Just Another Night in Bethlehem

By Greg Laurie

Fear not, O land; be glad and rejoice, for the Lord has done marvelous things! —Joel 2:21

On the first Christmas Eve, there were no brightly colored lights on anyone's homes. There were no stockings that had been hung with care or any visions of sugarplums dancing in children's heads. It was just another night in Bethlehem. The census had gone out—that command by Caesar that everyone was to be taxed. But history was about to change in Bethlehem.

All of Israel was living in a very frightening time historically. They lived under the tyrant King Herod who would execute people at will. In addition, the Jews were living in occupied territory. The Romans had taken control of their country. They were no longer free to do what they wanted and live as they wanted. They wondered if Rome would ever leave. Would the violent rule ever cease? Would their world ever change?

Then suddenly angels appeared to the shepherds and told them not to be afraid; the Messiah had been born.

There is a lot to be afraid of in our unstable, volatile world today. It seems that at every turn, we hear about another horrific tragedy happening in our world. It can cause us to be terrified.

Then there are the personal fears: What if I lose my health? What if I lose a member of my family? What if this happens? What if that happens? A lot of things run through our minds.

Here is the message of the first Christmas—and the message for us this Christmas: Don't be afraid. . . . I bring you good tidings of great joy.

Ray Stedman wrote, "The chief mark of the Christian ought to be the absence of fear and the presence of joy."

Does that describe you? Fear is what Christmas came to remove—and now we can have joy in its place.

Avalon - Wonder Why w/ lyrics

Avalon - Everything To Me w/ lyrics

I grew up in Sunday school

I memorized the Golden Rule

And how Jesus came to set the sinner free

I know the story inside out

I can tell you all about

The path that led Him up to Calvary

But ask me why He loves me

And I don't know what to say

But I'll never be the same

Because He changed my life when He became...

Everything to me

He's more than a story

More than words on a page of history

He's the air that I breathe

The water I thirst for

And the ground beneath my feet

He's everything, everything to me

We're living in uncertain times

And more and more I find that I'm aware

Of just how fragile life can be

I want to tell the world I found

A love that turned my life around

They need to know that they can taste and see

Now every day I'm praying

Just to give my heart away

I want to live for Jesus

So that someone else might see that He is...

Everything to me

He's more than a story

More than words on a page of history

He's the air that I breathe

The water I thirst for

And the ground beneath my feet

He's everything

And looking back over my life at the end

I'll go to meet You saying You've been

You're everything to me

You're more than a story

More than words on a page of history You're everything to me

You're more than a story

More than words on a page of history

You're the air that I breathe

The water I thirst for

And the ground beneath my feet

You're everything

Lord, You're everything to me

The Glory - Avalon w/ lyrics

What Jesus Wants for Christmas

by Billy Graham

This Christmas season you can be assured that Jesus Christ is here. He is here to give us hope, to forgive our sins, to give us a new song, to impart faith and to heal our spiritual wounds—if only we will let Him.

The Christmas message has not changed in more than 2,000 years. Christmas still reminds us that God is with us.

In spite of all the pessimism and cynicism, in spite of all the headlines about murders, assassinations, riots, demonstrations and war, Jesus Christ is alive. He is alive to conquer despair, to impart hope, to forgive sins and to take away our loneliness. He is alive to reconcile us to God.

This Christmas, accept Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord. Give Him the gift that He wants—your heart, your soul, your life.

(Adapted from Billy Graham's article, "Christmas—a Time of Renewed Hope")

Hillsong - Mighty to Save - w/ Lyrics

Avalon - First Love w/ lyrics

A Thermometer or a Thermostat?

By Greg Laurie

Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth. —Luke 1:26

It's interesting how cities are known for certain things. Rome is known as the Eternal City. Paris is called the City of Lights. New York is the City that Never Sleeps. And Las Vegas has been nicknamed Sin City.

Nazareth, too, could have been called Sin City in the first century. Overrun by Roman soldiers, it was one of those places you went through on the way to another place. Nazareth also was known for its sin. One commentator described it as a hotbed of corruption. This is why, when Nathanael heard that Jesus was from Nazareth, he asked, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" (John 1:46).

Imagine if Jesus were born today. We might expect Him to be born in Jerusalem, or maybe in Rome, London, or Paris. But what if He were born in Las Vegas? The Savior has arrived: Jesus of Las Vegas. That's what it would have been like to use the term Jesus of Nazareth.

In that wicked city, however, lived a young woman of royal blood. Living in an impure world, Mary was pure. She showed it is possible to live a holy life in an unholy place. We often blame our wicked culture for the way we are, but the fact is that it's our job as followers of Jesus to permeate and affect our culture.

Here's a question to ask yourself: Are you a thermometer or a thermostat? A thermometer is affected by its surroundings. Depending on the temperature, it goes up or down. In contrast, a thermostat affects its surroundings. Unlike the thermometer, it controls the environment around it.

Do you merely react to what is happening around you, or do you have some kind of impact on it? Are you changing the culture, or is the culture changing you?

Just in Time

By Greg Laurie

"But we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope."  —Romans 5:3–4

Perhaps the hardships of today are preparing you for great opportunities tomorrow.

Warren Wiersbe quotes a professor of history who said, "If Columbus had turned back, nobody would have blamed him, but nobody would have remembered him either." Wiersbe concludes, "If you want to be memorable, sometimes you have to be miserable."

We all know the story of Job. I don't know of many people who suffered more than him, with the loss of his possessions, health and, worst of all, his children. Yet his faith remained intact and even grew stronger.

You might say, "I could never handle the things Job faced! In fact, I can't handle suffering at all." Don't worry; God will give you what you need when you need it.

Not before. Never after. When you need it.

Corrie Ten Boom used to tell a story:

"When I was a little girl, I went to my father and said, 'Daddy, I am afraid that I will never be strong enough to be a martyr for Jesus Christ.'"

"Tell me," said Father, "When we take a train trip to Amsterdam, when do I give you the money for the ticket? Three weeks before?"

"No, Daddy, you give me the money for the ticket just before we get on the train."

"That is right," my father said, "and so it is with God's strength. Our Father in heaven knows when you will need the strength to be a martyr for Jesus Christ. He will supply all you need—just in time. . ."

We may not be called to be martyrs, but we will all suffer in life. God will give us what we need when we need it. Not before. Never after.

Just in time.

Holy Holy Holy - Hillsong United (lyrics)

Avalon - Testify to Love w/ lyrics

LIBERTY FROM ANXIETY

LIBERTY FROM ANXIETY

November 25, 2015 by thetbjoshuafanclub

The kingdom of darkness was in total shambles on Sunday November 22, 2015 as God’s power descended mightily in the service at The SCOAN. In a message titled, LIBERTY FROM ANXIETY, Evangelist Bolaji captured the sad reality staring the Christian race in the face. Many have allowed the worries and cares of this transient world to weaken their faith in God and His promise of eternal glory. She defined anxiety as an enemy of progress in a Christian’s life as it tends to pitch him or her against their belief in God.

“Our personal cares for the present, future, family and others are capable of changing our focus from running the straight race with God, especially when they arise from unbelief and distrust. Therefore, don’t be agitated and thrown into confusion. Worries about tomorrow do not advance our cause at all; they are absolutely useless. Remember that anxiety distracts one’s mind and hinders our interest in the service of God”.

The faith-destroying tendencies of anxiety notwithstanding, Evangelist Bolaji provided a Spirit-inspired recipe for all Christians to remain focused on God and His everlasting promises.

“Free yourself in the Word of God. When your spirit is free, it becomes sensitive to the Spirit of God. Do you want a free spirit? Keep your heart from cares. He who bore the burdens of our sorrows, worries, fears, cares and anxieties desires us to leave it entirely for Him because He alone knows what it takes to give us rest. Why don’t we trust Him and let Him prove Himself? After all, He is the Governor of our future – He owns the future”.

SCOAN Evangelists, sent by Prophet T.B. Joshua, led the congregants in yet another round of Mass Prayer that was massive in every sense of the word. Stubborn spirits, yokes, curses and sundry afflictions were broken by the power in the name of Jesus. Age-long demonic entanglements were disentangled as the atmosphere of prayer grew in intensity. Those who had been poisoned spiritually received deliverance as they vomited all evil deposits in their systems to the glory of God.

With all the songs of reverence to the Almighty God emanating from the choir, the testimonies that followed were indeed a reflection of one fact – GOD’S WORD WILL NEVER RETURN TO HIM VOID WITHOUT ACCOMPLISHING THAT WHICH IT HAS BEEN SENT TO ACHIEVE IN THE LIVES OF HIS CHILDREN.

Source

https://thetbjoshuafanclub.wordpress.com/2015/11/25/liberty-from-anxiety/

It`s 'Grace, Grace & more Grace' for Darlene Zschech as Chemo Starts - Updated: 2015

Lessons From The Valley - Darlene Zschech - 9/20/15 

 This brilliant message reminds us that there are valuable lessons to be learned in the valleys of our lives, and that we never walk through them alone.

Christian singer-songwriter Darlene Zschech who is 48 years and a wonderful wife, mum and grandmother, says she has started to lose her hair as she begins chemo treatments for breast cancer but she hasn't lost her desire to worship.

Zschech, who announced on her blog (http://www.darlenezschech.com) in December that she has breast cancer, recently finished round two of five chemo treatments.

On her most she shared what she is learning through her battle with cancer and where she finds her strength.

"All I can say is, 'grace, grace and more grace'," she wrote. "I am learning to rest in every promise from Jesus. In fact, it's His Word that is giving me the strength to inhale and exhale, moment by moment."

"To be completely honest, this has been very confronting. It definitely makes me look sicker than I feel. In saying that, I am finding great freedom through this. Mark [her husband] keeps reminding me how much money we'll save over the next while on hairdressers!" Zschech said.

The famed worship leader also said writing has been a great comfort to her during this season. She said she plans to share songs birthed from this trial.

"I have songs and thoughts that I will share with when I am on the other side of this mountain," she shared. "In fact, we are already planning a Thanksgiving service at our church in November, where we will record songs birthed during this season."

"We simply want to fill the place with praise for all that God has done," Zschech wrote.

Benny Hinn - Practicing the Presence of the Lord

Benny Hinn - The Gifts of the Holy Spirit, Part 1

Acts 2:38 declares, "Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." The wonderful Gift of the precious Holy Spirit, as well as the nine gifts of the Spirit, are too often neglected in today's fast-paced world. It is crucial for believers today to understand and receive all that God has provided! Pastor Benny's anointed teaching on these gifts is highlighted on this powerful broadcast.

Everyday - Hillsong w/ lyrics

My Redeemer Lives - Hillsong w/ lyrics

Awesome worship at a Lakewood Church service.

Why Does the World Hate Jesus?

by Franklin Graham

Why is there so much hatred for Christians? Why are followers of Christ who seek to serve the poor, care for the sick, feed the hungry, and emulate the Savior so denigrated and disparaged around the world?

Ultimately, it is because men hate the Name of Jesus Christ. They love darkness rather than light. They love their sin rather than the only One who can forgive their sin. They refuse to let go of their pride and self-sufficiency and admit there is only one way for sinful men to be reconciled to a holy God.

Jesus Himself said that “if the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you … A servant is not greater than his master. If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you” (John 15:18, 20).

Jesus demands that we come to Him on His non-negotiable terms. He tells us that we are vile sinners in need of a Savior. To receive the gift of salvation, we must strip ourselves of any claim to merit before God, and come to Jesus in genuine repentance and faith. Only then can the bad news of our sinful state be washed away in the Good News of forgiveness and everlasting life.

The Victory Shout

By Greg Laurie

Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil.  —Hebrews 2:14

Some people think it's a joke to play with Ouija boards or read their horoscopes. They think it's only fun and games to play around with demonic forces and ideas. But it's no joke. Occultism and astrology are doorways to darkness, and people really push it when they start dabbling in the Devil's world.

Nonbelievers have no defense against the Devil, who can pretty much do whatever he wants to do in their lives. However, he can do nothing in the life of a Christian without God's permission. The only thing he fears is the power of Jesus Christ.

A classic example of this is the story of Job. Interestingly, the Lord allowed Satan a certain leeway, which resulted in many horrible afflictions on God's servant, including the loss of his health, the loss of his property, and, worst of all, the loss of his children. There were limitations to what the Devil was allowed to do, but Job was tested severely. He came through it all, and God blessed him in the end.

You may think you can't make it through a hardship of some kind, but if God is letting you go through it, He has a reason. God knows how much you can take. He will never give you more than you can handle.

The Devil was soundly defeated at the cross of Calvary. Prior to His crucifixion, Jesus said, "Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out" (John 12:31). As believers, we share in the victory of Jesus Christ. He dealt a decisive blow against the Devil and his minions at the cross. When Jesus cried out, "It is finished!" it reverberated through the corridors of Heaven and the hallways of hell. It was a victory shout.