listen to Worship, FREESTYLE,
INSPIRATIONAL,
CHRISTIAN HIP HOP,TRANCE,
HOUSE,
REGGAETON
SALSA R&B,
free player from mysplayer.com

**** SALT & FRESH water fishing, the beach in the day and at night is nice, spearfishing, playin sports, Watching sports... Football, basketball, baseball, NASCAR, Racing, Roadtrips, the movies, playin' pool, dominoes, PS2, bowling, Bar B Q, cook,spending time with my 2 sons, spending time with family, chillin' at home & cook dinner or take out & chillin' watchin a movie SPEARFISHING S. FLA SPORT COMPACTCAR OVERBOOST IMPORT TUNER How to make a RICKY Ingredients:
3 parts competetiveness
5 parts silliness
5 parts empathy Method:
Stir together in a glass tumbler with a salted rim. Top it off with a sprinkle of lustfulness and enjoy!

The Bible, T.D. JAKES, John Hagee, Charles Stanley, Billy Graham, John Grisham, Tom Clancy, Robert LudLam

*************************************** God I GIVE YOU THANKS AND PRAISE THAT YOU HAVE LEAD ME OFF THE BROKEN ROAD THAT LEADS ME STRAIGHT TOWARDS YOUR HEART TO LOVE YOU WITH ALL MY HEART,STRENGTH, AND SOUL! *************************************** *************************************** *************************************** "If you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,'and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved" (Romans 10:9) *************************************** *************************************** "Pray for us too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ" (Colossians 4:3) *************************************** *************************************** “The fear of the Lord is to hate evil” (Proverbs 8:13, NKJV) *************************************** *************************************** Psalm 34:4 says, “I sought the Lord, and He heard me, And delivered me from all my fears” (NKJV). *************************************** *************************************** “The Lord is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid? ... Though an army may encamp against me, My heart shall not fear. ... For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion; In the secret place of His tabernacle He shall hide me; He shall set me high upon a rock. ... Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord!” (Psalm 27:1, 3, 5, 14, NKJV) *************************************** *************************************** “Cast your burden on the Lord, And He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved” (Psalm 55:22, NKJV) *************************************** *************************************** “Be strong,” Paul admonished. “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7; 2:1, NKJV) *************************************** *************************************** *************************************** *************************************** *************************************** *************************************** *************************************** La Palabra de Dios nos deja saber en el libro de 1 Reyes 8:28 que Dios está siempre atento a nuestras oraciones: *************************************** Con todo, tú atenderás a la oración de tu siervo, y a su plegaria, oh Jehová Dios mío, oyendo el clamor y la oración que tu siervo hace hoy delante de ti. *************************************** En el Evangelio de Lucas 11:9-10 Dios nos dice que pidamos para que recibamos: *************************************** Y yo os digo: Pedid, y se os dará; buscad, y hallaréis; llamad, y se os abrirá. Porque todo aquel que pide, recibe; y el que busca, halla; y al que llama, se le abrirá. *************************************** Además El nos asegura lo siguiente en Juan 16:23, De cierto, de cierto os digo, que todo cuanto pidiereis al Padre en mi nombre, os lo dará. *************************************** Confíe en el Señor, entréguele su situación o su problema y verá que El sí puede solucionarlo. Todo es posible, si puedes creer! *************************************** Dios le bendiga *************************************** *************************************** ***The Parable of the Lost Son*** *************************************** Luke 15:11-32 *************************************** 11Jesus continued: "There was a man who had two sons. 12The younger one said to his father, 'Father, give me my share of the estate.' So he divided his property between them. 13"Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. 14After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. 15So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. 16He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything. *************************************** 17"When he came to his senses, he said, 'How many of my father's hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.' 20So he got up and went to his father. "But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. *************************************** 21"The son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.[a]' *************************************** 22"But the father said to his servants, 'Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate. 24For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' So they began to celebrate. *************************************** 25"Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. 26So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. 27'Your brother has come,' he replied, 'and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.' *************************************** 28"The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. 29But he answered his father, 'Look! All these years I've been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. 30But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!' *************************************** 31" 'My son,' the father said, 'you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. 32But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' " *************************************** *************************************** Im laid back! Someone with goals! Ambitious and spontaneous. I love to spend time with close family and close friends. Having fun. Always looking toward heaven, trusting God with an open heart and mind that God guides me always in the right path. I thank God for allowing me to Praise him daily with all my strength! Thank you my Lord Jesus for rescuing me from the dead end road of the Past that lead me only to the worldly desires that only fullfills for a short while and still left me an emptiness in my heart and life that only The Lord Jesus Christ filled my heart and life to have hope,peace and true happiness that the world can not give me**** I am easy to get along with....Sincere and very affectionate to my family and friends. I AM BLUNT, CUT AND DRY ON HOW I SAY THINGS... PEOPLE CAN TAKE IT AS THEY CHOOSE. NOT HERE TO IMPRESS NO ONE AND SAY CERTAIN THINGS ONLY TO GET ON PEOPLES NICE SIDES OR ACT AS SOMEONE ELSE. THIS IS WHO I AM. WANNA FIND OUT MORE.... WELL HOLLA AT ME. ****************************** Being true and just be yourself! You know keeping it real and jus' being comfortable about one another is important. Take time to actually listen to your love ones to your close friends and one another! Remember it might not seem important to you but it may be important to your friend. A great friend is someone who listens and who tells you the truth even when you do not wanna hear it. My two sons are my pride and Joy! Live life to the fullest. Life is a gift! Appreciate the samll things! sAY WHAT YOU WANNA SAY THATS IN HEART, BEING VULNERABLE IN HEART AT TIMES IS OK TO ALLOW JESUS TO TOUCH YOUR LIFE AND ALLOW HIM TO GET CLOSER AND BE A PART OF YOUR LIFE! JESUS CHRIST PAID THE ULTIMATE PRICE! HE WILLINGLY WITH TRUE UNSELFISH LOVE GAVE HIS LIFE AND DIED ON THE CROSS FOR ALL OF OUR SINS! HE LOVES US NO MATTER HOW MANY MISTAKES WE ALL HAVE DONE LONG AGO IN THE PAST NO MATTER HOW SEVERE IT MAY HAVE BEEN. GOD IS MERCIFUL AND PATIENT WITH ALL OF US! ALL THE LORD WANTS FROM US IS TO HAVE A CLOSE AND PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH THE LORD JESUS CHRIST. *********************************************************** ************************************************** Love --------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----- Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins. (1 Peter 4:8) ****** *************************************** You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love you neighbor, and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you (Matthew 5:43-44)****** *************************************** If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I deliver my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing. Love is patient, love is kind, and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all thing, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. (1 Corinthians 13:1-7) *************************************** *************************************************************** Faith --------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----- For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is a gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9)****** *************************************** Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1)****** *************************************** And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him. (Hebrews 11: 6)****** *************************************** Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3: 5-6)****** *************************************** My soul wait in silence for God only, For my hope is from Him. He only is my rock and my salvation, My stronghold; I shall not be shaken. On God my salvation and my glory rest; The rock of my strength, my refuge is in God. Trust in Him at all times, O people; Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us. (Psalms 62:5-8)****** *************************************** I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13) *************************************** **************************************************************** Judging People --------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----- ;Do not judge lest you be judged.;For in the way that you judge you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you.And why do you look at the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' and behold, the log is in your own eye? ;You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye. (Matthew 7:1-5)****** *************************************** Therefore you are without excuse, every man of you who passes judgment, for in that you judge one another, you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things. And we know that the judgment of God rightly falls upon those who practice such things. (Romans 2:1-2)****** *************************************** Therefore do not go on passing judgment before the time, but wait until the Lord comes who will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the motives of men's hearts; and then each mans praise will come to him from God. (1 Corinthians 4: 5)****** *************************************** For if you forgive men for there transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions. (Matthew 6:14-15)****** *************************************************************************** ******************************************* *************************************** Trials --------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----- Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. (James 1:2-4) *************************************** "Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. "Blessed are you when men cast insults at you, and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely, on account of Me. "Rejoice, and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you." (Matthew 5:10-12) *************************************** Blessed is a man who perseveres under trials; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life, which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. (James 1:12) *************************************** But to me it is a very small thing that I should be examined by you, or by any human court; in fact, I do not even examine myself. I am conscious of nothing against myself, yet I am not by this acquitted; but the one who examines me is the Lord. (1 Corinthians 4:3-4) *************************************** Who is there to harm you if you prove zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. And do not fear their intimidation, and do not be troubled, but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence; and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ will be put to shame. For it is better, if God should will it so, that you suffer for doing what is right rather than for doing what is wrong. For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God. (1 Peter 3:13-18) *************************************** Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth does not become weary or tired. His understanding is inscrutable. He gives strength to the weary, and to him who lacks might He increases power. Though youths grow weary and tired, and vigorous young men stumble badly, yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary. (Isaiah 40:28-31) *************************************** Temptation --------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----- Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world. (1 Peter 5:8-9) *************************************** Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am being tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not temp anyone. But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death. (James 1:13-15) *************************************** No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, that you may be able to endure it. (1 Corinthians 10:13) *************************************** As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, "You shall be holy, for I am holy." (1 Peter 1:14-16) *************************************** Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body. (1 Corinthians 6:19-20) *************************************** All things are lawful for me, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be mastered by anything. (1 Corinthians 6:12) *************************************** Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body that you should obey its lusts, and do not go on presenting the members of your body to sin as instruments of unrighteousness; but present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. (Romans 6:12-13) *************************************** Fear --------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----- "Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand." (Isaiah 41: 10) *************************************** "For this reason I say to you, do not be anxious for your life, as to what you should eat, or what you shall drink; nor for your body, as to what you shall put on. Is not life more than food, and the body than clothing? "Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? "And which of you by being anxious can add a single cubit to his life's span?" (Matthew 6:25-27) *************************************** "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you. "Therefore do not be anxious for tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." (Matthew 6:33-34) *************************************** The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? (Psalms 27:1) *************************************** When I am afraid, I will put my trust in Thee. In God, whose word I praise, In God I have put my trust; I shall not be afraid. What can mere man do to me? (Psalms 56:3-4) *************************************** Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. (Philippians 4:6) *************************************** Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety upon Him, because He cares for you. (1 Peter 5:6-7) *************************************** Anger --------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----- He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, And he who rules his spirit, than he who captures a city. (Proverbs 16:32) *************************************** This you know, my beloved brethren. But let everyone be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God. (James 1:19-20) *************************************** "You have heard the ancients were told, 'You shall not commit murder' and 'Whoever commits murder shall be liable to the court.' "But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court; and whoever shall say to his brother, 'Reca, 'shall be guilty before the supreme court; and whoever shall say, 'You fool, 'shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell. "If therefore you are presenting your offering at the alter, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there before the alter, and go your way; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering." (Matthew 5:21-24) *************************************** He who is slow to anger has great understanding, But he who is quick-tempered exalts folly. (Proverbs 14:29) *************************************** He who restrains his words has knowledge, And he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding. Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is considered wise; When he closes his lips, he is counted prudent. (Proverbs 17:27-28) *************************************** Be angry, and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not give the devil an opportunity. (Ephesians 4:26-27) *************************************** Wisdom --------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----- Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth. This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy. And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is shown in peace by those who make peace. (James 3:13-18) *************************************** But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. (James 1:5-6) *************************************** Does not wisdom call, And understanding lift up her voice? On top of the heights beside the way, where the paths meet, she takes her stand; Beside the gates, at the opening to the city, at the entrance of the doors, she cries out: "To you, O men I call, and my voice is to the sons of men. "O naïve ones, discern prudence; And, O fools, discern wisdom. "Listen, for I shall speak noble things; And the opening of my lips will produce right things. "For my mouth will utter truth; And wickedness is an abomination to my lips. "All the utterances of my mouth are in righteousness; There is nothing crooked or perverted in them. "They are all straight forward to him who understands, and right to those who find knowledge. "Take my instruction, and not silver, And knowledge rather than choicest gold. "For wisdom is better than jewels; And all desirable things cannot compare with her." (Proverbs 8:1-11) *************************************** Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your body, And refreshment to your bones. (Proverbs 3:7-8) *************************************** The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. (Proverbs 9:10) *************************************** "The fear of the Lord is to hate evil; Pride and ignorance and the evil way, And the perverted mouth, I hate." (Proverbs 8:13) *************************************** The reward of humility and the fear of the Lord are riches, honor and life. (Proverbs 22:4) *************************************** The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person. For God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil. (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14) *************************************** Living for God --------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----- If then you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things of above where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things of above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory. Therefore consider the members of your earthly body and dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry. For it is on account of these things that the wrath of Christ will come, and in them you also once walked, when you were living in them. But now you also put them all aside; anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices, and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the One who created him --a renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, cynthian, slave and free man, but Christ is all, and in all. (Colossians 3:1-11) *************************************** And so, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. And beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father. (Colossians 3:12-17) *************************************** I urge you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. (Romans 12:1-2) *************************************** For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ. (Galatians 1:10) *************************************** Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in the mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation. Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men. If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord. "But if your enemy is hungry, feed him, and if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap burning coals upon his head." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (Romans 12:15-21) *************************************** Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ has also forgiven you. Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children: and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you, and gave himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma. (Ephesians 4:31-32 & 5:1-2) *************************************** Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor; not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord. (Romans 12:9-11) *************************************** "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. "Nor do men light a lamp and put it under the peck-measure, but on the lampstand; and it gives light to all who are in the house. "Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 5:14-16) *************************************** Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! Let your forbearing spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:4-7) *************************************** Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things. The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things; and the God of peace shall be with you. (Philippians 4: 8-9) *************************************** But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror; for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was. But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man shall be blessed in what he does. (James 1:22-25) *************************************** As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him. (Colossians 2:6) *************************************** Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. (1 Corinthians 10:31) *************************************** "Everyone therefore who shall confess Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father who is in heaven. "But whoever shall deny Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 10:32-33) *************************************** Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance, and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, (Hebrews 12:1) *************************************** Interesting --------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----- Let love of the brethren continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it. (Hebrews 13:1-2) *************************************** "Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. "For I came to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and a man's enemies will be the members of his household. "He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. "And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. (Matthew 6:33-34) *************************************** But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irresponsible, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God; holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; and avoid such men as these. (2 Timothy 3:1-5) *************************************** That which has been is that which will be, And that which has been done is that which will be done. So there is nothing new under the sun. Is there anything of which one might say, "See this, it is new"? Already it has existed for ages Which were before us. (Ecclesiastes 1: 9-10) *************************************** Be Prepared --------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----- For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus. (Titus 2:11-13) *************************************** For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God; and the dead in Christ shall rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words. (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18) *************************************** Now as to the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need of anything to be written to you. For you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night. While they are saying, "Peace and safety!" then destruction will come upon them suddenly like birth pangs upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day should overtake you like a thief; for you are all sons of light and sons of day. We are not of night nor of darkness; so then let us not sleep as others do, but let us be alert and sober. For those who sleep do their sleeping at night, and those who get drunk get drunk at night. But since we are of the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope of salvation. For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with Him. Therefore encourage one another, and build up one another, just as you also are doing. (1 Thessalonians 5:1-11) *************************************** But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as thousand year, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up. Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, on account of which the heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the elements will melt with intense heat! But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells. (2 Peter 3:8-13) *************************************** Therefore, beloved, since you look for these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless, and regard the patience of our Lord to be salvation; just as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given him, wrote to you, as also in all his letters, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which the untaught and unstable distort, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction. You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, be on your guard lest, being carried away by the error of unprincipled men, you fall from your own steadfastness, but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen. (2 Peter 3:14-18) *************************************** Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. And everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air. (1 Corinthians 9:24-26) *************************************** Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:13-14) *************************************** *************************************** Q: I know anger is supposed to be a sin, but why? I don't see what's wrong with being angry at someone, as long as you don't hurt them or anything like that. — D.S. *************************************** A: Dear D.S., Have you ever asked yourself what happens when you're angry with someone? Yes, anger can lead to violence—but even when it doesn't, it still does harm in other ways. *************************************** For example, look at the harm anger does to your relationship with the other person. As long as you are angry and filled with hatred toward someone, you are alienated and separated from them—and that isn't God's will. You'll even be hoping something bad will happen to them— which is the opposite of love. The Bible says, "If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone" (Romans 12:18). *************************************** But I wonder also if you have ever realized how much anger hurts you. Anger easily gives birth to other emotions, such as bitterness and hatred—and these are like an acid eating away at your soul. The Bible wisely says, "Anger is cruel and fury overwhelming" (Proverbs 27:4). *************************************** I urge you to bring your anger to Christ, and give it—and your life—to Him. He has every reason to be angry at us, for we have ignored Him and turned our backs on Him. But He still loves us—and the proof is that He was willing to go to the cross so we could be forgiven. Don't let anger or any other sin control you any longer, but by faith open your heart to Christ. *************************************** *************************************** Q: What is your definition of a liar? I can see why it would be wrong to tell a falsehood that hurts someone, but what's wrong with telling little half-truths that don't hurt anyone? — Mrs. S.W.R. *************************************** A: Dear Mrs. S.W.R., A liar is simply someone who tells a lie— and a lie is any statement that isn't true. A lie, in ot her words, is a deliberate attempt to deceive, and if that is someone's goal, then that person is a liar. *************************************** Why is it wrong to tell a lie, even if it doesn't seem to hurt anyone? One reason—which you should take very seriously—is because God commands us to tell the truth. One of the Ten Commandments states, "You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor" (Exodus 20:16). The Bible also says, "each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor" (Ephesians 4:25). *************************************** But another reason is because a lie always—without exception—hurts someone. How do you know what impact your words might have on someone else? The answer is, you don't. Your example also hurts others; do you honestly want your children (for instance) to grow up thinking it doesn't matter whether or not they tell the truth? *************************************** But most of all, a lie always hurts the person who tells it. It takes the moral edge off you, making you less concerned about God's truth and His will for your life. In addition, others will eventually realize that you can't be trusted. *************************************** Don't compromise on the truth. Instead, commit your life to Christ, and make it your goal to serve Him in everything— including your speech. *************************************** *************************************** Q: Is there anything wrong with living with my boyfriend if we plan to be married someday? *************************************** A: Living together without marriage is becoming more frequent as our society moves farther and farther from its religious and moral roots. We can assure you that you will never find lasting happiness by continuing to live this way. For one thing, when you have this kind of relationship outside of marriage there is no commitment to each other—and without commitment there cannot be a full measure of trust and security. Love becomes little more than an emotional feeling toward each other, and when the emotions fade there is nothing to keep you together. *************************************** More than that, what you are doing is wrong in the eyes of God, and if you turn your back on Him and His moral law you will never have true peace in your heart. God has given marriage to us for our happiness and security, and when we follow His rules for sex and marriage we can experience real joy. When you treat love and sex casually you are going against His perfect plan, and it will inevitably bring unhappiness. *************************************** The Bible stresses: "Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral" (Hebrews 13:4). The Bible also says that God so strongly condemns fornication and adultery that those who practice these sins will be excluded from God's kingdom (1 Corinthians 6:9-10). However, the Lord is willing to forgive such sins and transform the lives of those who have committed them (1 Corinthians 6:11). *************************************** We urge you to surrender to Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord and trust Him to forgive and cleanse you from your sins. This is what it means to become a Christian. The Holy Spirit then will live in your heart guiding and empowering you to honor God in every area of life. The apostle Paul wrote, "I can do everything through him who gives me strength" (Philippians 4:13). You will need to separate from the one with whom you are living, recognizing that you have no right to live as husband and wife without marriage. You cannot, of course, have Christ as your Lord and continue in such a relationship. We would suggest that you seek the counsel of a Gospel-preaching pastor in your community for further support and direction. *************************************** *************************************** Q: Is there anything wrong with a Christian marrying a non-Christian? *************************************** A: It is very dangerous for a Christian to marry someone who has not made a heart and life commitment to Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. To be ready for marriage spiritually means, first of all, that both parties involved have accepted Christ and eagerly intend to make Christ the Head of their home. To consider marriage without the possibility of spiritual agreement is to invite argument and unhappiness into the future household. *************************************** Mr. Graham has said, "I would not guarantee that with becoming a Christian, the whole problem of marriage and the home is automatica