Stand in the Gap

The Good Shepherd

JoAnn — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 19:50:45 +0000

Jesus said “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives his life for the sheep.” John 10: 10-11

This video reminds of us why Jesus came to earth and why He died. Life with God is not about a religion, it’s about a relationship! Amazing grace!

Life with God (New Soundtrack) from Dan Stevers on Vimeo.

Store up treasures in heaven

JoAnn — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 20:59:39 +0000

In the Old Testament, God gives the freed Israelites many directives for living. Many of these laws that seem strange to us were actually instructions for the well-being of the people. The Israelites had been slaves for hundreds of years so it follows that they wouldn’t have a clue how to take care of themselves or set up a proper society.

Some of these laws pertained to the treatment of the poor among them. Throughout the Old Testament God commands His people to be generous, treat the poor with justice and respect, and to give generously not grudgingly. (Deuteronomy 15:10-11 Deuteronomy 15:4)

The Lord gave the Israelites the following specific laws as measures to help the less fortunate among them:

*At the end of every 7th year the debts of everyone are cancelled. Deuteronomy 15:1
*When harvesting, leave some crops behind for the poor. Leviticus 19:9-10
*The tithes collected should go to help the poor. Deuteronomy 14:28-29
*Every 50 years all debts should be cancelled, slaves freed, and all land returned to the original owners. (Year of Jubilee – Leviticus 25:10)

What can be learned from this today? These old laws may not be valid today but the principles still apply. It was God’s intention that His people avoid greed and materialism. We do not own anything, we are only caretakers of the Lord’s property (Leviticus 25:23)

Our society today places high value on financial success and accumulation of material things. The more successful one is, the easier it is to forget that everything we are and have comes from God. We must take care that we do not begin to become so proud of our accomplishments that we think we deserve all the credit for our own cleverness or hard work.

Many people today also have a tendency to look upon the poor as lazy or incompetent. It is not for us to judge the reasons, as many of these people actually may be facing oppression or circumstance. If we have plenty, gladly sharing with others is a way to show love and fear of God. (Leviticus 25:35-36 Leviticus 25:17)

I personally believe that many of the economic problems in the world today can be traced directly to greed. We are treading on very dangerous ground indeed if we allow our pursuit of personal wealth to overshadow all else. It is far better to store up treasure in heaven. (Matthew 6:20)

“Your wealth is rotting away, and your fine clothes are moth-eaten rags. Your gold and silver have become worthless. The very wealth you were counting on will eat away your flesh like fire. This treasure you have accumulated will stand as evidence against you on the day of judgment.” James 5:2-3

‘For God loves a person who gives cheerfully. And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. As the Scriptures say, “They share freely and give generously to the poor. Their good deeds will be remembered forever.”’ 2 Corinthians 9:7b-9

Christ’s Resurrection is the key

JoAnn — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 16:48:28 +0000

Jesus lived a remarkable life. But the Apostle Paul drives home the point that the key to everything in which we hope and believe rests upon Jesus Christ’s resurrection from the dead.

If Christ has not risen from the dead, then our faith would be foolish, (1 Corinthians 15:14) our sins would not have been forgiven, (1 Corinthians 15:17) and we could be pitied above all men. (1 Corinthians 15:19) However, we know that Christ has indeed risen from the dead, (1 Corinthians 15:20) three days later there was an empty tomb, ( 1 Corinthians 15:4) He appeared to many (1 Corinthians 15:6-8) and through Christ’s resurrection death has been defeated. (1 Corinthians 15:55-57)

This is the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and this is what we must proclaim to the whole world. (1 Corinthians 15:58)

Christ is risen indeed!

It Wouldn’t Have Mattered from Igniter Media on Vimeo.

The barrier is gone

JoAnn — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 15:41:42 +0000

This amazing video illustrates the significance of the tearing of the temple curtain when Jesus died. The veil is torn, the barrier down and nothing can separate us now.

“Then Jesus uttered another loud cry and breathed his last. And the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom.” Mark 15:37-38

“And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39

Watch “The Veil”

The Veil from Pinedale Student Ministries on Vimeo.

Three crosses photo from Inspiks Flickr group

A Move of the Holy Spirit in Haiti

JoAnn — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 20:47:39 +0000

On February 12, 2010, President Préval of Haiti called his nation to 3 days of fasting and prayer. Over 1 million Haitians attended this epic event. There were 3,000 confirmed conversions and of these, 101 were confirmed to be former voodoo priests.

2 Chronicles 7:14

Haiti – “A Call To Fasting & Prayer” from anthony gehin on Vimeo.

Loving Hands Ministry Haiti