Category: Joy

No One is Responsible…

for my identity, joy, life, breath, eyesight.

Father God gave all these things.

Genesis 1:27 (NIV), “So God created mankind in His own image, in the image of God He created them; male and female He created them.”

Genesis 2:7, “Then the LORD God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.”

Job 1:21, Job said: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised.”

Jeremiah 1:5, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”

John 1:3-4, “All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men.”

John 9:25, “He replied, ‘Whether He is a sinner or not, I don’t know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!'”

Acts 17:25, “And He is not served by human hands, as if He needed anything. Rather, He Himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else.”

Ephesians 1:5 (NLT), “God decided in advance to adopt us into His own family by bringing us to Himself through Jesus Christ. This is what He wanted to do, and it gave Him great pleasure.”

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, “Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

1 Peter 2:9, “But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for He called you out of the darkness into His wonderful light.”

Celebrate Jesus

 For a holiday – everyday!

“Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” John 14:6 (NIV).

In John 2:7-10 (NIV) turning water into wine at the wedding!:

Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water”; so they filled them to the brim.

Then he told them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.”

They did so,  and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside and said, “Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now.

Luke 15:4-7 (NKJV):

What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!’ I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.

John 16:33 (KJV): Be of good cheer, I have overcome the world

John 10:10, Jesus says: I came that they may have abundant life

“God wants His people happy” says Pat Robertson on 700 Club.

Salsa / Cheese / Ground Beef Dip

“Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” John 21:12 (NIV).  You may not want this  for breakfast, but this recipe is a tried and true crowd pleaser!

Ingredients:

  • 4 Cloves Garlic, chopped
  • 1 Pound Ground Beef
  • 1 Pound Cheddar Cheese, shredded
  • 16 Ounce Jar of Salsa (I love Newman’s or Chili’s)
  • 1/4 Olive Oil
  • 1 Teaspoon Oregano
  • 1 Teaspoon Cumin
  • 1/2 Teaspoon Coriander
  • 1/2 Teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes
  • 1/2 Turmeric
  • 1/2 Teaspoon Sea Salt
  • Tortilla Chips
  • Sour Cream

In a large skillet, sauté garlic in olive oil on medium/low heat till soft, about 5 minutes.  Stir in the oregano, cumin, coriander, red pepper and turmeric, add the ground beef, gently breaking it up and sprinkling sea salt on it. Toss and cook till just brown, about 10 minutes.  Combine the meat mixture, salsa and shredded cheddar cheese in a large baking dish.  Bake at 350 degree Fahrenheit for about 15 minutes or till bubbly.

Serve with Tortilla chips and sour cream.

 

Jesus is Here

No more crying, no more stress

  • He came to set the captives free (Luke 4:18).
  • to give eternal life (John 3:16).
  • with His Life force (Luke 24:49).
  • He opens bind eyes (Mark 8:22-25).
  • What He means for you; a hope and a future, to never be ashamed (Jeremiah 29:11, Psalm 25:3).

Jesus says, “It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.” in John 6:63 (KJV).

Pastor Rick Warren says the Devil condemns, but the Bible says: “there’s no condemnation in Christ” (Romans 8:1).  Our loving Father convicts: like you’ll get through this, “here’s the way, walk in it,” Isaiah 30:21.

Receive it and live

Great Joy

Unspeakable Joy

“SomeOne greater is here”. Matthew 12:6

 

Speak Life, again

Prov 4:20-22 (KJV), “My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.”

Hate the sin, love the sinner, right?

In the name of Jesus, right now I rebuke every filfthy, distasteful, rude, mocking word said to or about myself and everyone who reads this.

We are children of God, He says who we are, not _______!  We are loved, forgiven, righteous, blessed, planned and hoped for.  We have the Holy Spirit, the oil of gladness, love, joy, peace, faithfulness, truth, and purity.  God the Father’s on our side, who can be against us?

 

Prodigal Daughter

“But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’”  Jesus in Luke 15:23.

Proverbs 31:

“Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.” Proverbs vs. 25.

“Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.” vs. 28.

“What is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of man that You visit him? For You have made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honor.” Psalm 8:4-5 (NKJV).

Psalm 45:13, “The king’s daughter is all glorious withing: her clothing is wrought with gold.”

“A man’s gift makes room for him & brings him before great men.” Proverbs 18:16.

“And in all the land were no women found so fair as the daughters of Job: and their father gave them inheritance among their brethren.” Job 42:15.

“For You, Lord, will bless the righteous; with favour wilt Thou compass him as with a shield.” Psalm 5:12.

“But He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold.” Job 23:10.

“The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear Him, and delivereth them.” Psalm 34:7.

Joshua 1:9 (NIV), ” Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Isaiah 50:7 (NIV), “Because the Sovereign LORD helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore have I set my face like flint, and I know I will not be put to shame.”

Isaiah 54:17, “No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of Me, saith the LORD.”

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
 In all your ways acknowledge Him,
and He will make straight your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV).

“Keep company with God, get in on the best.  Open up before God, keep nothing back;

    He’ll do whatever needs to be done:” Psalm 37:4-5 (The Message).

Psalm 63:7 (NIV), “Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.”

Isaiah 40:31 (NKJV), “But those who wait on the Lord
Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint.”

Jesus in John 14:27 (NKJV), “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you, Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”

City of Refuge

http://www.ciudadrefugio.org/

It´s not too late to sign up a group from your local church or organization to visit Ciudad Refugio in 2018.  Contact us at info@ciudadrefugio.org for more information.

We are gearing up for the Ciudad Refugio annual summer missions spree.  In April, May and June we received teams from Christ for the Nations in Medellin, United Life Academy and Adventures in Missions as well as a group of chiropractors who came to attend individuals in Medellin, local prisons and the Manantiales community.  In the coming Summer months we will receive additional teams from churches in Florida and Puerto Rico. We will be receiving a group of 20 chiropractors in June coming to bless more than 2,000 individuals in Medellin.  We are also looking forward to individual volunteers coming to serve from Summit International School of Ministry and Asbury Seminary.

 

 

 

EL VISTO BUENO
After nearly two years of praying, waiting, petitioning and document filing we have been given the Visto Bueno (government approval) for our new building project.  This is a major victory!!  We are now in the final layer of the approval process which will be completed in less than three months.  We are projecting project demolition in early fall, 2018.  Thank you for continuing to pray with us!
GERMAN VOLUNTEERS   Ciudad Refugio will be saying goodbye to our current group of German volunteers who will be returning to Germany in July after completing their year of volunteerism.  Thank you Celia, Lydia and Daniel for your service!  Following close behind them is a group of 7 Colombian volunteers from a variety of churches and Christian organizations in Colombia that Ciudad Refugio is training to send to Germany to serve for a year in social service projects working with refugees, children and the elderly.