Repaying kindness – After a life of charity, she died without even money for a burial; now loved ones hope to raise enough for a service to pay respects – By MIKE TOLSON, HOUSTON CHRONICLE, Jan. 30, 2010, 7:21AM

If you have been in any Christian Churches, chances are you have heard the term “walking in love.” But what does it mean to walk in love? Where have we received the definition for it? And do we really know love? According to God’s Word, God IS love – 1 John 4:7-9 says:

See, the problem is that we have looked to the world and all that is in it for love that satisfies emotional and physical needs. We have watched movies and TV shows or read fictitious books that have tried to layout good love and romance scenes that definitely appeal to the emotions and flesh, but never seem to measure up in real life – why?

The truth about a real love walk – one that fits into a man and woman relationship or into walking in love toward other people – has no basis in emotion or flesh/physical. Real love starts when our hearts are changed and transformed by what God created love for – it’s why He is love! The great thing is that when you read about Sister Maggie’s life story, what jumps out is that she knew or at least must have know about this love walk that God has ordained for us because of the perfect example she set by her work. 1 Corinthians 13:3, says:

See, Sister Maggie could have done all the works that she did and gave all she had to take care of those less fortunate or needing whatever she had to give, but without love – the Love of God – I honestly do not believe we would have heard of her or seen this article. Why? Lack of love does not compel others to step forward and call to give a person like her a proper, respectful and paid in full burial. If she did all that she did and did not have love, no one would have done anything this respectful. The State or local government could have handled things and there would be no one there to pay respect to her – she would have been just another person that no one had anyway to contact family to let them know of her passing. But Sister Maggie was different! She had the Love of God! What does that look like? 1 Corinthians 13 goes on in vv. 4-8 to say:

Look at v.4 – it says, “Love suffers long and is kind….” The first step to walking in the Love of God is exactly where Sister Maggie would start – suffering long and being kind! Suffering many times is associated with dealing with the negative, but in God’s Word it means and comes from a root meaning to forbear or to have fortitude, being patiently enduring. What is the old saying…good things come to those that wait! And kind here really does not need defining, but God’s Word says that to be kind is to show oneself as useful in a manner or morals of goodness, gracious and being kind. The act of being patiently enduring and showing oneself as useful in a manner was exactly what was described here in Mike Tolson’s article. Its positive proof that Sister Maggie had the love walk working in her. And if she had this love walk working in her, then we know that it was God who was working in her. Why? Remember what 1 John 4 said? Well, if God is love, then it’s obvious that we could place God’s name everywhere in 1 Corinthians 13 that the word “love” appears – so it would read:

What wonderful Truth we receive when our hearts get full of this! When we realize that our loving, Heavenly Father is love and that He is all that 1 Corinthians 13 says He is, its hard NOT to walk in love toward anyone, especially if He lives in and through you, by the gift of our Lord and Savior Jesus, through the Holy Ghost! And look at the awesome, mighty promise, that we can ALWAYS lean on no matter what, in verse 8 – “GOD NEVER FAILS!” If He never fails and we have love in us, then He is in us! And that means we never fail! Sister Maggie never failed in her walk because she had love living in and through her. It was her calling and the calling of all those that are Christians!

We should be encouraged and take time to meditate on those things accomplished by God through Sister Maggie who was yielding and walking in the love of God. We do this by walking out and allowing God to perfect and deliver His love through us as detailed by 1 Corinthians 13:4-8. If you are a Christian, then just pray over yourself that the love of God, as designed by God and detailed in His Word, would work in and through you every day. As you do this the fruit of love will shine through in all that you are called to do. It all begins with the first step in your love walk.

And that is The Truth!
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Many Americans haunted by ghosts, look to astrology – REUTERS By Ed Stoddard – Thu Dec 10, 9:23 am ET

I’ve always been a Christian. I grew up Catholic but I’m now just a Christian. Many people call it non-denominational, but it’s no different. A Christian is a Christian. Right?

To add to this, I grew up with both of my parents being born and raised in South Louisiana – Cajun Country. There is a rich heritage of food, music and beliefs. Beliefs such as Traiteurs (treaters or healers) and that someone could put the Gris-Gris (pronounced Gree-Gree) or a type of voodoo curse on you. So while I was a Christian – Catholic – I also believed in these things too, some almost as strongly as the Catholic faith.

While reading through this article it reminded me of that time. How confusing and odd it was for me. To believe that I served THE God who created the universe yet believe that someone could put a curse on me and God would not or could not do anything was completely opposite of what I was supposed to believe. As you read through the article you notice the numbers and percentages of people that have beliefs in everything from astrology, to ghost, to even mixing in Eastern and New Age religions. Yet, we are clearly instructed and told in Exodus 20:3-6:

Anything that is not of God, His Word, His Son, or His Spirit that is obeyed and yielded to is disobedience and ultimately sin. The most disturbing statement in this article is the quote from Pew researcher Alan Cooperman, where he states, “American religious folks hold a variety of views and there is overlap among their beliefs and practices. Many do not fit into simple boxes.” While I understand that “religious folks” can cover a multitude of views and beliefs in America, the article is directly siting Americans who are Christian or have a more dominant tendency toward Christianity – that just sounds weird.

Look, it’s as simple as this – either you are a Christian or your not. You can’t be a little Christian and a little New Age and a little of this and that. There is no place for it…God’s Word is clear. Jesus said in John 14:6:

Being a Christian means you believe in Jesus as your Lord and Savior and you become, as the word Christian means – a little Christ. You are supposed to reflect Him, 100%, not the other religions and beliefs and views. Getting into agreement or even having a belief other than what His Word says compromises the very things that He died for on your behalf! In fact, it nulls and voids it, hence why in Exodus it says that you and your children for generations to come will not be blessed just simply for allowing that sin in and then passing it on to your children.

Our Pastor taught us about something earlier this year that bears sharing here. In Genesis 47 we read the account of Joseph and the famine that came upon all the lands surrounding Egypt. Joseph had received favor (Godly favor) in the sight of pharaoh and when Joseph’s family (the nation of Israel) came to him asking for helping, pharaoh granted them to live, dwell and have the land of Goshen in Egypt. What’s interesting is that if you study this chapter and the next chapters, through the beginning of Exodus, out, you will notice that while the rest of the people both in and outside of Egypt were dealing with a famine, the people who served God and only his direction, (the Word of God) living in the land of Goshen, flourished! Genesis 47:27 says:

Now while that is great and definitely what we want, what you see is that the people of Israel grew and multiplied so much that they began to intermingle with the Egyptians. As they did, they of course still believed in God and His Word, but they started adopting and beginning to believe some of the Egyptian ways and beliefs. If you don’t believe that, just look at what they did when it took days for Moses to come down from the mountain where he was receiving the 10 Commandments – what did the people of Israel do? They created golden calves and golden gods to begin worshiping, assuming that either Moses left them behind or was killed by God. Now where did they learn that? These were supposed to be the people of God! The ones who were made in the image and likeness of God. Yet here they are making gods and worshiping them, knowing their core beliefs?

Christians, the time has come to stop intermingling our belief with other non-Bible beliefs! We wonder why people have a hard time believing in Christ or Christianity? What have we given this world and those looking for Him? Confusion? Misguidance? Yet we were told to be a witness and preach the Gospel. What is the Gospel? That Jesus Christ is THE way, THE truth, and THE life and that NO ONE and NOTHING provides you access to God, our heavenly Father – PERIOD! So what do you do if you have been a Christian who picked up some things from Egypt and intermingled them with your beliefs?

First, stop it and get rid of it – ditch those beliefs and things you have picked up along the way that replace or displace God, Jesus and His Word.

Second, repent and turn away from that belief – God gave us THE way through His Son, Jesus, and if we heartfully repent and turn away from those things, He is faithful to forgive us and bring us back into right standing with Him.

Third, pickup and build up your relationship with God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit – read the Bible and begin placing God’s Word (His Will, Beliefs, direction, guidance, and life) back inside you. Stay focused on Jesus – let Him be first in all things…give Him the preeminence and do not let any other gods go before Him. As you do this, you begin to love God and His Word which positions you for a full return of His love and blessings that will extend to generations of your family, because the right things will be passed down. We just have to start with asking ourselves, “What do I believe? And who am I according to the Bible?”

And that is The Truth!
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Consumers Unlikely to Keep Pace

Romans 13:8 says:

The Greek present tense of this verse may be translated as: “Don’t continue owing anything to anybody…”

What kind of attitude do you, as a Christian, have toward indebtedness? Are you like the rest of the people in the world that think indebtedness is just a part of living? Are you content with being in debt or thinking that debt is normal? On average, 72% of people (all people, not just Christians) believe that carrying some debt is just part of modern life and that it is tough for anyone to avoid. Today’s consumer has a total of 13 debt obligations on record at a credit bureau.

While the Word of God does not forbid all debt, it certainly forbids an attitude of contentment with debt or thinking that debt is “normal.” The fact of the matter is that placing things on credit or debt is really banking on and trusting in the future. You are saying that you trust in your job, your employer, your boss, you personally and anyone and anything else as having the ability to provide for you to pay for that debt at any time in the future. The Truth (the Word of God) states that we are not to bank on the future and all these things (job, employer, boss, etc.) but instead, Trust in our Lord as our provider. It says in Philippians 4:19:

Let’s be clear – the Word says nothing about it being wrong to take a loan out, have credit cards, or even take on some debt. But when it comes down to it, the Word does place a demand on the Christian Believer to have Faith and believe and trust God for everything! Deuteronomy 28:12 says:

Obedience in believing – having Faith – in His Word that He shall do what He promises, through Christ who lives in you, is key. It’s the promises that have come through the Seed of Abraham down to you and it will not return void as He sees to His Word that it is performed according to what He has said. It just requires you to believe and having done all, stand and do not stop believing, regardless of the circumstances!

I want to encourage you – don’t be condemned if you are in debt right now. There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Start today banking on the certain riches and future you have in God. He is your heavenly Father who has provided all for you and He will never leave you nor forsake you. Stop banking on the uncertain future and get supplied by His riches in glory by Christ Jesus for all things today!

And that is The Truth!
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Hard Rock Corporate – Histrory

I was digging through some old stuff that I had from when I was kid and found some papers, a menu, and a button from the first time I ever went to a Hard Rock Cafe. While I was parsing through those items and trying to determine if these little trinkets of my past were worth holding on to, I ran across one of the Hard Rock Cafe’s Corporate philosophy statements – “Love All – Serve All.”

As these words uttered in my head and in my Spirit, the Holy Spirit reminded me that the same philosophy was owned by one person over 2,000 years ago – Jesus. Regarding loving all, Jesus said the following in John 13:34-35:

Regarding serving all, Jesus said the following in Matthew 20:26-28:

It is clear from these two scriptures that Jesus already had the simple concept of “Love All – Serve All” before the Hard Rock Cafe came along. As you look at the ministry of Jesus, it becomes VERY clear that He did indeed Love ALL and Served ALL! Everything that Jesus did during His earthly ministry, as well as why He came and what He accomplished on the Cross was done through His love and serving of what God called Him to do. In fact, we are told in John 3:16-17 the following:

How unselfish! How full of love! Who would EVER sacrifice their only child for just one person, let alone the whole world full of people? Have you ever met anyone in this world that has had so great a love for people as this? But yet, it is clear from what Jesus taught us in the scriptures before this that when we love as He has loved us that the world will know us as Jesus’ followers and TRUE Christians if we love with His unconditional love. It won’t be through Christian music, or the little “Jesus fish” on the back of your car, or the WWJD necklace you where around your neck. It will only be through the love that you receive from God through our Lord Jesus Christ that they will know. This is why it is so important to Love All. Here at Herald of The Truth we have talked about this before and for further reading on loving all, be sure to revisit the article, “Love All!”

What about this serving of all? Look again at what Jesus said – he said we are to be servants to one another. In fact, he says that you are to be a slave to one another! A slave? That means surrendering all your rights, all your wants, all your desires, and all your comforts, to serve those things for others! You may be thinking, “Wait a minute! You mean Jesus wants me to give up my wants and desires to help provide the wants, desires and comfort by serving others? That sounds a bit unfair!” Well, isn’t this what Jesus had to do? Think about it for a minute – before Jesus came to this earth, where did he reside? Did he not reside in heaven with God? And if He was there, don’t you think that He lives in heavenly peace and did not know pain, bruising, bleeding, cutting, or any harm to Him? Do you think it was His desire, personally speaking, to be nailed to a cross and go through the torture and pain? Recall what even Jesus went through hours before being handed over to the Jews so that God’s Will may be fulfilled – Matthew 26:38-39:

Jesus prays to Father God about not having to endure what He knew He was going to have to do, but yet what prevails here? Jesus’ prayer is not His will be done, but that Father God’s will be done. What was Father God’s will to be done? We mentioned it earlier in John 3:16-17. Doing the will of the Father is being a servant. Jesus was serving the need also of all of humanity too! Had He decided not to do what His Father willed, we would never have the salvation that He completed through completing the will of God! And we have MUCH to be thankful for Jesus being obedient, even unto the completed work upon the cross! That is serving unselfishly and without thought of Himself – PRAISE BE TO JESUS!

Loving all and servant hood should be at the heart of every Christian and should drive us in all that we do. As we do these two things and step out to “Love All – Serve All” only then will the world see who Jesus is in and through us!

And that is The Truth!
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Seeking Psychics: Consumers Look to Outside Help for Financial Advice

Which is worse? To receive counsel and trust in financial advisers like Bernie Madoff or to listen to the counsel of fortune tellers, soothsayers, mystics, or, as they are now called, “Intuitives?” When it comes to your finances and the financial decisions you make in this world’s system, you better choose neither choice, at least as a Christian and follower of Jesus!

While this article does not disclose the actual numbers that are turning to using these “Intuitives” it does present some startling information of how much they are used. From companies and corporations enlisting the services of Intuitives for $10,000 a day, to Intuitives building large companies that can support over 150 employees and have “sales” increases that average 7 1/2 percent year over year – MUCH better than most of the corporations that are struggling just to stay open and afloat during this economy! Their customers could describe them with words like “boost” givers, anxiety relievers, life-direction givers, confidence instillers, life coaches, advice givers, and even counselors.

While many will find encouragement and direction, we have to be clear about whom Intuitives are and what the Bible says about them. First of all, an Intuitive, by definition is someone having the “power” to discern the true nature of a person or situation. A synonym that could be used is to call them instinctive, which, by definition, is acting or happening without apparent forethought, prompting, or planning. Notice that they are void of involving God, His Word, Jesus, or in seeking the Holy Ghost regarding anything. Everything they advise on comes from them – in some cases, we may call them their own gods.

So what does the Bible say about these Intuitives? Jude, the brother of James warned the body of Christ about these people and even reminded us of them that had been marked before! In Jude 1:4 (New Living Translation), Jude calls them out:

For us, as Christians, we must watch those that come into the body of Christ that have nothing to do with Jesus and then proclaim to be able to help direct our lives and show us the things they “instinctively” know about us. Do not be convinced nor deceived into believing things that the Word of God does not even speak over you! Only the God Himself knows this. He has already told us in Jeremiah 29:11:

Who else would know more than the Lord God Almighty?

Jude goes warning Christians in Jude 1:17-19 (The New Living Translation):

Notice what Jude said here – they are out to satisfy their own desires! Brothers and Sisters in Christ, if these people had your best interest in mind, would they not offer up their “gifts” to HELP the body of Christ as we, as Christians are called to, without looking to be paid for it? The body of Christ is to operate in similar Gifts of the Spirit to edify and help everyone with giving them leading, direction, guidance, edification, and building each other up in faith, without any need for payment!

Even further, notice what Jude says in verse 19 – “They follow their natural instincts because they do not have God’s Spirit in them.” Sounds exactly like the “Intuitives” or “Instinctive” ones described in the article. As a result of this, what happens when these people get into the body of Christ or begin to influence one of Christ followers? Jude calls it out clearly at the beginning of verse 19 – “These people are the ones who are creating divisions among you.” This is what causes people to be double-minded or following both Jesus and God’s word, while trying to listen to their “Intuitive.” You cannot follow two different words that oppose one another or contradict each other – that is called confusion and has lead many to mental distress and even to not knowing who or what to trust.

So what are we to do? Let’s let the word speak for itself – Jude 1:20-25 (The New Living Translation):

If you encourage, build up, and use the Gifts of the Spirit that God has imparted to you, who have Jesus living in and through you, this is how we keep each other safe in God’s love! The love of God being shed abroad in the body of Christ’s heart is how we can receive all that we may think we need from some Intuitive. No Intuitive can give what Jesus has given! But notice here too, that the same love that keeps us safe is the love we are to extend to those that have waivered or are wavering and allowing this stuff to contaminate their lives that believe and choose the word of an Intuitive over the Word of God. Pray for them to know The Truth and to not be destroyed by the choices they make now, but to be saved by and through the choice the make for New Life! Stay focused on this Truth in verse 25 – “All glory, majesty, power, and authority are His before all time, and in the present, and beyond all time! Amen.” That sounds like a future and a hope that can only be delivered by one person and that is the Lord, Master and King, Jesus!

And that is The Truth!
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Newsvine.com Article from an Associated Press Writer: Ban on a type of prayer in school allowed to stand

Leader. Coach. Man of honor. A teacher that guides and instructs. Allowed to have authority over those known as his students. These are just some of the adjectives used to describe Coach Marcus Borden, per his job as a coach at an East Brunswick, New Jersey school. But couldn’t these same adjectives be used to describe Jesus Christ? Those that know Jesus would definitely agree. But yet, the same qualities we find within Jesus and Coach Borden, that is supposed to describe Coach Borden’s job, is under attack by the political correctness and continual violation of his free-speech rights. It appears that there is a severe disconnect in true definition of the job roles and descriptions that Coach Borden is to carry out – it’s as though it lacks granular detail….or does it?

According to the account given in this article, this apparently is not the first time that the Coach has been attacked by only “some” of the parents of these students. What is ironic is that even after all of the bans that have been placed on Coach Borden – Coach not being allowed to pray over the students before a game or lead them in praying over the food they were about to eat; Coach not being allowed to drop to one-knee and show respect while the STUDENTS lead their own prayer time; Coach not being allowed to bow his head while the STUDENTS lead their own prayer time – the STUDENTS STILL pray before a game and before they eat while Coach Borden is only allowed to stand at attention. Why? Because those parents of “some” of the students believe Coach should not advocate or endorse one particular “religion.”

The quote from the article that I want to draw from is this one:

“Coaches are not supposed to be promoting religion; that’s up to students and parents and pastors,”

Someone who has been placed into leadership, authority, and is teaching, leading and directing students, regardless of age, we are told are “shaping minds.” For some reason they seem to equivolate a teacher to a robot with no life, no life experiences, and for that matter, nothing of their personal characteristic that they are allowed to impart to those they teach. The irony is that if you do a quick search on how to teach anyone anything, one of the final, key steps to teaching is:

“Encourage practical application. Suggest a follow-up activity to reinforce what your audience has learned. Encourage the audience to apply what they have learned to everyday life, or teach the skill to someone else.”

Applying what they need to learn to everyday life reinforces what the student learns. But, let’s talk about this “everyday life” – I believe this holds the key to the contention between “some” parents and even “some” that have issues with Christians living their life, as defined by Jesus Christ. Basically, “some” of the people do not have a clear understanding of what “life” is to a Christian and thus the communication breakdown and issues.

The Bible and Jesus said, in John 14:6:

Notice, by definition, Jesus has told us Christians what “life” is – Jesus is life! When we take on the God-kind of life, we, as Christians, live a life that is Jesus. In fact, notice what God’s Word also says in John 1:4:

Jesus is life and life is in Him! And life – Jesus – is the light of men! Which men? Men like Coach Borden – men that don’t hide the light of Jesus Christ, but that live this life He gave us! The issue was not that Coach Borden was doing all these things, its that the parents of “some” of these students do not clearly understand what living a life like Jesus Christ looks like or means. And, as most things in this world, when it’s confusing or makes us afraid, as human beings, the first thing we want to do is get rid of it and remove it from our sight.

Coach Borden was living out of the Recreated Spirit he had been given through the Blood bought sacrifice of Jesus Christ! When someone else pays for something with their life and takes the life that you had and replaces it with a life that is free from the sin, pain, sickness, poverty, and all things that steal, kill and destroy your life what else are you to do other than to live a life that is consumed and all about Him! Without Jesus, Coach Borden would not have the New Life and nothing Coach Borden did, including his teaching of those students, would amount to imparting anything through his teaching.

While the article does not go into these areas, I’d love to know some statistics surrounding the athletic program that Coach Borden had while he was allowed to lead prayer and pray with his students. I wonder how many of the parents of “some” of these students could recall and give an account for the seasons that the students went without injuries? Or how many times they were blessed with the finances for doing what the students wanted to achieve, in terms of going to certain competitions or state events? Or how many times theses parents’ kids stayed out of real trouble or even potential danger because an imparted life application through Coach Borden’s teaching? I don’t know what the stats are, but, for an individual living a life like Jesus Christ, the word is clear that EVERYTHING he sets his hand to, prospers! I wonder how different things will be now that this Coach is not allowed to let his life in Jesus Christ be shared with any student?

Are you living a life like Jesus Christ? Are you letting what He did for you – that He freely laid down His life, took on sin, sickness, poverty, death and lack, so that you would not have to experience it – change and create the life you are to live in Him? It’s the John 3:16 verse that people miss the verse that follows what it says – they only get it half right and think that Jesus came to beat them down and condemn them and don’t understand why they need a life like Jesus. John 3:16-17 states:

Jesus did not come to condemn but to save us all! It for the whole world! And if you have not made this choice, we encourage you to read our “Free Gift” section here on Herald of The Truth that you might understand what living like Jesus means. If you have had an experience where Jesus Christ has stepped into you, made you a new creation, and changed you through this website, then we encourage you to contact us and share with us your experience! We are here to help you and guide you into all Truth and knowledge of Jesus Christ and know that living a life like Jesus Christ will change your life forever!

And that is The Truth!
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Reuters News Article: Kathy Griffin’s Jesus remark cut from Emmy show

Proverbs 18:20-21 states:

The Book of Proverbs is not the only place that we hear this sort of instruction from God’s Word. Jesus had clear instruction about what you say as well in Matthew 11:23-24:

Now, I can understand that as Christians many people look at situations like this and state, “You Christians can be so prude. Can’t you take a joke? I mean, she is a comedian and is entitled to her own comments. What’s the big deal?” And for a portion of those comments, they are right. Each person is personally responsible for his or her own words and life, for that matter. They are personally responsible for their own beliefs. And they are definitely responsible for their own actions in everything they do.

What is clear here is that Kathy Griffin has used her platform of “worldly fame” to take responsibility for all those things. She has made it abundantly clear by the words out of her own mouth where she stands and what she believes. As the Word says in Proverbs 18:21-22, she is satisfying herself with the fruit or words she produces out of her own mouth. She is creating the very death or life that her life will live and consume. Be it a joke or be it a fact that she was serious about what she said, does not mean a thing. Notice that no where in these passages of scripture does God make place for people to have some gray area that He says, “Jokes are great and I’m so glad when they make fun of the greatest sacrifice I’ve ever had to make for people and individuals just like Kathy. Please continue to make jokes about the person who has The Life and The Way to me!”

Instead, what does Jesus say – the very person she clearly has claimed she will not worship and is no longer her god? In Matthew 11:23-24, Jesus says that if you have no doubt and unbelief in your heart and believe what YOU SAY, then whatever YOU SAY will be done. Sounds very similar to what the scriptures said in Proverbs. For us as Christian – as believers in Christ and in the Word of God – when the Bible mentions something in two or more places, then God must have been trying to get our attention regarding this topic, or otherwise He would not have spent so much time being redundant.

While what Kathy has stated may have been a joke, may have been something that she thought was a great idea to spark more media attention about her, may have been her way of poking fun at her beliefs, or whatever, the reality is that she allowed her words to produce life to something for her life. The fact that the power of death and life are in what you say should bring all of us to an awareness in the things we allow to come out of our mouth. It’s not enough to say, “Well, can’t you take a joke?” Back under the Old Covenant, people would be stoned for blasphemous talk such as this. But why? Because they offended people? No! Because the people of God understood the power behind a corporate agreement and in saying and believing the same as what God’s Word said.

While the power to create death and life can affect one individual, that same power, when released through words spoken, can create so much more. Words can divide or they can bring together. Words can give or they can take. So when we say that life and death are in what you say, you can quickly see that we must become more aware of the words we release into our life, our families, our church family and the world. Everyone and everything is listening. Will the rocks cry out and be louder than the voice of the righteous? Will the redeemed of the Lord say so? Or will the voices of death and blasphemy rule? If you have spent anytime reading the Bible and know what the “end” holds, you know the answer. What we must do as Christians is line up with that and be reminded to not side with talk like this and let the Truth of God’s Word prevail!

And that’s The Truth!
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As part of our mission, we believe that keeping you informed as to what God is doing in and through Herald of The Truth, is just as important as the articles and content found here. With that being said, we are committing to deliver a quarterly report, of sorts, that acknowledges all the places that this ministry is touching and all the people that God is reaching with His Word, His Son, and His Spirit.

Since December 28, 2008, Herald of The Truth has focused on taking “worldly” news articles that leave out The Truth of God’s Word and deliver on what God’s Word – The Truth – has to say in response to every topic and subject. The vision and goal is still to not focus on any particular author but instead to focus on delivering The Truth so that it may reach a world that needs to know it. We continue to be lead by the Holy Ghost to authors who will deliver on this single goal and hope to have other authors being posting more and more content so that you may have The Truth in its fullness. Since the 28th of December of 2008 we have had one additional author post on Herald of The Truth and we are excited about what God is doing in and through that author. We hope and pray that you are too and that it abundantly bless and minister to you.

One of the biggest parts of ministering the Gospel is soul winning – saving those that are lost with the Gospel of Jesus Christ being Lord and Savior of all who call upon His name! During the last three months Herald of The Truth is blessed to have received it’s FIRST salvation from a gentleman in Nigeria who contact us February. We quickly sent out some books/materials that were focused on nurturing and growing his Faith and new found salvation in Jesus! Praise be to God for the Harvest! We know that Jesus would have died if there would have only been ONE person on this earth, just so God could have his child returned to Him! We just glorify Jesus for that salvation and pray and know there will be more lives touched, changed, and transformed by the very love of God!

As of March 28, 2009, we have 120 unique visitors from 30 countries throughout the world! Of those visitors more than HALF of them are repeat visitors of Herald of The Truth and we just thank you and praise God for you that you are the faithful, Word-of-God-hungry people that seek The Truth to fill you and displace the lies that try to take over your life!

We want to take this time to recognize the countries that we are praying for and know that God’s Word – The Truth – is working to change a country for the glory of God. The countries we have seen our visitors come from include:

Switzerland, Canada, Germany, Australia, United Kingdom, Brazil, Lithuania, Malawi, Spain, El Salvador, Philippines, Guatemala, Indonesia, Denmark, India, Serbia, Mexico, Hong Kong, Romania, Ukraine, Netherlands, Colombia, Nigeria, Sweden, Russia, Italy, Algeria, Finland, Singapore, and the United Stated of America

We just pray that God may richly bless each and every nation and know that the spreading of the Gospel is happening and going to those that need to know The Truth!

We want to thank each and every one of you that take the time each day to read and spend time here on Herald of The Truth. It is because of you and the Holy Ghost commission that we continue to move forward in the mission that we received at the end of last year. We look forward to Q2 2009 when we believe that we will have even greater news to share of all that the Lord has done in and through Herald of The Truth! May God richly bless you and may you keep His Truth close to you at all times!

Blessings on all!
The Staff of Herald of The Truth

Yahoo! Finance Article – Why This Recession Seems Worse Than ’70s and ’80s

Yahoo! Finance Article – Foreclosures fall from December to January

Yahoo! News Article – U.S. January foreclosures fall: RealtyTrac

Yahoo! Finance Article – U.S. retail sales unexpectedly up 1 percent

Turn on the news and you will hear how we are in a recession and on the verge of another Great Depression. “The current situation has nothing in common with the Great Depression,” says economist Steve Hanke of the Cato Institute and Johns Hopkins University. “The sooner they [in Washington] stop spinning the bad news story and say nothing, the sooner we’ll be more confident.”

You probably have not heard the news that foreclosure went down since last month. There actually was a drop in foreclosures from December 2008 to January 2009. We are all being bombarded with negative words and predictions daily. David Jones, CEO of DMJ Advisors, is among those who see “hints of stability.” By that he means, the rate of decline in areas like retail appear to be slowing. “We’ll see the same thing happening on the housing side in the next couple months,” says Jones.

The Commerce Department said total retail sales rose 1 percent in January, advancing for the first time in seven months.

“I’m just waiting for the shift in people’s expectations,” says Chris Rupkey of Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi. We have all watched the stock market rise and fall in a day, so dramatically based on fear of the unknown, have heard what the President is saying or not saying, and have kept up with the status of the stimulus plan. Yes, there has been a rise in unemployment since last year, but it is not as bad as everyone is claiming . We have heard that this is like the 70’s, but even though the sharp decline in payrolls over the past three months has been stunning, it is not as bad on a percentage basis as one period in 1974-1975, according to David Resler, chief economist at Nomura International. Resler says the economy would have to lose some 767,000 jobs a month over a three-month period from the current employment level to match that miserable performance.
Home foreclosure filings in January totaled 274,399, down 10 percent from December according to RealtyTrac’s (an online market of foreclosure properties) U.S. Foreclosure Market Report. The report depends on who you are listening to and I know for every bit of information in this article that I quoted there are other news stories saying doom and gloom things with no glimmer of hope.

Interesting thought – we can either speak good things over the economy or bad things. In Proverbs 18:21 of the New King James Version it says:

I also love the Message Bible translation of Proverbs 18:21. It says:

What are you choosing to say over the economy, your finances and your job? I am speaking good things over all of it. This goes beyond just being positive or looking on the bright side. We should speak “The Truth” in our lives. The truth comes from the Word of God!

The truth is found in Philippians 4:19 of New King James Version:

Another truth is found in Luke 6:38 in the New King James Version:

We all need to remember even in these times where the world is uncertain, when we give it will be given back to us. God’s children should still be giving and be in faith that their seed is multiplying.

The truth is that fear does not come from God. In 2 Timothy 1:7 of the New King James Version it says:

Personally, I am going to keep looking up to God who is Jehovah Jireh, My Provider ( Genesis 22:14). As the song goes I cannot be moved. Jesus is my Rock and Salvation (Psalm 62:2) and I shall not fear!

LD

Yahoo Article – Tips to cope with the economy in 2009

Right now, there are many analyst, senior analyst, finance gurus and the like pouring forth their knowledge of how to handle the 2009 economy. While some of the content is great for supplying us with great factual information and the clarity of the “how’s” and “what’s” of the financial arenas, most of it focuses the reader on calling things that are not to be! We as Christians should be calling those things that be not as though they are, according to God’s Word (Romans 4:16-18)!

Case in point – this particular article does a wonderful job of lining out points like this:

“How should people prepare financially for a coming layoff?”

And here’s a great reply to the question of “What is the outlook going forward?”:

“2009 probably isn’t going to be a lot of fun for anybody. We’re still going to be in recession and probably a deep recession. But there will be some opportunities. Falling home prices coupled with low mortgage rates will continue to attract bargain hunters into the housing market. Home prices will probably continue to decline. They’re certainly not going to jump higher, so affordability will only get better.”

I’m not sure how many readers get encouraged by this or feel like they have received something of value? The fact is that, yes, we see what is going on here in this time and place in this world. But, as Christians the questions that should be asked are what does God’s financial plan look like? What is His outlook for EVERY year you are here on this earth? Are you coping or overcoming through the victory in Jesus in such a place and time as this? What is The Truth about God’s Economy for all?

Here are some key things to remember, meditate on, and never let go of that will help to not only position you for any economy, but it will help you step over into God’s Economy – the very Economy that Heaven operates in all the time:

1. God’s desire is to give to you and bless you! Matthew 7:11:

Many individuals can account for the life they lived with a parent(s) that did not give anything to them. Many others can account for a parent(s) that gave, but only gave of what was bad or not the best. But most human beings have a nature to protect, love, nurture and supply what is necessary, needed, wanted, and the best to their children. As soon as you were a Christian you entered a family that your Father knows beyond all measure and bounds how to give you good things when you ask!

2. By God’s grace through our faith, we are now heirs of the new covenant blessings. It is because of the righteousness of Jesus Christ, which is passed on to us through faith and by grace! Romans 4:3, 5, 13, 16, 20-25:

Turn loose your faith! If God sees the Faith in your heart, He has ways of getting the blessings and things you have need of into your hands! HE is the one that does it – not you or anyone else! Seek God first in all things. Be quick to obey God’s instructions – His Word. Believe Him for what He has promised in His Word, aggressively! Begin to speak God’s Word over whatever you are believing for! With joyful expectations, begin to look for it to happen! And now is the time to give abundantly because the liberal soul shall be made fat (Proverbs 11:25)!

3. One of the keys to living in God’s economy is giving! Proverbs 11:24-25 (from the Amplified Bible):

Many will say, “Well, I do give. I tithe every week to my local Church. I GIVE my tithe.” Well, let’s make sure we know The Truth here – the tithe is NOT yours to give! You are a steward that BRINGS the tithe to God. Malachi 3:8-10 says that we are to “bring all the tithes (the whole tenth of your income) into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house, and prove Me now by it, says the Lord of hosts,” Notice it said to “BRING” not give. Just like you would bring something you have back to someone who is the owner, you bring the tithe to God. Hence the tithe is God’s. When do you start giving? When you GIVE an offering that is ABOVE and BEYOND the tithe that you brought to God. When you GIVE to a ministry, AFTER you have tithed to your local Church (the local Church where you get fed the Word of God – hence God’s storehouse – is where you bring the tithe). When you GIVE to a missionary that is reaching the world with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. When you have GIVEN to the poor and those that are widows and those that are in need. Only then can you say that you have truly given!

4. Once you have given, look to God for your return. Luke 6:38:

“You mean it’s OK to give and then expect to get something back?” YES, so long as you are looking to God for the return! Remember, when God gave His only Son, He expected something in return for His giving too – He gave Jesus expecting to get back man!

5. As part of God’s family – as a child of God – He desires for you to materially prosper, be in health physically, and Spiritually prosper. 3 John 2:

That is a stark contrast to what the devil and this world wants – according to John 10:10, they want to steal, kill and destroy you and all that is about you in your life! Stop listening to the lies that try to pull you out of the victory that Jesus established! You are prosperous with long life! You are strong in a victorious Spirit! And you have all that you need, with plenty left over to give, in Jesus name!

While this is by no means a complete exhaustive listing, these are some of the keys that will prepare you and set you up for the blessings that God has for you, even in the midst of a world economy like this. Living according to the way that the world wants you to, prepares you to fail and it is living below the victory that Jesus has given you access to – it’s living the defeated life when Jesus has given you life and life MORE abundantly (John 10:10)!

And that is The Truth!
PD2

(Most, if not all, of the above tips were taken from Dr. Gerald W. Davis’ book “How to Function in This Economy According to Heaven’s Economy.” For more information, visit him on the web at http://www.geralddavis.org/)