What does it mean to be a Christian?

Listen to these Words of Jesus:

John 14:23-24

²³ Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. ²⁴ He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father’s who sent Me.

John 15:9-17

⁹ “As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. ¹⁰ If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.
¹¹ “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. ¹² This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. ¹³ Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. ¹⁴ You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. ¹⁵ No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you. ¹⁶ You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you. ¹⁷ These things I command you, that you love one another.

I’ve included another excellent devotional message, by David Wilkerson (see below), about the Love of the Father.

However before you read it, I want to make the following point.

There are a good many people today, who are good intentioned and religious people, who have been raised in a denominational atmosphere, Protestant or Catholic, it makes no difference, where they have been taught that being a Christian is synonymous with being a member of their particular denomination.

I know this to be true, because I was once such person myself at one time.

In the denomination that I was raised in, in my youth, I was baptized as an infant; and I received my First Communion at age 13. After which, I stopped attending church.

To me, with my understanding of what Christianity was, according to the way I had been taught, or at least led to believe, I had fulfilled the necessary requirements; howbeit, I never once was told I should read a Bible; and nor had I ever heard the terminology being “Born-again,” or “Being Saved.” In all my time in Sunday School, all that I heard were stories from the Bible, that happened over 2000 years ago, that I couldn’t relate to; and I was taught the church dogma of the denomination I belonged to.

The fact was however, I only knew about Jesus Christ much as I knew about Abraham Lincoln and George Washington, or any other figure of history, that I had been taught about in school; but I never actually knew these people personally. How could I, they were all dead.

Nor had I ever had any sort of relationship with them either; and such was my faith in God, and in Jesus Christ. It was all filtered through what I had been taught in my particular denomination; and my own personally opinions and beliefs.

However as we read the above two scriptures, and learn what Jesus has to say on this very important subject, it quickly becomes very obvious, that He has a very different definition of what it means to be a Christian, or follower of Christ.

My point is, are we going to base what it means to be a Christian on Church doctrine, or on Scripture, on what the Bible says; or worse, are we going to merely base our whole eternal future on personal opinions and beliefs, on how we feel?

Entry into eternity, in to God’s presence happens (according to what the Bible says) only one way, and that is through Jesus Christ!

Listen to this conversation which Jesus had with Nicodemus:

John 3:1-21; 36

The New Birth

¹ There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. ² This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.”

³ Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

⁴ Nicodemus said to Him, “How can
a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?”
⁵ Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. ⁶ That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. ⁷ Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ ⁸ The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

⁹ Nicodemus answered and said to Him, “How can these things be?”

¹⁰ Jesus answered and said to him, “Are you the teacher of Israel, and do not know these things?

¹¹ Most assuredly, I say to you, We speak what We know and testify what We have seen, and you do not receive Our witness.

¹² If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things?

¹³ No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man who is in heaven.^[a]
¹⁴ And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, ¹⁵ that whoever believes in Him should not perish but^[b] have eternal life.

¹⁶ For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. ¹⁷ For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.

¹⁸ “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

¹⁹ And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. ²⁰ For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. ²¹ But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.”

³⁶ “He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”

Let us not stop there, but also check what Jesus had to say here:

Luke 6:43-49

The Tree and Its Fruit

⁴³ “A good tree can’t produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can’t produce good fruit. ⁴⁴ A tree is identified by its fruit. Figs are never gathered from thornbushes, and grapes are not picked from bramble bushes. ⁴⁵ A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. What you say flows from what is in your heart.”

Building on a Solid Foundation

⁴⁶ “So why do you keep calling me ‘Lord, Lord!’ when you don’t do what I say?
⁴⁷ I will show you what it’s like when someone comes to me, listens to my teaching, and then follows it. ⁴⁸ It is like a person building a house who digs deep and lays the foundation on solid rock. When the floodwaters rise and break against that house, it stands firm because it is well built. ⁴⁹ But anyone who hears and doesn’t obey is like a person who builds a house without a foundation. When the floods sweep down against that house, it will collapse into a heap of ruins.”

What God is after from each of us is NOT a dating relationship, where we can come and go as we please and life is all about our doing our thing!

This is not Christianity as the Bible teaches it, and if you want to believe otherwise, and that you are going to go to heaven based on your opinions, or denominational beliefs, regardless of whether those opinions and beliefs agree with God’s Word, then you are sadly mistaken.

As evidence of the truth of what I am saying, listen to what Jesus says here:

Matthew 7:21-29

True Disciples

²¹ “Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter.

²²
On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’ ²³ But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.‘

Building on a Solid Foundation

²⁴ “Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. ²⁵ Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. ²⁶ But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. ²⁷ When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.”

²⁸ When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, ²⁹ for he taught with real authority—quite unlike their teachers of religious law.

Are you starting to get the picture? As I understand these words, spoken by the Master, what most people call Christianity is leading them to a dead end and a the inevitability of spending an eternity without God!

I must say also, based upon testimonies and accounts that I have heard from people who have visited hell, I wouldn’t wish that on my worst enemy!

Listen to this account, that was given by Jesus himself, and see what I’m talking about:

Luke 16:19-31

Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus

¹⁹ Jesus said, “There was a certain rich man who was splendidly clothed in purple and fine linen and who lived each day in luxury. ²⁰ At his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus who was covered with sores. ²¹ As Lazarus lay there longing for scraps from the rich man’s table, the dogs would come and lick his open sores.

²² “Finally, the poor man died and was carried by the angels to be with Abraham.^[a] The rich man also died and was buried, ²³ and his soul went to the place of the dead.^[b] There, in torment, he saw Abraham in the far distance with Lazarus at his side.

²⁴ “The rich man shouted, ‘Father Abraham, have some pity! Send Lazarus over here to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue. I am in anguish in these flames.’

²⁵ “But Abraham said to him, ‘Son, remember that during your lifetime you had everything you wanted, and Lazarus had nothing. So now he is here being comforted, and you are in anguish. ²⁶ And besides, there is a great chasm separating us. No one can cross over to you from here, and no one can cross over to us from there.’

²⁷ “Then the rich man said, ‘Please, Father Abraham, at least send him to my father’s home. ²⁸ For I have five brothers, and I want him to warn them so they don’t end up in this place of torment.’

²⁹ “But Abraham said, ‘Moses and the prophets have warned them. Your brothers can read what they wrote.’

³⁰ “The rich man replied, ‘No, Father Abraham! But if someone is sent to them from the dead, then they will repent of their sins and turn to God.’

³¹ “But Abraham said, ‘If they won’t listen to Moses and the prophets, they won’t listen even if someone rises from the dead.'”

Are you starting to get the picture yet?

Christianity is all about our having INTIMATE relationship with God, and our honoring, keeping, and obeying His Word (as found in the Holy Bible).

For those people out there who are of the mistaken opinion that they are alright with God merely because they have an opinion or belief system that you have developed, or that was taught you in your particular denomination, unless that belief system agrees with what Jesus has already laid out in the Scriptures, then they are very sadly mistaken. Selah

For more information on how to get on God’s path, please check this website out: http://needhim.org/.

Now before I conclude, please allow me to leave you with these words of wisdom, taken from the Book of Proverbs:

Proverbs 14:12

¹²
There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.

JESUS CHRIST… DON’T LEAVE HOME WITHOUT HIM!

Shalom,

Skip Barland

—–Original Message—–
From: DAVID WILKERSON TODAY [mailto:no-reply@lists.worldchallenge.org]
Sent: Friday, June 04, 2010 12:02 AM
To: devotions-en@lists.worldchallenge.org
Subject: THE LOVE OF THE FATHER

THE LOVE OF THE FATHER

by David Wilkerson | June 4, 2010

I wonder how many of God’s people today can sincerely cry out to our blessed Lord, “Glorify me with thyself! Bring me into oneness. I yearn to be closer, more intimate. Master, it is you that I want. More than signs or wonders, I must have your presence!”

Hear his exalted plea: “Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world” (John 17:24).

The glory Jesus is talking about has to do with a very intimate kind of love—a love that permits no distance or separation from the object of its affection. It desires a complete oneness, an eternal union. This divine love between our Lord and the Father was so all-important to him, he eagerly longed for the day all his children could behold it with their own eyes.

Glory be to the hallowed name of Jesus Christ for such a glorious thought! Christ is so overjoyed with the glory of his intimate relationship with his Father, he yearns to bring all God’s children to heaven to behold it.

Actually, our Lord was praying, “Father, they must see this glorious love we have. They must see for themselves how fully you give yourself to me. I want them to know how greatly I am loved—from before the world was created.”

Won’t that be something when we, the redeemed, are brought into God’s great banquet hall, to the heavenly feast, and are permitted to behold the love of the Father for his dear Son and our blessed Savior?

I see on that glorious day our Lord’s prayer answered, when he looks to his blood-purchased children and joyfully proclaims, “See, children, is it not so? Did I not tell you the truth? Does he not love me so? Have you ever beheld such great love? Is it not truly perfect love? You now see my glory, my Father’s love for me and my love for him.”

Do you not see, saints of God, that beholding the glory of Christ on that day will be the revealing to us of God’s love for his Son? What a joy to know we serve a Savior who is loved. And is it not terrifying to contemplate that Lucifer cut himself off from such glory? He is without love. He has no father.

Surely, this was his greatest loss. It is the great loss of all Satan’s children, to exist without a witness or sense of a heavenly Father’s love. In contrast, God’s children are embraced in oneness with Jesus while still on earth. God loves us as he loves his own Son. This truth ought to make us come into rest.

http://www.worldchallenge.org/en/devotions/2010/love-of-the-father

Restoring our Constitutional Republic

Restoring our Constitutional Republic

It requires educating yourself regarding the history that has been hidden from you; it also requires not just accepting everything you hear over the news media, but doing your own homework. Our founding fathers warned us of the dangers of our having private banks and corporate business interests taking over our government. Well that process became reality in 1913, at the passage of the Federal Reserve Act!

What is The Restore American Plan?

This fraud has been going on for a long time, over 100 years…

Below is an actual Bankers Memo that circulated back in 1892:

Congressman Charles A. Lindbergh, Sr. revealed the Bankers Manifesto of 1892 to the U.S. Congress somewhere between 1907 and 1917.

The Bankers Manifesto of 1892

Revealed by US Congressman Charles A. Lindbergh, SR from Minnesota before the US Congress sometime during his term of office between the years of 1907 and 1917 to warn the citizens.

“We (the bankers) must proceed with caution and guard every move made, for the lower order of people are already showing signs of restless commotion. Prudence will therefore show a policy of apparently yielding to the popular will until our plans are so far consummated that we can declare our designs without fear of any organized resistance.

The Farmers Alliance and Knights of Labor organizations in the United States should be carefully watched by our trusted men, and we must take immediate steps to control these organizations in our interest or disrupt them.

At the coming Omaha Convention to be held July 4th (1892), our men must attend and direct its movement, or else there will be set on foot such antagonism to our designs as may require force to overcome. This at the present time would be premature. We are not yet ready for such a crisis. Capital must protect itself in every possible manner through combination (conspiracy) and legislation.

The courts must be called to our aid, debts must be collected, bonds and mortgages foreclosed as rapidly as possible.

When through the process of the law, the common people have lost their homes, they will be more tractable and easily governed through the influence of the strong arm of the government applied to a central power of imperial wealth under the control of the leading financiers. People without homes will not quarrel with their leaders.

History repeats itself in regular cycles. This truth is well known among our principal men who are engaged in forming an imperialism of the world. While they are doing this, the people must be kept in a state of political antagonism.

The question of tariff reform must be urged through the organization known as the Democratic Party, and the question of protection with the reciprocity must be forced to view through the Republican Party.

By thus dividing voters, we can get them to expand their energies in fighting over questions of no importance to us, except as teachers to the common herd. Thus, by discrete action, we can secure all that has been so generously planned and successfully accomplished.”

This information provided by The Federal Observer, http://www.federalobserver.com The above was taken from the “Banker’s Manifest”, for the private circulation among leading bankers only, taken from the “Civil Servants’ Year Book, “The Organizer” of January, 1934. The Banker’s Manifesto ties in with U.S. Senate Document No. 43, 73rd Congress, 1st Session (1934), to wit:

“The ultimate ownership of all property is in the State; individual so-called “ownership” is only by virtue of Government, i.e., law, amounting to mere “user” and use must be in acceptance with law and subordinate to the necessities of the State.”

The following is quoted from John Prukop of the Coalition of a Constitutional Washington:

The “plan” is to control all resources, human and natural. The control is not by elected public officials, but by a self-appointed oligarchy. This is born out by reading the details of Article 21 and 39 of the “Convention On Biological Diversity.” This treaty declares there are no reservation of rights. Article 21 mandates that three international organizations, the UNEP, UNDP and the World Bank, will direct and control “the policy, strategy, programme priorities and eligibility criteria relating to access to and utilization of resources” in each member country.

Government lying to the public has become business as usual… and it has to stop!

Gulf of Mexico oil spill estimated at

between 21 million to 45 million gallons

Some Louisiana fishermen are being affected by the massive oil spill in the Gulf, including some hired by BP to help in the cleanup; and there are reported cases of debilitating headaches, burning eyes and nausea, and some industry and public officials are pointing the finger at chemical dispersants as the cause.

Venice, Louisiana (CNN) — Kindra Arnesen’s husband often calls while he’s out on a shrimping trip, so she wasn’t surprised to hear her cell phone ring the night of April 29 while he was on an overnight fishing expedition.

However, this time, her husband, David, wasn’t calling to tell her about the day’s catch or to wish their children Aleena and David Jr. a good night. He was calling to tell her he was sick, and the strange thing about it, so were men on the seven other shrimping boats working near his.

“I received several calls from him saying, ‘This one’s hanging over the boat throwing up. This one says he’s dizzy, and he’s feeling faint. Everybody’s loading up their stuff, tying up their rigs and going back to the docks,'” Arnesen remembers.

Arnesen believes it was vapors from the oil and the dispersants from the BP Gulf oil disaster that made her husband and the other shrimpers sick. She says they were downwind of it, and the smell was “so strong they could almost taste it” …(more)

Our government lies to us, and many have died and/or are sick because of bureaucratic bungling, malfeasants; and secret untold agendas and deals made in secret, behind closed doors.

Here is the latest story you are not being told, about the use of certain chemicals, by British Petroleum (BP) that are banned for use in Great Britain, for environmental reasons, but are being used in the cleanup operation in the Gulf.

This has got to stop, folks, and the American people are the only ones who can stop it!

As the man says, “We report and you decide!” Have you had enough?

Christians need to pray for a change, and we need to take back our government.

Shalom,

Skip Barland

In memory to our fallen soldiers; this story will bless you…

In memory to our fallen soldiers,

who have made the supreme sacrifice…

God bless them all, and God bless their families!

What a moving and heart rendering story…

Just think, this is happening today, among so many families, all across our land.

I feel privileged even to have the opportunity to hear this story, because of the awesome show of love and compassion that was displayed in gratitude to this one family, over the loss of their son, husband, and father.

God bless them,

Skip Barland

From: Dennis
Sent: Thursday, June 03, 2010 8:32 AM
To: Skip Barland;
Subject: FW: Memorial Day – a great message!!

—-Forwarded Message—-

WOW!

Memorial Day – a great message!!!

MAY GOD BLESS THIS AIRLINE CAPTAIN:

He writes: My lead flight attendant came to me and said, “We have an H.R. on this flight.” (H.R. stands for human remains.) “Are they military?” I asked.

‘Yes’, she said.

‘Is there an escort?’ I asked.

‘Yes, I already assigned him a seat’.

‘Would you please tell him to come to the flight deck. You can board him early,” I said..

A short while later, a young army sergeant entered the flight deck. He was the image of the perfectly dressed soldier.

He introduced himself and I asked him about his soldier.

The escorts of these fallen soldiers talk about them as if they are still alive and still with us.

‘My soldier is on his way back to Virginia,’ he said. He proceeded to answer my questions, but offered no words.

I asked him if there was anything I could do for him and he said no.

I told him that he had the toughest job in the military and that I appreciated the work that he does for the families of our fallen soldiers.

The first officer and I got up out of our seats to shake his hand. He left the flight deck to find his seat.

We completed our preflight checks, pushed back and performed an uneventful departure. About 30 minutes into our flight I received a call from the lead flight attendant in the cabin.

“I just found out the family of the soldier we are carrying, is on board,” she said.

She then proceeded to tell me that the father, mother, wife and 2-year old daughter were escorting their son, husband, and father home.

The family was upset because they were unable to see the container that the soldier was in before we left.

We were on our way to a major hub at which the family was going to wait four hours for the connecting flight home to Virginia.

The father of the soldier told the flight attendant that knowing his son was below him in the cargo compartment and being unable to see him was too much for him and the family to bear.

He had asked the flight attendant if there was anything that could be done to allow them to see him upon our arrival?

The family wanted to be outside by the cargo door to watch the soldier being taken off the airplane… I could hear the desperation in the flight attendants voice when she asked me if there was anything I could do?

“I’m on it,” I said. I told her that I would get back to her.

Airborne communication with my company normally occurs in the form of e-mail like messages.

I decided to bypass this system and contact my flight dispatcher directly on a secondary radio.

There is a radio operator in the operations control center who connects you to the telephone of the dispatcher.

I was in direct contact with the dispatcher… I explained the situation I had on board with the family and what it was the family wanted.

He said he understood and that he would get back to me.

Two hours went by and I had not heard from the dispatcher. We were going to get busy soon and I needed to know what to tell the family.

I sent a text message asking for an update. I saved the return message from the dispatcher and the following is the text:

“Captain, sorry it has taken so long to get back to you. There is policy on this now and I had to check on a few things.

Upon your arrival a dedicated escort team will meet the aircraft. The team will escort the family to the ramp and plane side.

A van will be used to load the remains with a secondary van for the family.

The family will be taken to their departure area and escorted into the terminal where the remains can be seen on the ramp.

It is a private area for the family only. When the connecting aircraft arrives, the family will be escorted onto the ramp and plane side to watch the remains being loaded for the final leg home.

Captain, most of us here in flight control are veterans. Please pass our condolences on to the family. Thanks.”

I sent a message back telling flight control thanks for a good job.

I printed out the message and gave it to the lead flight attendant to pass on to the father.

The lead flight attendant was very thankful and told me, “You have no idea how much this will mean to them.”

Things started getting busy for the descent, approach and landing.

After landing, we cleared the runway and taxied to the ramp area.

The ramp is huge with 15 gates on either side of the alleyway. It is always a busy area with aircraft maneuvering every which way to enter and exit.

When we entered the ramp and checked in with the ramp controller, we were told that all traffic was being held for us.

“There is a team in place to meet the aircraft,” we were told.

It looked like it was all coming together, then I realized that once we turned the seat belt sign off, everyone would stand up at once and delay the family from getting off the airplane.

As we approached our gate, I asked the copilot to tell the ramp controller we were going to stop short of the gate to make an announcement to the passengers.

He did that and the ramp controller said, “Take your time.”

I stopped the aircraft and set the parking brake. I pushed the public address button and said:

“Ladies and gentleman, this is your Captain speaking I have stopped short of our gate to make a special announcement.

We have a passenger on board who deserves our honor and respect. His Name is Private XXXXXX, a soldier who recently lost his life.

Private XXXXXX is under your feet in the cargo hold.

Escorting him today is Army Sergeant XXXXXXX. Also, on board are his father, mother, wife, and daughter.

Your entire flight crew is asking for all passengers to remain in their seats to allow the family to exit the aircraft first. Thank you.”

We continued the turn to the gate, came to a stop and started our shutdown procedures. A couple of minutes later I opened the cockpit door. I found the two forward flight attendants crying, something you just do not see.

I was told that after we came to a stop, every passenger on the aircraft stayed in their seats, waiting for the family to exit the aircraft.

When the family got up and gathered their things, a passenger slowly started to clap his hands. Moments later more passengers joined in and soon the entire aircraft was clapping.

Words of ‘God Bless You’, I’m sorry, thank you, be proud, and other kind words were uttered to the family as they made their way down the aisle and out of the airplane.

They were escorted down to the ramp to finally be with their loved one.

Many of the passengers disembarking thanked me for the announcement I had made.

They were just words, I told them, I could say them over and over again, but nothing I say will bring back that brave soldier.

I respectfully ask that all of you reflect on this event and the sacrifices that millions of our men and women have made to ensure our freedom and safety in these United States of AMERICA .

Foot note: As a Viet Nam Veteran I can only think of all the veterans including the ones that rode below the deck on their way home and how they were treated.

When I read things like this I am proud that our country has not turned their backs on our soldiers returning from the various war zones today and give them the respect they so deserve.

I know everyone who has served their country who reads this will have tears in their eyes, including me.

Prayer chain for our Military… Don’t break it!

Please send this on after a short prayer… Prayer for our soldiers.

Don’t break it!

Prayer:

“Lord, hold our troops in your loving hands. Protect them as they protect us. Bless them and their families for the selfless acts they perform for us in our time of need. Amen”

Prayer Request: When you receive this, please stop for a moment and say a prayer for our troops around the world.

There is nothing attached. Just send this to people in your address book. Do not let it stop with you.

Of all the gifts you could give a Marine, Soldier, Sailor, Airman, & others deployed in harm’s way, prayer is the very best one!

GOD BLESS YOU!!!

Sorry about your monitor; it made mine blurry too!

We as Christians are all pilgrims, and we are on assignment…

As Christians, we are ALL but pilgrims, who are just

passing through, and this world is NOT our home!

We are here on a mission from God…

Matthew 28:19-20

¹⁹ Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

There is another scripture that comes to mind, that tells us not to lose hope, because regardless of what we might feel, or think, given any given situation, be it trial, tribulation, or whatever, God’s has nevertheless given us His word never to leave us, nor forsake us:

Hebrews 13:5-6 (Amplified Bible)

⁵Let your ^[a]character or moral disposition be free from love of money [including greed, avarice, lust, and craving for earthly possessions] and be satisfied with your present [circumstances and with what you have]; for He [God] ^[b]Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor ^[c]give you up nor leave you without support. [I will] not, ^[d][I will] not, [I will] not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor ^[e]let [you] down (^[f]relax My hold on you)! [^[g]Assuredly not!]^(A)

⁶So we take comfort and are encouraged and confidently and boldly say, The Lord is my Helper; I will not be seized with alarm [I will not fear or dread or be terrified]. What can man do to me?^(B)

Below is another important message from Reinhard Bonnke, concerning our postion in Christ.

This information is imperative for each of us to understand, for as Christians, at least for those of us who have been around awhile, we have heard these scriptures since Sunday school, and we know them by heart; but that does not at all mean that we have experienced the reality of what these scriptures are saying; and it doesn’t at all mean that this truth has settled into our lives, in our hearts, to the point that we are walking in this truth 24/7, every single day that we live in this world.

The reason I know this to be true is because the moment we have any sort of difficulty, and the rug is pulled out from beneath us, the first thought most of us have, and the first words out of our mouth are, “God where are you?”

Well, as I recall those words where also the first words out of God’s mouth, as well, when Adam and Eve had partaken of the forbidden fruit in the Garden.

Genesis 3:7-9

⁷ Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.

⁸ Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the LORD God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the LORD God among the trees of the garden. ⁹
But the LORD God called to the man, “Where are you?”

One thing that becomes very evident to all of us, once we have spent some time with the Lord, after having spent time meditating and studying in His Word, and after having familiarized ourselves with His ways, and the way He thinks, all through the teaching of our Comforter and Friend, the Holy Spirit, is that life is ALL about our having relationship, communion, and our being one with God.

Without that added dimension being experienced and lived in each of our lives, then we are ALL like fish out of water, floundering on the beach of life!

Just in case you haven’t already notice, life being what it is, and human nature being what it is, God has a method and a reason for everything that He does, and nothing (including your life) is by accident, and nor is it without purpose!

Not only that, but we can learn from scripture that every detail of our life has long ago been choreographed, and predestined; and not a day goes by but God is not aware of where you are, and what you are going through.

Our problem is, we spend way too much time, and wasted energy, worrying and fretting over our life, and all because we are questioning whether or not God has left us, and whether our sins have separated us?

But this is the reason why we ALL need a Saviour, and it is also the reason why Jesus came to this earth, was born of a virgin, was crucified, died, and was buried, and on the third day He arose from the dead.

That one Life is the reason why we needn’t worry nor fret over anything in life, nor should we ever doubt our Father’s love, nor His presence in our life.

Listen to these words of Jesus:

Matthew 6:25-34

Do Not Worry

²⁵ “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?

²⁶ Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them.

Are you not of more value than they? ²⁷ Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?

²⁸ “So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; ²⁹ and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

³⁰ Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?

³¹ “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ ³² For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. ³³
But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. ³⁴ Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

This is both the inheritance and the destiny of every single Believer, every child of God, of all those who love the Lord, and are called according to His purpose for their life… who have been born-again.

Herein lies the rub, however, this inheritance is already ours, and it has already been bought and paid for in full, by the Blood of Jesus; however, we must accept it and receive it by FAITH!

This thing called faith is the stumbling block for many of us, until we learn how to walk in it; and it is for that reason that our lives are fraught with so many trials and difficulties, because therein is our opportunity to lay hold of God’s promise, and appropriate those promises in our life; and apply them to our lives, and to our circumstances.

Even as happened with the three Hebrew children that we can read about in the Bible, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who when given the choice whether to compromise their faith and their relationship with God, or to face the fiery furnace, they chose the fiery furnace, and it wasn’t until they were in the furnace that they experience the fulfillment and manifestation of God’s promise, and were delivered… and so it is with us!

We must learn to live by faith! Selah

Shalom,

Skip Barland

Radiation Area

The presence of God is a radiation area, not a contaminating radiation, not radioactive, but resurrection-active, a life-building energy passing into us.

We are constantly in His presence, not just when we pray. He made that clear when He promised, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

It is not the full glory to come, but it is no ordinary presence even now.

Many a time, I am conscious of Jesus Christ close to me as I speak for Him in our Great Gospel Crusades. It has been as if I saw Him walk from the platform among the crowd wherever people were reaching out for Him.

He did and does wonders of salvation, restoration, and healing.

When our faith rises, we have a sense of His presence that no human contact can ever surpass.

A friend may be with us and even embrace us. But the presence of Christ means that He pours Himself towards us, upon us, pervading our whole being with an active, dynamic effect, felt or not.

God bless,

REINHARD BONNKE

Posted 6.03.10 at 2:12am on Facebook

The deceiving of America…

Question: is Obama our modern day Manchurian Candidate?

Has he been groomed; is he here on a mission; and is he following orders from outside handlers, as was the plot of this 1962 movie?

For those of you who are unfamiliar with the story, The Manchurian Candidate is a story about a soldier who is captured by the Red Chinese, during the Korean war (in 1952).

After having been brainwashed by the Communist Chinese, he is repatriated back to America, where he is awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor, for valour in rescuing his platoon, while under fire.

The only problem is, the other survivors of that patrol, including his commanding officer, are all plagued with dreams that seem to suggest that things did not occur as they remembered.

In short the man is not what he claimed to be!

Is that the case with this man Barack Hussein Obama?

Please watch the following video:

As I see it, the main problem we have here in the United States is not so much in the leadership that we have elected to represent us.

They are only the symptom of the underlining host of problems that we have, as a nation.

Our deeper problem is that we have a public today who has been so programmed by the media and by our secular education system, to where they no longer know how to think for themselves.

Under normal circumstances, if this were happening under any other circumstances, other than with the President of the United States; and if there was this much evidence against a person, and they refused to provide proof to invalidate the charges that were being brought against them; especially when all they have to do is produce certain documents that are common to any citizen, which you and I have had to produce any number of times; there is no way we would allow such a person to continue with this sort of charade!

Has America been given over by God, as we read in the Book of Romans, to believe a lie… I hope not! But we better do some serious praying.

Shalom,

Skip Barland

An Answered Prayer…

An Answered Prayer
I asked for strength,
And God gave me difficulties to make me strong;

I asked for wisdom,
And God gave me problems to learn to solve;

I asked for prosperity,
And God gave me brain and brawn to work;

I asked for courage,
And God gave me dangers to overcome;

I asked for love,
And God gave me people to help;

I asked for favours,
And God gave me opportunities.

I received nothing I wanted – I received everything I needed.

My prayer has been answered!

The above poem points out a very important lesson in life, for the Covenant Child of God.

How ironic and amazing are the paradoxes of life; where we pray for God’s favor and blessing, and we get challenges and trials; where we pray for success and riches, only to find ourselves humbled, burdened, and troubled.

It is ironic for the reason, that unbeknownst to a lot of people, who possibly have not familiarized themselves well enough with the ways of the Lord, from having meditated upon and studied His word, that God has been answering their prayers all along, and has been doing so in the affirmative!

Consider for a moment the examples given in the Manual for Life (the Holy Bible), in how often God has purposefully and intentionally allowed and sometimes even led His Children into tribulations and problems.

The oldest book in the Bible is the Book of Job, and in it we are given a glimpse behind the veil, were we find the Accuser of the Brethren , Satan standing in God’s presence; where we are privy to hear the following discourse:

Job 1:6-12

“Where have you come from?” The Lord says to Satan.

And Satan answered, “I have been patrolling the earth, watching everything that’s going on.”

Then the Lord asked Satan, “Have you noticed my servant Job? He is the finest man in all the earth. He is blameless—a man of complete integrity. He fears God and stays away from evil.”

To which Satan replies, “Yes, but Job has good reason to fear God. You have always put a wall of protection around him and his home and his property. You have made him prosper in everything he does. Look how rich he is! But reach out and take away everything he has and he will surely curse you to your face!”

Then the Lord said, “All right, you may test him; do whatever you want with everything he possesses; but don’t harm him physically.”

So Satan left the Lord’s presence.

Then we have Father Abraham, who is asked by God to take his wife Sarah, and his entire household, servants, possessions, and all, and travel to a new land, but without God saying where or how long it would take. That was the first test, to see if Abraham would even obey.

After all, it was no small thing, (and neither would it be today) to just pick up and leave the security and comfort of your home and family, and travel to some distant land, and not even know where you are going.

God didn’t given him a travel itinerary, but merely told him to leave his family and home, and that He would tell Him when he had arrived at his new home.

To make matters worse, when he arrived in the “Promised Land” he found himself having to live in tents; and to make matters even worse, he landed right in the middle of a famine… with no food!

I’m also sure that Sarah was not exactly thrilled by all of this, but you will please note that she followed him anyway.

Then what does Abraham do? He takes it upon himself, now facing starvation, for lack of food to feed his family, to go into Egypt; however he did not consult with God, but took it upon himself to do this.

The result was he ended up prostituting his wife, not once, but twice, just to save his own skin.

As it happened, he found out, upon arriving in Egypt, that pharaoh had this thing for attractive women, and was known to kill their husbands, so that he could keep their wives for himself; and so Abraham, in order to avoid being killed, he told pharaoh that Sarah was his sister, not his wife.

And still Sarah stayed with him, even after that!

Well, as we read our Bible, we can find story after story, and example after example just like this, and this is true all throughout the Bible of how God would allow his children to be tested, to suffer lack, and to be in difficult situations, in order to test them, and to see if they would obey Him or not?

We find this happening many times, even in the New Testament.

For example, when Jesus purposely sent His disciples into a storm, and then came walking out to them on water; or the time when Jesus was fast asleep, and the disciples thought they were about to sink; or the time when Jesus told his disciples to feed over 5000 people, with only five loaves of bread and two fish.

All of these are examples for us to learn from; because God is not about making us comfortable and at ease; but rather God’s purpose in all of this, is to prepare us for service in His Army, in His Kingdom, and for eternity, as members of His Chosen Family!

What a privilege it is to be included in this group, and to have this opportunity presented to us. We must first be born-again; but then afterward, unless we understand the goal, and the culture of heaven, after having read our “Operations Manual” (our Bible), then we are inevitably are walking blind and are severely handicapped.

The above poem points this truth out; and it also shows us that even though we may feel as though the reason why our lives are so hard is because God has forgotten us, which by the way is what Satan is hoping we will believe; but the reality is and the truth, is that God is closer to us in the fire, than at any other time. Selah

Shalom,

Skip Barland

WE LIVE IN THE LAND OF THE FREE, ONLY BECAUSE OF THE BRAVE!

Keep America Strong…

Let us PRAY for our country,

and pray for our troops!

Meet Colonel Van T. Barefoot

The following article (see below), that was forwarded to me by a friend and brother in the Lord, a retired Admiral, and it brings up a very serious problem that we have in America!

Let me start by quoting a verse of Scripture that is a WARNING from God:

Deuteronomy 8:11-20
¹¹ “Beware that you do not forget the LORD your God by not keeping His commandments, His judgments, and His statutes which I command you today.
¹² Lest—when you have eaten and are full, and have built beautiful houses and dwell in them;
¹³ and when your herds and your flocks multiply, and your silver and your gold are multiplied, and all that you have is multiplied; ¹⁴ when your heart is lifted up, and you forget the LORD your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt.
Who delivered you from the house of bondage; ¹⁵ who led you through that great and terrible wilderness, in which were fiery serpents and scorpions and a thirsty land where there was no water; who brought water for you out of the flinty rock; ¹⁶ who fed you in the wilderness with manna, which your fathers did not know, that He might humble you and that He might test you, to do you good in the end
— ¹⁷ then you say in your heart,

‘My power and the might of my hand have gained me this wealth.’

¹⁸ “And you shall remember the LORD your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day.

¹⁹ Then it shall be, if you by any means forget the LORD your God, and follow other gods, and serve them and worship them, I testify against you this day that you shall surely perish.

²⁰ As the nations which the LORD destroys before you, so you shall perish, because you would not be obedient to the voice of the LORD your God.

Our country today is filled with a people, who because of the many blessings of God, which I might add we have inherited and have been passed down to us because of the faith of our forefather, they have in fact forgotten God; not only that, but they have rejected His Word; rejected His laws; and are today making every effort to remove any mention of Him from our society.

We have a nation today whose people are exactly the sort of people this scripture is talking about!

Again, I point my finger not at the atheist and agnostics, as the guilty culprits, as they are only doing what comes natural; but rather I point my finger at the Church, as the responsible party here.

I think a little history is in order. Don’t you understand that we owe our existence, as a free republic, to the colonial church of the 1700’s, when our country was birthed during a great spiritual awakening (1730-60)?

They are the ones who formed our Constitutional Republic in the first place; and the main instigators which caused people of that period to take up arms against mother England also came from the pulpit!

Oh how far we have fallen, from where we began!

At this point, there is another warning that I would like to direct your attention to:

Cycle of Democracy

“A democracy cannot exist as a permanent form of government. It can only exist until the voters discover they can vote themselves largess from the public treasury.

“From that moment on, the majority always votes for the candidates promising them the most benefits from the public treasury, with the result that a democracy always collapses over loose fiscal policy, always followed by a dictatorship.

“The average age of the world’s greatest civilizations has been 200 years. These nations have progressed through this sequence:

from bondage to spiritual faith;
from spiritual faith to great courage;
from courage to liberty;
from liberty to abundance;
from abundance to selfishness;
from selfishness to apathy;
from apathy to dependence;
from dependency back again into bondage.”

Dr. Alexander Tytler, a Scot professor, wrote a scholarly tome, from which this concept comes, called “The Athenian Republic” which was published shortly before the thirteen American colonies gained independence from Britain. “Google” him to learn more.

In publishing a handout on the “Cycle” in 1994 I noted that the national debt had reached a staggering $4.5 trillion dollars. By October 1, 2007, it had soared to $9.06 trillion!

Barely one year later (Oct. 17, ’08) it was $10.3 trillion!!

On April 22nd, 2009, another trillion dollars of debt had been added raising the public debt to $11.3 trillion.

Our forebears thought of debt as slavery. They would be shocked at what their descendants have done. – – John Wrisley.

It grieves me to have to say this, but the bulk of the unchurched people today, in our country, who have yet to have an encounter with Jesus Christ, they have been raised in a secular and godless society, and because of these facts they know no other way; and because of this, there is no longer a sense of the Fear of the Lord, that our forefathers once had; and by fear I mean reverence, awe, and respect.

Today’s morality is no longer based upon the Bible, from which our entire legal system comes; but it is based on individual preference, where each person does what seems right in their own mind, with no regard to anything God has to say.

This is a BIG mistake folks; and the reason we can know that there is a serious adjustment coming, a proverbial swat across our country’s posterior; is because God has promised certain things when His covenant children fail to honor Him, and fail to follow His laws.

Now I’d also like to say that the reason God does this, is not to destroy us, not yet anyway (God’s wrath will be poured out a little later); but for the time being, we are still living in a dispensation of grace, where we still have time to repent. That window, however, is getting smaller and smaller with the passing of every day!

So now the reason God chastens His children is because He loves us, and He is trying to get our attention! And it’s not only the attention of the unbelievers He is after; but He is also trying to wake up the church, consisting of those people who are called by His name; that they would humble themselves and pray; that they would turn from their wicked ways and repent (meaning to change the way they think); and that they would once again seek after God’s face! Selah

Shalom,

Skip Barland

From: Norman
Sent: Wednesday, June 02, 2010 3:46 PM
To: Skip Barland
Subject: Fw: worth reading FW: A Special Hero

—– Forwarded Message —-

Subject: Hero… a real one!

Head east from Carthage on Mississippi 16 toward Philadelphia. After a few

miles a sign says you’re in Edinburg.

It’s a good thing the sign’s there, because there’s no other way to tell.

On June 15, 1919, Van T. Barfoot was born in Edinburg — probably didn’t

Make much news back then.

Twenty-five years later, on May 23,1944, near Carano, Italy, Van T. Barfoot,

who had enlisted in the Army in 1940, set out to flank German machine gun

positions from which fire was coming down on his fellow soldiers.

He advanced through a minefield, took out three enemy machine gun positions and returned with 17 prisoners of war.

If that wasn’t enough for a day’s work, he later took on and destroyed three

German tanks sent to retake the machine gun positions.

That probably didn’t make much news either, given the scope of the war, but it

did earn Van T. Barfoot, who retired as a colonel after also serving in Korea and

Vietnam, a Congressional Medal of Honor.

What did make news last week was a neighborhood association’s quibble with how the 90-year-old veteran chose to fly the American flag outside his suburban Virginia home.

Seems the rules said a flag could be flown on a house-mounted bracket, but for decorum, items such as Barfoot’s 21-foot flagpole were unsuitable.

He had been denied a permit for the pole, erected it anyway and was facing court action if he didn’t take it down.

Since the story made national TV, the neighborhood association has rethought its position and agreed to indulge this old hero who dwells among them.

“In the time I have left I plan to continue to fly the American flag without interference,” Barfoot told The Associated Press. As well he should.

And if any of his neighbors still takes a notion to contest him, they might want to read his Medal of Honor citation.

It indicates he’s not real good at backing down.

Van T. Barfoot’s Medal of Honor citation:

This 1944 Medal of Honor citation, listed with the National Medal of Honor

Society, is for Second Lieutenant Van T. Barfoot, 157th Infantry, 45th Infantry:

“For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond

the call of duty on 23 May 1944, near Carano, Italy. With his platoon heavily

engaged during an assault against forces well entrenched on commanding

ground, 2d Lt. Barfoot moved off alone upon the enemy left flank.

He crawled to the proximity of 1 machinegun nest and made a direct hit on it with a hand grenade, killing 2 and wounding 3 Germans.

He continued along the German defense line to another machinegun emplacement, and with his tommygun killed 2 and captured 3 soldiers. Members of another enemy machinegun crew then abandoned their position and gave themselves up to Sgt. Barfoot.

Leaving the prisoners for his support squad to pick up, he proceeded to mop up positions

in the immediate area, capturing more prisoners and bringing his total count to 17.

Later that day, after he had reorganized his men and consolidated the newly captured ground, the enemy launched a fierce armored counterattack directly at his platoon positions.

Securing a bazooka, Sgt. Barfoot took up an exposed position directly in front of 3 advancing Mark VI tanks. From a distance of 75 yards his first shot destroyed the track of the leading tank, effectively disabling it, while the other 2 changed direction toward the flank.

As the crew of the disabled tank dismounted, Sgt. Barfoot killed 3 of them with his tommygun. He continued onward into enemy terrain and destroyed a recently abandoned German fieldpiece with a demolition charge placed in the breech.

While returning to his platoon position, Sgt. Barfoot, though greatly fatigued by his Herculean efforts, assisted 2 of his seriously wounded men 1,700 yards to a position of safety.

Sgt. Barfoot’s extraordinary heroism, demonstration of magnificent valor, and aggressive determination in the face of point blank fire are a perpetual inspiration to his fellow soldiers.”

If you got this email and didn’t pass it on – guess what – you deserve to get your butt kicked! I sent this to you, because I didn’t want to get my butt kicked.

WE LIVE IN THE LAND OF THE FREE,

ONLY BECAUSE OF THE BRAVE!

IN GOD WE TRUST!!!

Let us not make another mistake in 2012!!!

As Alan Keyes has said…

Democrat or Republican…

they are both two sides of the same coin.

All of these past presidents have been working for the

Globalist Bankers, and through their policies they all have

been pushing us closer and closer to a “New World Order…

Let us not elect another one in 2012!

One thing I have to say, and that is, if there is any good thing this president has done, it’s that he has driven the Christians in America to our knees in prayer; and at least from this lady’s perspective (see below), it’s working!

The only caveat I’d offer is, I’d hate to see the American people put us right back on the same old merry-go-round, and think the answer to Obama is merely to re-elect another “Bush” type republican, or someone who is a horse of a different color (or party), but who is nevertheless on the hook with the Globalist Bankers.

Democrat or Republican, it makes no difference, because as far as moving our country according to the Globalist agenda, which is a “New World Order,” both parties (Republican and Demorcrat) have been on the same page, pretty much with few exceptions, for the last 100 years.

It is time for a change folks, and by “Change” I mean we need to clean house from top to bottom, in Washington DC, and throw out these bums, these Benedict Arnolds, who have been selling our country out!

Let us not be so naive as to think that by merely switching parties, and going from Democrat to Republican, that this is going to fix anything!

May God please help the people in this country to wake up!

Again I say… Pray, let us all continue to watch and pray!

Shalom,

Skip Barland

From: David
Sent: Wednesday, June 02, 2010 9:39 AM
To: Undisclosed
Subject: Thank God for the President

Keep Praying for this president!

THANK GOD FOR THE PRESIDENT!

Written by a 82 year old very wise lady. She gives us a whole new slant on the amazing job Obama is doing:

That is right – I will say it “THANK GOD FOR THE PRESIDENT!”

He destroyed the Clinton Political Machine – Driving a stake thru the heart of Hillary’s Presidential aspirations -something that no Republican was ever able to do. Remember when a Hillary Presidency scared the daylights out of you!

He killed off the Kennedy Dynasty – No more Kennedy’s trolling Washington looking for booze and women wanting rides home. American women and Freedom are safer tonight!

He is destroying the Democratic Party before our eyes!

Dennis Moore had never lost a race – quit
Evan Bayh had never lost a race – quit
Byron Dorgan had never lost a race – quit
Harry Reid – soon to be GONE

These are just a handful of the Democrats whose political careers Obama has destroyed! By the end of 2010 dozens more will be gone.

In December of 2008 the Democrats were on the rise. In the last two election cycles they had picked up 14 senate seats and 52 house seats. The press was touting the death of the Conservative Movement and the Republican Party. In just one year, Obama put a stop to all of this and will probably give the house, if not the senate back to the Republicans.

He has completely exposed liberals and progressives for what they are. Every Generation seems to need to relearn the lesson on why they should never actually put liberals in charge. He is bringing home the lesson very well.

Liberals tax, borrow and spend – check
Liberals won’t bring themselves to protect America – check
Liberals want to take over the economy – check
Liberals think they know what is best for everyone – check
Liberals aren’t happy till they are running YOUR life – check

He has brought more Americans back to conservatism than anyone since Reagan. In one year he has rejuvenated the Conservative movement and brought out to the streets millions of Freedom Loving Americans. Name me one other time in your life that you saw your friends and neighbors this interested in taking back America!
His amazing leadership has sparked the greatest period of sales of firearms and ammunition this country has seen. Law abiding citizens have rallied and have provided a “stimulus” to the sporting goods field while other industries have failed, faded or moved off-shore.
In all honesty one year ago I was more afraid than I have been in my life. Not of the economy but of the direction our country was going. I thought Americans had forgotten what this country was all about. My neighbors, friends and strangers proved to me that my lack of confidence of the Greatness and Wisdom of the American people was flat wrong.
When the American People wake up no smooth talking teleprompter reader can fool them!

Barack Obama woke up these Great Americans! Again I want to say Thank You Barack Obama! This is exactly the kind of hope and change we desperately needed.

Life’s challenges got you down… God has a better way!!!

When lifes woes have you down,

is every reason be heaven bound;

though this world, be not our home,

life challenges carry us to His throne!

God has a better way!!!

Hillsong United
You Hold Me Now
VERSE 1:
On that day when I see
All that You have for me
When I see You face to face
There surrounded by Your grace
All my fears swept away
In the light of Your embrace
Where Your love is all I need
And forever I am freePRE CHORUS 1:
Where the streets are made of gold
In Your presence healed and whole
Let the songs of heaven
Rise to You aloneCHORUS:
No weeping no hurt or pain
No suffering You hold me now
You hold me now
No darkness no sick or lame
No hiding You hold me now
You hold me now

VERSE 2:
In this life I will stand
Through my joy and my pain
Knowing there’s a greater day
There’s a hope that never fails
Where Your Name is lifted high
And forever praises rise
For the glory of Your Name
I’m believing for the day

PRE CHORUS 2:
Where the wars and violence cease
All creation lives in peace
Let the songs of heaven
Rise to You alone

BRIDGE:
For eternity
All my heart will give
All the glory to Your Name

Have a blessed day!

Skip Barland