T.J.I.F.A.
THANK JESUS IT’S FRIDAY AGAIN!
PASS IT ON . . . & ON…& ON…& ON.
FRIDAY MARCH 9, 2007
WE’VE ENTERED THE LENTEN SEASON FOR RESURRECTION DAY 2007
SUBJECT: “WHO’S THE INFIDEL?”
CHRISTIAN, DO NOT BE HYPNOTIZED INTO
THINKING THAT YOU ARE AN INFIDEL; BECAUSE, CHRIST IN YOU IS YOUR HOPE OF GLORY;
AND INFIDELS HAVE NO HOPE.
NOTEWORTHY: DO YOU BELIEVE, OR DO YOU WORK FOR GOD?
TJIFA’S BOOK SHELF: THE BOOK OF ACTS – REVIEWED
QUOTABLE QUOTES: ANGELS ARE WATCHING OVER YOU.
REVELATION? DO YOU KNOW THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN RELIGION AND KINGDOM
LIVING?
TESTIMONY TIME: A HOME GOING STORY.
FRIDAY’S WORD: MARTYR
IN THE MIRROR: A STORY OF AN
ORPHAN BOY
O TASTE AND SEE! SEAFOOD GUMBO; SUBMITTED BY: WHS
.YOU’LL LOVE IT . . . ENJOY!
LOOKING FORWARD
SEE YA NEXT TIME!
TER
WHO IS THE INFIDEL?
Matthew 27:40 (KJV)
40”And saying, Thou that destroyest the temple, and
buildest it in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down
from the cross.”
Christians, we are all like sheep that have been led astray. Jesus
admonished us to be careful what we hear and what we gaze upon.
When I was young, there were many programs that would have a hypnotist
actually putting volunteers from the audience into a hypnotic trance.
While they were under the power of the hypnotist, these people would act silly,
every time that the hypnotist said a certain word or clicked his finger.
It was amazing to me that the power of ‘suggestion’ was so strong, that
ridiculous foolishness could override an intelligent and supposedly healthy
mind.
In most homes, European as well as American, there are at least, three
‘hypnotists.’ The three major ones are: the television; the radio; and the
computer. Along with these major mind benders must be included the ‘cell
phone’, magazines, books, and the ever present telephone. Every one of the
pieces of equipment that has been mentioned has the power to bring into the
home, news from around the world, some of which is tainted with
lies, superfluity , colorations, and pointed
purposeful propaganda. Inventions that were created to enhance societal
well-being are now being used to hurt, cripple and maim. (Roaring Lion)
Jacob proved that whatever you gaze upon, you will become; when he placed
spotted rods into the watering trough, and the animals delivered spotted
calves. Our conceived ‘spotted calf’ is an overgrown passive spirit of
lasciviousness. It is content to sit and watch, or listen to what is
happening to others, rather than take a stand for what is righteous. Our
lascivious cow turns her head slowly, and the channel quickly, when she hears
news about the war in Iraq. (After all that’s a whole world away.)
The War in Iraq has brought into focus a new entity . . .“The
Infidel.” Who is the “Infidel?” According to the News, the
Exterminators in Iraq are intent on disposing of as many of these Infidels as
they possibly can. Killing Infidels brings them cancerous rewards in
death. In this life, their actions boost them into the position of being a
‘martyr.’ (See- Friday’s Word)
Jesus spoke of “Infidels” in Matthew
25: 41-46. According to Jesus, the Infidel is unfaithful, doesn’t care
about his neighbor, is not a Good Samaritan, doesn’t trust in GOD, sets himself
up as authority, and doesn’t recognize the truth. The Infidel won’t feed
you if you’re hungry, and would never give you a drink of water.
“…These shall go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into life
eternal.” (Matthew 25:46b.)
The Chief Priests and the Elders of the people took counsel against Jesus
to put Him to death. They were taking Jesus bound to Pontius Pilot, when
Judas found them, and brought the thirty pieces of silver back to them, and
asked forgiveness; because Judas recognized that his actions had condemned an
innocent man— Jesus. When he asked for retribution from the
Chief Priests they said: “What is that to us? See thou to that.”
(Matthew 27:4) Judas threw down the silver, and went and hanged himself.
(Judas committed suicide…was he a martyr?)
Who is the Infidel?
Pilot washed his hands saying, “I am innocent of this just
person.” (Matthew 27:24) The people answered Pilot, “His
blood be on us, and on our children.” (Matthew 27:25)
Pilot gave Jesus over
to the soldiers, after he had Him scourged. They gathered a band of
soldiers in the common hall and they platted a crown of thorns and placed it on
His head; placed a robe on His back; mocked Him; spit on Him; smote Him on the
head with the reed they had given Him, then led Him away to be crucified.
(Matthew 27:27-32)
While Jesus hung on the cross, there were people who passed by and wagged
their heads saying, “Thou that destroyest the temple and rebuild it in three
days, save Thyself. If Thou be the Son of GOD save Thyself.”(vs.40)
The Chief Priests, Scribes, and Elders also said. “He saved others,
Himself, He cannot save. If He be the King of Israel, let Him now come
down from the cross, and we will believe Him. He trusted in GOD, let Him
deliver Him now, if He will have Him, for He said, “I AM the Son of GOD.”
(vs.41-43)
The thieves, also said the same things. (vs.44)
Who is the Infidel?
Christian, you are not an Infidel! An Infidel has no hope.
Christian, your hope is; “Christ in you, your hope of Glory.” (Colossians 1:27)
Christian you are not an Infidel; because of what you believe, you will be
persecuted, and even put to death/or martyred. Christian, an Infidel
cannot be martyred; he can only commit suicide.
Jesus said. “Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and
shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my Name’s sake.
And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate
one another. And many false prophets shall rise and shall deceive
many. And because iniquity shall abound the love of many shall
wax cold. But ye that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be
saved.” (Matthew 24:9-13)
Don’t allow the ‘Hypnotist’ in your home to lull you to sleep with its
misuse of words, and its prowling propaganda. Christian, you can’t be an
Infidel; because you believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of the living GOD . .
.
“And this Gospel of the Kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a
witness unto all Nations; and then shall the end come.” (Matthew
24:14.)
LOOKING FORWARD
SEE YA NEXT TIME!
TER
NOTEWORTHY: BELIEVING GOD OR WORKING FOR HIM?
The Staggering Question
“He said to me, ‘Son of man, can these bones
live?’ ” (Ezekiel 37:3).
Can a sinner be turned into a saint? Can a twisted
life be made right? There is only one appropriate answer—“O Lord God, You know”
(37:3). Never forge ahead with your religious common sense and say, “Oh, yes,
with just a little more Bible reading, devotional time, and prayer, I see how it
can be done.”
It is much easier to do something than to trust in God; we see
the activity and mistake panic for inspiration. That is why we see so few fellow
workers with God, yet so many people working for God. We would much rather work
for God than believe in Him. Do I really believe that God will do in me what I
cannot do? The degree of hopelessness I have for others comes from never
realizing that God has done anything for me. Is my own personal experience such
a wonderful realization of God’s power and might that I can never have a sense
of hopelessness for anyone else I see? Has any spiritual work been accomplished
in me at all? The degree of panic activity in my life is equal to the degree of
my lack of personal spiritual experience.
“Behold, O My people, I will open
your graves …” (37:12). When God wants to show you what human nature is like
separated from Himself, He shows it to you in yourself. If the Spirit of God has
ever given you a vision of what you are apart from the grace of God (and He will
only do this when His Spirit is at work in you), then you know that in reality
there is no criminal half as bad as you yourself could be without His grace. My
“grave” has been opened by God and “I know that in me (that is, in my flesh)
nothing good dwells” (Romans 7:18). God’s Spirit continually reveals to His
children what human nature is like apart from His grace.
From: “My Utmost For
His Highest.”
TJIFA’S BOOK SHELF:
THE HOLY BIBLE
ACTS Fifth book of the New Testament tracing growth of early church.
The
most significant help in discovering the author of Acts is simply recognizing
this book’s relationship to the Gospel of Luke: 1) Both books begin with a
greeting to a man named Theophilus (“friend of God”); 2) Acts’ greeting to
Theophilus refers to a previous writing; 3) The end of Luke intentionally
overlaps with the beginning of Acts to provide continuity between the two
volumes; 4) the author’s writing style, vocabulary, and attention to specific
themes remain constant throughout both books.
Consequently, the reader must
assume Acts was written by the same author as the gospel of Luke. In fact, many
Bible readers believe Luke-Acts is a single work which was divided into two
parts as the books of the New Testament were gathered together. The size of Luke
and Acts combined makes the author of these two books the chief contributor to
the New Testament, having written twenty-five percent of all Scripture from the
Christian era. Taken as a whole, Luke and Acts are a larger work than the
combined letters of Paul.
Once readers assume Luke and Acts come from the
same pen, they can begin to look for evidence within these books which points
toward the author’s identity. How can we tell the person who wrote these books
was named Luke?
The first piece of evidence comes in Luke 1:2. There, the writer states he
was not an eyewitness to the ministry of Jesus. This fact eliminates any of the
eleven disciples as candidates for authorship. Next, the “we” passages in Acts
also offer a major, internal clue to the identity of the book’s author. During
the account of Paul’s missionary journeys, the author occasionally changes his
style from that of a third person observer to a first person participant. In
Acts 16:10-17; 20:5-16; 21:1-18; and 27:1-28:16, the author speaks of “we” and
“us” in relationship to Paul’s travels. The language implies the author himself
traveled with Paul. These “we” sections include the time when Paul was
imprisoned at Rome. Scholars have determined Paul wrote Philemon, Colossians,
and the Pastoral Epistles during his house arrest in that city. By searching
those letters for references to Paul’s fellow workers, they compiled a list of
companions who could have written Luke and Acts. In 2 Timothy 4:11, Paul says,
“Only Luke is with me,” making him the most likely person to have written
Luke-Acts.
Students of the first century church confirm the likelihood of Luke’s
authorship with what they call the “negative” argument. This negative argument
recognizes the early church’s tendency to attribute the authorship of New
Testament works to recognized apostles and eyewitnesses of the ministry of the
Master. We have no reason to assume early Christians would have given credit for
the authorship of Luke-Acts to such an insignificant figure as Luke unless they
possessed firm evidence the doctor, traveling companion of Paul, did indeed
write this important document.
The facts surrounding the authorship of Acts
are not merely intended to bolster the knowledge of persons interested in Bible
trivia. Knowing Luke wrote Acts is crucial for understanding this book. Unless
readers see in Acts the continuation of themes and emphases which Luke began in
his Gospel, they will miss some of the most vital helps available to them for
interpreting Acts. Unless readers see the purpose of Acts as a direct
continuation of the purpose of Luke, they will miss the main thrust of the
book.
From Holman’s Bible Dictionary
QUOTABLE QUOTES: ABOUT ANGELS
“My GOD sent His angels, and He
shut the mouths of the lions.” They have not hurt me, because I was found
innocent in His sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before You, O
King.” Daniel 6:22.
One of the ministries of angels is to provide
protection over believers and children.
From: “In the Company of
Angels.” By Robert Strand
Submitted by: BMcC
REVELATION?
“Religion creates a system.
A Kingdom creates a life style.
Religions
have members.
A Kingdom is composed of its Citizens.”
Miles Monroe on the
Benny Hinn program 2-26-07 “Day Star Network”
Testimony Time: ‘THE OLD CAR’
The following excerpt was rewritten from a beautiful “HOMEGOING
Message.”
The Elderly Minister of the Gospel left this legacy: “She was never
heard to speak ill of anyone; and she loved the Lord.”
A young man decided to buy an old car that had need of many things; but for
the money it was alright. His father wasn’t overjoyed about his decision,
but he wanted the young man to learn how to make good choices, so he didn’t
contest his son’s decision.
The young man moved to the far country, taking his old car with him.
After a couple of months, the young man wired to his father: “Dad, the
tires are worn, and I’d like to get a new set. Will you help me?”
Without hesitation the father sent the young man enough money to place a
whole set of expensive tires on the car.
Two months passed again, and the young man, had more trouble with the old
car. This time it was the transmission. As before, he wired to his
father. “Dad, my transmission is failing; and they say that I
need a rebuilt or new one.”
Understandingly the father sent the necessary amount of money to restore
the old automobile. The son rejoiced again. He didn’t want to impose
on his father anymore than necessary; and as in the past, the father wired his
son the money that he would need.
Not even 1 month passed, and the young man found the car to have a problem
with the motor, and this time the motor couldn’t be fixed under
warranty. It would be better if he just bought a new motor, and all
of the things that it took to make it run.
The young man called his
father. Feeling very sorrowful, he told his story. The jubilant
father threw the young man a life preserver immediately, saying: “Son, it is now
time for you to junk that old car; and COME HOME!”
The young man surrendered his title to the old car, and went home.
Submitted by: JAT
NOTE: What choice will you make for the Lord, which will characterize
your life? TER
FRIDAY’S WORD: “Martyr” ONE WHO BEARS WITNESS OF THE TRUTH, AND
SUFFERS DEATH IN THE CAUSE OF CHRIST ( Acts 22:20; Rev. 2:13; 17:6). In this
sense Stephen was the first martyr. The Greek word so rendered in all other
cases is translated “witness.”
(1.) In a court of justice (Matt. 18:16;
26:65; Acts 6:13; 7:58; Heb. 10:28; 1 Tim. 5:19).
(2.) As of one bearing
testimony to the truth of what he has seen or known (Luke 24:48; Acts 1:8, 22;
Rom. 1:9; 1 Thess. 2:5, 10; 1 John 1:2).
From Easton’s Bible Dictionary
IN THE MIRROR:
There was a rich couple
who seemed to have everything except children. They wanted so much to have a
child— a son and an heir. They lived during a time when adopting a child was
much easier than it is today, so they went to an orphanage nearby to find a boy
to adopt as their own son.
After watching the children play for some time, they discovered they both
were attracted to a little red-haired, freckle-faced boy, about eight years old.
He appeared to be a leader and protector of the other children in spite of his
tender age— thoughtful and understanding. Surely, they said, this was the
perfect child for them, so they told the matron of their choice. “You made a
good choice,” she said. “Timothy is a very special boy.” She gave them a little
of his history which only served to strengthen their decision that he was just
right for them.
The matron went on to tell them the policy of the home was that the child
must also choose them as his parents. She made the arrangements for them to
spend time alone with Timothy to get to know him. Over the next several weeks
the couple spent a lot of time with Timothy and one evening they took him to an
elegant restaurant.
After dinner the couple explained that they wished to adopt him so he could
be their son. The boy received an extensive description of all his would-be
parents had to offer. They described their beautiful home, and a room of his
very own with the many toys they had already bought for him. Timothy had admired
the nice car and met the driver who would take him anywhere he wished to go. He
would have his own pony from their stables; he would go to the very best schools
and when he was older, he would have a job in the office and someday inherit all
the family wealth.
The youngster seemed interested but hesitant. Wondering at his indecision,
the couple asked, “What do you think? Would you like to be our boy and come live
with us? Timothy sat silent and confused, so the man asked, “What is it? Is
there something else you want? If there is, we can surely get it!”
Timothy was very wise for being only eight years old. “That all sounds
good,” he said, “and I like it a lot, but what I really want to know is, Would
You LOVE me? Cause if you won’t LOVE me, I’d rather stay at the
orphanage. I have a lots of friends there who LOVE me, and I LOVE them. If
you’re not going to LOVE me, I’d rather stay there.”
You see, even if the couple had been very poor, Timothy would not have
hesitated had they only told him they needed a boy to LOVE—a boy to make their
home a happy place. Perhaps they could not afford to promise him a lot of
things, but they would provide what he needed and would work hard to help him to
grow up to be a happy adult. They could have promised to LOVE him and to spend
time with him because of that LOVE. . . .
This was taken from; ‘Bits of
Sunshine;’ February/March 2007 Edition.
Even though this article was taken from their Newsletter Magazine, as far
as I’m concerned, it also came from on high to enter into our hearts and minds.
Their story is based on, “This is a lot like what Jesus has done for us;” and I
find it to be one of the most strengthening stories to be found anywhere.
It was my own emphasis on the word “LOVE” in re-writing this article,
because it is only in that four-letter word alone that we will truly, and
honestly comprehend the HEART, MIND, and the LOVE of GOD. If you’re a
first time reader, I have admitted to looking at, listening to, and reading
every book, article and magazine I could possibly get hold of, and there’s a lot
of difference’s between what my Bible tells me of Jesus, and much of what I hear
and see today.
The message of the young boy and the orphanage is metaphorically a story
that has been with me every since I was a youth coming up in a very difficult
and complex world. Being raised by my mother, my father was gone most of the
time, I didn’t have an older brother, and something told me as a boy, not
even a teenager that life was not going to be anything easy, and I did enough
craziness to prove my point. We were poor by every standard, meaning mom didn’t
have much to give my sister and I, but to this very day I still thank my mother
that she gave us both the most Important thing she could give us, and that was,
“A Mother’s Love.”
That’s why when I read this story, I could marvel at this little boy near
demanding what would ultimately be the most important component in this pending
adoption. Also what God has done in the earth in the form of loving’ Fathers and
Mothers is through them we can always have the reminder of what’s essential; a
good sense of morals; a honest value system; the need for discipline; how to
best determine our priorities; how to live with friends, family and neighbors;
the need to know how to discover truth from error; and to learn at the earliest
age possible our need to have a deepening relationship with God through our Lord
and Savior Jesus Christ.
To this day, I wish I had paid more attention in Sunday School, but I Thank
God for letting me live till this day that I can not only make up for that time,
but to determine to share and to give as much as possible to everyone you meet
because that’s God’s way.
In preparing for this article, I asked God to speak to my heart, no
different then has become a practice for me, with the only difference being I’m
asking for a greater level of honesty. Why, because without us being willing to
be honest before a living God, we’ll be stuck in the bonds of having a
“religion,” but no real “Faith” to go along with it. God showed me that the
reason we accept so many messages that are not scripturally sound is because we
can’t answer within our hearts the age old question that, “If God is Sovereign,
(which means ‘completely in control’) why is there so much suffering in the
world?”
Well, allow me the speak to you as a Pastor for a minute. . . Remember the
little orphan boy, Timothy? — What did he want most from his potential parents?
Good! I knew you were paying attention! “Love;” was the correct answer. The
incorrect answer was, “things” and nobody got it wrong. Praise the Lord, do you
see how fast we’re growing already? That’s why when we go to church, we don’t go
there for the purpose of how much we can “get” from God, but how much we can
“give”to God.
We go, and we serve, not on the basis so much as to what He’s
‘going’ to do, but on WHAT HE’S ALREADY DONE! . . .There’s a big difference you
know.
Did you read, or did you miss it, where Oswald Chambers said it like this;
“We would much rather work for God than believe in Him. Do I really believe that
God will do in me what I cannot do? . . .” [Page 4]
Suffering is totally pointless, without— PURPOSE. I hurt, and you
hurt, when we have to hear of the multiple tragedies and suffering all over the
world today. Maybe it didn’t hit in our backyard today, but we all have to come
face to face with the possibilities of tomorrow. If you live, there will be a
‘tomorrow.’
Listen closely; The world will face it with a lot of fear. There will be
uncertainty on every level. Our own secular ideas about life is not going to
change a thing. What is going to affect a difference, and make all the
difference is how you accept Jesus Christ and what you understand about
the Cross He bore for our sins. The Bible was given for our inheritance, don’t
live, or die without it. God Bless, SLC
These scriptures will be a tremendous help to you if you want to post or
memorize them.
John 3:16 - 17 (NKJV) 16For God so loved the world that He
gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but
have everlasting life. 17For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn
the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.
1 John 5:11 - 12
(NKJV) 11And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this
life is in His Son. 12He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son
of God does not have life.
John 16:33 (NKJV) 33These things I have spoken to
you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you £will have tribulation; but
be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
Romans 12:1 - 2 (NKJV) 1I
beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your
bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable
service. 2And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the
renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and
perfect will of God.
John 6:35 (NKJV) 35And Jesus said to them, “I am the
bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me
shall never thirst.
Matthew 5:3 - 11 (NKJV) 3 “Blessed are the poor in
spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are those who mourn, For
they shall be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the
earth. 6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they
shall be filled. 7 Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy. 8
Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God. 9 Blessed are the
peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God. 10 Blessed are those who are
persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11“Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil
against you falsely for My sake.
Revelation 3:20 - 21 (NKJV) 20Behold, I
stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will
come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. 21To him who overcomes I will
grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My
Father on His throne. SLC
O TASTE AND
SEE!
SEAFOOD GUMBO
INGREDIENTS:
1 CUP BUTTER OR MARGARINE
2 TBLSPS. ALL PURPOSE
FLOUR
2 CUPS LIQUID (WATER AND A LITTLE SEAFOOD JUICE)
2 CUPS CUT
OKRA
PEELED AND CUBED TOMATOES
1 LARGE ONION CHOPPED
1 SMALL GREEN
PEPPER CHOPPED
1 TSP. TOBASCO PEPPER SAUCE; SEAFOOD
JUICE;
TSP. THYME; BAY LEAF;
2 CUP
SHRIMP, OYSTERS, CRAB MEAT, OR A COMBINATION OF YOUR CHOICE.
3 CUPS
HOT COOKED RICE
DIRECTIONS:MELT BUTTER IN SAUCE PAN. BLEND IN FLOUR OVER
LOW HEAT, STIRRING CONSTANTLY UNTIL DARK BROWN.
ADD LIQUIDS; AND THEN ALL OTHER INGREDIENTS EXCEPT SEAFOOD. BRING TO A
BOIL; COVER SIMMER AND COOK 30MINUTES.
ADD SEAFOOD, AND COOK
ADDITIONAL 10 TO 15 MINUTES LONGER. (REMOVE BAY LEAF)
SERVE IN SOUP BOWLS, WITH MOUND OF RICE IN THE CENTER.
NOW THAT’S GOOD EATING . . . THANKS WHS.
IT REALLY WAS EASY, AND SO GOOD. ENJOY!