The surrendered life

- David Wilkerson, January 2002 -

 "Surrender." What does this word tell you? In literal terms, surrender means to give up something to another person. It also means to relinquish something granted to you. This could include your possessions, power, goals, even your life.

Christians today hear much about the surrendered life. But what does it mean, exactly? The surrendered life is the act of giving back to Jesus the life he granted you. It's relinquishing control, rights, power, direction, all the things you do and say. It's totally resigning your life over to his hands, to do with you as he pleases.

Jesus himself lived a surrendered life: "I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me" (John 6:38). "I seek not mine own glory" (8:50). Christ never did anything on his own. He made no move and spoke no word without being instructed by the Father. "I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things...for I do always those things that please him" (8:28-29).

Jesus' full surrender to the Father is an example of how we all should live. You may say, "Jesus was God in flesh. His life was surrendered before he even came to earth." But the surrendered life is not imposed on anyone, including Jesus.

Read more HERE.

12 Things You Need to Really Get Rid of in the Next 12 Months

- Lolly Daskal in Inc. -

"In 12 months you can be a more successful, more productive, more effective leader. You just have to get rid of these 12 bad habits.

If you want the next 12 months to be different than the past 12 months, look at your habits.
   Changing a habit, especially a bad one, is among the most powerful forces you can employ to make your life and business better.

   Here are 12 habits many of us repeatedly struggle with. If you recognize yourself in any of these, you really need to get rid of them--and this time next year, you could be free of the consequences they cause."

Christians See Parallels Between Rise Of Islamic Terrorism And End Times

- Prophesy News Watch -

"While there are differing versions about end-time eschatology, an overall increase in the belief we are living in the end-times shortly before the return of Jesus Christ coincides with the rise of ISIS and their attempt to bring in similar Islamic based prophesies regarding the end.

   Many have been lamenting President Obama’s ISIS strategy, saying they do not believe he has a plan to deal with the threat of terrorism, both here and abroad. This theme has played a major role in recent Republican debates as the candidates have all criticized the president for even refusing to use the term Islamic terrorism for fear of offending Muslims. However, many fail to realize the theological implications that motivate many in the Muslim world. This failure prevents our leaders from coming up with an adequate strategy to defeat an enemy motivated by religious fervor.

   ISIS, including the governments of Iran and other Muslim counties, believe they are commanded to fight against all non-Muslims, as well as those Muslims they consider apostate, until Jesus comes back to put down the anti-Christ. However, unlike Christians who believe that Jesus will come back to put all nations under his feet, they believe Jesus will submit to Allah."

Day of the Locusts

David Wilkerson, December 2001

In Revelation 8, we read of seven angels sounding off trumpets. These mighty horn-blasts warn all of humankind about awesome calamities coming upon the earth.

The first four blasts warn of incredible pollution that poisons the trees, grass, rivers and seas, as well as the air. Waters become bitter, and skies darken over one-third of the earth.

Then, in chapter 9, a fifth warning comes. It describes a worldwide invasion of locusts:

"There came out of the smoke locusts upon the earth: and unto them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power" (Revelation 9:3).

Who is behind this terrifying swarm of locusts?

Read more HERE.

Salvation Army Today - 12.15.2015 - Our Christmas Gift; Angel Tree Program

The Salvation Army in the Australia Southern Territory has shared in the joy of the holidays with Our Christmas Gift, a concert spectacular held in the city of Melbourne. Featuring several well-known Australian entertainers, the Melbourne Staff Band and a 130 strong community choir, this annual event was celebrated with five thousand people in the famous Hamer Hall, as well as beaming live into Federation Square in the heart of Melbourne. Our Christmas Gift is The Salvation Army’s way of saying ‘thank you’ to the people of Australia for their ongoing support.

It´s Thursday - Reflections om Genesis (54)

They told him(Jacob), “Joseph is alive! In fact, he is the ruler of all Egypt.” Jacob was stunned; he did not believe them,' Genesis 45:26. 

Had you been Jacob and believed your son to be dead for over 20 years, what would your response have been to the news the brothers brought back from Egypt?

Obviously Jacob was shocked at what he heard. It was unbelievable. It reminds us of the reaction of the disciples at the news, 'Jesus is alive,' that first Easter morning: how none of them would believe without evidence. Only as each disciple met with the risen Lord, did they believe.

Jacob, on seeing the evidence of the carts,(v 27), (and no doubt the 'best things of Egypt' v23, that Pharaoh sent), believed. We believe in heaven, not because of what others have told us or even what the bible says, (as true as that is). No! We believe because of the evidence, the taste of it that we have now, the presence of Jesus  within us made possible by the Holy Spirit. (1 John 5:9–12). The things that were sent from Egypt were convincing proof that what the brothers were saying was true. Our personal experience, here and now, of the presence of Jesus in our hearts is convincing evidence that what we have been told and what the bible says, is true. God bless you all.

An Ever-Increasing Faith

David Wilkerson - August 2001

"The apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith" (Luke 17:5).

The men who comprised Christ's close circle were asking something important of their master. They wanted a greater understanding of the meaning and workings of faith. They were saying, in essence, "Lord, what sort of faith do you desire from us? Give us a revelation of the kind that pleases you. We want to grasp faith in its fullest meaning."

On the surface, their request seems commendable. Yet I believe the disciples asked this of Jesus because they were confused. In the previous chapter, Christ had baffled them, saying, "He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much...If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?" (16:10-11).

Jesus knew his followers' flesh wanted to avoid what they considered to be the lesser matters of faith. So he told them, "If you're faithful in the little things, the foundational matters of faith, you'll be faithful in the greater things too. So, prove yourself trustworthy in the basic requirements of faith. Otherwise, how can you be trusted with a deeper measure?"

If we're honest, we'll admit we're much like Jesus' disciples. We also want to proceed straight to the larger matters of faith, to obtain the kind of faith that moves mountains. And, like the disciples, we often judge faith by visible results.

Read more HERE.