God Sees Glorious Things In You! December 28, 2020 bizadmin …For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7 Picture David when he was a shepherd boy. Many who knew him in his pre-Goliath days would very likely have seen just an ordinary youth—one who lived at home with his parents and siblings, enjoyed the outdoors and loved music. But where others saw a typical teenager, God saw a king in young David. He saw David’s name being uttered in honor forever for even the Lord Jesus is called the Son of David! Picture Moses after he had settled down comfortably in the desert with a beautiful wife, lovely children and good in-laws. He might have seen himself happily retiring in the near future. But God had bigger plans for him. God had big dreams for him. God saw the Red Sea opening up before him and an entire Egyptian army being wiped out in his presence. God saw in Moses the deliverer of His people. Now, step back a little less far in time with me. See a little boy standing alone during playtime. Nobody wants him on their team because he is scrawny and seen as a weakling. As he grows into his teens, he suffers from an inferiority complex. He stammers and stutters so much that all his classmates laugh at him. But today, he is the senior pastor of New Creation Church. Several times each week, he stands in front of a crowd of more than 30,000 people to preach. And he receives invitations to speak in churches and pastors’ conferences worldwide. In those early years, there was no way I could have ever conceived in my mind what God saw in me and the dreams that He had for me. Beloved, God does not see as man sees. God saw in fearful Gideon a mighty man of valor and called him so even when he was hiding from his enemies in fear (see Judges 6:12). God saw in young David a king and anointed him as one (see 1 Samuel 16:10–13). God saw in meek Moses a deliverer and drew him out from obscurity (see Exodus 3). Today, God looks beyond what man sees and says about you, and He has dreams for you that are bigger than you can imagine!
You Are Next! December 19, 2020 bizadmin For every beast of the forest is Mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills. Psalm 50:10 YOU ARE NEXT! Suppose you have just heard of someone whose financial debts have been miraculously cleared. Or your elated friend has just told you that despite being an average student in school, he scored straight As in all his subjects. Perhaps on Sunday, you heard a newlywed couple share about how they won an all-expenses-paid trip for two to Hawaii, or how a once-childless couple is now expecting their miracle child. When you see or hear of others being blessed, do you ever wonder when it will be your turn? Or do you even find yourself saying, “Oh, he got blessed with the very thing that I have been praying for. There goes my blessing.” Now, just because man’s economy operates on the principle of shortage, it does not mean that God operates in the same manner. So the next time somebody gets blessed, tell yourself, “I won’t be disheartened. I won’t be jealous. I am the next one to be blessed!” Always remember that God does not have to bless anyone at your expense. Nor does He have to bless you at anyone’s expense. We don’t have to be jealous of each other. There is a portion that God gives to you which no man can touch because it has your name on it—“A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from heaven” (John 3:27). Our God is a rich God. He owns the whole universe. He has contacts and blessings you do not know of and which are reserved just for you! There is more than enough for everybody with plenty of leftovers. In fact, you will not be able to take it all because when the blessings start coming in, they will come in a net-breaking, boat-sinking style. You will have to call for your friends in the other boats to come and help you (see Luke 5:1–7)! That is the kind of blessings that our God gives. So get ready for your blessings and overflowing abundance!
Never Alone, Always Cared For December 17, 2020 bizadmin casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7 NEVER ALONE, ALWAYS CARED FOR It does not matter how tightly knit our families are or how many close friends we have. When we go through a difficult time or trial, many a time, we still feel all alone and that no one really cares or understands. Martha knew that feeling. She had on one occasion cried out to Jesus, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone?” (Luke 10:40). Jesus’ disciples also knew what it was like to feel small, alone and in trouble. They cried out, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” when they were swept up in a terrifying storm (Mark 4:38). Today, maybe the cry of your heart is also, “Lord, do You not care that I am left all alone…that I am going under…that I am perishing?” My friend, the Lord does care for you. He loves you so much that He wants you to cast all your cares upon Him—not just some but all your cares. He wants both your big and small cares. There is nothing too small or big for Him. If it is a care in your heart, He wants you to cast it upon Him. When the apostle Peter wrote “casting all your care upon Him,” he was talking about the continuous act of casting all your cares upon the Lord. As a care comes, God wants you to cast it to Him. That is the lifestyle He wants you to adopt. Why? The verse gives us the reason—“for He cares for you.” You are casting all your cares upon the One who loves you, and who left all of heaven to come and die for you. That is who you are casting your cares to. It is not just any person, but it is the One who gave His life for you! When you are going through a difficult time, God wants you to believe that you are never alone because He Himself has said that He will never leave you nor forsake you (see Hebrews 13:5). As the object of His care, He will take care of you for the rest of your life. You are never alone and always cared for!
Faith Under Fire: New Faith-Based Film Starring Nick Vlassopoulos, Kevin Sorbo and Dean Cain Offers Hope to Those Who’ve Suffered Loss December 13, 2020 bizadmin Disclosure: Many thanks to Universal Pictures Home Entertainment for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post. Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won a prize from our sponsor Momentum Influencers in the last 30 days, from the same blog, you are not eligible to win. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification. Faith Under Fire: New Faith-Based Film Starring Nick Vlassopoulos, Kevin Sorbo and Dean Cain Offers Hope to Those Who’ve Suffered Loss Collide Distribution, Iconic Events and Universal Pictures Content Group released the trailer premiere of the upcoming film “Faith Under Fire” exclusively to The Christian Post on Monday. Actor Kevin Sorbo says the inspiring movie has a timely message. Set to release in select theaters on Dec. 1, “Faith Under Fire” features several popular actors, including Sorbo (“Hercules,” “God’s Not Dead”), Dean Cain (“Lois & Clark”), and Nick Vlassopoulos (“Detroit”). The faith-based film is set to showcase the journey of grief, forgiveness and finding the courage to rise above. The Joel Paul Reisig-directed film shares the story of fireman Tom Hatcher (Vlassopoulos), “who is at the end of his rope. He saves lives in his job but could not save his wife from cancer, and now his daughter faces the same battle. From an unlikely friend, Tom is challenged to face grief and embrace faith in his darkest hours,” the film synopsis reads. “With so many people facing unthinkable challenges, we need more stories of hope on the big screen,” Sorbo told The Christian Post. “‘Faith Under Fire’ shows that, even in tragedy, God is with us. That’s a powerful message we all need, now more than ever.” President of Collide Distribution Bob Elder echoed Sorbo’s sentiment and believes the film could not be premiering at a better time. Synopsis After an exhausting night saving a young girl from a raging house fire, Fireman Tom Hatcher is at the end of his rope. He couldn’t save his wife from cancer – and worse yet – his 6-year-old daughter, Tiffany, is now facing the same possible fate. When he finds himself in a cold jail cell after attacking a pastor out of frustration with a seemingly absent God, Tom begins to reflect on his downward spiral into despair. But with the help and persistent friendship of the very man he assaulted, Tom is challenged to face his grief and embrace faith in the darkest hours of his life. Review This movie offers a wonderful truth: faith will take you through the fire! Tom Hatcher is a fireman who has fought his share of fires. But none compares to the fires in his personal life that he will have to navigate. He loses his wife, Sara, to cancer, and then shortly afterwards learns that his daughter, Tiffany, has cancer too. In an unforgettable scene, Tom enters the door of a church as Pastor Dan Underwood (strongly portrayed by Dean Cain) is greeting his congregation with an “It’s good to be in the house of the Lord!” Pastor Dan reveals he is beginning a series, and he opens up in Ecclesiastes 3:18. The series will be titled “There is a Season” and he plans to speak about the various topics in this chapter, including the passage that there is a time to be born and a time to die. From the back of the church a hurting Tom challenges the pastor. “Where are these miracles?” he demands. “When will God come down and do these miracles? Where’s the Almighty to help the people? Where is the King?” Pastor Dan steps down from the platform and goes to the man. “He knows our pain and is acquainted with our grief,” he says. When the pastor begins to speak of faith Tom belts him and knocks him down! Fortunately, the story doesn’t end there. One of the pastor’s statements becomes a theme of the film: “Doubt is the yeast that spoils the whole loaf.” He and Tom meet again as Tom apologizes and Pastor Dan does his utmost to help Tom travel the path of pain and disappointment. As the pastor points out, God puts people in our lives that love us and help us along the way and our faith in God’s love is essential to maintain peace of mind. One of the persons that God places in Tom’s life is a nurse, named Melissa, and Tom’s own daughter Tiffany believes that her mother would even be pleased if Tom were to marry her. Melissa is a warm person, compassionate, and patient. She knows Tom has been through a lot with the loss of his wife and the serious illness of his daughter. However, when Tom misses a dinner date with her and winds up instead at the bar, it soon becomes questionable whether he will get another chance. Tiffany’s health goes up and down, with good days when she is even able to return home from the hospital, to the not-so-good days when she winds up back at the hospital. When Tom attends church with Tiffany, the ushers are not aware that Tom and Pastor Dan made peace, and they ask him to leave. It will take a lot of perseverance and convincing for Pastor Dan to get Tom to return to the church. Another person who is placed in Dan’s life is Tiffany’s doctor, Dr. Robinson, a Christian who is not ashamed to tell Tom he is praying for Tiffany. Kevin Sorbo gives a powerful performance as the doctor, especially when he has to sit Tom down to give him some difficult news. The movie does a good job in laying out the painful moments of life, but also in offering hope through faith in God and the help of caring people. The actress billed simply as Tenley is terrific as Tiffany, giving a layered performance as a young, compassionate girl who is also wise beyond her years. Likewise, Nick Vlassopoulos gives a solid performance as Tom Hatcher. Although there are some depressing moments in the film, such as when we find out about Pastor Dan’s pain from the past, there are several shining moments when hope is offered for the warriors of God to march forward. We are awarding this dramatic, faith-based film our Dove-approved seal for Ages 12+, while noting some children a bit younger may be mature enough to watch as well. Parents should consult our content listing and make their own informed decisions. Summary: This movie will speak to everyone — and it offers hope to families that have experienced pain that God and people who care are to be found, if they only remember it. Content Description Faith: A strong faith message with a few verses of scriptures quoted and references to the God of the Bible. Integrity: There are examples of compassionate and caring people in the film that try to do the right thing and forgive as well as look out for those who are suffering. Sex: Couples kiss at midnight New Year’s Eve. Language: None Violence: A man strikes a pastor in church but they later reconcile. Drugs: A couple of scenes of drinking, including one at a New Year’s party. Nudity: None Other: Themes of pain and suffering, with tension between characters and a man dealing with death and grief; blood is seen in a young girl’s toilet, from the cancer. Info Company: Generation Courage and Collide Distribution Writer: Gary Wayne Allison, Joel Paul Reisig Director: Joel Paul Reisig Genre: Drama Runtime: 88 min. Industry Rating: Not Rated Starring: Dean Cain, Kevin Sorbo, Nick Vlassopoulous Reviewer: Ed C. Buy Links Walmart: https://www.walmart.com/ip/Faith-Under-Fire-DVD/305820831 Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Faith-Under-Fire-Nick-Vlassoppulos/dp/B08KH3RC2V/ref=sr _1_1 Target: https://www.target.com/p/faith-under-fire-dvd-2020/-/A-81580716 Hashtag: #FaithUnderFireMIN
The Loneliness Solution Book and eBook Giveaway November 30, 2020 bizadmin “Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Revel Publishers for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post. Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won a prize from our sponsor FlyBy Promotions/Momentum Influencer in the last 30 days, from the same blog, you are not eligible to win. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification. The Loneliness Solution Many people are lonely and even with families around them, they can feel the loneliness. Hence, this book was authored by Jack Eason to find meaningful connection in a disconnected world. Now with social media, like Facebook, WhatsApp, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, etc., people are connection via the digital way; but it is different from communicating face-to-face. Benefits: Important for everyone, especially students this holiday break! Learn the obstacles to real community Reimagine what real friendship looks like Discover a place of true belonging In this holiday break with Christmas just around the corner, it is important to get engaged with people, with your loved ones and others. Students need to take note of these are they are still growing and maturing into young adults. Loneliness kills and therefore, we can get connected with Jesus or our Father God by praying and having quiet time with Him. Of course, there are obstacles to real community and its challenges. This is due to the different DNA and experience that people go through in their lives. Although we are encourage to have fellowship with one another, be careful who you choose your friends to be. Choose the right friends, you are on your way to the right path. Choose the wrong friends who drink, smoke, bum around and have no goals in life, and you are on your way to a downhill path, become broke, etc. Basically, you are the average of 5 closest people to you. Hence, it is very pertinent to choose wisely. Also, at the core of our relationships, is taking a risk to be vulnerable with someone, so connection can happen. Matthew 4:4 – Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'” We need to depend on God for every breath we take. There have been cases of celebrities to took their own lives, ending them prematurely, due to loneliness. They may have the money, the power and adulation of the crowd; yet deep inside, there is a loneliness that haunts them. Therefore, we need the God of the Universe by our side every moment of our lives. Buy Links Landing page: https://www.amazon.com/Loneliness-Solution-Meaningful-Connection-Disconnected/dp/080073789X/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=the+loneliness+solution&qid=1606748925&sr=8-2 Direct retailer link: https://www.jackeason.org/preorder/the-loneliness-solution-pre-order Official Hashtags: #LonelinessSolution You and your winner will receive a free copy of the book! Finally, stay save at home in this Covid-19 pandemic that has ravaged the lives of people around us and the global economy. Every day we need to wake up counting our blessings with gratitude. The above is a picture of the author, Jack Eason.
Before the Wrath – The Number 1 Christian Movie in America November 21, 2020 bizadmin Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”). Many thanks to Ingenuity Films for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post. Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won a prize from our sponsor FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days, from the same blog, you are not eligible to win. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. The winner is subject to eligibility verification. Title: Before The Wrath Release: March 3, 2020 Runtime: 84 Minutes Studio: Ingenuity Films Writer: Brent Miller Jr Director: Brent Miller Jr Starring: Kevin Sorbo, Jack Hibbs, Amir Tsarfati, J.D. Farag, Jan Markell, Jay McCarl, Scott McConnell, Lizette Dillinger, Jemma Rizzuto, Kevin Hayer Official Website: www.BeforeTheWrath.com Short Synopsis: Based on true discoveries from the time of Christ. While most people no longer believe that Jesus is coming back, researchers in the Middle East have discovered new evidence that proves the prophesied Rapture is not only real, but why it must soon come to pass. This shocking insight will reignite hope for believers and prepare the world for what’s coming. Narrated by Kevin Sorbo (God’s Not Dead). Long Synopsis: Bible scholars continue to debate the timing of the Rapture, but why is such a mysterious event prophesied to happen in the first place? Is there a deeper understanding surrounding this occurrence that we’ve lost over the millennia that those living in the first-century clearly understood? Although most people today no longer believe that Jesus is coming back, newly discovered ancient anthropological evidence from the time of Christ finally reveals unprecedented findings that could prove the upcoming Rapture is not only real, but why this event must soon some to pass. Regardless of your end-times views, Before the Wrath will captivate believers and non-believers alike; revealing new depths of theological understanding regarding what Jesus revealed to the ancient Galileans about the end of the world in ways you could never have imagined. Narrated by Kevin Sorbo (God’s Not Dead). Featuring interviews with Jack Hibbs, Amir Tsarfati, Jan Markell, J.D. Farag and more. ● #1 Christian movie in America ● Highlights the importance and impact of Biblical prophecy ● Narrated by Kevin Sorbo and featuring: ○ Jack Hibbs – Theologist and host of “Real Life” on SiriusXM ○ Amir Tsarfati – Founder and President of Behold Israel ○ Jan Markell – Founder of Olive Tree Ministries ○ JD Farag – Theologist and Eschatologist ○ Scott McConnell – Exec. Director of Lifeway Research ○ Jay McCarl – Ancient Middle Eastern Anthropologist ○ Lizette Dillinger – Qualitative Director of LifeWay Research ● 5-day reading plan available – https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/20059-before-the-wrath We have been warned that a time of great deception will come. But we must hold on to our faith. That one day, Jesus would return, to save us from the end of the world. Most people, don’t believe that Jesus is coming back. What if, there was evidence to prove that, this is ALL Real? Why does that Rapture have to happen? What is the point of it all? This is the most profound discovery in human history. This discovery proves that Jesus is coming back! We are not destined to live in this world forever. We were taken out of the earth; we are nothing more than dust. And to dust, we shall return. Though the body must perish, the spirit lives forever. So, I urge you, to seek the eternal things, rather than that which will decay into nothing. At the end of days, our Messiah will return, as prophesied. My brothers and sisters-in-Christ, know that a time of great tribulation approaches. Buy Links Landing page: https://www.walmart.com/ip/BEFORE-THE-WRATH-DVD/516653610 Direct retailer link: http://www.beforethewrath.com/order_select.cfm #beforethewrathmovie
Christ Is The Treasure In You November 19, 2020 bizadmin But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. 2 Corinthians 4:7 CHRIST IS THE TREASURE IN YOU The verse tells us that we have “this treasure” in earthen vessels. Who is the treasure? Christ! Who are the earthen vessels here? You and I! Thank God the treasure is in the earthen vessels. My friend, Christ the treasure is in you. So don’t get frustrated when you see your “earthiness.” You will always be “earthen” as long as you are in your mortal body, but remember that Christ the treasure is in you. Should you lose your cool with your spouse or children, remember that Christ in you is your patience. When I feel impatient, I don’t pray, “Lord Jesus, give me patience…now!” No, I look to Jesus and I say, “Lord Jesus, I thank You that You are my patience.” In my younger days and even when I first got married, I had a bad temper. I tried all sorts of anger management techniques, but I never got very far until I told God, “God, I am so frustrated trying to overcome my anger. I give up! I cannot. You can. I rest and depend on You.” Not too long after that, my wife commented, “You know, you have improved in the area of your temper.” I thought about what she had said and realized that I was not even conscious of the change in me. When family members can see the patience of Christ manifesting through a naturally impatient person, God gets the glory. Perhaps you are frustrated with your smoking and drinking habits. Or maybe you are discouraged by your feelings of jealousy, distrust, bitterness, depression and defeat. Don’t condemn yourself for being earthen. Don’t try to “cast out” your earthiness. Just realize that you have Christ the treasure in you. The more you see that treasure in you, the more Christ’s brilliance shines forth in you. And in the midst of your earthiness, God gets the glory as you yourself are transformed from glory to glory (see 2 Corinthians 3:18)!
‘Help Me Pray, Holy Spirit’ November 5, 2020 bizadmin But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, Jude 1:20 ‘HELP ME PRAY, HOLY SPIRIT’ When my daughter Jessica was little, she woke up one night crying. She was not sick, but would not stop crying even though her mother and I tried to pacify her. I did not know what to do. I went to the restroom, sat on the floor and cried out, “Holy Spirit, You know what is wrong with my child. You know what she needs better than I do, so I yield her to You now.” I started praying in tongues and she stopped crying immediately! Now, I wish that such instantaneous results are the norm, but they are not. On another occasion, I experienced severe pain from the back of my neck to my shoulders. I prayed for healing, but the pain persisted for quite some time and I was quite concerned. One night, in my room, I knelt down and prayed, “Holy Spirit, You know this condition. I don’t know what it is, but I am asking You to make perfect prayer against this condition.” I started praying in tongues. I don’t know how long I prayed, maybe an hour or so, until I felt the burden lift. I finally fell asleep, still in pain. But when I woke up, all the pain was gone! When you are faced with a crisis, you can tell the Holy Spirit, “I don’t know how to pray about this problem. I have done everything I know, but I don’t seem to be getting my breakthrough. Help me pray, Holy Spirit.” And as you pray in the Spirit, you will feel like there is a prayer going on within you. Flow with it until you feel a release. You will feel peace, the burden lifting and a note of victory inside you. The Holy Spirit will assure you that everything is going to be all right or He will prompt you to do something. Then, you will find that what has been hindering you from receiving your breakthrough is removed, and in its place is the answer you need!