The Body of Christ!!!!

When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues[a] as the Spirit enabled them. Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard them speaking in his own language.

Utterly amazed, they asked: "Are not all these men who are speaking Galileans? Then how is it that each of us hears them in his own native language? Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome (both Jews and converts to Judaism Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!" Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, "What does this mean?" Some, however, made fun of them and said, "They have had too much wine.[b]"

Peter Addresses the Crowd Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: "Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. These men are not drunk, as you suppose. It's only nine in the morning! No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: " 'In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.

Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy. 19I will show wonders in the heaven above and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and billows of smoke. The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord. And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.'[c]

"Men of Israel, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know. This man was handed over to you by God's set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men,[d] put him to death by nailing him to the cross. But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him. David said about him: " 'I saw the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will live in hope, because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay. You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence.'[e] Acts 2:1-28

May 31st 2009 celebrates Pentecost weekend. Thank God for the Holy Spirit at work within us. It is great to know that we can rejoice and be gald, that we are not abandoned or orphaned. It is wonderful to know that we are filled with His presence and Joy. Lead us to LIFE and LIFE more abundant. Guide us into paths of Righteousness for your namesake.

Blessings from Nashville,
Todd

The Ultimate Sacrifice!!!

Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

Do all things without murmurings and disputings: That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain. - - Philippians 2:3-16


On this Memorial day 2009 let us take a look not only at the sacrifice of those who have helped preserve our nation and the freedoms we experience, but also unto Jesus Christ the author and finisher of our Faith. Men and Women in our country have taken on the needs of others to protect our nation.

Take a hold of the WORD of LIFE and work out your salvation. In the nation of America, we need to stand and raise the WORD of LIFE held high for all to see that OUR GOD Reigns. The sacrifices of the men and women who have fought for our nation have been built on the principles of the WORD.

How much more should we honor the GOD of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob daily with our life as the Kingdom we are called to be a part of is without end. ETERNITY reigning with the KING of Kings and Lord of Lords.

God promises us that at the name of Jesus everyone will confess and bow down. Hold fast to the profession of your faith during the hour that we live in. Don't live your life in vain. Give honor and glory to whom it is due. Walk in a way that leads you to Life and Life more abundant.

Blessings from Nashville,
Todd

Occupy Till I come!

He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return. And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us. And it came to pass, that when he was returned, having received the kingdom, then he commanded these servants to be called unto him, to whom he had given the money, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading. Then came the first, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds. And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities - Luke 19:12-17

Occupy till I come is overlooked so often in this parable that Jesus spoke to the people in Jericho. We need to realize that Jesus has ascended back to Heaven and the Holy Spirit is now at work within us here on this earth. The parable tells of the need to occupy till the nobleman came back. As we are found faithful to God and His Kingdom occupying and doing Kingdom business more authority is poured out on us to operate in enlarged territories for the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Each of us should evaluate our faithfulness with the things that God has given us authority over in our lives. The idea of being faithful in a very little is key. Our understanding of humility, pondering, & the boldness that Stephen had can direct us even further in the understanding of this parable.


Blessings from Nashville,
Todd

God's Faithfulness

In our hour of deepest need God is at work when we can not see it. He uses this time to refine us as Gold. He takes us to the very edge of our seat to teach us dependence, full trust, and reliance on Him. As your heart breaks and you believe you can take no more, God parts the sea and you step onto dry land. He hears our cry. Our transparency with each other in our need, shows our humanity and His Divinity. He answers according to His will not ours. He knows your every need. He is the sustainer of all life and life everlasting. He promised us that His Kingdom would take place here on Earth as it is in Heaven. He is your JEHOVAH-JIREH....

Blessings from Nashville,
Todd

This is the only Life for me

I pray these song lyrics minister to your spirit as they have mine.

The world tries to give me reasons why I shouldn’t serve the Lord.
They say don’t believe it if you cant touch or see it.
It must not be worth living for.
Well They can say what they will, but my hope is built on more than the eye can see
And I am proud to say this is the only life for me

And the Longer I know him the more that his peace is abiding in me.
And my love is deeper now than when I first believed.
Though the pathway he leads me may not be easy.
Sometimes I don’t understand
Well I still have to say this is the only life for me.

He never promised all of my days would turn out right
I have had my share of trouble when life is a struggle
And the sun just refuses to shine
But in my darkest hour I find the power that gives me the
Strength I need.

And I am here to say this is the only life for me.

Love and Blessings from Nashville,
Todd

He Heard My Cry!!!!

I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart. - Psalm 40:1,8.

Blessings from Nashville,
Todd