Firebaugh12

Psalm 91

2009-06-09T23:35:00.000-07:00

Psalm 91 (New International Version)

¹ He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

² I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust."

³ Surely he will save you from the fowler's snare
and from the deadly pestilence.

⁴ He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.

⁵ You will not fear the terror of night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,

⁶ nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
nor the plague that destroys at midday.

⁷ A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand at your right hand,
but it will not come near you.

⁸ You will only observe with your eyes
and see the punishment of the wicked.

⁹ If you make the Most High your dwelling—
even the LORD, who is my refuge-

¹⁰ then no harm will befall you,
no disaster will come near your tent.

¹¹ For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways;

¹² they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.

¹³ You will tread upon the lion and the cobra;
you will trample the great lion and the serpent.

¹⁴ "Because he loves me," says the LORD, "I will rescue him;
I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.

¹⁵ He will call upon me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble,
I will deliver him and honor him.

¹⁶ With long life will I satisfy him
and show him my salvation."

GO!

2009-02-24T23:59:00.000-08:00

Did you know that as a believer today there is a vital calling on your life? A "mission" that only you can fit the bill of? Well, it's true. Around here, we're always talking about the "Plan": A Master Plan created just for you, by God himself. Have you ever wanted to know what that plan is all about?

Mark 16:15 (New International Version) says:

He (Jesus) said unto them, "Go ye into all the world, and preach the Good news to all creation".

"Go". It's the final commandment Jesus gave before ascending into Heaven, and one of the most haunting words given in the New Testament. That two letter word sums up the calling on all of our lives, yet so many believers are ignoring it! They live day by day, wondering what they're put on the Earth to do, and what they can do to make an impact on those around them.

GO!

That's the mission, and that's the plan. God wants everyone saved, healed, restored, and living the good life, but He needs you to reach out to those around you, right where you already are. There are lost souls within your reach, destined and connected to the same death and Hell that you once were bound to, who need an "agent" of God to tell them of a better way. Notice that it says... "Preach the GOOD news". The good news creates the good life that we all want and need. The high life!

God is looking for crazy people

As I've lived out this believing life, I've found that one thing will set you apart quicker than anything else, and that's daring to do whatever God asks of you, no matter how crazy it seems. Boldness will not only draw the attention of those around you, but will also grip the heart of God Himself. He absolutely loves it when searching the world over, He discovers a heart like His, in one of His own children. I've learned to surround myself with such people, and am learning to follow in their example.

The Bible is filled with people that were just crazy enough to do whatever it took to follow God, and through Him changed lives forever. One instance can be found in Mark 2:3-5 (King James Version). I just love what it says:

And they came unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four.

And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay.

When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.

Can you just imagine? Those four young men could have easily walked away, saying that "it's too crowded", and "there's just no way that Jesus will ever get to our sick friend, to minister healing power to him". That's what most Christians would've done, but not these guys. They were radical. They were so crazy, they ignored the impossibilities, dragged their friend up the roof, broke in, and lowered him right in front of Jesus! Jesus was so impressed, he could literally "see" their faith in action! They were crazy!

A friend of mine was praying one day, and kept recalling the word "insanity" in his spirit. His thoughts were that if the world considers themselves to be sane, and the Church feels that keeping to themselves would be proper, we desperately need more insanity! We need to allow God to use what may seem foolish in us, to confound the world and show them there's a better way: His name is Jesus!

Is God looking for you?

I used to say no to God's prompting while growing up. It seemed like I was always being asked by my parents, minister friends, or the Holy Spirit Himself, to speak or pray during services at church, and I just kept refusing. I didn't like being in front of people, and I certainly didn't want to make a mistake and embarrass myself. Then one day, I decided to give God all of my life, even the public part. I stopped saying no to Him, and promised that anytime He asks me to speak, I'll do it; as long as He puts the words in my mouth. He's been filling my mouth with good things to say (and type) ever since I made that commitment. In fact, the more I've yielded to His prompting, the more often He leads me to speak up. He's so good, and He wants to do the same through you!

So, what is He leading you to do?

If you're born again, then God has called you just as He's called me. You don't have time to fight it any longer. He may be tapping you on the shoulder saying... "Tell that student next to you in class that I love them, and have a plan for their life", or "Start taking your Bible out at school, and preach to your friends during lunch".
What about your lonely neighbor, wondering if anyone cares? What about that wacko "Goth" that passes by your house every single day, you try to ignore? What about the friend that's rejected Jesus so many times, you'd like to just give up on them, but they're just waiting for one more invitation to know Him before they surrender their whole heart to Him?

Jesus' command was simple: just "Go". He's promised to be with you as you go into all the world and preach the good news:

Deuteronomy 31:6

"...The LORD your God is the one who goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you."

That's a promise. Think about all the instances in the Bible where God, and His Blessing, was with those who obeyed Him: He was with Moses who went on to free an entire nation; with Abraham, whose covenant with God still holds true today; with Queen Esther, whose boldness spared her people from sudden death; with Noah, whose faith in what God said protected him, and his family, form a deadly flood that covered the entire Earth; And with Jesus Himself, who paid the ultimate price by giving up His life, so that we could be reconnected to God.

The list goes on and on, but it doesn't have to end: Your name can be on that list! You can be the one in your generation whose obedience to God spares lives from going to Hell; reaching out to those around you with the love of Jesus, God being with you as you GO! Take the next step in fulfilling your God-given calling by...

Going into all the world and preaching the good news today, and always!

So... Just how hungry are you?

2009-01-28T10:56:00.000-08:00

hun⋅ger [huhng-ger]
–noun
1. a compelling need or desire for food.

Note: This article was copied directly from "Youth On Fire", Firebaugh Faith Fellowship's dynamic youth group's blog.

"WHAT ARE YOU HUNGRY FOR"

There is a huge difference between an appetite and a hunger for something. When we go around saying "I'm hungry", we're using that word vaguely because what we're actually feeling is a physical appetite. Stop eating for a whole week and then you will be using that sentence in it's right context. The word appetite means: a natural desire for something; some want or need. The word hunger means: a craving or urgent need for food; a strong desire. Notice that both definitions have the word "need" in it. But the level of that "need" is dramatically different. In appetite, the need is natural and in hunger it is urgent.

Every Christian has a natural desire for God, but only a few have an urgent longing and need for Him. What is the difference between these two people? The one that is hungering after God is being obedient to God in EVERYTHING, they go to church, pray, read their Word, give, tell others about Jesus, and they have joy as they are doing all of this. The one who has an appetite lives for God on their own terms. They will only do the things that they feel like doing or whatever is convenient for them. Most of the time they are too "busy" for God.

The reason why some aren't hungry for God is because they are too full to be hungry. They are already being fed by other things. Other "foods" are replacing His food. These "foods" can be a job, school, friends, material things, money, hobbies, etc... You cannot hunger when you are full and you will only fill yourself with the things you hunger after. Matthew 5:6 says "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled." Having a strong desire for God is the only thing that will complete us. Now lets look at the flip side of this. Luke 6:25 says "Woe to you who are full, For you shall hunger. Woe to you who laugh now, For you shall mourn and weep." Eventually all of the things that people fill themselves with, things that they pursue with a passion will not be enough. Even though they are so full they are still starving because their spirit hasn't been fed. This is why so many people only run and cry out to God when their "foods" stop sustaining them.

Now, God does want us to have things and pursue the dreams that He has given us. But He has to be the center of all that is going on in our lives or everything will fall. He sustains us, provides us with nourishment, keeps us going and holds us up. We cannot forget this. Our hunger for God will continually fill us with what we need and desire. He is the best provider ever and He wants to provide for us. But we have to seek Him first. Remember that His blessing upon our life is in only in His perfect will. He cannot follow us if we decide to step out of that will. Being hungry for God is a choice. And once we make that choice we have to do the things that will continually connect us to our choice. So what choice will you make today?

Hillsong - For Who You Are

2009-01-24T23:32:00.001-08:00

Psalm 34 (New International Version)
1 I will extol the LORD at all times;
his praise will always be on my lips.
2 My soul will boast in the LORD;
let the afflicted hear and rejoice.
3 Glorify the LORD with me;
let us exalt his name together.
4 I sought the LORD, and he answered me;
he delivered me from all my fears.
5 Those who look to him are radiant;
their faces are never covered with shame.
6 This poor man called, and the LORD heard him;
he saved him out of all his troubles.
7 The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him,
and he delivers them.
8 Taste and see that the LORD is good;
blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.
9 Fear the LORD, you his saints,
for those who fear him lack nothing.
10 The lions may grow weak and hungry,
but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.
11 Come, my children, listen to me;
I will teach you the fear of the LORD.
12 Whoever of you loves life
and desires to see many good days,
13 keep your tongue from evil
and your lips from speaking lies.
14 Turn from evil and do good;
seek peace and pursue it.
15 The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous
and his ears are attentive to their cry;
16 the face of the LORD is against those who do evil,
to cut off the memory of them from the earth.
17 The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them;
he delivers them from all their troubles.
18 The LORD is close to the brokenhearted
and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
19 A righteous man may have many troubles,
but the LORD delivers him from them all;
20 he protects all his bones,
not one of them will be broken.
21 Evil will slay the wicked;
the foes of the righteous will be condemned.
22 The LORD redeems his servants;
no one will be condemned who takes refuge in him

Today's Reading

2009-01-24T23:27:00.000-08:00

Jerimiah 29:11 (NIV)

"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!"

I love the way that The Message translation says it also:

"I know what I'm doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for."

God knows excactly what He's doing when it comes to planning out your life. Trust that, when you seek and follow Him, His plan will be revealed to you. God always has a good plan. Wouldn't you like to know what it is?

It's time to get on your face, and begin to seek Him.

-Daniel

The Love of God

2009-01-13T22:09:00.000-08:00

The love of God is greater far
than pen or tongue can ever tell.

It goes beyond the highest star
and reaches toward the lowest hell

O love of God how rich and pure
it shall for evermore endure.

Could we with ink the ocean fill
and were the skies of parchment made

and every stalk on earth a quill,
and every man a scribe by trade,

to write the love of God above
would drain the ocean dry,

nor could the scroll contain the whole
tho' stretched from sky to sky.
-Ancient Jewish poem

Need Answers?

2008-11-05T00:27:00.000-08:00

GOD HAS A PLAN FOR YOUR LIFE

Join Us For Men's Bible Study

7:00 P.M. Every Tuesday

1418 O. Street

Firebaugh, CA. 93622

559-659-3715

"Pay Attention To Me... My System Is Stronger Than Ever"

2008-11-05T00:18:00.000-08:00

Don’t pay attention to or make any plans based on what the media says or what the politicians say. Stand on My Word in John 16. Pay attention to Me. I [the Holy Spirit] will obey verses 13-15. I will show you things to come. I will lead you through troubled times. I already have THE plan for you, and it’s very good. Follow it. It will not only get you through, it will place you in a very high place—a rich place—a strong place of victory.

You will have to discipline yourself and be diligent to listen to Me. All the other voices will have a plan, a word, an idea for your future and security. Don’t listen to Babylon’s system. It has fallen apart. My system is stronger than ever. My kingdom is flourishing, and THE BLESSING is the place to be.

Keep your eyes on My Word. Listen to it. It will guide you and I will perform it. Love Me. Love My people as I have loved you. Walk in it. Love never fails, and neither does My plan.

Be very cautious to stay completely clean from covetousness. First Timothy 6:10 must live in the forefront of your thinking. If you will do these things and continue therein, you will come into your wealthy place. A place lifted up. A place in Me already planned and prepared for you now. Here. Not heaven—not yet. But it will seem like heaven right in the midst of all the trouble, and you’ll be able to reach out to untold numbers of suffering people with the Good News of the gospel.

I’m coming very soon. Sooner than you think. Keep your eyes on Me and you’ll get the job done.

—Prophecy delivered by Kenneth Copeland
Oct. 19, 2008

New Book by John Bevere!

2008-11-05T00:17:00.000-08:00

In HONOR'S REWARD, bestselling author John Bevere unveils the power and truth of an often-overlooked principle-the spiritual law of honor. Bevere explains that understanding the vital role of this virtue will enable readers to attract blessing both now and for eternity. Check it out!!!

Available at your local Barnes & Noble, and other book retailers.

Prayer of Salvation

2008-10-20T20:11:00.000-07:00

Salvation is a gift that is made available to those who repent, believe and confess that Jesus is Lord and that He died and rose from the dead to save mankind (Acts 16:31; Romans 10:9-10). This gift cannot be earned through good deeds or by simply being "good" (Ephesians 2:8; 1 Timothy 1:9). It is a matter of faith (acting out on what you believe according to God's Word concerning salvation).

If you have come here looking for a change in your life, if you have come seeking a peace that is found only through a personal relationship with a loving God, then you are at the right place. God is ready and willing to help you—right now, and right where you are. Pray this prayer:

Heavenly Father, I come to You in the Name of Jesus. Your Word says, "Whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved" (Acts 2:21). I am calling on You. I pray and ask Jesus to come into my heart and be Lord over my life according to Romans 10:9-10. "If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." I do that now. I confess that Jesus is Lord, and I believe in my heart that God raised Him from the dead.

If you have prayed this prayer, welcome to the family of God. Let us hear from you!