Don’t let evil conquer you!

Dear friends, while meditating on the Word of God this morning, the following Scriptures struck us in a fresh and exciting way, and we’ve decided to share them with you. Enjoy the read:

“(Let your love be sincere) Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.

“Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them. Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all!

“Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.

“Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say,

“I will take revenge;
I will pay them back,”
says the Lord.

Instead,

“If your enemies are hungry, feed them.
If they are thirsty, give them something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap
burning coals of shame on their heads.”

Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.”

Source: Romans 12: 9-21 (New Living Translation)

Where is the Presence of God in these Times?

“My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest” (Exodus 33:14 NIV)

For the past few days, it has been on the news, about a gunman, Seung-Hui Cho, who shot and killed himself after opening fire in a dorm and classroom at Virginia Tech on Monday 16 April, killing at least 32 others in what is said to be the deadliest shooting spree in U.S. history. Until now, it is not fully clear exactly what set him off to carryout such a dastardly act. A few psychiatrists have tried to analyze Cho’s mental state which caused him to go on the rampage. However, one thing is very obvious; many people, because of this incidence now live in fear of the unknown. Who would have suspected an innocent looking guy like Cho, of carrying out such an act? There really is no safe place in this world except under God's grace. For the victims, we can only pray comfort and strength....this can happen to anyone.

The Virginia Tech shooting is just one of the many of such incidents occurring all over the world today. They may take different forms, yet they all leave the same impression in the hearts of people - fear. Consequently, there is a general trap of the fear of the unknown holding many people bound, as insecurity gains more grounds in the hearts of individuals and nations world over. If it is not fear of terrorist attacks, then it is fear of natural disasters or war, or political crises leading to violence and bloodshed, and so the list goes on.

The troubles of the time we live in have left many people questioning, the presence of God in the world today. Could it be that God has suddenly slept off, or lost control of His creation, and allowed evil to increase?

As children of God, we have many promises from God in the Bible, speaking of His presence with us. The Psalmist wrote, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1). This knowledge caused him to proclaim, “Therefore we will not fear, even though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea” (Psalm 46:2). When we realize all that God’s presence in our life entails, we will be protected from all fear and anxiety.

God promises, “I will never leave you, nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5). Yes, His presence is with us always. This enables us to say, “The Lord is my Helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me” (Hebrews 13:6). When Jesus gave us His Great Commission, He concluded with these words: “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:20). The glorious truth is that no matter what happens, God will be with us always. Halleluyah!

And so we can joyfully say, thank you Lord for always being there for us. Amen!

WALKING AWAY FROM GOD’S PRESENCE - By Felix Abrahams Obi

Too many Christians are strangers to God’s presence and because they are unaware of the benefits of daily pursuing God’s presence, they live on in life without a care. Sadly, the practice of daily cultivating the presence of God is one that is taken lightly. We need to challenge and change this mindset as we enter into this new week. It is very important that we to renew our walk with God on a daily basis, and take a review of how we are getting along with God at the end of each week. This is what Christian fathers and mystics of old called ‘examen’. And when we take God’s presence seriously, we never would let anything take away the time we’d allotted to God for intimate communion with him.

Many wake up on Monday mornings with a hiss; “oh, here again is another week of stress and work”. After stretching and wiping their faces of the evidence of dried secretions from their mouths and eyes, they head straight to the bathroom to shower, groom themselves and get ready for work. For the ‘quiet time’ conscious ones, they hurriedly mutter a few lines of memorized prayers, and then read a portion from their daily devotional laced with a few Bible verses. But for many others who have been subsumed by the hustle and bustle of 9-5 jobs, they hit the streets without a care. Afterall, they had been to Sunday service the previous day, and had received enough ‘anointing’ to carry them through out the week before they get a refill the next Sunday. Church is seen as a gas station where they get a dose of anointing at no cost, and might give an offering in ‘gratitude’ to God >>>>>>>click to read more

Comfort for God’s Children

“If you [really] love Me, you will keep (obey) My commands. And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, and Standby), that He may remain with you forever” (John 14:15-16 Amplified Bible).

The Word of God for us in the Bible says, “Sing for joy, O heavens! Rejoice, O earth! Burst into song, O mountains! For the Lord has comforted his people and will have compassion on them in their suffering” (Isaiah 49:13 NLT). In truth, our God is “the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4 NIV). This verse shows us that comfort is not a selfish thing, and it is given to us so that we can share it with others.

God promises to give His children, “a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor” (Isaiah 61:3 NIV).

The comfort which God gives to us, His children, does not necessarily make us comfortable, but it does meet our need in times of loss and discouragement and pain. He promises to give us His comfort. In fact, Jesus makes us to understand that the Holy Spirit is the divine Comforter. This is what He says, “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you” (John 14:26 KJV).

How wonderful it is to know that our Father will always give us comfort in times of difficulty and pain. Our prayer for everyone who reads this post is that the Word of God will always bring life and comfort to you in times of affliction with His comforting presence, through Jesus Christ. Amen.

Celebrity Divorces

(News from http://www.forbes.com)

Celebrity divorces are big business. Tabloids voraciously cover them. Fans hungrily follow them. Lawyers and business managers protectively orchestrate them. And they certainly are common. Last year alone saw the breakups of Britney Spears and Kevin Federline, Paul McCartney and Heather Mills, and Reese Witherspoon and Ryan Phillippe.

Many Hollywood marriages last barely long enough for the ink to dry on the marriage licenses. Singer Kid Rock and Baywatch babe Pam Anderson were wed for just four months. Actress Drew Barrymore's nuptials to comic Tom Green hit the skids after five months. Pop diva Jennifer Lopez and backup dancer Chris Judd managed to make it to only the eight-month mark before calling it quits.

Who did what to whom is far less important in a celebrity divorce than who gives what to whom. Generally, the bigger the star, the greater the payout. For the showbiz legends who landed on our list of the 10 Most Expensive Celebrity Divorces, the spectacular settlements with their exes made Hollywood history.

The 10 Most Expensive Celebrity Divorces

Divorce has its price — and no celebrity, it appears, knows that better than Michael Jordan.

The basketball superstar's split last December from his wife of 17 years, Juanita, is No. 1 on Forbes.com's list of "The 10 Most Expensive Celebrity Divorces."

Juanita Jordan could possibly "get more than $150 million in a settlement, making the Jordan divorce the most expensive in entertainment history," Forbes said.

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Neil Diamond, whose 1995 divorce from Marcia Murphey cost him an estimated $150 million, holds second place.

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Steven Spielberg comes in third for paying his ex-wifeSEARCH
Amy Irving an estimated $100 million, which was then half his fortune, when they divorced in 1989. The Oscar-winning director is now worth $3 billion.

Also making the list are estimated settlements between SEARCH
Harrison Ford and Melissa Mathison ($85 million);

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Kevin Costner and Cindy Silva ($80 million);

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Paul McCartney and Heather Mills, whose divorce could cost him more than $60 million;

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James Cameron andSEARCH
Linda Hamilton ($50 million);

Michael and Diandra Douglas ($45 million and two homes);

Lionel and Diane Richie ($20 million); and

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Mick Jagger and SEARCH
Jerry Hall ($15 to $25 million).

Forbes said they researched divorces of the last 25 years in compiling the list, which was posted Thursday on its Web site.

>>>>>>>click here to get the full gist

A Call to Prayer!

It cannot be over emphasized, our need for prayer. We believe that regular prayer helps to release a continuous flow of spiritual power from God ( James 5:16-18). We also believe that our prayers provide God's intervention in situations (Ezekiel 22:29-30), and that's why we would like to urge you to join us in praying for Nigeria at this time of her elections. For the whole of this week from 14-21 April 2007, as much as you feel it in your spirit please pray for Nigeria's elections : To be free and fair God's protection of His people from violence and bloodshed Elected Government leaders. That our various leaders to be, shall be just and God fearing - 1 Timothy 2:1-4, 2 Thessalonians 3:1-21 Jesus taught us to pray, "thy Kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven" (Matthew 6:10). We believe therefore, that God wants us as His people to pray for His ultimate will to be done in our Nations. If you feel the need to pray right now with us, please feel free to join our "Prayer Room" by clicking here. Thank you for your anticipated response. We love you in Christ, Uche & Lola

I Know My Redeemer Lives!

But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and that he will stand upon the earth at last. And after my body has decayed, yet in my body I will see God. I will see him for myself. Yes, I will see him with my own eyes. I am overwhelmed at the thought!

Job 19:25-27 NLT

I know that my Redeemer lives; what joy the blest assurance gives! He lives, He lives, who once was dead; He lives, my everlasting Head!

He lives, all glory to His name; He lives, my Savior, still the same; what joy the blest assurance gives: I know that my Redeemer lives!

I Know That My Redeemer Lives
Samuel Medley (1738-1799)

Every once in a while, a verse jumps out of the Bible at you and takes on a poignant new meaning.

Job lost his fortune, family, and much of his health. In a stunning display of faith, he expresses his only remaining hope: "I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth" (Job 19:25).

The words find an uncanny fulfillment in Jesus Christ.

Jesus gave His life to redeem us, to buy us back from our slavery to sin. His death was the price of our freedom. But that's not the bottom line, thank God. As the sun rises each morning, we can say with Job, "I know that my Redeemer lives." He lives!

Death could not hold Him. He lives, to finish salvation's work in me.

Hymnwriter Samuel Medley often repeated words and phrases in his songs.

Here, what's repeated is the most important concept: "He lives…He lives…He lives!!."

What hope divine, what joy unspeakable, what blessed assurance that you and I who believe, now have!

Contributed by Moda

You Are Appreciated!

Hey Friends,

Thank you for all your response to our blog posts and for your prayer support. In appreciation we'd love to invite you to join us in spreading the message of the love of God in Jesus Christ. Just click on our badge below and get a free 'Passion of Christ' e-card & an audio message to send to your friends and family who do not know Jesus. God bless you.

We love you in Christ,

Uche & Lola

We Wish Y'all a Happy Easter!

What is 'Good' about Good Friday?

Yesterday, one of my classmates who is not a Christian asked me this question, “What's the meaning of Good Friday?” I told him that Good Friday is a day on which many Christians worldwide remember the crucifixion (or death on the cross) of Jesus Christ . Then he asked me in surprise and disbelief, “if it is about the remembrance of Jesus' death on the cross, then what is good about it that calls for the name 'Good Friday'?”

Now that is the amazing wonder of God's love. Remember that popular Bible verse, “For 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” (John 3:16). I told him that the death of Jesus on the cross is the highest expression of God's love for mankind. As the Bible puts it, “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13), also in Romans 5:8, it says, "But God has shown us how much he loves us---it was while we were still sinners that Christ died for us!”

So the good thing about 'Good Friday' is the realization of the truth that there is nothing good about me as a person, yet God had to make such a huge sacrifice of His most precious possession for my sake. Jesus suffered the spiritual agony of the dying sinner--lost, without salvation, without God, dying for his sins. Only in Jesus' case He was dying for my sins and your sins; the sins of the whole world. He was willing to go through all that so we could be forgiven and have eternal life. Such love!

.....But the story does not end there. “Three days later, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came at dawn to the tomb, and an angel appeared and rolled the stone away. When the Roman guards saw the angel, "they shook for fear of him, and became as dead men." But the angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid. ... Jesus is not here; for He is risen, as He said. And the angel showed the women where Jesus' body had lain. (Matthew 28:1-8). Halleluyah!

Today, that same power that rose Jesus from the dead is available to set you free from the bondage of sin and bring you to a relationship with God. “For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit” (1 Peter 3:18). Today, you can receive Him and His salvation if you believe, by simply and sincerely saying a prayer like this:

"Lord Jesus, I believe you are the Son of God. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins. Please forgive my sins and give me the gift of eternal life. I ask you in to my life and heart to be my Lord and Savior. I want to serve you always."

If you have just prayed this prayer or you have any questions about what you have just read please feel free to contact us on houseofvirtue@gmail.com

This Easter Season.....A Season of Forgiveness

"If you forgive others the wrongs they have done to you, your Father in heaven will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive the wrongs you have done” (Matthew 6:14-15 ).

This Easter season is indeed a good time to reflect on the many promises of God. For us here, God's promise of forgiveness is very important to remember. He tells us that, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).

Jesus prayed, “give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors” (Matthew 6:11-12). This is a well known prayer, and immediately afterward Jesus said, “ For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you” (Matthew 6:14-15 ).

As we reflect on the teachings of Jesus Christ, we see a direct relationship between our capacity to forgive others and God's willingness to forgive us. When we pray, “Forgive our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us,” do we really want God to forgive us in the same way we show forgiveness to others? This would be our true prayer only if we knew there was no unforgiveness in our heart toward others.

Jesus reminds us, “Her many sins have been forgiven—for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little" (Luke 7:47). Clearly, the ability to forgive stems from the ability to love, and we love “.....because He [Jesus] first loved us” (1 John 4:19).

.....And just in case you are reading this post and you don't really know or understand who Jesus Christ is. We'd like to tell you that He is the Son of God. He lived a sinless life and then died on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins. “God demonstrates His own love for us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).

Jesus rose from the dead and now He lives in heaven with God His Father. He offers us the gift of eternal life -- of living forever with Him in heaven if we accept Him as our Lord and Savior. Jesus said "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except by Me" (John 14:6).

God reaches out in love to you and wants you to be His child. "As many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe on His name" (John 1:12). You can choose to ask Jesus Christ to forgive your sins and come in to your life as your Lord and Savior.

If you believe this, and you want to accept Jesus Christ today, you can ask Him to be your Savior and Lord by praying a prayer like this:

"Lord Jesus, I believe you are the Son of God. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins. Please forgive my sins and give me the gift of eternal life. I ask you in to my life and heart to be my Lord and Savior. I want to serve you always."

If you have just prayed this prayer or you have any questions about what you have just read please feel free to contact us on houseofvirtue@gmail.com

"HOOKER FOR JESUS"

WARNING DISCLOSURE: If you are under 18, please ask permission from your parents to read this story.

What??? Did I read that right? What is a "Hooker for Jesus?" This is a real honest and powerful testimony of X-Hooker Annie Lobert. Please read this story and witness the enduring mercy of God, and the power of salvation in Christ Jesus.

EVERYTHING THAT WE KEEP HIDDEN HAS POWER OVER US!!!

I was a prostitute in the escort services in LAS VEGAS, (the public calls it "HIGH CLASS CALL GIRL") in the casinos, on the street, and I was an exotic dancer in the clubs. I did everything that you can imagine, saw and met people that I would never have thought would have even "ordered" a girl. MANY of them were very famous stars and influential people in society... I lived this lifestyle for over 11 years... and it just didn't happen overnight.

It all started when I was a little girl. I never felt really loved; there was abuse in my family that lowered my self-esteem to the degree that I became desperate for love. I tell you, I felt very rejected and broken-hearted all the time. When you are told a certain thing you are as a child, you tend to believe it. Point blank, I couldn't love my self, or anyone else for that matter--I didn't feel that I deserved it.

My first sexual experience happened with a close friend of mine when I was eight years old. I didn't know this was abuse at the time, but the truth of the matter is that I was violated. As a "family duty" I went to church every week, but because of the hypocrisy in the church and in my home, I couldn't really believe God was real, so I hid my secret and feelings inside me. I could not trust anyone.

Relationships? Huh!!! Couldn't manage to keep ANY because I was so messed up on the inside. As I grew up, I went to seven different schools because our family moved around so much. It was very difficult, and coming to each school as the "new" girl wearing garage sale clothing...well let's just say that kids back then could be very cruel if you were not rich, popular, and "perfect." When you are brokenhearted, what is your definition of love? My self-worth was defined by looking for love in all the WRONG places, in WRONG people. You get the picture--nightclubs, drinking/drug parties, hanging out in bad parts of town--listening to wrong (sexually perverted) types of music and TV, reading "fashion" magazines. (This had a HUGE influence on me.) I was the "party girl"! This is when the first of many rapes happened... In the process I became even more hurt, bitter, angry, rejected, LONELY, but most of all, more desperate to find the TRUTH.

I was always chasing just to belong, hungry for acceptance, just to be loved. If you told me I was beautiful, I wouldn't believe you. I didn't see that when I looked in the mirror. I had to wear a mask continually... pretending everything was "okay." My belief was that I just needed to put on a pretty smile, and everything would be alright. But it wasn't. I kept burying my pain deep inside me. I just kept searching and experimenting, no matter WHAT the cost.

I might not look like it, but I did it ALL, I tell you the truth! Prostitution,(street & high class call girl) exotic strip dancing, nude modeling, drugs of every kind, sex addiction, cutting, abortions--yes and miscarriages...................read more

.....................I finally found the TRUTH, and it was not in some man, materialism, drug or fantasy. It is in a man that will never leave you nor forsake you. He is faithful, merciful, graceful, kind, but most of all he loves me for ME and NOT who I used to be!

His name is Jesus Christ. You see, I never really knew WHY I went through the pain I did until I received this revelation, that our God is so merciful, full of grace--that he really does love us, and He just wanted a relationship with me. He wanted me to ask Him for forgiveness, for if we do that, then we can FINALLY FORGIVE OURSELVES! I forgave myself from all the terrible things that I had done, and the yoke of bondage and guilt was "lifted" from my back>>>>>>>>click here to read the rest of the story