Dare2Bdifferent

10/16/2022

If you were in the Mount Vernon Community Choir or know someone please tag them.

03/07/2017

What an amazing read!!!

At Hope’s End? Rely on God’s Word

How do you know when hope has died in your life? You start using the word “never.” I’m never going to get married. I’m never going to graduate. I’m never going to get well. I’m never going to get out of debt. I’m never going to be able to let go of my past and forget all of that shame and heartache. I’m never going to be able to change. I’m never going to see this situation turn around. That’s when hope has died.

What do you do when your hope dies? Romans 4:18 says, “Abraham, when hope was dead within him, went on hoping in faith …. He relied on the word of God” (Phillips).

When you are at a dead-end, you need the Bible. Read it. Study it. Memorize it. Think about it. Write it down on little notecards, and go over it. The Bible is full of promises. You rely on the Word and trust in its promises, and it will revive you emotionally. Nothing else is going to encourage you like the Bible. When you rely on the Word of God, you don’t panic because you’re reminded that, even though something is out of your control, it’s not out of God’s control.

A dead-end is a test of your faith. The Bible says in Hebrews 11:17, “While God was testing him, Abraham still trusted in God and his promises, and so he offered up his son Isaac” (TLB). God said he wanted Abraham to sacrifice his son, and Abraham didn’t blink an eye. He didn’t panic because he remembered what God could do, and he relied on what God had promised him.

What happens when God takes your most precious dream and wants you to give it up? Can you do that in faith? You’re at a dead-end, and God’s going to deliver you if you give the right answer.

Some of you are at a dead-end now, and it seems there is no way out. But things are never as bleak as they seem. You’re looking at it from the human viewpoint rather than from God’s viewpoint.

Romans 4:20 says, “Abraham never doubted. He believed God, for his faith and trust grew ever stronger, and he praised God for this blessing even before it happened.”

A promise is only as good as the character of the person who makes the promise. The Bible says God cannot lie because he is complete truth. If he makes a promise to you, he’s going to fulfill it. It will happen exactly as he has said. When you’re at your dead-end, trust in that truth.

03/06/2017

Good Morning!!!! What are "we" doing in ministry? How can we come together to build each other ministries? If I send a message that touches you will you share. Ministry doesn't stop on Sunday but we should do daily. In this season of sacrifice help me be a better person along the way help others too. I will not do daily but I will send gems out for us to be a little more focus on God with the help of one another. I love you all and have a great day.
“Christ as Evangelist”

When you hear the word “Evangelist,” do you picture someone who speaks to a stadium full of people? While that’s a common image, it’s also a limiting view of this spiritual gift.

Those with the gift of Evangelism are on fire for sharing the Gospel: both sharing with others and encouraging others to share.

Christ does both. His words and actions share the Good News. He also exhorts all believers to do the same.

Evangelists don’t just proclaim or pass along information. They are primarily persuaders. Evangelists have many different styles and mediums, but all seek to woo people to embrace the Gospel.

Unlike the prophet who primarily holds up a mirror to our sin and shines the light of God’s holiness, the evangelist shares the hope and salvation through Christ. They persuade and share in some of the following ways:

Evoke in people a curiosity or desire for the Gospel
Embrace Christ’s Good News in their own lives
Express the work Christ has done and still does in them
Exhort others to share the Gospel
Extend themselves or their message to reach others
Think about how persuasive Christ has been when inviting you to follow him.

Questions:

When you think about Christ as an evangelist, how do you react?

In what ways has Christ been most persuasive for you? How does this persuasiveness reflect his love for you?

Just as importantly, do you respond to him exhorting you to share the Good News with others?

02/05/2017

Good morning
The disciples experienced several mountaintop moments” in their time with Jesus. But when a storm arose while they were out on the Sea of Galilee, fear took over. Amidst the roaring waves and with the boat rocking, Jesus’ chosen ones failed to recall the lessons they had learned about the power and purposes of their leader. Even the appearance of Christ walking on water didn’t bring immediate relief (Matt. 14:26).

IN OUR OWN STRENGTH, WE LACK SUFFICIENT RESOURCES AND ABILITIES TO MEET LIFE'S CHALLENGES. SO GOD PROVIDES WHAT WE NEED.
When trouble strikes, we sometimes forget our knowledge of God, too. We struggle to recall past answers to prayer, specific guidance provided by the Holy Spirit, and lessons learned in previous crises. Only the present seems real. Our minds spin with future implications, and our troubled emotions inhibit clear thinking.

In our own strength, we lack sufficient resources and abilities to meet life's challenges. So God provides what we need. Our suffering is never a surprise to the Lord. He knows everything we are going through. More than that, He’s orchestrating our circumstances for His glory and our benefit, according to His good will.

Reflecting on the divine purpose in hardship can help us respond to trials in a God-honoring way. Let’s take a moment to fix our attention on the Lord and seek to understand four lessons He wants us to learn through life’s dark moments:

1. One purpose for hardship is cleansing. Because of our own "flesh" nature and the self-absorbed world we live in, it's easy to develop selfish attitudes, mixed-up priorities, and ungodly habits. The pressures that bear down on us from stormy situations are meant to bring these impurities to our attention and direct us to a place of repentance. Our trials are intended to purify and guide us back to godliness, not ruin our lives.

2. A second reason we face difficulty is so we'll be compassionate and bring comfort to others. God's work in our lives is not intended solely for us. It's designed to reach a world that does not recognize or acknowledge Him. The Lord uses our challenges to equip us for serving others. As we experience suffering, we will learn about God's sufficiency, His comforting presence, and His strength to help us endure. Our testimony during times of difficulty will be authentic. Those to whom we minister will recognize we know and understand their pain. What credibility would we have with people in crisis if we never experienced a deep need?

HE'S ORCHESTRATING OUR CIRCUMSTANCES FOR HIS GLORY AND OUR BENEFIT, ACCORDING TO HIS GOOD WILL.
3. Third, God promises us He'll provide a path through any trial we face. The disciples probably wondered how long the storm would last and whether they would make it safely to shore. Most likely, they wished it never happened. But, had they somehow avoided this storm, they would have missed the demonstration of Jesus' power over the sea and wind. The frightening situation was transformed into a revelation of the Savior's divine nature. God wants to make His power known through our trials, as well.

4. The most important thing He gives us is an awareness of His presence. At first, the disciples believed they were alone in a terrifying storm. When they initially spotted Jesus, their fear increased. They thought He was a ghost. But as they recognized Him, their fear changed to relief and hope. Similarly, we may not sense God's presence during a crisis. But He has promised to always be with us (Heb. 13:5-6). The assurance that the Lord will never leave provides immediate comfort, an infusion of courage, and a sense of confidence to endure.

No one enjoys suffering. But in the hands of almighty God, trials become tools. He uses hardship to shape believers into the people He intends them to be. Jesus allowed the disciples to experience the fear and anxiety of being in a boat on a raging sea. He permitted them to suffer because He had something far more important to teach them. He wanted the disciples to recognize their own helplessness, His sufficiency, and their dependence on Him.

Ask God to reveal His abiding presence in the midst of your trouble. And remember—He always provides for your spiritual needs to help you both endure and grow stronger in your Christian faith

02/03/2017

When they tell you don't be afraid to be who you are... God called you for this- “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.”
‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭4:17‬ ‭NIV‬‬

11/28/2016

Weekly Scriptures- they may not apply to you but good reads.
Monday
When a situation seems hopeless ---luke18:18-30
Christian Freedom
-Galatians 5:1-15
Tuesday
When you feeling cocky
-Matthew 23:1-12
Being a Conqueror
-Romans 8:28-39
Wednesday
When you don't think you can change
- Ezekiel 36:22-32
Reaching the ultimate goal
-Philippians 3:12-4:1
Thursday
When you're questioning your faith
-John 10:22-42
Family Dynamics
-Ephesians 5:22-6:4
Friday
When you have a major request from God
-John 14:8-14
Staying Strong
-2 Timothy 6:3-10
Saturday
When you wonder whether you can trust God promises
-2 Corinthians 1:12-22
Money
-1 Timothy 6:3-10
Sunday
When you're waiting for an answer prayer
-1 John 5:13-21
Armor of God/Pleasing God
- 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12
-Ephesians 6:10-20

11/05/2016

Punishment for Sin Under Law---““ ‘Consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am the Lord your God. Keep my decrees and follow them. I am the Lord, who makes you holy. “ ‘Anyone who curses their father or mother is to be put to death. Because they have cursed their father or mother, their blood will be on their own head. “ ‘If a man commits adultery with another manʼs wife—with the wife of his neighbor—both the adulterer and the adulteress are to be put to death. “ ‘If a man has sexual relations with his fatherʼs wife, he has dishonored his father. Both the man and the woman are to be put to death; their blood will be on their own heads. “ ‘If a man has sexual relations with his daughter-in-law, both of them are to be put to death. What they have done is a perversion; their blood will be on their own heads. “ ‘If a man has sexual relations with a man as one does with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable. They are to be put to death; their blood will be on their own heads. “ ‘If a man marries both a woman and her mother, it is wicked. Both he and they must be burned in the fire, so that no wickedness will be among you. “ ‘If a man has sexual relations with an animal, he is to be put to death, and you must kill the animal. “ ‘If a woman approaches an animal to have sexual relations with it, kill both the woman and the animal. They are to be put to death; their blood will be on their own heads. “ ‘If a man marries his sister, the daughter of either his father or his mother, and they have sexual relations, it is a disgrace. They are to be publicly removed from their people. He has dishonored his sister and will be held responsible. “ ‘If a man has sexual relations with a woman during her monthly period, he has exposed the source of her flow, and she has also uncovered it. Both of them are to be cut off from their people. “ ‘Do not have sexual relations with the sister of either your mother or your father, for that would dishonor a close relative; both of you would be held responsible. “ ‘If a man has sexual relations with his aunt, he has dishonored his uncle. They will be held responsible; they will die childless. “ ‘If a man marries his brotherʼs wife, it is an act of impurity; he has dishonored his brother. They will be childless. “ ‘Keep all my decrees and laws and follow them, so that the land where I am bringing you to live may not vomit you out. You must not live according to the customs of the nations I am going to drive out before you. Because they did all these things, I abhorred them. But I said to you, “You will possess their land; I will give it to you as an inheritance, a land flowing with milk and honey.” I am the Lord your God, who has set you apart from the nations. “ ‘You must therefore make a distinction between clean and unclean animals and between unclean and clean birds. Do not defile yourselves by any animal or bird or anything that moves along the ground—those that I have set apart as unclean for you. You are to be holy to me because I, the Lord, am holy, and I have set you apart from the nations to be my own. “ ‘A man or woman who is a medium or spiritist among you must be put to death. You are to stone them; their blood will be on their own heads.’ ””
‭‭Leviticus‬ ‭20:7-27‬ ‭NIV‬‬




Talked about take place in today society. Believe it or not-watch some of the talk shows 😳
?

“ ‘Consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am the Lord your God. Keep my decrees and follow them. I am the Lord, who makes you holy. “ ‘Anyone who curses their...

11/04/2016

Sacrifices Required Under Law:“The Lord said to Moses: “When anyone is unfaithful to the Lord by sinning unintentionally in regard to any of the Lord ʼs holy things, they are to bring to the Lord as a penalty a ram from the flock, one without defect and of the proper value in silver, according to the sanctuary shekel. It is a guilt offering. They must make restitution for what they have failed to do in regard to the holy things, pay an additional penalty of a fifth of its value and give it all to the priest. The priest will make atonement for them with the ram as a guilt offering, and they will be forgiven. “If anyone sins and does what is forbidden in any of the Lord ʼs commands, even though they do not know it, they are guilty and will be held responsible. They are to bring to the priest as a guilt offering a ram from the flock, one without defect and of the proper value. In this way the priest will make atonement for them for the wrong they have committed unintentionally, and they will be forgiven. It is a guilt offering; they have been guilty of wrongdoing against the Lord.””
‭‭Leviticus‬ ‭5:14-19‬ ‭NIV‬‬


.

- #2/5 oz. or more 12 grams

?

Lord,
Where I stumble, forgive me. Allow your Spirit to convict me in the areas in which I need to be purified. In Jesus' perfect name I pray. -Amen

The Lord said to Moses: “When anyone is unfaithful to the Lord by sinning unintentionally in regard to any of the Lordʼs holy things, they are to bring to the Lord as...

11/03/2016

The Ten Commandments• “And God spoke all these words: “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. “You shall have no other gods before me. “You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments. “You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name. “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns. For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy. “Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you. “You shall not murder. “You shall not commit adultery. “You shall not steal. “You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor. “You shall not covet your neighborʼs house. You shall not covet your neighborʼs wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.””
‭‭Exodus‬ ‭20:1-17‬ ‭NIV‬‬
http://bible.com/111/exo.20.1-17.niv




.. follow the laws of our nation why can't we tried to follow the laws of the one we worship? Won't we get punished by God as well?



commandment do you think break most challenge yourself for the next 27 days to improve by not doing it.

And God spoke all these words: “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. “You shall have no other gods before me. “You...

11/03/2016

A People for God: “That night Jacob got up and took his two wives, his two female servants and his eleven sons and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. After he had sent them across the stream, he sent over all his possessions. So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak. When the man saw that he could not overpower him, he touched the socket of Jacobʼs hip so that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with the man. Then the man said, “Let me go, for it is daybreak.” But Jacob replied, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” The man asked him, “What is your name?” “Jacob,” he answered. Then the man said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with humans and have overcome.””
‭‭Genesis‬ ‭32:22-28‬ ‭NIV‬‬
“Jacob left Beersheba and set out for Harran. When he reached a certain place, he stopped for the night because the sun had set. Taking one of the stones there, he put it under his head and lay down to sleep. He had a dream in which he saw a stairway resting on the earth, with its top reaching to heaven, and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. There above it stood the Lord, and he said: “I am the Lord, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac. I will give you and your descendants the land on which you are lying. Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out to the west and to the east, to the north and to the south. All peoples on earth will be blessed through you and your offspring. I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.””
‭‭Genesis‬ ‭28:10-15‬ ‭NIV‬‬





Even when you think God isn't for you he is!
for full story

11/01/2016

Hu•man•i•ty- the human race; human begins collectively. " The Fall of Humanity " “Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?” The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.’ ” “You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the woman. “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves. Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden. But the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?” He answered, “I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid.” And he said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?” The man said, “The woman you put here with me—she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it.” Then the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.” So the Lord God said to the serpent, “Because you have done this, “Cursed are you above all livestock and all wild animals! You will crawl on your belly and you will eat dust all the days of your life. And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.” To the woman he said, “I will make your pains in childbearing very severe; with painful labor you will give birth to children. Your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you.” To Adam he said, “Because you listened to your wife and ate fruit from the tree about which I commanded you, ‘You must not eat from it,’ “Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat food from it all the days of your life. It will produce thorns and thistles for you, and you will eat the plants of the field. By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return.””
‭‭Genesis‬ ‭3:1-19‬ ‭NIV‬‬