Thursday, September 16, 2010
Beauty for Ashes
Life in ministry is hard....
Sometimes I feel like I am called to be the person who always helps, always encourages, is always trying to change the lives of everyone around me for the better. The interesting thing about this is that I actually do it! I do it so much that I have difficulty recognizing the very real things in my life. I, like everyone else struggle...however, when I struggle, I feel like there is no time to address my issue because there is, yet again, someone else I need to minister to. yeah I am cut, and bleeding...but forget that because he/she is cut too and I have to help them!!!!
I wish I could say that I voluntarily trust God, but I think somewhere along the way I just got to the point where I ABSOLUTELY HAVE TO trust God.This is a good thing though because I know that my mind likes to 'give up'...but my faith took that option away from me...
Much like that trust situation I just explained, many times we create situations where stuff is so far to the left or the right that it is just hard to go back to 'that place' that we miss so badly. That good place. And that, my friends, is where true pain sets in! I have done this so many times and honestly it sucks. This is why I stress the importance of handling the little things in life while they are still little because they will not always be little if you do not. Those little things will get you off course and make it seem impossible to get back on course.
Everyday I see something or someone that just breaks my heart...I wish I could do something to change it or them...in fact, I try to do whatever I can to fix the situation...But most people just don't have real faith anymore. They go to church and 'believe' but they have no clue that faith changes things! So they think that it is now impossible to go back to 'that place' that 'good place' and they are unwilling to try...well ladies and gentlemen I am here to tell you that the Devil is a LIAR! You can go back to that good place! It is never too late! and FAITH is the way to get there! God wants you in 'THAT PLACE"
"What He opens no one can shut, and what He shuts no one can open. I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one ca shut. I know you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name..." Rev 3:8
God said He is aware that you have little strength...but yet and still He opens a door! Many times we are, as the word says "made stong in our weakness" and us being weak is only so people can see how mighty our God is when he performs a miraculous work in our life. So I ask you...IS YOUR LIFE A TESTIMANT OF FAITH OR OF COMFORTABILITY?
My dad once told me "Anyone who ever did anything great took a great risk!" and I would add to that with "if they didn't take a great risk, then what they accomplished was simply not GREAT"...
I desire that my life, my relationships, my family, and everything be one leap of faith after another! Who is with me? The time to do great things is now! The time to get out of that painful situation is now! Simply walk through that open door, as frightening as it may seem, Allow God to take your ashes, and exchange them for beauty!
What is impossible with God????
Isaiah 61:3
I truly do Love YOU! Point5
Sometimes I feel like I am called to be the person who always helps, always encourages, is always trying to change the lives of everyone around me for the better. The interesting thing about this is that I actually do it! I do it so much that I have difficulty recognizing the very real things in my life. I, like everyone else struggle...however, when I struggle, I feel like there is no time to address my issue because there is, yet again, someone else I need to minister to. yeah I am cut, and bleeding...but forget that because he/she is cut too and I have to help them!!!!
I wish I could say that I voluntarily trust God, but I think somewhere along the way I just got to the point where I ABSOLUTELY HAVE TO trust God.This is a good thing though because I know that my mind likes to 'give up'...but my faith took that option away from me...
Much like that trust situation I just explained, many times we create situations where stuff is so far to the left or the right that it is just hard to go back to 'that place' that we miss so badly. That good place. And that, my friends, is where true pain sets in! I have done this so many times and honestly it sucks. This is why I stress the importance of handling the little things in life while they are still little because they will not always be little if you do not. Those little things will get you off course and make it seem impossible to get back on course.
Everyday I see something or someone that just breaks my heart...I wish I could do something to change it or them...in fact, I try to do whatever I can to fix the situation...But most people just don't have real faith anymore. They go to church and 'believe' but they have no clue that faith changes things! So they think that it is now impossible to go back to 'that place' that 'good place' and they are unwilling to try...well ladies and gentlemen I am here to tell you that the Devil is a LIAR! You can go back to that good place! It is never too late! and FAITH is the way to get there! God wants you in 'THAT PLACE"
"What He opens no one can shut, and what He shuts no one can open. I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one ca shut. I know you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name..." Rev 3:8
God said He is aware that you have little strength...but yet and still He opens a door! Many times we are, as the word says "made stong in our weakness" and us being weak is only so people can see how mighty our God is when he performs a miraculous work in our life. So I ask you...IS YOUR LIFE A TESTIMANT OF FAITH OR OF COMFORTABILITY?
My dad once told me "Anyone who ever did anything great took a great risk!" and I would add to that with "if they didn't take a great risk, then what they accomplished was simply not GREAT"...
I desire that my life, my relationships, my family, and everything be one leap of faith after another! Who is with me? The time to do great things is now! The time to get out of that painful situation is now! Simply walk through that open door, as frightening as it may seem, Allow God to take your ashes, and exchange them for beauty!
What is impossible with God????
Isaiah 61:3
I truly do Love YOU! Point5
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
New T-shirts
2 new T-shirts are now available through our ministry webstore... visit point5.bigcartel.com to get yours now!
Friday, September 10, 2010
Memoirs of the Jesus Freaks...New and improved
Now with new mixes, and additional tracks!...not to mention the new low price :)
Download any single from Memoirs of the Jesus Freaks for just 99 cents or even download the whole mix-tape for just $7.77 Help us change the world for the glory of Jesus!
Self Worth
What does the word say about Self Worth?
Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:8-9
not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit. Titus 3:5
Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, long-suffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. Colossians 3:12-14
No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. 1Corithians 10:13
For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. Romans 12:3
A soft answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger. Proverbs 15:1
If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also. 1 John 4:19-21
But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does. If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless. Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world. James 1:22-27
And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. This is the first commandment. Mark 12:30
Do not speak evil of one another, brethren. He who speaks evil of a brother and judges his brother, speaks evil of the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. There is one Lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy. Who are you to judge another? James 4:11-12
What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God. You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only. James 2:14-24
Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. Hebrews 13:15-16
fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Philippians 2:2-8
Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:8-9
not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit. Titus 3:5
Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, long-suffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. Colossians 3:12-14
No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. 1Corithians 10:13
For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. Romans 12:3
A soft answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger. Proverbs 15:1
If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also. 1 John 4:19-21
But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does. If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless. Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world. James 1:22-27
And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. This is the first commandment. Mark 12:30
Do not speak evil of one another, brethren. He who speaks evil of a brother and judges his brother, speaks evil of the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. There is one Lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy. Who are you to judge another? James 4:11-12
What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God. You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only. James 2:14-24
Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. Hebrews 13:15-16
fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Philippians 2:2-8
Pornography
The bible says in Matthew 5:28 that if you look at a woman to lust after her you have commited adultery with her in your heart.
Looking at porn is a sin plain and simple. The bible also says in James 1:14,15 that we are tempted when we are carried away by our own lust. It says that when lust is conceived it gives birth to sin and when sin is accomplished it brings forth death. So ultimatley this stuff will kill you. You must realize that porn is your enemy not your friend. This is the first step toward your freedom. God will help you defeat your enemies but not your friends. You must fall out of love with it and see it for what it is.
Porn traps you in a cruel cycle of guilt and shame. It preys on your God given desire to love and be loved. It's beauty lures you in with the offer of acceptance, only to turn on you and consume your mind with lack of fulfillment. The reason porn is so powerful is because we desperatley want to be wanted and need to be needed. You have this beautiful image saying I want you, I need you, I accept you, and for a moment you believe. Shame is what it leaves you with, emptier than before, addicted to a temporary feeling. It's a moment where you feel like everything about you is ok.
Porn is an addiction. If you don't agree just try to stop looking at it. You have to admit that it has a hold of you before you can get free from it. Here's some motivation for you to get free. Did you know that porn is the major cause of male impotence? Men are stimulated by sight. The more you look at the stuff the more you have to look at the stuff to get excited. The end result...your no longer excitable...now how exciting is that? Porn changes a man from a protector of women into a predator of women. Porn will make you think thoughts you never wanted to think, do things you never thought you would do, and be someone you never thought you would be.
I am living proof that God can set you free from this stuff. If you want to talk just hit me up saltboxband@yahoo.com
James "Pops" Rees
SaltBox
SCRIPTURES AGAINST PORNOGRAPHY
For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. (1 John 2:16) NKJV
Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.
(1 Corinthians 6:18-20) NKJV
Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. (Philippians 4:8) NKJV
I have made a covenant with my eyes; Why then should I look upon a young woman? (Job 31:1) NKJV
Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.
(1 Corinthians 6:9-10) NKJV
Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things, And revive me in Your way. (Psalm 11:37) NKJV
No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.
(1 Corinthians 10:13) NKJV
To win the battle against pornography, honesty and humility are required. Purify yourself. Seek God's forgiveness and Humble yourself in His sight.
Looking at porn is a sin plain and simple. The bible also says in James 1:14,15 that we are tempted when we are carried away by our own lust. It says that when lust is conceived it gives birth to sin and when sin is accomplished it brings forth death. So ultimatley this stuff will kill you. You must realize that porn is your enemy not your friend. This is the first step toward your freedom. God will help you defeat your enemies but not your friends. You must fall out of love with it and see it for what it is.
Porn traps you in a cruel cycle of guilt and shame. It preys on your God given desire to love and be loved. It's beauty lures you in with the offer of acceptance, only to turn on you and consume your mind with lack of fulfillment. The reason porn is so powerful is because we desperatley want to be wanted and need to be needed. You have this beautiful image saying I want you, I need you, I accept you, and for a moment you believe. Shame is what it leaves you with, emptier than before, addicted to a temporary feeling. It's a moment where you feel like everything about you is ok.
Porn is an addiction. If you don't agree just try to stop looking at it. You have to admit that it has a hold of you before you can get free from it. Here's some motivation for you to get free. Did you know that porn is the major cause of male impotence? Men are stimulated by sight. The more you look at the stuff the more you have to look at the stuff to get excited. The end result...your no longer excitable...now how exciting is that? Porn changes a man from a protector of women into a predator of women. Porn will make you think thoughts you never wanted to think, do things you never thought you would do, and be someone you never thought you would be.
I am living proof that God can set you free from this stuff. If you want to talk just hit me up saltboxband@yahoo.com
James "Pops" Rees
SaltBox
SCRIPTURES AGAINST PORNOGRAPHY
For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. (1 John 2:16) NKJV
Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.
(1 Corinthians 6:18-20) NKJV
Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. (Philippians 4:8) NKJV
I have made a covenant with my eyes; Why then should I look upon a young woman? (Job 31:1) NKJV
Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.
(1 Corinthians 6:9-10) NKJV
Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things, And revive me in Your way. (Psalm 11:37) NKJV
No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.
(1 Corinthians 10:13) NKJV
To win the battle against pornography, honesty and humility are required. Purify yourself. Seek God's forgiveness and Humble yourself in His sight.
Thursday, September 9, 2010
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