Last Commented Religion & Spirituality Blogs (1,491)

Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. James 2:18 KJV

Motivational Quotes May 2015

"Each problem has hidden in it an opportunity so powerful that it literally dwarfs the problem. The greatest success stories were created by people who recognized a problem a turned it into an opportunity." Joseph Sugarman

"Opportunity often comes in the form of misfortune, or temporary defeat." Napoleon Hill

"Opportunities are all around us, there is power lying latent everywhere waiting for the observant eye to discover it." Orison Swett Marden

"Small opportunities are often the beginning of great enterprises." Demosthenes

"Four things come not back: The spoken word, The sped arrow, The past life, The neglected opportunity." Arabian Proverb

"Hell is the knowledge of opportunity lost; the place where the man I am comes face to face with the man I might have been." Anonymous

"An empowered organization is one in which individuals have the knowledge, skill, desire, and opportunity to personally succeed in a way that leads to collective organizational success." Stephen R. Covey

"The right man is the one who seizes the moment." Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe

"Opportunity knocks at the strangest times, It's not the time that matters But how you answer the door." Steve/Gray

"With increased opportunity comes increased stress. The stress comes from multiple conflicting demands and very little in the way of role models." Madeline Hemmings

"It still holds true that man is most uniquely human when he turns obstacles into opportunities." Eric Hoffer

"Life is often compared to a marathon, but I think it is more like being a sprinter; long stretches of hard work punctuated by brief moments in which we are given the opportunity to perform at our best." Michael Johnson

"Trouble is only opportunity in work clothes." Henry J. Kaiser

"There will always be a Frontier where there is an open mind and a willing hand." Charles Franklin Kettering

"Entrepreneurs are simply those who understand that there is little difference between obstacle and opportunity and are able to turn both to their advantage." Victor Kiam

"Democracy does not guarantee equality of conditions, it only guarantees equality of opportunity." Irving Kristol

"As the opportunity grows for unlimited growth and progress, the chances of failure increase. There is no such thing as a program that will provide security and growth with no risk - even within the church. As freedom for unrestricted development is enhanced, the possibilities for failure are also increased. The risk factor is great." Dean L. Larsen

"There is a tide in the affairs of men, Which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune; Omitted, all the voyage of their life Is bound in shallows and in miseries. On such a full sea are we now afloat, And we must take the current when it serves, Or lose our ventures." William Shakespeare

"We have a problem for those who advocate competitive equality of opportunity: the prizes won in the competitions of the first generation will tend to defeat the requirements of equality of opportunity for the next." Lloyd Thomas

Life is like a combination lock; your goal is to find the right numbers, in the right order, so you can have anything you want. Brian Tracy

"Turning, for them who pass, the common dust Of servile opportunity to gold." William Wordsworth

You contain within yourself a unique combination of talents and abilities which, properly identified and applied, will enable you to achieve virtually any goal you can set for yourself. Brian Tracy




TFI [Posted Video - VIOLIN DUBSTEP/ELECTRO]

“Hear this, O foolish and senseless people, who have eyes, but see not, who have ears, but hear not. Jeremiah 5:21 KJV


Written by Peter Amsterdam Wednesday, 01 April 2015

When Jesus rose from the dead, His resurrection was the first phase of God’s new creation, a new kind of existence—a human body was transformed by the power of God into one that is no longer affected by death, decay, and corruption. Nothing like this had ever happened! “We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over Him.”1

Jesus’ resurrected body no longer suffered from the torture He had undergone—His back torn to shreds from the whipping; His head bloodied by the crown of thorns; His hands, feet, and side pierced. He was no longer battered, nor was He exhausted from all He had endured.

His risen body wasn’t a spirit; it was physical, which His followers could touch. He taught them,2 walked with them,3 cooked for them,4 and ate with them.5 He was once together with 500 of them at one time.6 After 40 days,7 He ascended into heaven,8 where He sits at the right hand of God.9

As Christians, we too are part of God’s new creation. We can look forward to the time when Jesus will return and raise our bodies as well.10 The apostle Paul speaks about our bodies raised from death in terms of a seed that is planted, and from which the more complete plant grows.11 He goes on to explain that these new bodies will be imperishable, raised in glory and power as spiritual bodies.12

Being imperishable means our bodies will not have the weaknesses they have now. They won’t be affected by aging, sickness, or weariness as they are today. As one author wrote, “In these resurrection bodies we will clearly see humanity as God intended it to be.”13

When a person receives Jesus as their Savior, God’s Spirit comes to dwell within them and they are renewed and regenerated. Renewal is a renovation, a change in the believer for the better. Regeneration is the production of a new life consecrated to God, a radical change of mind. “When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit.”14

As part of the new creation, God’s Spirit changes us, helping us to put on the mind of Christ, as we develop and reflect some of God’s characteristics by growing in love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.15

And that’s why we have so much to celebrate!—That God dwells in us and helps, guides, and renews us; that we are part of His new creation; that we will live eternally in our new bodies, with perfect health and no aging, sickness, or disease. This is the good news of the Gospel: the love that God has for each individual, the offer of everlasting life, of resurrection from the dead, of being a new creature in Christ Jesus today and a part of the overall new creation for eternity.

May we be motivated by the beauty of God’s gift through Jesus to share it and its blessings with all we can.

1. Romans 6:9 ESV
2. See Luke 24:27.
3 .See Luke 24:13–15.
4. See John 21:9–13.
5. See Luke 24:41–43.
6. See 1 Corinthians 15:6.
7. See Acts 1:3.
8. See Acts 1:9–11.
9. See Mark 16:19.
10 .See 1 Thessalonians 4:16–17; 1 Corinthians 15:51–52.
11. See 1 Corinthians 15:35–38.
12. See 1 Corinthians 15:42–44,49.
13. Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology, p. 832.
14. Titus 3:4–5 NLT
15. See Galatians 5:22–23.
16. The Jesus I Never Knew (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1995)





Activated TFI

I recently heard of the devistating earthquake that occured in Kapmandu. I pray for those who lost their lives and those effected by this tragedy. I also ask others on here, regardless of what you're religion is, to pray also :)

On 26th May, 2011 I read on the Internet China Daily Newspaper regarding marriage that “Marriage is a social union or contract that creates kinship”. This is what many people believe nowadays about marriage, but when marriage is no more than a physical and social fact, without becoming a ‘sacrament’, that is without passing into the Church, into the Kingdom of God and being transformed, it can neither be saved nor can it save. The last should be kept in everyone’s heart, whenever a man and a woman are going to get (re)married.

When marriage becomes a ‘sacrament’ it removes the couple and their physical marriage away from the old world, unredeemed and without God, the world of egotism of decay and death and places them in the new, theanthropic world of the Kingdom of Heaven, of the love of the Church.

But it is obvious that for a marriage to be manifestation and a revelation of the marriage between Christ and the Church, the couple must continually overcome the sinful person they have hidden within themselves, must crucify their egotism and passions and achieve the holy virtue of humility in all its profundity.

From this point of view, marriage is participation in the death and resurrection of Christ. (Arch. G. Kapsanis).

Written by Message from Jesus Sunday, 01 March 2015

In My heavenly kingdom, in the realm of the Spirit, all are happy and fulfilled, because they better understand My love. They do not question My love for them, for they have experienced the height and breadth and depth of it. They have great peace and great joy. There is no feeling that one is greater than another or that one is more loved than another, because they have found contentment in the knowledge that I love each of them for who they are. They understand that I died for each one, that I have redeemed each one, and therefore each one is very special to Me.

And so it is with you. You are special to Me! My love for you is personal. Don’t ever think that you’re just one in the crowd to Me. Don’t ever think that because there are so many others, I don’t see you or that My love will run out before it reaches you.

I know your innermost longings and your innermost fears and insecurities. I know your faults, too, and I love you just the same. I am loving, merciful, and sympathetic. When you struggle, when you are tempted, weary, or weak, I feel for you. When you are victorious, I rejoice with you.

I love you and care about you, and I am never far away. Let Me shower you with the freshness of My love. Let Me surround you with the warmth of My love. Let Me clothe you with the security of My love. Let Me show you how special you are to Me.—Jesus

Tagged under From Jesus with Love Winners Self Worth God's Love

MESSAGE FROM JESUS

These words from Jesus were received by men and women just like you who asked Jesus to speak to them. They claimed the biblical promise “Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known,” and they received advice, direction, and encouragement.

The messages of guidance and comfort received during personal prayer express Jesus’ great love and personal concern. Jesus will speak to anyone who believes in Him, asks Him to speak, and accepts that the “still, small voice” they hear in their hearts is Him speaking.

Jeremiah 33:3 ESV.

1 Kings 19:11–13.
**
HONEST, OPEN-MINDED SCIENTISTS THROUGHOUT ALL HISTORY HAVE ACKNOWLEDGED THE EXISTENCE OF GOD!

True science acknowledges the existence of God, and true scientists know there's Something, Somebody, some Planner, some Designer behind it all. Like Dr. Steiner, the world's greatest authority on the living human cell, who said, "After 30 years of study of the human cell I cannot help but marvel at the Divine Designer Who made it!"

Or James Clerk Maxwell, the Scottish scientific genius and Lord Kelvin, the British inventor of the absolute scale of temperature, who declared, "Science is incompetent to reason upon the creation of matter itself out of nothing," and "we must pause, face to face, with the mystery and miracle of the Creation of living creatures."

Or Sir William Herschel, the German-born Astronomer and discoverer of the planet Uranus, who said, "All human discoveries seem to be made only for the purpose of confirming more and more strongly the Truth contained in the Bible!"

Today, God is giving man more and more evidence of His existence through the marvels of His Creation, and all that we see teaches us to trust the Creator for all we have not seen!





Activated TFI

Written by Rosane Pereira 01 May 2015

My mother often cooked something special on Sundays. I can still remember the big open window in the living room, the unfolded table spread in the center, the delicious food, and the joyful family conversation.

We usually went to Children’s Mass at 10 am, while she stayed back and cooked and my dad did some fixing around the house. The story I remember most from those child-friendly sermons was the parable Jesus told of the king who invited his nobles to a banquet, but they all gave excuses why they couldn’t attend. So he sent for the beggars and poor peasants, who gladly came.1 Though at the time I didn’t understand its deeper meaning, that story left a deep impression on me.

Food is often connected with unity, good times, and celebrations. When I was a teen, a popular song went: “We plough the fields and scatter the good seed on the land. But it is fed and watered by God’s almighty hand. … All good things around us are sent from heaven above. Then thank the Lord … for all His love.”2 Even though I was an unbeliever at the time, this song filled my soul with joy.

Soon after that, I began to grow in faith again and eventually entered Christian service. A few years back, at a time when my problems seemed to have multiplied, I started to think God had forsaken me, but I didn’t go far before reading “The Lord is always with me,”3 “I have loved you with an everlasting love!”4 and “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”5

Throughout my life, God’s Word has helped me countless times to grow and better understand God and others. Sometimes His words are like a snack, other times a full meal, like my mother’s delicious Sunday specials. I am so grateful that the King invited me to His banquet, and that I accepted the invitation!
* * *
Come and Dine

“Come and dine,” You said to Your followers after Your resurrection,6 and You give the same invitation to everyone today. I accept. I want to know You, to receive You. I want to sit at Your table and eat with You in paradise.

Be present at our table, Lord;
Be here and everywhere adored;
Thy creatures bless, and grant that we
May feast in paradise with Thee.
—John Cennick (1718–1755)

1. See Luke 14:16–23.
2. Stephen Schwartz. Godspell, 1971.
3. Psalm 16:8 NLT
4. Jeremiah 31:3
5. Hebrews 13:5
6. John 21:12 KJV


Rosane Pereira is Brazilian and has been a career missionary together with her late husband, Carlos Cordoba, since 1975. She has eight children and five grandchildren. Rosane is an English and Spanish teacher, translator, and writer. She has authored a book on faith titled: Proofs of His Presence, and is currently writing a second book titled: An Eternal Apprentice. She is also a partner in a small business called Interconnect, that links translating and language learning with tourism and ecotourism in the Rio de Janeiro area.



Activated TFI

Yesterday I posted comments on blogs stating that in my opinion people have been brainwashed as far as religion goes, today I read that after a break of 5 years the Turin Shroud is to go back on view, now as I recall the item was proved to be a fake & not even the church claim it to be real, in which case case why have a million people booked to go & see it why would anyone want to view a dirty old sheet from person or persons unknown

Sweet Song & Sexy Dance for Romantic Moments - Ed Sheeran

by Power Point Paradise • May 1, 2015

The dancing they practiced and filmed shot-by-shot, we’ll be able to do naturally in Heaven, and without gravity then, floating up into the air and far more gracious than this even, and it will be so-o loving. I was telling a Taipei girl uni student yesterday, who designs and wears her own far-out fashion, that in Heaven we can design as well and far more beautiful than here. She was amazed at that and began to ask me many questions about Heaven.

She asked specifically — and it inspired her to know– that THERE –right now– there is no more suffering, and only love between loving people who won’t even be under the bondage of marriage anymore, but will be able to date anyone they like, who is willing to be dated. At the end she was ready to go.. almost! If people went to Heaven immediately after they asked Jesus –The Seed! — to come into their hearts, very few would do so. But first watch this heavenly dance… [The official video for 'Thinking Out Loud', Ed learnt to dance! Posted]

Although Heaven is so beautiful, to kiss this world goodbye and “beam me up Scotty!” at the drop of a hat, would be far too great a forsaking for most people, although not for the down-and-out, close-to-suicide, homeless, lonely, brokenhearted, handicapped, poor-in-spirit, forsaken, abandoned, misused, abused children, war-torn widows, orphans and war recruits, diseased by GMO-s, Cancer, and vaccinations, depressed by drugs, repressed by governments and selfish corporatist executors and lying mainstream media.

If these could leave it all behind.. they would.. before the hat even dropped! If it wasn’t for my wife being lonely, I would ask Jesus and instantly fly away too. This world is just getting too evil and too much. BUT….. Jesus doesn’t take you Home immediately when you receive His love in your heart!

WHY does He not take you home immediately? Because He needs you HERE to help others find Him, so all the kind, sweet, loving people can go to Heaven together, when HE comes to collect us all at that darkest Times of the End at the "Last Trumpet" where the Mystery of God is Finished (Revelation 10:7 & 11:15-18), after the imminent One World Government utterly fails and will try to snuff millions of precious lives during the closing hours of Man's History as we know it!
**
All You Need is Love

Our goal is to love God and our neighbour as ourselves, and as a result bring love to the whole world and peace and freedom and plenty for all!

True love, real love, God's love, is all the religion you need! This unselfish, sacrificial love includes the love of one human being for another, love in all forms, as long as it is true love, real love, God's love!

This is our specific religion and these are the principles that we practice––love, the religion which Jesus Himself taught, the good news that God is love!

God is love, not a cruel tyrant, not a monster who is trying to frighten everyone into hell, but a God Who is trying to love everyone into Heaven! You must simply love Him, receive Jesus in your own heart personally (Jn.1:12 and Rev.3:20) and love others––that's all!





TFI [Posted Video - Dance with Jesus]

On Earth As It Is In Heaven


Allow me to make one quick point before we move on. As we pray we must be ever mindful that the phrase "in heaven" is inextricably woven together with each of the first three petitions of the prayer of Jesus. We begin by praying that the name of our Father in heaven be hallowed. We continue by praying, "Your kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven." And we conclude with the words "Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven."

This is of course, is not by accident. Rather it is a daily reminder that we are to live with heaven in mind. As we launch into the last three petitions of the prayer of Jesus, in which the Master teaches us how to bring our requests to God, we should never lose sight of our priorities. R.C. Sproul, in his inimitable style, makes the point, "We do not come rushing into God's presence arrogantly, assaulting Him with our petty requests, forgetting whom we are addressing. We are to make certain that we have properly exalted the God of creation. Only after God has been rightly honored, adored, and exalted, do the subsequent petitions of God's people assume their proper place

The prayer of Jesus is divided into essentially two parts. The first is focused on God's glory. Thus, we pray, "hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done." The second is focused on our needs. From this point on we will pray for ourselves-our provisions, our pardon, and our protection. It is the third petition that brings the Lord's Prayer down to earth, making the transition from our Father up in heaven to His children down on earth." In the words of the great church father Tertullian:

How gracefully has the Divine Wisdom arranged the order of the prayer; so that after things heavenly- that is, after the "Name" of God, the "Will" of God, and the "Kingdom" of God- it should give earthly necessities also room for a petition!




Give Us This Day Our Daily Bread



Remember the scene from Luke 11 that was described in chapter one? Jesus has just returned from one of His private prayer sessions, His face awash with the glory of His Father's presence. The disciples immediately encircle Him. One of them, perhaps Peter, verbalizes the words, but they were all thinking the same thing. "Lord, he says in a voice mixed with urgency and anticipation, "whatever it is you experience when you disappear for those long stretches and pray, we really want to know about it."


Jesus smiles. The time has come for Him to unveil the principles of prayer to His disciples. As usual, He begins with a story (see. Lk. 11:5-11). Pointing to Peter, He says, "imagine going to your neighbor's house at midnight and asking him if you can borrow three loaves of bread." A smile breaks out on Thomas's face. He can't help but chuckle at the irony of the Bread of Life telling a story about borrowing bread. "Your neighbor is fast asleep," Jesus continues, "so you pound on the door frantically and shout, 'Wake up! I need your help! A friend of mine just shown up on my doorstep, and my cupboard is bare!"


Jesus cups His hands around His mouth for effect. "Don't bother me!' the neighbor yells back. I've locked up the house and my kids are in bed. I just can't help you tonight.''' Peter wasn't very good at keeping a poker face. His thoughts might has well have been three-inch neon letters flashing across his forehead. "Yeah, right," Peter murmurs to himself, "this guy can't help? Or won't!" James and John locked eyes knowingly. If Peter knocked on my door in the middle of the night, they each were thinking, I wouldn't get up either!


"I tell you the truth," Jesus explains, "Peter had just kept banging on the door, his neighbor would have given him bread. Not so much because he was a good neighbor, but because of Peter's persistence."






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