Battle for Bethlehem

The Battle for Bethlehem

Posted on December 13, 2011by SusanDewbrew 

Dragons, angels fighting…. this is not your typical manger scene, is it? Revelation Chapter 12 (posted below) is filled with symbolism, and we have no idea what all the various implications are. But what is clear from that text is that there was a battle between the forces of good and the forces of evil over the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. Satan, the serpent of old, and his fallen angels were after this particular mother and Child. But this dark, evil dragon was no match for Michael and his angelic warriors. Once again good triumphed over evil… but it took a battle… it took a fight!

Now can you see? The manger didn’t just happen… it took at war in the heavenlies.
Looking at a greeting card version of Christmas it looks so peaceful, so sweet. You’d never guess there was a war going on. Why a war? What’s the big deal about a baby being born in a manger? It’s just a feed trough out in a stable ‘because there was no room for them in the inn’. But this was no ordinary Baby. This was God incarnate… Emmanuel, God with us. This was God sending His very own son to the earth as a MAN – as a human being.
This was no theatre, and He was not acting. This was for real. His humanity was not a costume. Jesus came as a man. He laid aside his divinity like a king would lay aside his robe. God – all powerful, all knowing, without limits or boundaries, took on flesh. Think about that. God unable to feed himself… God having to learn how to walk, how to talk…. how to obey His parents!
As Christians, we understand Christ’s divinity and worship Him as God. Hallelujah! But the Christmas story is about His humanity. You see, He came as an infant… helpless, vulnerable. Why? Why would He do such a thing? And, why would satan war to try and stop it? What’s so threatening about a baby in a manger?

In the beginning, when God created the world, He gave dominion of the earth to mankind. In His sovereignty this was His choice, His plan. He would not rule or control us, for love never forces its own way. Loves does not dominate! But we fell prey to the schemes of the enemy. He convinced us that God was holding out us. We became selfish, insecure, greedy, violent… domineering. We empowered the dragon by agreeing and acting on his thoughts, on his will. And the world became dark, just like the he likes it.
On that Christmas morning, the Light and Glory of Heaven broke into darkness. God would not violate the dominion He had given to man… so he became man. We had fallen victim and were now enslaved to the dragon in our thinking. Jesus came so we could be free. He would pay the price for sins, our debt, so there would be no separation from God… but that was only part of the mission. We could have kept sacrificing lambs. But that would not have freed us from the dragon. That would not have changed our thinking. It would not have restored our identity or our dominion. Jesus came to show us the truth of our dominion. He came to show us the way!!
The dragon was lying when he said God was holding out us. He tricked us! God held nothing back then; He holds nothing back now. Mankind still has dominion on the earth. It’s dark here only because we allow it to be. People still unknowingly empower the dragon.
Jesus came so there COULD be peace on earth and good will toward men! Jesus came to show us the way. Our world will become light when we take our place as kings instead of slaves… when agree and act on Love’s will, on Love’s way of ruling.… when we come into agreement and unity with Emmanuel! Our world will become light when we stop empowering darkness.
Christ came to bring you the keys of His marvelous Kingdom of Light! This is your Christmas present. He has come to set you free. You have the key to unlock the chains that bind you and those around you. Throw off that cloak of the enemy – that false identity that says you are anything less. Become who you were created to be – powerful, significant, loving.
Together, we can take this world from dragon and establish the Kingdom of light on earth. We can do it because God is with us! As believers He is in us – closer than our skin! Now go! Be light in this world.

The Manger didn't just happen... It took a war in the heavenlies (Rev 12). 6:00 pm. Life Gate Fellowship, 102 Bayne Road, Haslet, TX

Revelation Chapter 12(New American Standard Bible)

¹ A great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars; ² and she was with child; and she *cried out, being in labor and in pain to give birth.
³ Then another sign appeared in heaven: and behold, a great red dragon having seven heads and ten horns, and on his heads were seven diadems. ⁴ And his tail swept away a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was about to give birth, so that when she gave birth he might devour her child.
⁵ And she gave birth to a son, a male child, who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron; and her child was caught up to God and to His throne. ⁶ Then the woman fled into the wilderness where she had a place prepared by God, so that there she would be nourished for one thousand two hundred and sixty days.
⁷ And there was war in heaven, Michael and his angels waging war with the dragon. The dragon and his angels waged war, ⁸ and they were not strong enough, and there was no longer a place found for them in heaven. ⁹ And the great dragon was thrown down, the serpent of old who is called the devil and Satan, who deceives the wholeworld; he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. ¹⁰ Then I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying,

“Now the salvation, and the power, and the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren has been thrown down, he who accuses them before our God day and night. ¹¹ And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life even when faced with death. ¹² For this reason, rejoice, O heavens and you who dwell in them. Woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, knowing that he has only a short time.”

¹³ And when the dragon saw that he was thrown down to the earth, he persecuted the woman who gave birth to the male child. ¹⁴ But the two wings of the great eagle were given to the woman, so that she could fly into the wilderness to her place, where she *was nourished for a time and times and half a time, from the presence of the serpent. ¹⁵ And the serpent poured water like a river out of his mouth after the woman, so that he might cause her to be swept away with the flood. ¹⁶ But the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and drank up the river which the dragon poured out of his mouth. ¹⁷ So the dragon was enraged with the woman, and went off to make war with the rest of her children, who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus.

Daily Vitamin - "Moved "

Moved just wanted to let those of you who follow by RSS or Email i have moved to a new site sorry I haven't posted this sooner. You can follow me at

http://kingdombrewing.com/author/gregorydewbrew/

Rememeber You can be a blessing Sir Gregory

Daily Vitamin - "Freedom"

Freedom

Galatians 5:13(NASB)
¹³For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 


Galatians 5:13(TMSG)
¹³It is absolutely clear that God has called you to a free life. Just make sure that you don’t use this freedom as an excuse to do whatever you want to do and destroy your freedom. Rather, use your freedom to serve one another in love; that’s how freedom grows. 

Sometimes we take our freedom for granted, not realizing it cost. A lot of times we want to complain about the way things are but we sit back and don't do anything about it. Our spiritual  freedom from sin and death cost our Lord and Saviour, His life here on this earth. Our physical freedom cost men and women their lives on a daily basis. As we prepare for the holiday season I would like for us all to remember why we have the freedom's we have. We celebrate Thanksgiving in a few days, what are you truly thankful for, food on the table, a job, a home, family, church? The list could go on and on. I believe we should really take the time and be thankful for our freedom, there is a war not only in the physical world but also in our spiritual world. in that world we don't wrestle with flesh and blood but of unseen forces. Jesus paid the price for us to walk in freedom let us guard that freedom and not take it for granted, or use it to do wrong. In the busyness of the holiday season take some time and reflect on your freedom, then go serve someone with love and be a blessing, Sir Gregory   

Daily Vitamin - "Conscience"

Conscience


1 Timothy 1:18-19(NLT)
¹⁸Timothy, my son, here are my instructions for you, based on the prophetic words spoken about you earlier. May they help you fight well in the Lord’s battles.
¹⁹Cling to your faith in Christ, and keep your conscience clear. For some people have deliberately violated their consciences; as a result, their faith has been shipwrecked. 


1 Timothy 1:18-19(NKJV)
¹⁸This charge I commit to you, son Timothy, according to the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you may wage the good warfare,
¹⁹having faith and a good conscience, which some having rejected, concerning the faith have suffered shipwreck, 

The easiest way to keep from being shipwrecking our faith is to never let go of His (Christ) hem! we are in a war for our souls. A person never starts out wanting to fail. It's a slow process for most, some it's quicker, just like a person never plans on becoming an addict it happens over a period of time. It becomes a learned habit which then becomes some thing out of control. We need to hold on tight to Christ never let go, when life throws a curve ball, run to God and others that have helped you along in this war. Remember the things God has spoken about you, and hold fast the the encouraging words others have spoken. Learn to walk with Holy Spirit every moment of the day. We are supernatural beings in a natural body, our core is spirit not flesh and that is were our major battle is it's within. So hold fast to your Faith and realize that your conscience is the Holy Spirit talking to you. Be a blessing today, Sir Gregory

Below is a blog from John Eldridge, feel it fits with today's Vitamin

The Burial Of Our Shimmering Self

We come into the world with a longing to be known and a deep-seated fear that we aren't what we should be. We are set up for a crisis of identity. And then, says Frederick Buechner, the world goes to work:

Starting with the rather too pretty young woman and the charming but rather unstable young man, who together know no more about being parents than they do the far side of the moon, the world sets in to making us what the world would like us to be, and because we have to survive after all, we try to make ourselves into something that we hope the world will like better than it apparently did the selves we originally were. That is the story of all our lives, needless to say, and in the process of living out that story, the original, shimmering self gets buried so deep that most of us hardly end up living out of it at all. Instead, we live out all the other selves which we are constantly putting on and taking off like coats and hats against the world's weather. (Telling Secrets) Think about the part you find yourself playing, the self you put on like a costume. Who cast you in this role? Most of us are living out a script that someone else has written for us. We've not been invited to live from our heart, to be who we truly are, so we put on these false selves hoping to offer something more acceptable to the world, something functional. We learn our roles starting very young and we learn them well.

(The Sacred Romance , 79, 80)

Daily Vitamin - "Ignorance"

Ignorance


Acts 17:30(NKJV)
³⁰Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, 


Acts 17:30(TMSG)
³⁰“God overlooks it as long as you don’t know any better—but that time is past. The unknown is now known, and he’s calling for a radical life-change. 


How many times do we hear or say I didn't know that? I've even heard statements like ignorance is bliss. Like it's okay to do wrong just because we might not know the truth of a matter. God does give us a lot of grace and mercy in knowing His ways, but there does come a time in our walk with Him that we can't just say I didn't know or I was ignorant to the fact. We can't tell the police that that we didn't know , they have a guideline or statement that says "Ignorance to the matter is no excuse" We should apply that to our Spiritual life and find out what truly is okay and if we are doing stuff that God doesn't like or wants us doing. Then repent from them and do whats right. Repent doesn't just mean your sorry that you got caught. It means turning from whatever it is and walking the other way, and every time it tries to tempt you turn and walk the other way. Jesus went away and sent the Holy spirit to to help us, God also had a manuscript written for us to have a guide to right living. That manual doesn't need updates or amendments to it. It's everlasting and will show us the way to go. Thank God for His Mercy and Grace to overlook a lot of junk that has been in your life, but it's time for us to be ignorant no more! We have a job to do and that's to change the world, lets be about our Fathers business, we can do it. Be a blessing today, Sir Gregory

Daily Vitamin - "Mirror"

Mirror

James 1:22-25(CEV)
²²Obey God’s message! Don’t fool yourselves by just listening to it.
²³If you hear the message and don’t obey it, you are like people who stare at themselves in a mirror
²⁴and forget what they look like as soon as they leave.
²⁵But you must never stop looking at the perfect law that sets you free. God will bless you in everything you do, if you listen and obey, and don’t just hear and forget.

Do we know people like this or are we like this? Forgotten who we really are? Kings Kids! We were created to rule and reign on the earth to have dominion, but somewhere along the way we have been tricked into thinking we are something less. It all started in the Garden, we were tricked into thinking we were something less that we were. We never really lost who we were we just forgot. I believe it is part of our mission (Susan & I) in this era of  time to help other regain who they are to quit believing the lie that they, YOU! are something less than you are. Jesus came paid the price for us to be fully restored into the place God had set up for us in the beginning. God told Adam (man & woman) to subdue the earth and to multiple on it. well they did half of it the multiplied but forgot to subdue it or to take dominion of it. We have been given the authority and privilege to be rulers not only of our selves but of this planet. It's time to stand up and be recognized as the Son's of God that all of creation has been anxiously waiting for us to be. Today look in the Mirror of God, His Word the Bible and remember who you are. We Can Do It! We can change the world! Go be a blessing today, Sir Gregory

Ps. I read this blog from John Eldredge that fits so well it was taken from his book "The Sacred Romance" 

We Have All Forgotten What We Really Are

We are not what we were meant to be, and we know it. If, when passing a stranger on the street, we happen to meet eyes, we quickly avert our glance. Cramped into the awkward community of an elevator, we search for something, anything to look at instead of each other. We fear to be seen. But think for a moment about the millions of tourists who visit ancient sites like the Parthenon, the Colosseum, and the Pyramids. Though ravaged by time, the elements, and vandals through the ages, mere shadows of their former glory, these ruins still awe and inspire. Though fallen, their glory cannot be fully extinguished. There is something at once sad and grand about them. And such we are. Abused, neglected, vandalized, fallen-we are still fearful and wonderful. We are, as one theologian put it, "glorious ruins." But unlike those grand monuments, we who are Christ's have been redeemed and are being renewed as Paul said, "day by day," restored in the love of God.

Could it be that we, all of us, the homecoming queens and quarterbacks and the passed over and picked on, really possess hidden greatness? Is there something in us worth fighting over? The fact that we don't see our own glory is part of the tragedy of the Fall; a sort of spiritual amnesia has taken all of us. Our souls were made to live in the Larger Story, but as Chesterton discovered, we have forgotten our part:

We have all read in scientific books, and indeed, in all romances, the story of the man who has forgotten his name. This man walks about the streets and can see and appreciate everything; only he cannot remember who he is. Well, every man is that man in the story. Every man has forgotten who he is. . . . We are all under the same mental calamity; we have all forgotten our names. We have all forgotten what we really are. (Orthodoxy)

Daily Vitamin - "Him"

HIM
Romans 15:17-21(TMSG)
¹⁷Looking back over what has been accomplished and what I have observed, I must say I am most pleased—in the context of Jesus, I’d even say proud, but only in that context.
¹⁸I have no interest in giving you a chatty account of my adventures, only the wondrously powerful and transformingly present words and deeds of Christ in me that triggered a believing response among the outsiders.
¹⁹In such ways I have trailblazed a preaching of the Message of Jesus all the way from Jerusalem far into northwestern Greece.
²⁰This has all been pioneer work, bringing the Message only into those places where Jesus was not yet known and worshiped.
²¹My text has been, Those who were never told of him— they’ll see him! Those who’ve never heard of him— they’ll get the message!

In our world today many would say that  there isn't any who haven't heard of Him (Jesus). I would tend to agree, except I would say that most have had the opportunity to hear about Him. But what about the whole message. That because He came and paid the price we can live a life free from sin, full of power to do the same things He did. We have the ability to change the world and because of us people can be told of Him, Because of us they can hear about Him. It seems that we as people sometimes would rather allow others to do the things God has set up for us. He set a plan in motion for each and everyone of us, and in that plan there is a place for everyone to see, hear, feel, know who He truly is and he is a loving Father that wants to hang out with His Kids all of them not just a few. That is why we can say in those place we go if they people haven't heard or seen  God they will because  we go in His Power and Might.  Its possible for those who believe to walk in the same power that raised Christ from the dead. so as you go today be Jesus with skin on for those around so they may go to others and be Jesus with skin on. we can do it if only we believe. Be a blessing today. Sir Gregory

Daily Vitamin -"Imagine"

Imagine

1 Corinthians 2:9-10(TMSG)
⁹That’s why we have this Scripture text: No one’s ever seen or heard anything like this, Never so much as imagined anything quite like it— What God has arranged for those who love him.
¹⁰But you’ve seen and heard it because God by his Spirit has brought it all out into the open before you. The Spirit, not content to flit around on the surface, dives into the depths of God, and brings out what God planned all along. 

Can You remember when you first heard that God Loved you, I Mean really heard it? I sure can i was a cold November day 24 years ago. I was at the bottom of my life. I had been having a dream that my friend & boss had a message for me. Thought it was strange but decided I was tired of it and went to him and in probably a rough manner said to him "you have a message for me and I want it" what happened next i would have never imagined. he said yeah but let me get alone with God and I'll get back to you. I thought this guy is crazy go talk to God. I believed there was a God and he had a son Jesus. Just didn't think or know He would or wanted to talk to us. He came back later and we went for a ride in his truck, he began to read from a piece of paper some scriptures he felt God told him were for me. When he got to the second scripture on the page something again happened that ii never imagined would happen when I got up that day. Jesus sat down in the truck between us and for the next hour or so loved on me. I;m not sure if my friend was aware of this because nothing else around me matter any longer. I got out of that truck a brand new creation that had never been before. No longer beaten down, no longer a drug addict or alcoholic. I was brand new and ever since then been helping others to come to a knowledge if we believe and confess Jesus as our Lord and Savior He will forgive us and help us begin the plan he had imagined for us from the beginning of time. Today help someone to else along this journey of a life they would never imagine would be possible. Be a blessing, Sir Gregory 

Daily Vitamin -"Smile"

Smile  

Psalms 31:16(TMSG)
¹⁶Warm me, your servant, with a smile; save me because you love me.

Psalms 31:16(NKJV)
¹⁶ Make Your face shine upon Your servant; Save me for Your mercies’ sake.

When someone smiles at you what happens? You smile back of course, have you thought of the other emotions that go with a smile before? Sometimes the lack of smiles in our lives really effect us. Like did  your dad or mom smile upon you, your grandparents, teachers, boss the list can go on and on. Without smiles we begin to think something is wrong with us. I like the way the message puts the verse "warm me with a smile" As a new grandparent it doesn't get much better than when you walk into a room and your grandchildren light up with that warm smile. The same thing happens to Daddy God when we walk in to His presence He lights up with a grand smile. He will never deny you of that smile. In fact He loves you so much he scribed you in the palm of His hand. I can just see it every time He looks at His hands he sees your name and a Great big smile comes upon His face. As you go through your day today think of those around you that might not been getting those smiles from those in their life. That don't realize they are the apple of Father God's eye. Help them with a smile and help them to come to the knowledge that they do have a heavenly Father that loves them and has a great big smile for them. Be a blessing Today, Sir Gregory  

Daily Vitamin - "Face"

Face
Numbers 6:24-26(NKJV)
²⁴ “The Lord bless you and keep you;
²⁵ The Lord make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you;
²⁶ The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace.”’

God not only wants to bless you you, He wants His reflection to be on you. Now that should be our goal for everyone we come in contact with. God's countenance to be on us and to get on others. God spoke this to Moses and told him to speak it to Aaron and his sons so they could speak it to the people and put His name (God's) upon the people. He really wants us to look Him in the face. How many times do we hang our heads low when we think we are in trouble or don't want to answer a question? How many times do we tell our kids look at me? Do we tell others look at me to speak a blessing over them? We should be doing this daily, several times a day we should be speaking blessings over everyone we meet on our journey's through the day. Instead of cursing them, alot of the times we don't even realize what we are saying to people mostly because we don't get to know people, to understand them. Lets take time to learn about those God has brought into our lives and begin fresh this week by speaking life over those around you, speak blessing to them face to face. Be a blessing, Sir Gregory

Daily Vitamin - "Delights"

Delights

Psalms 18:19(NLT)
¹⁹ He led me to a place of safety; he rescued me because he delights in me.

 Even in our most troubled times, God will bring us to a safe place, just because he delights in us. He made us to to spend time with Him. Take time even in the good times to allow Him to delight in you. As you do that you can be a delight to others, and bring them to a place were they can understand that that God truly does delight in them. In our troubled every day live we need to know how special and priceless we are. Today take some time and really soak in the presence of God and allow him to be your delight. Be a blessing, Sir Gregory

Daily Vitamin -"Voice"

Voice

Proverbs 3:6(TMSG)
⁶Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the one who will keep you on track.

Do we listen for God's voice in our everyday things? Who's voice are we listening to or what voice's? Here in proverbs it says if we listen for God's voice he will keep us on the right track of life. In the Living Bible it says "In everything you do, put God first, and he will direct you and crown your efforts with success" He will even crown our efforts, wow even in our attempts to please God we can receive His blessings. As we go through our daily routines we need to listen and look for God's activity and His voice, so we may adjust our way and join Him in what He is doing. Even our example Jesus said He could do nothing unless He sees God doing it. We should make this a mandate to only do what God is doing. Once we begin to do what He is doing  He will direct your steps. Allow His Voice to guide you today as your being a blessing, Sir Gregory  

Daily Vitamin -"Self"

Self

Colossians 3:10(NASB)
¹⁰and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him 

We have been made a new self brand new and the old self needs to stay buried and gone. Some of the other translations refer to this as putting on a new wardrobe or new set of shoes but it is way more than that. I like the analogy of a new fashion and the old is of no longer use or obsolete, but it applies that it can be removed and something else put on. Once we put on Christ it is for keeps He said He would never leave us or forsake us. Do we forsake Him, I pray not. Christ is not just a fashion statement that is new today and something we change next season. He is forever, over the years I have seen several trends or moves. waves of God, even in history we see were people have made a camp on a teaching around a move of God. Some have made denominations out of them. God is not something we do He is something we are. So have you really counted the cost of becoming new or have you put Christ on as a new pair of shoes or a new dress. Allow His Spirit full control today and be made a new self  permanent maker not just a highlighter. Be a blessing today, Sir Gregory  

Daily Vitamin -"Foreign"

Foreign

Psalms 81:9(NKJV)
⁹ There shall be no foreign god among you; Nor shall you worship any foreign god.

What come to mind when we think of a foreign god? Something far off in another country or another religion, something we are not familiar with. How many of us think that we worship those kind of things? Interesting enough it seems to be a topic that the Bible speaks about quite a lot. Before Jacob could go build an altar in Bethel (Gen.35) it says that God told him to go to Bethel and live and make an altar. the first thing Jacob did was to tell his people to get rid of the foreign gods and purify themselves.  Later in Exodus 20,  God gives Moses the ten commandments what the first one? to have no other gods before Him. In Psalms 81:9 it says not to have them among you! I believe we should be checking our live to see if we have picked up any gods along our journey. Most of the story we read about in the Bible are relating to objects or an items that represents a god. can we have spiritual gods in our lives and not really even know or understand they are there? I believe so we should be looking in the mirror of Gods word routinely and checking is there things that are foreign to Gods way for us. Do we have things that are more important than Daddy God? some time we get a little lazy and allow life to creep in and hold us back. So today take an inventory of your life if there is items or mind sets or false beliefs. Whatever it may be that is holding you back from approaching God in a more interment way get rid of of them. Lets change the world together, be a blessing, Sir Gregory

Daily Vitamin - "Book"

Book

2 Kings 22:11(TMSG)
¹¹When the king heard what was written in the book, God’s Revelation, he ripped his robes in dismay. 

Does the Bible have the same reaction from you? do you want to tear your clothes? The custom of the times was when in remorse or being upset or just plain under conviction of  doing wrong people would rip their clothes and a lot of time put ashes on their heads. Seems kind of silly to us. When we read God's Book does it have any effect on us? As believers it should bring great joy, when we find  buried treasures or does it bring sorrow? By ripping their clothing it was an outward sign of what was going on inside of them. Today we have the ability to go straight to the Father when we find out something is amiss in our lives. The Bible has the ability to bring up all kinds of emotions in us. And it should that's why we call it the Living Bible. We should take the time and read it more often than not. Allowing it to point out area's that need help, and allow it to be a guide for our path. To celebrate the victories it brings into our lives. The teachings to live a better way. How to have a better life while we are in this realm awaiting our promotion to be with the Father and Jesus in that place He went to prepare for us. Take some time today and ponder God's word if it brings conviction deal with it and celebrate the victory it brings. Let it bring great joy to your souls. Then go and be a blessing to others. Sir Gregory  

I read thes quotes and thought they fit with with my thoughts

Scripture as wine cellar

"Scripture is the Wine cellar of the Holy Spirit." Bernard of Clairvaux 

He knows the right vintage. He knows the mood. He knows the mealwe are having. Picture it. TheSpirit walks down creaky steps to pull just the right bottle for our soul today.

"Everyone has a wine cellar but they rarely drink from it." Meister Eckhart

What is the lure of Bible reading and meditation? It's priceless, vintage Spirit Wine which refreshes and rejuvenates our Soul. How is your soul's health? Are you longing for the wine cellar? Sit back and drink from the hand of God.

Daily Vitamin -"Life"

Life
Mark 8:35(NKJV)
³⁵For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it. 

Jesus is telling us to give up our lives for Him and the Gospels sake. This seems really contrary to what most of us have been taught all our lives. Were told to we can do it all by ourselves, to pull up our boot straps, to suck it up. So much of our lives we are told to things on our own but then Jesus comes unto the scene and tells things totally different than what others have told us. We do have to choose which way to go. I read this story on the Internet not sure who first wrote it . I took it from a Blog by Michael Hyatt . I believe it sums it  up our live is how we choose them to be.

High in the Himalayan mountains lived a wise old man.

Periodically, he ventured down into the local village to entertain the villagers with his special knowledge and talents. One of his skills was to psychically tell the villagers the contents in their pockets, boxes, or minds.A few young boys from the village decided to play a joke on the wise old man and discredit his special abilities. One boy came up with the idea to capture a bird and hide it in his hands. He knew of course, the wise old man would know the object in his hands was a bird. The boy devised a plan. Knowing the wise old man would correctly state the object in his hands was a bird, the boy would ask the old man if the bird was dead or alive. If the wise man said the bird was alive, the boy would crush the bird in his hands, so that when he opened his hands the bird would be dead. But, If the wise man said the bird was dead, the boy would open his hands and let the bird fly free. So not matter what the old man said, the boy would prove the old man a fraud. The following week, the wise old man came down from the mountain into the village. The boy quickly caught a bird and cupping it out of sight in his hands, walked up to the wise old man and asked, “Old man, old man, what is it that I have in my hands?” The wise old man said, “You have a bird, my son.” And he was right. The boy then asked, “Old man, old man, tell me: Is the bird alive or is it dead?” The wise old man looked at the boy, thought for a moment and said, “The bird is as you choose it to be.”

You have the ability to choose which path to take, I would recommend the path with Christ. Be a blessing today, Sir Gregory

Daily Vitamin - "Serving"

Serving
1 Corinthians 12:7(CEV)
⁷The Spirit has given each of us a special way of serving others. 


1 Corinthians 12:4-7(TMSG)
⁴God’s various gifts are handed out everywhere; but they all originate in God’s Spirit.
⁵God’s various ministries are carried out everywhere; but they all originate in God’s Spirit.
⁶God’s various expressions of power are in action everywhere; but God himself is behind it all.
⁷Each person is given something to do that shows who God is: Everyone gets in on it, everyone benefits. All kinds of things are handed out by the Spirit, and to all kinds of people! 

It takes all of us to get the job done. We hear alot today about coaching, teams or teamwork. Some think its a new term, but we used to call the same things mentoring or disciplining. they are all the same thing we just use different words to describe actions. Whether we call it coaching or disciplining its the same and we all do in some fashion or another. The Spirit of God gives out the ability to get things done. All through chapter 12 it talks about gifts how to use etc.. the theme is that we all have a gift or a part to do. Whether you are the lead or the follower if we are doing our part as unto God its then same. If I'm speaking or parking cars, it's just as important to getting the job done. We sometimes put more value on a certain task but the bottom line is if nobody can park and get into the function then the speaker is of no use.Remember we all are part of the whole team the baseball team is no good without a pitcher likewise is the football with the quarterback. It takes us all!!! So today whether your being served or serving others do it as unto God. he is the one who gave you the ability in the first place. be a blessing< Sir Gregory

Daily Vitamin - "Miracles"

Miracles
Acts 19:11-12(NASB)
¹¹God was performing extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul,
¹²so that handkerchiefs or aprons were even carried from his body to the sick, and the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out. 

Today a lot of people are looking for miracles. The problem is they are looking in all the wrong places. They look to objects, false God's, even to special people putting them in a place God never intended for them to be (people make other people equal or above God). God decided in the beginning to use mankind to work through, but we get it wrong a lot of the times we get puffed up thinking we are something special (we are) but we think it's us doing it or we go the other route and think God couldn't use us. In Acts 10:38 it says that God anointed Him (Jesus) with the Holy Spirit and power. who anointed Him God did, who does the miracles God does. He just chooses to use us to work through we must always remember it's Him doing the miracle we get the blessing to accompany Him in getting it done. We must always remember He is the way maker not us. God gave all of us the ability through His Son Jesus to perform miracles. The question is have you trusted Him with your life yet? Look to God for the miracle today not some stone or statue, then let Him work through you to be a blessing to others, Sir Gregory  

Daily Vitamin -"Example"

 ^Example

Philippians 3:17(NKJV)
¹⁷Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern. 

Can we tell others to follow our example? We think Paul is making a pretty bold statement here, but is he? We do have people who follow what we do whether we want them to or not. My belief is that we make excuses for our own behaviors. Then when others are leading with an great example we want to nit-pick their lives or make comments well I'm only human. Christ came to make His home in us, that gives us all the power we need to lead a grand life. We need to believe it and be bold  in our walk if you can't say follow me today make it a goal. We really can do all things because Christ lives in us. Lets start taking taking responsibility for our actions. the world is waiting on us to show them the love of Christ, what it means to really do what we say we believe . I understand its not always easy doing whats right and sometimes we get hurt by doing the right thing but in the end we do win. I like the way the Message Bible reads in these verses.

Philippians 3:17-21(TMSG)
¹⁷Stick with me, friends. Keep track of those you see running this same course, headed for this same goal.
¹⁸There are many out there taking other paths, choosing other goals, and trying to get you to go along with them. I’ve warned you of them many times; sadly, I’m having to do it again. All they want is easy street. They hate Christ’s Cross.
¹⁹But easy street is a dead-end street. Those who live there make their bellies their gods; belches are their praise; all they can think of is their appetites.
²⁰But there’s far more to life for us. We’re citizens of high heaven! We’re waiting the arrival of the Savior, the Master, Jesus Christ,
²¹who will transform our earthy bodies into glorious bodies like his own. He’ll make us beautiful and whole with the same powerful skill by which he is putting everything as it should be, under and around him.

Today make the choice to be an Example that others can and want to follow. You can do it! Together we can change the world, its happen before and it will happen again. Be a blessing, Sir Gregory  

Daily Vitamin -"Masterpiece"

Masterpiece

Ephesians 2:10(NLT)
¹⁰For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. 

How many times do you look at a beautiful sunset or sunrise and thank God for it, or look at flowers or a landscape? Now how do you look at other people? We were all made in God's image, His masterpiece, workmanship! He does have a plan for all of us, and there is room for all of us in His plan. I believe there are two kinds of people those who love God and those who are about too! A artist looks at a blank canvas or a clump of clay, stone whatever it may be and see's something and creates it. God saw something in nothing and created us. That is really awesome! It takes time to create some things take longer than other things. So lets look at others like they are in the process maybe even yourself  and give some grace to them. Remember there was a time when God began a work in you and He's not finished yet.  We really are a work in process! Be a blessing Today, Sir Gregory    

Daily Vitamin-"Peace"

Peace


Colossians 3:12-17(TMSG)
¹²So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline.
¹³Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you.
¹⁴And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It’s your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it.
¹⁵Let the peace of Christ keep you in tune with each other, in step with each other. None of this going off and doing your own thing. And cultivate thankfulness.
¹⁶Let the Word of Christ—the Message—have the run of the house. Give it plenty of room in your lives. Instruct and direct one another using good common sense. And sing, sing your hearts out to God!
¹⁷Let every detail in your lives—words, actions, whatever—be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way. §

In our daily lives we will have opportunities to not have the peace we need. If we will remember to dress with Love in the morning then we can walk in peace even when times or people try and steal it from you. Paul even says to cultivate thankfulness. Kinda like pulling weeds of despair, bitterness, hurt all the things that can and will steal our peace and begin to work on our love. So first thing today dress in the love that God has so freely given us. Then go dig up  some weeds out of the garden of  your soul using the shovel of thankfulness to dig them up. That way when troubles try and rise up you can walk in the peace of Christ. Be a blessing today, Sir Gregory

Daily Vitamin - "

Joy
Philippians 1:3-6(NKJV)
³I thank my God upon every remembrance of you,
⁴always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy,
⁵for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now,
⁶being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ; 

Philippians 1:3-6(TMSG) 3Every time you cross my mind, I break out in exclamations of thanks to God. 
4Each exclamation is a trigger to prayer. I find myself praying for you with a glad heart. 
5I am so pleased that you have continued on in this with us, believing and proclaiming God’s Message, from the day you heard it right up to the present. 
6There has never been the slightest doubt in my mind that the God who started this great work in you would keep at it and bring it to a flourishing finish on the very day Christ Jesus appears.

When you think of others is it with a glad joyful heart, what about when they think of you? In our busy day do we often think of others? Paul talks about when he does think of others how excited he is, and how sure he is that God will complete the work He began in them. What a great attitude, I wonder if we took up this way of thinking how it would change our world. Most of the time our (all lot of people but not all)  thoughts are filled with doubt and unbelief  we think the worst instead of the best.Lets choose today to look for the good stuff, to be more positive than negative, and allow Daddy God to take care of the junk in others. I really believe we can change our world, it starts by loving others and having joyful thoughts towards them. Be a blessing today, Sir Gregory    

Daily Vitamin -"Authority'

Authority
Matthew 28:18-20(NKJV)
¹⁸And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.
¹⁹Go ^£therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
²⁰teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” 


Matthew 28:18-20(TMSG)
¹⁸Jesus, undeterred, went right ahead and gave his charge: “God authorized and commanded me to commission you:
¹⁹Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
²⁰Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I’ll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age.”


When did Jesus get 'All Authority"? After his crucifixion and death, when He came out of the grave with the keys of hell. He was anointed to do His Fathers work when He was baptized, by John. Once He came out of the grave He had all authority on earth and heaven. that is when he told the disciple's  to go make disciples, to teach others to live the way He had showed them, to baptize them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We seem to think we are to go and win souls, but that is the Holy Spirit's job. we read that no one can come to the father unless the Spirit draws them. I really like how the Message Bible puts this, to go out and instruct people in the practice of all I have commanded you. How do we instruct its by being or doing something people learn more by watching others than having others tell them what to do. I believe that's why Jesus demonstrated miracles in so many different ways. Knowing that we are all different but still have the same Father that we will each do things a little different. He told us to Go and do with His authority that He got from Father God and that He would be with us as we go. WOW! For me that takes alot of the pressure off, in my words He told us as we go about our daily lives instruct and do the things He did and He gave us the authority to use His name to do it. As you go about your day today remember He has given you Authority to be a blessing, Sir Gregory

Daily Vitamin -"Confidence'

Confidence

1 John 5:13-15(NASB)
¹³These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life.
¹⁴This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.
¹⁵And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him.

A lot of the time we really don't have confidence, whether that be in our abilities to complete a task, talk to people or other people we really live in a world with a lot of doubt an unbelief. It really boils down to trust issue's do we really believe what others are telling us or not. So we have to have that confidence in ourselves but most of all in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. John tells us in these verse's that since we have believed we can have confidence in God, knowing that when we ask He will hear us and respond to us. We allot of the time don't wait to hear back from Him or don't like what we hear. If we wait to hear from back from  God with pure motives in our asking we have what we ask. we know God answerer's are yes and amen. The problem lies in our asking and our motives. we read we don't have because we don't ask and then when we do ask we have wrong motives or ask for wrong things (amiss) Today know you can go to the Father and ask He loves to hear your voice. He loves to bless you with an overwhelming love. trust Him today and know you can have confidence in Him. Be a blessing, Sir Gregory

Daily Vitamin - "Call"

Jeremiah 33:2-3(TMSG)
²“This is God’s Message, the God who made earth, made it livable and lasting, known everywhere as God:
³‘Call to Me and I will answer you. I’ll tell you marvelous and wondrous things that you could never figure out on your own.’


Jeremiah 33:2-3(NASB)
²“Thus says the LORD who made the earth, the LORD who formed it to establish it, the LORD is His name,
³‘Call to Me and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know.’ 

Ever had things you didn't understand and needed help? I'm sure you have most of us do, probably more than we want to admit probably several times a day several times a day. I know the more mature I get the more help I need. Things looked pretty bad to Jeremiah. He was in jail for the second time, the area had been taken looted destroyed, things were a mess. God came to him and said "call out to me" I'm sure he was worried and concerned about the state of his nation, friends, family, sound a little familiar? God is always right here wanting to give us the answers to our life and our problems. Do we call on Him first or do we call others? Just a thought what if we called out to Him first, then we would have the answer's we couldn't get from others. Just maybe we could change our worlds a little faster and easier. Take some time this week better yet today and ask God stuff  because He really does know your stuff. Be a blessing today, Sir Gregory   

Daily Vitamin -"Hungry"

Hungry
Proverbs 25:21-22(TMSG)
²¹If you see your enemy hungry, go buy him lunch; if he’s thirsty, bring him a drink.
²²Your generosity will surprise him with goodness, and God will look after you.


Proverbs 25:21-22(NKJV)
²¹ If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat; And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink;
²² For so you will heap coals of fire on his head, And the Lord will reward you.

I have read proverbs daily for most of my walk with God.  There are 31 chapters one for each day. I had wondered about verse 22 in chapter 25 for some time it just seemed to contradict the very nature of  Daddy God to me. One day I heard someone use the verses in Romans to reference Proverbs 25:22 ( Romans 12:17-21(NKJV) ¹⁷Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men.¹⁸If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. ¹⁹Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.²⁰Therefore “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.” ²¹Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.) After reading this they went on to explain that heaping coals on someones head in those days was really a blessing. It all began to make sense then. You see fire was a commodity, if your fire went out they didn't have a Bic to click, or a zippo lighter not even matches, to use flint to start a fire isn't an easy thing. So if your fire went out you couldn't keep warm or cook your diner. Fire was very important (still is today we just don't realize how much we use it, we take it for granted. Fire runs you car, helps produce electricity, many ways we don't even realize), you would have to go to someone and borrow or buy some hot coals to restart your fire. The custom was to carry a pan on their head  ( I know seems weird people carry a lot of stuff on their heads water, large bundle etc..) they had a pan with a covering they could balance it and carry it home. So by filling up their pan to overflowing was a blessing to them. It all made sense to me then, it wasn't a curse or a way of punishment to our enemies it was a symbol of blessings. Studying habits and customs helps us to really understand what the bible is talking about. Since that time I have read many  commentaries on this, it has helped me to really know God. If you don't don't understand a verse or two ask Daddy God to reveal the truth of it. He will send others to you to help you out, or study guide's, there are many ways to dig out truth. Don't just blow it off because you don't understand it dig out the treasures. By knowing this I found a new way by blessing others God really notice's it and then wants to reward me for doing it. Can it get any better? By being nice to those who hate me God rewards me. Hmmm kinda cool I think. The next time you see an enemy in need do your best to pile heaping coals onto their head. In doing so your being a blessing and Daddy god will reward you. Go ahead and be a blessing, Sir Gregory    

Mayonnaise Jar & Coffee

When things in your life seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar and the 2 cups of coffee.

A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him.

 When the class began, wordlessly, he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.

The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly.

The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full they agreed it was.

The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous "yes."

The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar, effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.

"Now," said the professor, as the laughter subsided, "I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things - God, your family, your children, your health, your friends, and your favorite passions -- things that if everything else was lost and only they remained your life would still be full.

The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house, and your car.

 The sand is everything else -- the small stuff.

 If you put the sand into the jar first," he continued, "there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls.

The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are important to you.

Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness.

 Pray and spend time with God. Play with your children.

 Take time to get medical checkups.

Take your partner out to dinner. Play another 18. There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal.

 Take care of the golf balls first -- the things that really matter.

  Set your priorities. The rest is just sand."

One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee represented.

The professor smiled. "I'm glad you asked.

It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a of cup of coffee with a friend."

Author unknown

Daily Vitamin -"Spirit"

Spirit

Galatians 5:25(NKJV)
²⁵If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 

Galatians 5:25(TMSG)
²⁵Since this is the kind of life we have chosen, the life of the Spirit, let us make sure that we do not just hold it as an idea in our heads or a sentiment in our hearts, but work out its implications in every detail of our lives. 

Is our lives divided by the flesh and the spirit? I would say yes, we are born with a sin nature or a flesh nature, but once we asked Christ to come and be part of our lives we are born of the Spirit. Then the war is on. The battle ground is truly in our minds,we have to train ourselves how to live all over again. Living by the Spirit is really not just a flippant thing it is something we have to work at. we make the choose to live for God, but it must always be on His terms and not our own. The flesh being wants both worlds, to have all the benefits of God but do what we want. God is Love and being pure love He will allow us to choose which way we want. We just can't have both! His will that all should come to a saving knowledge of Christ Jesus and to live for Him. To take dominion of the world and share His love to heal the sick, cast out demons, make disciples and the like. Before we can rule the world we must rule ourselves to allow our Spirit man to have full dominion over our flesh man. Let us truly walk in the spirit and not the flesh. Making Jesus our Lord and savior not just in our spirit but also in our flesh. Together with Christ as our example,our guide we can take dominion of the earth and subdue it, multiply in it and complete the work that Father God began in the beginning. Be a blessing today, Sir Gregory  

Daily Vitamin -"Kingdom"

Kingdom
Luke 17:20-21(NKJV)
²⁰Now when He was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He answered them and said, “The kingdom of God does not come with observation;
²¹nor will they say, ^£‘See here!’ or ‘See there!’ For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you.”

We still are asking that question today. When will the Kingdom of God be revealed or come to earth, and its already here. It's in us wanting to get out and be made known among the earth dwellers. We have grown up in a society that is so contrary to the Kingdom of God, it becomes hard for others to see it is as simple as doing what's right. How can we know the difference between God's Kingdom and our earthly ones. It's as simple as knowing the difference between the sun and the moon. What is the fruit of God's Kingdom? Love we are told to love God with all our heart, soul, strength, mind everything, and then love others as ourselves. Our earthly kingdom says to get all you can when you can at all cost no matter who gets hurt. We make life a lot harder than it is. In God's Kingdom nothing is hidden all we have to do is ask Him and he will tell us. In our earthly kingdoms we want to keep things hidden. A lot of people don't want others to know who they really are, we've been trained to keep it all in, to Man up don't let others know what you really think because they will think bad or little of  you.  Jesus told us to live in the light not in darkness. Honesty is truly the best policy. so were is the Kingdom of God. Jesus told the disciples in Matthew 10:7 as you go preach preach saying the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand. heal the sick, cleanse the leapers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received freely give. Doesn't get much easier than that, we make it hard believe that the Kingdom of Heaven is in you and you can do all things. Have fun for the Kingdom is in  you let it out and be a blessing. Sir Gregory  

Daily Vitamin -"Act of Faith"

Act of Faith
Hebrews 11:1-3(TMSG)
¹The fundamental fact of existence is that this trust in God, this faith, is the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living. It’s our handle on what we can’t see.
²The act of faith is what distinguished our ancestors, set them above the crowd.
³By faith, we see the world called into existence by God’s word, what we see created by what we don’t see.

Faith is a subject we have many discussions over, different meanings of, something we can't touch but something we all have. Faith in God is what made our ancestors different than those around them. we really need to take a look at what is our faith in? The government, our jobs, our money, our stuff? Some people even tell me they have no faith in anything. It would be a sad world if we didn't have faith! We all go through life with faith in the power company(that when we turn the switch on the lights will work), the chairs we sit in (that they will hold us up) I could give you all kinds of examples of what we have faith in. Pure, true faith in God is what our lives are all about. When people look at you do they see you  as a person of great faith or one lacking in faith? We all have been given a measure of faith, the question is what are you doing with it. My belief is that, its just like our talents the more we use them it the more they grow or the more skilled we become in them. So the more we use our faith in God the more it grows  and gets stronger and stronger. Allow your Faith to grow,  let others see it and be a blessing, Sir Gregory   

no matter how dark and fearfully close this dangerous world may seem, and sometimes is, God is truly our Light, always  there, and worthy of trust and reverence.

Daily Vitamin -"New Thing"

New Thing

Isaiah 43:19(TMSG)
¹⁹Be alert, be present. I’m about to do something brand-new. It’s bursting out! Don’t you see it? There it is! I’m making a road through the desert, rivers in the badlands.

How many times do we that something is new? Everyday of our lives we have something new introduced into our live. We live in an ever changing world. New phones, new operating systems, new apps., new, new, new and improved. Seems to be a theme in our world and yet we give it the most resistance. we want new things but hate to have to learn new stuff. Now to God stuff, He's new every morning, when we invited Him into our lives He made us a new creation.  He tells us not to put new cloth on old cloth, or new wine into old wine skins. When Jesus came onto the scene He did everything different or in a new way. So why is it when we hear its time for change or something new, we resist it? we even say things like that's not the way we have always did it, or i don't like the new look to this or that. I believe we are on the verge of a whole new awaking (yes we've heard that for 2000 yrs ) in the realm of spiritual things. The only way we can really know what God is about to do, is to spend time with Him. He says be still and know I'm God  (psalms 46:10) Be still and listen to what God is doing.It's time for the Church the Body of Christ to stand up.  Be a blessing Sir Gregory

Soaked in love

God is love. He created us in love, and to love Him and other people. If we miss the mark of love, He forgives us, and renews our lives in love. If we need help loving Him or others, He enables us by filling our lives with His love. One day, He will make a new Heaven and Earth where there is nothing but love forever. 

Daily Vitamin -"What does the Word say...."

What does the Word say....
Psalms 138:2(NKJV)
² I will worship toward Your holy temple, And praise Your name For Your lovingkindness and Your truth; For You have magnified Your word above all Your name.

Ever wonder about that? God even gives more to his word than His name. What are you pondering toady, your fiances, family, relationships, health, work pick a subject. Did you know the Word of God the Bible has an answer! Most of the time we don't take the time to really look at it for our everyday happenings good or bad. It's either what it says it is or isn't.  It boils down to our faith & trust in it. I've heard it said the Bible is Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth or the Manufactures Hand Book which I like. God made us and He gave us instructions on how to operate our live. But a lot of us  think we know how to operate the equipmen,t till we have a problem with it and have to get the instruction manual out. Wouldn't it be smarter to read the instruction first! 

  We went and saw a movie last night Courageous, words can't describe it. I believe it should be a must see to help us, become the fathers, brothers, mothers, sisters, spouse's  whoever or whatever we are. This Movie can get you thinking about what does God's word say about..... 
Be a blessing today, Sir Gregory

  Courageous  click to go to site and watch trailer and find a resources

Daily Vitamin -'Encourgement"

Encouragement
Acts 20:2(TMSG)
²Traveling through the country, passing from one gathering to another, he gave constant encouragement, lifting their spirits and charging them with fresh hope. 

How many of us make this a priority in our lives? The closer I walk with Christ the more I  realize this is what we are suppose to do. The other day a friend asked the question what would you want on your grave stone? At first this seemed kind of a morbid question, we really don't like thinking of  our death. But then I remembered  someone once saying why not set a goal for how people will remember you. I believe this is it that everywhere I go that I encouraged others. Even this morning while reading a devotional I came across the verse in Acts1:8 when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth. What would a witness of Jesus be or look like? I believe it would be an encourager, even in times were He had to speak hard words it was for encouragement.  The Bible is written for us to be encourage to live a life for God. Today look around and find someone to encourage. Be a Blessing, Sir Gregory

Thought I would include Websters definition of Encourage

1 a: to inspire with courage, spirit, or hope : hearten <she was encouraged to continue by her early success> b: to attempt to persuade : urge <they encouraged him to go back to school>

2: to spur on : stimulate <warm weather encourages plant growth>

3: to give help or patronage to : foster <government grants designed to encourage conservation>

 

Examples of ENCOURAGEMENT

1. Our aim is the encouragement of investment. Very interesting that an encougrement would be an investment
2. the encouragement of plant growth
3. teachers who give their students a lot of encouragement
4. With support and encouragement from their parents, the students organized a fundraiser.
5. They offered him gifts of money and other encouragements.

Daily Vitamin -"Gift"

Gift

2 Timothy 1:6-7(NKJV)
⁶Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.
⁷For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

We all like getting gifts, some gifts are not from God. Like fear it one we need to return to sender. God gives us many gifts that are worth opening, fear is one that doesn't need to be opened just like anger, hate,murder and the like. The enemy of our soul will send us lots of gifts dressed up nice with pretty bows and ribbons. Look at the tag and send it back. Galatians 5 describes a lot of the gifts good and bad so study them so you know which ones are from God and which ones need to be returned. Take some time today and see if you have open some gifts you don't want or need. If you have pack them up and send them back. Be a blessing today, Sir Gregory

Galatians 5:1-26(NKJV)
¹Stand^£ fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.
²Indeed I, Paul, say to you that if you become circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing.
³And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised that he is a debtor to keep the whole law.
⁴You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.
⁵For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.
⁶For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love.
⁷You ran well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth?
⁸This persuasion does not come from Him who calls you.
⁹A little leaven leavens the whole lump.
¹⁰I have confidence in you, in the Lord, that you will have no other mind; but he who troubles you shall bear his judgment, whoever he is.
¹¹And I, brethren, if I still preach circumcision, why do I still suffer persecution? Then the offense of the cross has ceased.
¹²I could wish that those who trouble you would even cut themselves off!
¹³For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.
¹⁴For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” ^£
15But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another!
¹⁶I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.
¹⁷For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.
¹⁸But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
¹⁹Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: ^£adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness,
²⁰idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies,
²¹envy, ^£murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
²²But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
²³gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
²⁴And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
²⁵If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
²⁶Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

Daily Vitamin - "Seek"

Seek

Psalms 105:3-4(TMSG)
³Honor His holy name with Hallelujahs, you who seek God. Live a happy life!
⁴Keep your eyes open for God, watch for his works; be alert for signs of his presence.

How many times do we seek out God? We make statements like were was God when things happen, but have we sought out after Him? Have we really looked for Him, in Proverbs 8 it says
"I love those who love me; those who look for me find me"  Most of the time we don't look, or seek after. You have to do something when you are seeking! It takes action I like the way Matthew puts it in chapter 5 verse 8
“You’re blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right. Then you can see God in the outside world" Jeremiah put it "when you come looking for Me, you'll find Me" in Chapter 29 verse13. Ever thought of it like that? Once we get our perspective right we can see God. like putting on glasses for the first time after your eye sight has gotten weaker. It really is that simple seek after God and you will find Him. Have you been looking for God? Take some time today and find Him.Be a Blessing Today, Sir Gregory