Feeling Overwhelmed

Anger. Depression. Loneliness. Guilt. These are emotions that powerfully affect our lives.We find them hopelessly undesirable, and at times, they can completely overwhelm us.

But the good news is even when we feel we’re losing our emotional battles, God is actually winning the war! Though it might not feel like it, God has a positive message for us in our negative emotions—and can use those emotions for spiritual growth and maturity.

Unfortunately, as fallen human beings, living in a fallen world, we aren’t given the privilege to pick and choose which emotions we will experience in our lives. We appreciate and value all the joy, love, laughter, peace, and excitement we can wrap our arms around. But then, we also have to deal with the dark side of the emotional spectrum.

But those emotions—the darker and more difficult ones—are important. In fact, they reveal a great deal about who we are and where we are in life.

The Long Walk is Part of the Gift

By Jim Liebelt

Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all. Isaiah 53:4-6

There is a Native American story about a schoolboy who appreciated his teacher and wanted to give her a gift she would enjoy. He knew that his teacher loved seashells. One weekend, the boy walked to the ocean—a twenty-mile distance—found a beautiful shell and walked back home. Monday morning, the boy gave his teacher the shell. She thought it was beautiful. It took a moment, but then it dawned on her what the boy had gone through in order to give her the gift. She asked the boy, “You mean you walked all that way to the ocean and back just to give me this shell?” The boy looked at his teacher, and with a tear in his eye, he said, “The long walk is part of the gift.”

THE SANDALS OF PEACE

…and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. Ephesians 6:15

The cry for peace is as old as the dawn of history and as fresh as the morning newspaper. Several centuries before Christ, the prophet Isaiah said, “How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace….”(Isaiah 52:7)

When the Hebrew prophets foretold the coming of a divine deliverer, they said one of his names would be“Prince of Peace.” When the Savior was born, the note struck by the angelic chorus in the nativity story of the shepherds was “…and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.” (Luke 2:14)

Timing is Critical

Written by Bill Strom

“A man with leprosy came to him and begged him on his knees, “If you are willing, you can make me clean.” Filled with compassion, Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cured. Jesus sent him away at once with a strong warning: “See that you don’t tell this to anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.” Mark 1:40-44

This account of Jesus healing the leper early in his earthy ministry is peculiar. It runs against the grain that anyone new in town with an agenda to make a difference would tell people he helped to stay mum about it. Can you image politicians running for office cautioning people in their riding “Now be careful! Don’t tell others what I’ve done for you to make your life better!” It just doesn’t make sense.

“From Empty to Full” – Part 3 “What Shall I Do for You?”

“As the hart pants and longs for the water brooks, so I pant and long for You, O God.”  

Psalm 42:1 Amplified Bible

EXPLORATION:

“From Empty to Full” – Part 3

“What Shall I Do for You?”

“Fullness” – Containing all that is possible. Complete in every detail.

What do I have of “value” within myself?

“God does not love us because we are valuable. We are valuable because God loves us.”

Fulton J. Sheen

INSPIRATION:

“It is the heart that makes a (woman) rich. (She) is rich according to what (she) is…not according to what (she) has.”

Henry Ward Beecher

The Broken Cheeseburger

Here’s a great story making it’s rounds on the internet. If you have kids, around kids or remember back to your younger days, you recall how picky or particular you like certain foods to be cut. For me, I had to have all crust taken off.

Well, here’s the story of a 7 year old who does not like her hamburger to be cut in half. Here’s the story via the Blaze…

There was a similar issue with the cheeseburger placed in front of 7-year-old Arianna Hill at a Chili’s restaurant in Midvale, Utah. Hill, it turns out, has autism and wouldn’t touch the cheeseburger that had been cut in half. To her, it was “broken.”

Every Believer’s Calling?

Charles Stanley

One Sunday, a man approached me between services to share his story. He'd been addicted to drugs and was leading a hopeless life when he heard a Scripture verse in a sermon. He said that one passage led him to place his trust in Jesus. The man was saved, and God transformed his life.

Every believer has a story. Oftentimes, the more we surrender to God, the greater our ability to see His hand in our life. And the more we watch Him work, the stronger our desire to share with others all that He has done.

The same was true of the early disciples. A small crowd gathered around Jesus before His ascension. They heard His command to spread the gospel around the globe, making disciples and baptizing people from all nations. Surely this seemed like an overwhelming task for a handful of followers, but they obeyed. Their personal experiences with Christ undoubtedly motivated them to share the good news, and they also must have gained confidence from Jesus’ promise of His presence and power.

The Bible and Archaeology: Jesus Christ's Arrest, Trial and Crucifixion

article by Mario Seiglie

In the four Gospels no period of Christ's ministry is more detailed than the last few days when He was arrested, tried and crucified as a common criminal. What have archaeologists found that confirm and illuminate many of the details of Jesus' last days on earth?

In recent issues of The Good News we have examined archaeological findings that shed light on the period of Jesus Christ's ministry in Judea in the early first century.

Evidence of Caiaphas's tomb

Events rushed to a crescendo as Jesus and His disciples came to Jerusalem for that final Passover feast. The chief priests began to panic after hearing that in nearby Bethany Jesus had resurrected His friend Lazarus from the dead (John 11).

Are You Trapped In Darkness?

"For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light." - Ephesians 5:8

Chile's Atacama Desert is said to be the driest place on earth. But in August 2010, the route to the San Jose mine, where 33 men had been trapped for over a month, was carpeted in a rare, lush spectacle: an explosion of purple flowers - the beauty of hope. It took 17 days after the collapse for rescuers to discover that all of the trapped men were still alive, yet getting them out was another thing altogether. After many unbelievable maneuvers, precise techniques, and God's help, each man was pulled to safety and back into the arms of their families.

Celebrating Spiritual Birthdays

BY SUSAN

One of the biggest days for parents of young children is their child’s birthday! All over the country, moms go to great lengths to celebrate in a fitting way. One mom rents a clown, another a horse and buggy, yet another a restaurant complete with games and food. Cupcakes or cakes are often spectacular and gift bags beautifully arranged. Even moms (often older, more exhausted, and wiser ones!) who do not go to great lengths still celebrate their child. It’s a rare parent who forgets or ignores this special day. And usually this day is shared with lots of friends and certainly remembered by relatives. It’s an important day. It’s a genuine celebration of one of God’s most precious gifts — our child.

But there’s an even more significant birthday celebration. It’s the day our child asks Jesus to come into his or her heart. Too often, this day is noticed and a parent rejoices, but rarely is this good news shared with others. Oh, how it needs to be!

A Love Without Fine Print

Written by Clinton Tedja

“You received without pay. Now give without pay.” Matthew 10:8


When I was little, random telemarketers used to always call our home phone; they had amazing offers of free holidays, free phones, free anything. I’d always be the one to yell across the house, “Mum! Free stuff!” And she’d always reply, “Nothing’s free.” When it comes to telemarketers, she was right.

We’re brought up in a culture where we work for everything. If you have something, you earned it. From kindergarten stickers to food on the table, everything is earned. And if anything is free, there’s almost always fine print – you know, that tiny list of terms and conditions hiding at the bottom of the adverts.

Jesus, Poverty and a Bad Mistake

Greg Stier

We address poverty by both giving
them bread for their bodies and
the Bread of Life for their souls.

As I write this I’m traveling home from a Youth Specialties convention that was just held in Dallas, Texas. “YS” (as it’s commonly called) is a youth pastors’ conference that has tons of seminars for youth leaders to help them become more effective at ministering to teenagers. I’ve been teaching at these fabulous events for more than a decade and look forward to it every year.
One of the reasons I love YS is because it’s always a great opportunity to connect with youth pastors of all shapes and stripes. These leaders range from mainline to conservative, small church to large church and rural to urban.
My YS experiences have been defined by laughter, learning and, at times, controversial conversations. It has been a joy to wrestle through tough issues with others who are in the midst of ministering to the next generation.

Possessing the Promise of Healing

By Rev. Kenneth E. Hagin 

Divine healing is an accomplished fact. It is a gift, like salvation, already paid for at Calvary. Have you accepted God’s gift of healing? Are you experiencing it in your life in full? If not, it’s time for you to possess the promise of healing and enjoy complete health in every area!

“I have prayed and prayed. I have been in healing meetings all over the country and have been prayed for many times, but still I am not healed. Can you help me?”

This plaintive appeal has been heard many times by ministers. They pray for sick persons, but often the sick leave as they came—not healed.

The Christ Cure

By Kenneth W. Hagin

We have the anointing or power of God. And with that power, we can take what God says in His Word, believe it, act on it, and receive it for ourselves.

And it came to pass, as Peter passed throughout all quarters, he came down also to the saints which dwelt at Lydda. And there he found a cer­tain man named Aeneas, which had kept his bed eight years, and was sick of the palsy. And Peter said unto him, Aeneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole: arise, and make thy bed. And he arose immediately. And all that dwelt at Lydda and Saron saw him, and turned to the Lord.

—Acts 9:32–35

This portion of Scripture tells the story of a helpless paralytic named Aeneas, who was healed when Peter told him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ cures you . . .” (Acts 9:34 Weymouth). As the story opens, we see a man named Peter who has been scurrying from town to town, vil­lage to village, synagogue to syn­agogue, and anywhere else he could find to preach.

About Right From The Knees

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. - Colossians 4:2

Getting Started

So how does this site work?
Take a Tour

What is the value of prayer?

Watchman Nee said, "Our prayers lay the track down which Gods power can come. Like a mighty locomotive, his power is irresistible, but it cannot reach us without rails."

We too believe that prayer makes a difference for the one being prayed for, but also for the one doing the praying. We believe that prayer is communication with God. We believe that God is mighty, but that He is also mysterious. We don't always understand why He answers some prayers but is silent at other times. We believe prayer is the glue sticks your heart to God's...and to the hearts of the people you pray for.

R.S.V.P.

 "Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many: ...And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled." Luke 14:16, 23

LUKE 14:16-24

The man who made the supper symbolizes God who has invited "whosoever will" to come to Him. The parable teaches that it is not God who fails to offer salvation to everyone, but rather it is the invited guests who reject God's offer.

These people had feeble excuses just like the excuses of those today who don't accept God's offer of salvation. Therefore, the Lord's Marriage Supper of the Lamb will be furnished with "undesirables" from the world's point of view, not because God rejects the upper class, but because they reject Him.

The Healer’s in Your House!

Kenneth W. Hagin

Here the prophet Malachi is looking down through time and describing what he sees. As he gazes into the future, he sees Jesus coming with healing in His hands. He sees Jesus ministering to the sick. He sees Jesus delivering those who are bound!

As we look at these truths, we must understand that when Jesus came to this earth, He did not come empty-handed. He came with healing. That means the day of healing has dawned.

If your body is racked with pain or if you’re facing a terrible diagnosis, the good news is, there’s an end to your darkness. There’s an end to your trouble—because Jesus Christ has risen with healing in His wings!

Jesus Has Come Into Your Dark Night
Have you ever suffered through a dark night? I’m talking about a night when the pain was so great that you could not sleep. As the hours ticked away, you wondered if the sun would ever appear on the horizon again. You asked yourself, over and over, Will morning ever come?

Maybe it’s not sickness that’s plaguing you today. Maybe it’s something else. You think, “If I can just make it through the darkness, if I can just make it through the night, there will be light in the morning.”

As we live our lives and walk on this earth, dark clouds of hopelessness and despair seem to hang over us at times. Satan does everything he can to keep us in the darkness and out of the light of the Word of God. And it seems that he uses sickness and disease to rob and steal from God’s people more than anything else.

Perhaps you’ve suffered for so long that your pain and misery seem to stretch into eternity. Maybe you’re like so many people whom the enemy has told, “This is your lot in life. You might as well get used to living this way.”

But I’m telling you, the devil is a liar! The Healer has already come. The Sun of Righteousness has risen with healing in His wings.

As you let the light of God shine into your life, you will rise from the darkness. You will rise from the pit of despair. And you will walk in joy and gladness instead of gloom and doom.

Jesus has risen that you might have life and have it more abundantly (John 10:10). The darkness, sickness, disease, and problems you face are only temporary if you will let the light of God shine in.

In John 8:12 Jesus said that He was the light of the world. And when the light comes, darkness is dispelled and gloom is gone. The Light of the World has risen upon you, and He’s risen with healing in His wings. As you lift up your eyes and look to Him, you can and will be delivered from the darkness!

Malachi 4:2 says when Jesus comes with His healing power, you will go free—leaping with joy, filled with life—like a calf let out to pasture.

You may never have been on a farm, but I remember my grandpa’s farm and other farms I visited as I was growing up. I would see the calves and colts that had been cooped up in the stall jumping, kicking, and running around in the pasture as soon as they were let out. They were rejoicing because they were free!

You may be cooped up in the devil’s stall of sickness and disease, but it’s time for you to go free. It’s time for you to go leaping and dancing and rejoicing, because your day of deliverance has dawned. The Sun of Righteousness has risen over your life with healing in His wings!

_____________

[Editor’s Note: This article was adapted from Kenneth W. Hagin’s new book, The Healer’s in Your House!]

http://www.rhema.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1786:the-healers-in-your-house&catid=170:2012-april&Itemid=564

A f t e r w a r d s

Everyone goes through tough times in their life.  Jesus said that in this world you would have tribulation but to fear not, I have overcome the world.  There is no getting around the fact that we must face difficult times.  The good news is that whenever there is a time of lack, drought, recession or even famine, there will always be an afterwards.

   When Israel was enslaved in Egypt, they were forced to labor four hundred years making bricks with no straw.  This took place for exactly four hundred years.  God told Abraham that His people would become enslaved and in bondage to a strange nation.  God said that afterward that Israel would come out with great substance. 

Psalm 105:37
He brought them forth also with silver and gold and there was not one feeble nor sick person among them.

    Millions of people carried all of the riches and wealth from the entire nation of Egypt in a single day.  No one was sick and everyone had plenty of money.  This is the place that God desires for you to be.  Just like 3 John 2 says...Beloved I wish above all things that you would prosper and be in health even as your soul prospers.  

Another Divine Helper

John 14:16-18

Have you ever wished you had a 911 number that rang in heaven whenever you had a need? Well, I have good news for believers. We all have divine assistance that’s even closer than a phone call: our Helper dwells within us. But if we are unaware of Him, we’ll miss many opportunities to benefit from the greatest asset in our Christian life—the Holy Spirit’s presence.

Christ knew that when He left the earth, His disciples would be totally inadequate for the task He was giving them—to evangelize the world. Though they’d spent three years with Jesus, all they had seen and learned would still not sufficiently equip them for what lay ahead. They needed supernatural help, and so do we—someone who will come to our aid, empower our service, and transform us from the inside out.

What Do You Tell Yourself?

by Pastor Colin S. Smith 

 “Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods.” Galatians 4:8(NIV)

Notice the past tense—this is what you were. Many Christians live their lives in fear, as though they are still slaves. Are you more aware of what God still needs to do in your life, or of what God has already done?

What does Paul mean when he tells Christians they were slaves? A slave has no freedom. He does what he’s commanded to do. The tragedy of the slave’s position is his work never moves him to a better place. It cannot bring him freedom. That was your position.

You had not fulfilled the demands of the law, and you were unable to fulfill them. So, you owed God a debt you could not pay. That put you in the position of a slave, and you couldn’t change your position by your work—no matter how hard you tried.

The Gospel sets you free

“You are no longer a slave, but a son;” Galatians 4:7. This is in the present tense: This is what you are! The good news of the Gospel is that God has acted to win your freedom. This remarkable change has already happened in your life, if you are a Christian believer. You were a slave: You are a son!

God has embraced you in Christ, who died to redeem you. He has made you a new creation in Christ by the Spirit who lives within you (2 Corinthians 5;17). Grasping the Gospel means believing that these things are true for me in Christ.

Many people who believe they’re Christians are constantly telling themselves that they’re slaves: “I have this sin I can’t get over. It’s the way I was made.” When you think or talk like that, you’re saying you’re a slave, and you’re denying the Gospel. You’re not living by faith in the Son of God, who loved you and gave Himself for you.

Where victory over sin begins…

There’s only one way to live the Christian life and that is by believing the Gospel, by believing that what God promises in Christ is true for me. When you do that you will be transformed by the renewing of your mind (Romans 12:2). You will know the truth and the truth will set you free (John 8:31-32).

If you’re a Christian don’t say, “I have this sin that I can’t get over.” Say instead, “This is a sin I have fallen into many times, but those past failures are forgiven, and today I stand before God, not as sin’s slave, but as a child of God in whom His Spirit now lives. So, I can endure this trial, I can stand against this temptation, and by the grace of God I will prevail.” That’s what it means to live this life in the body by faith in the Son of God.


This LifeKey is based on the message “The Gospel Sets You Free,” by Pastor Colin S. Smith on December 3, 2006, from the series “Grasping the Gospel.”


gotquestions  http://www.lightsource.com/ministry/unlocking-the-bible/articles/what-do-you-tell-yourself-13254.html