HOPE in CHRIST's RESURRECTION

Dearest Saints, A local Pastoral friend of mine encouraged me to write about Resurrection as I was surprised by his response that he mentions many Christians don't believe in the resurrection. To my amazement, I find that odd because the Resurrection of Christ is what gives us Hope that is everlasting. This is the basis of our Hope and faith we have in the first place. When we think this life is so short compared to eternity, how can our hope be expected to be the same level in this temporal life compared to when the other hopes for living in a realm of glory that will be for eternity (never having any end)? The question we need to ask is when there are those who don't believe in the Resurrection, how can they expect to be resurrected themselves when they don't first believe? The Apostle Paul goes on to saying that if we only hope for Christ in this life only, how we are to be pitied more than anyone (1 Cor 15:19). The Oxford Dictionary tells the definition of pitied as "Feel sorrow for the misfortunes of". It is definitely a grave misfortune for anyone who doesn't believe that Christ who is The Resurrection made a Way for us who believe. God Himself clearly says and they remain in their sins (1 Cor 15:17) and the wages of sin is death (Rom 6:23). Paul tells us in Verse 14 of 1 Cor 15 that: And if Christ has not risen, then our preaching is in vain [it amounts to nothing] and your faith is devoid of truth and is fruitless (without effect, empty, imaginary, and unfounded). Amplified Version Again, this is what the Apostle Paul writes in 1 Cor 15:32-36 (Amplified Version): What do I gain if, merely from the human point of view, I fought with [wild] beasts at Ephesus? If the dead are not raised [at all], let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we will be dead.33 Do not be so deceived and misled! Evil companionships (communion, associations) corrupt and deprave good manners and morals and character.34 Awake [ from your drunken stupor and return] to sober sense and your right minds, and sin no more. For some of you have not the knowledge of God [you are utterly and willfully and disgracefully ignorant, and continue to be so, lacking the sense of God's presence and all true knowledge of Him]. I say this to your shame.35 But someone will say, How can the dead be raised? With what [kind of] body will they come forth?36 You foolish man! Every time you plant seed, you sow something that does not come to life [germinating, springing up, and growing] unless it dies first. The difference between the God we serve compared to other 'gods' of this world is that our God is the only one who shed His Blood for the remission of our sins, died the physical death on the Cross to complete the sacrifice we could never pay, which He did on our behalf and was Resurrected. No other idol they claim as "god" can be truthful and say that! I also heard from a Preacher on the local Christian Radio station whom mentioned that people continue to make excuses that Jesus didn't really die, but slept and woke back up and revealed Himself to the 12 Apostles and 500 followers. There are some other human excuses that argue to this day that they don't believe Christ was resurrected from the dead all because their intellect minds don't reach as high as the child of faith in God does. God is higher than our thoughts and higher than our ways (Isa 55:9). When people make up these fallacies, they lower God to their limited thinking and understanding. When we limit God in any way, we don't have any clue how Great our God is! When Jesus went to the tomb, He was wrapped up and was perfumed so that the corpse would not decay as this was their custom to prepare a body for burial (John 19:40,41) which meant He literally died the physical death in order for Resurrection to be that awesome event. When we don't believe Christ literally died the physical death, we don't ever appreciate the power of the Holy Spirit that was in fact raised Christ from the dead. Believers in Christ are justified because we believe (Acts 13:39). We don't have to be like doubting Thomas to believe by seeing. Christ told him to start believing because those who believe simply what the Word tells us and not having to see, we are the blessed ones (John 20:29). I always like the quote: "The world believes because they see, but true Believers in God see and understand because we first believe. In summary, what good is our faith if we don't believe and hope in the Resurrection? That's why our Hope is far greater than the worlds hope because we believe in the Resurrection of Christ who made the Way for us to give us eternal life beyond this very temporal life. Jesus tells us just after that famous verse of John 3:16 in a couple verses later, those people are condemned because they don't believe (vs 18). When our hope and passion for a Heavenly Home that lasts forever far exceeds putting our hope in this earthly temporal home, God Himself is not ashamed to call us His very own Children (Heb 11:16). When we believe in that mighty resurrection of Christ who makes a way for us, we have that inexpressible HOPE that the world can never have or understand simply because we have that wonderful child-like faith that He is pleased with and believe in His Resurrection. Let's be children with greater far reaching faith that goes beyond our own understanding and believe God is always far greater than our thoughts. Paul himself wanted to know not only about Christ but also to know the power of His Resurrection (Phil 3:10). This is why we have that Hope, Joy, Peace and Gladness because we carry this Hope that is in Christ's Resurrection. If we don't believe the Word of God is His infallible and inerrant Truth, then what are we basing our belief on? Please email to the undersigned should you wish to unsubscribe from receiving my Blogs. In the Matchless Name of Jesus Richard Ministry Encourager Answers2Prayer http://sites.google.com/site/greatestbuilderforourlife http://www.answers2prayer.org/

Do We Really Know Him?

Dearest Saints, Unlike the world, their thoughts of having the most successful life is gathering the most "toys" and running up the corporate ladder or any worldly acclamation that would bring fortune. As we know, this kind of ambition only comes to a hopeless end when we begin to step out into that eternal realm. This even includes many Christians who think they are doing the will of God, but strive to have a bigger ministry than others or being competitive by putting other ministries and other ministers down to make ones self look better. Many times, I have heard all too often that those who want to become Senior Pastors or take the place behind a pulpit, they do the unthinkable and try to overthrow the One who stands behind the pulpit who often gives the message and feeds the Church each week. Where is the reverential Fear of God Christians are supposed to have? Do His people not realize God knows not only what we do but He knows our inmost thoughts and motives that are often hidden from people, but they are not hidden from God (Ps 69:5; Isa 59:2)! It's very sad and unfortunate that all because one minister preaches a certain doctrine (that is Biblical), the other ministers may put them down all because they don't preach the same type of message that they preach. One minister may be lead to preach about "End Times" while one may preach "encouragement" while another may preach on growing up in the Lord and becoming more empowered. If all preaching was only talking on "End Times" or a historical value of a certain doctrine, people wouldn't know about growing up in Character or maybe knowing how to let go of the past as God instructs. The example God would have is that although each one has a different ministry, we are to compliment one another which means we ARE NOT to see ourselves has having a better ministry or think we are in a "better denomination" or be in any form of competition with one another. After-all, preaching all about Christ should empower us to love Him as we should, to love one another as we love ourselves and unite together to lift up Christ, to fight FOR one another and only fight AGAINST every evil that opposes the perfect will of God. We need to fight to maintain the unity of the Body and not cause or allow factions that only separate ourselves which is what the enemy wants to do to the Churches. If we have any reverential fear of God, we would love what He loves and hate every form of evil (and not just be tolerant of it). When John was baptizing, he didn't frown because more people were being drawn to Christ, all because he knew his job was to direct the hearts of people towards Christ in the first place (Luke 3:16; John 4:1). We need to direct people to Christ and help Disciple Believers to continue to grow in the Lord. If we are not attracting others who are within or those who are outside the faith to the Lord, we are working against God Himself who loves like no other. He tells us that who ever is not FOR ME is AGAINST ME (Luke 11:23). He rebuked the Disciples by telling them not to forbid the Children to come to Him (Matt 19:14). We can't expect to promote God and Him to manifest His will when we don't do His will. We don't draw people to Christ when we fight, harbor bitterness with one another or compete with one another. We don't attract others to Christ when we fail to do what God tells us to do and reach out with compassion. We attract people to Christ when we lift Him up and exalt His Word by living it (by constantly asking the help of His Spirit). We often know the Word intellectually (ie: about forgiving others), but often-times, we fail to do this. We are often not obedient to what we do know. I like what someone has once said, that we are far more educated than we are obedient to Him. Maybe we need to ask Him to help us be more obedient to do what we know about His Will. God reminds us that how can we expect to Love the Lord whom we cannot see when we don't love one another whom we can see (1 John 4:20)? God calls these people a liar and He has prepared a place in that horrible eternal realm as mentioned with other forms of ungodiness (Rev 21:8). If we are not in agreement with one another within the body, we NEED to LOVE our Brother and Sisters regardless. We don't know the Lord when we don't reverently Fear Him by honoring His Word above our own thinking, opinions or reasoning like we should. When we don't understand His Word or His will, maybe we need to allow Him to check and examine our heart towards Him. He questions His Disciples how can you say you love Me (Jesus) when you don't do the things I command you to do (John 14:15,21; John 15:10)? It is by obeying Him that we prove our love for Him. If we allow any form of pride that doesn't seek the interest of others before ourselves, we don't know His heart because this opposes His Word (Phil 2:4; 1 Cor 12:25). We are in opposition to His will. When we want to Praise Him for His constant Goodness, love to worship Him for who He truly is, loving and honoring His Word (His Will) above everything else, hating every evil that opposes Him/His Will, loving others by seeking and believing the best for others, we can truly say "We Know Him" because we truly desire to please Him. The question we each need to ask is: Do we honestly know Him like we should? He will help us in every area of our lives if we will first Humble ourselves and allow Him to do that work within us. He gives His Grace to the Humble, but the proud, He opposes (1 Pet 5:5). I don't know about you, but I don't ever want to oppose Him or not ever see the need to His abundant Grace and Mercy that I am always in desperate need for. If we are truthful and honest, we can all say and believe that for ourselves. Please email to the undersigned should you wish to unsubscribe from receiving my Blogs. In the Matchless Name of Jesus Richard Ministry Encourager Answers2Prayer http://sites.google.com/site/greatestbuilderforourlife http://www.answers2prayer.org/

ON to MATURITY

Dearest Saints, I sense that God is re-directing my ministry. I not only like to encourage Saints, but I strongly sense from God to tell each of us who have been Christians for many years that it's time to Grow Up. I think more importantly, I not only want to encourage, but I would love to see Saints be committed and rise up as a mightier warriors for God, especially when we are at a time that is critical. When we fail to see Christians Grow Up after 10, 20+ years and still act like an infant, we lose out so much more then we can ever think of what God wants to do through us to benefit others. I believe when we fail to want to grow up, many people fail to be blessed because of it. It saddens me that over the years I encourage Christians, it often falls on deaf ears and many do the exact opposite of what the preachers and teachers teach and what the Word tells us to do. Gods kingdom is lacking in advancing because people are not grown up when they should. They fail to be aggressive to do wbat is Right in order to advance the Kingdom of God. In Matt 11:12, it mentions that the Kingdom of God advances simply because the bold confident people of God are the ones who take it by force. These are not the ones who remain complacent, or fight and cause divisions amongst themselves or remain self-centered. I feel lead by the Lord to tell many that it's time to go to a new level and go on to maturity so we can be part of those who advance in Gods Kingdom. Many times, elemental teaching on forgiveness and other basic topics are preached. Unfortunately, it often falls on deaf ears and many people become dull of hearing because their heart remains calloused (Matt 15:16). He tells us that when we don't forgive others, we can't ever expect God who is totally loving to ever forgive us (Matt 6:14,15). Yet, many Christians who should know better continue to make excuses why not to forgive, even though God is clear in His Word that this is UNACCEPTABLE! This is an example that Christians who should be mature still require to be spoon-fed with this basic teaching and other elemental teachings that they should have learned long time ago. How many times does a preacher have to preach on forgiveness before Gods people decide to do this? I am so glad that God doesn't act like many Christians, otherwise none of us would have any chance of being forgiven or having renewed peace of mind. We are to imitate Christ (Eph 5:1) and strive to fulfill the law of Love (1 Cor 13:4-8) and fulfill the Law and the prophets (Matt 22:37-40). Just think of when Judas Iscariot came with a number of warriors with clubs to slay Jesus and yet, Jesus in His last attempt chooses to call him "friend" (Matt 26:50) hoping he would come back to Him and forsake his evil ways. How far are we willing to go when He Himself went to that great extent? I always admired Stephen who was being stoned and he also asked God to forgive his accusers because they knew not what they are doing because Stephen knew the consequences of their actions (Acts 7:59,60). Mature Christians see the big picture and don't become so focused on current circumstances. In order for us to grow into maturity, I think it is essential to understand that we should know He loves us and has done immeasurably for us who wants to work mightily through us and be willing to surrender under His loving authority. When we receive His Mercy, we can extend that same mercy. When we receive His Grace, we can extend that to others. And mostly, when we receive His love in full for us individually, we can extend that love to others. We also have to NOT be UNAWARE of the schemes of the enemy. When we understand that the real enemy is satan and his demonic forces and not flesh and blood, we will pray and fight for one another instead of falling into his trap and fighting against one another in the body. We also have to know and use our God given authority wisely and always see our desperate need for Gods help of His Spirit. We need to be confident in this simply because of who He is and knowing who we are in Him. As this email is solely for mature Christians like yourselves and those of whom read this to the end, this is simply an awareness so we don't criticize others which is another sign of immaturity. But we need to pray for them instead because this is a serious issue with many within the Body of Christ. With Gods help, let's be mature Christians who go the extra mile, (pray for those who come against us), help encourage young believers and admonish others who have been in the faith awhile to rise up as true Believers in Christ. Christ already won the war at Calvary. We have to be like Soldiers, use His Word as a Mighty Sword and do all the crisis demands by being confident in Him to be able to stand our ground upon the Rock (Jesus) Matt 6:13. It's time for many to leave the elemental teachings of a child and Grow to maturity. I hope this blesses you that together, God will use us to advance His Kingdom. Please email to the undersigned should you wish to unsubscribe from receiving my Blogs. In the Matchless Name of Jesus Richard Ministry Encourager Answers2Prayer http://sites.google.com/site/greatestbuilderforourlife http://www.answers2prayer.org/

BE COMMITTED

Dearest Saints, This is a burden on my heart that I would like to share to benefit each of us. In todays world, it seems that commitment has become less of a reality than it has several decades ago. Within a body of Believers, it seems that more people walk away or just become silent when we don't agree on some form of doctrine or allow ourselves to become offended over actions of others. Most of the time, it is simply mis-understanding. People become silent or fail to communicate and dis-associate with other believers rather then to try to work things out and be committed to seeking the better interest of others like we are admonished to do (Phil 2:4&21). There is a definite lack of commitment amongst Believers today and we need to do our part to put a stop to this. It's all about taking responsibility to do our part to promote unity instead. Christ Himself was admonishing His Disciples that if there was any factions between two people, before a person was to leave a gift at the alter, he/she had to make the attempt to make things right with the other person (Matt 5:23-25). In other words, people could not expect to effectively serve the Lord when factions/divisions were present in their situation. We are allowing the real enemy to have the upper hand within the body of believers by becoming silent and distant rather then being unified like Christ would like us to be. Christ went to that agonizing trouble to die for His Church so we could be a strong body of united believers rather being weakened because we choose to harbour differences that brings dis-unity. Some of the things that we are allowing the enemy to cause division within the Church includes: a. being competitive rather than complimenting each other with our talents; b. Showing partiality (showing favor to one over the other); c. Believing ones ministry is more important then the other; d. Being easily offended; e. Not wanting to be humble and admit that we need to grow up in the Lord; f. Remaining complacent, not wanting to leave your comfort zone; g. Seeing other people as the enemy instead of understanding who the real enemy is (satan and his demonic followers); h. Being too quick to judge and critize one another many times because we mis-understood one another. You may come up with many other issues that you have experienced that bring division. There are some people that used to associate with myself and now for some strange reason, they choose to dis-associate with me by just remaining silent. I don't know why to this date which is a definite problem within the body. Many people are mis-understood because Christians don't take the time to understand one another and quickly judging when we should learn to communicate instead, but we don't. How can one fix a problem when others are silent and don't say anything? Gods people need to communicate better. We allow the enemy to have his way to bring division for no reason. People are not committed to try to make things right or take the time to communicate to try to mend any broken areas. People are taking the easy way out just to withdraw themselves and be silent. When we silence ourselves to one another, do we think we are pleasing God? We forget that we love God to the measure we love the least of our own Brethren (Matt 25:40). We are not going to agree on everything, but that doesn't mean we should not dis-associate ourselves with other believers. We need to agree to dis-agree on petty issues and know that we should ALL AGREE that we are to exalt the Lord Jesus, worship Him and live to glorify Him. We fail to fulfill our purpose in life by living to worship Him when allow division to take place. One of the best passages that the Lord loves unity is found in the small chapter of Psalm 133. If we all agree that we need to exalt Him and Worship Him, then we need to be DOERS of His Word which is His will. Nowhere in the Bible does God say it is acceptable to become divisive within the body. Unfortunately, I have known people to leave the Church altogether. They have no more fellowship with God Himself which is foolish because God is the One who promotes genuine love in the first place. So why would any believe want to leave God all because others may not have been a good example of Christ? We need to learn to confront in a loving way instead of remaining passive and silent. Bringing Unity takes work and commitment on our part, but is always DO-ABLE when God is on our side. We lose out so much when the Church remains passive rather then spurring one another on to good works (Heb 10:24). If we say we love the Lord, then we are going to want to do His will by being committed to Him and to one another. We have to put a STOP to dis-associating ourselves when we should learn to work things out. We need to STOP becoming easily offended. We need to STOP the gossip and being critical that only brings division and be more prayerful to one another. I often have found out in life that it's not often the other person who is at fault, but my lack of prayer for them. Even if it may be the fault of another, are we failing to sincerely pray for one another? I must admit my fault in this. Many times, the prayer rooms have very few people attending there and flocks of people come to be entertained instead. I believe if we spend quality time to get alone with God and be committed with sincere prayer for one another as our priority, we will see a greater move of God reaching outside the Church by drawing others to Himself and strengthening the Body of Believers within. In Acts Chapter 2, it mentions that when the Believers get together in unity, God was able to add thousands each day to build His Church (people) vs 41. God moves when we love one another and unite together as a healthy body. We need to be more committed to doing what God admonishes us to do instead of taking the easy way around everything and becoming passive. We are never justified by being silent and removing ourselves when we fail to do what we should do to keep the Unity and Peace amongst Believers. We can't be strong in the Lord or effective in doing that as long as we blame one another or become silent when we should be reaching out. If we are expected to "Outreach the world", how can we expect to do that when we can't reach to one another within the body? I would ask you to please read the following verses that promote peace & unity (Mark 9:50, Rom 12:18; 2 Cor 13:11; Gal 6:16; Heb 12:14; Phil 4:9; Col 3:15). God says "No one will enter His Kingdom unless they do the will of the Father" (Matt 7:21). Being Doers of His Word by promoting and maintaining unity is His Will. Let's do all we can to be committed by doing our part to promote unity and be Peace-Makers (Ps 133; Matt 5:9). Please email to the undersigned should you wish to unsubscribe from receiving my Blogs. In the Matchless Name of Jesus Richard Ministry Encourager Answers2Prayer http://sites.google.com/site/greatestbuilderforourlife http://www.answers2prayer.org/

CONVICTION SHOULD BE OUR FRIEND

Dearest Saints, Here's another challenging message. But anytime we are challenged to go higher with the Lord and be blessed by becoming more like Him, that is always a "Good Thing". Being challenged and taking that challenge the right way is what brings Hope into our situation. Anytime I bring out a message to challenge, it is always in the hope to bring out the best in each one including myself which is what our motive should be. When we don't do this to the benefit of others, God knows our heart and our motive. This should be a good thing because God can't bring conviction to benefit us when we don't believe we desperately need it. This becomes a dilemma to those who don't want to change, but want to remain complacent and simply remain comfortable in their ways and never accept the challenge to grow in areas we need to grow. No wonder having a Reverential Fear of the Lord (by humbling submitting our ways to His Ways) is the beginning of having wisdom (Prov 1:7). Therefore, when we challenge ourselves and others, our motive should always bring out the best in everyone, especially to our own Brothers and Sisters in the Lord. Some of the challenges we face may be to judge our own selves and compare our motives to His Word rather than judging one another. Some challenges include honoring His Word above our own opinions. Sometimes, it's showing partiality (favoring one over another) when this is considered sinful (Prov 28:21; Acts 10:34; Rom 2:11). It may be us being more critical of someone rather then being prayerful. I think that's more of a challenge to myself! God may be convicting some to start esteeming others better than ourselves and learn to be sober towards ourselves when we may not be doing so (Phil 2:3-5). To look at another way, one of the things that challenge some is limiting God in any way when we fail to have that AWE of Him like we should (Ps 2:11; Ps 111:9). Are we limiting God to our own thinking? Other times, it may be holding a grudge and harbouring unforgiveness no matter what. Harbouring unforgiveness is what keeps many as a prisoner to the evil one which is the result of taking our own opinions over what God says about this. Sometimes, it's making excuses, or pointing fingers and blaming other people or circumstances rather then taking any responsibility of our own. I find as long as we make excuses (by not receiving His conviction) and point fingers, we will continue to remain as spiritual infants that never grow up (Isa 58:9). Following His Word may not always be easy, but always liberates us to having that inner peace and joy that nothing on earth can ever offer us! When we make excuses to lean on our own understanding and fail to take any responsibility of our own, we should be reminded that this is sinful. A swing of the big sledge hammer that drives a spike further into the hands and feet of Jesus from seeing that movie "Passion of Christ" and visualizing Him screaming in pain with every bang of the large spikes...that's the penalty He paid for our sins. There is no sin too small that He didn't suffer and pay a price on our behalf. So when we fail to take responsibility, remember that Christ took responsibility upon Himself for all of our penalty that we deserved and He didn't. If God convicts us, it's always a matter to help us be to be the type of people we need to be and to help us grow that leads to Everlasting (John 6:68). His conviction is meant to change us for the better. We remain holding a guilty conscience often because we are refusing to allow God to change us which is why we are lovingly convicted in the first place. We think of His conviction as an enemy rather then our friend. Conviction should be an enemy of our fleshly desires that opposes His Spirit (Gal 5:17) and a friend to our Spirit which is what we need to care for ever-so much more. Humbly receiving His conviction leads us to repentance that cleanses us from within. Remember that God chastens those whom He loves (Rev 3:19). If He ever stopped convicting us, we should start to be very concerned!! We wouldn't feel guilty if we do like God tells us to do...to REPENT and believe He FORGIVES us (1 John 1:9). Conviction from God should be our friend because His Spirit is telling us to turn from our ways which often holds us back from not growing more spiritually. Conviction encourages us to change while receiving condemnation discourages us and we see no change within us. Conviction builds us up, condemnation does nothing but tears us down. Conviction from His Spirit is our Friend and condemnation from the evil one is our enemy! If we see ourselves as a result of being condemned, we may be choosing to lean on our own opinions/understanding rather than choosing His Instructions like we need to. Let's stop allowing the enemy to condemn us everytime we are chastened by God and choose to see the benefits of Gods conviction over us. We need to see His Word as our Loving Authority instead. When we decide to choose His convictions and refuse to receive the enemy's condemnation, we will see greater positive results in every area of our lives (Rom 8:1). Our past failures will be most useful to bless many others in their time of need. We cannot expect to benefit and grow up in the Lord if we continue to make excuses and don't humble ourselves to the Wisdom of His Word. We need to see His Word as a loving letter to encourage us. Therefore, let's examine His Word (as our LOVING Authority) and see where we may fall short. And then, let's humble ourselves, ask, believe and expect Him to make that wonderful change within us (to become more like Him) that only He can do. Please email to the undersigned should you wish to unsubscribe from receiving my Blogs. In the Matchless Name of Jesus Richard Ministry Encourager Answers2Prayer http://sites.google.com/site/greatestbuilderforourlife http://www.answers2prayer.org/

FULFILLING the LAW of CHRIST

Dearest Saints, I often refer to Galatians 6:2 to answering many prayer requests that comes through. It talks about carrying and bearing one another's burdens so we can fulfill the law of Christ. I often think of how we can effectively bear one another's burdens, especially when we often-times live on the other side of the continent or the opposite side of the globe. Ecclesiastes Chapter 3:1-8 tells us that there is a time for doing things and a time for refraining, a time to do and a time not to do. I would like to share something in the latter part of vs 7 where it mentions that there is a time to keep silent and a time to speak. When we learn to share one another's burdens, we have to understand that what others go through is often tough and it is real and the worse part about it is when we think we have to have a Word for them which often discourages them rather then bring encouragement. I believe often times it's not the words people often want to hear, but that people simply want others to understand what they go through. When you think of Jobs friends who sat with him for 7 days mourning with Job, they were effectively carrying his burdens just by being by his side (Job 2:11-13). The problem began when his friends started to talk and making presumptions of why he was suffering the way he was. When I went with a Missionary couple to a small home in Zambia where a mother was grieving over the death of her 12 year old daughter, we joined in and just sat with her and several other people and said nothing, but were there just to show support. When we have a need and people to come alongside to pray and just be there, no one should ever feel that this is due to any sin in ones life or having a lack of faith. If we automatically make that assumption, we are no better then Jobs friends whom God was most displeased with (Job 42:7). It's hard to imagine sometimes, but saying nothing, but being there often speaks louder then having the need to always say something or write words of advise. A simple gesture of love and understanding often goes a lot further then words. I heard it a couple of times that the best counselors are the ones who say the least, but listen the best. I have never forgotten, when one of our ladies who is a partner of our Answers2Prayer Ministry was going through a tremendous trial and I couldn't think of saying/typing any words to comfort her. So I was honest and simply mentioned that I didn't know what to say, but only mentioned that if I could just reach through this computer and hold your hand, I would do so right now. A year or so later, when this same person corresponded back to me, she happened to mention this instance about reaching through this computer to hold her hand. She never forgot this. It taught me something that of all the words I have given to her, she remembered this act above all else. This reminds me that when we need to help carry the burdens of other people, sometimes it's giving our hand to hold, it's offering our shoulder to shed tears. It's walking with them and just spending time with them to walk the mile through the valley, etc. Sometimes it is a Word, but there are times that we need to just be silent (Eccl 3:7) and demonstrate our love and understanding. To me in my experience of going through trials and difficulty, the greatest examples of when others understand what one goes through are people who just reach out and don't need to say a word. Taking ones hand, sharing tears, (even sharing laughter together) rejoicing with those who rejoice, weeping with those who weep, shows much caring and understanding of what the others may be going through. They understand when people go through trials because they have gone through trials. It makes me understand that our past trials can be a rich blessing to others when they may be going through similar trials. Therefore, don't ever see your past trials as some past negative misfortune. But with Gods help, believe that He can use our past to be a richer blessing to other people who need to know we understand. It's equally amazing that when I have rejoiced and share a great testimony of Gods goodness, some people say things that would have been better off had they kept silent! No wonder God tells us to be slow to speak and quick to hear (James 1:19). They fail Gods Word to learn to rejoice with those who rejoice. If we can't weep when others weep and rejoice when others rejoice (Rom 12:15), we have failed in doing His will and we have failed in fulfilling the Law of Christ when we don't learn to carry the burdens of others. Gods Word is not a "suggestion" but is a "Commandment". His Word is Spirit and is Life (John 6:63). Let's ask Him to teach us to effectively carry one another's burdens so that we will fulfill the Law of Christ. When we fulfill this Law, we bring out Gods best for others through us because people who go through genuine trials need it the most. Please email to the undersigned should you wish to unsubscribe from receiving my Blogs. In the Matchless Name of Jesus Richard Ministry Encourager Answers2Prayer http://sites.google.com/site/greatestbuilderforourlife http://www.answers2prayer.org/

WILL WE DEPART ALSO?

Dearest Saints When I feel lead to write my experiences based on the Word of God, to give Him the glory and encourage others to receive the best that only He offers, this is what I long to do. Not only do I love to encourage, but to also challenge each of us to go further. We cannot afford to stay in our comfort zone and expect to be blessed of God and used by Him if it is not going to cost us anything. Costing us something doesn't always refer to money, but it may refer to your time invested with the talents God gives you to seek the benefit of others or energy. I can't think of anytime that Jesus didn't want the best for each one which is why He went through the trouble of leaving that awesome Throne Room of Heaven to come down to earth for you and I. I had a few people tell me straight forth to remove them from my Blogs without even a "please" or other reasons about the possibility of having too many emails, etc. It used to offend me, but I am grateful to God that I am no longer in bondage to being offended. I make NO apologies for sharing my heart in what God has taught me in my life experiences in order to benefit others. When any of us are lead of God to minister to others, correct or train others in righteousness (Prov 1:3; 2 Tim 3:16; Heb 12:11), or lead in some other service to others as unto the Lord, we should never apologize or feel guilty whatsoever. Just like the Apostle Paul says: if he were still concerned about being a people pleaser, he would not be a true follower of God (1 Thess 2:4). This reminds me when Jesus had a multitude of Disciples (Luke 10:1; Luke 10:17) who were once His followers and the majority of them went away no longer following Him (John 6:66). This was by no means a small minority of people, but we are talking a large percentage of those people who made a commitment to follow Him, but found His teachings too difficult (John 6:66). So when you add 72 and the other 12 Disciples, there is 84. But after this encounter, Jesus had the remaining 12 Disciples. And even one of those Disciples betrayed Him (John 6:70). So if you take 11 from a total of 84, you are talking 87% of the people who decided to stop following Jesus. Jesus didn't stop His people from departing Him because He doesn't violate our free will, but He encourages us to do what is best for us. These Disciples who turned away from Him are no longer heard of in the Bible. The reason why I believe these Disciples were once committed is the fact that to be considered a Disciple of Jesus, we have to take up our Cross (decide to put Jesus above everything that we value in life) and follow Him (Luke 14:27). When these Disciples left Jesus, He turned to the other 12 Disciples and asked them if they were going to leave Him also. I like what Simon Peter says: "Lord, to whom shall we go? Only You have the words to eternal life" (John 6:67,68). We should say the same thing. It is going to be far more difficult to walk away from following Him which will only lead to living in regret for the rest of our lives and into eternity then to give up on anything that holds us back in this temporal life and choose to follow Him regardless, even in hard times. Even though I love to encourage others, I feel lead to challenge each of us (including myself) to be ever more committed to following Him. The biggest challenge I find is dealing with pride because there is no person in the world who has preached for many years that can't ever listen and learn from a little child or a simple person when they have a Word from the Lord. Remember, God used a donkey to speak to Balaam (Num 22:28). If we have a hard time learning from anyone who may have a Word of exhortation, encouragement, correction, etc., we have a problem with pride! When following God seems far more difficult than it would be to go our own separate ways, think of the eternal consequences. When you think of the Apostle Paul who suffered hardships, hunger, loneliness and other challenges, what he went through is nothing compared to the richness of sharing in the glory with Christ for all these past centuries and for the eternal endless hope he continues to look forward to. No matter how hard the messages you may read or the road you may be travelling on right now, "Hang in there" because this life is very temporal compared to eternity. It's like comparing a little drop of water to the oceans of this world. There is no comparison!! When I think of the trials I go through in this present life, I am encouraged to read and acknowledge this wonderful scripture from Romans 8:18 that truly does strengthen my with hope: For I consider that the sufferings of this present time (this present life) are not worth being compared with the glory that is about to be revealed to us and in us and for us and conferred on us (Amplified Version)! Knowing this, Jesus asks us: Will we depart also?

TAKE TIME to EXAMINE SELF

Dearest Saints, May Gods richer blessings be yours ever so more in 2016. Many messages I like to give is based on my past to bring hope to many and how God has changed my life. He continues to do that work in me that is needed and to not be silent about this in order to give many others the Hope we should have in Christ. It's always about helping others move forward in Him. It's like God telling us to do "Out-reach" rather then "In-reach". Otherwise, there is no point in sending any messages if it is not about blessing others. The messages I often like to give are Hope and Encouragement from my testimony. But other times, in order for us to move forward, we need to take time to identify if there is anything in our lives that needs to be dealt with and perhaps deal with any character flaws we may have and invite God to help us. I call these types of character flaws "little foxes that spoil the vine". In order to try to move forward in the things of God, we not only need to bring Hope and Encouragement which is what we need, but often-times we need to deal with any flaws by taking inventory of our lives and be open and honest before God. After-all, He already knows what we need. But opening ourselves to Him is what we need to do for ourselves, we don't need to do this because we think God doesn't know because He does. It's like the Psalmist says in Psalm 139:4 that He already knows our need before we petition Him. So it is always to our benefit to open up to Him. I find everything that God encourages us to do is to our benefit. It doesn't benefit or change God, but it changes us so we can benefit from it. I believe we can't move forward like we like to or need to do unless we deal with any possible Character flaws. It's like spraying perfume over the stench in the garbage which is like putting Christian labels on us but never dealing with anything on the inside. Like the saying I often like: "People don't care what you know until they know how much you care". We can talk about many things in particular about "little foxes that spoil the vine" like anger, lust, covetousness, competitive spirit, finger pointing, un-forgiveness, gossip, back-biting, division, strife and the list can go on and on. People know the "real you" by the fruit we bear, not just because we call ourselves Christians (Luke 6:44,45) or just say the sinners prayer and think that is it. As we start a New Year, for myself, I am asking God to help me each day become more and more like Him and move forward in Him and to give me a vision (realistic goals) for this year to overcome some obstacles and be the type of person He would like me to be on the other side (end of 2016). We need to have a realistic and positive vision, because the scriptures tell us that where there is no vision, we lack hope (Ps 29:18). We need to have a vision and that expectant hope that when we give any situation to God, He is going to take care of us and the situation we learn to give Him. By moving forward, we need to take the time to ask God to help us examine ourselves. In Psalm 139:23,24 David confesses to God to search himself and know his heart, to try him and know his thoughts. In the next verse, he says to see if there is any wicked way in me and to lead him into everlasting. As I was just typing these two verses, it just came to mind that David first had to confess to God to open himself before Him to confess any faults and evil way found within him. Next, David was expecting God to give him the answers he petitioned Him. David had to do these two things before He could expect God to lead him into everlasting that is mentioned in the following verse. It reminds me that too many times, we ask God to bless us. But at the same time, we fail to ask God to help us in our character flaws first and to help us so He can do that work within us before He can encourage us to move forward in the path He wants us to go. I would like to encourage each of us as we enter into this New Year, ask like David did to confess any faults we may have or "character flaws" by taking the time to examine ourselves before God. We often don't see any flaws of our own when we are too busy pointing the faults of each other and fail to possibly see a bigger fault of our own. It's like the Pharisees and Sadducees that are busy taking a look at Jesus to find fault in Him while at the same time, they had a much bigger fault within themselves. They didn't see the bigger fault of their own all because they were too busy looking for the fault of someone else. I also like the illustration that when someone points the finger at anyone else, three hidden fingers are pointed back at you and the biggest finger of all (our thumb) is being pointed to God! When we take time to examine ourselves before God, confess our faults to Him (taking ownership/responsibility), we need to HANG ON to the Hope that when you give your situation over to Him, BE STEADFAST and believe He is more then able and willing to help you. Don't believe just because you see anything, believe He is doing that work within us which is what builds our faith in Him that pleases Him. He already knows what help we need, He is just waiting for us to come to Him, confess our faults to Him and give everything over to Him. And with His help, have a God given vision for Him to help you be an overcomer and be changed to be more like Him by the end of 2016. Without having that expectant Hope of Him doing that wonderful work within us, we may as well not expect anything better to come out of us and we will just end another year being the same and never changing for the better. Having Hope in Him fills us with His Joy and Peace which truly does strengthen us (Rom 15:13 and Neh 8:10). Please email the undersigned should you wish to unsubscribe from my Blogs In the Matchless Name of Jesus Richard Ministry Encourager Answers2Prayer http://sites.google.com/site/greatestbuilderforourlife http://www.answers2prayer.org/

JESUS LOVES Even Me

Dearest Saints, Hearing about love for many seems to be an unending and repetitive sermon. But the truth is that if the Church (Gods people) would embrace this Truth of His awesome love for you, we wouldn't have the problems within the Church like we currently have. Because of the time of Year we celebrate Christmas, receiving His love He offers to all of us through Christ Jesus is the real message of Christmas. It's sad that many of those outside the Church show Gods love often times more than those within the Church. Yes, it would be nice for people to love us, even to like us, but no matter what you do, many won't love you or like you. The Bible says that even though you may do good, many people will hate you because they hated Jesus first (John 15:19) and read Matt 10:22. Everyone should have loved Jesus back in the Biblical days, throughout history and should today love Him because of what He redeemed us from and the glorious free gift of eternal life He offers to all of us. This is by far a greater gift than any worldly gift, and yet it is free! But many today reject Him and even go so far to despise Him, mock Him, crucify Him and outright deny Him, even though He could not have done any more to show that exceeding love for us. Many would wonder why do many despise Him? I believe the biggest reasons are because people want to be their own "master of destiny" or they hate being convicted of sin and their actions that they think are good, God considers them evil which offends many (read John 7:7). People think they are "good enough", but we can never attain the right to eternal life by our "good works". Otherwise, there would be no need to Jesus to come in the flesh. Take a look at Cain, how He thought He could be justified by "good works" but God rejected his offer. Then, Cain did the unthinkable (Gen 4:8). Abel was the one who had the acceptable offer because it was sacrificial. It's a message for us to sacrifice our own ways and abilities and accept His offer of love to us instead. When you think of the Parents who love their Child. If the Parents have unconditional love for their child, but the child doesn't believe it or receive the unconditional love from his/her parents, whose fault is it? It's the child not learning to believe and receive this. Often times, we are at fault for not believing and receiving our Heavenly Fathers fullness of love for us. It's never a matter of Him not loving us, it's a matter of us not receiving the fullness of His love for us. Jesus had a special love for John, one of His Disciples. John always knew that God loved Him very much and that annoyed the others. We need to encourage each other to receive the fullness of Gods love for us. Like John, its not a matter of ever comparing ourselves to one another or say that God loves me more than the others because that is not true. Its a matter of the measure of Gods love we receive for ourselves. We can't get into the bad habit of comparing His love for us to others when we see how He blesses others, because He is often doing a greater work in us who think God doesn't bless us or love us. The truth is: God loves us fully and unconditionally, equally. The problem is that the majority fail to believe and receive this for themselves and lower Gods level of love for them like the rest of the world and fail to believe who He really is. Forget about what you have done in the past! Like the previous message I indicated, God sees what He wants to do for us and through us, He doesn't want to see us as we were, but what we can become through Him. So don't let the past dictate Gods love for you. We cannot afford to compare Gods LOVE to mankinds way of love. Gods love is far higher and far greater then any man could ever attain. If it would be helpful, smile at yourself in the mirror and say "God Loves Me". This will measure how much you believe the truth of His love for you. If you need to, keep doing this over and over again until it gets into you heart and this becomes natural to say this truth to yourself. Let's be like the Disciple John and be able to say like he did, that "GOD LOVES ME", despite who I am or what I have done. That's why He tells us to come to Him, just as we are (read Matt 11:28). Please email the undersigned should you wish to unsubscribe. God bless. In the Matchless Name of Jesus Richard Ministry Encourager Answers2Prayer http://sites.google.com/site/greatestbuilderforourlife http://www.answers2prayer.org/

FOLLOW HIM

Dearest Saints, I always like to share what the Lord teaches me so that each one would benefit. This is the only real reason why we should write so that others can be blessed from it. There's no point in doing this otherwise. The passage I have been thinking about often lately is found near the end of the book of John in Chap 21:20-22. In a nutshell, the Lord is telling Peter to not to be concerned about others (in this case about John), but to focus on following Him (Jesus) instead. This is a lesson that is good for myself lately and hopefully many others. When God teaches us anything, it is always beneficial spiritually, physically, mentally and emotionally that liberates us from any sitation that tends to drag us down and bring any discouragement. When Jesus tells Peter to focus on following Him, this liberates Peter from having any worldly concerns that often brings no inner peace. When we often focus on anything that distracts us from following Him, it usually takes its negative toll on us. We end up fretting, being worried, being overly concerned where our energy is normally drained rather then being refreshed. Jesus admonishes us to be free from what normally weighs us down and liberates us that gives us Hope, Peace and Joy that only He is able to give us when we choose to follow Him. A good example is when I drive down any road and someone behind me wants to go way too fast, it's not normally because I drive slow, but the one behind me wants to drive faster then he/she should. Many times in the past, I could be frustrated with someone tail-gating me and I could drive faster to solve this problem, but I would see myself in the wrong by doing this just to try to satisfy others bad habits. I can find myself get frustrated when I continually look in my rear-view mirror and be concerned about what the guy behind me is doing, or I can resolve this by realizing that what any person does behind me is their problem and none of my concern. I just need to be focused on driving forward by doing the right thing. This is why the front window is normally much bigger and wider then the rear-view mirror all because we should be more focused on moving forward more then being concerned what is behind. If the majority of drivers look more in their rear-view mirror instead of looking forward, there would definitely be traffic chaos on all our roads and highways. This was a good illustration the Lord was giving me. We can allow ourselves to be so distracted that we fail to move forward in the direction we should be going by following the Lord. Therefore, not looking forward tends to get us off the right path. I find we can't often move forward and follow Him when we are concerned about our past, our present by what others may be thinking, saying or doing or being overly concerning about the outcome of others and be side-tracked and distracted. This is why when anyone gets in an accident and the one behind you hits the rear end of your vehicle, the person in the wrong is the one who is behind, not the one who is ahead. The person ahead is not responsible for anyone behind you. Therefore, this is a good illustration that it does no good looking back but to move forward by Following Him. Just like Lots wife chose to look back and look what happened to her! When others may be having any negative reaction towards you or perhaps they fail to do anything positive for you, this is what often happens when a person gets side-tracked and distracted. I have to come realize that if anyone wants to do anything negative or bring discouragement to myself, I can either focus on fretting over what they are doing or not doing and become overly concerned and distracted by looking towards "self" or I can choose not to care by what others do or don't do and decide to follow the Lord and choosing to do what is right instead. When the Lord tells us to follow Him and not be concerned by the actions of others because He wants to give us what is BEST FOR US always!! He knows that being concerned about others actions will only be draining and discouraging. Following Jesus is by far better because when we follow Him, we are truly encouraged that strengthens and builds us up. Following Him brings healing to all our situations, He removes us from taking any responsibility to "try" to make things right and He is the One who Makes ALL THINGS RIGHT. He always brings Right out of any wrong, but we have to give situations that we are not meant to handle over to Him and quit being concerned about the outcome of others. Only He brings the right amount of correction that is needed when we give any situation over to Him that liberates us from having to think we need to be responsible to make things right, when often-times, we just make things worse for ourselves and others. If we would give the Lord everything about any of our negative past over to Him, He can bring beauty out of our ashes. A great example is reading Isaiah 61:3 about what the Lord can do for us. You will notice after this verse how He strengthens His people who receives all the benefits when you read the remaining verses in this Chapter. But again, to fully benefit from the Lord, we have to give our situation over to Him and trust that He will bring the right amount of correction and bring greater blessings to your situation (Isa 61:7). It is good about being concerned for others for their well being, but being concerned about questioning God about how He is going to deal with the situation, like Peter did about John, or anything about what God is going to do about our past is not good. He has a better solution and He tells us, like He has been telling me "Leave the results to Me, but you (Rick) follow Me (Jesus)". Following Him brings healing in every situation into our lives, brings healthy growth in all areas of our lives, brings total restoration and liberates us by casting all our cares to Him because He cares for us. It also helps us to get rid of everything that would otherwise discourage us, stunt our spiritual growth and drain us of any energy. We are not to treat the Scriptures just as a history lesson, we need to understand that there is often a message for us today so we can learn to grow from what we read. Whatever you have that is causing you to fail in focusing to move forward in what the Lord wants to do in your life, ask Him to help you cast everything that distracts you from following Him and let Him lead you and "FOLLOW HIM" like He tells us all to do. Our job is not to be concerned about anything we cannot change, but to Follow Him by trusting Him to work everything out for us and work through us and follow Him to truly love others, forgiving others and trusting that He works out every situation. Following His teachings is always liberating and beneficial. Following another path is anything but. When we choose to follow the Lord, we will never have any regrets! In the Matchless Name of Jesus Richard Ministry Encourager Answers2Prayer http://sites.google.com/site/greatestbuilderforourlife http://www.answers2prayer.org/ www.helpingcopewithhope.blogspot.com

Our Future Hope in God - Part 2

Dearest Saints, I would like to continue with the last message about seeing yourself as a product of the future by what God is able to do for you and through you. It's always a desire within me to bring the strength of having that Hope of God within you. I like to be reminded of Gideon when an Angel of the Lord came to Gideon and declared that he was a mighty man of fearless courage (Judges 6:12). In the natural, he should have been the last man to be called that as he was so fearful of the enemies and showed much cowardice towards an army that were coming against them. But God didn't see Gideon as he is, but saw him to what he could become when he chose to trust fully in the Lord. It reminds me about the greatest verse of Love, that if we have Gods love working in us, we will always believe the best for ourselves and others. If we fail in this, we have failed in fulfilling the greatest commandment (love) of all time which God has for us. I strongly believe that unless we believe the best for ourselves first, we can't expect to believe the best for others. We can't give out what we don't first learn to receive. When we look at this verse, often times, we will not believe the best for others because we often don't believe this for ourselves. Conditional love is based on past performances or present condition, it has nothing to do with any future Hope. When Gods Love Hopes for the best, it talks about the future. Remember that hope is not hope if it already has come to pass for who hopes in what has already taken place? But true Godly Hope will believe the best for others (1 Cor 13:7). Hoping the best for others relates to the future. This doesn't mean that we overlook their present condition to try and gently bring correction or much needed corrective action, but our attitude has to be to always believe and hope for the best regardless of what we have seen or see within a person. This means that we are always hopeful in the things we do not see in the natural. We are justified by faith (by trusting in Him) to always believe for better things to come in the future (Gal 3:11,24). Let's have that genuine hope within us that we will become like Christ all because of the work He wants to do and is willing to do in our lives. From receiving this for ourselves first, let's then encourage others that they can have that same hope within of becoming like Christ and be yielded to His Spirit to allow Him to do the work within each of us. This will help us to stop having this fickle worldly love as "conditional love" and instead, be able to continually develop that greater agape love that is "unconditional" all because we don't see others as they are, but as they can become through Christ. It's a liberation for myself to have that Hope knowing that He (God) is the One who is faithful that never stops short, but is so patient with me. He will complete the work He started within me a long time ago and continue to do so until He should return (Phil 1:6). Therefore, don't ever give up on the future Hope (believing for Gods best) for ourselves and for others simply because we can put our trust in the One who truly remains faithful. He doesn't have to do anything more to prove His love and faithfulness to us. He perfected that through His Son Jesus Christ when He walked this earth. I am convinced and confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will [continue to] perfect and complete it until the day of Christ Jesus [the time of His return]. Phil 1:6 In the Matchless Name of Jesus Richard Ministry Encourager Answers2Prayer http://sites.google.com/site/greatestbuilderforourlife http://www.answers2prayer.org/

Our Future Hope in God

Dearest Saints. I enjoy the hope that Gods Word gives us in every detail of our lives. It reminds me that the measure of Hope we have in Christ and His Word will determine how much we love and trust in His Word. Just like the sermon from our Pastor we had this morning about paying attention to God. It was putting the difference between us paying attention and God receiving our attention. This was a reminder to me that God only receives the measure of our attention to Him of what we allow to give Him. When we give our full attention to Him, He receives our full attention. When we give Him only a portion of our attention, He can only receive that same measure of the attention we give Him. He will never receive less from us then what we are willing to give Him. Also, He can never receive any more from us than what we allow ourselves to give Him. He always receives the fullest of measure of what we permit to give Him. When we praise Him, He receives it!! This also tells me also that when we pray without having iniquity within us (Ps 66:18) according to His will, we can know that He inhabits our prayers (read 1 John 5:14,15). This is why we need to have faith and believe He is doing that work within us that we don't presently see. We only see the past and present while He sees all including the future but only chooses to forget our repented sins of the past. One scripture I have been giving attention to alot lately is found in 1 John 3:2,3. It mentions that we are to have that hope of becoming like Him and by this, we purify ourselves just as He is pure. I only thought that we should have that "Hopeful Expectation" of becoming like Him. We definitely "should", but I think it goes further. It reminds me that when we look at ourselves, we need to see ourselves by allowing God to shape us and make us become who He wants us to become. Therefore, we CANNOT afford to ever believe that we are a product of our past, no matter what! We ARE NOT to even consider ourselves as a product of this present, WE ARE the product of the future by what God is able to do for us and through us. He tells us that we are to come to Him just as we ARE because He doesn't see us what we were or what we are, but who we can become. Therefore, He doesn't want us to see ourselves presently, but to become what He alone is able to do in us. He doesn't see our past, nor does He see our present, He sees us to what we can become through Him. We need to have that same mindset. Too many people are making the mistake by holding on to their past and believing that they are by what they have done. The enemy wants us to believe his lies that we are a product of our past and present, which is why he only reminds us of our past and present. The devil is only as powerful to the measure we listen and believe his lies. When Eve started to listen to him and believe him, this is what gave satan power over Adam and Eve. The enemy never had any power over Christ because He never gave into his deceptions. In 2 Cor 5:17, God tells us as His Children that we ARE NEW creatures in Christ, the old has passed away and He has made something new within us. Not looking at our past or at our present, but looking joyfully and expectantly towards the future will always give us Hope. Having that true Hope that God gives us is always looking into the future of that wonderful expectation. Gods term of hope is an event that is SURE to take place and never "may/may-not" or based on any wishful thinking. He tells us in Rom 8:24 For in this hope we were saved [by faith]. But hope [the object of] which is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he already sees? Therefore, in order for us to carry that Hope (expectant joyful future) of God within, we need to believe that the future with Christ is nothing less than Beautiful beyond measure and eternal beyond comprehension. To make the best of our future and for us to have that hope to ever become like Him like it says in 1 John 3:3, we have to stop looking at our past or present condition. We have to stop listening to the lies of the enemy whether it be through other reading material other then what the Word says, or what other people say about our past or present condition. It's what God says that matters. We have to stop making excuses by saying something like "I can't help it, it's just the way I am". We have to turn that around and verbally declare something like: "God continues doing that wonderful work within me because He loves me". Or, "He is preparing me to become as His wonderful Bride". We will never be able to have this Hopeful expectation by our own effort. He is telling us to have that expectation by allowing Him to do that work within us that only He can do. It's verbally confessing our need of Him in every area and every moment of our lives. It's knowing that by His Spirit, He alone is going to make us become like Jesus that only He can do. From what I was thinking earlier, I believe that our need of Him will largely determine whether we will take any credit for ourselves or give the credit to God after the fact! This tells me we have to be pre-determined by Gods Grace that we will not ever allow any pride to have any place in our lives! Success in anyones life can be the most deadliest place to be because it opens the door for pride much easier which is often a stronghold in many lives. Just like Nebedcanezzar, he had to go to the field of oxens to come to his senses and know that the success of anyone was only by Gods Grace in the first place. Jonah had to find this out in a belly of a large fish! I am grateful by His Grace that I don't have to see myself as I was, or as I am, but my hope is allowing Him to do that work that I now do have that hope in becoming like Christ. I wouldn't want to see myself otherwise and thank God He doesn't either. He wants us to put our hope of the future in His hands. I pray that you will have this wonderful Hope within you as you allow Him to do a work that only He can do to become like Him. The amount He is able to do within us will depend on the measure we are willing to humble ourselves to Him so He can do that perfect work within each of us. God bless. In the Matchless Name of Jesus Richard Ministry Encourager Answers2Prayer http://sites.google.com/site/greatestbuilderforourlife http://www.answers2prayer.org/

TRUST in His Love for You

It has been awhile with much to do between work, home duties for a spouse of mine that has very limited physical abilities. But we know that whatever God places before us, it is not wasted when we want to do the work of the Lord. I heard a testimony this morning at our service that a fellow had problems with the raccoons eating some corn from his field. He put his dog out on a leash and kept him near his dog house in the corn field for a time (how long...we don't know). But the dog kept all unwanted pests out from destroying his crop. He mentioned that sometimes God wants to keep us "tied-up" in His own way in order to have what He wants done for us in our lives. The dog didn't know he had a vital role being tied up while being vital to the masters use. So maybe He is setting us in our place of quiet time or keeping us "tied up" for a time so He can do His good work through us while we may be doing something vital, but not know it. Sometimes it is good that we don't understand everything that is going on, but we are called to Trust in Him. One of my favorite verses is in Prov 3:56 that tells us not to lean on our own understanding, but acknowledge Him in all our ways and we can trust Him that He will lead us and direct our path. When we do trust Him and believe Who He says He is, what He can do for us and through us and who we are in Him, we do the works that is required of us (John 6:28,29). Our works in God is first to simply believe in the One who is able to do the work in us before we actually do the work. God wants to put us in a place to let us know that what we "do" doesn't define us, but knowing Him and in the power of His Resurrection (Phil 3:10) and who we are in Him according to His Word. Gods Grace and Mercy are so rich in abundance, but many people don't benefit from His Goodness, His Grace and Mercy. Many people think they have to earn Gods love or think they are not worthy to receive anything good from God. There is no one on earth before, during this present time or ever will be "good enough" (other then Christ) who will ever deserve anything good from God. Even Christ Himself said to one of His Disciples "Why do you call me Good?, there is only One who is Good and that is God" (Mark 10:18). If Jesus said this, shouldn't we also say this that much more? This is why Gods Grace is so Good because we don't deserve it, but to humble ourselves to see our need to receive it is priceless. Don't ever think for one minute to fail to receive anything good from God just because you don't think you deserve it or think you are worthy of it or ever question God "Why"? His Goodness for us will always go beyond our understanding. I had one member believe that God is mad at them. For many who think this, God is not mad at you, but is gracious and wants to compel you to believe in His love, His Help, His Grace and His Mercy for you. We have to stop thinking God at our level. He wants us to depend on Him to receive His very best for us regardless of what we may have done in the past. That is why I can truly say that not only did He take the rubble from my life, but He truly has built and restored my life. One time in my life I didn't think I would ever measure up to anything or had any purpose in life. I was believing the lies of the enemy who is out to simply steal, kill and destroy lives (John 10:10a). Unfortunately, many peoples lives are likewise destroyed because these people believe the lies of the enemy and fail to believe the Grace, Mercy and Goodness of what God has for them. They fail to believe He is a Builder and Restorer of lives. I thank God I didn't remain believing satan, but knowing he is nothing but a liar and the truth is not in him at all (John 8:44). Don't ever get caught believing the lies of the enemy. Each of us has a wonderful and unique ministry as God tells us. We are ALL called to be ministers of the Good Word in one way or another (read Heb 5:12 and Isa 61:6). One of the Teachers I know mentioned one time that Her ministry at that one particular time was when she was making her kids bed. So the message is that ministers are not only on a platform, but we are All called to be ministers and we can be one to someone or to many depending on what God puts on your heart. There is always hope for each and everyone no matter what your past has been as long as are hope is in the One who is unfailing in His love for us (God through Jesus Christ). If God can create the universe and all that is in it from nothing, He can make something beautiful in our lives and from our lives if we will simply Believe He can and He will. When you believe and declare the truth of His love for you, you will like yourself much better in the light of His Word. You can be richer in all things (relationally, knowledge of the Truth of His Word, His Wisdom for you, greater understanding of His Word and be more effectively used by Him to do His good work) which is why He came to give us all in the first place (John 10:10b). In the Matchless Name of Jesus Richard Ministry Encourager Answers2Prayer http://sites.google.com/site/greatestbuilderforourlife http://www.answers2prayer.org/ www.helpingcopewithhope.blogspot.com Who is like You, O Lord, among the gods? Who is like You, glorious in holiness, awesome in splendor, doing wonders? (Exod 15:11)

QUIETNESS & CONFIDENCE is OUR STRENGTH

Dearest Saints, There is nothing like having that strong confidence in the One who loves us the most, Christ Himself. All too often, people relate others being strong in the natural by being physically stronger, or one who speaks more boldly and loudly then the others and don't back down in an argument. But this type of strength God talks about has nothing to do with any of that. I find all too often that a person who is vocally loud will often speak this way out of fear all because they have failed in putting their trust in confidence in the One whom we need to put our confidence in. They allow circumstances to agitate them all because they put themselves under circumstances instead of putting themselves under the loving hand of God. On the other hand, when a person who is often considered weak in the eyes of the world, I find that person is in fact the strongest because they are the ones who are able to remain at peace when turmoil or any unpleasant circumstances may be surrounding them. The strongest people I have met are the ones who have that inner peace within themselves. They have no fear of the circumstances that surrounds them all because they know the Lord loves them and will care for them when they learn to cast their cares to Him (1 Peter 5:7). Isa 30:15 mentions that being quiet before the Lord and having confidence (in the Lord) is a persons strength. People who are the strongest are at peace with God for several reasons: 1. They know without a shadow of doubt that God loves them and will care for them (Ps 100:5 and Ps 103:17); 2. God will take care of any injustices that they have been a product of no matter what (Isa 61:8; 2 Thess 1:6) because they will have Godly sorrow for others that brings forth life rather then having worldly sorrow that only brings forth death (2 Cor 7:10); 3. They know more about the truth of Gods greatness to care for them in every circumstance (1 Pet 5:7); 4. They have learned to trust in the One who has unlimited Wisdom, Knowledge and Understanding rather then putting their trust in themselves or anyone else (Ps 34:8; Ps 40:4); 5. Because they know the love of God for them, they love the Word and delight themselves in the Lord by being so thankful to Him (Phil 4:6,7). They know He is true to His promises as long as they learn to follow Him. 6. They understand and come to appreciate Him so much because everything they have ever attained, every skill, ability they have within themselves and every good gift they have ever received is truly a gift from God in the first place (James 1:17); and 7. When they ask Him for every good gift that will bless Him, bless others, they know in their heart that He is true to His Word and will fulfill the promises that He will answer our petitions according to His Will and we can be confident of this (1 John 5:14,15). Even if He doesn't answer the way we want Him to, people who are strong in the Lord will always believe He has something better for them. Again, they don't rely on their understanding, they rely and put their trust in Him (Prov 3:5,6). When a Christian is strong, it's because they have all these attributes and they learn to put their confidence in the One who they know loves them the most by asking Him and relying on Him to impart every good gift that will benefit you so you can live to advance His Kingdom and give Him the glory. God inspired me to put the following note down and I am glad I have started to make it a habit of writing down any thoughts I believe God is giving me. The following is an excerpt: "If we are not attracted to Jesus like we should be, we don't know Him like we should. If we know Him and His love for you like we should, we will truly be attracted to Him". Do we truly know Him like we should? Having this confidence in Him is having that wonderful strength and inner peace that no money in the world could ever compare. When I think of what God says that in the beginning, it was totally dark and void (Gen 1:2) and everything we see before our eyes is because God spoke everything into existence (Genesis Chapter 1) and everything that man has created, God gave man the ability to do so (Exod 35:31-35). So when we think how everything that came into existence and is continually upheld, maintained, guided and propelled by His mighty Word of power (Heb 1:3), we should have that wonderful confidence in Him who truly is Awesome, God Himself. You can never expect a person who has any doubt or unbelief will ever have that inner peace and confidence that brings strength. The joy of the Lord will also fill our hearts that tells us is also our strength (Neh 8:10). With His help, let's invite Him to give us wisdom to benefit from His entire Word for us. In the Matchless Name of Jesus Richard Ministry Encourager Answers2Prayer http://sites.google.com/site/greatestbuilderforourlife http://www.answers2prayer.org/

On CHRIST the SOLID ROCK We STAND

When I think of how so many people put their hope in anything this world offers, it is always that "wishful hope" that says: "I hope this comes to pass or I hope this/that happens or doesn't happen". They are never certain all because they are putting their hope in circumstances that will never stand. Just like Jesus talks about people who build their houses upon the sand or on a rock. As long as people continue to build their lives upon the sand (anything other then putting their hope in Jesus), their only hope is relying on having favorable circumstances which will one day fail and come crashing down. I certainly do not want to live my life that way with the future of uncertainty because we cannot ever expect to stand by relying on circumstances. So many people who fail to put their Hope in Christ live this way with no inner peace. Without putting our Hope in Christ, be certain that it will end one day sooner or later. When we come to learn more about the Awesomeness of God, we don't have that feeble hope that carries within uncertainties. I can't tell you what a privilege it is to be able to carry around that inexpressible HOPE that is SURE and STEADFAST when we build our lives upon Christ, the One who has proven His love for us beyond measure. If you forget this, just go back to Calvary and ask Him to give you a real life vision of the Roman Soldiers pounding those large spikes through His hands and He still asks His Father to forgive them. No money and all the richness of this world cannot ever compare to be able to carry that inexpressible HOPE that we are so privileged to have in Christ all because of His love for us. When a family or community is strong, it is because they love one another, pray for one another and know they are truly connected together relationally united as a family being mindful and having concern one for another. We, as the Church are called to be that. When you read about the early Church in Acts, they were strong because they were united in love towards one another which is the will of God. If we intend on being strong, we also need to love one another, pray for one another, being mindful one to another and refuse to allow anything that would divide us or allow any opposition to what Gods will is for His Church. When God tells us to think of others more highly then ourselves (Phil 2:3), we kick pride out of our lives and give no place for that. Everything God teaches us is always meant to bring us together as a unified body who loves the Lord first and loves one another because we are in this together. When we choose to live for the Lord, we need to be intentional to refuse to allow any other doctrine to have its way into the body that violates the law of love, peace, unity that promotes putting self above the rest. When division, strife, factions are present, we have allowed the enemy to rule and trespass into the body when we should kick him out and give him no place. We should see everything that opposes His law of love is a violation directly against Him because of the unmatched price He paid by for the great suffering He did for us. Afterall, God tells us if we love Him, it is because we love one another and fulfill the law of love by believing the best for others and seeking the interest of others (Phil 2:4). When we don't love one another, we don't love Him (1 John 4:20). Not allowing Gods Word to rule in our lives is just as bad as committing sin when we fail to do what we know is right (James 4:17). Again, we need to see the cost of our sins each time the large spike is driven into His hands. I am feeling lead to be relentless more and more to take a stand in the One who I have come to know who loves me and declare victory for Gods Church to be united in love towards Him and one another. By putting our Hope and Trust in Him, we understand that we don't have to fight the enemy to win because Jesus already fought the battles on our behalf and won the victory (1 John 4:4). What we need to do to be strong in Him is put our relentless Faith and Hope in Him by standing upon His Word, knowing His love for us, knowing our identity as His loving Child, our present and eternal inheritance because of all He has accomplished for us. We also stand strong in Him when we faithfully pray one for another and by doing His will. With the help of His Spirit, let's be relentless to put our Hope and Trust in the One who holds the future and has won all the battles on our behalf. He wants us to totally rely on Him for all things in order that we can stand strong in Him, having built our houses (lives) upon that Rock (Jesus) that will always withstand every storm. He who endures to the end shall be saved (Matt 24:13). We are able to endure to the end when our Hope is built on nothing less than Jesus Blood and Righteousness. In the Matchless Name of Jesus Richard Ministry Encourager Answers2Prayer http://sites.google.com/site/greatestbuilderforourlife http://www.answers2prayer.org/

A Tribute to My Parents

Dearest Saints, I would like to specifically acknowledge one of our ten commandments especially at this time to honour our earthly Father and Mother. I wrote a poem in honour of their Anniversary celebration a few years ago and I continue to echo these words. Even though it is a poem and it may sound nice with rhythmic wording. But I want to emphasize that they are in fact words spoken in truth. It goes like this: To wonderful parents that any child would be so blessed. Dad laboured much each day for his family to provide, while Mom worked diligently at home cooking, cleaning and caring through every ebb and tide. Our house was much more than a nice place filled with treasure, it was filled with love, peace, hope, kindness, goodness and often-times with patience without measure. I am glad to be what I have become, not only the the Grace of God, but also the enduring faithfulness and love from Dad and Mom. Through your fine examples of tireless and selfless giving, I have learned to make the most out of living. One cannot have asked to be better blessed, than having wonderful parents that anyone could have ever confessed. An inspiration you should be, of love and commitment that the world should see. Thank you Dad & Mom for being there for me. I thank God for my Parents. I want to make this tribute by honouring my Parents, Fern & Louise Poulin who will be celebrating 66 years of a blessed marriage this coming week on 14 May 2015. It is an honour to say Happy & Blessed 66th Anniversary to them. It's neat to know their wedding date happened exactly a year after the re-birth of the nation of Israel. In the second paragraph that talks about having patience without measure, I can honestly say that when I see how they have been that way for me very often when I was growing up. I know many can't say the same for their parents due to past unfavourable circumstances, but I would like to encourage you to please honour your Parents not just for their sake, nor because they may or may not deserve it, but for your sakes so that it will be well with you in relationship to the eternal One who loves you the most and promises that a long and healthy and prosperous life that He gives all of us if we would honour them. We should want to put aside any of our differences from what we think to what He tells us and make a choice to choose what He tells to honour the Lord simply because of who He is and all He has done and continues to do for us. I can only say "Lord, that I trust You to help me honour You more and more each day" because I confess I can't do this on my own strength, but trust in Him which is where He wants us all to come to that place. I find it easier to love and forgive others when I see the greater enormous debt He forgave me from. And for those who have had terrific parents, tell them so and don't wait to recite your love and appreciation for them at the time of their eulogy. May we live a blessed life that is honouring especially to the Lord as we honour our parents and ask His Holy Spirit to help us live according to His divine and perfect will. We owe it to Him who gave up so much more then we could ever imagine for each of us. Exod 20:12 "Honour your Father and Mother so that you may live long in the land that your Lord gives you". Be forever blessed by Him, in Him and for Him. In the Matchless Name of Jesus Richard Ministry Encourager Answers2Prayer http://sites.google.com/site/greatestbuilderforourlife http://www.answers2prayer.org/

SIGNIFICANCE of that SMALL DASH

Dearest Saints, I just arrived back from attending my Mother-in-laws funeral this past week and have noticed a poem in the funeral parlour I have always liked. It definitely gives us something to think about. There is a wonderful poem written by Linda Ellis in 1996 and is copyrighted that is titled "The Dash". So I won't copy and paste for that purpose, but I would like to put this in my words as the Lord leads because when we think of something small like a dash, it is so significant that it determines everyone's eternal destiny of how we lived during that time within that "dash". When we read someone's obituary we notice the date of their Birth and date of their death and then there is a dash in between. When someone gives a eulogy of the deceased, they don't talk about the day they were born, nor talk about the day they passed away. But all is said about each member during the dash in between those dates. When a person looks at a dash, one would think about the short time they have spent on earth, even if they live to be 100 or more, it is still such a very very short time compared to eternity. A dash on one's tombstone may easily just be overlooked entirely. I like to ask myself a question and hope each of you will do the same. What would people say about us during the time that is represented in that dash between Birth and death? Have we lived our lives selfishly, only kept within our small little group, seldom gave any acknowledgement to the Lord for Who He is, trying to live a good life by our own standards? Or did we trust and rely on Him to live to give Him the glory and be a rich blessing and encouragement to one another? One thing is for certain, that all the worldly ambitions one may have and all the accumulations one could ever try to attain, or just trying to live a "good life" is not going to matter during that "dash" unless we allowed Christ to truly be Lord of our lives, inviting Him in and have that daily, increasing rich relationship to see our need of His Lordship over our lives. When we don't ask Christ to help us be the person we are meant to be, we labour in vain and our righteousness is as filthy rags (Isa 64:6) because it is only His Goodness that we allow to work through us. The greatest achievement I would like my life to be said of me is for someone to say that I lived unselfishly and wanted to live for the Lord by living for others, giving to others, being an inspiration to others to be the best they can be and encourage one another to get the most of Gods Word working to empower them to do good. Even for the Christians, I feel it is a dying shame that we don't share that love outwardly by staying safely within our little group and fail to let His Word have its fullness to work in us and through us by living just within our little corner of small friends. Christ spent much of His time with many outsiders and we are told to be imitators of Christ (Eph 5:1). So that means to live as He did. If we will humble ourselves and ask God to help us use our God given talents to be a rich blessing and encouragement to others, that small dash between birth and death will mean so much more. God has given everyone talents and we need to ask Him to reveal all of our talents and help us use our talents to be a rich blessing to others to advance His Kingdom and not be like that wicked servant who hid his talent (Matt 25:18-30). So don't waste any talent or think you have none when He has given all of us talents to use. This is when that small dash means so much because it will determine our eternal destiny. May we ask God to truly bless us to receive all He suffered to give us and be all we can be for His glory. Our lives are lived most successfully when we humble ourselves enough to always choose His ways over our ways and always relying solely on Him. Then others who may recite our eulogy will be able to tell others the hope that was within us that will continue to have that positive impact on others, even though the time will come when we may not be around to tell them ourselves. In the Matchless Name of Jesus Richard Ministry Encourager Answers2Prayer http://sites.google.com/site/greatestbuilderforourlife http://www.answers2prayer.org/ www.helpingcopewithhope.blogspot.com

BLESSINGS & CURSES

Dearest Saints, When we talk about Blessings and Curses, I sense that many Believers often get sidetracked. The world would tell someone that when favorable situations happens to anyone, they consider it a blessing. And when unfavorable circumstances happen that are most unwelcoming, many consider these circumstances a curse. In a nutshell, I would like to define blessings as any situation (whether favorable or unfavorable) that is able to effectively deal with the heart and turn ones heart towards the Lord, or commit their heart by drawing closer to the Lord then before. When negative circumstances occur, if it turns our heart and affections towards God, it is equally a blessing. I like to consider alot of these circumstances as a "hidden blessing" all because it doesn't make sense to the world. During trials, the result of something that seems anything but a blessing is something that we may not want, but may very well need. Because in the end, the type of relationship we have with God is what is going to count and often times, it takes trials to draw our hearts away from the affections of this world and turn our heart to where it needs to be (to God). However, I believe that when good fortune comes to many people, including Christians and they don't bother to give the time of day to give God thanks, this becomes more of a "hidden curse" because of the accountability by failing to give Him thanks and remaining indifferent, which I consider sins of omission (failing to do what is right), which is sin before God (James 4:17). For Christians, if their heart remains complacent and their is no positive change through any good fortune that has come about, I believe it will be far worse for Gods people to remain unthankful with no change of heart to draw closer to God because these are the times we should be encouraged and bring hope to others through our testimony and praises. Complacency should have NO place in any Christians lives. Someone who continues to go through trials or any unfortunate set of circumstances while drawing closer in relationship to God is far better off then anyone who seemingly has everything going for them but has no desire for God or desire to draw closer to God. This is what I often call a "hidden curse" because most people don't understand the end result or the accountability each one will need to give. Therefore, we cannot afford to get ourselves trapped into assuming that blessings only come by favorable circumstances and curses are anything else but! Some of the roughest valleys of my life resulted in richer blessings then any other times because it drew my heart away from having any worldly affections and worldly ambitions that often got in the way with having the right relationship with God. My trials helped me to understand what is really important in life. I know for a fact that had I got what I wanted out of life, I would have remained complacent or indifferent towards the things of God which would have been anything but a blessing. When you read Luke 16:19-25, tells His Disciples about the rich man and Lazarus (the Beggar). A time came that they were going to give an account of their lives. The rich man was sent to Hades (a place of torment) and Lazarus was safe in Paradise (Abrahams bosom). The rich man cried out in agony for mercy being tormented in flames. Abraham mentions to this rich man that he had his reward by eating scrumptuously and living lavishly and while Lazarus was living as a beggar. To the world, the rich man would be considered most blessed and Lazarus would be considered accursed. I would dare say that the rich man would have been glad to turn back the time and trade places with Lazarus who ended up being by far more blessed then the rich man in all his comfortable life. So how can anyone who sees the end say that the rich man was more blessed? The main point I want to emphasize is that no matter what we may be going through, WE CAN NOT AFFORD LOSE HOPE by simply determining our circumstances whether it be favorable or unfavorable. The question we need to ask ourselves is: "Is our heart being drawn closer and closer towards Him"? This is why when we pray for others, we can't just pray that the storms would be diverted, or just pray for physical, emotional or relational needs. We need to pray the prayers that matter most. That peoples hearts would turn to God and those whose hearts are turned to God, draw even closer to have a deeper and closer relationship with Him than before. I would rather no prayers be answered for anyone if it is not going to draw the heart closer to God because that is what is going to count in the end. Like God tells us: "I would that we would all prosper AND walk in divine health, just as our soul FIRST PROSPERS" (3 John 2). Therefore, it is more important to God for the condition of our heart then to simply have our prayers answered the way we would want them answered. God cuts the bad branches off to get rid of all ungodly affections and ungodly ambitions from our lives. However, He not only cuts the bad branches, but also prunes good branches so that a person who may be bearing fruit, will bear more and better, more excellent fruit (John 15:2). Therefore, it is imperative that we put our Trust in an "all-wise" and "all-loving" God who knows how to bring us through the right circumstances to bring out the best in us and for us. We just have to make a decision to cooperate with Him. When we invite Him to help us turn our heart (our love) towards Him more and more, this is really what it means to be most blessed. In the Matchless Name of Jesus Richard Ministry Encourager Answers2Prayer http://sites.google.com/site/greatestbuilderforourlife http://www.answers2prayer.org/

Enter Into His Throne Room

Dearest Saints, I want to share something special that God gave me a thought. It should always be a delight to hunger for a revelatory Word from God because it encourages us and strengthens us in Him. When we receive knowledge of a Word, it becomes a "knowing" in our minds. But to receive a revelation is to receive it with a "greater understanding" that is heart changing which is powerful. As I was watching a program and taking time to meditate on what was being preached, God gave me a neat revelation I want to share. Whenever we come to prayer, let's not just envision us being down here and our Heavenly Father sitting on His Throne multi-millions of miles away, even though we know our prayers are heard in Heaven and is being collected in golden bowls of incense (Rev 5:8). But when we come to Him in prayer, let's envision ourselves literally entering into His Throne Room in Heaven and falling down to worship Him in His presence in Heaven, praising Him and then giving Him our petitions, just like Isaiah was before the Lord in Isaiah 6. For He tells us in Eph 2:6 that we ARE already raised up with Him and are seated with Him in Heavenly places (and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the Heavenly places in Christ Jesus Eph 2:6). Notice He doesn't say "we will", but as His Children, we are already raised up with Him and are already seated with Him in Heavenly places. And He also tells us to draw near to Gods Throne boldly & confidently so we can obtain His Grace & Mercy in our time of need (Heb 4:16). So that means we should literally see ourselves entering into the Holy of Holies (in Heaven) and kneeling right in His presence as He sits on His Throne in Heaven rather then just seeing ourselves here and God "up there"! I believe this encourages our heart to know we can come right before Him and we can just be in awe of His presence. I also thought that when we do see ourselves approaching His Throne before our faces, we need to remove everything that hinders us from receiving this fully from Him simply by giving Him all our broken-ness and receiving His fullness of love for us, His Goodness and Divine favor He so much wants to bestow upon us. Anything that has negatively happened to us in the past, God is the One who always brings correction to those who oppose His commands and those who deal treacherously with His Children and we have that divine favor that no matter how bad our past has been, we can receive DOUBLE BLESSINGS (Isa 61:7 and Zech 9:12b)that far exceeds any trouble we have ever received. Let us allow Him to teach us to give Him all of our fragments and anticipate as we wait with that indescribable Hope of what He wills for you and wants to do for you and through you (Zech 9:12a). I also just received a thought that we "need" to first give Him all our broken fragments if we expect Him to use them to make a beautiful vessel as His chosen Ones. But He cannot use our fragments to fix them on our behalf if we don't learn to give it to Him in the first place. When we do, He can take every broken pieces from our lives and make it something far more beautiful then we can ever imagine. Let's see ourselves literally entering into His Throne Room (seated with Him in Heavenly places) and give Him "ALL" of our fragments (every circumstances you have suffered injustice, any wrong-doing for no reason or other fragments He reveals to You to give to Him) and expect Him to prepare a beautiful work for you, to you and through you to be His Adorned & Blessed Vessel that will move us to Worship Him in Spirit and in Truth (John 4:23) and in the beauty of holiness (Ps 96:9). We can receive this when we truly believe Jesus paid our ransom in full on our behalf!! In the Matchless Name of Jesus Richard Ministry Encourager Answers2Prayer http://sites.google.com/site/greatestbuilderforourlife http://www.answers2prayer.org/