We are Laodicea

Have you ever read the letters to the seven churches? We are Laodicea!

(We) say,"I am rich. I've become wealthy and don't need anything." But (we) don't realize how pitiful and miserable we have become. (We) are poor, blind and naked (spiritually). -Rev.3:17


We are a nation that knows the word of God and believes the Word of God, but does not feast on the Word of God. We eat spiritual crumbs. We have fire insurance. We know we are going to Heaven through belief in Jesus Christ, and have stopped there in large part. There are exceptions, of course. There are many who I know that have a wonderful relationship with Jesus, and relish in growing closer to God. I know of many miracles and testimonies in our close circle, and that is the way it is meant to be! God's treasures are in Heaven, but they are meant to be enjoyed on earth as well.."On Earth as it is in Heaven!!"



I just got done reading a book by Heidi Baker, a missionary in Mozambique. Her stories are amazing. One of the stories that starts off the book, Compelled by Love, is a vision she had concerning the Western Church. She had a vision where she looked out at the well-fed comfortable audiences of the western church, and super imposed over them were images of the starving, bloated bellies and emaciated faces of her Mozambican children. God told her to love the spiritually starving in the western church. May we all yearn to become closer to God and may we all become spiritually rich! May we fall head over heals in love with Jesus, just as he already is with us!!!

Our goal is to become so in love with Jesus that His love fills us to overflowing. When we are overflowing with Jesus' love, it overflows onto everything we do, everyone we meet. We will find that we desire to help the poor, desire to spread the happiness that Jesus has created in us! May we gain such an enthusiastic faith that we can't help but share it with others! That is what we are meant to be, and everything else pales in comparison.

Fear Not... the Truth shall make you Free!!

Do you know what command is seen most frequently in the Bible? .... Fear Not!

It the most frequent command from our Lord! The ONLY thing to fear is the Lord, our God!!! He is the only one worthy of our fear!

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This week I received a whole new understanding of the verse, "You will know the truth, and the truth will make you free. (John 8:32)"

What is truth? "...Your Word is Truth!!! (John 17:17)"

I have realized the importance of knowing the Truth of Scripture to be able to stand against the lies of the enemy, and the truth has made me free!!!

I have found lately, especially when struggling with fear, when I hold to the truth... in this case, that only the Lord Jesus Christ is worthy of my fear and my worship, I can reject the lie that is fear of everything else.

I found a great anti-fear verse yesterday... it talks about the antidote to fear, LOVE!

I love truth and love! They are the polar opposite to fear.

So, 1 John 4:16-19
"We have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and the one who remains in love remains in God, and God remains in him. In this, love is perfected with us so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment; for we are as He is in this world. There is no fear in love; instead perfect love drives out fear because fear involves punishment. So the one who fears has not reached perfection in love. We love because He loved us first!"

This paragraph is so often quoted that almost everyone is familiar with portions of it, but I had never heard taught what I am about to point out...

The antidote to fear: "The one who fears has not reached perfection in love". Why have I not heard this more strongly emphasized? I have been fearful for so long, and it has all been centered on lies, and the truth has set me free.. but now I know what to do if I ever find myself becoming fearful again, it is probably because I am believing some lie, or because I have not reached perfection in love. So, if we find ourselves fearful, LOVE MORE! Draw near to God and concentrate on His love and your love for Him. His promises to be your shelter, the fact that "He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world". The fact that God is "in your midst" and "near", that He is our "dwelling place" and our "strong fortress".

Do a concordance search on "God is". That guy is nothing short of absolutely amazing! He is cooler that Superman! When I read the results of that concordance search, it gave me greater insight into the true nature of God! God is Love!

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Article

Biblical Answers to Negative Emotions: Fear

New year, New project...

I am currently reading through the New Testament, and while doing so have gotten a couple of big ideas. I tend to give more credence to ideas that pop up while reading the Bible or praying, especially ideas that seem especially uncharacteristic of my own thinking. And that is why I am going ahead with the 'Local Charity Art Auction at the Grand Ledge Opera House' idea.


I have no experience with gathering donations or organizing charity auctions, but hey... why not! Sounds like fun!! (and a bit intimidating, but we'll ignore that part for now) So, it begins!!

Here is the general premise, I went to bed a couple weeks ago all excited about getting rid of all my stuff and selling it off to charity. Total Luke 12:33. I went to bed dreaming of all the things I can sell, and than woke up realizing I don't have a stinking clue how to do it! So, fast forward a couple weeks and I was reading and this full blown idea popped into my head. A Local Charity Art Auction at the Grand Ledge Opera House with proceeds going to a local food bank. It should be a good time, getting to know all the local artists and getting affiliated with the local charity community. A night at the opera house surrounded by cool people and art from local artists doesn't sound half bad... So, now I just have to figure out how.