Jesus meets our needs- Anne Graham Lotz

Jesus Meets Our Needs "And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself." John 12:32, NKJV Often, when I arrive in a city to participate in some conference or seminar, the organizers will take me aside and tell me privately about the various people who will be attending. They describe the multitude. People with broken hearts and broken homes and broken dreams and broken hopes. And then they say, "Anne, we want you to know about someone in particular because we're hoping you will say something that will meet his or her needs." If I accepted that burden, I would be crushed under it! There's no way I can meet all those needs, so I usually respond with something like, "That's impossible! There are too many diverse needs. I can't address them all individually. But I can just give them Jesus." And again and again, I have seen Jesus personally meet the spiritual needs of the multitude - one by one. Jesus has given me ample resources to meet the spiritual needs of others because He has given me Himself and He has given me His Word. Blessings, Anne Graham Lotz AnGeL Ministries Website

insight.org Charles Swindoll message

December 28, 2012 Let God Build Your House by Charles R. Swindoll Unless the LORD builds the house, they labor in vain who build it. Psalm 127:1 Here's the idea. During those all-important early months and years of marriage, make sure that the Lord your God is the heart and center of your family! If He is not, the whole experience is a study in futility---a wasted, empty, counterproductive effort. It will all be in vain. He doesn't have in mind a home that hangs a lot of religious mottos on the walls or a couple that simply goes to church regularly or offers up a quick prayer before meals or places a big Bible on the living room coffee table. No, the essential ingredient is "the Lord." A family gets started on the right foot when Jesus Christ is in each life (husband and wife are both born again), and when the lengthening shadow of His Lordship pervades that relationship. When a couple makes Christ a vital part of their life, in the terms of the psalm, that's when "the Lord builds the house." Excerpted from Charles R. Swindoll, Wisdom for the Way (Nashville: J. Countryman, a division of Thomas Nelson, Inc., 2001). Copyright © 2001 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

“God with us” (Christmas message by Charles Spurgeon)

Recently, I saw a powerful video clip from a Charles Spurgeon called "God with us". I plan to share this tomorrow morning as part of 10:30 Celebration Service sermon. Below is part of the text from the 1854 Charles Spurgeon that word in the clip were taken from. Now we come to close with THE NAME OF CHRIST—“And shall call His name Immanuel.” 6 The Birth of Christ Sermon #2392 6 www.spurgeongems.org Volume 40 I hoped, dear Friends, that I would have my voice this morning, that I might talk about my Master’s name. I hoped to be allowed to drive along in my swift chariot, but, as the wheels are taken off, I must be content to go as I can. We sometimes creep when we cannot go and go when we cannot run, but oh, here is a sweet name to close up with—“She shall call His name Immanuel.” Others in the olden time called their children by names which had meaning in them. They did not give them the names of eminent persons whom they would very likely grow up to hate, and wish they had never heard of! They had names full of meaning which recorded some circumstance of their birth. There was Cain—“I have gotten a man from the Lord,” said his mother, and she called him Cain, that is, “Gotten,” or, “Acquired.” There was Seth—that is, “Appointed,” for his mother said, “God has appointed me another seed instead of Abel.” Noah means “Rest,” or, “Comfort.” Ishmael was so called by his mother because God had heard her. Isaac was called, “Laughter,” because he brought laughter to Abraham’s home. Jacob was called the supplanter, or the crafty one, because he would supplant his brother. We might point out many similar instances—perhaps this custom was a good one among the Hebrews, though the peculiar formation of our language might not allow us to do the same, except in a certain measure. We see, therefore, that the Virgin Mary called her son, Immanuel, that there might be a meaning in His name, “God with us.” My soul, ring these words again, “God with us.” Oh, it is one of the bells of Heaven! Let us strike it yet again—“God with us.” Oh, it is a stray note from the sonnets of Paradise! “God with us.” Oh, it is the lisping of a seraph! “God with us.” Oh, it is one of the notes of the singing of Jehovah when He rejoices over His Church with singing! “God with us.” Tell it, tell it, tell it—this is the name of Him who is born today— “Hark, the herald angels sing!” This is His name, “God with us”—God with us, by His Incarnation, for the august Creator of the world did walk upon this globe! He who made ten thousand orbs, each of them more mighty and more vast than this earth, became the Inhabitant of this tiny atom! He who was from everlasting to everlasting, came to this world of time and stood upon the narrow neck of land betwixt the two unbounded seas! “God with us.” He has not lost that name—Jesus had that name on earth and He has it, now, in Heaven! He is now, “God with us.” Believer, He is God with you to protect you! You are not alone, because the Savior is with you! Put me in the desert, where vegetation grows not—I can still say, “God with us.” Put me on the wild ocean and let my ship dance madly on the waves—I would still say, “Immanuel, God with us.” Mount me on the sunbeam and let me fly beyond the western sea—still I would say, “God with us.” Let my body dive down into the depths of the ocean and let me hide in its caverns—still I could, as a child of God say, “God with us.” Yes, and in the grave, sleeping there in corruption—still I can see the footmarks of Jesus! He trod the path of all His people and His name is still, “God with us.” But if you would know this name most sweetly, you must know it by the teaching of the Holy Spirit. Has God been with us this morning? What is the use of coming to Chapel if God is not there? We might as well be at home if we have no visits of Jesus Christ and, certainly, we may come, and come, and come as regularly as that door turns on its hinges unless it is, “God with us,” by the influence of the Holy Spirit! Unless the Holy Spirit takes the things of Christ and applies them to our heart, it is not, “God with us.” Otherwise, God is a consuming fire. It is “God with us” that I love— “Till God in human flesh I see, My thoughts no comfort find.” Now ask yourselves, do you know what “God with us” means? Has it been God with you in your tribulations, by the Holy Spirit’s comforting influence? Has it been God with you in searching the Scriptures? Has the Holy Spirit shone upon the Word? Has it been God with you in conviction, bringing you to Sinai? Has it been God with you in comforting you, by bringing you, again, to Calvary? Do you know the full meaning of that name, Immanuel, “God with us”? No— he who knows it best knows little of it! Alas, he who knows it not at all is ignorant, indeed—so ignorant that his ignorance is not bliss, but will be his damnation! Oh, may God teach you the meaning of that name, Immanuel, “God with us”! Now let us close. “Immanuel.” It is wisdom’s mystery, “God with us.” Sages look at it and wonder. Angels desire to see it. The plumb-line of reason cannot reach half-way into its depths. The eagle wings of science cannot fly so high and the piercing eye of the vulture of research cannot see it! “God with us.” It is Hell’s terror! Satan trembles at the sound of it. His legions fly apace, the black-winged dragon of the Pit quails before it! Let Satan come to you suddenly and do you but whisper that word, “God with us”—back he falls—confounded and confused! Satan trembles when he hears that Sermon #2392 The Birth of Christ 7 Volume 40 www.spurgeongems.org 7 name, “God with us.” It is the laborer’s strength—how could he preach the Gospel, how could he bend his knees in prayer, how could the missionary go into foreign lands, how could the martyr stand at the stake, how could the confessor acknowledge his Master, how could men labor if that one word were taken away? “God with us,” is the sufferer’s comfort, is the balm of his woe, is the alleviation of his misery, is the sleep which God gives to His beloved, is their rest after exertion and toil. Ah, and to finish, “God with us” is eternity’s sonnet, is Heaven’s hallelujah, is the shout of the glorified, is the song of the redeemed, is the chorus of angels, is the everlasting oratorio of the great orchestra of the sky! “God with us”— “Hail You Immanuel, all Divine, In You Your Father’s glories shine! You brightest, sweetest, fairest One, That eyes have seen or angels known.” Now, a happy Christmas to you all and it will be a happy Christmas if you have God with you! I shall say nothing, today, against festivities on this great birthday of Christ. I hold that, perhaps, it is not right to have the birthday celebrated, but we will never be among those who think it as much a duty to celebrate it the wrong way as others the right! But we will, tomorrow, think of Christ’s birthday. We shall be obliged to do it, I am sure, however sturdily we may hold to our rough Puritanism. And so, “let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.” Do not feast as if you wished to keep the festival of Bacchus! Do not live, tomorrow, as if you adored some heathen divinity. Feast, Christians, feast! You have a right to feast. Go to the house of feasting tomorrow! Celebrate your Savior’s birth. Do not be ashamed to be glad—you have a right to be happy. Solomon says, “Go your way, eat your bread with joy, and drink your wine with a merry heart; for God now accepts your works. Let your garments be always white and let your head lack no ointment.”— “Religion never was designed To make our pleasures less.” Remember that your Master ate butter and honey. Go your way, rejoice tomorrow, but, in your feasting, think of the Man in Bethlehem—let Him have a place in your hearts, give Him the glory, think of the virgin who conceived Him—but think, most of all, of the Man born, the Child given! I finish by again saying— “A HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO YOU ALL!” EXPOSITION BY C. H. SPURGEON: Matthew 2:1-12. newdestinydenver.org

What is Carnal Christian? alliancenet.org

What is a Carnal Christian? The term "carnal Christian" garnered a lot of attention during the so-called "Lordship controversy" of almost thirty years ago. Essentially, the argument went like this: one can accept Jesus as Savior but not as Lord, lest works be introduced into salvation. This teaching, in turn, leads to what was called a "carnal Christian." The term itself comes from 1 Corinthians 3:1-3, where Paul refers to some of the Corinthians as "carnal" or "in the flesh" (ESV). In response, both ideas - that of having Jesus as Savior but not as Lord and that of a carnal Christian - are patently false because unbiblical. First, if one claims Jesus as Savior, he will necessarily have Jesus as Lord too. In the Gospels alone the passages that teach this are too numerous to list. To put it in theological terms, if one is justified (i.e. counted righteous) then one will of necessity be sanctified (i.e. becoming more righteous). This happens in union with the risen Christ, as Paul clearly teaches in Romans 6:1-11, among many other places. Indeed, Paul's favorite term for a Christian is someone who is "in Christ." Second, the point of Paul's rebuke to the Corinthians in 1 Corinthians 3:1-3 is not to distinguish between a "spiritual" (i.e. wholly committed) Christian and a carnal Christian. Rather, the contrast is eschatological. That is, Paul is contrasting this present evil age (the age of "the flesh") with the age to come that has broken in by the resurrection of Christ (the age of the Spirit). Thus, Paul is saying that some at Corinth, though they had claimed Christ, were acting like they still belonged to this present evil age - like they were still in the flesh. Instead, says Paul, we must be those who are Spiritual, i.e. filled with the Holy Spirit. The "s" in spiritual here in 1 Corinthians, as with all of Paul's writings, ought to be capitalized because it is a reference to the Holy Spirit. So the argument for someone being a carnal Christian misses the point of what Paul is saying entirely. For Paul, one is either in Christ or in Adam (cf. Romans 5:12-21); there are no "halfway Christians." To be sure, those who are in Christ can act sometimes as if they were still unregenerate, still in Adam. Paul rebukes this behavior and calls for personal holiness by obedience to God's law. Such can only happen because the person is united to Christ by faith alone. Works play no part in justification. Further, sanctification itself is by grace alone in union with Christ. Nevertheless, as Calvin put it, if one is united to Christ by Spirit-wrought faith, then that person will not fail to grown in grace and holiness. Therefore, a carnal Christian is an impossibility. Gabriel Fluhrer is Executive Editor at reformation21

Benefits of Milk

www.organicfacts.net Health Benefits of Milk Health benefits of milk include good bone health, smooth skin, strong immune system, prevention of illnesses such as hypertension, dental decay, dehydration, respiratory problems, obesity, osteoporosis and even some forms of cancer. The beneficial health nutrients obtained from milk are mandatory for human body and help in prevention of chronic ailments. he nutritional value of milk have always influenced people all over the world to include it in diet. Addition of milk in your daily diet can also help in achieving a well-balanced diet. Milk is an ideal source of nutrients such as vitamin A & B,calcium, carbohydrate, phosphorous, magnesium, protein, zinc and riboflavin. The Teagasc Dairy Products Research Centre at Moorepark, Fermoy has reported recent research on the utility of milk in neutralizing cholesterol content in the body. Many animals do provide us with this vital health substance, but cow’s milk is considered the best wholesome supplement for children as well as adults. Milk of other animals buffalo, goat, sheep, camel, reindeer and yak. Milk of horse and donkey is also consumed by humans, though this is rare. The health benefits of milk can be achieved from milk directly or its products such as cheese, butter, curd, clarified butter or ghee, dairy whitener, ice cream, cottage cheese or paneer, flavored milk, milk sweets etc. The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has clearly mentioned in its Dietary Guidelines to include milk and milk products in the diet. Deficiency Symptoms: Milk deficiency can cause severe anemia, osteoporosis and other related illnesses. Milk consumption is very essential to maintain good health and doing normal activities. It is the best source of calcium for all age groups. Benefits: Milk is extremely beneficial drink for mankind. Some of the advantages of drinking this life-giving nectar are as follows: o Calcium: Milk is the best source of calcium supply to our body. Calcium protects the body from major chronic ailments such as cancerous chemicals, bone loss, arthritic condition, migraine headaches, pre-menstrual syndrome, and obesity in children and aids in losing unwanted fats. o Healthy Bones: As mentioned above, milk is rich in calcium, which is very essential for growth and proper development of strong bone structure. Bone disorders such as osteoporosis can be prevented with daily intake of adequate quantity of milk. Children deprived of cow milk have an increased chance of bone fractures when injured. o Healthy Teeth: Encouraging children and youngsters to drink milk would give them excellent dental health, as milk protects the enamel surface against acidic substances. Drinking milk for energy and health would dissuade children from consuming soft drinks, thus reducing the risk of decayed teeth and weak gums. o Rehydration: Fluids are an integral part of human body. The body needs to be replenished with liquids at regular intervals. It is very essential for growing children and they must drink at least six to eight glasses of fluid every day. Milk contains a good quantity of water molecules and is considered the best fluid for rehydration. o Skin Care: Have you heard of Cleopatra, the Queen of Nile? She was considered one of the most beautiful women of all times. Well you will be surprised if I tell you that Cleopatra used to have a milk bath daily! She used to mix honeyand milk and take a bath daily enabling her maintain soft and beautiful skin. Since thousands of years, milk is known to benefit our skin by helping us maintain a fair and smooth complextion. Hence, even today milk and milk products are used in a number of cosmetic preparations. Milk is also good for dry skin. If you have a dry skin apply milk on your face (and other body parts), leave it for about 15 minutes and then wash it. The milk solids nourish and smoothen your skin. The lactic acid present in milk is known to aid in removing the dead skin cells, thereby rejuvenating your skin. o Improving Diet and Vitamin Intake: According to medical research, drinking milk considerably improves our intakes of vital minerals and vitamins. A man who consumes a carton of whole milk doubles his chances of fulfilling calcium requirement per day, whereas, another person consuming a can of fizzy or carbonated drink may in reality lower his calcium levels by one third percent. o Acidity Reduction: Consumption of milk products can also help in reducing acidity o Wholesome Food: It contains a whole lot of vitamins and minerals to keep you fit, healthy and strong. A glassful of milk contains vitamin A & B for good eyesight and increasing RBC count, carbohydrates for vitality and energy, potassium for proper nerve function, magnesium for muscular function, phosphorousfor energy release, protein for body repair and growth. Back to Health Benefits of Food References: Teagasc Dairy Products Research Centre and US Department of Agriculture Source of photos: Photoxpress.com