Miracles

Although you may not here about miracles as often as you do in the Bible, many miracles are still happening around us. A lot of the time, we as believers, tend to pawn miracles off as some sort of ‘mere coincidence.’ You see, we have chosen to believe our own eyes and ears instead of focusing on God’s Word. For example, if you have never seen a miracle, (ears growing back, a lame man walking, or the blind seeing, etc.) we often convince ourselves that God no longer performs them. So because we have not ‘physically’ seen them, they must not be real. Do you see the thought process behind that statement? Other times, as I have done, we take what can only be a miracle of God, and pawn it off on science, or just the possibility of mere chance. We have been so brainwashed to believe that God does not exist, that we take miracles for granted when they do happen, and we don’t give God the credit he deserves. I believe Beth Moore said it best when she said, “We believe little, because we see little, we see little, because we believe little.”

“You are the God who performs miracles; you display your power among the people.” Psalm 77:14

God certainly still does miracles, and they are still going on around us daily. I myself have witnessed many miracles and I have also encountered a miracle in my life. When I was eight years old, the doctors told me that I was going deaf and that as a last resort, they were going to put tubes into my ears, but even that would only partially work, and I would eventually lose my hearing. However, my mother and father knew God had other plans for me, and later that day they decided to bring me to church for prayer. Upon arrival the members of the church laid hands on me, and prayed over me. And that night while I slept my ears were miraculously healed! The doctors themselves could not believe it. God had done a miracle in my life.

Sadly, years later, I pawned this entire event off as a mere coincidence. To be completely honest, there is absolutely no way to suggest, even for a moment, that this was not a supernatural interference from the Lord. God intervened in my life and healed my ears. Weather I wanted to accept the fact that God did intervene was up to me. Oh what a great God we serve, and I thank God for the grace he has given me thus far.

The real problem is the unbelief of this generation, not that God no longer performs miracles. God still reserves the right to respond most readily to faith, and it is this faith that we are lacking. We need to start believing in God, and find that faith that God so longs for us to have. Faith is the foundation of our life, the very source where we get our strength and it requires belief in God. Faith and believing God go hand-in-hand. And you must have faith for God to work in your life. We must walk by faith, not by sight.

“Faith is the substance of things hope for, the evidence of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1 NKJV

Did you know that people in third world counties often report miracles? I believe this is because they are in far greater need than we are here. Many countries do not have the technology, accessibility, or medical services that we have available, so they are more likely to rely on God for miracles of healing, and put there faith in the Lord. Not to say that technology and accessibility are bad, in fact quite the opposite, God can use these things help us as well. God certainly does miracles, and he can do miracles through any one or anything. But we need to remember that our request for miracles, do not always get answered. Beth Moore put it like this, “Sometimes God prioritizes the faith required to continue trusting Him when we don’t get what we ask over the faith required to receive it.”

We must love God no matter the result. Weather he answered our request for a miracle, or not. God always has greater plans for us. And we need to praise Him in the good times and in the bad. God is pleased when we exercise our faith; and when we ask Him for a miracle. Where we need to be careful is when we allow our desires for signs and wonders to overshadow our desire for Him. Our request can turn into, or become, a conquest for God to prove Himself to us. Do not let your rational thinking tell you that God must prove Himself to you, who are we to request such a thing? It is not our place to demand things of Christ like we have authority. God wants us to believe in Him first and all else will follow, but you must remember that ‘you seek God to find Him, not to see Him perform.’ And your relationship with Jesus must go beyond the evidence; you must put your trust in Him and walk with Him on a daily basis.

So, what is your motivation for seeking Christ? It should be your love for Him. Seek Him for the right reasons, and don’t allow yourself only to seek him for what He can do for you. And don’t let doubt to be a reason that keeps you from having faith in God.

Tea Party in Phoenix- Rally For A Good Cause.

On the Fourth of July (Independence day) American Patriots all across America came together in protest of the many things that are currently sucking the life out of our freedoms. Socialism, tax hikes, cap & trade, socialised health care, and reckless spending from the government and the list goes on. The focus of the Rally was to encourage people to keep the American Constitution as it was designed and to remind the American citizens that it was and still is the law of the land which happens to be the very thing that has keep our country free for so many years. The Constitution, our Godly principals, and the Declaration of Independence is the basis of our foundation and those very things that made our country great are being ripped from us. They also encouraged everyone to remain faithful to the calling of our American forefathers. That calling is to stay true to God, our country, and the freedoms that are quickly being torn away from the American people. This event was not only an eye opener but a call to be bold in the face of danger. To be proud of our freedom as Americans and to educate the liberals and all others that believe the government is going to take care of us and that we are the people and we ARE the government. Stand up now, rise up, and do your duty as an American citizen. If you can't see what's going on all around this nation; your eyes are closed. What a travesty. Are we actually going to sit around and let this happen to our generation? To our country? If we don't act now then we will lose our freedoms. It's not to late, don't add to the problem by saying that "it's a nice idea but it won't work" shame on us. We need to stand up. The days of relaxing and living off the fruit of our founding fathers is gone. The fruit is gone. The weeds have taken over, the trees are dying and it's getting worse. Today is the call. Now is the time for you to get busy. Write your congressmen. Educate yourself on these issues. Make your vote count. Don't give up, not now, not ever.

People from all 50 states were involved with this event. It was an amazing, amazing event. A very bold (not arrogant)Pastor spoke at this event with fervor. He was not ashamed to call upon the name of the Lord in this time of danger. He did this in front of many people. He was not ashamed to be Christian and Political. Can we say the same about ourselves? This pastor said that we say "God bless America" then he said it's hard to say that anymore because America is in such a mess. We Americans have turned our backs on God (at least most people have).

Below are a few pictures of us with other American patriots. These photo's were taken at the very beginning of the rally so it may seem as though not many were there but believe me many, many more arrived shortly after these photo's were taken. These are a few of the many photos that were taken. There were hundreds of people that read our signs. Many commented some positive, some negative. We were there educating people on the issues that we as Americans face. We could have stayed home but we chose instead to become involved. Our liberty depends on it. It was easier than I thought it was going to be but in all seriousness; Now is the time to Educate, Unite, Pray, Rally, Believe, and be brave. Thanks for reading this blog and we Hope to see you at the next Freedom Rally.

God Bless you and yours from Elissa and Darryl Hill.

A New Direction in America

For over three centuries America has been officially described as a Christian nation. It was not until about two decades ago that our government began its pursuit to weed out ‘religion’ and anything having to do with God in public places. Recently, our newly elected president, Barack Obama, stated that America was no longer a Christian nation. Regardless of the fact that our founding fathers attempted to keep this nation a Christian and God centered nation, they continued to tear down Ten Commandments on government buildings and remove religious symbols from public places. What, in turn, has happened is that our countries roots of Christianity have now been disbursed and in its place we have developed a broader open forum of no religion at all—a country now based on the state of ‘ideas’ rather than on God.

“We have no government armed with power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion. Avarice, ambition, revenge, or gallantry, would break the strongest cords of our Constitution as a whale goes through a net. Our Constitution was made for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.” George Washington.

“God governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without His aid?” Benjamin Franklin

History events that now shape American, in which our founding fathers would not stand for--Keep in mind these are just a few amongst many.

1. Dozens of Ten Commandment displays have been removed. (Including the 5,280 pound granite monument of the Ten Commandments in the rotunda of the Alabama State Judicial Building.)

2. Our American holidays have turned into ‘fantasy character’ celebrations instead of their original intent being centered on Christ. Christmas day has become “Happy Holidays”, instead of “Merry Christmas”- due to the fact it contains the word “Christ”.

3. Gay Marriage has been legalized in the states of Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Iowa. It will also be legalized by September 2009 in Vermont and Main. New Jersey, California, and New Hampshire have created legal unions that, while not called marriages, are explicitly defined as offering all the rights and responsibilities of marriage under state (though not federal) law to same-sex couples.

4. Attempts have been made to remove “In God we Trust” from our monies. Also to remove “Under God” From the Pledge of Allegiance.

“For we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against the evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against those mighty powers of darkness who rule this world, and against wicked spirits in the heavenly realms.” Ephesians 6:12 NLT

Remember even though we live in this world, God still give us His peace...

"My peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." John 14:27

The Harvest

I wanted to share with you a story that I heard at the Pathways class Darryl and I recently attended. The speaker that day was telling us a vision that she had, a vision of the lost. In this vision she saw a large group of ladies huddled together making necklaces on a cliff. Then scattered sporadically about the edge of the cliff were a few people spread out every 500 feet or so. All of a sudden large groups of people started running towards the edge of the cliff. And the ones who were spread out were trying to save all the people from falling off the cliff, but there were so many, and they couldn't save them all, and the ladies in the corner just sat happily making necklaces...

Wow... sometimes we, like the ladies making necklaces, forget how important it is to step outside of the box and share the Gospel to those in need. Now don't get me wrong being a part of a Church is a VERY good thing, but what do we do with the knowledge God has given us? Do we share it with others, are we afraid to offend, do we think were not biblically smart enough, or strong enough for the task? God calls all of us to be a witness....

"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, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you..." Matthew 28:20

We are not to hide our beliefs or only keep them only for Sunday's service. But we are to specifically set them on a lampstand, so that all may see the light of Christ in you...

"Now no one after lighting a lamp covers it over with a container, or puts it under a bed; but he puts it on a lampstand, so that those who come in may see the light.” Luke 8:16

Oh how guilty I am. I don't know about you, but this seems to be one of the things I hear the most in believers, myself included...we all seem to 'struggle' so much in this area? Why is it that this seems to be the place few of us can conquer? What holds us back? Considering the day's we are in shouldn't this push our desire to let others know about the Lord? If the harvest is truly plentiful, as the Scriptures say, shouldn't we believe Him for that?

My encouragement to you this week, is to find someone, anyone, that doesn't know the Lord, and share the Lord with them and I will do the same. Then, once this is done, I'd love to here what God did through you. So when you take the leap of faith and talk to someone please leave me a post in the comment box, and I will comment on what happened in my experience of sharing with someone. And don't worry God will walk us through it all.

"When He saw the crowds, He had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then He said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field." Matthew 9:36-38

Thinking back...

Our world seems to be getting morally worse with each passing day. According to Obama America has now been classified as as a nation of 'ideas' rather than a nation founded on Godly principals. . .

Think back with me a few hundred years, to a time when prayer and bible reading was a part of our everyday school systems, when teachers would lead their students in a word of prayer to our Savior. When the Bible was used as a primary textbook for not only reading, but character and moral training as well. To when the main concerns of parents were talking in class, and gum chewing, instead of teen suicide, drug abuse, or school shootings. Oh how I wish we could go back. Go back to a time before prayer and bible reading were ripped from our schools. Since this event occurred in 1962 violence has been on the rise. Although, other events have impacted our school children, such as the increasing levels of violence, sex on television and the media, the banning of prayer is one of the most significant events affecting Americans. But again don't take my word for it...

According to Wikipedia the top offences in Schools...

Prior to Prayer being removed- Talking, Gum Chewing, Making Noise, Running in the Halls, Cutting in Line, Dress Code Violations, and Littering.

After Prayer was Removed- Rape; Robbery; Assault; Burglary; Arson; Bombings; Murder; Suicide; Absenteeism; Vandalism; Extortion; Drug abuse; Alcohol abuse; Gang warfare; Pregnancies; Abortions; Venereal disease. (None of the previous top seven made the list)

You see, God brought peace, love, joy, happiness, gentleness, goodness, amongst many other good qualities, to our society. Once America had taken God out of the picture, these characteristics slowly faded. Not that they do not exist, just that they are few and far between. Let’s assume you are a bit of a skeptic, possibly an atheist. You could say this, “Well, of course it was better with God in society because people believed they had to answer to someone for there actions. However in reality it just kept them a moral person.” Let’s assume that were true. If so where did the moral come from? We are not naturally good people, as the bible states. That’s a fact we are all well aware of. It’s so much easier to be a bad person because of our sin nature, and anyone who is anyone can not deny that fact. So with that said, God is the only god that brings life, love, and these qualities to us.

“Everything good and perfect is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” James 1:17 NIV

Christ’s reality is written all over the very wallpaper of what made our country great. We can not deny that God is a part of our very foundation. But most importantly we need to remember that regardless of what lies in our past or our future; we need to continually look to God for all our needs, for he is the ultimate comforter. . .

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation.." 2 Cor. 1:3

Fervent Prayer

I learned a new word today, fervent. It means... "having or showing extreme emotion, or to be intensely sincere and passionate. " With this in mind read the verse below...

"The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much." James 5:16

Could I say it like this....

"The effective, intensely sincere and passionate prayer of a righteous man avails much."

This really spoke to me. Sometimes we can get so emotionally uninvolved when we pray. And our prayer lives lack the passion it should have sometimes. Check out this quote below by Dr. David Jeremiah's book, "Handwriting on the Wall", it really hit home ....

"Do we have any idea what it means to be fervent in prayer? If we think about the moment of our greatest crisis, whether it was physical, mental, or emotional, how did we pray? Did we say something like, "Lord, I have this need, and it sure would be neat if you could do something about it, but I don't want to take too much of your time. If you can do something, that would be great. Thanks Lord." Or did we call out to God with such intensity that we almost ached?
In the Old Testement culture there were certain things that accompanied fervent prayer. First, in the passage from Daniel, he put on sackcloth, the garments of mourning. In the Book of Job, it says that he prayed fervently while sitting in an ash pile and putting ashes on his head. It also says that praying fervently was accompanied by shaving off the hair of his head. In other places in the Bible we are told that praying was so agonizingly fervent that it was accompanied by crying, tearing clothing, fasting, sighing, groaning, and sweating blood. In our culture today, that sort of fervency would seem fanatical. We might be confronted by men in white coats carrying straightjackets. But I believe we have tilted in the opposite direction, presenting an emotion-less, uninvolved relationship with Him."

Wow! That is soo true! We have tilted in the opposite direction and we do tend to be so passion-less in prayer, we fall asleep when we pray, we rarly get on our knees, our prayers have turned into a time scheduled slot, and sometimes we lack interest, sadly...or at least I'm guilty as charged. Oh where has our fervency gone?

Dubai!

Check out Dubai! It is one of the seven Emirates and the most populated city in the United Arab Emirates. This is one Modern city! The most modern might I add! You should google it if you get a chance. Currently its in some sort of recession, as we are, but its still neat. They are doing lots of construction, and have lots of FUTURE things planned, including the horned buildings which you will see in the photos below. WOW...scarry...and crazy stuff! I have been hearing about this city on the news so I thought I would look it up and post about it.

The Dubai Sky Scraper!

Neat!

Here are Man-Made Islands in the shape of a Palm! They are selling Top Dollar Re-Estate on these Islands!

Now this is the Most unique of them all! This is a 3-d Rendering of one of the buildings planning to be constructed in Dubai. I think they say it represents burning candles?? I think, however it looks like Rams Horns!

Here is a mini-construction of the towers to be! Man wouldn't it be wierd if the Anti-Christ in Revelations resided here, or did work out of here! That would be a cool anology! NOT saying that he will do either, BUT... it would be crazy if he did considering he is described as a horn in the Bible. (Daniel 7:8-21, Daniel 8:5-22) Just a crazy thought to share.