It's not your ability, it's your availability!

It's not your ability, it's your availability.

I was encouraged when I first heard my Pastor share those words.
God uses ordinary people. Just look in the Bible. Moses was "slow of speech,"Jonah was a chicken, David was a small boy with a rock, Rahab was a prostitute, the list is endless.

God uses real people with real lives and real problems to make a real difference in His kingdom. Not because of anything of themselves, but because of the awesome God within them! Just maybe, he could use you or me.

We are told to "go into all the world and preach the Gospel." That Word from Jesus was not just for professional Pastors or teachers, we are ALL called to the "Great Commission."
Yes, Jesus said, "the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few." Taking a stand for Christ and sharing our faith is a Christian duty, but it can be pretty scary at first.

The hardest part for me has always been just stretching my comfort zone and mentioning the Lord. Once you do that , the Holy Spirit takes over. It is exhilarating to see what God will do. Just be faithful to "give and answer for the hope that is within you" the Apostle Peter reminds us.

Airports are a great place to witness.
There are so many different people coming and going.
While hurrying to security and not much time between flights, I walked past a kindly old gent who reached out to offer me "something to read on the plane?"
I saw it was a "Watchtower" magazine. I looked up at him, smiled and said "Jesus is Lord!"
He replied, "Yes he is," then as I walked along, slightly puzzled,I thought, wait a minute, so I said back to him,"Jesus is God."
He yelled down the hall, "No he isn't."
I yelled back over my shoulder "Yes He is.........You'll find out!"Amen!

On a recent trip to NJ, I had a few hours layover at the Newark airport. I had an opportunity to connect with all different folks. Just standing near the departure area of my own gate I was able to give away lots of Gospel tracts. "Hey did you get one of these?" Works great.

There was Lucy, a 17 year old from England on a school trip here in the USA to see some Broadway shows. She had never heard the Gospel. I sat next to her, I asked her what she thought happens after you die and got some fascinating answers which lead to a great spiritual conversation and a chance to share. I gave her a tract to take with her.

Then there was R.P., a beautiful intelligent young women born in India that just got her doctorate. She had never read a Bible or heard the Gospel. She was very open. I was able to give her a Gospel of John to read on her long flight to visit her family there.

Or Brian the P.K. (that's Pastors kid) from the Bahamas that said he just flew in from Japan but he had an hour between flights and would I like to sit down and talk about this. He had issues with the wealth of his pastor and problems with the building funds he tithes etc, at his church. I reminded him to be a good Berean and check everything and everyone against God's word to see if its true. Remember the church is not a building, it is the body of Christ. Don't put your trust in princes. Jesus will never let you down!

Who could forget the vicious atheist and his wife that denied a thief or murderer should go to jail as they tried to justify every one of the ten commandment as "situational"? They finally walked away and into the pub, foaming at the mouth. I thanked them for their time and said "God bless you."

Last but not least, my favorite has to be the two young men from France heading to Mardi Gras. After going through the ten commandments and learning that Christ died for them, etc.... let's just say I think I ruined their party. Or at least hope I did.

May they all come to the saving knowledge of Jesus as Lord!

So brother and sister in Christ, please remember it's not your ability, it's your availability!

Share your faith, speak up, drop a line... the fishing is fine. :)

We are just seed sowers casting the seed of the Good News. Only God knows the soil of a mans' heart, be it rocky or well tilled and ready to bring forth fruit. He will draw them, we are just required to be faithful.

May God richly bless you!

Love,
Darlene

Gods' names reveal Him!

I love the names of God! Each one gives us alittle more insight into His attributes. Do you have a personal favorite? Please share! :)

There is a wonderful Bible study awaiting you as you research each of these names. It is an exciting way to discover more about God!


Adonai-means LORD and was often used as a substitute for God's name "Yahweh" or "Jehovah" (these are interchangeable) in the Old Testament.

El-Shaddai - God Almighty

Jehovah - Jireh - The Lord will provide

Jehovah-Tsidkenu - Lord our Righteousness

Jehovah Nissi: The Lord Is My Banner

Jehovah-Shalom - the Lord our Peace

Jehovah - Rohi - "Jehovah, my Shepherd" Psalm 23:1

Jehovah-M'Kaddesh - the Lord our Sanctifier

Jehovah - Rophe - “The Lord Heals” Exodus 15:25-26

Jehovah-Shammah - The Lord is There

Elohim: God Almighty

Ancient of Days

Prince of Peace

Immanuel-God with us

Messiah means Anointed One in Hebrew

Jesus

Darlene is praying that ALL will come to know the everlasting love, mercy, & peace in Yeshua Hamashea Adoni Elohim (Jesus my Messiah Lord God) Amen!

More than a pretty face Part 2

I know all too well that a seemingly nice "normal" person can be tricked into thinking they have "gift" from God in this area. Although I grew up with a christian background, I never had a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. We went to church because that was "the thing to do" not because there was any joy in it.

My great grandmothers sister was a neighborhood "card" reader. She would read "cards", tell fortunes and give advice to the women in town. One day after giving me a "reading ", she told me I too had the gift and was to use it to help people. That lead to many years of tuning into my "skills", delving deeper into the occult and leading me far away from the God who loved me. Oh I thought I was still a Christian the whole time. I prayed and felt very spiritual. Yet, I was also being immersed more and more into Ancient fortune telling techniques, tarot cards, psychic reading, past lives exploration (and was convinced I was a Scribe in a monastery in another life etc.) palm reading extra-terrestrial abductions, Bermuda triangle stories anything that was a mystery intrigued me.

My drinking and drug use continued as well. I was being paid for my readings and felt a power I cannot explain. I was flattered that people would ask for my advice and feel empowered that I was so accurate. I investigated channeling spirits like Ramtha and thought I would do the same. To make my readings even better I would invite Spirits to come near me or to fill me so I would receive their ancient knowledge. (There are Biblical accounts of true God sent Angels contacting humans as with Mary the mother of Jesus and Joseph in a dream warning him to escape to Egypt.)

I would only deal with good Spirits, so I thought. But only demons connect in this way in today's world to deceive the foolish and hide their true identity in many ways. Satan is the Prince of this world and his demon may be disguised as relatives who have passed on. I was convinced of my "calling". To help people by giving them insights and advice maybe even help them to contact that dead relative.

There are accounts in the book of Acts in which a slave girl was possessed by a demon and read fortunes also the demon possessed man that met Jesus called Legion whereby Jesus cast out the demons and sent them into the herd of pigs. I still believe demons can possesses humans even today. But that is for another time.

The Bible tells us we are constantly battling the flesh, the world and the devil. I welcomed them all. I was on a search for my purpose and deep down inside I knew I was not living right. I would go to church on Christmas Eve and cry the whole service and not know why. God's Holy Spirit was tugging at my heart but I ignored it.
The Bible says there will come a time when are hearts are so hardened we will not hear God, he turns us over to our sinful ways.

My marriage was not going well and I was never really happy. Out of the blue an old friend (I'll call him David) contacted my parents and said he had been thinking about me and wanted to stop by and speak to my parents. He left his business card and said he was praying for me.

I eventually called that friend and we met for lunch. David told me how he had been deeply involved in doing tarot readings and even exploring Satanic worship. He said he was now Saved and a new person. That God had brought me to his mind to go talk to. Then he pulled out his Bible. That is when he showed me in the Scripture what God said about how much He hates the occult, astrology, mediums, spiritualist etc. God wants us to seek Him. "Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and everything will be added to you" Matthew tells us.

David explained that was in bondage. Bondage! Why I am as free as a bird and helping people, so I thought. Not so, as I swirled in my own nightmares of alcoholic black outs, illicit drugs and relationships near fatal car crashes and DUI's. I was keeping the "door" of the demonic realm open with these practices and therefore I could not stop my drinking and drugging lifestyle.

His words laid heavy on my mind for days after he left.

One afternoon as I was making my bed, I caught me own eye in the mirror and was taken back. Who was that girl? I looked into my own eyes and did not recognize myself, it was not the girl I thought I was. It was as if God revealed my own filthiness inside. I burst into tears. I quickly gathered up all my fortune telling items and put them out on the lid of the trash can outside. After one week I sent them out for the trash man.
I went through a powerful withdrawal for this. Feeling lost and without any answer. I cried out to God in desperation. Please help me! He did.

There is so much more to tell, sometime when I give my story somewhere you will hear the rest. But the important thing is that I was willing and ready to recognize I was a sinner and that I needed to turn away from this sinful behavior (repent) and admit I needed a Savior.

Jesus was at the door of my heart, waiting so patiently for me to invite Him in. He entered my heart and changed me from the inside out. I am a new creation in Christ. Old things have past away, Behold all things become new.

Ah, the sweet taste of true freedom. I have now been a soundly saved truly reborn Christ follower for 15 years now. I have not had a drink in all that time. Amazing. A miracle. An awesome God!

Oh yes, BTW- I am now married to a real illusionist who told me to mention...He knows how all their "tricks" are done . Well, I found out I just happened be a good "cold reader" and know people well. That "gift" has helped in all my sales jobs:).

The Bible says, "God is not a respector of persons" that simply means that what he did for me he can do for you. All of us have sinned .Your story may be different then mine. But God is good.

"I am the Way, the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father except through me," Jesus says. "Behold I stand at the door of your heart and knock." Won't you let Him In? Please make that decision today. Right now. Today is the day of salvation! Amen.

If you have made a decision for Christ please contact me. I would love to encourage you in your new walk with the Lord and pray for you.

love and blessings~
Darlene

All Content Copyright © 2009 Darlene Taylor. Any fellow believers that would like to pass this on please just let me know. I am happy to share. :) Thank you.

More than a pretty face....

Looks can be deceiving. We see something beautiful and assume it is good. "All good and perfect gifts come down from the Father of lights" the Bible says. But Satan can also disguise himself as an angel of light. He WAS the most beautiful angel God created. Just as we are told "Pride comes before the fall". So it was Satan's pride that drove him to say "I shall be like God". He was so convincing he swayed 1/3 of the angels in heaven to follow him in his dastardly plan. He was "thrown from heaven like lightening" Jesus tells us. Now he "stalks the earth like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour" You see his plans were foiled and now he knows his days are numbered. He wants to take as many people as he can with him to the pit of hell . He is very ancient, cunning, and wise. Lucifer is not one to be reckoned with except by God. Even the Angel Gabriel in battling with him would not take him on alone, he said, "the Lord rebuke you".

  Satan is still very much alive and fighting hard as he knows his days are short. The Bible tells us there is an army of heavenly host both good and bad.  There is a battle ensuing around us in the supernatural realm that is very real although we cannot see it with our natural eyes. The battle is for your immortal soul. My purpose today is not to study demons/angels, that is for another time perhaps. Today I pray to make you aware of some of Satans' tactics.

 Satans' greatest weapon is deception. If he can convince you that you are already saved, you won't look for the Savior. If he can lure you into temptation to cause you to sin and be out of relationship with God, he will. If he can make you think someone has "special powers" and that they have a "gift" from God as a psychic, a medium or "intuitive" both you AND the person are powerfully deceived.

  Measure all things against the Word of God. These practices are an abomination to God. As in the Word God gave Israel-

Deu 18:9-12

"When you come into the land which the LORD your God is giving you, you shall not learn to follow the abominations of those nations..There shall not be found among you [anyone] who makes his son or his daughter pass through the fire, [or one] who practices witchcraft, [or] a soothsayer, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer,or one who conjures spells, or a medium, or a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead.For all who do these things [are] an abomination to the LORD, and because of these abominations the LORD your God drives them out from before you.

Lev 19:31

"Do not rely on mediums and psychics, for you will be defiled by them. I, the LORD, am your God

Deu 18:20

But any prophet who claims to give a message from another god or who falsely claims to speak for me must die.'You may wonder, `How will we know whether the prophecy is from the LORD or not?'If the prophet predicts something in the LORD's name and it does not happen, the LORD did not give the message. That prophet has spoken on his own to be continued...

USA on Presidents Day

I love to say it, "I am a citizen of the United States of America." I also get choked up whenever I sing or hear our national anthem.

Yes , I am proud to be an American, I love the stars and stripes, the fourth of July and red, white and blue. I also appreciate all those who are and who have served our country to allow it to be the land of the free and home of the brave. (I do not purport to be an expert on American history, just a patriotic American)

I also am deeply moved when I look back upon its' great history, great men some of whom became our President and the Christian principles this wonderful nation is founded on.

In 1620 some very brave people made a long, arduous journey to seek freedom from tyranny and live to promote Christianity and Gods glory. This trend continued and as any good student of American history knows it took bravery, sacrifices and dedication to bring us to where we are today.

This country was founded on the rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

Below are just a few excerpts from great documents, some quotes from our founding fathers and links for your further edification.

The Mayflower Compact-

"In the name of God, Amen. We whose names are under-written, the loyal subjects of our dread sovereign Lord, King James, by the grace of God, of Great Britain, France, and Ireland King, Defender of the Faith, etc.

Having undertaken, for the glory of God, and advancement of the Christian faith"...

Declaration of Independence~

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights...

Here is a link to the Declaration of Independence:

http://www.ushistory.org/declaration/document/index.htm

Our first three Presidents-

*George Washington "It is impossible to rightly govern a nation without God and the Bible."

*John Adams…"I will avow that I believed and now believe that those general principles of Christianity are as eternal and immutable as the existence and the attributes of God.”
[June 28, 1813; Letter to Thomas Jefferson]

*Thomas Jefferson-“God who gave us life gave us liberty. And can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are a gift from God? That they are not to be violated but with His wrath? Indeed I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just, and that His justice cannot sleep forever.” [Notes on the State of Virginia, 1781]

I recommend this website for more information www.eadshome.com

I hope to encourage the patriotism and enthusiasm this country was founded on . May I remind you that the United States is the finest, free-ist, most wonderful country in the world.
Let's cover it in prayer as we look forward to our future.

2Ch 7:14 if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

Does God hear everyones prayers?

I was forwarded a video clip of Rick Warren giving the prayer at the Presidents Inaugural. He is a man of God and it was great to hear him honor Jesus in that prayer.

But does God hear everyones prayers? In this politically correct society we'd like to think so. However, that is not what it says in the Word of God.

Most recently an old friend,(whom I have been witnessing to and has a hard heart toward things of God), told me he would pray for me after I had a minor accident.

Although that sounded very nice, I know him well enough to tell him, "Don't bother, God won't hear your prayer, unless it is a prayer where you are crying out for salvation."

After telling this story I received a rather shocked look from my ladies Bible study group. So I thought I would do some research to back this statement up with Scripture.

Please Christ followers- I urge you to read these Scriptures. My hope and prayer is that it will help you feel compelled to share your faith with the lost!

*Jhn 9:31 Now we know that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does His will, He hears him.

*This is taken from the scene with the humble beggar who was brought before the religious leaders of his nation after being healed of his blindness from birth by Jesus. Please read on...

Job 27:8-9 For what hope do the godless have when God cuts them off and takes away their life? Will God listen to their cry when trouble comes upon them?

Job 35:12 There they cry out, but He does not answer, Because of the pride of evil men

Job 42:8 Now take seven young bulls and seven rams and go to my servant Job and offer a burnt offering for yourselves. My servant Job will pray for you, and I will accept his prayer on your behalf. I will not treat you as you deserve, for you have not been right in what you said about me, as my servant Job was."

Psa 18:41 They called for help, but no one came to rescue them. They cried to the LORD, but he refused to answer them.

Psa 34:15 The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their cry;

Psa 66:18 If I regard iniquity in my heart, The Lord will not hear.

Pro 1:28 "Then they will call on me, but I will not answer; They will seek me diligently, but they will not find me.

Job 27:8-9 For what hope do the godless have when God cuts them off and takes away their life? Will God listen to their cry when trouble comes upon them?

Job 35:12 There they cry out, but He does not answer, Because of the pride of evil men

Job 42:8 Now take seven young bulls and seven rams and go to my servant Job and offer a burnt offering for yourselves. My servant Job will pray for you, and I will accept his prayer on your behalf. I will not treat you as you deserve, for you have not been right in what you said about me, as my servant Job was."

Psa 18:41 They called for help, but no one came to rescue them. They cried to the LORD, but he refused to answer them.

Psa 34:15 The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their cry;

Psa 66:18 If I regard iniquity in my heart, The Lord will not hear.

Pro 1:28-29 "Then they will call on me, but I will not answer; They will seek me diligently, but they will not find me. Because they hated knowledge And did not choose the fear of the LORD,

Pro 15:29 The LORD [is] far from the wicked, But He hears the prayer of the righteous.

Pro 28:9 If anyone turns a deaf ear to the law, even his prayers are detestable. NIV

Isa 1:15 When you spread out your hands, I will hide My eyes from you; Even though you make many prayers, I will not hear. Your hands are full of blood. NKJ

Jer 11:11 Therefore thus says the LORD: "Behold, I will surely bring calamity on them which they will not be able to escape; and though they cry out to Me, I will not listen to them. NKJ

Jer 14:12 Although they fast, I will not listen to their cry; though they offer burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them. Instead, I will destroy them with the sword, famine and plague." NIV

Eze 8:18 Therefore I also will act in fury. My eye will not spare nor will I have pity; and though they cry in My ears with a loud voice, I will not hear them. NKJ

Mic 3:4 Then they will cry to the LORD, But He will not hear them; He will even hide His face from them at that time, Because they have been evil in their deeds. NKJ

Zec 7:13 Therefore it happened, [that] just as He proclaimed and they would not hear, so they called out and I would not listen," says the LORD of hosts. NKJ

Remember, you are only required to be faithful. As Peter tells us 1Pe 3:15 But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,

But the good news is...

Isa 30:18,19 But the LORD still waits for you to come to him so he can show you his love and compassion. For the LORD is a faithful God. Blessed are those who wait for him to help them. O people of Zion, who live in Jerusalem, you will weep no more. He will be gracious if you ask for help. He will respond instantly to the sound of your cries.

Don't miss an opportunity to tell someone the Gospel! Their eternal life depends on it.~

God bless you,
Darlene

Encouraging Scripture-Juxtaposition

I was asked for some Scripture that I find encouraging... where do I start?! :) The Apostle Paul often comes to mind. Few of us have suffered as he or been as committed to the Great Commission.
Perhaps we would benefit from examining ourselves in this juxtaposition.

Dictionary.com defines juxtaposition- as 1. an act or instance of placing close together or side by side, esp. for comparison or contrast.

Where are we in comparison? :)

2Cor 11 ( NLT)
23 Are they servants of Christ? I know I sound like a madman, but I have served him far more! I have worked harder, been put in prison more often, been whipped times without number, and faced death again and again. 24 Five different times the Jewish leaders gave me thirty-nine lashes. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked. Once I spent a whole night and a day adrift at sea. 26 I have traveled on many long journeys. I have faced danger from rivers and from robbers. I have faced danger from my own people, the Jews, as well as from the Gentiles. I have faced danger in the cities, in the deserts, and on the seas. And I have faced danger from men who claim to be believers but are not.^[c] 27 I have worked hard and long, enduring many sleepless nights. I have been hungry and thirsty and have often gone without food. I have shivered in the cold, without enough clothing to keep me warm....

And, I am sure he does not tell us everything!


7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. 8 We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed—

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (Amplified Bible)

.16Therefore we do not become discouraged (utterly spiritless, exhausted, and wearied out through fear). Though our outer man is [progressively] decaying and wasting away, yet our inner self is being [progressively] renewed day after day.

17For our light, momentary affliction (this slight distress of the passing hour) is ever more and more abundantly preparing and producing and achieving for us an everlasting weight of glory [beyond all measure, excessively surpassing all comparisons and all calculations, a vast and transcendent glory and blessedness never to cease!],

18Since we consider and look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen; for the things that are visible are temporal (brief and fleeting), but the things that are invisible are deathless and everlasting.

God bless you as you serve Him!
Love . Darlene

How to Know God

	1. Realize that you are a sinner. No matter how good a life we try to live, we still fall miserably short of being a good person. That is because we are all sinners. We all fall short of God’s desire for us to be holy. The Bible says, “No one is good—not even one” (Romans 3:10 NLT). This is because we can not become who we are supposed to be without Jesus Christ. 2. Recognize that Jesus Christ died on the cross for you. The Bible tells us, “But God showed His great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while were still sinners” (Romans 5:8 NLT). This is the Good News, that God loves us so much that He sent His only Son to die in our place when we least deserved it. 3. Repent of your sin. The Bible tells us to “repent and be converted” (Acts 3:19 NKJV). The word repent means to change our direction in life. Instead of running from God, we can run toward Him. 4. Receive Jesus Christ into your life. Becoming a Christian is not merely believing some creed or going to church on Sunday. It is having Christ Himself take residence in your life and heart. Jesus said, “Behold, I stand at the door (of your life) and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in . . . .” (Revelation 3:20 NKJV). If you would like to have a relationship with Christ, simply pray this prayer and mean it in your heart. Dear Lord Jesus, I know I am a sinner. I believe you died for my sins. Right now, I turn from my sins and open the door of my heart and life. I confess you as my personal Lord and Savior. Thank you for saving me. Amen. If you just prayed that prayer and meant it, Jesus Christ has now taken residence in your heart! Your decision to follow Christ means God has forgiven you and that you will spend eternity in heaven. The Bible tells us, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9 NKJV). To put your faith in action, be sure to spend time with God by reading your Bible, praying, going to church, and telling others about Christ. Check out Calvary Chaple.org, put in your zipcode and find your local church, call and ask to speak with one of their pastors about your new life in Christ

Simply Sanctified?

Holy, Sanctified-in todays' society? How does one get there?

How do we get from sinner to saint,

from Lost-Jer 17:9 "The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it.-

to Sanctified-1Pe 1:16 because it is written, "Be holy, for I am holy."

If you have not already made Jesus Christ your Savior and Lord -please jump down my blog to read "My life or How to find Hope" first! :)

Only God is holy but when we receive Christ into our hearts as Lord and Savior and turn from living for ourselves the Holy Spirit does the work of changing us from the inside out.

Sanctified simply means to be "set apart". It is not an easy task. This current world is like a modern day Sodom and Gomorah. It is only with the supernatural help of the Holy Spirit within us that we can do this and take a stand for Christ.

Wow! I love the New Living Translation version of these verses The Apostle Paul writes to young Timothy.

2Ti 2:19 But God's truth stands firm like a foundation stone with this inscription: "The Lord knows those who are his," and "Those who claim they belong to the Lord must turn away from all wickedness. In a wealthy home some utensils are made of gold and silver, and some are made of wood and clay. The expensive utensils are used for special occasions, and the cheap ones are for everyday use. If you keep yourself pure, you will be a utensil God can use for his purpose. Your life will be clean, and you will be ready for the Master to use you for every good work.

Run from anything that stimulates youthful lust. Follow anything that makes you want to do right. Pursue faith and love and peace, and enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts.

Yes run , like Joesph. Don't look back! Get away from the temptation/problem as quickly as possible. ,1Cr 10:13 But remember that the temptations that come into your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will keep the temptation from becoming so strong that you can't stand up against it. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you will not give in to it.

Pray for God's help just for today Mat 6:33 and he will give you all you need from day to day if you live for him and make the Kingdom of God your primary concern.


Speaking of Jesus,
Darlene Taylor