Christ Jesus who grants us victory! Oh, Yes! Christ Jesus is our victory indeed! (Amen! Hallelujah! I believe & I believe!)

Scriptural food for thought: 
"For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people. And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness and devotion to God, while we look forward with hope to the wonderful day when the glory of our [G]reat God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed. He gave [H]is life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us [H]is very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds." 

(Titus 2:11-14; New Living Translation)

"Are any of you sick? You should call for the elders of the church to come and pray over you, anointing you with oil in the name of the Lord. Such a prayer offered in faith will heal the sick, and the Lord will make you well. And if you have committed any sins you will be forgiven."  

(James 5: 14-15; New Living Translation)

"Dear brothers and sisters, when trouble comes your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing."  

 (James 1:2-4; New Living Translation)

"God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love [H]im."  

(James 1:12; New Living Translation) 

All glory, honor, and praise be given to God the Father, and to the Holy One: Christ Jesus; who is our victory! (Amen! Hallelujah! Glory be to God forevermore!)

Lighthouse

As I pondered upon what would ultimately be the content of this particular blog post, an intriguing question emerged: "How may I accurately and coherently express that which I am compelled to share with others today?" How do I organize the thoughts racing through my mind, in such a way, as to make myself clearly understood?" Then, I realized that it is not up to me to tackle such a challenging task. I am not required  to organize my thoughts into coherent streams of words and phrases.

I am however, invited to yield to the guidance and leadership of the Holy Spirit of God, Who dwells within me. I am called to surrender my mind, my heart, my spirit, and my soul completely to the Holy One, so that He may use me as an instrument in His hands. Both now, and prayerfully, by God's Everlasting grace, each and every day of my life. And I humbly encourage you-the reader-to do the same today. So, that the LORD our God, may use your life for His glory, honor, and praise, in a mighty way! (Amen! Hallelujah! Let it be so Lord!) But of course, I digress. For that is not the subject I would like to present for discussion to you today. (But it may very well be the topic of discussion for another day.) So, without further ado, let us get to the heart of the matter; shall we?

I am writing to you today, to share something which I personally found fairly remarkable in my walk with Christ. It may seem quite obvious, and even logical once the "dots" are all connected-so to speak. But it was not immediately the case for me. And it just may be, that you, my dear friend, will also benefit from such a remarkable, yet seemly obvious discovery.

It is no secret to anyone, that every now and then, we find ourselves in very bewildering seasons and/or temporary circumstances in our individual journeys with Christ. Well, it just so happens, that I currently find myself in one of those seasons. A season in which nothing makes much sense. And it seems to me, that the harder I try to make sense of its bewildering factor, the "foggier" things become. The street signs become harder to read-that is, figuratively speaking-and the road map is gone. For a brief moment, I find myself lost and confused in the middle of nowhere, without the slightest idea of where to turn to next, or which path to follow in order to find my way home.

Then, it was suddenly revealed to me; an amazing, yet seemly obvious discovery: Streets signs and road maps are not necessary when God the Father is my Lighthouse. When God is my reference point, I am not lost; but rather found. And while I may not be able to make sense of it all today, I know that the Lighthouse will light my way. But in the meantime, I will walk by faith. I will strive to serve the LORD faithfully as I wait; I will continue to do what God has called me to do. And I will choose to follow Him the whole way through. For God is and has always been God. Even before the Earth came to be. Even before He decided in Everlasting Sovereignty, to give the breath of life to you and me. Therefore, to Him be all glory, honor, and praise forevermore! For He is truly and solely worthy of it! (Amen! Hallelujah! Glory be to God!)

So, once again, please allow me to reiterate: When things don't make much sense, continue to walk by faith. Hang on to your commitment to and faith in God! (Amen! Hallelujah!) Even in the midst of bewildering and/or adverse circumstances. Stop trying to read confusing street signs, and rely not on bewildering road maps. Choose to walk by faith instead. After all, that just might have been the point all along. (As I finally discovered....)

"Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us reassurance about things we cannot see."

(Hebrews 11:1; New Living Translation)

And Remember: Always search for the Lighthouse

Let the angels of Heaven sing to Him!
Let the Cherubim render Him True and Genuine praise!
For the LORD our God is worthy of it!
He is Gracious and Glorious;
He is Mighty and Strong!
He is the EVERLASTING God!
The One and Only One!

So, let the people of the Earth join in, as the angels of Heaven sing!
For God Almighty is our victory! (Amen! Hallelujah!)
He is our refuge and our strength.

The One Who renders us His renewed mercies and everlastingly abundant grace, at the dawn of each day! (Amen! Hallelujah! Glory be to God forevermore! For He is worthy!)

May our souls rejoice in Him!
And may our hearts, minds, and mouths never cease to be full of words of praise to Him!
Let us praise Him continuously;
To Him, the Master and Owner all things;
By and through which all things were created and came to be,
To the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY be all glory, honor, and praise! (Amen! Hallelujah!)
Glory be to ELOHIM Everlastingly!
Amen & Amen!

And as for me, I will place my trust solely in Thee;
I will strive to serve Thee faithfully, for as long as I may live.
And I will patiently wait upon Thee, as I strive to live each and every day by faith.

I surrender to You once again.
I submit myself to You and to your good and perfect will.

That is the deepest desire of my heart, and my sincere and heartfelt prayer to God, the Father.

It is in the Precious and Powerful name of Jesus that I pray,

Amen & Amen! (Glory be to God! Hallelujah!)  

Scriptural food for thought: "Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will show which path to take."  

(Proverbs 3: 5-6; New Living Translation)

"But the righteous will live by their faithfulness to God"  

(Habakkuk 2:4b; New Living Translation)

All glory be to God!
Forever & Always!
Amen & Amen!

Everyday Life Meets A Frightening But Everlasting Truth...

Hey Guys!

I realize that I've blogged on this subject before, and I don't mean to sound like a broken record. But I feel compelled to share the Truth with you. And I hope you don't mind if I do... So, without further ado, I would like to share a video with you, pertaining to the rapture of the Church of Jesus Christ. While it may be somewhat frightening, it will never cease to be an Everlasting Truth! (Amen! Hallelujah!)


Video Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7sLUIfCSTMU

May the LORD have mercy upon us all!
May we be ready when He calls;
May our eyes be open to see, and our ears be open to hear;

May we turn back from our stubborn ways, genuinely repent from our sins, and in doing so, tap into His Everlasting Grace! (Amen! Hallelujah!)


LORD! Let us be washed clean, and purified by the precious blood of Jesus Christ, each and every day of our lives! 

It is not that we are without sin, but we who have been redeemed, must come before Thee, and confess our sins daily, so that we may be washed clean! (Amen! Hallelujah!).

We must repent genuinely;
We must turn back from our old crooked ways; (May the LORD help us!)
We must forgive to be forgiven;
And we must seek to find.


We must not compromise;
We must not close our eyes, and pretend not to see, what's right in front of you and me!
We must not close our ears, and pretend not not hear, simply out of fear.


May God the Father, have mercy upon us all!
And may we be ready when He calls! (Amen! Hallelujah!)


It is in the Precious and Holy name of Jesus that I pray,


Amen And Amen! 
(Glory be to God Everlastingly! Amen! Hallelujah!) 
Amen & Amen!

May all glory, honor, and praise be given to God Everlastingly!
Amen & Amen!

This One Is For the Church Of Jesus Christ!

Jesus, let this become a reality in our lives, so that we-The Church of Jesus Christ-may go into all the earth, and preach the Gospel; share the Truth, light the way, and change the world through, with, and in You!

So that your Holy Name, may be glorified and lifted up high forevermore! (Hallelujah! Amen!)

It is in Your Holy Name that I pray,
Amen & Amen! (Hallelujah! Amen!)

 

Video Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KboW0TzKjgY

I thank You LORD, for everything that You are!
For everything that You have done, is doing, and will do in my life! (Hallelujah!)
I thank You for your everlasting mercy and grace.
Thank You for your woe embrace!

Lord, once again I thank You for who You are. 
For you do not deal with me according to my many sins; but rather, according to your everlasting mercy and grace! (Hallelujah! Amen!) 

O LORD! You delight in showing your faithful children mercy. You shower them with endless grace;
You provide for their every need. And you graciously grant them victory! (Amen! Hallelujah!)

You will not abandon, nor forsaken them! 
You will not turn a deaf ear to their pleas, or ignore their cries for help in times of distress. (Amen! Hallelujah!)

You shelter and care for your little children in times of trouble;
You will not hide your glorious presence, comfort, and love from those who seek you with all of their hearts!
Those who search for You night and day shall not be dismayed;
Those who put their trust in You shall not be afraid;
And those who wait patiently upon You shall have a great harvest to gain! (Amen! Hallelujah!)

O LORD! Please let my heart be faithful to You throughout all of my days!
Let me not be led astray! Please, lead and light the way!
Let me love mercy and compassion. And let me walk with You in humility through all of my days! (Amen! Hallelujah!) For that is Your will for all of those who love You.

Let your wisdom guard my heart, and the words that I say;
Let true and genuine humility keep me from the poison of pride; the beginning of the end!
Let your love-the love of Christ Jesus-be a jewel around my neck; 
Let it be a pleasant fragrance coming from Your Majestic, Righteous, Pure, and Noble heart, for this humble and unworthy servant to spread through.

O Jesus! Let your light shine through!
Let me always be true and genuine to you!
Let not the words that I say, or the choices that I make lead others astray!

O LORD! Please forgive me for the times I disobeyed.
And for the times my actions or words have led others astray!
You know I did not mean to hurt You or they...
But nonetheless, I have...

But now, all I have to count on is in the power of Your Holy Blood to purify me, and cleanse me from all unrighteousness. (Amen! Hallelujah!)
So, I call upon Your EVERLASTING Mercy and Grace again today;
For I trust in the comfort of your woe embrace! (Amen! Hallelujah!)

And it is because I freely receive from Your everlasting mercy and grace each day, that I must also freely show mercy and grace to others. 

I must forgive to be forgiven;
I must pray for those who persecute me;
And I must love those who hate me; because then, I will be conducting myself as a true child of God.
And therefore, God's Holy name will be forever glorified and lifted up high! (Amen! Hallelujah!)

I am dust. And to dust I shall return. But the Name of the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY SHALL be known throughout the Earth.
His Power, Majesty, and Greatness are EVERLASTING!
NO one is greater than He;
NO is more powerful than He;
NO one can defeat Him!
For He is, was, and will forever be, the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY!
THE ONE AND ONLY GOD OF THE UNIVERSE! (Amen! Hallelujah!)
THE LORD of heaven's armies.
THE CREATOR of the universe;
THE ALPHA and OMEGA!
THE BEGINNING and THE END! (AMEN! HALLELUJAH!)

So, let all glory be to GOD!
Forever & Always!

In Christ's name I pray,

Amen & Amen!       

In Search Of Wisdom: A Psalm of Praise!

If I must speak, choose the words I say;
If I must listen, give me wisdom to understand;
And if in silence I must remain, teach me your ways.

Lord, You are the Rock of my Salvation;
You are the Author and Finisher of my faith;
You are the One in Whom I place my trust;
You are the Sole Source of my strength;
You are the One who gives me life; I can do nothing without You.
For every good and perfect gift comes from the Lord! (Hallelujah! Amen!)

You are the source of my EVERYTHING. And it would be utterly foolish of me, not to acknowledge Thee.
Without your Holy Spirit moving within me, I'm utterly empty and crude; any trace of goodness within me, would soon fade. For all that is good within me, comes solely from You.

So, again I say: I AM NOTHING WITHOUT YOU!
It is only by your everlasting mercy and grace that I am able to stand up today! (Amen! Hallelujah!)

LORD, I depend upon You;
I surrender to You;
I give You all that I am, and all that I have; holding nothing back.
I give you my life, I give you my heart, I give you my soul.
I surrender my human instinct to take control.

O LORD GOD! Let your name be glorified!
Let it be lifted up high! (Hallelujah! Amen!)
Let the foundations of the Earth testify to the Greatness, Majesty, and Power of Your Holy Name! (Hallelujah! Amen!)
Let Creation testify of The LORD GOD ALMIGHTY!
Oh, let His name be lifted up high everlastingly!
For He grants His FAITHFUL children VICTORY! (AMEN! HALLELUJAH!) 

So, let us not be dismayed!
For God will light the way! (Amen! Hallelujah!)
Let us take courage, and hold on to faith;
For God will SURELY light the way!

...And as we believe, so it shall be done onto us! (Amen! Hallelujah! Let the name of the LORD be praised everlastingly! Amen! Hallelujah!)

 
Let all glory, honor, and praise be given to God Everlastingly!
Amen & Amen!

Success At Last!

"It is not your business to succeed, but to do right; when you have done so, the rest lies with God."-C.S. Lewis

 
In today's individualistic and highly competitive culture, we are strongly encouraged to depend upon ourselves- that is, upon our skills, talents, and abilities-as we embark on a seemingly never-ending quest for what the world in which we live, defines as 'success.' But we often neglect and/or forget the fact, that all of our individual skills, talents, and abilities come to us, directly from the Father, with the sole purpose of bringing glory to His Holy name! (Amen! Hallelujah! Glory be to God!) For the Word of the Lord says:

"For from [H]im and through [H]im and to [H]im are all things. To [H]im be the glory [F]orever! Amen."  

(Romans 11:36; NIV Study Bible)

The Word of God further declares the following:"Don't be deceived by dear brothers. Every good and perfect gift is from above coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights..."

(James 1:16-17a; NIV Study Bible) 

 
As we continue to discuss the topic of success, let us ponder for a moment on the dictionary's definition of success; just for the sake of argument. Shall we?

According to the Collins English Dictionary, success is "the favorable outcome of something attempted; the attainment of wealth, fame, etc." (Collins English Dictionary, 2009). That is the world's take on the definition of success. God however, has a very different perspective with regard to success. When we look at the concept of success based on what God reveals to us through His Holy Word, we soon see, that as far as God is concerned, success is not dependent upon one's financial and/or social status. It is NOT defined by one's monetary acquisition power-if I may call it so. One's level of success is NOT defined by property ownership-or the lack thereof-or the extent of his/her investment portfolio.

By contrast, from my humble and personal perspective, I have come to find, as I continue to ponder upon God's Word, that success in God's eyes, is defined as one's willingness to surrender completely to His will; thus allowing His Holy Spirit to guide us, to fill us, and to move freely within us, so that we may be co-laborers, partners, and ambassadors of Christ indeed in His redemptive work! (Amen! Hallelujah! Glory be to God forevermore!) 

Success to God, has nothing to do with money, or with anything that the world acquaints with the concept of success. But it has everything to do with, surrender, humility, transparency, and sincerity before the LORD our GOD! (Amen! Hallelujah! Glory be to God Forever!). For as we surrender, as we humble ourselves, and as we seek the LORD our God with the strength and sincerity of our hearts, we break the barrier of our selfishness and pride, and yield to the good and perfect will of God; thus, becoming completely dependent upon Christ Himself. And that, my dear friend, is the ultimate and everlasting key to true, and lasting success! (Amen! Hallelujah! Gory be to God Forevermore!)

Well, I must leave you now. But before I go, I would like to share with you a couple of additional Scriptural verses related to the content of this blog post. So, here I go:

"But seek first [H]is [K]ingdom and [H]is righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." (Matthew 6:33; NIV Study Bible).

"I am the Vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in [M]e and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from [M]e you can do nothing."  

(John 15:5; NIV Study Bible)

May God bless you!

Both now, and always!

Amen! :)


All glory be to God!
Forever & Always!
Amen & Amen! (Glory! Hallelujah! Amen!)  

References: "Success." Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition. HarperCollins Publishers. 31 Aug. 2010. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/Success>.

Simply Pondering Upon Scripture...

Well, as it happens, my thoughts are scattered today. As a matter of fact, I cannot find a coherent phrase to say. (Although I must say, in my defense, that it wasn't for the lack of effort; perhaps it has something to do with my lack of brain cells today.... :)) But since I have nothing worthwhile to say, I thought it would be a good idea to simply ponder upon Scripture today; meaning no long introductory speech, no mumbling, no babbling on, and on, and on... (Wait a minute. Am I contradicting myself here..?)

...Anyway, what do you say? Will you join me as I dive head-first into Scripture today? (For the sake of validating the further content of this blog post, let's just pretend you're nodding in agreement with me... Shall we?)

Let us begin:

"Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil, cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality."  

(Romans 12:9-13; NIV Study Bible)

"Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited." (Romans 12:14-16; NIV Study Bible)

"Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay, says the Lord." (Romans 12:17-19)

"On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." 

(Romans 12:20-22; NIV Study Bible)

May the LORD of Hosts fill us with His Holy Spirit, and enable us to put His precious Word into practice, so that His Holy name may be glorified! (Amen! Hallelujah!) And may those who do not yet know Him, see the light of Jesus in our lives, and in our actions. May the words that we say, be words of wisdom, blessing, encouragement and healing; not of destruction, deceit, and fallacy.

May LORD HIMSELF help us! For we are utterly hopeless without Him.

In Christ's name I pray,

Amen and Amen!

All glory, honor, and praise be given to God Everlasting!
Both now, and Forever!
Amen & Amen! 

So, What Is Christianity Anyway...?

...Well, I would tell you; (as I have in previous blog posts.) But this time, I would rather show you. You know... just to 'shake things up' a bit. And in order to do that, I have found yet another video, which I would like to share with you. So, without further ado, here's the video I promised you:


Video Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ut-UOhY0s8E

May your ears be open to hear, and your eyes be open to see, that Jesus Christ-the Son of God-died for you and me. This is my plea, to God the Father indeed!

In Christ's name I pray,


Amen & Amen!

Scriptural food for thought: "But God showed [H]is great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners."  

(Romans 5:8; New Living Translation)

"For God loved the world so much, that [H]e gave [H]is [O]ne and [O]nly Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life."

(John 3:16; New Living Translation)

"I [Jesus] tell you the truth, those who listen to my message and believe in God who sent me have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins, but they have already passed from death into life." 

(John 5:24; New Living Translation)

"He [Jesus] has come from above and is greater than anyone else. We are of the earth, and we speak of earthly things, but [H]e has come from heaven and is greater than anyone else. He testifies about what [H]e has seen and heard, but how few are those who believe what He tells them! Anyone who accepts [H]is testimony can affirm that God is true. For [H]e is sent by God. He speaks God's words, for God gives [H]im the Spirit without limit."  

(John 3:31-33; New Living Translation)

May all glory, honor, and praise be given to God Almighty!

Forever & Always!
Amen & Amen!

A Father's Love Letter

If I could find the words to describe the content of the video you're about to see, I most certainly would. But as it happens, no man-made words can accurately describe the depth, the width, and the length of God's love for humanity. I could try as hard as I might; but the fullness of the love of God cannot be contained, restrained, or expressed with mere words. It stretches beyond everlasting; it is infinitely deeper than the deepest of seas; it is far greater than what our limited human minds can conceive.... In spite of such fact however, God has revealed the greatness of His love for mankind through His marvelous, and everlastingly graceful plan of redemption. In other words, the love of God for His creation is unmistakably revealed through the life, death, and resurrection of His only begotten Son: Jesus Christ. Such was and is the depth of God's love for us, and such was His desire to restore the relationship between The Creator (a.k.a. God Himself) and creation (a.k.a. mankind), that He gave His most precious possession, His One and Only Son in sacrifice to atone for the sins of mankind. Such amazing and glorious truth can be observed in the book of John, chapter 13, verses 16 and 17. It reads as follows:

"For God loved the world so much that He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent His Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through Him."  

(John 3:16-17; New Living Translation)  

You may be reading this blog post right now and think to yourself: "I am not a sinner! "What have I done?" "I am a fairly decent person; I help others. I give back to the community..." "I earn an honest living; I pay my taxes on time," and so on and so forth. Well, you see here's the thing: While all of that may be true, considering yourself a "good person" judging by your own personal standards, does not grant you a "ticket to heaven"-so to speak. For the Word of God says:

"For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God's glorious standard." 

(Romans 3:23; New Living Translation)

You may still be looking at that verse and saying: "What's that got to do with me?" "I haven't done anything." And you continue to reassure yourself, enlisting in your mind-yet again-the many reasons why you consider yourself to be a "good person." But you see, God is a holy God; too holy to behold sin. And when Adam and Eve disobeyed God's command not to eat from the Tree of Knowledge of good and evil, (see Gen. 2:15-3 for further details), they allowed themselves to be tainted by sin; thus, becoming sinners. Consequently, mankind-as their offspring-also inherited such sinful nature. (Perhaps now, the Scriptural verse noted above might make a little more sense.)

But by the grace and love of God, that's not where this remarkable, and everlastingly TRUE story ends. If that were the case, mankind would be eternally doomed and separated from the presence and glory of God. In contrast, the Lord God chose to show us undeserving mercy and grace by devising a plan of redemption for mankind. Such plan involved the selfless sacrifice of His blameless Son Jesus Christ on a wooden cross, a little over 2,000 years ago. The Blameless Lamb became the perfect sacrifice for the atonement of the sins of mankind. And through His perfection, and the shedding of His precious blood, those who hear the Truth, believe it, and gladly and genuinely receive it within their hearts, shall have eternal life, and begin a life-long journey of transformation, wonder, joy, and amazing discoveries through, with, and in Jesus Christ. (Hallelujah! Amen!) For it is written:

"But now God has shown us a way to be made right with [H]im...We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are."  

(Romans 3:21a-22; New Living Translation)

Additionally, the Scriptures say: "Jesus told him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through [M]e."  

(John 14:6; New Living Translation)

Now, if all that's been discussed thus far hasn't at least gotten your "wheels turning"-per se, perhaps the Father's love letter will. So, without further ado, I present the Father's love letter to you:

Video Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Q5T9RYLiG4


Video Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=npTQv5eWTsM&feature=related

May your eyes be open to see, your ears be open to hear, and your hearts be open to believe and receive the Truth; which rests upon the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ! (Hallelujah! Amen!)

That is my sincere and heartfelt prayer to the Father in Heaven.

In Christ's name I pray,

Amen & Amen! (Hallelujah!)

All glory, honor, and praise be to God Everlasting!
Amen & Amen! (Hallelujah!)

Just Spreading The Word...

Hey guys!

I could not help but feel like there was something missing in the previous blog post. So I thought to myself: "What could that 'something' be?" Then, it suddenly dawned on me: "The Word of God of course!" So, here I am, (yet again), to share with you-if I may-some Scriptural food for thought in regards to the Second-Coming of Jesus Christ. Hence, without further delay, here's what the Word of God has to say:

"God blesses the one who reads the words of this prophecy to the church, and He blesses all who listen to its message and obey what it says, for the time is near." 

(Revelation 1:3; New Living Translation)

"Go back to what you heard and believed at first; hold to it firmly. Repent and turn to [M]e again. If you don't wake up, I will come to you suddenly, as unexpected as a thief."  

(Revelation 3:3; New Living Translation)

"Look, I will come as unexpectedly as a thief! Blessed are those who are watching for me, who keep their clothing ready so that they will not have to walk around naked and ashamed." (Revelation 16:15; New Living Translation)


"I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have so that no one will take way your crown." (Revelation 3:11; New Living Translation)

May the Holy Spirit convict of the Truth, as you read the Word of God; which is the life-giving Truth!
In Christ's name I pray,

Amen & Amen!

May the Lord bless you!
Both now, and always!
Amen! :)

All glory, honor, and praise be given to the LORD God Almighty!
Forever and Always!
Amen & Amen!

Soon...And Very Soon!

Blessed are those who have ears to hear and eyes to see;
For Jesus Christ died for you and me.

The Truth shines bright as day;
There are no need for many words to say, that only Jesus is The WAY! (Hallelujah!)

He DIED on that wooden cross, so that we would NOT forever be LOST!
He became SIN so that we could have VICTORY!
He overcame DEATH so that we could have LIFE;
And that ABUNDANTLY!

He came to LIGHT the WAY;
He DIED but ROSE AGAIN on the THIRD DAY.

The weight of SIN that we once bore, He placed upon HIMSELF on that wooden CROSS! (Hallelujah! Glory be to God!)
And now that the veil has been torn, our relationship with GOD has been RESTORED! (Hallelujah! Glory be to God!)

But many have TURNED AWAY;
They cannot see the LIGHT of DAY.
They cannot see the truth;
And regard those who BELIEVE in the WORK OF THE CROSS as fools.

This again I say: JESUS DIED FOR ALL!
For the sake of saving humanity HE took THE FALL.
And the deepest desire of HIS loving heart, is for NO ONE, ABSOLUTELY NO ONE to be LOST!

Provision is made for sin to be erased!
But few are those who receive God's gift of everlasting grace...

Why do we turn away?
Are we forever trapped in our stubborn ways?
Why do we refuse to see the light of day...?

...I may not know much;
But in this I believe with all my heart:
Christ died for you and me;
To take away the weight of sin, and give us life abundantly, and life eternally.

By His everlasting love and grace, God has made provision for sin to be erased.
But we must receive God's gift of grace by faith...

...Faith in the One who made all things new;
...Faith in the One who gave me life anew.
...Faith in the One who died for me and for you.

And of course you know by now who I am referring to....
I am referring to the One who LOVES YOU!
I am referring to the One who CARES (deeply) for You;
I am referring to the One who KNOWS YOU!
And I am referring to the One who SEES you wherever you are!

Remember: You are NEVER too far;
You are NEVER too low to be rescued;
You are NEVER too hurt to be healed;
And you are NEVER too weak to be strengthened!

If there's LIFE, there's HOPE!

The first step towards lasting change is to REPENT from sin, TURN from our selfish ways, and RECEIVE God's gift of everlasting grace by faith....
And let JESUS lead the way.

Although I cannot convict you of the truth, I must share it with you.
I may not know much, but this much I know is true:
Jesus Christ is coming Soon...
And VERY Soon!

So, what will you do?
Will you receive these words of life-giving truth I've shared with you?
Please, do. Will you?

For God LOVES YOU beyond words.
Remember: It's not about works (alone.)
It all comes down to JESUS' SACRIFICE;
That's what REDEEMS us from our DEMISE.

There. I've told you the Truth.
Now, the rest is up to you.

All glory, honor, and praise be to God Everlasting!

Amen & Amen!

God Is God.

I've had the title of this particular blog post echoing in my mind for days. "God is God." Of course, my first instinct was to reaffirm such fact, and say: "Yes, God is God indeed!" But I could not help but wonder if there was more to this three-word sentence than what my limited human mind could conceive. I wondered if God was trying to tell me or show me something beyond what seemed obvious to me. Days went by. And every now and then I would hear those three little words again; echoing in my mind, like the sound of rushing waters. Each echo, filled with God's love, reassurance, and hope. Yet, I was still trying to make sense of it; wondering: "What else could it possibly mean?" Little did I know, the answer was right there in front of me. Suddenly, it became clear to me, that the phase "God is God," is more than a remarkably and everlastingly true statement. It is an invitation. (Yes, you read correctly; an invitation.)  

An invitation for me, and for all believers in Christ Jesus, to trust God. In other words, you and me are daily invited to trust God's character. That is, God's faithfulness, God's love, God's loyalty, God's righteousness, God's justice, God's goodness, God's promises for each and every one of us. And encompassing all of that, we are invited, encouraged, and/or called to trust God's Living Word with all of our hearts, and all of our minds.

Needless to say, there's more to the character of God; much, much, more! As a matter of fact, I believe it is safe to say, beyond a shadow of doubt, that even if I dedicated the rest of my life, searching for words to describe the fullness, and the totality of who God is, I could not even begin to scratch the surface. That is the case, due to the fact, that the fullness of the character, the greatness, and the majesty and power of God Almighty, transcend all human logic and/or intellect. (Hallelujah! Praise be to God Forever and Always! Amen!) That being said however, I would like to point out, that the various names of God-listed throughout His Holy Word-provide us with remarkable, further insight as to who God really is. As we study the individual meanings of such names, we gain increasing reassurance that God is indeed God! He is more than able to sustain us, to strengthen us, to equip us and prepare us to fulfill our purpose in Christ Jesus! (Amen! Hallelujah!). And He is more than capable of providing for each and every one of our needs! All we have to do, is trust Him! (So simple...yet-admittedly-so complex.)

Now, I've given you quite an extensive "introduction"-for lack of a better word-regarding the grandeur of God's character. Therefore, I believe it's about time we venture into the task of deciphering the meaning(s) of the names of the Lord our God, as an attempt to obtain a better understanding of who He is, and consequently, build our faith in Him, through His Holy Word. Which in turn, will increase our ability to trust Him. So let us begin, shall we? (Please, follow along, as I enlist the 12 character-revealing names of God, found throughout His Holy Word).

  

The 12 Character-Revealing Names of God

1. Elohim-Creator:  In Genesis chapter 1, verse 1, God is referred to in the Hebrew language, (the original language in which the Old Testament was written), as "Elohim"; meaning "Creator". For it is written:

"In the beginning, God [Elohim] created the heavens and the earth."  

(Genesis 1:1; New Living Translation)  

2. Jehovah-Father; Lord God: In the second chapter of the book of Genesis, verse 7, God is called "Jehovah"; meaning "Father", referring to the covenant between God and man. The word "Jehovah" is also translated into the English language as "Lord God" as is seen in Scriptural verse below:

"Then the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground. He breathed the breath of life into the man's nostrils, and the man became a living person." (Genesis 2:7; New Living Translation)

3. El-Shaddai-My Supplier; my Nourishment; God Almighty: In Genesis 17, verse 1, God is referred to as "El-Shaddai;" meaning "my Supplier;" "my Nourishment;" "God Almighty." Therefore, we can rest assured, by faith in the Word of God,  that God is indeed our Supplier, and our Nourishment. He is God Almighty! (Hallelujah! Praise God!). This can be clearly seen in the Scriptural verses below. In verse 1, God reveals Himself to Abram, (who later became Abraham), as "El-Shaddai," while in verse 2 the Lord promises to and/or makes a covenant with Abram.

"When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to him and said, "I am El-Shaddai-'God Almighty.' Serve me faithfully and live a blameless life. I will make a covenant with you, by which I will guarantee to give you countless descendants."  

(Genesis 17: 1-2; New Living Translation)     

4. Adonai-Master; Lord: In Genesis chapter 18, verse 3, Abraham refers to God as "Adonai;" meaning "Master" and/or "Lord." For it is written:

"My [L]ord, he [Abraham] said, "If it pleases [Y]ou, stop here for a while."  

(Genesis 18:3; New Living Translation)  

5.  Jehovah-Jireh-Provider; Vision: In Genesis 22, verse 14, Abraham names the sacrificial place, initially intended for the sacrifice of Abraham's only son-Issac, "Yahweh-Yireh"/"Jehovah-Jireh"; meaning "my Provider;" "Vision" and or "the Lord will provide." For the Lord tested Abraham's faith, as well as, his faithfulness to God, by asking Abraham to offer in sacrifice that which he loved the most-his son Issac. However, when God saw Abraham's willingness to carry out God's command in spite of the pain it would cause him, the Lord spared Issac's life, and provided a ram to be sacrificed in Issac's place. Hence, Abraham named the place of sacrifice "Yahweh-Yireh;" meaning among other things, "the Lord will provide." For the Word of the Lord says:

"Abraham named the place Yahweh-Yireh [Jehovah-Jireh] (which means, "the Lord will provide." To this day, people still use that name as a proverb: "On the mountain of the Lord, it will be provided."

(Genesis 22:14; New Living Translation) 

6. Jehovah-Rophe: Healer. Now, in the book of Exodus, chapter 15, verse 26, we read:

"He [the Lord] said, "If you will listen carefully to the voice of the Lord your God and do what is right in His sight, obeying His commands and keeping all His decrees, then I will not make you suffer any of the diseases I sent on the Egyptians; for I am the Lord who heals you." 

(Exodus 15: 26; New Living Translation)     

7. Jehovah-Nissi/Yahweh-Nissi: My Banner; my Victory. In Exodus 17, verse 15, Moses built an altar to the Lord; for the Lord God had granted the His people Israel, victory-under Joshua's leadership-over Amalek's army.This can be clearly observed in the Scriptural verse below:

"Moses built an altar there and named it Yahweh-Nissi (which means "the Lord is my banner" [my Victory]).  

(Exodus 17:15; New Living Translation)

8. Jehovah-Mikkadesh/Yahweh-Mikkadesh: My sanctification; The One who sanctifies me. In the book of Leviticus, chapter 20, verses 7-8, God calls His people to be holy, and consecrate themselves to Him by keeping His commands and/or decrees, and putting them into practice. In verse 8, the Lord gives mention to the fact, that He is indeed the LORD their GOD who makes them holy. For it is written:

"So set yourselves apart to be holy, for I am the Lord your God. Keep all my decrees by putting them into practice, for I am the LORD who makes you holy."  

(Leviticus 20:7-8; New Living Translation)

9. Jehovah-Tsidkenou/Yahweh-Tsidqenu: "The Lord is Our Righteousness." In the book of the prophet Jeremiah, we find a prophesy in 23rd chapter, regarding the coming of the Messiah (a.k.a. the Anointed One; The Righteous One). And within such chapter, one finds the name by which the Lord Jesus Christ is referred to in this given prophecy. Such name is: "Yahweh-Tsidqenu;" meaning "The Lord Is Our Righteousness." The Scriptural verses below, attest to such fact.

"For the time is coming", says the Lord, when I will raise up a righteous descendant from King David's line. He will be a King who rules with wisdom. He will do what is just and right throughout the land. And this will be [H]is name: "The Lord Is Our Righteousness" [Yahweh-Tsidqenu]."  

(Jeremiah 23:5-6; New Living Translation)

10. Yahweh-Shalom-"The LORD is my peace." In the book of Judges, chapter 6, verse 24, one reads another one of the character-revealing names of God. This one in particular, is "Yahweh-Shalom;"meaning "The LORD is my peace." Hence, by faith in God, we can rest assured that God not only grants His precious peace, but He Is our peace. (Hallelujah! Amen! Glory be to God!) This can be further affirmed, when one reads the Scriptural verse below:

"And Gideon built an altar to the Lord there and named it Yahweh-Shalom (which means "[The LORD] is my peace)."  

(Judges 6:24; New Living Translation) 

11. Yahweh-Rohi: Hebrew equivalent of the phrase:  "The LORD is my Shepherd"- In the book of Psalms, chapter 23, verse 1, King David calls the Lord a "Shepherd;" as is seen written below:

"The LORD is my Shepherd [Jehovah-Rohi]."  

(Psalm 23:1; New Living Translation)

12. Yahweh-Shammah-"The LORD is There": In the book of Ezekiel, chapter 48, verse 35,  one reads  the Hebrew phrase "Yahweh-Shammah;" meaning "The Lord Is There." This was the name to be given to the rebuilt city of Jerusalem; as was revealed to the prophet Ezekiel in a prophetic vision; which included details regarding the reconstruction of the Lord's Temple, as well as, the city of Jerusalem. For the Word of the Lord says:

"The distance around the entire city will be 6 miles. And from that day, the name of the city will be ['Yahweh-Shammah'] "The LORD Is There." (Ezekiel 48:35; New Living Translation)

It is imperative to note, that the phrase "Yahweh-Shammar," denotes the LORD's presence not only within the context of the Old Testament, but also in each and every one of our lives today. In other words, when we call upon the Lord with wholeheartedness and sincerity, He Is There indeed! Jesus promised He would always be with us; even 'til the end of times. As a matter of fact, the Word of the Lord says: "And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age." (Matthew 28: 20b; New Living Translation.) Therefore, we can rest assured that He is always with us. And personally speaking, such wonderful promise, is incredibly comforting to me; as I hope and pray it may be to you, as well.

I would like to conclude this particular blog post with a prayer. A heartfelt prayer to God, the Father in Heaven. So please, allow me:

Lord God! Father in Heaven!
Blessed be your Holy Name!
Glory, honor, and praise be given to you everlasting!

Father, please forgive our sin, and cleanse from all unrighteousness.
Let us be made clean and purified by the Holy and Precious blood of the Lamb Lord God!
Let us be sanctified by the power of your Holy Spirit!
Let us be renewed in You!
Let us be strengthened by You!
Let us be submersed in your everlasting love, mercy, and grace!
Let us know everything will be O.K. And help us fight the good fight of faith!
Let our faith in You be renewed! Let us put our trust in You!
Let us proclaim our love for You; in spirit and in truth! (Hallelujah! Glory be to God!)
Let us proclaim that there is none like You LORD!

Please, Lord! 

Help us to change! May we never be the same again!
Fill us with your Holy Spirit each and every day.
Teach us your ways! May we learn in humility everyday! (Hallelujah! Amen! Glory and praise be to God Everlasting!)
May we give you glory and praise always;
And may we trust You (genuinely) for all days.

It is in Jesus' name that I pray,

Amen & Amen!
(Glory be to God! Hallelujah!)


All glory, honor, and praise be to God!
Forever & Always!
Amen!