Beautiful Day

Enjoy the beauty the Lord has given us. Bask in the sun, take in the blue sky, listen to the birds singing their songs, and remember that the Lord loves you. He is always there, always ready to be your foundation, your rock, your strength, and your song. Always make Jesus's loving sacrifice the part that is the most beautiful about your every day.

All content copyright © 2009 Amber Johnson. All rights reserved. You MUST GET WRITTEN PERMISSION to reprint or republish any of this material.

Dive into Blessings

Blessings are everywhere in our everyday. Sometimes our comfort zone keeps us from venturing out and experiencing the opportunities where those blessings can be found. Remember to pray that the Lord transforms you to be more like Him everyday. Pray that He gives you the strength to do the things you didn't think you could ever do. Step out in faith and dive into the blessings He has for you.


All content copyright © 2009 Amber Johnson. All rights reserved. You MUST GET WRITTEN PERMISSION to reprint or republish any of this material.

Monday Inspiration

When you are at your lowest, exercise faith, trust in God, then like the ladder step-by-step you will make it to the top.

“Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.” Psalm 9:10

Have a wonderful week!

Scripture for the Soul

“[Trials and Temptations] Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.”- James 1:2-3

Everything we go through and face can be made into an opportunity to stand for Christ and learn and grow in Him. Pray for His strength, help, courage, and wisdom during the storm and the sunshine. Strive to embody His characteristics and His likeness. Find Him in His Word, on your knees, and in the rainbows He has placed in the sky. Find joy in the Lord and pour that joy into your life. 

All content copyright © 2009 Amber Johnson. All rights reserved. You MUST GET WRITTEN PERMISSION to reprint or republish any of this material.

Monday Inspiration

The amount of light you carry determines your glow.

“Let us walk in the light of the Lord.” Isaiah 2:5

Have a wonderful week!

Haiti – How You Can Help

Haiti – How You Can Help

Shepherd of the Hills Church has partnerships with ministries in Haiti. We are currently very involved and in communication with our missionaries on the ground in Port-au-Prince. They are safe, but in great need of prayer and support as chaos grows in the face of the devastation caused by the severe earthquake. Our Missions team is talking with our missionary partners in Haiti and assessing the best means of support.

You can help in several ways:

1. Pray – The people of Haiti and the relief teams responding to this disaster need your prayers.
   
2. Give – Shepherd of the Hills will channel your financial gifts directly to our mission partners—Northwest Haiti Christian Mission, North American Mission Board, and International Disaster Emergency Service. These dollars will be turned into humanitarian aid (medical supplies; emergency food, water and shelter; transportation; mobilization teams, and more), which is given with the love of Christ and deepens the impact of our evangelistic efforts there. You can donate by either submitting a check made out to Shepherd of the Hills (IMPORTANT: write “Haiti” in the memo) or online by clicking here.

In the near future, we may send specialized teams of professionals to Haiti, and we will keep you updated as you pray and seek ways to help. You can find the latest information directly from our partner, Northwest Haiti Christian Mission, by visiting www.nwhcm.org.

http://www.theshepherd.org/haiti-2013-how-you-can-help

Alpha Omega Attitude

Attitude

Attitudes can make or break a day. How many times have you wished you didn't respond a certain way or that you felt differently about a situation? I have been thinking about how our attitudes can affect our behaviors and those around us. What is causing us to act the way we do and why do we respond the way we do? Is it the situation, is it the people around us, or is it us? The more I thought about it the more I prayed that God would change my heart and my attitude so my behavior and feelings towards situations and the people around me would glorify Him and be pleasing in His eyes. I am responsible for my attitude and my behavior so that is what the Lord and I are going to work on. The Lord can change our attitude, our behavior, and our life. Nothing is to big for the Lord to handle. He can change a frown into a smile. He can turn anger into happiness. He can turn hate into love. The Lord can transform our hearts and our desires....He can create in us the Alpha Omega attitude!!!

Romans 12:2
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.


2 Corinthians 3:18
And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

Philippians 1:6 (New International Version)

⁶being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

To see more on how Jesus transforms, heals, mends, purifies, and makes people whole see His Word the Bible. If you don't have one of your own check out the online Bible at http://www.biblegateway.com/ . There is also a link to it on my sidebar.


All content copyright © 2009 Amber Johnson. All rights reserved. You MUST GET WRITTEN PERMISSION to reprint or republish any of this material.

Bro's Birthday

Happy Birthday to my Brother !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Today is my brother's birthday so I wanted to wish him the biggest and best birthday ever!!!!! Happy Birthday Bro!!!! Love ya!!! 

All content copyright © 2009 Amber Johnson. All rights reserved. You MUST GET WRITTEN PERMISSION to reprint or republish any of this material.

Monday Inspiration

If we are God’s work of art, then our lives should reflect a masterpiece.

“For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Ephesians 2:10

Have a wonderful week!

God Has A Plan

Everything that happens in life is under the umbrella of God's plan. We have free will so we can see God's goodness, His love, and His grace. We may choose to sin or choose Christ but in all decisions He knows our hearts, He knows our deepest desires, and He knows where we are in our lives. That is an extraordinary thing- that the Lord God Almighty knows our future and will guide our steps if we listen and lean on Him. Every person, every place, every circumstance that has passed through your life has been there for a reason. If it was something negative- what did the Lord teach you? Did you make that obstacle into an opportunity? Did you grow in Christ in some way? Well, then that "negative" was not negative at all. It was an opportunity to grow, to change, to be transformed into the likeness of Christ. It was an opportunity to be strengthened by the Lord in your areas of weakness. If the past is following you to the present, meet it, deal with it. Ask God to show you how you have grown during that time, ask Him to show you the lessons you learned, and ask Him to help you live for the glorious present He has given you. The Lord has a plan for each of our lives. He knows our past, He guides our present, and He sees our future. Find peace and joy in the fact that the Lord can guide your steps, your heart, and your desires onto His path towards the prosperous future He has for you.


Here are a few Scriptures to show that the Lord has a plan, knows our future, and will guide us:

New International Version (NIV)
Jeremiah 29:11 Listen to this passage 11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. New International Version (NIV)Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica
Psalm 37:23 Listen to this passage  23 If the LORD delights in a man's way,        he makes his steps firm; New International Version (NIV)Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica
Proverbs 3:5 Listen to this passage  5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart        and lean not on your own understanding; New International Version (NIV)Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica
Psalm 48:14 Listen to this passage  14 For this God is our God for ever and ever;        he will be our guide even to the end. New International Version (NIV)Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica
Jeremiah 10:23 Listen to this passage Jeremiah's Prayer  23 I know, O LORD, that a man's life is not his own;        it is not for man to direct his steps. New International Version (NIV)Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica
Psalm 37:4 Listen to this passage  4 Delight yourself in the LORD        and he will give you the desires of your heart. New International Version (NIV)Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica

http://www.biblegateway.com/

The Bible is the best way to get to know your Creator God so dive into His Word to seek Him. If you don't have a Bible of your own check out-- http://www.biblegateway.com/ which is an online Bible.

Picture: http://www.heartlight.org/

All content copyright © 2009 Amber Johnson. All rights reserved. You MUST GET WRITTEN PERMISSION to reprint or republish any of this material.

Monday Inspiration

Happiness keeps me sweet, trials make me strong, sorrows keep me human, failures make me humble, but God keeps me going.

“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:31

Have a wonderful week!

Scripture for the Soul

“For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age,”- Titus 2:11-12

How to Know God Personally

How to Know God Personally

What does it take to begin a relationship with God? Devote yourself to unselfish religious deeds? Become a better person so that God will accept you?

You may be surprised that none of those things will work. But God has made it very clear in the Bible how we can know Him.

The following principles will explain how you can personally begin a relationship with God, right now, through Jesus Christ...

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Principle 1:

God loves you and offers a wonderful plan for your life.

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God's Love
"God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life." ¹

God's Plan
[Christ speaking] "I came that they might have life, and might have it abundantly" [that it might be full and meaningful]. ²

Why is it that most people are not experiencing the abundant life? Because...

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Principle 2:

All of us sin and our sin has separated us from God.

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We Are Sinful
"All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." ³

We were created to have fellowship with God; but, because of our stubborn self-will, we chose to go our own independent way, and fellowship with God was broken. This self-will, characterized by an attitude of active rebellion or passive indifference, is evidence of what the Bible calls sin.

We Are Separated
"The wages of sin is death" [spiritual separation from God]. ⁴

This diagram illustrates that God is holy and people are sinful. A great gulf separates us. The arrows illustrate that we are continually trying to reach God and the abundant life through our own efforts, such as a good life, philosophy, or religion -- but we inevitably fail.

The third law explains the only way to bridge this gulf...

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Principle 3:

Jesus Christ is God's only provision for our sin. Through Him we can know and experience God's love and plan for our life.

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He Died in Our Place
"God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." ⁵

He Rose From the Dead
"Christ died for our sins...He was buried...He was raised on the third day, according to the Scriptures...He appeared to Peter, then to the twelve. After that He appeared to more than five hundred..." ⁶

He Is the Only Way to God
"Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me.'"⁷

This diagram illustrates that God has bridged the gulf which separates us from Him by sending His Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross in our place to pay the penalty for our sins.

It is not enough just to know these three principles...

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Principle 4:

We must individually receive Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord; then we can know and experience God's love and plan for our lives.

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We Must Receive Christ
"As many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name." ⁸

We Receive Christ Through Faith
"By grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast." ⁹

When We Receive Christ, We Experience a New Birth

We Receive Christ by Personal Invitation
[Christ speaking] "Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if any one hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him." ¹⁰

Receiving Christ involves turning to God from self (repentance) and trusting Christ to come into our lives to forgive our sins and to make us what He wants us to be. Just to agree intellectually that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and that He died on the cross for your sins is not enough. Nor is it enough to have an emotional experience. You receive Jesus Christ by faith, as an act of the will.

These two circles represent two kinds of lives:

Which circle best describes your life?

Which circle would you like to have represent your life?

The following explains how you can receive Christ:

You can receive Christ right now by faith through prayer

Prayer is talking to God. God knows your heart and is not so concerned with your words as He is with the attitude of your heart. The following is a suggested prayer:

"Lord Jesus, I need You. Thank You for dying on the cross for my sins. I open the door of my life and receive You as my Savior and Lord. Thank You for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal life. Take control of the throne of my life. Make me the kind of person You want me to be."

If this prayer expresses the desire of your heart, then you can pray this prayer right now and Christ will come into your life, as He promised.

From: http://www.ccci.org/wij/index.aspx

Happy New Year with the Lord Almighty!!!

Happy New Year!!! I can't believe it is 2010, isn't that crazy!!! I wish you all a blessed year! If you haven't made Jesus Christ your Savior yet maybe this new year, this new day is the day! If you have fallen away from Christ maybe this new year, this new day is the day to walk hand in hand with Him! If you need more time with Christ, more time to work on a personal relationship with Him maybe this new year, this new day is the day to be aligned mind, heart, and soul with Christ! Don't wait another second to get the state of your heart, you life, your eternity settled!!! Choose Christ, run to Him, draw close to Him, live for Him, and learn from Him. 2009 is the past, 2010 is our present live for Him in this moment, this day, this year. Remember Jesus loves you!!! God bless and good night!!!

Jeremiah 29:11 (New International Version)

¹¹ For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

God already knows the plans and days of your life. He has great things in store for you!


All content copyright © 2009 Amber Johnson. All rights reserved. You MUST GET WRITTEN PERMISSION to reprint or republish any of this material.