Happy New Year at God Inspires!

The year 2015 has been a year of change and heartbreak, love and rejoicing, healing, hope and bittersweet losses. It was a bad year in some ways. In other ways, it was a very blessed year.

We learned who our friends truly were, and that God is present, even in the storms. We were made strong in our weakness and learned to praise through our tears! We became closer in our churches and our families, as we supported each other through trials, loss and woes. We learned that it's okay to lean on people who care, and that we don't have to go through the storms alone.

As a church, we learned that our value is not in the numbers of people that attend, but in the love we show -- and are shown -- by those who do. We learned that if we continue to praise God as we walk through the valley of death, His grace is sufficient to pull us through, and His blessings are abundant.

In our church, we had to knock out walls in order to be able to hold all of them.

Each day is a new day, bringing new problems, new friendships, new things to be aware of, to work toward, and to praise and rejoice over, as well as to shed tears for. But, the gift is that we got to do it. The greater gift as that we did it together. And, the greatest gift is, at the end of the year, God is still God: He is still Great; and, He is still all-powerful, and He is still with us.

I call that something to rejoice over! "

As we bring in the New Year, may we resolve to make the coming year truly "The Year of Our Lord" as we give praise and thanksgiving for each new day we are gifted with!

Happy New Year from God Inspires!

Ecclesiastes 3:
11 He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.
12 I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life.
13 And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God.

Featured Ministry: In Touch with Dr. Charles Stanley

It all began in 1972, when a half-hour program called "The Chapel Hour" was launched on Atlanta-area television stations. Today, "In Touch with Dr. Charles Stanley" can be heard around the world via radio and television broadcasts, podcasts, the handheld In Touch Ministries Messenger, In Touch Apps, and right here on the Web.

Our programs are seen and heard around the world on more than 2,600 radio and television outlets in more than 50 languages. In addition to broadcasting, the ministry continues to produce books, studies, discipleship resources, and the award-winning In Touch magazine to more than 1.5 million households every month.

At In Touch Ministries, our mission is to lead people worldwide into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ and to strengthen the local church. We remain committed to advancing the gospel from person to person and place to place as quickly, clearly, and irresistibly as possible.

Check out In Touch on the internet by clicking HERE!

Jesus Offers Shelter from the Rain

I had arrived at my place of employment about 45 minutes early; so, I opted to eat my taco salad that I had just bought in my car in the parking lot. It was a good 3-minute walk from my car to the door I would enter to go to work.

In the seat beside me was a Bible that I always keep in the car for emergencies. You never know when you will be called to witness. As today would prove, sometimes it's just the presence of the Word that does the witnessing.

My radio was playing Christian contemporary music from the K-Love music station. I was enjoying my food when the light drops of rain began coming.

As I sat there eating, waiting for the time to pass, I saw a young woman who had just approached my car and was walking past. She must have glanced inside and saw my Bible -- or, maybe she heard the music, or both. I heard her mumble, "Jesus Freak."

As I watched her walk on past the parking lot, I realized she was a pedestrian. It had started to rain. I started the car and drove up beside her and asked her, "Do you need a ride somewhere?"

She said, "No, thank you."

I couldn't help myself. I said, "Do you really want to tell Jesus you don't need Him?"

She looked at me like I was crazy and said, "I suppose you think you are Jesus?"

I explained to her that 1 Corinthians 12:27 says that we, as Christians are "the body of Christ", and that would make us available to Him as His hands and feet. When we do for people in need, we not only are doing what Jesus would do, but we are doing it FOR Him, quoting Matthew 25:40. I told her that if she needed a ride, I'm willing.

She curtly said, "No," and continued to walk away.

This Jesus Freak had offered her a way out of the rain. It's sad that when the answer to her problem was right in front of her, she refused to accept it.

Isn't this how many in the world today are? You can lead them to the answer to everything, and yet they want to remain immersed in their problems.

Jesus said it best like this:

Matthew 13:15
“For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.”

I can think of a million other things I'd rather do than walk in the rain when a covered ride is offered.

Won't YOU come in out of the rain?

Jesus Knocked at My Door Today...

Revelation 3:20
“Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.”

LOL...Jesus just knocked on my door. Don't laugh. It's true.

I heard the knock, then I went and answered it. A neighbor handed me a sack with a dozen eggs, 5 cans of vegetables, and some peanut brittle. He said, "A lady is handing out groceries. She's over there (pointing) in the red car. She said to give these to everyone who needs it. I don't know if you need it, but you answered your door." LOL

Isn't that just like Jesus? ("...but you answered your door.")

I told him, "Thank you! What I can't use I'll definitely give to someone who can!" I never turn down free food, especially if it's random.

Matthew 25:40
“And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.”

This just goes to prove that when you are willing to be the hands and feet of Jesus, Jesus provides!

Approximately five minutes after I posted this, I received another knock at my door. This time it was an older lady. She handed me a gigantic frozen turkey! I exclaimed, "OMG! Thank you SO MUCH!" Then, I called my mom.

Merry Christmas to All of You Truck Drivers Out There...

To all you OTR Long-haul (and otherwise) Truck Drivers out there:

Words cannot express the appreciation I have for what you do. Without you, our Christmases wouldn't be so bright. I just want you to know that I know that.

You have sacrificed time away from your own families so mine can enjoy the gift of giving this year. I thank you for your sacrifice.

Please stay safe, and as warm as you can. You are in my prayers.

Have a very Merry Christmas!

For Unto Us a Child Is Given

From: The American Life League (ALL)

It is most appropriate on this, December 22, to recall the words written in Isaiah chapter 9, ushering in the newborn King. They remind us of the wonder that occurs not only on Christmas morning, but every day and at every second when a child is conceived.

These words symbolize the true meaning of living life to the fullest by being a builder of the culture of life: “For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

These words remind us that Christmas is that world-changing event when one solitary life—a life that would change the entire world for once and forever—first physically entered the world.

So how can we extend the warmth and love of Christmas to every day of our lives and to those around us, especially those who feel tempted by the alluring taunts of abortion and euthanasia advocates? What gift is there that we can give, every day of the year, to help persuade others that choosing not to affirm life is never an act of compassion but rather an act of supreme selfishness?

We offer a few thoughts on the subject by giving real world examples of the beauty and wonder of life.

There is the story of reporter Kelley Benham and her miracle daughter born at just 23 weeks gestational age. In the news report about this amazing baby, whose parents named her Juniper, we read, “The story of Juniper was not meant to be a political one. The word abortion is not mentioned. But for anyone still on the fence about whether a fetus in its second trimester is in fact a baby, on whether it’s right that New York allows abortion until 24 weeks, stories like Kelley and Tom’s are hard to forget.”

Indeed, for those who favor aborting a child, words like baby, child, and miracle are swords to the heart of their evil practices. Of course this means they are words we should use often as we go about building a culture of life.

In addition, think about this story of a father who was in a car accident that put him in a coma for seven years and woke up because he was given a sleeping pill! When he awoke five days after the first pill was given to him, Ayanda Nqinana recognized family members, including his son, and remembered events that happened before his accident.

For those who favor euthanasia under one of its many forms, words like “hope,” “the power of God” and “miracle” are anathema. This means they are words we should use often as we go about building a culture of life.

But perhaps the word that most agitates the promoters of death is Truth—a word that should be capitalized as we speak Truth in the Name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and King. We extend the warmth and love of Christmas to every day of our lives by never forgetting that Truth is the cornerstone of every effort we pursue. Without it, we are nothing but empty, clanging cymbals. We are little more than political puppets.

In other words, we will fail if we do not remember the reason for our work as builders of a culture of life.

So let us resolve to bring that Truth, that Love, that overwhelming Power of Christ the Lord everywhere we go as our gift to our fellow human beings today, tomorrow, and every day. By doing this, we will, through Christ, bring many to become builders of a culture of life! We promise always to remember that we are people who comprehend the awesomeness of the gift we were given in the form of a tiny child on that very first Christmas Day. If we remember those words: “For unto us a Child is . . . given,” the beauty and the awesomeness of their meaning will fill us with joy—a joy we can share with others each and every day.

May the 12 days of Christmas bring very special blessings for you and yours.

American Life League has a mission of building a culture of life. Our national scope, our positive and effective efforts to develop a young generation of pro-life evangelists, and our number-one status as a threat to Planned Parenthood deserve your support.

Ask yourself: “How can I build the culture of life today?” Browse our website at ALL.org. We provide articles and inspiration that will equip you for the mission.

In addition, you can make an immense difference by generously donating to American Life League. Partner with us today and make a true impact toward a culture of life! Click here to donate. You can help save a life.

Featured Ministry: Christians in Recovery

Christians in Recovery® is a group of men and women who are dedicated to personal one-on-one sharing of faith, strength and hope as we live each day in recovery. We work to regain and maintain balance and order in our lives through active discussion of the 12 Steps, the Bible, and experiences in our own recovery from abuse, family dysfunction, depression, anxiety, grief, relationships and/or addictions of alcohol, drugs, food, pornography, sexual addiction, etc.

To learn more about this ministry, click HERE to visit their web site!

Featured Ministry: Christian Business Men's Connection

We’re a group of men in the marketplace living out our faith in authentic relationships.

For men who have no understanding of the promises of Jesus, we simply spend time interacting with them, at their pace, on such topics as:

What’s the real purpose of life?
Are Christianity and the Bible still credible after all these years?
How can I be a better professional?
How can I make my marriage work?
Where is God?
Who is Jesus?
Can I honestly be accepted and forgiven?

We welcome every businessman no matter what your background is or how much you know. We’re more interested in how much passion you possess for learning.

To read more about this ministry, visit them on the web by clicking HERE!

Dealing with people who judge you

1 Corinthians 13
4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

The word "charity" in the Greek language (in the language these verses were originally written) is "agape". Agape can be translated to also mean "love". This is why many translations of the Bible use the word "love" rather than "charity" here. Our definition of charity, on the other hand, tends to mean "giving" or "to give". In a way, this fits, too. When you give love, these verses tell you how to give. Therefore, if you really want to minister to new-born Christians, these verses tell you what it is that they will respond to the most; or, rather, how to be the example of Christ you are called to be.

Many of those who abide in the world are turned off of Christianity because of Christians who have not learned how to be the example that Christ has called them to be. These are those in the church that are critical of what you wear, where you work, who you are seen with, or even how you talk. They are the ones you will see giggling with their faces hid behind a home-made fan, or excusing themselves to run and tell another what they just heard about you. They, who have unknowingly chosen to live in the Old Testament, have not learned what the word "charity" means, and have forgotten what the first commandment about busybodies and those who gossip is:

Leviticus 19
14 Thou shalt not curse the deaf, nor put a stumblingblock before the blind, but shalt fear thy God: I [am] the LORD.
15 Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment: thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor honour the person of the mighty: [but] in righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbour.
16 Thou shalt not go up and down [as] a talebearer among thy people: neither shalt thou stand against the blood of thy neighbour: I [am] the LORD.
17 Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him.
18 Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I [am] the LORD.

This is the first time in the Bible that you see the phrase "love thy neighbor as thyself", in case you were wondering where Jesus got that.

So, when you find yourself as a victim of meddlers, just smile at them. If you want to, you might even go and put your arm around them and say something like, "I am so sorry you are having difficulty with conquering the sin of judgment. I will pray for you, that God will give you wisdom in such matters, and that He will forgive you for your mistake. I do." Furthermore, don't lose heart. Just remember:

Romans 5
8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Leaning on Jesus

One of the things I like about my church is that we are real people. We have real lives,, real problems, real sins to deal with. We are, in fact, so busy with our own sins, we just don't have time to point someone else's out.

Jesus said:

Matthew 11
28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

We have learned that the only solution to our problems is Jesus, and His teachings. And, in following in His footsteps, we love one another genuinely, and without condition. This does not mean that we condone the sins of others, or ourselves. Rather, we try to lovingly guide others to the feet of Jesus, where they can find the solution to their problems.

If your church isn't preaching Jesus, or pointing to the one who is the true way, truth and life, then it is lacking, and I urge you to find one that does

Charged, but not Convicted

I picked up a job application from a reputable employer.

Nineteen years ago I was charged with a class A misdemeanor. I spent 20 hours in jail. I got out on a PR bond. (failure to ID an 18 year old who bought a 6 pack of beer in a convenient store where I worked in a sting operation on the DAY the 21 law went into effect in Austin, Texas). I paid my lawyer $800. She told me to plead "no contest". The folder in front of the judge had writing on it in big red letters: NO DEFERRALS.

The judge asked me for my plea. I did as my lawyer advised. The judge looked at my record. I had no priors. I was clean. The judge said, "This folder says no deferrals, but this is MY court. I can do what I want to."

I was sentenced to a $400 fine, 24 hours of community service, a misdemeanor 1 class (where I was placed with violent offenders because they had no category for my crime yet) that cost me $50. AND, I had a year's probation ($40/month at that time) ALL with deferred adjudication, and a warning not to make the same mistake twice.

I was mad at the lawyer.

Today, I am thankful for her.

I read my job application. It says, "If you have ever been convicted of a class A or B misdemeanor you are not qualified.

Deferred Adjudication means charged, but not convicted.

I jumped through all the hoops. So, I can honestly say I was not convicted when asked.

Got to thinking about this.

I am charged with crimes that are punishable by death in God's Eyes. But, HE has offered deferred adjudication if I jump through some hoops.

In HIS court, He only asks that I jump through one: accepting Jesus as my Lord and Saviour. Claiming HIS redemption by the blood of HIS sacrifice, and to go and sin no more.

I did that. So now, though I have been charged, I am not convicted to death!

My lawyer in the eternal court is none other than the Son of God Himself, Lord Jesus! Though I can't see the ultimate reward right now, I know that when the day comes that the Father does a background check on me, He will find my crimes are washed clean by the blood of the Lamb.

Jeremiah 31:34
“And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.”

Winning the 'War on Christmas'

Chicago, IL - December 10, 2015 (God Inspires) -- This Christmas season, the Thomas More Society continues to fight for freedom of religious speech and the free exercise of religious faith in the public square. As legal counsel for the American Nativity Scene Committee and local private groups around the country, the national nonprofit public interest law firm defends these rights and equips Americans to display Christmas manger scenes in their state capitols and other venues that qualify as traditional or designated public forums. The Thomas More Society provides legal counsel for privately-funded groups placing nativity scenes in public places in twenty-one states. This year, the Thomas More Society is sponsoring nativity displays in Illinois, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, Nebraska, Rhode Island and Texas, and in front of the Oklahoma Governor's mansion, in partnership with the American Nativity Scene Committee. These crèches have been donated by an anonymous benefactor. Efforts continue to secure permits for such displays elsewhere around the nation.

These nativity displays represent classic free speech and the free exercise of religious faith by private citizens in the public square. The Biblical scenes have not gone up without controversy.

"Atheist groups may mock our message, but we will not be silent. It is critical that Christians proclaim the Gospel message to their fellow citizens," said Tom Brejcha, Thomas More Society President and Chief Counsel. "Anti-Christian, anti-Christmas rhetoric and Satanic expositions merely serve to provide sharp emphasis by means of their stark contrast with the positive, uplifting, hopeful and joyous message of Christmas," he added, "A message that bears secular as well as religious significance, as it highlights the hope and miracle of birth and new life, the inherent dignity of each and every human being, focusing our attention on the humble and lowly infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and laid in a manger amidst straw and animals, honored by shepherds and kings alike and heralded by choirs of angels. That message of the essential equality and dignity of all human beings, no matter how rich or poor, humble or high-stationed, resonates deeply with the values that Americans cherish."

Last Christmas, the Freedom from Religion Foundation and the American Civil Liberties Union tried to force officials in Franklin County, Indiana to dismantle the privately funded and privately sponsored nativity scene that has been displayed on its courthouse lawn every Christmas for over fifty years. The Christian crèche was one of several private displays set up at the county complex throughout the year. The Thomas More Society defeated both organizations in the Indianapolis federal court. The atheist groups' claim that the private manger scene was an "establishment of religion by the government" was rebuffed as legally baseless. The court ruled that Christian citizens have a right to display a nativity scene on their local courthouse lawn, which qualifies as a "designated public forum."

This controversy is not new. Almost thirty years ago, a lawsuit had to be filed to protect Chicago's Daley Plaza nativity scene and prevent physical destruction of the Holy Family statues. City and county officials tried to suppress the right of Christians to express their religious faith in that traditional public forum, where political rallies, ethnic celebrations and other cultural events had been regularly staged. Private attorney Jennifer Neubauer persuaded the late Chief United States District Judge James B. Parsons to enter a permanent injunction, enjoining the authorities from this "discrimination" against religious expression in Chicago's "public square."

"The nativity displays represent a constitutionally protected expression by private citizens in traditional or designated public forums, where the sole role of the government is that of a viewpoint-neutral gatekeeper assuring open access for all citizens to have their say," explained Brejcha. "If the First Amendment entitles you to get up on your soapbox and plead for a candidate or advocate a political point of view in a public forum, then equally you may get on the soapbox and proclaim the joyous, hopeful message of the Christ child!"

About the Thomas More Society
Thomas More Society is a not-for-profit, national public interest law firm dedicated to restoring respect in law for life, family, and religious liberty. Headquartered in Chicago, the Thomas More Society defends and fosters support for these causes by providing high quality pro bono legal services from local trial courts all the way to the United States Supreme Court.

About the American Nativity Scene Committee
The American Nativity Scene Committee is dedicated to the display of nativity scenes in every state capitol in America during the Christmas season. The committee ships nativity scenes, which have been donated by an anonymous benefactor, to citizens throughout the United States who wish to give witness to the true meaning of Christmas by setting up a privately funded crèche in a public forum. The Thomas More Society provides the committee with legal help in securing permits and defending challenges as needed.

The Potter and The Clay

I was listening to Pastor David Jeremiah today as he quoted scripture:

Jeremiah 18:
4 And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make [it].
5 Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
6 O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? saith the LORD. Behold, as the clay [is] in the potter's hand, so [are] ye in mine hand, O house of Israel. e

It got me thinking of how God deals with us in a whole new light. It made the concept of "FREE WILL" come alive to me, from God's perspective.

You see, God is the potter. WE are the clay.

When the potter molds the clay, and it doesn't turn out the way he wanted it to, he re-molds it until it becomes something else that pleases him.

That's how it is with us. God creates us. Maybe He has a plan for us, but we are rebellious and unfaithful. We are "marred in the hand of the potter". When we repent and turn back to Him, He remolds us into something else. He gives us a purpose that is suitable to Him based on our own experiences. ("so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter")

We are born with a purpose, but the purpose we are intended to have may not be the purpose we end up living out. Regardless, God has a use for us, and He continues to mold us into something useful for Himself, based on our own free will, as long as we let Him.

Should we mar ourselves in the hand of the potter and not turn back to him, He will set us down until such a time as we do. He lets us harden in our iniquity, and if we do not let Him make something useful out of us (the clay), He will eventually destroy us, once He has all He needs for His use. (Judgment Day).

Featured Ministry: ChristianAnswers.net

CHRISTIAN ANSWERS is a worldwide evangelism, education and discipleship ministry of Films for Christ. Our primary goal is to provide accurate, biblical answers on a wide variety of questions asked by Christians and non-Christians. Questions can be submitted on-line. We also provide a great deal of other valuable information and resources related to Christianity, Christian education, discipleship, media, and more...

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Gerald Crabb to visit 1st Bikers Church in Texarkana!