Thought Patterns

As you wake up today, and have been given this new day let the first words from your heart be words of thanks to the Lord Jesus. It does make a difference.

Have you ever noticed how your thinking processes are first thing in the morning? I have a secret to tell you,the way you think in the morning sets the tone for your thinking for the whole day. It is a proven fact, that those who suffer with depression, start it first thing in the morning.It is entirely due to the things we focus on, and allow in our spirit.

I suffered from severe chronic, black depression for years. It was horrible. It got so bad,that it was like a black cloud enveloping me, and I couldn't fight it. It robbed me of my time, my relationships, and of meaningful things I could have done in my life.Because in the morning I got up and thought first thing about how sad my life was. I thought about all my problems,how no one probably loved me, how my life would not get better, how disappointed I was in people and circumstances, how had life had been, I fed my mind these thoughts within minutes of rising out of bed.

One day, I realized how I was programming myself, and I started learning to think different. It didn't happen over night, but I took steps to stop this destructive thinking. If depression reared its ugly head, or unkind thoughts, or thoughts of grief, or any other heavy thoughts, I would say, no.. I am not going there today. Today I am taking the day off, I am just going to enjoy the day, and not worry about any of my problems, and I am going to instead enjoy the day.

The problems might still be happening, but it doesn't mean I need to entertain them, and feed them breakfast,lunch and dinner in my own mind.

And little by little I overcame that depression completely.It took patience, prayer, and dedicated desire to change my thinking patterns, but one step at a time,I did it.The remarkable thing, now when I wake up, I notice things I never had time to before. Other people, the skies of blue, the song of birds, the needs of others, and my precious family. My family, who for years missed out on my company because I was in the corner licking my wounds and feeling sorry for myself.

Praise God he delivered me from this dark, lonely, self-focusing world of depression.

Friends.. nothing is impossible with God. Don't set limits on Him because of your circumstances. Let Him set the circumstances within His perfect will, and you go out and find the good in each day. Count your blessings and not your sorrows. Life is short, don't fritter it away on unhappy thoughts.

Enjoy what you have:)

love always

millie

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Dear God, today I leave my problems at your feet,I will let you work them out, and I am going to find the joy in this day. I am going to look for the blessings of the day, and say a prayer of thanks to you for what I do have. Forgive me Father for allowing depression, or sorrow,or anger, or unforgiveness to rule my spirit. I confess those things and ask you to heal my wounded spirit,and help me to learn new ways to live.Help me to leave the past behind, so that whatever time I have upon this earth, may be spent in usefulness and the joy of the Lord. Fully knowing no matter whatI face ahead, you will take care of it. I love you Father God and give you all the praise and honor and glory.

In Jesus precious name,
Amen

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YOU SAY GOD SAYS BIBLE VERSES

You say: "It's impossible"
God says: All things are possible (Luke 18:27)

You say: "I'm too tired"
God says: I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28-30)

You say: "Nobody really loves me"
God says: I love you (John 3:16 & John 3:34)

You say: "I can't go on"
God says: My grace is sufficient (II Corinthians 12:9 & Psalm 91:15)

You say: "I can't figure things out"
God says: I will direct your steps (Proverbs 3:5-6)

You say: "I can't do it"
God says: You can do all things (Philippians 4:13)

You say: "I'm not able"
God says: I am able (II Corinthians 9:8)

You say: "It's not worth it"
God says: It will be worth it (Roman 8:28)

You say: "I can't forgive myself"
God says: I Forgive you (I John 1:9 & Romans 8:1)

You say: "I can't manage"
God says: I will supply all your needs (Philippians 4:19)

You say: "I'm afraid"
God says: I have not given you a spirit of fear (II Timothy 1:7)

You say: "I'm always worried and frustrated"
God says: Cast all your cares on ME (I Peter 5:7)

You say: "I don't have enough faith"
God says: I've given everyone a measure of faith (Romans 12:3)

You say: "I'm not smart enough"
God says: I give you wisdom (I Corinthians 1:30)

You say: "I feel all alone"
God says: I will never leave you or forsake you (Hebrews 13:5)

Nothing is too hard for God.
He says, Cast your care upon me, for I care for you.
1 Peter 5:7

What to do when people hurt you

What to do when people hurt you.

By Millie Plastaras 5/17/2005
copywritten , all rights reserved.

We have all been wounded in life. Sometimes it is people saying unkind, thoughtless remarks.Sometimes it is neglect. Sometimes it is rejection. Sometimes it is loss, or grief. Sometimes it is when people walk out of our lives. Sometimes it is abuse of one form or another.

All of these things accumulate in our spirit and become pain in our hearts and thinking. They alter the relationships we have and they make us forever change the way we view other people.A natural reaction is to set up a wall around us, keeping people out and trying to make ourselves safe. We think by doing this, we won't be hurt anymore. In fact, this keeps us from truly ever enjoying a relationship in it's fullest ever again.

And the very encouragement and love we need, that wall prohibits from entering into our heart. Sometimes people take everything to heart so deep, they become so wounded, they become bitter, and it grows like a cancer within their hearts. It forever changes who they are, and it blocks the power of God from their lives because they have allowed bitterness to become unforgiveness. Bitterness takes root, and fills the spirit with many roots, that come out in every word we say,every deed we do, every relationship we have.

All these hard times, all these losses, all these rejections, all these times of pain, are life's lessons. They either make us grow bitter or better. It is simply a choice we make at the time.

We will all have a time of grieving, of hurting, of tears,but there has to come a point where we move on. We all have a need for a time to work through things,for a time perhaps even be angry or hurt, but there must also be a time of healing. If we never reach that point ... we are forever tied to that person with an umbilical cord of pain, unforgiveness and sometimes bitterness. We are never free of the past, it has weighed us down, and kept us a slave to the pain.We are in spiritual bondage.

We have no freedom at all in our spirit. We are weighed down. One must come to the point where they realize they are wasting their life on pain, and not living in the present.

My child, have you been hurt? Are you lonely? Is your heart heavy? Do you feel no one truly understands you or cares? Do you feel the world is passing you by? There are a few steps we can take to change this situation and mindset in our spirit.

We have to stand on the promises, premises and concepts of God. For God said:Cast all your care upon me, for I care for you.1 Peter 5:7

We must go before His presence and bow down,and say God, I forgive this person who hurt me.I ask forgiveness for not forgiving them sooner.I ask for healing from the hurt, the rejection, and the past.I ask you to cleanse me from all unrighteousness,all unforgiveness and help me STAND in your strength, in your hope. Help me stay in your presence till I feel a release from the past. Till I have peeled my fingers off of it and let go. Till I have reached the gates of heaven in my spirit and soared with the wings of eagles, into the arms of God. Free of the past, free of sin, free of pain,free of hurt.

Now .. free and fit for your work.Free to live in today.Free to savor life.Free to love everyone. Free of the pain, the relentless depth of pain that weighed us down, and destroyed and stole our joy.I hereby make a contract with you Lord that when people hurt me again, I will give them to you, and let go of it immediately, and declare myself free from all bondages of unforgiveness, anger, resentment and the need to respond or get even. I declare myself a child of the King of Kings and I wish to live worthy of that calling, by being all you have called me to be.Free in you - at last. Nothing is worth holding onto.. that keeps me from your presence, oh Lord.

For the time being, no discipline brings joy, but seems grievous and painful, but afterwards it yields peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.A harvest of fruit which consists in righteousness, that is conformity to God's will in purpose, thought and action,resulting in right living and right standing with God. So then BRACE YOURSELF UP, and REINVIGORATE and SET RIGHT your slackened and weakened and drooping hands, and strengthen your feeble and palsied and tottering knees.And CUT THROUGH and make firm and plain and smooth,straight paths for your feet. Yes, Make them! Safe and upright and happy paths that go in the right direction so that the lame and halting limbs may not be put out of joint but rather be cured. Strive to live in peace with everybody, and pursue that consecration and holiness without which no one will ever see the Lord.
Hebrews 12:11:13
Amplified Bible

When you have done all you can do... STAND.Be firm, strong, secure in Gods love for you.
Remember
Only one life, will soon be past
Only what is done for Christ will last

Live Loved

Good Morning Everyone,

As I read the Max Lucado devotional this morning, one thing struck my heart like a chord.. then resounding through my mind.. until it seems so clear.. like a bell ringing to my soul.

LIVE LOVED.

Wow. Live loved? What does that mean?

I think many of us live as if we were not loved.We live as if we are going to be defeated.As if there is no answer, as if God "really" isn't watching out for us, and we are praying,Just in case!

The Bible says He is our sufficiency.
He is all we need.
He is our Great I Am.
He is the great provider.
He is the good shepherd.
He is the bright and morning star.

He is all we need no matter what situation comes.But we are living far beneath our capabilities,we are not pursuing dreams and hopes and faith,we are pursuing despair, depression and clinging to the past.

Live Loved.

Live each day as if you were the most loved person on the earth. Be confident. Inspire confidence.Act as if you were a child of the king and start believing in the inheritance God has for you through Jesus Christ.

Live Loved.

So that the world may know you "truly" believe
You Truly count on God
You Truly believe He will provide
You truly believe you are loved
You truly are victorious.
Because you are loved!

May Christ through your faith (actually) dwell -- settle down,abide, make his permanent home -- in your hearts!May you be rooted deep in love and founded securely on love.That you may have the power and be strong to understand and grasp with all the saints (God's devoted people,the experience of that love) what is the breadth and length and height and depth of (God's love).That you may really come to know --practically, through experience for yourselves -- the love of Christ,which far surpasses mere knowledge (without experience)that you may be filled ( throughout all your being) unto the fullness of God -- that you may know the richest measure of the divine Presence of God and become a body wholly filled and flooded with God himself!Ephesians 3:17-19

Love always,
millie

Live like you believe it today.. You are the most loved person! God cares about you! Never doubt that..oryou would be believing a lie from the enemy.

Praise God - Be flooded with His Love.

_______________________________

UNFAILING LOVE - - - - -by Max Lucado

My prayer for you this season of giving is that you will receive God's love and accept your place as a dearly loved child in his heavenly family.

Accept the love that came in the form of a newborn babe.Accept the forgiveness and grace bought for you through the cruel,nail-piercing reality of the Cross.

Accept his love won for you through the victory of his resurrection.

Let this love worth giving fill you, flood you, and change you forever.

Live in the knowledge and acceptance of this love.

Live loved.

Remember, God loves you simply because he has chosen to do so.

He loves you when you don't feel lovely.

He loves you when no one else loves you.

Others may abandon you, divorce you, and ignore you, but God will love you. Always.

No matter what.
_______________________________

From A Love Worth Giving
Copyright 2002, Max Lucado

Choosing to Trust

Hello everyone!The inspiration I am sending out today, has some profound thinking in it. I decided after musing on it... to give you some examples. I bet you will see yourself in one of these examples. I hope so. When we all take a second look at ourselves, and are willing to change.. great things can happen!

Let us suppose we are on a country road, far out in the country, and the highway is narrow and winding.We have been traveling for hours and are getting weary.We have 4 others in the car with us. Suddenly as we make a turn we come upon a big boulder in the road,totally blocking our way. Each of us gets out of the car.

The pessimist says we will be here for hours, we will never be able to fix this, figures this should happen to us. I told you we should never have gone on this trip.

The depressed one says, I knew this would happen to me, nothing ever goes right in my life, I am a loser, I really expected this. Every time I go on a trip something bad happens.

The pragmatist says we will move the rock in time, if we all concentrate on a solution, I am sure that thinking this out will provide a solution. And the pragmatist sits down in deep thought assuring himself that he has the answer within his grip.

The optimist says wow.. isnt it beautiful out here in the country. This gives us a breather doesn't it? Let us take time to breathe in the fresh air, enjoy the day and see who will come by here soon to help.

The child of faith says, I can hardly wait to see how God is going to work this out. Let me go to prayer,I know the answer is on the way. I know God will send someone along soon to provide a way out for us.

My friends, the truth is.. 5 of us could be going through the very same problem today, but each of us, because of our different perspective handle the situation differently. We choose to lose, or we choose to win. We choose to pray or we choose to live in defeat. It is not only a mental battle but a spiritual one. Life does go on, this too shall pass. So what are you going to do meanwhile?

Get up.. enjoy the day.. and say wow, I can hardly wait to see how God is going to work this one out.

Love always

millie

The Lord is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble, and He knows them that trust in Him.Nahum 1:7

Thou will keep him in perfect peace whose mind stayson thee, because He trusts in Thee.

Isaiah 26:3"

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Arrive at a Clearing"By Bob Perks"

My life is not going as planned. I feel like I am lost in the woods and can't find my way out," the young man said."You are not lost. You are learning how to trust," the old man replied."Trust?""Yes, you must learn how to trust yourself and believe that every step you have taken was in the right direction."

"The right direction, old man, would have taken me out of the forest. I need to climb to the top of the mountain in life."

"Not if you were meant to learn about trees. One cannot learn about trees standing on top of a mountain."

"So, my whole life is to be lost in the woods? Trees are like obstacles that get in my way. They serve no purpose but to block my view."

"What you can't see is the obvious," the old man said. He then asked, "Do you have faith in God?"

"Yes, but I can't understand why He would leave me here. I have prayed for a way out and still I am lost."

"What you see as an obstacle, may be the answer to prayer. Instead of cursing the things before you, understand why they are there.When you ask God for help, you cannot limit the way He helps you. You see prayer like shopping for groceries. You make a list and expect to get everything on it. God takes that list and gives you what you need most and some things you didn't ask for. You ask for success and God sends work to earn it.You ask for happiness and God sends you challenges that bring happiness.Faith is believing that when you journey into a forest you will arrive at a clearing."

The young man stood silently."But, my friend, your time "lost in the woods" does not mean you will always be surrounded by trees," the old man said. "The feeling of being lost in the woods means you are making your own path through life. That is a reflection of the faith God has in your ability to make it through a difficultjourney. If you wanted it easy you should have stayed on the road paved by others before you.The good news is that one day you will arrive at a clearing."

Then placing his hand on the young man's shoulder he continued."It is on that day when you will be thankful for the trees."At times life can be overwhelming. Your wanting things better will not make them happen, but wanting is the seed of dreams and believing is the nourishment that makes them possible.If your journey has been difficult and you feel "lost in the woods," stop for a moment and ask God to tell you about the trees that surround you. They were placed there not to block your view, but help you to appreciate the day you, too will "arrive at a clearing."
"I believe in you!"

Just trust.

Trust in the Lord, with all your heart, and lean not unto your own understanding.

In all your ways, acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.

Proverbs 3:5-6

Competitive Christians?

copyright Millie Plastaras 5/23/2006

One thing I have found to be much more common now in the "Christian" community, is not only doctrinal bickering, but the desire to be more "right" than the next person. Everyone wants to be better, or more righteous appearing, or more holy, or more busy, or their ministry is better. It is all about me.

Isn't that the world's way of looking at things?

Is competitiveness among Christians a good thing?

As long as we look inward at each other, and who we can be better than, and what we can do to "outdo" someone else, we cannot look outward … and say Jesus, what work would you have me do for your kingdom today.

Let's look at what the Bible says the Christian community should be doing.

Fill up and complete my joy by living in harmony and being of the same mind and one in purpose, having the same love, being in full accord and of one harmonious mind and intention. Do nothing from factional motives -through contentiousness, strife selfishness, or for unworthy ends - or prompted by conceit and empty arrogance. Instead, in the true spirit of humility (lowliness of mind) let each regard the others as better than and superior to himself - thinking more highly of one another than you do of yourselves.Let each of you esteem and look upon and be concerned for not (merely) his own interests, but also for the interests of others.
Philippians 2:2-4

So we are to have
one mind
one purpose
one love
one full accord
one intention

How long since you have seen this among Christians?

In chat rooms I frequent, it is not only a study in psychology to watch some of the misguided people who feel it is their life's work to "set people straight", some of them feel it is the "Christian duty" to rebuke people into heaven.

Then we have the folks who like to say they are better Christians because of the church they attend, or the work they are doing. It has become a matter of personal pride, rather than working for the kingdom of God. People have forgotten their first love.. and put themselves first.How long since you could look at someone in love and say I think more highly of them than I do myself, because they are my brother in Christ? This is truly a struggle for all of us, few there be that have reached this level of spiritual maturity and focus.

Does this mean we put ourselves down, and hate ourselves, or feel unworthy? No … we are all children of God. It means we should have humility, and remember it is all about Jesus.. not about us. We are all still under construction, still growing.

Then I find there are people who get jealous of each other's ministry. They don't realize they are doing it, but they are unable to even encourage someone in their work, because in their heart they are resentful that person is actually out doing something for God's kingdom.

My friends, the more I do this work for Christ, the more it humbles me. When I get letters from people talking about how they feel a specific devotion was written just for them, and how did I know what to send. I know full well it isn't about me. The Holy spirit knows the needs of people.. and when I pray over my work each morning, if I use his scripture, and ask his leading… God will open the words and implant them in the minds of people.. ministering specifically to them. I cannot do this on my own, especially not knowing people personally.

No one knows better than me, my past, my unworthiness,yet God will use us, when we have a willing heart, and asurrendered spirit, broken before Him.

But when we surrender to the Holy Spirit, he works in us. It no longer becomes a selfish, self-focused, look at me work, it becomes a look at Christ, he is our sufficiency, who can I reach for Him today work.

If you cannot look at a fellow Christian and encourage them in their work, you are envious and you need to pray about it. We are not here to compete with each other or outdo each other. We are here to work as a cohesive unit in one mind, one heart, one body for Christ. If you have a problem doing it (we all do) then pray. Pray and ask God to help you be teachable, open, humble, wise, and full of His Spirit and not your own selfish will.

This thought is so heavy upon my heart. We are to be a light. If there is a shadow of darkness, or rebellion, or selfishness in us.. we are blocking that precious light of Jesus from shining out of us.

If you received this today, and you say this is not about you, you are wrong. We are all still growing, and learning, and we all still need to adjust our attitudes and learn to work with other Christians, even if we are very different people.We are not here to choose who we like, or who we get along with, or who makes us happy to work with. We are here for God's work, and we need to learn to get along so we can accomplish something for Him. We are all supposed to be a cohesive part of the "body" of Christ, working together for His glory and to reach people for Him.

In conclusion.. here is a excellent verse to push us towards that high calling of God upon our life.
Do all things without grumbling and fault finding and complaining (against God) and questioning and doubting among yourselves. That you may show yourselves to be blameless and guileless, innocent and uncontaminated children of God without blemish (faultless, unrebukable) in the midst of a crooked and wicked generation - (spiritually)perverted and perverse. Among whom you are seen as BRIGHT LIGHTS - stars or beacons shining out clearly in the dark world.
Philippians 2:14-15

We are his people.. called out.. to a higher calling, a holy one. We are only here for a time.. we are to be alight, a witness to a lost and dying world. We cannot do that if we are selfish, or fighting each other. We have to remain teachable, loving, andthoughtful.Because we have left the old life behind, and we are new in Christ Jesus.. old things passed away, all has become new.. we are now here for His glory and His honor.

Love one another as I have loved you, by this will all men know you are my disciples if you have love to one another. John 13:34-35

Pray over this today, and ask the Lord to show you yourshortcomings on the way you work with and deal with people.Then be prepared to face them, and be willing to make changes. So we can all be of one accord for Him, and pure representatives of His light to a lost and dying world.
remember
Only one life, will soon be past
Only what is done for Christ will last

Bible Prophecy - Gospel Preached to the whole World

copyright Millie Plastaras 10/18/2001

And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, then the end will come.
Matthew 24:14

Well, I have so much information on the next 2 lessons, I don't know how to make it smaller. But it is all so terribly interesting, I cannot help but say it all. I hope you are enjoying the series !

We have mentioned there will be false christs, false prophets, false religions, false doctrines, betrayal, persecution, and even a great apostasy (falling away from the truth) of the church. But all this combined will not keep the gospel from being preached to every corner of the earth. This is the last prediction before the
"catching away or rapture'" of the church. Kings and kingdoms have tried to stop the progress of the Christians, of the Word of God, but nothing has been able to stop it.

Not burning the Bible, not killing God's people,
not trying to preach new religions, not magic, nor any occult,
nor any power of Darkness can seperate us from
the Love and the Truth of Jesus Christ.
Nothing has stopped the progress of God's plans for this ole world.

After God "raptures" the church he will do three things.

1. Seal 144,000 Jews to preach the gospel to the whole world.
2. Send 2 witnesses to prophesy to the whole world.
3. Send an angel to preach to every nation, tribe, language
and people on this earth.

Grant Jeffrey says that the Bible has been translated in more than 3,850 languages in every nation, tribe and dialect on this planet. Electronic communication spreads the gospel daily throughout the world.

In 1993 the Gospel of Jesus was being broadcast world wide 24 hours a day in 90 different languages. In 1995 Dr. Billy Graham preached to the entire world over television. 70 percent of the world's population had that opportunity to hear the gospel preached. In 1996, Again, Dr. Billy Graham gathered together with the assistance of 1 million pastors and churches on every single continent, he preached
to the whole world again. That time over 2-1/2 billion people listened.

On September 14,2001
For the first time in history, one man (Billy Graham) spoke the Gospel to the entire world at the same time. He gave the sermon today at the National Memorial Service and was broadcast on every major television station in the U.S. and by satellite to the world. Every country in the world received this broadcast...and because it was a Geo-Political event, every leader watched and heard it translated into his/her language. Many preachers have their messages broadcast in other countries and carried around the world, but this is the first time that the entire world listened to the Gospel preached at one time. The World and All its leaders tuned in and heard the gospel.

Never before has one individual preached to the leaders of the world and their country at one time!!

Mark 13:10 - And the Gospel must first be preached to all the nations.

Matthew 24:14 - And this Gospel of the King shall be preached in the whole world for a witness to all the nations and the end shall come.

Romans 10 - whole chapter - particularly verse 18.

My read on this is that through Billy Graham today, Biblical prophecy was fulfilled. As I listened to him today, I was in a store that had the entire service broadcast throughout every speaker in the store's audio system. It was on virtually every TV and radio station and people across America held hands and wept before God. It is my personal belief that he Holy Spirit came upon Billy Graham just as it did upon John the Baptist announcing the Kingdom of God is at hand. I also believe that this is the most significant prophecy to be fulfilled since Israel became a nation in 1948.

Agree or not, it was staggering to hear this today. Jesus tells us often, to watch and 'take heed, keep on the alert, for you do not know when the appointed time is." Mark 13:33.

My friends, if all this is not proof that his coming is drawing
nigh, you need to drink some coffee and wake up!

John Ankerberg says in an article he wrote that
it would be extremely difficult for someone to predict
the exact city in which the birth of a future U.S. president
would take place 7 hundred years from now. But the
prophet Micah predicted this about Jesus Christ.
He also said " For example, how could someone
"arrange" to be born into a specific family (the family of
David, Matthew 1, Genesis 12:2-3), in a specified city,
which is not even the family's hometown?
How does one arrange for a virgin birth? How does one
arrange to have God inform and send a proper messenger
to go before him. How does one arrange to be considered
a prophet like Moses?"

The predictions in the old testament that have taken
place in fact hundreds of years later over and over
again prove the greatness and the truth of the word
of Jesus Christ. Even the predictions in the old
testament that Jesus would be betrayed for 30
pieces of silver or even that his death would
be predicted down to details? How could this be
if not by the annointing of God?
How could anyone possibly know this hundreds
of years ahead of time down to minute details
without the Hand of God inspiring their writing,
and revealing the truth of God to their heart?

All these predictions prove that the Gospel of
Jesus Christ is alive, and is going forth in
time accomplishing the will of God.
Time after time we see the fulfillment of prophecies,
hundreds of them. It should encourage our heart
and embolden us to go out and preach the
gospel to all we meet for the time is short.
Get serious, get real, get into the word,
get on fire, revive yourself in the Lord, and
let us be about his business.
Get into prayer every chance you get.

WE are bought with a price, we are not
our own. WE belong to the coming King of Kings!

Behold, I am coming quickly and my reward is with Me,
to give to everyone according to His work.
Revelation 22:12

remember
Only one life
will soon be past
Only what is done
For Christ will last

Bible Prophecy - False Prophets

copyright Millie Plastaras 10/17/2001

Matthew 24:11A
And many false prophets will appear.

In the last days, the Bible strongly predicts that
many will come testifying that they are prophets,
and especially after the rapture of the church.
The rapture will leave a vacuum in the church,
an empty spot that people try to fill.
The problem is the antichrist will be around and
he will not want Jesus to be mentioned or
worshipped, or even known.

There will be many people portraying themselves
as prophets, putting forth great prophecies of
things to come for the church, and even individual
prophecies. We see this even now. Every week
on the internet I recieve prophecies from this
person or that person, and some of them seem
so much alike.

How do we judge the truth?
How do we recognize who is of Christ?

Well one way is it will line up with the scriptures.
In the first of my Bible prophecy series
I told you of the main doctrines of the church,
that you should memorize them, plant them in
your heart, because False prophets and teachers
and even preachers are going to deny these very
doctrines.

Secondly, only God appoints prophets. We cannot
appoint ourselves to be one. A true prophet of God,
when they make prophecies.. those prophecies will
come true.

They will come teaching a false salvation,
a false christ, they will not preach the death
and resurrection of Jesus Christ, they will not
teach of a virgin birth, nor of a need for salvation.

Some will be different, they might teach of something
close to the gospel, but you will hear a
"feely good" kind of preaching.
If it feels good, it must be ok, because God has to
be a loving God.
In other words, don't mention sin!
They are going to predict things full of love
their brand of justice, peace, prosperity,
and empowering yourself.
Their prophecies will turn into dust.

A true prophet magnifies the name of Jesus Christ.
A false one denies Him. A true preacher will
always point you to the word of God,
a false one will point you to visions, dreams,
prophesies, rituals, ceremonies or seminars
that will make him money. Many will teach
things that are occult, such as a brand of mind reading,
astrology, tarot card reading, and many other things.

Just as some of the most popular books in the
world now are teaching children that magic is
a good thing. It is a false thing that goes
against the very heart of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

MY FRIENDS, DON'T BE FOOLED.
DON'T BE DRAWN INTO FALSE TEACHINGS.
BE AWARE.
MANY WILL BE DRAWN AWAY IN THE LAST DAYS.
DON'T BE ONE OF THEM!

Here are a few listings of satan's device's for
apostasy. (the falling away from the
churches and teaching of God

Counterfeit gods - 1 Thessalonians 2:3-4
counterfeit Jesus - 2 Corinthians 11:4
Counterfeit Christs - Matthew 24:24
Counterfeit spirits - 1 John 4:1, 1 Timothy 4:1
Counterfeit apostles - 2 Corinthians 11:13,
Revelation 2:2
Counterfeit prophets - 2 Peter 2:1, 1 John 4:1
Counterfeit ministers - 2 Corinthians 11:15
Counterfeit gospels - Galatians 1:6-9
Counterfeit Miracles - 2 Thessalonians 2:9
Revelation 16:13
counterfeit worship - John 4:24

There is a new kind of religion coming.
It will have powerful representatives,
good at talking and at speeches, persuasive,
seemingly annointed, strong people
producing miracles, and prophecies,
that seem good feel good, but don't mention
Jesus Christ. Don't mention sin, and the
need for repentance and salvation,
and don't mention the virgin birth,
or the need for obedience to Jesus.

They will speak so powerfully, that many
will be drawn into their faith by watching
all the miracles that will happen.
This is leading right into the ministry
of the False Prophet who will accompany
the Antichrist in his power.

So.. we have got to check everything with
the word of God, we have got to listen closely,
don't be drawn in by pretty speeches,
a charismatic personality, don't be drawn in
by someone who speaks things that make
everything seem as if life is going to get
better and better, that utopia is coming.
That all of the world will be peaceful
and all of our problems solved.
It is a lie from the pit of hell.
It is not going to get better.

I choose to follow Jesus Christ
and believe His word.
He is the one I account to, and it is
He that will take me home to be with Him.
He never fails.

Love never fails...
But whether there are prophecies, they will fail,
and whether the are tongues, they will cease,
whether there is knowledge it will vanish away.
For we know in part, and we prophesy in part,
but when that which is perfect has come,
then that which is in part will be taken away.
1 Corinthians 13:8-10

In other words, when Jesus raptures his church
there will no longer be a need for any of those things,
the work is almost completed.. we are home
with God, with new bodies and we will watch
all that is to come. God will reign upon this
earth again, and He will have his way.
No one will stand against Him!

Don't let anyone decieve you!
Read the word, and pray, and ask God!

remember
Only one life
will soon be past
only what is done
For Christ will last

Bible Prophecy - Hated by All Nations

copyright Millie Plastaras 10/16/2001

Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted,
and shall kill you;, and ye shall be hated of all
nations for my name's sake.
And then shall many be offended, and shall betray
one another.
Matthew 24:9-10

In one of the books I have been reading about
prophecy the author said that Jesus warned of
a hatred for the Jews that would signal his return.
There is more hatred for Jews and christians in
the world now, than at any time ever before.
There is an increasing amount of violence against
the Jews since the time of Hitler, that has escalated
to many Arab nations, Russia and some other
predominately muslim countries.

When conservative christians try to stand up
for the Jewish people, or for Bibical views
we are labeled as fundamentalist extremists, we
are called enemies of world peace because
we will not modify our beliefs and deny Christ
to please man. We are hated by all men for His
sake, and this is in accordance with the word
for the last days.

Blessed are you, when men shall revile you, and persecute
you, and shall say all manner of evil things against you
falsely for my sake.
Rejoice and be exceeding glad, for great is your reward
in heaven; for so persecuted they the prophets which
were before you.

Matthew 5:11-12

The state of hatred will extend from all nations
into families, they will turn on each other, with
hardness of heart, and hurt each other, love no
longer being natural or pure, but hearts
will become selfish and cruel, full of anger and revenge.
During tribulation times people who find God,
(because people will be able to become Christians
during the tribulation), those people will pay for it with
their very life. It will be dangerous to even mention
the name of God, and food, water , medicine,
electricity, and medical care will only be given
to those who take the mark of the Beast.
Those who take the mark of the beast can never
enter the kingdom of God.
So people who want to find favor with the government
will turn their neighbors in, their parents, relatives and
even friends, and watch them be put to death for
their beliefs.

More christians and Jews have been persecuted in
this century than in all of history, and it is increasing
daily at an alarming rate. Over 6 million Jews were
brutally murdered during world war 2, and millions
of Christians have been killed in Africa in this
last decade for their belief in Christ.

Indeed in many countries now, it is a crime to
be a christian, punishable by death. We see
this on the news almost daily now.
We can expect this to increase.

After the rapture, there will be no safe place on
earth. The Holy spirit will be lifted from the earth,
and evil will prevail everyplace. 2nd Thessalonians 2:7b.
Every evil thing ever imagined will come about, and life will become
a torture to those who have to live through these days.

As we watch the news each night we are seeing prophecy
being fulfilled right before our very eyes.
It is amazing to the bible scholars who have made it
their life work to study Bible prophecy to see all these
many things unfold right before their eyes. Quickly,
and so violently.

It is not a time for fear, it is a time for
looking up, for this is a signal of the return of
Jesus Christ to pick up his saints and take
us out of the way of harm.

Are you ready for that journey my friend?
Is your heart right with God?

Don't be left behind.

remember
only one life
will soon be past
Only what is done
For Christ will last

Bible Prohecy - Earthquakes

copyright Millie Plastaras 10/15/2001

Matthew24:7b

There will be earthquakes in various places.

It is predicted by the prophet Zechariah that when Jesus returns
there will be a massive earthquake that splits the mount of Olives
in half. Isaiah said that the earth will shake from it's place at that time.
Joel said the earth and even the sky will tremble.
Revelation says there will be an earthquake unlike any that
has ever occurred since man was on earth.

It is interesting when we look at statistics about earthquakes.
Between 1900 and 1910 there was only one earthquake
over 7.2 on the Richter scale. Between 1950 and 1960 there were 9.
from 1990 to 1995 there were 125 earthquakes over 7.2.
In the 17th century there were 378 recorded earthquakes.
In the eighteenth there were 640 and in the 19th century
there were 2,119.
Earthquakes are not only increasing in amounts but in
intensity.

Combined with the previous predictions about false christs,
wars, famines, pestilence and now earthquakes, and
the increasing amounts of each and the intensity it
is a testament in itself to tell us the Tribulation is near.
We need to be prepared for eternity.
WE see prophecy being fulfilled before our very eyes!

I live in California and we are always waiting for the next one to happen.
When my sister lived out here, she was in the one in Palm Springs,
that had a cluster of huge earthquakes that lifted the ground several feet apart in quite a few places. They had so many aftershocks that they could not stay in your house, so they lived in their car.

Just as the many things we are seeing on television now seem
so frightening, we must realize this is part of the plan,
and find joy in the fact that we are going to see Jesus soon.
My question to you, is are you ready?

Why should we as Americans wait for disasters to happen
before we seek God?
There will come a time, when Jesus will come and get His own,
and those left behind will have to go through the tribulation.
It will have more horrors than any other time during the earth's
history. And if you seek and find God during this tribulation
time, you will pay for it with your very life.

My friends, as we read these prophecies, let us never receive
a spirit of fear. But let us seek God more fervently,
and renew our relationship, indeed seek revival within our
selves and our church. Let us use the time we have
to reach others for Jesus Christ.

Do not be afraid, Look UP, for your redemption draweth nigh!

remember
Only one life
will soon be past
Only what is done
For Christ will last

Bible Prophecy - Famines and Pestilences

copyright Millie Plastaras 10/13/2001

Matthew 24:7b
There will be famines and pestilences in various places.

There are many reasons why in the last days we will
see famines all over the world. This will also upset
the balance of nature causing great pestilences in
various places.

Jack Van Impe, a leading authority on Bible prophecy says
" Warfare from earliest times has also been a primary
contributor to the destruction of crops and animals,
and subsequent blockades and attacks on cities and
ports have been responsible for countless famines".

In our generation we are facing famine and drought
in many countries all over the world now. There
are many countries that are very poor, and unable
to sustain themselves with food supplies.
Many portions of Africa, India, and southeast
Asia are suffering from hunger.
Because of the massive weather changes all over
the world, land that was once fertile is now
dry and turned into a wasteland from lack of rain.
Tropical rain forests which supply most of our oxygen
and water supply are substantially shrinking each year.
Many lands have been destroyed by great floods,
which washed away valuable top soil.

Everyday the world adds more than 225,000 people
to its roster. Most of these added in 3rd world countries
where the food supply is at the worst.
The increasing population, and the decreasing
food supply is a prescription for disaster.

Jesus said that in the last days one of the greatest signs
of his return would be pestilences upon the earth.
These diseases will wipe out 1/4 of the worlds population
during the tribulation.

In our generation alone over 20 new infectious
diseases for which there is no cure or treatment have
come into being. Even though we have antibiotics,
now because of overuse of them, we have superbugs
for which there is no cure.
Although this situation along with germ warfare
becoming a greater threat in our generation
it is nothing compared to the destruction it will
reap during the tribulation.

One of the greatest weapons of evil people is
the control of food. If they can control the
world's food supply, they can control the world.
When the antichrist finally appears on
the picture, he will say he can solve this problem,
but at a great price.
He will be given the power by satan to solve
many problems, at the cost of many lives,
and he will deceive many.

If we allowed these thoughts, they could consume us.
But we have to recognize this is all part of God's plan
and we must never fear..... because it means
we are going home sooner.

Plead the blood of Jesus over your house daily,
and God's protection over you and your family.
God bless America. Pray for our government,
our leaders, whether you agree with them or not,
it is our duty as a Christian to cover them in prayer.

Prepare for what is ahead… God will be with you
through it all. He will not leave you or forsake you.

We will soon be going to see the king!

Do not be afraid :)

remember
Only one life
will soon be past
Only what is done
For Christ will last

Bible Prophecy - Wars and Rumors of Wars

copyright Millie Plastaras 10/12/2001

And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars, see that you
are not troubled, for all these things must come to pass
but the end is not yet.
For nation shall rise against nation and kingdom against
kingdom.
Matthew 24:6-7A

This prophecy was put forth by Jesus, but it was
also given to Daniel in Daniel chapter 9.
Angel Gabriel was sent forth to Daniel to minister
and reveal future events to Daniel. He predicted
the death of Jesus and the destruction of the city
and the temple, as Jesus also predicted.
He also said war would continue to the very end.

The biggest war of all will be the battle of
Armageddon, but this will happen during the tribulation
when peace (the Holy Spirit) is removed from the
earth and all nations gather against Jerusalem for
the final battle.

A interesting statistic is that in human recorded
history there are 4,535 wars recorded. And
so far up till 1999, 600 million men have been killed
in these conflicts. Half of this amount,
300 million casualties have occurred in the 20th
century. In other words, there have been as
many people killed in war since 1914 as in the entire
5,500 years previous.

Along with the population explosion of the past century
came a correspondingly great growth in the number of people
who lost their lives as the result of armed conflicts.

The bible predicts an increase in wars. Conflicts
around the world have doubled since 1989 since
communism collapsed. In 1995 there were 71 wars in
the world.

Wars will increase not only in amounts of wars,
but intensity. The U. S. intelligence service sources
says that as many as 24 Third world nations will have
long range ballistic missiles. Half of those will have
nuclear capability. There are also forty countries
that have cruise type missles capable of hitting
U.S. cities if fired from a ship or submarine.

So more than ever before the danger of a nuclear
attack are possible. The Bible however
does not predict great destruction until
the tribulation when a great part of the world will be
destroyed through fire, plagues, huge earthquakes,
even a asteroid.

I really want to emphasize that the Bible is
full of prophecies, it is not possible for me to
talk to you about all of them, it would take a year.
But we are going to cover for now, the ones
leading up to the tribulation.

I also want to instill in your spirit a sense of peace,
knowing that everything that is taking place
was predicted before, and is part of God's plan.
He has promised protection to those who seek Him
and live Holy Lives. We need to pray fervently,
constantly and with great burden for our families,
country, government. We must be prayer warriors.
Warriors do not fear, they go to battle.
We are going to battle for the Lord.
So rebuke that fear, get into the word, find
comfort and peace from the Holy Spirit, and
let us get to praying!

No matter what we hear and see, know
that God is on the throne. No man
can overthrow God's plans nor God's throne.
He will win, and we know the end of the story.
We are going to see the King!

Hallelujah!

remember
Only one life
will soon be past
Only what is done
For Christ will last

Bible Prophecy - False christs, false religions

Copyright Millie Plastaras 10/11/2001

And as He sat upon the mount of Olives, the
disciples came unto him privately saying,
"tell us, when shall these things be? And what
shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end
of the world?"

And Jesus answered and said unto them
Take heed that no man deceive you,
For many will come in my name saying I am Christ,
and shall deceive many.
Matthew 24:3-5

Yesterday we discussed how among our very church
friends or colleagues, even pastors, there would
be those who would fall away in the last days,
caught up by false doctrine and they would try
to deceive many.
We discussed what was important to remember.

1. Man is sinful by nature
2. Jesus death was payment for man's sin.
3. Jesus was born of a virgin.
4. Jesus said you must repent of your sins
and be born again.
5. Apart from Jesus Christ the Human race is
without hope.
6. God requires obedience, you must produce
fruit, and follow his teachings and those of
the disciples.
7. There will be a rapture "catching away"
of the church.

I want to tell you that Satan has a specific program
he is working on in our country and the world.

He wants a one world religion, without Christ.
If you listen to the news, for instance, yesterday they
were talking on the news about how we couldn't put
God bless America signs in public places. The ten
commandments are scorned by atheists who want them
out of the public eye. They want no reminders of God
where they can see them.

Why? People do not want to be reminded they are
sinners, in need of salvation. Any reminder of
God is a reminder they are not in charge, and must
repent of their sins. People want to do what
they want to do, it is all a matter of pride and
rebellion against God.

This is what is going to happen.
They are going to make up a religion that
leaves God out,and the need for salvation will
remain untold, as well as accountability to God
will not be discussed.

Basically it will be a feel good, leave Christ out,
accept everyone, and there is no such thing
as sin religion.

The Bible says in 2 Timothy 4:3:
For the time will come when they will not endure sound
doctrine, but according to their own desires because they
have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers
and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be
turned aside to fables.

We even hear this rhetoric being spouted by some
of our favorite talk show hosts, in the
name of tolerance we must accept all religions.

Tolerance of sin is not a virtue!

My friends, this is false teaching.
Do not be drawn away.
Jesus is Lord, He must be put first,
and those who deny Him or the power
of God, or the virgin birth, or Jesus death on the cross,
or the resurrection, or any other main doctrines are in
grave error. If they deny these basic doctrines, they
are denying the truth. And we must stand for the truth.

Jesus said many false christs will come in the
last days, so will many false churches be born.
Like those who worship creation rather
that the creator, those who practice magic,
and those who deny Jesus deity, as the son of God.
People will leave out the parts of the Bible they
disagree with so they can continue in their sin
without being reminded of their accountability.

Expect it, be aware of it, and don't fall prey
to their false teachings. Get into the word!
DonÂ’t take anyone's word totally for the Bible,
read it for yourself..Andd see if what you are being
taught lines up with GodÂ’s word. This is vital
so you know false doctrine when you hear it.

Satan has a counterfeit for everything God does.
He brings things out that seem good, and look
good, and deceive many, but they are not
of God. I cannot warn you strongly enough
that you must read the word and learn about
doctrine, and stay prayed up.

The Bible says: Be diligent to present yourself
approved to God, a worker who does not need to
be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
2 Timothy 2:15

Satan loves to operate in the field of religion
and divide and deceive. One of his favorite methods
is changing God's word into lies that decieve, and
rob the word of God right out of the hearts of men.

Many false christs will come claiming that they are
Jesus or his representative. We have seen
it throughout history, but the closer we get
to the last days, the more of them we will see.
In our time we have seen people claim
to be Christ, such as David Koresh,
Sun Myung Moon and Lord Maitreya, and Jim Jones.
They have led many astray.

But what we must watch for first and foremost
is the arrival of a ruler who comes from Europe who
confirm a covenant with many nations saying that
he will provide Israel with a 7 year peace treaty.
He will be the antichrist. The true one,
who will rule the world with evil powers of
satan, and will be so evil that He is literally called
a beast in the Bible. When He takes power
the tribulation will begin. And woe unto those who
have rejected the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Many with a spirit of antichrist come before
him, but none will be as evil, he will fulfill
the prophecy of the end times.

So when you see a man who says he has answers
to all the political problems of the world, and that he can
bring peace to the whole world. When you see a man who says he
can solve all the monetary problems of the world,
recognize he is indeed satans spawn the antichrist.
He will come with magical powers and do signs
and wonders that are false, and will lead many
astray, and many will die under his leadership.

There will be many false christs, it is estimated
there are over 10,000 in America alone,
but when you see this one man who brings
about world peace, a one world religion,
and solves the money problems it is the beginning
of the tribulation.

Do not be afraid, for this is part of God's plan
and He is coming back to "catch away"
rapture his people from this evil world
and this wicked evil ruler.

remember
Only one life
will soon be past
Only what is done
For Christ will last

Why Study Bible Prophecy?

copyright Millie Plastaras 10/10/2001

There are basics that we base our faith on, and as
we study Bible prophecy, this is something we must
always keep in mind. For in the last days, many will
come that will preach a new gospel, and it will not
be of God, and they will lead many astray.

We need to be alert, and be in the word of God, so
we know what the truth is.
Also remember, Nothing is impossible with God,
He can do as He chooses, and our limited thinking
we not understand all the concepts and prophecies
of God till we enter heaven. Even the greatest
Bible scholars really struggle in understanding
some of the things written in the word.
For it is spiritual and should be spiritually discerned,
and some of it will not be revealed till Jesus comes.

For now we see through a glass, darkly,
but then, face to face: now I know in part;
but then I show know even as also I am known.
1 Corinthians 13:12

Basic concepts we need to remember:

1. Man is a sinner, and in need of forgiveness.
Without repentance there is no forgiveness,
and repentance means not only recognizing your
sin, but confessing it, and leaving it behind,
walking away from it.

2. Jesus' death was a payment for man's sin.
He came as a blood sacrifice for our sins,
since He knew we could not keep the letter of the
law he became the propitiation for our sins.
He stood in the gap for us, even to sacrificing his
own life. Rising on the third day after conquering,
death, hell and the grave that we might have
eternal life.

3. Jesus was born of a virgin.
God planted a seed within Mary and she had not
been with a man at that point. This made Jesus pure,
and from the heart of God, sinless, a perfect sacrifice
for our sins.

He was annointed and called for the work of God
upon this earth, a perfect Lamb of God.

4. Apart from Jesus the human race is fallen and
without any hope.
For Jesus said:
I am the way, the truth and the life, no man comes
to the Father but by me.
John 14:6. We cannot reach the heart of God
without His son Jesus Christ. He interceeds at
the throne of God daily for us. This is important to
remember! There is salvation in no other!

5.God requires obedience to His will, and a
personal righteousness, keeping in mind our
accountability to Him.
There is no compromise
in the life of a Christian. God expects obedience.
This obedience brings us closer to what he
wants to do in our lives, it opens doors spiritually
and enables Him to work in us. Far more can
be accomplished when we submit to His will,
and it makes us all a team, working together
for the will of God, rather than our selfish
interests.

6. Prophecy shows us that we are truly moving towards
the end of the age, when Jesus will come and
retrieve those in a "catching away" or rapture of
the church, and will raise the dead.
Leaving behind the corruptible for the incorruptible.
WE will have perfect bodies, a new body in Him. Jesus
will eventually come back and establish a throne
on earth and rule here. The thought that some people
have of a perfect world that will be peaceful and a utopia
if we all only learn to get along, is not going to happen.
Things are going to get worse, and we need to face it,
and be strong, knowing it is part of God's plan,
and we are His children.

Matthew 13 is a chapter that tells a parable I think is
very important that we know before we start a study
on Bible prophecy. A parable is a heavenly story
with a earthly meaning. It is God's way of simplifying
concepts we all need to know in order to understand
as much as possible in this lifetime His plans for us
and the earth.

from the new century version:

Matthew 13:24-30.
The kingdom of heaven is like a man who planted good
seed in his field. That night, when everyone was
sleeping, his enemy came and planted seeds among
the wheat and left. Later the wheat sprouted and
the heads of grain grew but the weeds also grew.
Then the man's servants came to him and said,
"You planted good seed in your field, where did the weeds come from"?The man answered and said "an enemy planted weeds".The servant asked " do you want us to pull up the weeds"?The man answered "no, because when you pull up the weeds, you might also pull up the wheat.

Let the weeds and the wheat grow together until
harvest time. At harvest time I will tell the workers,
"First gather the weeds and tie them together to
be burned. Then gather the wheat and bring it
to my barn."

The translation for this is:
The kingdom of heaven is like a man ( Jesus, the son
of man) who planted good seed (christians, sons of
the kingdom of God) in his field. (the world)

But while everyone was sleeping, satan came in
and planted weeds (sons of the evil one) among the wheat
(children of God) and then satan went away.
When the wheat began to grow, and sprouted (children
of God growing in knowledge) then the weeds,
(the children of satan) also appeared among the wheat.
When this happened Jesus was asked if he could
remove the weeds (children of satan) from the field
(the world) and he said no. To do so might harm
some of the wheat and so God said let them grow
together until the harvest ( or the end of the age)
Then he will send his angels to collect the weeds
(children of the devil) and they will be gathered
in bundles and they will be burned in the fiery furnace.
Then He will collect the wheat and gather it to Him.
We will shine like the sun in the kingdom of our
father. Matthew 13:43

There are two different things going on in this world
The word of God is being sown all over the world (planted)
Some are receiving it and becoming true children of God.
These are the ones that produce fruit, and have strong
roots, and stick with God, truly repentant followers of
God.

The evil ones will be with us until the end of the age
and will try to deceive us in many ways, drawing us
away from the truth of God. We have to be vigilant
about reading the word, and not being drawn into
false doctrines. There are many who claim to
be christians, but truly never believed. Who never
truly repented, and who fall away from their
beliefs after a short time, when temptations
of the world come, or any doctrine that would draw
them to another way of life. They truly never knew God.

Many will say to Me in that day,
"Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name,
cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders
in Your name"? And then I will declare to them,
I never knew you, depart from Me, you who
practice lawlessness.
Matthew 7:22-23

The point is, there is to be 2 kinds of people in
the last days.
The ones who truly know God, and those who don't
there will be a division among churches, a great
falling away of those who never knew God, and
go away from their beliefs drawn into a false
religion or life. There will also be a great
revival of those seeking God.. and we are the ones who
must be out there telling the world of Jesus Christ.

Acts: 20:29 - I know that after I leave, some people
will come like wild wolves and try to destroy the
flock (christians, the church). Also some from
your own group will rise up and twist the truth
and will lead away followers after them So be
careful!

My friends, be firm in your belief, make sure
you are right before God.

Repent, turn from your sins, and follow the
teachings of Jesus, that you may not be
drawn away into false teachings, read the
word often, and pray often, and allow God
to work in your life personally. Depend on
Him first always!

remember
Only one life
will soon be past
Only what is done
for Christ will last

Bible Prophecy - The Rapture

Brothers and sisters, we want you to know about
those christians who have died so you will not be sad,
as others who have no hope.

We believe that Jesus died and that He rose again.
So, because of Him, God will raise with Jesus
those who have died. What we tell you now,
is the Lord's own message. We who are living when the
Lord comes again will not go before those who have
already died. The Lord Him self will come down from
heaven with a loud command, with the voice
of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God.
And those who have died believing in Christ will rise
first. After that, we who are still alive will be "gathered
up" with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.
And we will be with the Lord forever, so encourage
each other with these words.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

The English word "rapture" comes from a Latin
word rapere, which means to snatch away, to be
caught up in the air. Although the word rapture
is not mentioned in the Bible there are many
passages of scripture that describe it. The term
rapture has been used to express the concept.

There are many different opinions on the rapture
some believe it will occur before the tribulation,
some believe it will occur during, half way through
the tribulation, and there is a school of people
who believe there will only be one coming of Christ
after the tribulation when Jesus comes to set up
a government on earth.

Most major theologians, Bible prophecy experts, and
Bible scholars however believe that it will occur before
the tribulation. I will be writing on that particular
concept, and show you the scriptures to back it up.

According to Bible Scholar and minister John Walvoord
"The new testament indicates that the Rapture is
different than the second coming. First, the rapture is
a movement from earth to heaven that will occur before
the tribulation, while the Second Coming is a movement
from heaven to earth that takes place at the end
of the tribulation"

In 1 Thessalonians 1:10 Paul said.
And to wait for His son from heaven who He raised
from the dead, that is Jesus, who delivers us from
the wrath to come.

This is speaking of the tribulation times, the time
of the greatest wrath and destruction of the world
that has ever been witnessed. It is telling
of a time that Jesus will rescue those who have called
upon His name and asked for forgivness and salvation.
The rapture concept was first mentioned by Jesus
Christ the last night before His crucifixion. John 14:1-3

There are 2 different times that Jesus will come back
to earth. The first time will be during the rapture, where
He will meet us in the air with a sound of a trumpet.
This can mainly be found in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18.
In the second, we will be in the air already,
coming down from heaven, and angels will gather
us from all the corners of heaven and
we will come back to earth with Jesus where he sets
up a New Kingdom at the end of the tribulation. This time
where he returns to earth to set up a kingdom will
take place according to Revelation 19:11-16.

In all the passages we read about the RApture,
there are no preceding events that are mentioned,
in other words, it says it will occur without notice.
It must occur before the wrath of God according
to the scripture we just read, which is the
tribulation. But the passages that talk about
the Second Coming describe many events that
must take place before it occurs. In Matthew 24
it talks about the second coming and in Revelations
6-18 it gives many details of the events that take
place during the tribulation that happen before
the Second Coming. The rapture is "imminent"
in other words, it could happen at any time.
However, the Second coming must have literally
dozens of prophecies fulfilled by the tribulation
before it can occur. This proves they are two
very different things.

In 1 Corinthians 15:51-54, it speaks of us being
taken in a moment, in a twinkling of an eye.
Where this old body will be changed into an immortal
one, and the bodies of the departed raised, even
though their celestial body is already in heaven,
this will be joined together for a glorified
resurrection body. We will be talking about
the resurrection body in another lesson, it is
very exciting.

In 1 John 3:2, the apostle John reminds us that
when Jesus returns we shall be like Him, for we
shall finally see Him as he is. This means that
we will be transformed to have a new spiritual body
to enjoy all the wonders that Jesus has for those
in Heaven. We will all be transformed in a moment,
in a twinkling of an eye.

Did you know that there were 2 people raptured before
Jesus was?
They were Elijah and Enoch.

In Genesis 5:21-24 it is talking about the life of
Enoch.. that he was the Father of Methusaleh, the man
who lived longer than anyone else in the history of earth.
And Enoch walked with God, and one day, he was
not any longer there, for God took him.

In Hebrews 11:5, it talks about Elijah, God took
Him up into heaven without Him dying,
because he was pleasing to God.
The stories about these two saints are filled with
wonders, perhaps soon I can write more about them.

So if rapture occurred before, why can it not occur again?

In John 14:1-2
Jesus said, don't let your hearts be troubled,. Trust in God,
and trust in me. There are many rooms in my Father's
house; I would not tell you this if it were not true. I am
going there to prepare a place for you. After I go and
prepare a place for you, I will come again and take you to
be with me so that you may be where I am.

I hear many say, oh the church has been preaching the
rapture for years. It will never happen. I can live
as I want.

But my friends.. did you not read all the prophecies
that we have been writing about? They have all
been fulfilled.

Even now in the middle east it is coming to a crisis.
One of the greatest prophecies to come true was
when Israel became a nation again. This was the
forefront of many future prophecies.

AS all nations line up against Israel, it is just
the fulfilling of the word of God. All nations will
turn against Israel, and four nations or governments
will join together to come against Israel. It is so
close my friends. And the great weather changes
in the earth, the increasing of earthquakes,
the increasing amount of wars that we talked about,
great diseases there are no cure for. Never before
have things been to this level. We are facing a
whole world in crisis financially, morally,
and in great turmoils, with wars and rumors of wars
everyplace.

To me the teachings on the rapture are so crystal clear.
WE read Jesus talking over and over about the hope
he brings to us. Jesus was the firstfruits of those
to be raised from the dead. And those who have
gone before us, since Jesus rose from the grave,
will be raised at the time of the rapture.
What a glorious meeting that will be.

WE have nothing to fear. God's plans are perfect,
his provisions complete, his protection powerful.

Trust and do not be afraid.
Keep your spiritual life in order, and tell everyone
you meet the story of salvation.


remember
only one life
will soon be past
Only what is done
For Christ will last

An Anchor for our Soul, Part 2

copyright 2/13/2003 Millie Plastaras

A thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at
your right hand; but it shall not come near you. Only with
your eyes shall you look, and see the reward of the wicked.
Because you have made the Lord who is my refuge,
Even the Most High, your dwelling place,
NO evil shall befall you, Nor shall any plague come near
your dwelling.
Psalm 91:9-10

So.... do you believe this or not? Is this just for perfect
Christians? Ut oh, guess what, there aren't any!

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
Romans 3:23

Through the Lord's mercies we are not consumed,
because His compassions fail not, they are new every
morning, Great is your faithfulness.
Lamentations 3:22-23

It is because of His mercy and His compassion we
are not consumed. It is because we have accepted
His gift of salvation, that we are transformed from
spiritual death to spiritual life with all the promises of
God as our inheritance! Indeed, nothing shall
be impossible to God.. absolutely nothing.
It is we that limit Him by our lack of faith, and lack
of trust.

In these days that are full of fear, and full of worry,
and full of stress, we need an anchor. To be truthful,
it is a matter of our faith. WE have got to deposit in
our memory bank the word of God, so when we need
to make a withdrawal and speak the word, we will have
it in the time needed. Because when we speak the word,
it is alive, it goes forth to accomplish what God chooses,
and nothing can stop it. The army of God is full of angels
that will not be stopped, and God will prevail!

So shall my word be that goes forth from my mouth,
it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I
please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.
For you shall go out with joy, and be led out with peace.
Isaiah 55:11-12

Greater is He who is in me, than He who is in the world!!

So if a plague or disease comes near you, rebuke it.
If oppression comes to visit your home, tell Jesus to get the
door.
If war comes to your country, do battle with the army of God.

Yes there is evil in this world, but greater is he in you, than
he that is in the world and great is the unlimited power of a living
all righteous God and of prayer to that God, that can prevail
when we pray, believe, speak and live the word.
When we seek the answers as if they are already on the way.
We are persistent, adamant, tenacious, and will not
take no for an answer!

The effective fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.
James 5:16b

So when war comes, when the darts of the enemy are
directed at your life, when disease wants to enter your home,
stand up in the name of Jesus, in the power of His might,
by the blood of the lamb, and say I will not receive this
in my home, I am a child of the king.

For we walk by faith, not by sight.
1 Corinthians 5:7

WE believe the answer is on the way, even when we cannot
see it, because it is not through our power, our thinking,
our wishes, but through the mercy and unlimited power
of God.

Make God your refuge, that when the hard times come
your soul is anchored in truth and great power.
And no plague nor evil can come near your dwelling!

God is still God!

Trust and do not be afraid, for if God is for you, Who can prevail
against you?

An Anchor for Our Soul Part 1

copyright Millie Plastaras 2/11/2003

That by two immutable things, in which it is IMPOSSIBLE
for God to lie, we might have STRONG consolation, who have
fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us.
This hope we have as an anchor to our soul, both sure and
steadfast and which enters the presence behind the veil.
Hebrews 6:18-19

Sometimes as Christians, as spiritual beings we need
to be reminded of spiritual concepts. It seems that they
go in one ear and out the other, and when hard times hit
we suddenly find ourselves fearful, weary, and feeling
defeated just as the trouble starts. Because we have
not retained the word within us.

Yet, we have heard these things before, why do they
escape our thinking so easily? Because they have not
become rooted within our spirit. They are as seeds cast
upon the earth, with no depth, and therefore no roots.

WE have to take the word, feed upon it, and receive it
within our spirit. It has to take root within our spirit.

What is important about this?
Because when hard times hit, when life is more than you
can bear, when people die, or walk out of your life,
you need an ANCHOR for your soul.

I ask you today, what have you anchored your soul on?

Your family?
Your money?
Your job?
Your home?
Your friends?
Your daily routine?
Your own thinking?

All of these things can fail.
None of them are secure.
They are transitory and subject to change.

WE have to grow in our spiritual life. The seeds that have
been planted through the scripture have to be watered
with more word, and with PERSISTENT prayer and then
we must receive it. We must live it. We must apply it.

For example: If you went to the store and you needed a loaf
of bread for sandwiches, if the grocer gave you an apple,
this just would not fill your need. You need the bread!

We must ask and receive, the correct tools to help us be
anchored and strong when the storms of life hit us.

We have to apply the word.
We have to allow the word of God to
work in our hearts. WE do this by thinking about the verse
we just read. We see how it can apply to our lives, we
underline it, and meditate upon it, and we ask the Lord
Jesus to help us apply it to our heart and mind. Then
we try to live by it.

The problem with most folks is they have a Sunday go meeting
kind of religion. They go to church on Sunday and when
they leave it.. God stays at church. Their Bible collects dust
till Saturday when they dust it off for Sunday service.
They have a face they put on for the folks at church
and live a completely different life during the week.
There is no roots in their spiritual life, it is all fake, and does
not sustain them when hard times come.

And many people don't even go to church anymore!
Someone has hurt them, and they received the hurt, and
never recovered from it, and satan the loser has used
it to plant the spirit of offense inside them, and it has become
a wedge between them and fellowship with Gods people.

My friends, it is so important for you to be anchored.
WE do not know what is ahead for this country in the
immediate future, and we do not know what is ahead
even for our family. What if it is dark, and heavy to bear?
Do you think you can carry this alone? Why, some
of us fall apart when we run short on grocery money,
how are we going to handle a real crisis?

AS we deal with this in the next few days, I ask you
to sincerely pray, and ask God to show you where you have
put your security, and ask Him to help you change it.
For most of us.. are not taking God seriously, and it is costing
us dearly. And this picture could become worse.
We need to find our hope and strength in the Lord daily.

What are you anchored to today?

The Power To Make A Difference

Good Morning Everyone,

Did you know you have great power within your hands?
You do! You have the power to bless or hurt with your hands.
A touch upon the back of someone in need, a whispered
prayer can revive a broken spirit and bring hope.

A hug for those who never get affection can lift a person's
spirit until they want to get up and live.. and do things again.

If you go up to a person who is looking sad, distraught, or depressed, and lay your hands on their shoulder, and say I do not know what you are going through, and I may not have the answers for you, but I know the God who does, and I will be praying for you today. Wow.. what a powerful impact that has on someone who is really hurting.

They think.. wow.. someone cares.. about me? Many people feel unworthy to be cared about... do you realize what a wonderful impact someone showing kindness to them can make?

My friends, there is power in one person reaching out in love and taking time to bless someone else.

You can make a difference. Just do it. Don't wait for someone to encourage you to do it,the person in need, may need you right now.. notwhen you feel like it. Just do it.
love always,
millie


**********************


A man fell into a pit and could not get out.
A subjective person came along and said, "I feel for you,down there."
An objective person came along and said, "It's logical that someone would fall down there."
A Pharisee said, "Only bad people fall into a pit."
A mathematician calculated how he fell into the pit.
A news reporter wanted the exclusive story on his experience.
An IRS man asked if he was paying taxes on the pit.
A selff-pitying person said, " You haven't seen anything until you have seen my pit."
A faith healer said, "Just confess you are not in the pit."
An Optimist said, "Things could be worse."
A pessimist said, "Things will get worse."
Jesus seeing the man, took him by the hand and lifted him out of the pit.
Hallelujah.. The One who died for you and me.. cares enough to lift us up daily. How very blessed we are!

******************************************

Just walk it.
Just talk it.
Just preach it.
Just teach it.
Just tell it.
Just live it.
Just give it.
Just wear it.
Just share it.
Just shout it.
Just sing it.
Just proclaim it.
Just prove it.
JUST DO IT.
Live For Jesus!

*******************************

ONE SMILE can warm a heart
ONE PRAYER can reach God
ONE SERMON can change a life
ONE WORSHIP SONG can bring glory to God
ONE TITHE can open the doors of heaven
ONE FAST can break bondage
ONE GIFT can bless a friendship
ONE EXAMPLE can inspire a life
ONE coin as an ALMS can release hope
"One with God is a majority"
Billy Graham

Am I My Brother's Keeper?

And the Lord said to Cain, Where is Abel your brother? He said "I do not know, am I my brother's keeper?Genesis 4:9

From the very beginning of time the word of God stressed the theme of brotherhood, and on the high priority of how they should treat each other. It often brings into question, exactly who is my brother,and how I am responsible to them, or accountable. If at all?

The word that Cain used for keeper was the Hebrew word Shamar which means to guard, protect, to regard.

When God asked Cain if he knew where his brother was, Cain had the audacity to lie to God, posing the question, am I to keep track of my brother?

God who sees all things, said What have you done?The voice of your brother's blood cries out to me from the ground.
Genesis 4:10

Cain, was very mistaken. He had forgotten there is nothing hidden to God. God could even see his brother buried in the ground. He knew Cain's thoughts before he uttered words. He knew the sin and desperation in his heart.

God in this verse was letting Cain know.. yes, you are responsible for your brother, and accountable for what you say or do to him.

This theme is found throughout scripture. The royal command is to love one another as God has loved us.The word says, by this will all men know you are my disciples if you have love to one another.

So what does this mean to us? It means I am your sister. It means even if we disagree, you are to love me with the love of God, which is unconditional.

How easy is this? It isn't. That's the point. WE alone, cannot attain this level of love. This requires a servant's heart, stripped of pride and self-will and full of the anointing of the Holy Spirit, wise beyond our years, full of the wisdom of God, and his Word.

This requires time spent before the throne of God in prayer, meditation, worship and reading His Word.

So what if we leave out some of these steps? Our ability to love others is radically effected.

One of the biggest problems I see in churches and among Christians now, is a lack of true love. No one knows how to get along, much less forgive each other. Everyone carries little grudges they never let go of. Oh, they say they do, but in their heart is the vestiges of those little lies about forgiving others, they have not really forgiven.

People have forgotten how to humble themselves and love one another even, or in spite of their differences.

One of the keys to a thoughtful mind turned towards loving others can be found, and directly related to one's submission to Christ.

What is in our heart the most, comes out through our mouth? There is no hiding the depths of our heart. Sooner or later it comes out.

What it should be is:

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with it's passions and desires. If we live in the spirit we must walk in the spirit. Galatians 5:22-25

You see, if we find we cannot forgive someone, If we find we cannot love someone, If we find we are constantly angry with the same person, Unwilling to back down from our need to be right, then we need to go back to that cross of Christ and crucify those things which separate us from loving God, and loving Others.

You see, we can claim to be Christians, but unless we are growing, and loving, and learning, and dedicating ourselves to Christian pursuits, and Christian thinking and staying in the word, and being powerful in it, and loving and forgiving, we are not walking with Christ.

We are pursuing our own mindset.

In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifested. Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is he who does not love his brother. For this is the message that you heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.

Not as Cain who was of the wicked one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his works were evil and his brother's righteous.1 John 3:10-12
My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth, and by this we know thatwe are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.
My friend, if you are unable to love someone, pray till you can.It doesn't mean they have to be your best buddy, or that you have to talk to them everyday. But it does mean you have to forgive them unconditionally and love them with the love that Christ longs to plant in your heart.

To do this, you have to free yourself from the past hurts, the past unforgiveness, the past angers. Let it Go.

Just give it away, piece by piece, and let God cleanse your heart and renew your mind, and fill you with His love.

Nothing ... nothing you can do, will make your Christian life more evident to those around you, than loving God, and loving others.

remember: Only one life, will soon be past - Only what is done, for Christ will last

Your Hard Drive

I am Crucified with Christ, nevertheless I LIVE, yet not I, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh.I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me

Galatians 2:20

*********************

As I was worshipping the Lord this morning the concept

became so clear to me of being crucified with Christ.

It is a lifelong process to crucify the worldly, and become Christlike in our goals, thinking and inner being.

When a computer is built, it has something called a hard drive. It is where all your data is stored. It is the core of your computer. Without a hard drive ... It will not run. Windows enables the computer to do many functions.But if the windows program stops working, your computer is useless to you.

When a technician rebuilds or sets up windows, he has two ways to do it. A dirty boot or a clean boot.A dirty boot, is where he installs windows over your old windows program. Sometimes this leaves behind vestiges of problems that can cause future errors, and in essence heartaches to you. A clean boot, is where he wipes the computer clean of data and rebuilds it. It is a fresh new start, a clean presence for you to build upon. Error free, and hopeful.

This is the way our lives should be. We should allow our old life to be crucified to Christ. Cleaned out, new, fresh, nothing of the old within. A daily surrender of our will, our pride, our old thinking and heart to Christ. If you build upon the old.. you are building on sand. You are building on pride, stubbornness, and will surely fail.

If you build new, upon the Rock of Christ, his teachings, His concepts, and allow Him to fill you, mold you, and use you, you will be blessed beyond your wildest dreams. Most folks never reach this point spiritually. Because someplace in their hard drive, they are still holding on to things that are not pleasing to God. They have hidden areas, or thoughts or mindsets they refuse to let go of. Sometimes it is unforgiveness, sometimes it is anger, or hurt, sometimes it is sin we want to keep doing. Whatever it is.. it is a dirty boot of your windows program, and if you want your spiritual life to work right, you need to do a clean boot, by crucifying yourself with Christ.

My friends, what are you standing for today? Are you defending sins that are not pleasing to God? Are you standing up for Him, or standing up for your own thinking? Who do you belong to, and how blessed do you truly feel?

You cannot prosper outside God's blessing and strength.

You may have some success upon this earth, but you cannot prosper and be blessed as long as you blockGod from working in any area of your life.So if your trials and daily life are grinding to a slow halt, if you are filled with depression, and despair. Perhaps you need to go to the source, who has all the answers you will ever need. Surrender your heart to Him, your will. Ask Him to show you how to live. Get in a good church... read the word of God, obsessively. Become addicted to it. Let it fill you with wisdom and hope and strength and renew your heart and mind into Christlike thinking.

Are you crucified with Christ today? There is no other way that will bring you home to God.

After this devotion, you will never again have a chance to say no one told me. I did. You need Jesus as your Savior. You need a clean boot in your hard drive.You need to clean out the old, and allow the New to reside in you.

Remember - Only one life, will soon be past - Only what is done for Christ will last

Jesus, Man of Simplicity, Yet Son of God
copyright Millie Plastaras 5/21/2006

Jesus was born in the humblest of circumstances; a manger filled with hay surrounded by stable animals.

His beginnings were simple, and uncomplicated just as his message would be: Jesus, the lamb of God, who came to take away the sins of the world.

Although he came into a society where His message would be revolutionary, His birth had been foretold many years before he was born.

The entire Bible revolves around Jesus. The Old Testament prophesied His coming, while the New Testament tells of His arrival, message, death, resurrection, and ascension into heaven. It was written over a 1500 year period by many writers whose messages are completely unified.

The messiah, Emmanuel, the everlasting counsellor,
the Prince of Peace, about to arrive on this earth
for one great reason.

For us.

Many have tried to disprove his existence, or tear
apart his teachings. Many have distorted his message
in an effort to make themselves look more powerful
and more informed. Many have tried to burn all the Bibles,
and kill all the Christians. Many change the message
to leave out the parts they disagree with, turning
it into a opinion rather than what Jesus actually taught.

Some churches would say you have to follow a lot
of rituals to be right before Him.
Some say you must be baptized to be right before Him.
Some say you must do good works all your life and pray
like crazy before you have done enough to be right before Him.
Some say if you don't go to their church, and believe
their doctrines, you cannot find Jesus.
Some still teach you must follow endless laws to
be right before Him.

Jesus taught differently. He taught of loving
each other, of finding forgiveness, and forgiving others.
He taught there was a new way to find peace and salvation in God.

When Jesus spoke great crowds gathered
and were astounded and drawn by his simple message
and didn't want to leave. They would sit on a hillside
all day waiting for each word that came out of his
mouth, as if it were food for their soul. These people could
hardly wait for the next morsel to feed their hunger
for righteousness and hope.

He was but a simple man, the only begotten son of
God, born in a simple time, for a simple reason; our great need for a savior!

His message taught us one great truth.
We must be born again!

We were born into a sinful world, with a sin nature,
with only one way to it:
Through the shed blood of Jesus Christ upon the cross of Calvary.

Jesus said:
I am the door, If anyone enters by Me,
He will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.
(abundant life and provision)
John 10:9

He said, I am the way, the truth and the life, no man
comes unto the Father God, except through me.
John 14:6

The world teaches many ways.. but Jesus made
the message crystal clear and simple.. it is only
through me you can know God, find forgiveness of
sins and enter heaven.

We cannot attain righteousness unless
we repent of our sins,
ask Jesus to forgive and,
cleanse us from them,
and allow Him to come inside and dwell in us as
Lord and Savior of our life.

Many will try to lead you astray with countless
doctrines, rules, and convoluted messages
that would take a interpreter a lifetime to straighten out.



He said, Come unto me, and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11:25-30

He said, I have come that they might have life,
and that they may have it more abundantly.
John 10:10

But God commended his love towards us, in that
while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us!
Romans 5:8

He came to die for people who were unworthy,
because of His great love, mercy, and compassion
for mankind. His mercies are new
every morning. His forgiveness is available to all those
who ask and truly repent.


All we like sheep have gone astray, we have turned
every one to our own way, and the Lord has laid
on Him, the iniquity (sin) of us all.
Isaiah 53:6

Have you heard this simple message?
Did you know it was this simple?
He died in your place upon the cross for your sins,
because of his great love.
Because He wants you to have a new life in Him?

Do you want to be truly loved and never alone again?
Do you want the son of God to come dwell within
you and forgive all your sins, to lead you in
paths of righteousness, and to give you fresh
hope and strength for each day?

He promised all this and more.

Don't let anyone complicate this message.
Read His word in Matthew 5. He didn't have
complicated oratories to preach. He didn't
give people endless rituals, and rules
and laws to follow. He taught one truth.

You must be born again.

Have you invited Jesus to be your Savior yet?

Father God, we come to you in the name of Jesus
Christ, who died for our sins. We confess each of our
sins to you and ask you to forgive us of each sin,
and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. We pledge
to walk away from those sins, with a truly repentant heart;
to walk a new life guided by your teachings;
to read the Word so we can
learn how to have that abundant life in you and in what you
have for us; to live the life you want us to live.

Come into our hearts Lord Jesus and be Lord and Savior of our lives. Dwell in us and lead us into paths of righteousness for Your Name's sake. We turn our lives, hearts and souls over to you for your honor and glory, forever and ever. Let us be your children and you be our God, Lord and Savior.

In Jesus precious and Holy Name,
amen