how HE loves us!!!

God is good and we forget His goodness and how much He loves us. I hope we never forget how much He loves us. Remember that we were bought with a price, we were not cheap and our salvation is precious. It was the blood of Jesus that sets us free, it is the blood of Jesus that gives us freedom to come before God's presence and just be loved by Him. It is that blood that gives us the right to come before the Father and it is in His presence that we receive His love, forgiveness and mercy.

Let us not take the blood for granted because without it there is no salvation, without there is not redemption, without the blood there is no HOPE! 

Give up the illusion

Devotional for today from Sarah Young's book Jesus Calling:

GIVE UP THE ILLUSION that you deserve a problem-free. Part of you is still hungering for the resolution of all difficulties. This is a false hope! As I told My disciples, in the world you will have trouble. Link your hope not to problem solving in this life to but to the promise of an eternity of problem-free life in heaven. Instead of seeking perfection in this fallen world, pour your energy into seeking Me: the Perfect One.

It is possible to enjoy Me and glorify Me in the midst of adverse circumstances. In fact, My Light shines most brightly through believers who trust Me in the dark. That kind of trust is supernatural: a production of My indwelling Spirit. When things seem all wrong, trust Me anyway. I am much less interested in right circumstances than in right responses to whatever comes your way.

I have told you all this that you may have peace in Me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.

John 16:33

Light shines in the darkness for the godly.

They are generous, compassionate and righteous.

They do not fear bad news;

they confidently trust the LORD to take care of them.

Psalm 112:4, 7

Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on Haiti

Yet when they were ill, I grieved for them

I denied myself by fasting for them

but my prayers returned answered

I was sad, as though they were my friends or family

as if I were grieving for my own mother

Psalm 35:13-14

I am sure we have all heard of what happened in Haiti, we have seen images that have left us speechless. So many people dead, so many without a home, without family, children without parents, parents without their children. What has happened has truly shaken the entire world.

I am part of Maranatha World Revival Ministries (http://maranathausa.com/index_english.htm) and we have 16 churches in Haiti, 12 have been accounted for, 6 pastors died and an entire congregation perish the day the earthquake hit. They had service that day and the church was full, there we no survivors. Our Ministries around the world are sending whatever they can to Haiti, money is easiest thing to send right now. We have churches in Santo Domingo (Dominican Republic) the national director of the Santo Domingo has been crossing the border to Haiti to bring medical supplies and food to the people. $1000 has feed 200, 12 children have been placed in homes in Santo Domingo and by the end of this year our church (headquarters in Chicago) plans to have a orphanage for all the kids that were left without parents. But that was only the beginning of what this ministry is doing to help our brothers and sisters in Haiti.

In times of crisis is when the body of Christ needs to arise. We need to cry out for our nation and for this world, things are not going to get easier and it is our duty to stand in the gap, in prayer, fasting and supplication. We need to cry out, ask for mercy. We need God's mercy.

May God bless you and please keep the nation of Haiti and our nation in prayer. We all need it!

a New habit

From the book Jesus Calling by Sarah Young, a devotional:

I WANT YOU TO LEARN A NEW HABIT. Try saying, "I trust You, Jesus" in response to whatever happens to you. If there is time, think about who I am in all My Power and Glory; ponder also the depth and breadth of My love for you. 

This simple practice will help you see Me in every situation, acknowledging My sovereign control over the universe. When you view events from this perspective-- through the Light of My universal Presence--fear loses its grip on you. Adverse circumstances become growth opportunities when you affirm your trust in Me no matter what. You receive blessings gratefully, realizing they flow directly from My hand of grace. Your continual assertion of trusting Me will strengthen our relationship and keep you close to Me.


2  I have seen you in your sanctuary
and gazed upon your power and glory.
Psalm 63:2

 10  Yes, the Sovereign Lord is coming in power.
He will rule with a powerful arm.
See, he brings his reward with him as he comes.

 11  He will feed his flock like a shepherd.
He will carry the lambs in his arms
holding them close to his heart
He will gently lead the mother sheep with their young.

Isaiah 40:10-11

 7  I can never escape from your Spirit!
I can never get away from your presence!

 8  If I go up to heaven, you are there;
if I go down to the grave,* you are there.

 9  If I ride the wings of the morning,
if I dwell by the farthest oceans,

 10  even there your hand will guide me,
and your strength will support me.

Psalm 139:7-10

YOU are

Written by a friend. A beautiful expression of Who GOD is and will always be.


You Remain the same yesterday ,today, and Forever
You are still Faithful, even when I am filled with Unbelief
You are still Good, Even when I am surrounded with destruction
You are still Able, even when hope is lost
You are still Fair, even when injustice surrounds me
You are still a Friend, even when I am against you
You are still Near, even when I am Distant
You are still my Creator,The author of my Life, even during the times when I am not who you meant for me to be
You still Provide, even when I am Ungrateful
You still Desire me, even when I Disrespect you
You still Invite me to be with you, even if I am unworthy
You still call me yours, even when I don’t love you with all of my heart, mind, soul, and strength
You are still a present help, even when I am overwhelmed with trouble
You are still Stable, even when everything else Shatters
You are still Mighty, even when I am faced with Impossibility
You are still Watchful over me, even when I am hiding
You still Seek me & Draw Close,Even when im Resisting
You still Comfort me, Even when im Unresponsive
You still Breathe on me, even when i am Unmoved
You are still Burning within me, Even when my heart is Callous
You still Touch me & Hold me, even when i am Unclean and Impure
You still Treasure & Cherish me above all things, even when im mediocre
Your Love still Inspires & Compells me, Even in my Dullness
You still create Beauty, even when there is nothing but Ashes
You still Impose order and Peace, even if there is Nothing but Chaos
You are still my Song of Joy, My Smile& Laughter,even in the midst of my pain
You still Multiply, even if there is Lack
You still Heal, Even in my Recklessness
You still Guide, Even in my neglectfulness
You still Defend& Protect me, even in my Vulnerability
You are still Light, even when in the midst of Darkness
You are still Freedom, even when there is Bondage
You are still Sovereign, even in the midst of Turmoil
You are still Trustworthy, even in my Disbelief
You still share Wisdom, even in my Foolishness
You still give Understanding, even in my Confusion
You still Remain, even when everything else Perishes
You are still Unchanging, even when My Heart Questions
You are still my Strength& Power, even when I am Tired and Weak
You are still Joy, even in the midst of Mourning
You are still Passionate, even though I am Weary
You are still Life , even in the midst of Death
You are still Confident, even when I am Broken
You are still Present, even when I am Lost
You are still my Destination, even when Im Wandering on the Wrong path
You are still Purpose, even in the midst of Insecurity
You are still my Assurance, even in my Shame
You are still Enthroned& in Control, even when I am rebellious
You are still Eternal, even when Life Fades
You still Rescue& Restore me, even when I am entangled in the depths of sin
You still Listen, even when complaining is all I have, in my misunderstanding
You are still Relentless& Patient, even when I am Stubborn
You still Speak, even when i am Inattentive
You still Intercede for me, even In my Carelessness
You still Believe in me, even In my Ignorance
You still fulfill your plans and purposes, even when im constantly making wrong choices& decisions
You are still Kind, even when I am Inconsiderate
You still speak Truth to me, even when I choose to only hear lies
You still Accept me, even when i am Disloyal
You still command my Victories, even when I am Overcome
You Still Remember your Promises, even when ive Forgotten your commands
You Still Fight for me, Even in the midst of Accusations & Threats
You still carry my Burdens, even though they were my Mistakes
You are still Great, even in the midst of my Defeat
You still Delight in me, even when I am Unbearable
You still Forgive, even though I am Undeserving
You are still my Atonement & Righteousness, even in my Delinquency
You still work out all things for my good, even when I only expect the worse
You are still Love, even when I am Unfaithful
You are still my God , even when I deny you and have forgotten what you’ve done and who you’ve been to me

He is still Holy, He is still Worthy, He is Still God in the midst of nothing or everything. He is the One Who was, Who is , and Who is to come. He remains the same Yesterday, Today, and Forever. He is the Beginning and the End, He is the Fair Judge, The King of Glory, The Ancient of Days, He Reigns, He Rules, He will be Exalted in all the earth. Before creation He Was. He envisioned creation, He spoke existence, He set the Hands of time in Motion, He is outside of Time, HE is eternal. How Great are his signs and How Mighty are his wonders, His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, His dominion is from Generation to Generation, He is the King Eternal, Immortal, invisible, The only wise God who Honor and Glory Be forever. The Lord is the True God, He is the Living God, all things were Created by him and for him, He is Omnipotent, all powerful, with him all things are possible, for there is nothing to hard for him, Darkness is light to him. He is Omnipresent, he is ever present, For what can I say? What can I do? Where can I go from his presence? If I ascend up into heaven he is there, If I make my bed in Hell, Behold he is there too, wherever I am , he is still with me, leading me and holding me. He is Omniscient, for he knows all things! Nothing in all creation is hidden from Gods sight, Everything is Uncovered, Naked, Laid Bare and opened before his eyes, For he knows the depths of that in which he meticulously designed and created.

He is All Together Holy & Perfect
He is All Together Good, Fair, Merciful, and Compassionate
He is All Together the Greatest Love, Even in the midst of Imperfection

Happy New Year

New year, new expectations, challenges, trials, but lets try to stay positive!

Return to the stronghold,

You prisoners of hope.

Even today I declare

That I will restore double to you.

Zechariah 9:12

That is God's promise to you, if you did not take hold of that promise last year, this is the year. Have an expectation of things God will do in your life, hold on fast to them and just wait. God is faithful and He always provides for His people. Become not a prisoner of sorrow, envy, lust, anxiety but rather become a prisoner of HOPE. As prisoners are bound to jail, be bound to God, make Him your stronghold, make Him your refuge. If you don't understand something go to Him, for He is the wisdom of all ages. If you can't do something, let Him for nothing is impossible for Him. If you are weary, He will give you rest.

But you must become a prisoner of HOPE.

And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is LOVE.

1 Corinthians 13:13

"FAITH is what sustains you, HOPE is what propels you, & LOVE is what keeps you." -Pastor Nahum Rosario