Monday, August 31, 2015

Proverbs 3:9,10 - Give, The Lord Knows Your Needs

Proverbs 3:

9 Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:

10 So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.


I struggled with whether or not to tell you guys about this. But, it's on my heart and I have to share it.

You guys know that I am struggling financially with old debts, and that my food situation hasn't been exactly flourishing...(But, don't worry, God has provided and I have not done without at all). You also know if you are a FB personal friend that I have been working two jobs for some time, and have recently been placed back to the one job -- with a raise to make up for the money I'll be losing from not working two jobs...(Yes, Praise God, He has provided again!)

Yesterday, I took money out to give to the Hinson's and to my church for the first time in a long time. I needed that money, but I am so tired of not being able to give. The amount is not important. The point is, I really didn't have it to give, because of my tight budget. I did have a little extra, due to having an extra paycheck coming up in October, but when you are in debt, it is never yours to spend.

I chose to trust, still, that God will provide. He always has.

Last night, at church, a church member approached me and handed me some money. The exact amount that I gave to the church earlier that day. She said, "I just feel like I should give you this." I tried to refuse it, but she wouldn't let me. Then I stated I would use it toward God Inspires.

I wanted to share this, because it is a testimony that whatever you give to God, know this: God knows your needs. And, God ALWAYS provides. He will give back to you more than you can imagine in blessings to meet your needs for the day. Have faith. Believe.

It was a message for me, and it was received graciously.

Thank you, Jesus! (and thank you, to that faithful member!)

Free Community Youth Rally Against Bullying and Youth Suicide (Lancaster, CA - October 3, 2015)

Lancaster, CA - August 31, 2015 (God Inspires) -- Bullying is a national and social epidemic in our country. Today, one in four kids is bullied in school and one in two kids, out of school.

Faithbuilders Prayer Ministry (a ministry of Blessed Ministries) will present a FREE youth rally and one-day community workshop on bullying and suicide prevention that will be held Saturday October 3, 2015. This event will be held at The Growing Valley Baptist Church, located at 44818 20th Street West Lancaster, California, from 9:00 am to 5 p.m. (registration begins at 8:00 a.m.)

Faithbuilders Prayer Ministry presents this event for parents, young adults (18-29) and children ages 5-17, as a faith-based initiative to bring a heightened awareness to bullying by rallying the community for a united approach to this very serious epidemic.

Through innovative, interactive fun workshops, the mission of our rally is to provide youth with resources to take action -- on both a personal and community level. We will offer small monetary scholarships, giveaways, food, games, dance ministry, music, informational booths and more.

Earleen Ross, a very unique, yet practical and profound author, lecturer, mentor and life coach who specializes in children's, adolescents and women's ministries will be our keynote speaker.

Up and coming artists, At'Eaze, an inspirational/Gospel Hip Hop Artist of Denver, Naomi Wamboe, of Seattle, a first generation Kenyan-American singer/songwriter and ambassador for One Vibe Africa, and many more will minister their unique artistry to this event.

Though FREE, registration is required. To register click here. For additional information, contact 888-364-8014.

Sunday, August 30, 2015

God CHOSE You!

Ephesians 1:4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love.

John 15:14 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

Those of you who know me know that I was saved at an early age. But, you also know that I had a LOT (and I mean A LOT) of maturing in Christ to do to end up where I am now in my faith.

Back then, I KNEW what I was doing when I walked down the aisle that first time. I had already read the Bible from cover to cover and I knew what walking down the aisle meant. I just didn't know how hard it would be.

But, never once in my life, through the hills and the valleys, through the disappointments and growing pains, the mistakes and falls, did I EVER deny the power of my God to sustain me.

At a very low point in my life just about ten years ago, I found 1st Bikers Church. I had been invited by a woman that I had known for years who was struggling on the streets. I went out of curiosity.

I left that first day in tears of realization of how much I needed my Lord Jesus, and how far away from Him I had wondered. I continued to go back, though, determined to find my way back--and I believed THAT church knew the way. I had FELT Him there so STRONG.

I cried every time I walked in. I cried every time I walked out. I was SOOO Depressed, but I KNEW my Jesus was THERE.

I found myself homeless shortly thereafter. I then learned what it meant to give everything to Him. Ha! I had nothing left to give except MYSELF. But, I fell on my knees and said, "Lord, I don't know why I am here, but I know where I am going. I have nothing left. This is the lowest I have ever been in my life. I am at the bottom. I KNOW that YOU are the only hand up that's going to really help me right now. So, whatever You want me to do, I'll do. I'm yours."

A few weeks went by. We were studying Henry Blackaby's "Experiencing God" at church. At the shelter, I constantly had my nose in the Bible. When I wasn't working at Waffle House, I was studying, going to church, and giving rides to people who needed it to take care of business while staying there at the shelter. (God later rewarded me for that by giving me a bus-driving job...but that's a whole other story).

One night at Bible Study, my pastor said, "If you are saved, it's because God CHOSE you (John 15:16)." With those incessant tears in my eyes it suddenly HIT HOME. I thought about that for a moment as he continued to talk. I looked up and through my tears said, "He CHOSE me?" To which Brother Gary replied, "Yes, Shonda. He CHOSE you. He as much as put His finger on you and said, YOU ARE MINE. I CHOOSE YOU." I smiled through my tears and said, "Well...THAT makes ME feel SPECIAL!" To which Brother Gary smiled and said, "And, it should."

I haven't been able to wipe the smile off my face since.

I wish I could say I didn't fall down anymore...but I can't. What I can say is I have learned (through more growing pains) that if I just turn toward Jesus, His hand is ALWAYS reaching out to pull me back up.

And, though I may still fall down at times...it doesn't seem near as far, or near as often.

Storms of Life


You know, JESUS KNEW what He was here on earth to do. He KNEW what he was going to have to endure in the end. He already KNEW how it would feel each time that cat of nine tails yanked flesh from His back, the shame He would feel as they spit on His face...yet, He CHOSE to continue to BLESS us with His presence, to offer us the gifts that He possessed, and to serve God by teaching us how to live abundantly. He, therefore, lived through the storm EVERY DAY of His life. And, all He asks is that we follow Him through it!

Somebody somewhere is going through a storm. Everyone goes through small storms in their lives every day. It's not what you are going through that should concern you. It's how you handle it that will make all the difference in the world.

NO ONE can handle a storm like Jesus can! Give it to Him.

Have faith. And, keep walking through the storm...Jesus is the SUN that shines on the other side!

HE has already made it through it.

Follow Him!



Mark 4:

35 And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side.

36 And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships.

37 And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.

38 And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?

39 And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.

40 And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?

41 And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?

Saturday, August 29, 2015

Rounds Nominates Bethany Christian Services as 2015 Angels in Adoption

Pierre, SD - August 29, 2015 (God Inspires) -- U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-SD) announced his nomination of Bethany Christian Services of Eastern and Western South Dakota for the 2015 Angels in Adoption Award presented by the Congressional Coalition on Adoption (CCAI). Bethany Christian Services of Eastern (Sioux Falls) and Western (Rapid City) South Dakota have been helping connect children and families through foster care, domestic and international adoption for more than 25 years.

“It is a privilege to nominate Bethany Christian Services for the Angels in Adoption award,” said Rounds. “Their relentless dedication to finding children loving and supportive families is admirable. Every child deserves a forever home, and Bethany Christian Services is committed to that cause. I have talked to families going through the adoption process with Bethany, and have heard nothing but positive, fulfilling experiences. Bethany Christian Services connects loving parents with children who need them, making families whole.”

Each year, Members of Congress are invited to nominate an outstanding family or organization from their district to receive an Angels in Adoption award. Bethany Christian Services is invited to join other Angels in Adoption nominees from around the country at an awards banquet in Washington, D.C., later this year.

CCAI is a 501(c)3 nonpartisan organization dedicated to raising awareness about the tens of thousands of orphans and foster children in the United States and the millions of orphans around the world in need of permanent, safe and loving homes through adoption. For more information about Angels in Adoption, click HERE.

Wednesday, August 26, 2015

Esther 4:14: Are you ready to take a risk for the Kingdom?

Esther 4:14 -- For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?

This is one of my most favorite verses in the Bible. Anytime I am faced with a challenge, or a life-changing opportunity, I think of this verse. Mordecai's insight encouraged Esther, and she became a grandmother of Jesus. What great feats we could accomplish if we just keep in mind that no matter what lies ahead of us, it is God's will in our lives to go through it without fear. If we don't take the opportunities presented to us, someone else will, to our own detriment.

So, when you are faced with possible tribulation if you make a decision that is courageous and principled, know that God is with you. Have the faith to believe that God will make the bumpy road smooth. Understand that GOD put you in THIS place, at THIS time, in order to give you a life more abundant, both for you AND your progeny.

There is a reason for everything. Are you ready to take a risk for the Kingdom?

Great Commission Churches

Great Commission Churches is a U.S. based fellowship of independent churches designed to equip, unite and provide accountability to churches and ministries that have a desire to fulfill the Great Commission of Jesus Christ. Our heart is that churches will model "New Testament Christianity in Action Today".

GCC is a US based fellowship of churches and ministries united with churches throughout the world around shared values, a common history and especially the Great Commission of Jesus Christ. GCC promotes conferences and mission opportunities and offers accountability and mediation services for member churches. Great Commission Churches is a member of the National Association of Evangelicals and the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability.

For more information about Great Commission Churches Click HERE

Saturday, August 22, 2015

What Living for Christ REALLY Means...

August 22, 2015 (God Inspires) -- "Okay … I'm Saved: Now What?" is not a book of denominational etiquette. It is a "benefit package" to Christians of all ages; countless Sons and Daughters of the King who are eager to enter into the fullness of their inheritance in Christ Jesus.

If you asked five Christians, "How are we to live this Christian life?" you probably would receive ten different answers. The truth is most Christians do not know what living a Christian life entails.

At the conclusion of the book, you will not only be enlightened in "What does living for Jesus mean?" but the author also steers readers in the right direction for many others questions to be answered - the Cross, and what Christ did for us there.

Question: What happened to me the moment I was Saved?
Answer: You got Justified! Justified or justification means God now looks at your record just as if you never sinned. Salvation is an act of God whereby eternal life is imparted to the person who believes (II Cor. 5:17; Tit. 3:5; I Pet. 1:3; I Jn. 2:29; 3:9; 4:7; 5:1-4, 18). John 1:12, 13 indicate that "born again" also carries the idea that we become "children of God" through trust in the name of Jesus Christ.

Question: Is the Baptism in the Holy Spirit necessary in a Believer's life?
Answer: The Baptism of the Holy Ghost was of such importance in the mind of the Lord Jesus Christ that He commanded His disciples to tarry in Jerusalem "until ye be endued with power from on high" (Luke 24:49). And they steadfastly carried out what the Lord had commanded, waiting on God in a continuous prayer meeting in the upper room for ten days until the promise of the Father was fulfilled, and that Baptism had fallen of which John the Baptist spoke of in Matthew 3:11, saying: "I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but He that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire."

Question: Why should we pray?
Answer: For the Christian, praying is supposed to be like breathing, easier to do than to not do. We pray for a variety of reasons. For one thing, prayer is a form of serving God (Luke 2:36-38) and obeying Him. We pray because God commands us to pray (Philippians 4:6-7). Prayer is exemplified for us by Christ and the early church (Mark 1:35; Acts 1:14; 2:42; 3:1; 4:23-31; 6:4; 13:1-3). If Jesus thought it was worthwhile to pray, we should also. If He needed to pray to remain in the Father's will, how much more do we need to pray?

Question: Why Should I read and study the Bible?
Answer: The Bible is God's Word. As such, it is as binding as the laws of nature. We can ignore it, but we do so to our own detriment, just as we would if we ignored the law of gravity. It cannot be emphasized strongly enough just how important the Bible is to our lives. Studying the Bible can be compared to mining for gold. If we make little effort and merely "sift through the pebbles in a stream," we will only find a little gold dust. But the more we make an effort to really dig into it, the more reward we will gain for our effort.

Question: Why did I lose most of my friends when I chose to follow Jesus Christ?
Answer: People who love sound doctrine don't mix well with other people who do not have a heart for sound doctrine. Many people claim to love God but when they do not love and cling to sound doctrine then they really do not love God.

Question: What if I drink in "moderation," is it a sin?
Answer: You have been given a new life. What you build or do not build on it is up to you. However, keep this in mind; your fun of today may become your sadness of tomorrow.

Simply put, the slate of your old life with all its failures, faults and sins has been wiped clean.

You now have the responsibility to walk in this new life, live in this new life, and grow in this new life as a Christian.

James's books motivate and positively influence readers and are for anyone who struggles, not just Christians. His writing provides a sense of kindred spirit and positive input in negative situations, help people resolve personal issues, hold their interest through engaging storylines and will bring hours of enjoyment. All of his works center on integrity, morals, wholesome living and family friendly values.

Click Here for a short Preview of "Okay, I'm Saved … Now What?"

The book is available worldwide, including Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Kindle, Lulu Incorporated and NOOK, in both paperback and hardcover.

James Langston is available for interviews, media appearances, book signings, and speaking engagements.

About the Author:
Langston, a former U.S. Naval military officer, faithfully served his country for 27 years before retiring in 2003. He is founder and senior pastor of the Pilgrim Outreach Ministries.

James and his wife Cecilia have been married for more than 36 years and have six children and thirteen grandchildren.
They live overseas in Italy.

Contact Information:
James Langston, Senior Pastor,
Pilgrim Outreach Ministries International
www.thewilltosucceed.homestead.com
pom_ministry ( @ ) yahoo dot com

D. C. Bible Museum to House Large Collection of Israeli Antiquities

The Museum of the Bible in Washington, D.C. will display artifacts from Israel.

According to TheBlaze.com, the Museum of the Bible has reached an agreement with the National Treasures Department at the Israel Antiquities Authority. Micky Saban, head of the authority, said the Israeli artifacts will include items from the Canaanite period and the First and Second Temples.

The Museum of the Bible, which is privately funded, is slated to open in 2017 and will display the personal collection of the museum’s founder, Steve Green. His collection includes tablets from Abraham’s time, biblical papyri, Dead Sea Scroll pieces and rare Bibles.

Read more about this by clicking HERE

Thursday, August 13, 2015

The Million Window Campaign

Put it on your house windows, car windows, business windows and more!

Show the world that "IN GOD WE TRUST!"

Click HERE for information!

Massive Noah's Ark Replica to be Completed in 2016



A life-size replica of Noah’s Ark is being constructed as an exhibit at Ken Ham’s Creation Museum in Williamstown, Kentucky.

Most people are familiar with the story of Noah’s Ark and can recall how, in the book of Genesis, God told Noah to bring pairs of animals into the ark along with his family because God was going to destroy all living creatures who inhabited the earth because of their wickedness.

Ken Ham is bringing that story to life with his $29.5 million project.

Read about it HERE!

If this has inspired you, please share it!






Monday, August 10, 2015

Featured Web Site at God Inspires: Unshackled!

Real people...real life stories...stirring, dramatic accounts of hopelessness, and the hope that changes everything. "UNSHACKLED!" the award-winning radio drama from Pacific Garden Mission in Chicago, grips the heart with compelling and relevant stories of transformed lives.

Without Jesus Christ, we are all shackled by sin — by our wrong choices, disobedience and selfish motives. But God is at work, and the power of Christ sets us free of our bondage. We are... "UNSHACKLED!"

Since 1950, Pacific Garden Mission has produced this unique series, making "UNSHACKLED!" the longest-running radio drama in history. Still produced in the style of the "Golden Age" of radio, every element is live at the time of the production — the original music, the creative sound effects and, of course, the dynamic performances of talented professional actors.


Today "UNSHACKLED!" is broadcast around the world almost 14,000 times each week on over 2,900 radio outlets. In addition to the English broadcast, it is translated and re-dramatized in Spanish, Arabic, Russian, Romanian, Polish, Korean, Japanese, Farsi, Albanian, Greek, Macedonian, Turkish, Portuguese, and Mandarin.

Click HERE to visit the web site and listen to UNSHACKLED!

If this has inspired you, please share it!





Saturday, August 8, 2015

Conviction of Conscience



Have you ever been convicted? Have you ever had this "sudden realization" that you've been doing things all wrong, and the strong urge to stop what you are doing wrong to make things right?

If you have, then you have experienced "conviction". Conviction can happen at any time. The word "convicted" is related to the word "convict". To convict someone denotes an active participation in causing someone else to become convicted. On another note, a "convict" is someone who has been found guilty of a crime. Therefore, if you are "convicted", then you have been found guilty of some action you know is not right and deserves changing in your life.

The word "convicted", although used liberally in Christian circles, is only used one time in the King James Version of the Holy Bible. It is at the part of the story about the prostitute who was caught in the act of sinning. When they brought her before Jesus in order to try to convict him of blasphemy, or false teaching, Jesus told them, "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone." One by one, from the eldest to the youngest, they walked away. In John 8:9 it says that they were "convicted by their own conscience, and walked away."

What is conscience, then, that it should convict anyone?

I have heard it argued that the conscience is the Holy Spirit convicting you; but, according to the Bible, you can have a good conscience or a bad conscience. In 1 Corinthians 8, Paul seeks to use food that has been offered to idols as a example. As Christians, we know that idols are nothing; therefore, we have no problem eating food offered to them. However, those who were raised in idolatry revere idols as holy. If they see you eating food offered to idols they may be offended. Someone who is offended by you may not want to listen to you when you tell them about Jesus, or what is right or wrong. Paul calls their conscience "weak". Therefore, it is diplomatic form, to say the least, to learn their customs and seek not to offend them in order to keep their minds open to your teaching of the Gospel.

To Titus, (Titus 1:15), Paul writes, "To the pure all things are pure. But to those who are defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure: but even their mind and conscience are defiled."

In Hebrews 9:14, Paul explains how a person with a defiled conscience gets a clean start to rebuild their conscience to God's glory: Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

When you accept Christ into your life your slate is wiped clean. All of your sins are forgiven. From that moment on, you do your best to keep your heart and mind pointed toward Christ, walking in his precepts and laws. From that day forward, your conscience will convict you when you turn down the wrong paths.

If this has inspired you, please share it!




Archaeologists Uncover Gates to Gath, Hometown of Old Testament Giant Goliath: 'An Astounding Find'



Archaeologists have unearthed a massive gate in the Israeli village of Tell es-Safi that is believed to be the entrance to Gath, the hometown of the giant Goliath who the Israelite David defeated with a slingshot in the account found in 1st Samuel 17.

According to LiveScience, the gate of Gath was found by researchers at Bar-Ilan University conducting excavations in the Tel Zafit national park, in the Judean foothills between Jerusalem and Ashkelon.

The city, which was ruled by the Philistines, was occupied until about the ninth century BC, when it was destroyed by Hazael, king of Damascus, said lead archaeologist of the current excavation, Aren Maeir, of Bar-Ilan University in Israel.

Read more about this by clicking HERE

If this has inspired you, please share it!





Thursday, August 6, 2015

Genesis 1:31: God Called You "Good"



Written By Shonda Ponder
All Bible verses taken from the KJV of the Open Bible


Genesis 1:31 -- And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.

You've heard the old saying, (or seen the T-shirt) that says, "God don't make no junk." Indeed, everything God creates is good. Everything alive in the world has a purpose, as well as everything that is inanimate. So, the next time you feel like beating yourself up with words like, "I'm no good", better think again. God called you "good" on the day He created Adam.

That's right. God is infinite. He is the God of all time and space. He knew, on the day He created Adam, that one day YOU would walk this earth. God looked, not only at His creation, but everything that His creation would produce. God called you "good", just like Jesus died for YOUR sins on that cross, God knew you before you were conceived.

Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; and before you came forth out of the womb I sanctified you, and I ordained you a prophet unto the nations. (Jeremiah 1:5)

So, if God calls you "good", don't you think you should live a life of goodness?

If this has inspired you, please share it!





New Research Reveals Primary Causes of Church Decline



Loveland, CO - August 6, 2015 (God Inspires) -- New research reveals that 31 percent of the adult U.S. population, approximately 65 million people, were at one time involved in church but have since left. This is approximately equal to the number of people still regularly attending church.

The study also found that more than 10 percent of adults still attending church are on their way out the door.

The top five reasons people gave for leaving are:

  • The church was too judgmental.

  • The church bureaucracy was stifling.

  • They didn't like the lecture style of preaching.

  • The church was not where they encountered God.

  • The church took a social or political stance they disagreed with.


  • The research was conducted by Dr. Josh Packard, director of the Social Research Lab at the University of Northern Colorado, for the purpose of understanding the size, make-up, and motivations of the formerly churched population in the U.S.

    Packard's findings are summarized in a newly released report titled, Exodus of the Religious Dones. Packard also wrote about these trends in his book Church Refugees: Sociologists Reveal Why People Are DONE With Church but Not Their Faith (Group).

    According to Packard, "The people who are leaving the church in droves are not simply marginal Christians who decided to leave on a whim. They were at one time the church's staunchest supporters and leaders. And when they leave, they take irreplaceable institutional knowledge, experience, and relational connections that will be hard to replace."