“Love All – Serve All”

The Truth in Character

love-all-serve-allHard 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:

34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

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

26 Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. 27 And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave— 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”

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:

16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.

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:

38 Then He said to them, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with Me.”
39 He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.”

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!
PD2

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Seeking the Advice of Jesus for Your Life

The Guiding Truth

seek300_1Seeking 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:

I say this because some ungodly people have wormed their way into your churches, saying that God’s marvelous grace allows us to live immoral lives. The condemnation of such people was recorded long ago, for they have denied our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.

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:

For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.

Who else would know more than the Lord God Almighty?

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

17 But you, my dear friends, must remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ said. 18 They told you that in the last times there would be scoffers whose purpose in life is to satisfy their ungodly desires. 19 These people are the ones who are creating divisions among you. They follow their natural instincts because they do not have God’s Spirit in them.

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):

20 But you, dear friends, must build each other up in your most holy faith, pray in the power of the Holy Spirit, 21 and await the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will bring you eternal life. In this way, you will keep yourselves safe in God’s love.

22 And you must show mercy to those whose faith is wavering. 23 Rescue others by snatching them from the flames of judgment. Show mercy to still others, but do so with great caution, hating the sins that contaminate their lives.

24 Now all glory to God, who is able to keep you from falling away and will bring you with great joy into his glorious presence without a single fault. 25 All glory to him who alone is God, our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord. All glory, majesty, power, and authority are his before all time, and in the present, and beyond all time! Amen.

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!
PD2

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Living a Life Like Jesus Christ

The Truth in Character

jesus1Newsvine.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:

6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

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:

4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.

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:

16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.

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!
PD2

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Life and Death Are in What You Say!

Your Part in The Truth

wordsReuters News Article: Kathy Griffin’s Jesus remark cut from Emmy show

Proverbs 18:20-21 states:

20 A man’s stomach shall be satisfied from the fruit of his mouth; From the produce of his lips he shall be filled. 21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.

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:

23 For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. 24 Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.

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!
PD2

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Herald of The Truth Quarterly Report – Q1 2009

Herald of The Truth

quarterly-report1As 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

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The Economy Is On The Up-Turn

The Truth in Character

Economy1Yahoo! 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:

“The Power of Life and Death are in the power of the tongue and those who love it will eat its fruit.”

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

“Words kill, words give life; they’re either poison or fruit—you choose.”

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:

“My God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”

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

“Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.”

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:

“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”

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

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Tips to Handling Any Economy as a Christian

Your Part in The Truth

Economy

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:

If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!

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:

3 For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” 5 But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness, 13 For the promise that he would be the heir of the world was not to Abraham or to his seed through the law, but through the righteousness of faith. 16 Therefore it is of faith that it might be according to grace, so that the promise might be sure to all the seed, not only to those who are of the law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all 20 He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, 21 and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform. 22 And therefore “it was accounted to him for righteousness.”
23 Now it was not written for his sake alone that it was imputed to him, 24 but also for us. It shall be imputed to us who believe in Him who raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead, 25 who was delivered up because of our offenses, and was raised because of our justification.

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):

24There are those who [generously] scatter abroad, and yet increase more; there are those who withhold more than is fitting or what is justly due, but it results only in want.

25The liberal person shall be enriched, and he who waters shall himself be watered.

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:

38Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.

“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:

2 Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.

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/)

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A Cycle of Fear? Break Free of Fear!

The Truth in Character

FearBuffett says US in ‘economic Pearl Harbor’

Let me quote Timberly Ross’ article and more specifically Mr. Buffett’s comments:

Buffett said Americans are in a cycle of fear, “which leads to people not wanting to spend and not wanting to make investments, and that leads to more fear. We’ll break out of it. It takes time.”

This particular article really struck me as interesting and got my Spirit stirred up. Here is Warren Buffett – financial guru who is on top of everything and when asked about economic and financial decisions is quick to reply with his knowledge and understanding of what it takes to generate the numbers for businesses and money to make money. Yet, during this time of his interview, when questioned about this world’s economy, his response is in regards to a simple, yet life changing word – FEAR!

Now, any non Christian person will tell you that the life of fear is the last kind of life to live! People that live in fear are constantly looking over their shoulder. They worry, fret, and get concerned about the littlest things. They have no peace, no rest, and definitely cannot allow anything or anyone to handle any of their affairs for them. A person in fear is not their own and does nothing but live in the shadows of what COULD happen or what MIGHT happen. Nothing is ever positive and if anything ever positive drops in their laps, they never enjoy it for fear that it will turn negative.

So, as Mr. Buffett indicates, what happens to people living in fear is that they stop living in, doing things in, and acting on this life. They begin to breed fear. And if they do not have fear now, they begin to fear for lack of fear.

As Christians, we are to stop that madness and get our hands off of fear. Paul said in Romans 8:14-15

14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.”

If we are Christians that truly believe that Jesus not only saved us and took away our sins but also freed us from all bondages, including the bondage of fear, are we to continue to live in the old way of bondage to sin and fear or are we to live free from that junk in Jesus’ finished work? We should have received a new life through the one Jesus Christ! When something is made new, restored, and redeemed, it means that the old things have all passed away and something new has been created and brought forth! Those old things are dead and gone and exist no more! Hence, as Paul says here, we did not receive fear as part of our newness of life from Jesus, so why are we accepting it and allowing it to have any place in our life? Why are we agreeing with the world and allowing fear in?

Faith and fear cannot operate together! When you are in fear you are not trust in Jesus and believing in The Truth of His Word! We must allow faith to remove fear from our lives. How do we do this – by walking in the command that Jesus gave us: that we walk in the love of Christ that has been shed abroad in our hearts!

Why is walking in love so important to our faith? Looks at 1 John 4:17-19 in the Amplified say:

17In this [union and communion with Him] love is brought to completion and attains perfection with us, that we may have confidence for the day of judgment [with assurance and boldness to face Him], because as He is, so are we in this world.

18There is no fear in love [dread does not exist], but full-grown (complete, perfect) love turns fear out of doors and expels every trace of terror! For fear brings with it the thought of punishment, and [so] he who is afraid has not reached the full maturity of love [is not yet grown into love's complete perfection].

19We love Him, because He first loved us.

Now, more than ever, love must be perfected in the hearts of Christians! Where there is His love, there is no fear! This is perfect love and that is why it casts out fear! You become perfect in love through receiving Christ’s love for you and then, in turn, giving His love to everyone and through everything you do! Look at what Jesus gave us – 2 Timothy 1:7:

7For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control.

So, what does love look like when it is manifest through us in what Jesus gave us? – 1 Corinthians 13:3-8:

3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.
4 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; 5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; 6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
8 Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away.

Love has its perfect work when all of the “no-love-fruit” is gone! That means we must stop being impatient and unkind toward all. Jealousy and envy for others has no place in a person who gives love. Being selfish, prideful and rude must leave your attitude. Allow love to have its way in your life means that you are not provoking others to anger and you are not devising evil thoughts and plans. And love definitely does not have fun doing grossly immoral acts. Love is filled with joy in The Truth! And when this love is perfected, it never, ever fails, because Jesus IS LOVE!

Mr. Buffett is right to say that we are in a cycle of fear, if we define this current fear as one that has us blinded to The Truth of the love we were given through Jesus! We must take responsibility to deal with the fear – cast down all fear and take up faith and what God’s Word has to say – Hebrews 13:6(Amplified):

6So we take comfort and are encouraged and confidently and boldly say, The Lord is my Helper; I will not be seized with alarm [I will not fear or dread or be terrified]. What can man do to me?

Pray, in Jesus name, this verse of Scripture (Hebrew 13:6) over you, your family, and any situation where fear tries to rise and believe that the perfect love of Jesus has cast out all fear. As you do, fear will have to release its grip on those areas and the peace and joy of the Lord will return!

And that is The Truth!
PD2

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Love All!

The Truth in Character

Love You HeartMadoff’s stolen statue returned — with a ‘lesson’

Love all? Even Bernie Madoff? Love Bernie? Why would anyone do that after what he has done to everyone else? Why would the consideration even be given to have anything toward Bernie except anger, hatred, disgust, or any other contempt toward a man such as this? One reason – because Jesus said so!

In Matthew 5:38-40 (New King James), Jesus says the following:

38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. 40 If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. 41 And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. 42 Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away.

43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? 48 Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.”

The first and biggest thing we must establish as Christians that are of The Truth of God’s Word is that God’s Word is soverign and trumps all other things, including our mind, our will, and especially our emotions. During events and issues like this with Mr. Madoff, its amazing how many turn to their emotions instead of the Word of God – and yes, I’m talking about Christians!

Secondly, let’s look at what Jesus has instructed in context of what happened with Bernie’s statue. Jesus specifically says, in verses 44 and 45:

44 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.

I think we can all agree that what Bernie did has cursed many people’s and company’s finances and that Bernie has spitefully used many people and company’s finances for his own personal gain. Those are the facts, but look at what The Truth of God’s Word says – what are we to do to and for individuals like this? We are to “bless those that curse you” and “pray for those that spitefully use you.” Bless and pray for Bernie? Does he deserve that? What kind of God do we serve that commands that we “bless” and “pray” for someone like this?

Notice what Jesus says in verse 45 – “He (God) makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.” What Jesus is saying here is that regardless of good or bad, just or unjust, right or wrong, God still gives His best for all to partake in because His love is available to all. Who are we to judge or say who should get what or how they should be treated when there is no partiality with God? It seems, to your mind, will and emotions, almost unfair that God would allow His best to still be available to a person like Bernie, but if God was a God that only loved the loveable, He would have never sent his Son, Jesus, and things would have been drastically different for all of us!

The Apostle Paul states in Romans 5:8 (New King James):

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

That love, a love that turned its back on the sin within us for the sake of saving us, recreating us, and bring us back to right standing before God, is the same love that should be in and through us that helps us to see how and why we should “bless” and “pray” for a man like Bernie. It takes nothing of God or of what Jesus did to react and respond out of your body and out of a sin nature to look for ways to get your “jab” in on him. Any ole’ sinner who does not know Christ can do that! But it takes living out of the recreated, changed Spirit of God that lives within you to tap into the Love of God and of His Son to “Bless” and “Pray” for Bernie.

What’s interesting about this is that regardless of the person, God is that kind of God that He makes all of His best, His goodness, and the same salvation and life changing experience available to everyone, even to the point of them breathing their last breath! Recall what happened at Calvary when Jesus was crucified with the two criminals. We don’t know what these two criminals did, but it must have been bad enough to label them criminals. But let’s pay more attention to the way that these two spoke to Jesus and what Jesus’ response was to them. One criminal blasphemed Jesus and mocked Him saying and acting excatly as Jesus’ false accusers had acted. The other criminal rebuked the blasphemer and then humbled himself to ask for Jesus to just remember him in Heaven – this criminal even went as far as to call Jesus his Lord, which means he had given his life to Him in the midst of this criminal’s death. And notice that Jesus told this criminal that that day he would be with Jesus in Heaven! Remember, these were criminals and the one who had petitioned Jesus had even said that they were being justly punished for their deeds which they freely chose, but with just one change of heart, one turn to recognize Jesus as who He was to this criminal, God’s love was so great to save him, regardless of his past! THAT is the power of God’s love! That is the love we are to not only know and share among other Believers but we are to give towards ALL, regardless!

And that is The Truth!

PD2

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Welcome to “Herald of The Truth”!

Herald of The Truth

WelcomeI just Praise God and thank Him and the Holy Ghost for all He has done in and through me. I’m humbled and amazed that The Father, The God of the Universe, would use someone like me to bring something like this to you and the ends of the earth! So I just lean not on me or my abilities but look to the Holy Ghost, Jesus and the Word of God to deliver to you, the reader, The Truth.

Being an engineer and, as my wife calls me, computer nerd, by formal University education, it seems odd that He would call me into a ministry such as this. But I trust God and the Holy Ghost and understand that this is not about me or any individual’s ability – it’s all about Jesus!

For far too long both God’s people and the people of the world have been subjected to media, newspaper, T.V., opinions and various other sources telling them “the facts” but always leaving them questioning “the truth” of the matter. I’ll say it just like the Holy Ghost said to me…..”what the world needs now is to know The Truth in all things. They are hungry for The Truth and are waiting for someone to show them and tell them The Truth.” In a nutshell, that is exactly what “Herald of The Truth” is all about!

I’m not really sure where this will go or what the Holy Ghost has in store, but I do know that as I step out and do as I’ve been instructed that The Truth that the Holy Ghost was referring to will be delivered and known! What you can expect from this site is nothing but The Truth of God’s Word, Jesus, and the Holy Ghost delivering resp0nses to headlines, news topics, and various subjects that lack The Truth. These responses will be delivered by mighty men and women of God who know and are just as eager to share The Truth with you!

Feel free to submit e-mails and comments suggesting or asking for The Truth about any news article, topic or media source that you need to hear The Truth about. We will be more than happy to allow The Truth to come out!

We hope you enjoy this site – please subscribe and visit often as we know that God will reveal Himself, His Son, the Holy Ghost and most importantly, The Truth to you personally!

Be blessed always!
PD2

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