Carmen Grace: Have you thought about Jesus today?

HAVE YOU THOUGHT ABOUT JESUS TODAY!?
GOD always Loves and thinks about you!
GOD wants to hear from you!
God considers you His Most Precious Treasure!
(Exodus 19:5)
Psalm 139:17-18
How precious to me are your thoughts, God!
How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them,
they would outnumber the grains of sand—
when I awake, I am still with you.

Studying the laws of God: Stolen Property

Exodus 22
7 If a man shall deliver unto his neighbour money or stuff to keep, and it be stolen out of the man's house; if the thief be found, let him pay double.
8 If the thief be not found, then the master of the house shall be brought unto the judges, to see whether he have put his hand unto his neighbour's goods.
9 For all manner of trespass, whether it be for ox, for ass, for sheep, for raiment, or for any manner of lost thing, which another challengeth to be his, the cause of both parties shall come before the judges; and whom the judges shall condemn, he shall pay double unto his neighbour.

When I left Houston, Texas in 2004 to go on the road with my boyfriend, I knew that I couldn't take many of the things I valued with me. My son lived with his father just two blocks away from me at the time. His father and I had somehow remained friends through the years.

I decided to give my son his immediate inheritance and leave with nothing but my ID and my clothes; so, I packed up all of my belongings and took them to my son's father's house.

There was one item that I left in his father's care that I wanted back -- my guitar. My dad gave me that guitar when I turned 14 years old. I loved it.

Much has happened since then, and I am sure the guitar is gone for good. I would not expect to ever get it back, and I will not ask for it.

However, if someone had stolen the guitar from my son's father, and he knew who stole it, and if the guitar were found, then the thief would owe me double the value of the guitar with it's return.

If the thief was not found, I could take his father to court to determine whether or not he may have sold it and claimed it was stolen or otherwise. At any rate, in any conflict that concerns stolen property the courts are required to be involved, and the judge has a right to intervene.

If my son's father said, "What guitar? That's MY guitar!" and the judge rules that it is, indeed, HIS guitar (regardless of the truth), then I owe his father double the cost of the guitar just for the trouble of taking him to court.

I traveled over 40 states in four months. I saw the country and learned to appreciate how small the world actually was. I saw the majestic beauty of God's creation unfold in front of me on a daily basis. I learned to love and value my land, my freedom, and my God through this experience. Today, I look back and see that it was worth the loss of my valued property to me in order to have had this experience.

Event: Pink Ride (Texarkana)

Studying the Laws of God: Vicious Animal Attacks

Exodus 21
28 If an ox gore a man or a woman, that they die: then the ox shall be surely stoned, and his flesh shall not be eaten; but the owner of the ox shall be quit.

An "ox" can also represent any other animal. If a dog kills a man or a woman, he should be put down. This passage requires the use of common sense.

In my younger, wilder days, I worked at a local semi-biker bar to pay the bills. Working nights gave me the opportunity to get to know many of my customers. I remember one guy that would come in at the same time every night. If he didn't show up, I got worried. But, he only drank two beers, then he would leave.

As I spoke with him, I learned that he was starting his own paint and body shop for Semi-trucks. He owned a very mean one-man dog -- a pit bull that was very territorial.

The patron would chain the dog up in the shop at night to ward off intruders. The shop was located in a very bad part of town.

One night, a man broke in and the dog broke the chain and killed the man. The next morning, the patron came to work to a very gruesome sight.

The police were called. They incarcerated the dog and set a court date. The prosecuting attorney wanted to put the dog to sleep. The judge, however, ruled that the dog "was just doing his job," and gave the dog back to his owner.

God's law does not intend for the loss of life; but, God does provide sanctuary for anyone who kills in self-defense or while protecting his family or property. The same should also be for animals who are used for service of any kind. However, just to be clear about this: God's Word does NOT make such a distinction for animals. Listening to the Holy Spirit with-in you is vital in such cases.

Exodus 21:29
But if the ox were wont to push with his horn in time past, and it hath been testified to his owner, and he hath not kept him in, but that he hath killed a man or a woman; the ox shall be stoned, and his owner also shall be put to death.

The dog had been chained in the shop at night behind locked doors. If the door of the shop had been left open, or the dog had been freed to roam around, the patron dog-owner would have been just as responsible for the burglar's death. He, too, should have received the death penalty had that been the case.

Exodus 21:30
If there be laid on him a sum of money, then he shall give for the ransom of his life whatsoever is laid upon him.

Perhaps the judge should kill the patron dog-owner for his negligence, but they offer him his freedom if he is willing to pay the family five-million dollars for the loss of their loved one. If the patron can pay the restitution, then he should, by God's law, be allowed to go free.

Exodus 21:
31 Whether he have gored a son, or have gored a daughter, according to this judgment shall it be done unto him.
32 If the ox shall push a manservant or a maidservant; he shall give unto their master thirty shekels of silver, and the ox shall be stoned.

However, if the patron dog-owner's dog had killed one of the hired hands on the job, the judgment would have been different. The reason for this is that the hired hand knew about the dog, and was trained to be aware of the dangers. The patron would still have to pay restitution, but the punishment is not as steep. According to the verses, an amount equal to today's worth would have put the patron paying about $3,840.00 for the loss of his helper.

It's amazing how job-related accidents today pay much more sometimes to the families, yet this is what God recommends for payment.

Carmen Grace: Miracles still happen...

PRAISE the LORD HE LIVES and HIS HOLY SPIRIT still SAVES. IF you need PRAYERS ANSWERED and HEALING whether emotional, physical or spiritual know that GOD is still on the THRONE. HE is our EVERLASTING HOPE!~CG

Check out a list of miracles in the Bible at the Bible Encyclopedia by clicking HERE

Recent posts...Apology

I apologize for some recent posts that were intended to go on another blog. I have deleted those posts from the God Inspires blog. Please forgive my oversight.

Shonda Ponder, Chief Coordinator
God Inspires

and editor,
The Ponder News

Vince Gill to Join 500 Local Volunteers in Packaging Meals at Stop Hunger Now’s New U.S. Location

Nashville, TN - January 20, 2016 (God Inspires) -- Stop Hunger Now will celebrate its newest warehouse location at a Grand Opening event on Saturday, Jan 23, 2016 at Calvary United Methodist Church. Country music legend Vince Gill will be on hand to help package meals along with 500 volunteers during the four-hour event.

“I’ve always believed that if somebody needs a helping hand, you should reach out to help,” said Gill. “I’m looking forward to packaging meals and learning more about Nashville’s newest nonprofit, Stop Hunger Now, and how our community can support their vision of ending world hunger.”

The event will mark the accomplishments of supporters, funders and meal packaging volunteers that helped establish Stop Hunger in Tennessee. To date, more than 1.4 million meals have already been packaged in the Nashville area. In just the past year, Stop Hunger Now engaged more than 2,000 volunteers from the Nashville area.

Stop Hunger Now meal packaging events are a volunteer-based program that coordinates the streamlined packaging of highly nutritious dehydrated meals comprised of rice, soy, vegetables, flavoring, and 23 essential vitamins and minerals. The popular and effective meal packaging program provides local residents–churches, civic groups, businesses, schools–a hands-on way to help end world hunger.

Groups of all sizes and ages can organize a meal packaging event with Stop Hunger Now to assemble meals that are used to support development programs such as school feeding, vocational training, and early childhood development programs, orphanages, and medical clinics. Working with these programs helps enhance lives by giving beneficiaries the opportunity to break the cycle of poverty through education, skills development, and health care while also receiving much-needed nutrition.

Stop Hunger Now President and CEO Rod Brooks will be on hand for for this grand opening event. “We are grateful that the Nashville community has welcomed us and shown such strong support,” said Brooks. “What we want everyone to know is that hunger is solvable and is the common thread among the world’s most challenging issues. We look forward to engaging the Nashville community in our vision to end world hunger.”

Stop Hunger Now operates meal packaging locations in 21 other cities throughout the U.S. and six international affiliates. The new Nashville warehouse is located at 156 Space Park South.

For more than 18 years, Stop Hunger Now has been creating a movement to end hunger. More than 200 million meals have been packaged and distributed along with other aid to 73 countries impacting millions of lives. The organization is driven by a mission to end hunger in our lifetime by providing food and life-changing aid to the world’s most vulnerable and by creating a global commitment to mobilize the necessary resources.

The Stop Hunger Now meal packaging program was created to give dedicated individuals the opportunity to participate in a hands-on international hunger relief program and to become educated, engaged advocates for the world’s poor and hungry. In 2015, Stop Hunger Now and its global affiliates packaged 51.3 million meals.

The Contentious Brother...

Previously...

Genesis 16
7 And the angel of the LORD found her by a fountain of water in the wilderness, by the fountain in the way to Shur.
8 And he said, Hagar, Sarai's maid, whence camest thou? and whither wilt thou go? And she said, I flee from the face of my mistress Sarai.
9 And the angel of the LORD said unto her, Return to thy mistress, and submit thyself under her hands.
10 And the angel of the LORD said unto her, I will multiply thy seed exceedingly, that it shall not be numbered for multitude.
11 And the angel of the LORD said unto her, Behold, thou art with child, and shalt bear a son, and shalt call his name Ishmael; because the LORD hath heard thy affliction.
12 And he will be a wild man; his hand will be against every man, and every man's hand against him; and he shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren.

All of Abram's servants knew God. As a good family patriarch, it was his duty to teach him his ways, and to lead them to right living. Whether they worshiped God or not, they were taught to respect his worship of God.

So, Hagar knew Abram's God, and when the Angel of the Lord appeared before her in the wilderness, she recognized Him.

The angel instructed her to go back and submit herself to Sarai, for the Lord was going to bless her child. The angel told her to name her son Ishmael, then told her what manner of child she was carrying.

Ishmael (and his descendants) would be a wildman. In Hebrew, it is translated as "running wild", or having no authority over him.

Hagar took this as a blessing -- but what happens when a man has no authority figure to look to? He learns not to respect authority.

The angel also told her that he and his brothers would live near each other, yet they would bicker and fight all the time.

Today, it is no secret that the Muslims are descendents of Ishmael, and that the land of Palestine belongs to them. Israel and Palestine are constantly fighting with each other.

The Dome of the Rock has been a source of contention in the Middle East for ages. Israel claims that that is where the original temple stood. Palestinians claim that Ishmael was the first-born, therefore the land belongs to them.

The government claims that none of the wars that erupt there and spread out over the world are religious in nature -- that the war against terror is not a religious war. Yet, knowing the relationship of Isaac and Ishmael gives good cause not to deny it.

The Muslims attack anyone who supports Israel. Israel wants peace...in addition to what is rightfully theirs.

Genesis 16:
13 And she called the name of the LORD that spake unto her, Thou God seest me: for she said, Have I also here looked after him that seeth me?

Hagar praised God because He regarded her with such honor in showing Himself to her. Before, she is like many are today: They know God is there, but does He really care? She praised a God she realized actually looked at her, a lowly servant girl from a foreign country -- though she had never regarded Him with any mind until that moment.

You can always run but you can't run from God. He will show up where ever you are if He needs you.

Genesis 16:
14 Wherefore the well was called Beerlahairoi; behold, it is between Kadesh and Bered.
15 And Hagar bare Abram a son: and Abram called his son's name, which Hagar bare, Ishmael.
16 And Abram was fourscore and six years old, when Hagar bare Ishmael to Abram.

Abram was 86 years old when Ishael was born.

Abram and Sarai's lack of faith in God's plan (hence, their attempt to take matters into their own hands instead of letting God be God) has caused the fighting in the Middle East for centuries.

When you don't let God do what He promises in His way, and in HIS time, you are affecting the well-being of future generations to come.

NEXT

Hagar's Shame

Read the previous study in this series by clicking here

Genesis 16:
4 And he went in unto Hagar, and she conceived: and when she saw that she had conceived, her mistress was despised in her eyes.

When Hagar conceived, she thought she was better than Sarai. She thought that Abram would favor her because of the child.

Abram, however, was a respecter of the law, and of his wife, Sarai. As any good patriarch of a people does, he provided and cared for those who were following him and serving him. He had no other feelings for Hagar, except that she was honored as the biological mother of his child.

Hagar, on the other hand (just like many women do with a man they have slept with) wanted more than she was allotted. She became contentious toward Sarai. She practically dared Sarai to discipline her for it.

Genesis 16:
5 And Sarai said unto Abram, My wrong be upon thee: I have given my maid into thy bosom; and when she saw that she had conceived, I was despised in her eyes: the LORD judge between me and thee.

Sarai realized her mistake quickly. Not only did she recognize it, she took responsibility for it. She confessed her despair to Abram as if she had committed a sin that she knew she had to pay for (which, she had).

She was probably also looking for reassurance that Abram's feelings toward her had not changed, and that she was still held in high esteem by him.

Sarai also respected her station in life as being the weaker vessel, commanded to follow her husband's lead, as he was in the place of authority granted by God in her life. She loved her husband deeply. However, I believe she had just learned her lesson in placing the laws of man above God's plan.


Genesis 16:
6 But Abram said unto Sarai, Behold, thy maid is in thy hand; do to her as it pleaseth thee. And when Sarai dealt hardly with her, she fled from her face.

Abram confirmed to her that she was still the mistress of the household, and in his heart. She had not lost his respect for her station in his life. He told her that Hagar was her maid, nothing more, and that whatever she decided to do about the problem between the two he would respect.

Sarai took the opportunity to show no mercy toward Hagar's insubordination.

Abram's failure to defend her no doubt shamed her, as well as angered her, so that she decided to run away.

How many times in your life have you made a horrible mistake for which you were ashamed and thought that running away would solve your problems?

Read more...

Faith to Move Mountains -- by Carmen Grace

Are you done with God? Are you done with America? Prayers for our country and that every individual would repent and seek the Lord's forgiveness. (1 Peter 3:9) This is the Lords will. It's considered radical or extremists to those who hate the truth.

There were 54 MILLION EVANGELICALS who did not vote in 2008-2012 and it is why we are in this mess. Thank the God He is not done with us! Jesus warned us about this to come:

2 Timothy 3:1-5 But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents,ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a FORM of GODLINESS but DENYING its POWER. Have nothing to do with such people.

We can defeat the enemy and take back what God has given us. The enemy has tried to fool us with all their evil agendas. God gave His children responsibility over the Earth, a mandate for CHRISTIAN STEWARDSHIP. They are twisting it and using this scripture to justify their agendas.

Genesis 1:27-28 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. “be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth."

This means all aspects of our lives. Now its become imperative -- including how we vote, because the Government is not supposed to meddle in our personal lives. Although it does seems like by moving mountains its possible to turn things around, it may not be exactly the same but we must not give up.

2 Corinthians 4:8-9 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;

Matthew 17:20 He replied, "Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."

Ephesian 6:11-12 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil...


UNITED WE STAND:

John 12:34-35 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

John 3:3 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.”

2 Chronicles 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

Matthew 6:10 your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

Isaiah 54:17 No weapon formed against you shall prosper, And every tongue which rises against you in judgment You shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, And their righteousness is from Me,” Says the Lord.

Matthew 5:10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Revelation 21 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.

Isaiah 2:2 In the last days the mountain of the Lord’s temple will be established as the highest of the mountains; it will be exalted above the hills, and all nations will stream to it.


At the end of the day, it is God who can restore our nation! God uses humans to do His mighty work. He will use a man who has his priorities right, and is not ashamed to put God first, then Family and Constitution.

“God is not done with America.” -- Senator Ted Cruz

Sarai's Barrenness and God's Plan

Genesis 16
1 Now Sarai Abram's wife bare him no children: and she had an handmaid, an Egyptian, whose name was Hagar.
2 And Sarai said unto Abram, Behold now, the LORD hath restrained me from bearing: I pray thee, go in unto my maid; it may be that I may obtain children by her. And Abram hearkened to the voice of Sarai.
3 And Sarai Abram's wife took Hagar her maid the Egyptian, after Abram had dwelt ten years in the land of Canaan, and gave her to her husband Abram to be his wife.

There is no record in the Bible of Abram ever being with another woman besides Sarai, until her death -- except for what Sarai permitted.

Abram loved Sarai. She was the apple of his eye. He was willing to stay true to her until death even if she never bore him a child. And, yet, Sarai knew that a son is what he wanted more than anything in the world. She felt that she had let him down. She wanted her husband to be happy, even if it meant she had to permit the unspeakable. This is what led her to give Hagar to Abram.

Back then, when a woman couldn't bear children, her maid servant was commissioned by law to be a surrogate. Sarai figured that since society's law permitted this, that this must be how God intended to give Abram a child. However, as the case is many times today, just because it is lawful does not mean it is moral or just. Sarai was desperate, and just like many of us do today, she let her desperation rule her logic.

God had chosen Abram for Sarai's barrenness as much as for his faith. What better way to show His power in a mere human being's life? What better way to be glorified! God knew that Abram would not stray from his wife unless Sarai permitted it.

Sarai had to be disappointed that she had not conceived a child after so long. Maybe she was past her "change in life" as a woman. (My great-grandmother had a child after her "change". I believe they call them "after-babies". She was the same age as my mother). So, her doubt about the promise God made to Abram was justified in her eyes.

In her eyes. Later, in Isaiah we would read:

Isaiah 55
8 For my thoughts [are] not your thoughts, neither [are] your ways my ways, saith the LORD.
9 For [as] the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Saraih forgot that God can do anything He wants to. Sometimes, though, He makes us wait in order to test our faith.

Read the next part of the story.

Pastor Saeed Abedini Released on National Freedom of Religion Day

Today we are celebrating National Freedom of Religion Day with the announcement that Pastor Saeed Abedini, who has been imprisoned in Iran for the last three years has been released today!

We Praise an Almighty God!

Act 12:7
“And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands.”

CELEBRATION AND REFLECTION: Thomas Jefferson’s Wisdom Proves Accurate on National Religious Freedom Day, 239 years later

Tomorrow will mark the 23rd National Religious Freedom Day in America. Recognized by Presidential Proclamations since 1993, Religious Freedom Day commemorates the adoption of the 1786 Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom by the Virginia General Assembly.

Originally drafted in 1777 by Thomas Jefferson, the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom was officially adopted by the Virginia General Assembly on January 16, 1786. It was signed into law three days later.

The statute would later serve as the foundation for the First Amendment to the Constitution in the Bill of Rights, ratified in 1791.

Jefferson’s words in the statute caution about what would occur should governmental leaders burden the religious freedom of Americans. America now faces a time when religious liberty is facing unprecedented challenges--and Jefferson’s warnings are proving true.

Read more about this at The Liberty Institute by clicking HERE

Featured Web Site: GETV

GETV is an internet based video channel with a mission to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the ends of the Earth. GETV features both “LIVE” and “ON-DEMAND” programming such as: Cornerstone Church Sunday services, specials, classic sermons, events, classes, music, behind the scenes and ALL NEW programming by Pastor John Hagee and Pastor Matthew Hagee that you cannot watch anywhere else. GETV equips you to share the message of Christ. GETV: content wherever you want, whenever you want.

Visit the Web site by clicking HERE!

Carmen Grace: Free to Choose

WE have been given FREE WILL. GOD WANTS a TRUE LOVE RELATIONSHIP with his people. Being a CHRISTian is NOT about RELIGION. LIVING for SELF is NOT FREE. Do NOT be fooled by its bondage to things of this WORLD. SET your mind on things above, make the right choices those that have Eternal value.~CG

Galatians 5:1
“For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to the yoke of slavery.”

2 Corinthians 3:17
“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom."

Romans 8:2
“For the law of the SPIRIT of LIFE has SET you FREE in CHRIST JESUS from the law of sin and death.”( law of sin and death = old testament)

Romans 6:6-7
“We know that our old self was crucified with Him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. For one who has died has been set free from sin.”

1 Corinthians 10:13
“God is faithful, and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation He will also provide a way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”

Catch all of Carmen's messages at God Inspires by clicking HERE!

The Powerball

The talk of the day in the break room at my job was the Powerball Lottery. "Did you get a ticket?" "What will you do if you win?" "You know it only takes so many million dollars to win if you played every number sequence...and it's up to 1.5 Billion dollars now, so it would be worth it to get the money..." "Where are you going to get the money?" (Laughter).

I just smiled.

Earlier in the day I speculated about what I would do if I won that amount of money -- for a moment or two.

Then, my mind settled on that list I made of things I'm asking God for. That list should be two miles long, but it's barely a page long right now. I have added things and taken off things for about two years now. God has provided most of what I've asked for. The other stuff, He's either made me wait for, or told me no.

It doesn't even bother me any more when He tells me "No". There has never been a time when He's told me "No" that it wasn't in my best interest not to have what I wanted. I have come to understand that now.

But, $1.5B is a lot of money. It would keep me busier than my present job does, that's for sure. The phone would never stop ringing. There would always be someone to help.

Then I started thinking, "Would Jesus approve?"

I cleaned off my kitchen table as I thought about this. Then, I posted on Facebook that I felt a sense of accomplishment. I noted that I would like to have a desk and a combortable chair to go with it for my computer. I put that on my list of things I'm asking God for, then I got ready to go to work.

Just before I walked out the door I received a message from a friend. "I have a desk and a chair you can have if you can come get it."

WOW.

Ask and ye shall receive, right?

As everyone speculated winning all that money, I decided not to play.

My Father owns the cattle on a thousand hills. As a matter of fact, He owns the Universe...and I'm an heiress. Anything I want that is good for me, He will give me. All I have to do is ask.

What do I need $1.5 Billion for?

Acts 17:25 Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things;

Psalm 50:10 For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills.

What my pastor did about the rowdy kids at our church

By Joshua Rogers
Published January 10, 2016
FoxNews.com

When I started going to my church in May of 2005, we had about 75 people regularly attending, and almost all of them were single. These days, our church is much larger, thanks in part to the folks who are now married and have kids — lots of them.

At Church of the Resurrection in Washington D.C., the kids are present during the music and communion each week, which sometimes makes for a rambunctious worship experience. Kids have been known to dance during the songs, bolt across the room during the Lord’s Supper, and one time, my daughter walked right onto the stage and into my arms while I was leading worship.

I imagine it’s hard for some of the folks at our church — Lord knows it’s hard for me to keep focused on Jesus when my kids are loudly trying to whisper their Sunday School lesson to me. That’s why I appreciate this message my pastor sent to our church's congregants email list:

Read it...

Moving things around..

I have taken out the Christian Connections links on the right side of the blog and put in the God Inspires Navigational links instead You can find the Christian Connections links directly on the web site at GodInspires.org.

Thank you for your visit!

Featured Christian Web Site: Heartlight

Heartlight Magazine is an electronic publication for Christians that's been encouraging thousands everyday since it launched in April of 1996. Heartlight exists to provide positive resources for daily Christian living.

These resources include daily articles, devotionals, inspirational images, Bible study and more. Many of Heartlight's resources are available via email as well. The original site has grown into a network of sites covering several different topics. Heartlight focuses on positive messages that will help you live for Jesus today, wherever you are.

Heartlight, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) religious non-profit organization. We rely on donations from individuals as well as other means of income such as advertisements on our network.

It is our prayer that the materials we provide are a blessing to you in your personal ministry and your relationship with God.


To visit Heartlight, click HERE

Featured Ministry: The Word for Today with Pastor Chuck Smith

The Word For Today is a non-profit organization, and an outreach of Calvary Chapel of Costa Mesa. Our desire is to see the body of Christ grow in their knowledge of God through the study of His Word. We are committed to bringing you the solid and consistent teaching of the whole Bible taught by Pastor Chuck Smith. Within the pages of this catalog are teaching cassettes, and many wonderful books which will equip the believer and deepen your understanding of God's Word. Pastor Chuck Smith's radio and TV programs can be heard on stations nation-wide. The program can be heard in over 350 cities world-wide, and airs more than 300 times daily. Please contact our office for times and listings of the programs in your area. You may call us toll-free at 1-800-272-WORD or write to The Word For Today at P.O. Box 8000, Costa Mesa, CA 92628. Please call anytime. There are operators available from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time, Monday through Friday, and an automated attendant 24 hours every day.

Visit the website by clicking HERE

Stand Tall on Your Knees

Most people think that Satan is the exact opposite of God. In many ways he is. But, for the most part, Satan will use just enough of the truth to get you hooked, then throw you into a lie that you will believe. This is what it means to be "deceived".

1 John 2:15
Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

This world will deceive you into believing that you don't need God in order to survive. The truth is that, without God, you do not even exist to survive. God is permeated in everything. Pushing God aside for what the World offers is inviting death.

When you fail (which you will), there is always hope in Jesus. The World offers no hope. The World likes kicking people when they are down. Only Jesus offers the hand-up that you need to keep going.

So, when you are alone, beaten up by your problems, tired, burdened with stress, heartbroken, frightened, at your weakest and knocked down on your knees, use that to call out to Jesus.

Standing on your knees as you reach out to Jesus will find you taller than you've ever been in your life.

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.

Event: War Room Conference (Memphis, TN - January 18)

From Kelly Kel:
You may have seen the Movie, "War Room" but you have not "EXPERIENCED" the "War Room" Conference! This Conference is not about Denomination, Race, Sex or any Orientation! It's about equipping ourselves as a Community, a City and a Nation to war against the evils that are killing us, killing marriages, killing our youth and even killing our faith/hope in God! IT'S GOING TO BE A POWERFUL BREAKTHROUGH! It’s time to let the devil know that he can’t have YOUR FAMILY, YOUR INCREASE, OR YOUR BREAK-THROUGH! Early-bird ticket purchased on/before 1/11/16 will have special reserved seating.

Event: Free to Believe (January 16)

Free to Believe: How Your Church Can Impact the Culture

You can make a difference. Hear stories of how pastors, churches and teams have impacted their communities, changed legislation and raised up their church to pray and partner with others to make a difference. Our freedom is at stake. Church we need to rise up and take hold of the freedom we have in America. Join FRC’s on January 16th as we partner with like-minded leaders. This will be an inspiring, practical, hands on event that will give your church the tools need you to impact the culture in your community and beyond.

Click HERE for more Information!

Featured Ministry: SO4J (Sold Out for Jesus!)

SO4J-TV Preaches the Gospel of Jesus Christ thru Christian TV Shows, Videos, Bible Studies, Audios, DVDs, Mini Movies such as: Judgment Day – Are You Ready?, Gospel Tracts, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, and the SO4J.com Website. SO4J-TV challenges Lukewarm professing so-called "Christians" and all of us to "Examine our Faith" with God’s Word, to make sure we're Biblically Saved and ready to Face Jesus on Judgment Day (Matthew 7:21-23). SO4J-TV speaks out against the many False Teachings today that Preach a Lukewarm “Christian” message that is Contrary to the Word of God. SO4J-TV is Non-Denominational, and is a Non-Profit 501(c)(3) Organization.

Check out their web site by clicking HERE

Event: Benefit for Brooke

***PLEASE HELP ME SPREAD THE WORD***
We are having a fundraising benefit for my good friends Kevin and Bobbie Ann Wellborn Haygood from the The Hallsville Bikers Church. Their daughter had a terrible car wreck and is in the middle of rehab. Kevin and Bobbie have incurred a tremendous amount of financial stress as they are by her side for recovery. PLEASE share this information and by all means, come buy a plate of Bro. Brisket's amazing BBQ! It's a win, win for you because the BBQ will blow your socks off and the family you will be helping is absolutely amazing!
==Pastor Matthew Butler==

Hitting Bottom...

I have found that the most generous people are the ones who are most in need. That is why I have a heart for the homeless, the drug addict, the lost, those on the streets, those who've "hit bottom".

I KNOW how it feels. Once you've hit bottom, there is no way up accept that you grab someone else's ankle as they climb...

Once you've gone up a few feet and can look down, you realize that that person below you used to be you, and you remember how much a bread crumb meant. Bread crumbs don't cost anything, but they are sure appreciated...

I KNOW.

I praise Jesus every day for where I am now. But, that's because something inside me is still down there on the bottom reaching up...

Once you've ever been on "the bottom", then you know that, no matter how far up you climb from then on, you will always be "on bottom".

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.

If this has inspired you, please share it!

Sometime I wonder if He gets tired of hearing from me...

I'm always asking for stuff: little things, big things, life things, health things, pleasure things, trinket things, friendly things, stuff I want, stuff I need, stuff I wish would happen, stuff other people need -- you name it. If it comes up in the course of my day, I pray for it.

1 Thessalonians 5:17 Pray without ceasing.

I rarely say "Amen" because I am always going from one prayer to the next. I depend on the Lord in every aspect of my life, from what to have for breakfast to how well I sleep at night. I don't get down on my knees to pray, because if I did, I'd stay there all day. I am in constant communication with my Lord.

I can have a bad experience with someone and hear myself saying something like, "Lord, I KNOW You want me to be kind, but I'm just not feeling it right now. Please get in the way!" or I can receive a box of clothes from a friend that they no longer want and I'll say, "Thank You, Lord, for giving me the opportunity to look good, or to help someone else look good!" If I sit down to eat, you might hear me say, "Lord, this is some great stuff going in my stomach! I thank you for giving me the pleasure of eating it! I ask that you use it to nourish every part of me, from my mind to my spirit!"

I am addicted to talking to God. I even make a list of little things I want, from a pizza cutter to a new TV set, and I watch as the list dwindles before my eyes. As much stuff as I've asked for in the past couple of years, that list should be a mile long, but I keep erasing the answered prayers as I add more. It's barely a page long.

I've learned that God answers all my prayers, no matter how big or how small, so I am not ashamed to ask Him for anything.

Every day is a gift, but God likes to be asked.

Matthew 7:
7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:
8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
9 Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?
10 Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?
11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?

I was talking to some co-workers about my list the other day. They responded as if I were nuts. I told them, "I believe God likes to be asked for everything, even the little things. If you can't trust God to help you with the little things, why would He expect you to trust Him with the big things?"

I wonder, sometimes, if He doesn't get tired of hearing from me. I asked Him today, "Lord, are you tired of hearing from me yet?" Then I was reminded of a parable Jesus taught:

Luke 18
1 And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;
2 Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man:
3 And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary.
4 And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man;
5 Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.
6 And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith.
7 And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?
8 I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?

God knows that each answered prayer is met with praise from my lips; and, as I marvel at the many prayers He's answered, I begin praising Him for even the prayers He's made me wait for.

He knows that I love Him no matter what, because I know that He knows what's best for me.

He deserves ALL the praise for THAT!

Featured Ministry: Church Under the Bridge (Texarkana)

Church Under the Bridge is a community of friends dedicated to loving God and loving each other.

We value God and His glory above all and we believe that we must love, cherish, and value people as image bearers of God.

Church Under the Bridge ministers to the homeless in Texarkana, as well as anyone else who wants to join them. This is truly a place where the hands and feet of Jesus are at work in our community.

To learn more, visit their website by clicking HERE

Please don't send me to Africa...

LOL...thought you might enjoy this:

Featured Ministry: USA Church

Pastor Steven Andrew helps people know God and God’s plans. He teaches the Gospel of Jesus Christ from the Holy Bible. As president of USA Christian Church, chairman of the National Day of Prayer Revival Force and an author of Christian living books, he shares God’s hope and love. To bring Christian liberty, abundance, security, peace and strong families, he is uniting the USA in Christ.

Pastor Steven Andrew is pastoring the USA to make a strong Christian nation where Jesus Christ is exalted and Christians are honored, and to have a covenant Christian nation government like our founders believed. All glory to God, there have already been over one million people who have prayed to become a Christian or rededicated their lives to God.

As a Christian leader he is frequently in the news and on radio, TV and other media making disciples as Jesus said in the Great Commission.

To visit the USA Church, pastored by Steven Andrew, click HERE

Atheist Group Appeals Decision to Allow 40-foot Cross to Remain on Public Property

An atheist organization is appealing a lower federal court’s decision to preserve a 40-foot cross which is part of a memorial in Maryland.

According to The Christian Post, the American Humanist Association (AHA) filed an appeal in federal court this week, seeking to overturn a ruling on Nov. 30 by U.S. District Judge Deborah K. Chasanow who ruled that the cross did not violate the Constitution's Establishment Clause as the AHA claimed.

“Although the Latin cross is undeniably a religious symbol … Other courts have recognized that displaying a cross to honor fallen soldiers is a legitimately secular purpose, and does not always promote a religious message," Judge Chasanow wrote in her decision.

Read more about this by clicking HERE