Saved by Faith

Romans  10:4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.  10:8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;  10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.  10:10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.  10:11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

Heartache or heartfelt

Are you heartbroken, lonely or do you feel dejected? Do you feel unloved or unappreciated? Does it seem like everyone is against you?


There have been times when my heart felt empty like a deflated balloon, depleted from what it needed most. I have complained that people have taken from me until I had nothing left to give. But it was I who was in control and had the power to say no but did not or maybe did but allowed myself to be sucked back in.


I have prayed for God to intervene in relationships; to make someone love me, to help me end a relationship that was not right for me, and for someone to appreciate me. I have prayed for someone to leave me alone, to include me, to pay attention to me, and to pay me no mind. But I have found that just like God gives us the freedom to choose him or to not choose him, to live for him or to not live for him; he gives everyone the freedom to treat others good or bad.


I have gone to God in tears because I was in despair. I have prayed for God to change someone's heart towards me, for a kind word of encouragement, a little of their time, or to be treated with love and respect instead of disdain. The fact is that God does not control Jim, Jill or Jenny anymore than he does me.


I have the freedom to treat people how I want to and so do you and so does everyone else. There is nothing wrong with praying for God to change someone's heart. Pray for God's will to be done in someone's heart and life. And there is nothing wrong with having a need or needing to be healed emotionally. But it is beneficial to us that we learn to love and give love without expecting anything in return. Our fulfillment and completeness comes from having a close relationship with our heavenly father. It is not serendipitous that we find what we need from someone or somewhere other than where we are looking. Or that sometimes what we need shows up when we least expect it. God wants to give us our hearts desire but he will not force someone to give us what we need or want.


There have been so many times when a kind word from a stranger, or a hug from a little child, or a pleasant conversation that distracted me from my thoughts just totally and completely filled me up and made me forget that I was sad. I am a firm believer that sometimes God uses people to answer our prayers but God can not use just anyone.


The people that God uses have certain characteristics. They are loving, kind and thoughtful. They have a need to help others and are empathetic, understanding human needs and the human heart. Does that sound familiar? Does that sound like you?


I have heard people say how fulfilling it is to help others by offering their time to a good cause. Perhaps when we busy ourselves with someone else's needs we stop looking for someone to fill our needs. When we busy ourselves by helping other's we stop concentrating on oneself. I believe that when we get our head out of the pot of scorched beans we lift our eyes and see what else is available to us and then God can bless us and fill us up.


The person, or relationship or material thing that we are stressing over does not have any power to make us feel one way or the other. We give power to circumstances or to people to hurt us or throw us for a loop by concentrating all of our time and energy on what is wrong in that particular situation instead of concentrating on what is right in the world or what we can do to make a positive difference. Do not fret over what if. State what is and accept it. Then find a way to help others.Give your heart totally and completely to God and give him all of your worries and cares. Allow God to meet your needs. I guarantee that when you learn to do this you will find peace beyond all understanding, inner joy and fulfillment, and faith that leads to small miracles.

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report, if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you. Philippians 4:8

Written by Lisa Collier Clewis 12/22/2015
lisa.clewis@live.com

Birth of Jesus

Caesar Agustus decreed that all the world should be taxed. All went to be taxed into his own city. Joseph went into Judaea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem because Joseph was of the house and the lineage of David.

Joseph took his espoused wife, Mary, with him to be taxed. Mary was close to the time she was due to give birth to the baby Jesus. And while they were in Bethlehem she gave birth to her firstborn son.Mary wrapped her newborn son in narrow strips of cloth to soothe him. She laid him in a manger because there was no room for them in the Inn.

Near Bethlehem there were shepherds watching over their sheep. An angel of the Lord came to them and said, "Fear not, for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people, For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger."

Suddenly there appeared with the angel many heavenly host praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the Highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." After the angels left, the shepherds decided to go to Bethlehem to see this thing which the Lord had made known to them. The shepherds found Mary, Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. After they had seen them they told many people what the angel of the Lord had told them about the child. And all they that heard wondered about what the shepherds had told them.

Mary remembered all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they saw that was just like the angel had told them.

From Luke 2: 1-20

Birth of Jesus

Caesar Agustus decreed that all the world should be taxed. All went to be taxed into his own city. Joseph went into Judaea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem because Joseph was of the house and the lineage of David.





Joseph took his espoused wife, Mary, with him to be taxed. Mary was close to the time she was due to give birth to the baby Jesus. And while they were in Bethlehem she gave birth to her firstborn son.Mary wrapped her newborn son in narrow strips of cloth to soothe him. She laid him in a manger because there was no room for them in the Inn.





Near Bethlehem there were shepherds watching over their sheep. An angel of the Lord came to them and said, "Fear not, for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people, For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger."





Suddenly there appeared with the angel many heavenly host praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the Highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." After the angels left, the shepherds decided to go to Bethlehem to see this thing which the Lord had made known to them. The shepherds found Mary, Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. After they had seen them they told many people what the angel of the Lord had told them about the child. And all they that heard wondered about what the shepherds had told them.





Mary remembered all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they saw that was just like the angel had told them.





From Luke 2: 1-20

John Preached and Baptized

In the fifteenth year of Tiberius Caesar, the word of God came to John in the wilderness. In all the country about Jordan he preached the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins; according to the book of the words of Esaias the prophet saying, "The voice of one crying in the wilderness, prepare you the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. Every valley will be filled, and every mountain and hill will be made low; and the crooked will be made straight, and the rough ways will be made smooth; and all flesh will see the salvation of God.

John said to the multitude of people who came to be baptized by him, "O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bring forth fruits worthy of repentance, and do not say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, That God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. The axe is laid to the root of every tree that doesn't bring forth good fruit and is cut down and cast info the fire."

The people asked John, "What shall we do then?" John said to them, "He that has two coats, let him give to him that doesn't have any; and he that has food to eat, let him do the same and give to him that doesn't have any. Luke 3: 1-12

Prophecies of the a Messiah

http://sharingodslove.com/2013/06/

Jesus, Our Sacrificial Lamb

http://sharingodslove.com/?s=Jesus+our+sacrificial+lamb

A Praying Father

They seem not to care.
They appear to be sleeping when you are  there.

But a quiet place they do find,
To lift you up to God divine.

They pray for your maturity and grace.
They seek God in your face.

Even though they make mistakes and growl. They pray God keep you, Satan is on the prowl.

Written by Lisa C Clewis
December 9, 2015

Simeon and Anna Gave Thanks

At the day of his circumcision, along the same time that Simeon held Jesus in his arms and prophesied to Mary, a woman named Anna gave thanks to the Lord.

Anna was a prophetess and the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser. Anna was of great age and a widow which left not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. As Simeon gave his blessings, Anna came in that instant and gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.

When Mary and Joseph had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Nazareth in Galilee. The child grew and waxed strong in spirit. He was filled with wisdom and the grace of God was upon him.

The Ways We Are Healed

I have been healed so many times and in different ways, praise be to God.  At one time in my life I had mitro valve prolapse, enlarged heart and chest pain. My heart would start beating rapidly for no apparent reason then I would get extremely sleepy, go to sleep and sleep very deeply. When I would awaken my heart rate would be normal and I would be weak but I would feel better. I realized that my medical condition was brought on by stress and worry. I couldn't sleep at night because I was worrying about something or I just couldn't rest until I figured out how to fix something that I was working on. I drank sodas and smoked instead of relaxing with a nutritious meal. I would pray and ask God to take care of things but before I said amen my thoughts would drift back to negative and poisonous thoughts.

I began having muscle spasms that reached from the bottom of my ribs to the center of my chest. I could barely breath. I finally took responsibility for my health. I did research to find healthy ways to deal with stress because I couldn't eliminate all of it from my life. I learned how with the guidance of the Holy Spirit. I learned to control my thoughts by training myself to be still. I used breathing exercises to relax my brain and body. I used meditation to practice being present in the moment instead of being afraid and worrying about tomorrow. If God had healed me rather than teaching me to control my mind and my thoughts, I might still be sick, worried and anxious.

In the Holy Bible we learn to trust God, to give him all our fears and worries, to trust him to take care of our every need and know that he is our sufficiency in all things. But when we fail to control our mind, thoughts and mouths and allow our fear to consume us we are incapable of letting go and letting God. Stress causes numerous health conditions and diseases. To activate your faith in God and allow him to heal you and take care of your problems, learn to rest in him knowing that he is able, capable and willing to give you the desires of your heart. Give your worries and cares to him, serve him with a grateful heart and watch how he causes everything to fall into place. 

A few years ago I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia. Medication wasn't much help and caused side effects. Praise God there was an alternative. A study group had been done which showed that fibromyalgia could be treated by eliminating gluten, msg and artificial sweeteners from the diet; adding certain supplements to the diet, and using a yoga exercise routine. My mind was willing to try anything but my heart went kicking and screaming. I felt miserable and couldn't do things like I was used to and I didn't want too lose my comfort foods.

I ended up so broken by fibromyalgia that I had to start building myself back up with five minute intervals of rest. I had to alternate five minutes of rest with one minute of activity and gradually increase my active time by one minute. Praise God, my body healed and I can stay active all day now. With God's help I not only overcame, I learned which foods to eliminate from my diet and which natural supplements were right for me. By God's grace I beat fibromyalgia. Since then, I have struggled with keeping the diet that I need and have had some bad days but Praise God, I'm back on track and gradually eliminating the gluten, artificial sweeteners and msg from my diet again. In a world where fast food is cheaper and excites the taste buds, it has been a struggle but I am finding some healthy and tasty alternatives on fast food menus and at some of the local grocery stores. What we have to understand first when changing our diet is why we crave salty or sweet foods and what foods we need to eat to help our body heal and become stronger.

Some people can tolerate gluten, msg and artificial sweeteners, but others can't. Our diets are filled with man made, processed foods that are full of sugar and chemicals. I have found that almost anything bleached is unhealthy for us. The wrong foods can cause anything from bloating to paralysis. There are numerous testimonies of people who have had miraculous recoveries after eliminating certain things from their diets. The results have been amazing, not immediate but amazing just the same. We have an awesome God and he has given us bodies that can heal. I'm not saying that we all have to change our diets or habits to be healed, but everyone should realize that healthy changes can pave the path for healthier and stronger bodies.

Sometimes we have no control over our health and nothing that we do will help our body heal. Years before I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia I suffered from a different kind of pain. I had three herniated disk, spinal cord impingement, spinal canal stenosis, irritated nerves and pinched nerves. For so long no one found the cause of the pain. And then the back of my neck swelled and my doctor ordered a mri of my cervical spine which showed three herniated disk, spinal cord impingement, spinal canal stenosis, pinched nerves and damaged nerves. The pinched and damaged nerves were the reason why doctors had not found the problem sooner; the pain was radiating down my back instead of in my neck.

When I took my mri to a neurosurgeon he didn't believe that the mri was mine. He said there wasn't enough wrong with me for the mri to be mine. He said that I should be having problems picking up things, holding things in my hands, my legs falling out from under me, controlling my bladder, be in a great deal of pain, and other things. I had experienced some things but immediately turned them over to God but the pain was almost unbearable. What he didn't know was that my faith was in God and I was kept by God. God was taking care of me just like he always has. The surgeon ordered a test that would show up more than the mri did. I had spinal cord impingement in not one, but two areas. And the second more severe than the first because it was by a bony spur and I was high risk. The surgeon showed the test results to me and said that if I was to fall down or someone bump into me I would be paralyzed from the neck down. What he didn't know was that as soon as I found out that I needed surgery I was enveloped in a peace that is beyond all understanding. I wasn't afraid but I wore the collar that the hospital gave me to wear until I had surgery. Once the surgeon began surgery he found even more than he expected and by the grace of God, did what he could to correct it and took a great deal of bone out of my cervical spine to make a curve in my neck. Praise God, the surgery was successful. We have an amazing God.

I think that an injury that I got when I was rear ended about twenty years prior and other things that have happened are responsible for the damage to my cervical spine. That and I lied about being okay so I could get a doctors release and go back to work. When I was in too much pain to sit at a desk I should have done something about it but, I was young and independent and didn't realize that I should take care of myself and wait on the Lord to take care of our needs. In spite of my impatience God watched over me and took care of me.

God has brought me through so much. God has taught me so much. I don't know where I would be or what I would do without him. He has been the glue that has held me together. Not only has he healed me by teaching me how to control my thoughts, deal with stress in healthy ways, eat the right foods for me, live in the present, wait on him to provide for me when I can't; he has miraculously healed me on different occasions.

Believing in God and his son, Jesus Christ, and their love for me and their power is one of my earliest childhood memories. And I know that when we come before God with a request we should honor him with praise. About 30 years ago I had an ear infection so bad that it was affecting my balance and hearing. A couple of my co-workers realized that I was sick and told the office manager who lectured me on going to work sick then asked me if I would let one of our doctors examine me. I agreed to the examination. The doctor found that I had an extremely bad ear infection and asked me if I would immediately go to Wilmington to see an ear specialist. I agreed to see the ear specialist. Then he asked the office manager to drive me, and she, my mom and I left Whiteville to go to the ear specialist in Wilmington. On the way their we agreed that it is God's will for us to be healed and prayed for my complete healing in the powerful name of Jesus. Then we praised God and sang praises the rest of the way there. When we got there they asked me how I felt. I felt good. The ear specialist examined me as soon as I got in his office. Praise God, not only did he not see any infection, but he couldn't even tell that I had ever had an ear infection. Praise God, to his glory and our joy he completely healed me.

There have been so many times in my life when I have seen and experienced God's miraculous power. At times it was as easy as asking mom for a second helping of veggies, but at other times I thought it would never come. What I had to learn was that I had to respect my body by treating it well. I had to control my mind and thoughts so that I could hear and feel the gentle nudging of the Holy Spirit. And knowing that God would take care of me, I should trust him and rely on him to meet my needs instead of trying to do it on my own. I have also learned that committing sin separates me from God because I feel too dirty and undeserving to go to him with my needs but he was faithful and true even then to watch over me and take care of me.

Whatever your need is today, go to God with it. Trust God to be your sufficiency in all things. Know that God wants for you to live a more than abundant life. Most of all, learn to rest in God.

Let your moderation be known unto all men. Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Philippians 4:5-8

His Name Was Called a Jesus

When the baby was eight days old he was circumcised and his name was called Jesus just as the angel had said before he was conceived in the womb. After Mary's purification according to the law of Moses, they took the baby to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord. (It is written in the law of the Lord that every male child who opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord.) And to offer sacrifice according to the law of the Lord, a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.

There was a man named Simeon in Jerusalem who was a just and devout and the Holy Ghost upon him. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel. It was revealed to him that he would not see death until he had seen the Lord's Christ.

When Jesus was being presented to the Lord, Simeon was led by the Spirit into the temple where he saw the child. He took Jesus into His arms and blessed God and said, "Lord, now let thy servant depart in peace according to thy word: for mine eyes have seen salvation, which thou hast prepared before the face of all people Israel; a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel."

Joseph and Mary marveled at the things that he said. Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, "Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising of many people in Israel."

Luke 2:21-35

Peace On Earth, Good Will Toward Men

"Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, good will toward men," proclaimed the angels praising God. After the angels left from spreading the good news, 'a savior is born,' to the shepherd's; the Shepherd's quickly went to Bethlehem.

The shepherd's found them in a manger just as the angel had said. They found Mary, Joseph and the baby lying in a manger. And when the shepherd's had seen them, they told others about the child. All the people they told wondered at the things the shepherd's told them about. But Mary pondered them in her heart. Afterwards, the shepherd's returned to their flocks glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen.

Luke 2:14-20

Shepherd's Hear the Good News

Mary gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes. And laid him in a manger.

There were shepherd's watching over their sheep in a field near Bethlehem. The angel of the Lord came upon them and the glory of the Lord shone around them.

The shepherd's were afraid. The angel said to them, "Fear not: for behold, I bring to you good news of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; you shall find the baby wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

Suddenly, there were heavenly host with the angel who were praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, good will toward men." Afterwards, the angels went into heaven. Then the Shepherd's said one to another, "Let us now go straight to Bethlehem and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
Luke 2:7-15

Written by:  Lisa Collier Clewis, 09/30/15

There Is Power In The Name

Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth. Phil 2:9,10

1. God has blessed us with all spiritual gifts in heavenly places in Christ. Eph 1:3
2. God predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself. Eph 1:5
3. God made us accepted in the beloved. In whom we have redemption in His blood. Eph 1:6
4. God made us to know the mystery of His will. Eph 1:9
5. God has given us an inheritance. Eph 1:11
6. When we trusted in Christ and believed the gospel of salvation we were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise which is the pledge of our inheritance until the day of redemption. Eph 1:13

Paul prayed for the saints which were at Ephesus and for the faithful in Christ and we can pray for ourselves also that God give us the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him; for our eyes of understanding to be enlightened that we may know what is the hope of his calling; that we may know the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe. Ephe 1:17-19

We are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God has already prepared that we should walk in them. In Christ we have boldness and access with confidence. In Christ we are equipped to do what God has called us to do.

And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ. Eph 4:11,12

God has called each one of us. He has given each one of us a gift to build up the body of Christ. And he has given us power to face any obstacle or enemy. Let’s take a closer look at Eph 6:10-18

10. Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
11. Put on the whole armour [armour here is the Greek word panoplia which means God supplies the spiritual helps needed for overcoming the temptations of the devil] that ye may stand against the wiles of the devil.
12. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities [principalities here is the Greek word arche which means the beginning of all things], against powers [powers here is the Greek word exousia which means power of choice, liberty of doing as one pleases], against the rulers [rulers here is the Greek word kosmokrator which means the devil and demons] of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
13. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand [withstand here is the Greek word anthistemi which means to set oneself against] in the evil [evil here is the Greek word poneros which means full of labours, annoyances, hardships] day [day here is the Greek word hemera which means of the natural day or the time between sunrise and sunset], and having done [having done here is the Greek work katergazoai which means to perform, accomplish, achieve] all to stand.
14. Stand therefore, having your loins girt [girt here is the Greek word perizonnymi which means metaphorically to equip one’s self with knowledge of the truth] about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness [righteousness here is the Greek word dikaiosyne which means the state of him who is as he ought to be, the condition acceptable to God];
15. And your feet shod[shod here is the Greek word hypodeo which means to bind under one’s self] with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16. Above all, taking the shield of faith [faith here is the Greek work pestis which means belief with the predominate idea of trust or confidence whether in God or in Christ, springing from faith in the same], wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery (indignant) darts of the wicked.
17. And take the helmet [helmet here is the Greek word perikephalaia which means metaphorically the protection of the soul which consists in the hope of salvation] of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
18. Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

Let us pray Paul’s prayer for us, Eph 3:14-21 which is what some call the Christian prayer.

For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Of whom the family in heaven and earth is named, That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God. Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

No Room in the Inn

Zacharias and Elizabeth's child was born. Zacharias and Elisabeth did as the Lord had said and named their child John. After naming the child, Zacharias's tongue was loosed and he began to speak and praise God. Then Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost and prophesied.

Along the same time that Mary was expecting there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. This taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria. Everyone went to his own city to be taxed.

Joseph went to the city of David, which was called Bethlehem. He went to Bethlehem because he was of the family and descent of David.  He went to be taxed with Mary as his promised wife.

While they were in Bethlehem Mary's days were accomplished that she should give birth. She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes. She laid him in a manger because there was no room in the inn. Luke 2:1-7

Micah 5:2. But thou Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler of Israel; whose goings forth have been from old, from everlasting.

Written By: Lisa C. Clewis 08-25-15

In God We Still Trust

https://youtu.be/6uUwpnLlmrE

What Are The Effects Of Grace

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-ls_L6knSA1BhYQX-aUHkeQDfsU_jrl6XNhAhNd0bRw/edit?usp=docslist_api

Zacharias Prophesied

After the naming of John, his father, Zacharias, was filled with the Holy Ghost and started prophesying.

Zacharias said, "Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; he visited and redeemed his people, and has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of David. Holy prophets spoke of this, that we will be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all those who hate us. To perform the mercy promised to our father's, and to remember his holy covenant; the oath which he swore to our father Abraham that he would grant unto us, that we being delivered our of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life. And you John, will be called the prophet of the Highest: for you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways; to give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins. Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the day spring from on high has visited is, to give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.

The child grew. He became strong in spirit. And he was in the deserts until the day of his showing unto Israel.

Luke 1:67-80th

Psalm 132:17 There Will I make the horn of David to bud: I have ordained a lamp for mine anointed.

Birth of John

Elizabeth's pregnancy was full term and she delivered a son. Elizabeth's neighbors and cousins heard how the Lord had great mercy on her and rejoiced with her. Elisabeth who was barren gave birth to a son.

It was customary on the eighth day for the child to be circumcised. They called his name Zacharias after his father but Elisabeth said, "No, he will be called John."  They said to her, "You don't have any relatives named John." Then they made signs to Zacharias, how he would have him named. Zacharias asked for a writing tablet and wrote, his name is John.

Genesis 17:12 And he that is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every man child in your generations, he that is born in the house, or bought with money of any stranger (foreigner) which is not of they seed.

They were amazed that they did not name him after his father. Immediately after Zacharias wrote, his name is John his tongue was loosed and he spoke and praised God. Everyone there became afraid. They reported abroad throughout all the hill country of Judaea. Everyone who heard said, "What manner of child will this be?"

The hand of the Lord was with John. And his father, Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost and he prophesied saying, Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he has visited and redeemed his people.

Luke 1:57-68

Mary Visits Elisabeth

Mary went into a city of Juda to visit her cousin Elisabeth. She walked into the house of Zacharias and greeted Elisabeth. When Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb and she was filled with the Holy Ghost. Elisabeth said to Mary, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. Why has the mother of my Lord come to see me? As soon as the voice of your greeting sounded in my ear the babe leaped in my womb for joy. Blessed is she that believed because there will be a performance of those things that the Lord told her. "

Mary said to Elisabeth, "My soul praises the Lord. My spirit rejoices in God my Savior. He has regarded the low estate of his handmaiden. From now on all generations will call me blessed. He that is mighty did to me great things and holy is his name. His mercy is on them that believe in Him from generation to generation. He has showed strength with his arm. He has scattered the proud with the imaginations of their hearts. He has put down the mighty from their seats and exalted them of humble status. He has filled the hungry with good things. He has sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy that he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed forever."

For he satisfied the longing soul, and filled the hungry soul with goodness. Psalm 107:9

Mary stayed with Elisabeth about three months and then returned home. Luke 1:39-56

Written by Lisa Collier Clewis on July 20, 2015.

The Man Who Escaped Sodom and Gomorrah

We all know the story of Sodom and Gomorrah. They were cities filled with wicked people who resisted God and relished sin. There was so much evil that the LORD visited there to witness for himself the grievous sin and whether or not there was anyone there who was righteous.

The angel said to Lot, “This place will be destroyed because the cry of them who are wicked has grown loud before the face of the LORD.” After hearing this Lot went out and spoke with his sons in law and daughters and said to them, “We have to leave this place because the LORD will destroy this city.” His sons in law did not believe him and would not leave.
The following morning the angels hurried Lot saying to him, “Get up, take your wife and your two daughters and leave or you will be consumed in the iniquity of the city.” Lot lingered and the two angels took Lot and his wife and two daughters by the hand, the LORD being merciful to him, and brought them out of the city.

Lot became aquainted with the angels when they first arrived in the city. He took them to his house and fed them. Before they laid down to rest, the men of the city surrounded Lot’s house and demanded he turn over the angels, who appeared as men, to them. They called out to Lot and said to him, “Where are the men which came to your house tonight? Bring then out to us that we may know them.” Lot trying to protect the men, went outside and closed the door behind him. Lot said to the men of the city, “Please, do not be so wicked. I have daughters who have not known a man; let me, please, bring them out to you, and do to them what you want to but leave these men alone. They are under my roof and I mean to keep them from harm.” They answered Lot, “Stand back! This one fellow who is in your house let him judge: now we will do worse to you than we will to them.”

The angels hearing what was being said outside and knowing what the men were about to do opened the door and grabbed Lot, pulling him inside, and closed the door. Then the angels caused all the men outside the house to be blind. They tired themselves trying to find Lots door and left.

Not only was Lot righteous before God, he was willing to risk his family to protect God’s messengers not knowing what power they had. When Lot was safe from the city the LORD rained brimstone and fire on the Sodom and Gomorrah, destroying those cities and everyone in them.

When Noah believed God and stepped onto the ark God saved him from a flood that destroyed all mankind except for who was on the ark. When Lot believed God and left Sodom he was saved from dying a horrible death from brimstone and fire along with all mankind who were in the cities. The LORD redeems the souls of his servants. No one who trust the LORD will be desolate.

And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live. Deut. 8:3END

Written By Lisa Collier Clewis 07-09-2015

Grace! not by works

GRACE Written by Lisa Collier Clewis 11/01/1012 http://godislove373.blogspot.com/2012/11/grace-written-by-lisa-collier-clewis.html

The Angel Gabriel's Announcement to Mary

The people waited outside the temple and were surprised that Zacharias stayed for so long. When Zacharias came out of the temple he could not speak and made signs to them and they perceived that he had seen a vision. When his days of  ministration were accomplished he went home.

After retuning home Elisabeth conceived and hid for five months, saying 'Thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the days wherein he looked on me, to take away my reproach among men.' In the sixth month God sent the angel  Gabriel to a city of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin's name was Mary.

Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. Isaiah 7:14

The angel went to Mary and said,'Hail, thou that are highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.' When Mary saw the angel she was troubled at his saying and cast in her mind what manner of greeting this should be. Then the angel said to her, 'Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favor with God. And behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord shall give into him the throne of his father David. And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and in his kingdom there shall be no end.'

Mary said to the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?'

The angel answered and said to her,'The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. And behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren. For with God nothing shall be impossible.'

Mary replied to the angel, Gabriel, 'Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it into me according to thy word.' And Gabriel left.

Soon after the angel visited Mary, she left and went into the hill country to Juda and visited her cousin Elisabeth. Luke 1:21-39

Written by Lisa Clewis 7-2-15

Announcement of the Birth of John the Baptist

That thou mightiest know the certainty of those things wherein thou hast been instructed. Luke 1:4

During the days of Herod, the king of Judaea there was a priest named Zacharias. Zacharias was married to Elisabeth, one of the daughters of Aaron. Zacharias and Elisabeth walked in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. Zacharias and Elisabeth did not have a child because Elisabeth was barren. They were getting well advanced in years.

Now while Zacharias executed the priest's office, his duty was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord, an angel of the Lord appeared to him. The angel stood on the right side of the alter of incense. When Zacharias saw the angel he was afraid.

The angel said to Zacharias,"Fear not, Zacharias, for thy prayer is heard and thy wife Elizabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John. And thou shalt have joy and gladness, and many shalt rejoice at his birth. for he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink, and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb. And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God."

It was prophesied, And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord. Malachi 4:5

Zacharias said to the angel,"Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man and my wife well stricken in years." The angel answering Zacharias said,"I am Gabriel that stand in the presence of God and am sent to speak unto thee and to shew thee these glad tidings. And, behold, thou shalt be dumb and not able to speak until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou  believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season." Luke 1:5-20

Written by Lisa Clewis 7-1-15

The Just Shall Live By Faith

Galatians  3:7 Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.  3:8 And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.  3:9 So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.  3:10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.  3:11 But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.  3:12 And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.  3:13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:  3:14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.  3:15 Brethren, I speak after the manner of men; Though it be but a man's covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no man disannulleth, or addeth thereto.  3:16 Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.  3:17 And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect.  3:18 For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise.  3:19 Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.  3:20 Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one.  3:21 Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law.  3:22 But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.  3:23 But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.  3:24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.  3:25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.  3:26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.  3:27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.  3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.  3:29 And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Grace

Before the foundations of the world, God chose His elect. Has He been tugging at your heart to accept Him? The life of a Christian is not easy, but God will help you throughout your life. He will never leave you nor forsake you.

Ephesians  1:4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:  1:5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,  1:6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.  1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;  1:8 Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;  1:9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:  1:10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:  1:11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:  1:12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.  1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,  1:14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

If you know and believe in God, give your whole heart to Him. Be thankful for his mercy and bask in His unending love.

Serve God or Man

Once again this morning going to church was a glorious blessing. The words from the Holy Bible that were spoken, the music sung to God's glory, the love and kindness shown by the people there and the tribute given to war veterans and those who have served in our nation's military continue to bless me as I ponder it all in my heart. Whiteville Assembly of God is truly a place where God's Word is taught, music lifts your heart and people join together in love and truth giving reverence to God and His Holy Word.

I was given the blessing of holding my grandson during the worship service and looking into his beautiful eyes that were wide in wonder and looking at his tiny ears that heard the music that was sung to God's praise and hearing Pastor Tim's voice as he gave tribute to our war veterans and taught the Word of God. As I held him and I heard Pastor Tim's sermon I thought about the world that my grandson is growing up in, the country that he was born in and the many people who died so that Americans can live in freedom and how not long ago our nation's president made the statement that The United States is no longer a Christian nation. How much more ground will we lose as a nation under God? How much longer will we turn a deaf ear to what is going on in our country and pretend that everything is as it has always been?

I am guilty of sitting back and doing very little. I pray, yes, I pray for our country and for God to preserve this country, our Christian beliefs, and the standards and the principals set forth in the original constitution of the United States and our freedom and I urge to you to pray for our nation. I have done little else to preserve this nation as a nation under God other than sign a few petitions and make a few post to bring awareness to the spiritual predicament that our nation is in. The thoughts of taking a political act or joining a political party in protest scares me because there is so much corruption and deviousness. Where would someone begin?

I think about the wars that I have read about in the Holy Bible and the battles that were fought by either angels or God's people, or angels alongside God's people and I wonder if we will see battles in our country? Will we see battles fought by us alongside angels defending a country who serves God, defending our people who believe in the one true God? When someone holds a sword to our throat will we deny Him or will we die like Stephen did asking God to forgive his persecutors or will we die defending a nation under God, free to worship the creator of the heaven and the earth? Only God knows the future. Only God can sort through the corruption and deceitfulness of our leaders and bring forth his people triumphant and free to serve Him, to lift the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and humble us to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. God bless America and lead us the way that God would have us to go.

Update on 'What Is Best For Me'

It was some time ago when I wrote the below article, ‘Staying True To Yourself’. This coming June I will have been a non-smoker for four years Praise God and since writing that article I have beaten fibromyalgia and other illnesses glory be to God. I can now eat some of the foods that were on my no no list in moderation without any adverse side effects. I have very little irritable bowel. My memory has improved tremendously. And I am able to do things that I didn’t think would be possible for me. By trusting in God and persevering to do his will and to do what is right for me I have overcome so much. We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us and we are made strong when we are weak and he does set us free. His grace is sufficient for all and when we ask him to cover us with his grace to prevent us from committing some sin that is trying to enter our lives he is true to cover us with his grace and strengthen us. Sometimes the hardest things that we have to face in life turns out to be the most rewarding not only in diet and health but mentally, emotionally, spiritually and in relationships as well as well. My God is my sufficiency in everything and he helps me through all the hard times. He has never let me down. Sometimes I need to learn that what I want isn’t always the same as what he knows is best or right for me. God always knows best. By staying true to praying often throughout the day, staying in fellowship with him, seeking guidance and following the prodding of the Holy Spirit, and studying the Holy Bible I am better able to make the right choices for myself. It doesn’t matter how minute our question, if we seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit we will never be let down or led astray. Often we try to follow media, peers, group studies, and medical news but the truth is always hidden in Gods word and waiting to be revealed. When we go to God in prayer and talk to him, telling him our hearts desire, he is true to lead us and guide us. Often all we need to feel God is to get quiet and still. May God bless you on your life’s journey. If you dedicate your life to him ..I know he will.



Since I was a teenager I have had problems with gastritis, spastic colon, irritable bowel; diarrhea, constipation, abdominal swelling and bloating, and abdominal pain. In the past few years I have been diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome, fibromyalgia, high acidity level, polyps, irritated stomach and esophagus, Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism, obstructive sleep apnea, GERD, mitro-valve prolapse, hypertension, bursitis, hypoglycemia arthritis and then undiagnosed with arthritis. Most illnesses have been passed down from generation to generation.

I have read different articles on yoga, gluten, chemicals added to food, sugar, artificial sweeteners and studies done on the diseases and illnesses that I have been diagnosed with. I have been doing yoga for six years. My balance has improved tremendously as has my inner core strength. I enjoy the benefits of breathing exercises, meditation and as always I daily pray and sing praises to God. I am still amazed at how helpful and healing yoga is. I also like reflexology. It may hurt at the time that I am messaging my feet but I experience really good results the following day. Praise God I have been completely healed from mitro-valve prolapse which got extremely bad before I was healed.

I have struggled with my diet, smoking and alcohol because to me eating was one of life’s simplest pleasures I loved to cook and bake and eat a variety of tasty foods. And I wanted my food cooked a certain way. Being from the south I like the fat meat seasoning or bacon drippings seasoning and fried foods. Not to mention the sweet tea that I could drink a pitcher of a day along with several sundrops. And then I dealt with pain and stiffness and inability to sleep. I used alcohol to cope. Alcohol was my muscle relaxer, pain medication and sleep aid in a can. And it would actually ease off my stomach. I don’t know if it was because it flushed my kidneys or because it reduced the acid in my stomach. Now that’s in moderation. Anything over that didn’t help much and worsened some symptoms.

I struggled with smoking for many years. I would quit and start back. I prayed to quit and still started back. I smoked to calm my nerves, to calm my stomach, to relax, to suppress hunger and even to time what I was cooking. I liked to smoke. Anything more than that and it would irritate my stomach and make me nauseated. I finally decided that I did not want to smoke and asked God to take the desire to smoke away from me and to not allow me to suffer withdraw. Praise God. He took the desire to smoke away from me and I haven’t had the desire to smoke since then. That was two and a half years ago.

I quit eating fried, greasy foods. I went gluten free but would eat food with gluten in it one day a week. It takes gluten seven days to get out of your diet so I kept myself on a roller coaster ride with the effects of gluten on my body. I limited shellfish. I cut back to a half pack of cigarette a day. I limited soda and sweet tea. I saw a little improvement but not as much as I needed to function at the level that I wanted to function.

I am now completely gluten free. I don’t eat shellfish. I quit smoking. I quit drinking. I lost weight. I eat every three hours; I avoid beverages, foods and gum that are artificially sweetened. I limit my intake of tomatoes, onions, chocolate and peppermint. I continue to do yoga, reflexology, breathing exercises, meditation exercises, and I pray and sing praises to God every day. Now I only take a mild muscle relaxer at bedtime, a low dose thyroid medication, and I take eight hour Tylenol or Motrin for pain. And I don’t need pain medication every day. Praise the Lord. And where I was getting cortisone shots quiet often in every joint on the left side of my body as well as my neck and lower back I haven’t taken any cortisone shots since last spring. Praise God. He is great.

I was a complete mess. One time I got so sick and in such a dilapidated state that I had to start being active and resting in five minute intervals and increasing activity by one to two minutes over a period of time. The pain was unbearable. The tiredness was agonizing. Praise be to God, now I have entire days that I stay active. I have days that I can go all day without a nap and still function. Praise God I have learned self-control by controlling what I eat and drink to improve my health, lower my pain level and avoid brain fog. And since I have been on a controlled diet I feel even closer to God. I have changed mindsets that kept me in a rut. I have changed habits that hurt me and kept me sick. Praise be to God for helping me to change. When we are anointed with the Holy Spirit the Holy Spirit teaches us and guides us. I learned what I needed to learn and I changed due to the leading and prompting of the Holy Spirit. Follow your heart. Listen to that small voice. Go with your gut. Whatever you call it, pay attention. Change to be a better person mentally, physically, spiritually, emotionally and psychologically. Sometimes we have to change mindsets and habits to follow God’s will to be healed. If God healed our finger every time we stuck it in a fan we wouldn’t learn anything. When we learn to stop sticking our finger in the fan is when we stop needing for our finger to be healed.

Praise God I am free from the bondage of wrong thinking. I praise God for healing me. Praise God I no longer want the foods, beverages or habit that make me sick. To God’s glory I no longer drink sweet tea or sodas. Praise God now I do more of what he has always put on my heart to do and that is write to share God’s love and God’s word. God bless you and may you follow the Holy Spirit to a place where you are no longer in pain, no longer sick, no longer suffering every day.

Why Do I Love God?

Why do I love God? Could it be selfishness because he is always there for me? Or is it because I was afraid of getting hurt if I loved someone ...he loved me first. Maybe it's because he's always giving to me without me even asking. He knows what I need before I do. Perhaps because by him loving me unconditionally even when I didn't know how to love myself, I have learned that his love is constant, he is always watching over me,  he is always teaching me, and he is everything to me.

I remember sitting on my couch alone,  exhausted,  and in so much pain. I was bewildered. My doctor told me that fibromyalgia had taken over my body and I had to change my diet, take supplements,  and begin with five minute intervals of physical activity and rest just adding a minute at a time stretched out over a long period of time. My body couldn't tolerate any of the three drugs out there that are used to treat fibromyalgia. It seemed as though fibromyalgia had defeated me. I looked for him, God. He was there and he gave me courage. He strengthened me. He lifted me up. He helped me in ways that are hard to explain. It's like one minute I found nothing left inside and the next minute my courage and hope were renewed and I was filled with joy of what was to come.

The last words spoken to me by my neuromuscular doctor were, "You have beate fibromyalgia." Praise God. He healed me.  Some ask, "How did he heal you when you did all the work and gave up eating what you loved to eat?" He helped me to understand that just because I liked doing it or eating it didn't mean it was right for me. The food he gave us is pure. And the spiritual nourishment his word gives us nourishes us mentally,  emotionally,  physically,  and psychologically which is what someone with fibromyalgia needs. It was what I needed. And now I can eat foods with gluten, sugar, artificial sweetners, and msg in MODERATION. And I no longer need someone else's approval before I feel loved or accepted and I'm no longer riddled with anxiety from feeling inadequate and scarred.

I praise God because I know that he teaches me what is right for me, he is always with me waiting for me to say, "I tried to do it on my own LORD and I can't. Will you help me? I give it all to you because I can't do it on my own." And he gave me the courage to not give up . He gave me the courage and mental strength I needed to completely change my diet, what I drank,  and he took the desire to smoke away from me without so much as a hint of withdraw. He took empty and gave me plenty.

God hasn't promised us a perfect body or a perfect life in this world but he has promised us that we are not of this world. We are pilgrims just passing through.  And one day, that glorious day when Christ returns, we will change in the twinkling of an eye and become like him. There will be no sickness,  no disease, no sorrow,  no tears, and we will have a perfect body, in a perfect world for eternity. 

God has done so many, many things for me over the years that I am afraid that I will forget something.  I don't ever want to forget. I could write a book on testimonies and praise reports that all belong to me. Some might say I'm blessed while others say God must have had a lot to punish me for. I say I am blessed and if God counted me worthy to discipline and mold me like a Father disciplines his child than I know I am definitely blessed. If you haven't given God a chance, please do. He will take you from broken to courageous,  lonesome to loved unconditionally, depressed to filled with joy, from heartbroken to whole. I think God created man because he wants to be loved and that  he gave us freedom of will because he wants for us to choose to love him and beleive in him of our own free will. And I believe God wants to be worshipped because he is a jealous God and that God wants to be praised because  he answered our prayer whether it was what we prayed for or not because FATHER KNOWS BEST. And I believe he wants for us to believe in him because he put knowledge of him in our hearts because he loved us first and chose us from before the foundation of the world. And friend, if you have a big empty hole in your heart, if you feel a void in your life that no one has filled, if you can't find true happiness and you don't know why than your heart is trying to tell you something....choose God. He is everything you need, in every situation, every relationship,  every challenge,  every heart ache, every lost battle, every defeat and he will make you more than a conqueror in all of it. I know from experience.  He has never failed me or let me down.

So if I seem to you like a Jesus freak, a Bible lover,  or like I'm trying to be better than you its because Jesus suffered and died for me because he is my friend, the Bible is a manual to  my life,  and I can always find ways to improve myself but I love you just the way you are.

In God We Trust

Ronald Reagan Tribute -- Bel Air Presbyterian Chu…: http://youtu.be/OvN1jTkzXbY

Fulfill God's Will

John  6:26 Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled.  6:27 Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.

This Life Below

God didn't promise us a life without suffering, not in this world, or a life without trials and tribulations. But he did promise to be our sufficiency in all things and to be our strength when we are weak. We read about the apostle Paul's suffering,  how it benefits him, and Christs' promise to give strength to endure.

2 Corinthians  12:7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.  12:8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.  12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.  12:10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

God knows everything that we go through and need. He doesn't forget our sorrows and sufferings. There is only one thing that I know of that God chooses to forget and that is our sins.

Isaiah  43:25 I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.

God is a loving and gracious God. He provides for us, heals us, uplifts us, gives us peace and joy, and strengthens us. Troubles you may very well have but he can and will be everything you need in every situation. Embrace each day and each trial and find how it can help you to grow as a person and grow spiritually stronger and be a blessing to someone else. Ask God to use you?

Trust him. Do not live in fear of the unknown or doubt his love for you and his power to lift you up. Pray to him then let it all go. Trust him like a child trusts his mother.  Beleive in him and accept what he will unfold in your life for you.

Live one day at a time in faith. God bless you and our God and his perfect love.

Luke  11:2 And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.  11:3 Give us day by day our daily bread.  11:4 And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.  11:5 And he said unto them, Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto him, Friend, lend me three loaves;  11:6 For a friend of mine in his journey is come to me, and I have nothing to set before him?  11:7 And he from within shall answer and say, Trouble me not: the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give thee.  11:8 I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth.  11:9 And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.  11:10 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.  11:11 If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent?  11:12 Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?  11:13 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?

He Hears Us

1 John  5:1 Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.  5:2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.  5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.  5:4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.  5:5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?  5:6 This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.  5:7 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.  5:8 And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.  5:9 If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son.  5:10 He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.  5:11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.  5:12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.  5:13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.  5:14 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:  5:15 And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

Love of God in the Renewed Mind

When we apply the principles of the love of God in the renewed mind in manifestation in our lives, we will no longer need to "covet" or "earnestly desire" anything, for God knows our every need and He will supply to us most liberally,even before we ask.

Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Do not follow or fall into the ways of the world. Do not try to fit in or take part of what is popular to conform yourself to the world so that you will be accepted by people. Instead, renew your mind according to the word of God and put on the mind of Christ which is a mind of godly love and servitude.

Romans 13:14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.

Do not lust or covet worldly things nor worry about the needs of your fleshly body. Instead, keep your mind on Christ and what you can do to serve God. God will supply your needs.

Ephesians 4:23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;

The only way to put on the mind of Christ is to keep bringing your mind back to remembrance of God's word and what he would have you to do walking in love and desiring to serve him.

Philippians 2:5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

We first need to realize that it is not by works that we receive salvation, grace, or the holy spirit. It is by realizing that God loves us just as we are and he has freely given to us the gift of salvation, the gift of grace, and the gift of the holy spirit so that we have God in Christ in us a new spirit that is sent by God to dwell in us teaching us, guiding us, and leading us to doing that perfect will of God. God does not control us or demand perfection from us but instead gives us the gift of the holy spirit to work that which is perfect in us.

Colossians 3:5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: 3:6 For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: 3:7 In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them. 3:8 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. 3:9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; 3:10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: 3:11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all. 3:12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; 3:13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. 3:14 And above all these things put on charity (agapao love- divine or God love) which is the bond of perfectness. 3:15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 3:17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

To Be Holy

We are not only God's elect  having received salvation by faith and kept as one who is guarded with a military guard or garrison, we are also promised an inheritance incorruptible,  undefiled, and that fadeth  not away, reserved in heaven for us. God loves us unconditionally as his dear children and our salvation was bought with the precious blood of Christ. Fashion yourselves not after the world but be holy in all manner of conversation and love one another with a pure heart.

1 Peter  1:1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,  1:2 Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.  1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,  1:4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,  1:5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.  1:6 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:  1:7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:  1:8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:  1:9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.  1:10 Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you:  1:11 Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.  1:12 Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.  1:13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;  1:14 As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:  1:15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;  1:16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.  1:17 And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:  1:18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;  1:19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:  1:20 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,  1:21 Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.  1:22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:  1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.  1:24 For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away:  1:25 But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.

Getting Me Right

I thought I was coming down with something yesterday . I felt tired, weak, like I couldn't breath enough air into my lungs, and my tummy started aching and I had diarrhea. I prayed for myself and I asked others to pray for me. Praise God I feel so much better today. I feel good. And I am ready to do God's will for me today. I try to ask him everyday to guide me through my day and use me to do his will.

God has done so much for me and my loved ones. He has healed me so many times. And he not only has healed my physical body but he has healed me emotionally, mentally, and spiritually also. When I was young and strong and always in the word I didn't realize that God loves me unconditionally. But now I have made mistakes. I have sinned against myself and others. And I have been way out in left field because I thought I was no longer worthy of God's love, blessings and healing. But now as I have journeyed back to spiritual and emotional and physical health I realize that I was never worthy. It was by his unconditional love and gift of grace that he blessed me and healed me. Now even though I have sinned I realize that all people do whether it be willingly or not, I know that I csn stand before God without any condemnation because Jesus was made sin for me to GIVE me salvation. Through the blood of Jesus Christ I am washed of all my sins and made righteous to stand before God as his child and joint heir with Christ.

At one time I thought I was being punished by God with sickness in my body and a broken heart. But I realized that God wasn't punishing me. He wants what is best for me; health, love, and a life full of abundance. I was sick and broken because I not only allowed sin to enter my thoughts and heart but I stopped beleiving that he loved me and wanted me to be healthy and whole because I didn't feel worthy. I had to forgive myself and others. I had to let go of the anger and rage that I had bottled up inside. I had to realize that it was God's will for me to be healthy, whole, and blessed with the blessings of Abraham and loved the way a Father loves his child, unselfishly and unconditionally. And I had to realize that Satan is very real and wanted to not only destroy my relationship with God but destroy me also. Satan can appear to be so many things and he has angels of darkness,demons, just like God has angels of light. There truly is a spiritual realm that is totally against us and Satan fools us by distorting the reality that sin breaks us down spiritually making us more susceptible to his plans that are against us. If something is wrong according to God's word? The Holy Bible, it is always wrong no matter how much it is distorted and made to look like it is good for us.
Do not let pretty things or things that make you feel good, or people who manipulate you and distort the truth deceive you. Study the bible daily. Pray daily. Pray to manifest the nine manifestations of the holy spirit. If you speak in tongues do so as much as you can. Keep your mind stayed on things that are good and pure. And keep your mind on God's love, promises to you, and desire for you.

Ephesians 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 6:11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 6:13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 6:14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 6:15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 6:16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;


Written By Lisa Collier Clewis, 01/08/14

Power

God is all powerful and he is our sufficiency in all things. Hebrews  11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

There is Power in the Blood

I woke up at 4 am this morning with the song 'There is Power in the Name of Jesus' on my mind. Often we think that we are not good enough to be saved from our sins and not good enough for God to love us and not good enough to call God our Father
The word says none is good enough. What we have to understand is that because we are not good enough God sent his son Jesus to die on the cross for our sins. Jesus returned to the alter with his blood to pour on the alter for not only forgiveness of our sins but eternal life and grace that blots out all our sins forever.

Some believe that if they die after breaking one of the ten commandments and before they ask for forgiveness they will go to hell. If that were the case who would walk the streets of gold? Our flesh and blood is sin and we sin without realizing it, not meaning to because when we would do good evil is there with us and when we would do bad good is there with us. It is not of our works that we are saved. We are saved by grace through faith.

Faith is such an awesome and important part of our success at walking uprightly and continuously bringing our mind back to godly thoughts. We are to think about whatever is good, beautiful and pure and bring our mind back to Christ and what he means to us and what we mean to him.

Jesus loves us and his death unto eternal life is just as strong as Adams death unto sin. Whereas God's only Son died for all sins, Adams sin brought sin upon us all. There is no need to build alters to sacrifice lambs and no more need to cast our sins on a scape goat for forgiveness of our sins because Jesus became sin for us and his blood washed away all our sin and made us clean and righteous to stand before God as his beloved children.

God expects us to believe in him and to believe that just as we can go to an earthly parent and get good things we can get good things from him also. Sacrificing our sanity to be something that we are not, which is perfect; and fasting and begging and pleading do not invoke God to answer our prayers. Crying out in a voice of relinquishment and trusting him to do for us what we are so incapable of doing for ourselves is what he wants. He wants for us to believe when we pray that we will receive what we ask him for.

Sometimes unanswered prayers are answered prayers because God knows better than we do what is best for us. Trust his judgement and trust that you are not under any condemnation because Jesus bought your salvation and has given it to you. Salvation is a gift. He just loves us. He loves us just as we are. And because we believe that he loves us and gave his only begotten Son to become sin for us we work at becoming a better person. He doesn't punish us to make us walk the straight and narrow. He loves us that through his love we choose to work at becoming better people and through his love we are able to keep trying again and again until we get it right knowing that nothing or no one can separate us from God's love.

Nothing that you have done is so bad that you can't be forgiven. God loves you unconditionally. Some of the greatest men and women of God have done some of the most ungodly things. Those people who can accept God's love and forgiveness and forgive themselves go on to become great men and women of God whom through them he can do great things. Accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior. Believe in God's love for you. And use your testimony to reach others and help them realize who they are in Christ so they can accept and feel God's love also.

When we get saved from our sins and become born again in his spirit, humbly accepting his love and power through us, we are given the Holy Spirit which lives  inside of us. After Jesus' resurrection from the dead he ascended up to heaven and took his place at the right hand of God so he could send the Comfortor, the Holy Spirit to us. The Holy Spirit comforts us, teaches us, and guides us and through our submission becomes our leader for the rest of our days in this world. One day Jesus will return for his church, his bride who is without spot or wrinkle, the body of Christ whom we are all members -us!