The news unfolded this afternoon. Michael Jackson is dead.
Michael Jackson is dead. The reports brought Twitter to it’s knees. The news channels are now on the 24/7 with it all.
Here are some quotes I heard.
An American Icon.
Another Elvis.
Innovative.
One of the biggest stars of all time.
A Legend.
Passionate.
A Wonder.
A great loss for America.
On Fox, Sheppard Smith said, “I sense that the next few days will become a true ‘American Event’”.
It is true, Michael Jackson was talented, creative, and eccentric. He was my age, so I grew up and listened to all the reports. From the publicity stunts to the tragedies of choices he made, I know he didn’t want to face death. In the 80’s he even spent time in a hyperbolic chamber in order to ensure amazing longevity.
What if you were to be surprised by your death? What if your family discovered that you were gone from this life?
Legacy, sure we all think about this. Regrets, they are ongoing in life. Do-overs? Yes, we want those, too. But the most important thing to answer is this? ARE YOU READY TO MEET YOUR MAKER? Do you know and love the God who made you to know and to love. He loves you so much. In fact the Bible tells of the peace you find when you do discover this truth. Peace in storms, decisions, relationships, difficulties, sickness, etc., etc.
Hebrews 9:27-28 And just as each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment, so also Christ died once for all time as a sacrifice to take away the sins of many people. He will come again, not to deal with our sins, but to bring salvation to all who are eagerly waiting for him.
For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does .The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 2 Corinthians 10:3-4
WHAT LIES HOLD US HOSTAGE?
LIE: GOD CAN’T CHANGE ME
TRUTH: …we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so that we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. Ephesians 2:10 NLT
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation ; the old has gone, the new has come! 2 Corinthians 5:17-18
THE STRATEGY of THOUGHTS AND OVERCOMING LIES
1. CAPTURE WRONG THOUGHTS.
We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:5
…whatever is true…noble…right…pure…lovely…admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things. Philippians 4:8
2. SPEAK TRUTH.
The tongue has the power of life and death… Proverbs 18:21
May the words of my mouth and the thoughts of my heart be pleasing to you, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer. Psalms 19:14 NLT
3. DON’T GIVE UP.
To this end I labor, struggling with all His energy, which so powerfully works in me. Colossians 1:29-2:1
…But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:13-14
If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you… Genesis 4:7
“…but you must master it.” Genesis 4:7
HOW TO MASTER YOUR ADDICTIONS
1) TURN TO GOD.
Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires…but rather offer yourselves to God…For sin shall not be your master… Romans 6:12-14
WHO OR WHAT IS YOUR LORD?
Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord. Acts 3:19
2) SHARE THE FINAL 10 Percent — in order to become fully accountable. Don’t just give 90 percent.
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed… James 5:16
• FIND ACCOUNTABILITY.
• CREATE A CLIMATE OF ACCEPTANCE.
• KEEP IT IN THE ROOM.
3) FIGHT FOR FREEDOM.
“For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.”
2 Corinthians 10:3-4
WEAPONS FOR FREEDOM:
• IRRATIONAL OBEDIENCE
• CONFIDENCE IN GOD’S WORD
• MILITANT PRAYER
“No temptation has seized you except that which is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13
On September 28, 2008 learn how to BREAK FREE! Or help someone else BREAK FREE from addictions. More information at RestoringHope.com, the Central Assembly in El Sobrante, California website.
Here’s a very brief excerpt of the message notes from the September 21, 2008 message on WORRY:
Perhaps they will be a help to you or a friend you have. Remember, ALL THINGS are POSSIBLE with God!
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 NKJV
…Do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Matthew 6:25
STOP THE STRANGLE-HOLD OF WORRY
1) I WILL DO WHAT GOD ASKS ME TO DO.
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. James 1:22
• Think on the right things.
• Do what is wise.
2) I WILL GIVE GOD WHAT I CANNOT DO.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7
3) NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS, I WILL TRUST GOD.
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself… Matthew 6:33-34
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6
Here’s a very brief excerpt of the message notes from the September 14, 2008 message on BITTERNESS:
Perhaps they will be a help to you or a friend you have. Remember, ALL THINGS are POSSIBLE with God!
Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. 15 See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many. Heb 12:14-15
BITTER PEOPLE
1) Justify their bitterness.
2) Become overly critical.
3) Secretly celebrate misfortunes.
4) Write-off entire groups of people.
5) Struggle to see bitterness in the mirror.
Question: WITH WHOM OR WHAT WHAT ARE YOU BITTER?
HOW DO YOU KILL THE ROOT OF BITTERNESS?
Pull the roots . . .
KILL BITTERNESS WITH FORGIVENESS.
Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.Eph 4:31-32
Sometimes we don’t really know what to do when someone we loves leaves us. I found this list of help that may be useful to you or me in the future. It’s at eHow.com. Hope it brings help to someone.
All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.2 Corinthians 1:3-4
You have probably heard of S.A.D. where light deficiency becomes a problem for some people during the low-light become depressed. It is also known as Winter Depression.
Now, I’m not sure this winter and it’s dim and cloudy days had that kind of effect on me, but I have really been glad the past few days here in Northern California. For like 6 or 7 days in a row it has been sunny and mild, like near 70 degrees! Although I love the “seasons” weather-wise, I REALLY love the spring and summer. Mild weather and riding on winding roads on my motorcycle or spending time at the coast are just awesome to me.
Of course we all have these “seasons” in life, too. Dim and cloudy skies, longer nights, colder feelings. They are all there with a time-line that sometimes seems endless. Depressing.
Well, let me leave you with these verses to encourage you. Because I know with faith in God we actually have hope no matter the season. Here you go!
Psalm 30:5 (NLT)… weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.
Psalms 112:4 (MSG)Sunrise breaks through the darkness for good people— God’s grace and mercy and justice!
May God bless you with discomfort at easy answers, half truths, and superficial relationships, so that you may live deep within your heart.
May God bless you with anger at injustice, oppression, and exploitation of people, so that you may work for justice, freedom and peace.
May God bless you with tears to shed for those who suffer from pain, rejection, starvation, and war, so that you may reach out your hand to comfort them and to turn their pain in to joy.
And may God bless you with enough foolishness to believe that you can make a difference in this world, so that you can do what others claim cannot be done.
The news unfolded this afternoon. Michael Jackson is dead.
Posted by revtim 
For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does .The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 2 Corinthians 10:3-4
Posted by revtim 
If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you… Genesis 4:7
Posted by revtim 
Here’s a very brief excerpt of the message notes from the September 21, 2008 message on WORRY:
Here’s a very brief excerpt of the message notes from the September 14, 2008 message on BITTERNESS:
