Category: faith

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Sin of Presumption

A cat was so faithful that the woman could leave her baby with it and go out to attend other matters.  She always returned to find the child soundly asleep with the cat faithfully watching over him.

One day something tragic happened. The woman as usual, left the baby in the “hands” of this faithful cat and went out shopping.  When she returned, she discovered rather a nasty scene and a total mess.  The baby’s cot was dismantled; his nappies and clothes torn to shreds with blood stains all over the bedroom where she left the child and the cat. Shocked, the woman wailed as she began looking for the baby.

All of a sudden, she saw the faithful cat emerging from under the bed. It was covered with blood and licking its mouth like it had just finished a delicious meal.

The woman went crazy and assumed that the cat had devoured her baby. Without much thought she beat the cat to death. But as she continued searching for the “remains” of her child, she beheld another scene. Close to the bed was the baby, who although lying bare on the floor, was safe and under the bed the body of a snake torn to pieces in what must have been a fierce battle between the snake and the cat, which was now dead.

Then reality dawned on the woman who now began to understand what took place in her absence. The cat fought to protect the baby from the ravenous snake.  It was too late for  her now to make  amends because in  her impatience and  anger, she had killed the faithful cat.

A Little Patience Can  drastically Reduce Major  life Long Mistakes.

How often have we  misjudged people and  torn them to shreds  with harsh words and  deeds before we have  had time to evaluate  the situation?  It is called  SIN OF PRESUMPTION.  Presuming things our  way without taking the  trouble to find out exactly  what the situation really is.

A little patience can  drastically reduce major  life long mistakes.

Who are you misjudging right now? Don’t think, what you think others are thinking. Take time to get to the whole truth. Please be patient with people, lest you live to regret your actions against them.

Be quick to hear, but slow to respond and become angry (James 1:19-27).

Share if you’re touched and use this article as a LESSON.

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From Personal Evangelism to Community Engagement

Godinterest  is a essential tool for evangelism and is focused on sharing the gospel message around the world through pictures. Jesus told his followers to take the Gospel to all the world.

Now, It’s Even Easier for People Around the World to Share Posts That Make Us Laugh, Teach Us Something New About God or Help Us Find out What’s Happening in the Christian World.

In Christ we are many parts, but make up one body. This is not just my story or your story. What is truly amazing is that it is our collective story. Our churches are full of small groups made up of Christ-followers who need to be shown the power of their collective story and released to be an active and engaged presence within the community.

Wherever you are in the world, be it Japan, Brazil or somewhere in between,  we hope Godinterest makes it easier for you to discover and post content  that bring us all closer to God and thereby closer to each other.

Christmas Around the World from U.S. Military Personnel Celebrating in Afghanistan to India, the Vatican, the United States and Elsewhere, People Celebrated Christmas 2013.

Soweto Gospel Chior  at  Symphony Hall  | DigBoston.  for I Am Not Ashamed of the Gospel, for It Is the Power of God for Salvation to Everyone Who Believes, to the Jew First and Also to the Greek. (Romans 1:16  English Standard Version)

We  Are So Thankful for Missionaries Who Persevere to Make a Difference in the Lives of People Who Would Not Get a Chance Any Other Way.

News and Views from the Continent of Africa from a Christian Perspective.

Mandela B&W

The Arb Lowers Its Flag to Half-Mast, to Honour the Passing of the World’s Greatest Campaigner for Freedom, Democracy and Human Values. May His Life and Achievements Continue to Inspire and Fortify Us All. Nkosi Sikelel’ IAfrika!

While there is a huge range of thoughts and images both positive and negative that comes to mind when we think of the word  evangelism, there always seems to be a common theme”¦evangelism is singular, personal.

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Knowing God and Making Him Known

What do you think of when you hear the word “evangelism”?

Maybe it brings up the image of someone walking door to door and asking if they can come in and talk to you about Jesus. It could be the image of the man on the street passing out tracts or the person shouting into a megaphone about sin and fornication on your college campus.

Godinterest Exists to Make God Known as  Making God Known Is Part of the Great Commission of Jesus Christ (Matthew 28:18-20).

God wants you to discover Him, perceive Him, see Him, and experience Him through a relationship with Him.  He wants you to know that you can trust Him  as  God’s  character is love, kindness, mercy  and faithfulness.

As we ask God to lead us, we find that He gives us all kinds of creative ways to live out His loving purpose for the world.

We invite you to ask God to show you how you can play a part in Making God Known on Godinterest.

Let’s do it in being and living, in speaking and writing, in proclamation and dialogue, in preaching and teaching, in argumentation and invitation.   We hope you will enjoy the touching  stories  of people Making God Known on Godinterest.

Scottsdale Master’s Commission is a discipleship program that is committed to the spiritual and personal development of its students. Our purpose is two fold: “TO KNOW GOD AND MAKE HIM KNOWN”

…therefore go and make disciples of all nations (Matt.28,19)

….a  magic moment for the city of God

 

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Godinterest – Behind Every Picture, There’s A Story

There’s a  story,  behind every picture, isn’t it obvious, considering that when we take pictures we want to seize that particular moment,  whether  that be a family photo or just a situation that you find interesting and intriguing.

All over the world and every day and every minute there is a photo somewhere being taken and each and every one of those photos, like the moment it captures, has a story.

The story maybe brief, or it may be long, or maybe not even known. The picture might even show its story, or hints of what it could be, but then maybe what is shown is not really true. None the less, for some reason we have taken these pictures, we show them, or hide them away, post them for others to see on Godinterest, and sometimes we wait to see what other people may say.

People often say that a picture is worth a  thousand words, it implies something, it means something, you take it as you want.

The exact phrase “A picture is worth a thousand words” for the first time appeared as an advertisement in San Antonio Light newspaper in 1918.

Never underestimate that feeling you get when you look at a photograph or a painting, hear the lyrics of a song and think “Yes. That, exactly. That is how I feel right now.”

The beauty of the  pictures is that it captures universal emotions and makes us feel a bit less alone.

There is a story behind every picture on Godinterest. Sad story, fun story. We hope you will enjoy the incredible story telling pictures we  gathered only for you.

If there’s a story behind every picture or image, the above story is PERFECT ♥ John 3:16  says for [God]  so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. King James Bible.  God’s love is very personal toward us. It doesn’t matter where we’ve been, it doesn’t matter what we’ve done, it doesn’t matter what we’ve experienced – God loves  us unconditionally.

Our  feet may never  come close to what these kids do. we’re  sure it’s a long tiring day for them collecting scrap woo.

Missions at Freedom Fellowship has the goal of seeing lives transformed by the power of Christ. Their  efforts are focused in India, Indonesia, China and Thailand.

July 4th was over 89 years before the 13th Amendment abolished slavery, however, human trafficking is still a problem in the United States and throughout the world.

Despair by Marcske Doubts

Street Healing By  Gil Burgos Ministries

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11 Ways to Share Your Faith Online with Godinterest

While Godinterest  is often referred to as a “photo sharing website,” in reality it is much more than that. In addition to posting photos, people  also  post funny images, quotes and text. And some people don’t post anything at all, they just “like” and comment on what others post.

Because of that we  think it’s more accurate and beneficial to think of Godinterest  as a social network where images are the primary medium.

Let’s talk about ways we can use Godinterest  to share our faith online. Here are 11 we  came up with:

1) Post pics of creation.  Give God all the praise.

2) Post pics of Christian community. Share the fun and love you experience at social events at church and within your small group.

3) Post pics of serving in your community. When you serve the poor, paint a house or join in a community service project or cause, take, upload and share photos.

4) Post pics from missions trips. Missions trips are especially good opportunities for great photos because they often provide the opportunity to mix in beautiful pictures of God’s  creation, culture and people from other  country’s.

5) Post quotes from scripture and Christian authors.

6) Post pics of Christian art.  Godinterest is a visual medium. Sometimes art – whether it’s paintings, stained glass, sculpture or other – speaks louder than words.

7) Post pics of the people you love & things you like.  In other words, be a real, authentic person.

8) Listen and engage with others. Remember Godinterest  is a SOCIAL network. Don’t just broadcast. Follow your friends, family and people in your community who use Godinterest. View their pics, comment  and  encourage them.

9) Mention your faith in your Godinterest  bio.

10) Post your testimony and/or a gospel presentation on the site your profile links toIn your Godinterest  profile, you have the ability to include a link to a website. You can use this to link to your blog or personal website where you can tell the story of how God has transformed your life and can transform others  as well.

11) Create a Godinterest  profile for your church.  If your a pastor or church communications person, you can create an Godinterest  account for your church and do all of the above on behalf of your church.

What do you think of the suggestions above? Any really resonate with you? Got any other ideas for using Godinterest  to share your faith online?  Your comment will post immediately. Comments that are not in keeping with our  comment policies  may be removed by editors.

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David Cameron: I am evangelical about Christian faith

Prime Minister David Cameron speaks up on the significance of the Christian faith.

Cameron  has declared himself an “evangelical” about his Christian faith as he criticised some non-believers for failing to grasp the role that religion can have in “helping people to have a moral code”.

David Cameron famously described his Christian faith as being a “bit like the reception for Magic FM in the Chilterns: it sort of comes and goes”. Yet recently, the signal appears to have been amplified. Mr Cameron has already praised the contribution that Christians make to society, referred to Jesus as “our saviour” and spoken of the “moments of greatest peace” that he has experienced attending the Eucharist. But in a new article in the Guardian he appears to go further than ever before, urging Christians to be “more evangelical” about their beliefs – to “get out there and make a difference to people’s lives”.

In his third effort this week to highlight his own strong faith, the prime minister said he wanted to see a bigger role for religion in Britain as a Christian country and urged fellow believers to be more confident in spreading their views.

It comes after several big clashes between the coalition and the church, including a  letter this week from 40 Anglican bishops and 600 church leaders calling on all political parties to tackle the causes of food poverty. Previous tensions have been caused by Cameron’s decision to introduce gay marriage, and deep cuts in welfare benefits

Here in Britain “we don’t do God”.

Those who know him say that the Prime Minister has always had a quiet but profound faith, one that helped him come to terms with the death of his eldest son. But this candour is not only new, but something of a departure for those in his position. Tony Blair was certainly a committed Christian, but was urged by Alastair Campbell to keep quiet about it on the grounds that here in Britain “we don’t do God”.

Actually, the British sometimes do “do God”.

How refreshing, then, to have a Prime Minister who is willing to talk openly about the values that motivate him. How refreshing, also, to be reminded that, actually, the British sometimes do “do God”.

We are a Christian country, whose laws, ethics, language and culture are the product of a particular religious foundation. True, church attendance may be falling (although not everywhere, as the Archbishop of Canterbury has reminded us). But polls show that there is a lingering popular desire for the transcendent and the meaning that it brings to believers’ lives. And Christians – along with Jews, Muslims and other faith groups – continue to play a large role in education and charity.

 

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Christmas 2014: Jesus Was Not Born in a Stable, Says Theologian?

It’s the story that everyone knows: Jesus was born in a barn, surrounded by farm animals and shepherds, because there was no room at the inn.

But now, a British biblical scholar is challenging the nativity tale, and insists that a closer reading of the Gospel of Luke demonstrates that Mary is more likely to have given birth from the comfort of a family’s upper room.

“I am sorry to spoil your preparations for Christmas,” wrote Reverend Ian Paul on his blog, an evangelical scholar at the University of Nottingham, “but Jesus wasn’t born in a stable, and, curiously, the New Testament hardly even hints that this might have been the case.”

This misconception hinges, he claims, on the mistranslation of the Greek word “kataluma”, which has historically been taken to mean inn.

The word is used elsewhere in the bible as a word to mean “private upper room” where Jesus and his disciples ate the Last Supper in the Gospel of Mark. Meanwhile, Luke uses another word – “pandocheion”, meaning a gathering place for travellers – to refer to an inn.

There’s a social context Rev Paul believes modern readers are missing, too.

He writes: “In the first place, it would be unthinkable that Joseph, returning to his place of ancestral origins, would not have been received by family members, even if they were not close relatives.”

Taking into account the fact that most people’s homes at the time would have had one room for family, and either a second room for guests and animals, or a space on the roof, it seems, he says, much more likely that there would have been no space in the guestroom.

“The family guest room is already full, probably with other relatives who arrived earlier,” he argues. “So Joseph and Mary must stay with the family itself, in the main room of the house, and there Mary gives birth.”

The manger aspect of the story is easily explained too. “The most natural place to lay the baby” would have been “in the straw-filled depressions at the lower end of the house where the animals are fed”, says Rev Paul.

So what does this mean for our religious understanding of the story? Some scholars, including Rev Paul, believe that the story as we have it today promotes the idea that Christ is somehow ostracised from society, rejected by his people and forced into a lowly cattleshed. Instead, he says, we should be seeing the newborn Jesus as arriving in a busy, loving and welcoming family home – and not distanced from humanity.

Original Article:  http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/history/jesus-was-not-born-in-a-stable-says-theologian-9944254.html

With almost 3 billion people online now, we have never been so connected. So as followers of Christ, now is our chance to reach out to the online mission field that is at our finger tips. At Godinterest our desire is that this generation would be bold enough to stand up and make the most of what God has placed in our hands, literally, to make sure that no person journeys through their life without hearing what Jesus has done for them.

 

 

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When Technology Gets Too Smart?

We cannot quite know what will happen if a machine exceeds our own intelligence, so we can’t know if we’ll be infinitely helped by it, or ignored by it and sidelined, or conceivably destroyed by it.  — Stephen Hawking

Are we in love with how smart we are? Today, there are technology companies that have a much larger “cult following” than any religious organization. And there are millions upon millions of Americans that freely confess that they “believe in science” instead of God.

So what does this say about us? Does it say that we have discarded ancient “superstitions” and instead have embraced logic and reason?

Sadly, in most cases the truth is that we have simply traded one form of religion for another. Scientists and technology gurus have become most peoples new high priests, and most of us blindly follow whatever they tell us. But in the end, just like with so many   organizations, it is all about the money. Those with the money determine what the science is going to say, who the high priests are going to be, and what messages are conveyed to the public. For example, once upon a time the big tobacco companies had armies of doctors and scientists that swore up and down that smoking cigarettes was not harmful. In fact, many doctors and dentists in America once personally endorsed specific brands of cigarettes. Of course millions of Americans were getting sick and dying, but this was dismissed as “anecdotal evidence”. And over in Germany, “science” was once used to prove that the Germans were the master race.

We look back in horror now, but at the time the best “science” in the world was used as justification to promote some horrible untruths. And of course the same thing is happening today. We are told over and over that “the  science  is settled” regarding genetically-modified food, climate change and vaccine safety, and yet those of us that think for ourselves know that isn’t the case at all. But if you do not believe in the “official story”, you don’t get to be part of the “scientific establishment”. By definition, the only people that get to be “scientific experts” are the ones that embrace the “doctrine” of those that control the big corporations, that fund the research studies at the major universities and that own the big media outlets.

Everyone else is not permitted to be part of the discussion. (Story by Michael Snyder, republished from  EndOftheAmericanDream.com.)

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What’s Trending on Godinterest, Popular Articles Offers a Comment Free-Look

Finding the most popular articles just got a bit simpler. Godinterest recently confirmed the global rollout of a new feature called Top Articles, which creates a list of the most talked-about posts on the social media platform.

Popular Articles is a new section inside Godinterest’s search menu.  The articles included in the section will vary a bit based on the user — the section features articles that are most popular among other users that you follow.

Curating the most popular articles is also popular within third-party apps, like ifttt.

News

Get Involved

  • Tell a  friend:  Help us grow our  community by inviting all of your friends  and  family to  sign-up at:  https://godinterest.com

Around the Community

Ready to see what’s happening on Godinterest?

Sign up today at Godinterest.com

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Godinterest (the Christian Pinterest)

Godinterest

Godinterest is a photo-driven Christian social media site that allows you to share cool things that you find across the web.

Godinterest is presently being used for organising ideas including Church events, travel planning, inspirational quotes, home decorating ideas, meal planning and advice, wedding or event planning and activities for children.

Godinterest also allows businesses to create profile pages aimed at promoting their businesses online.

Sign-up:  https://godinterest.com

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Faith’s Object: Jesus Christ

Trust ye in the Lord for ever: for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength. Isaiah 26:4  

His is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory and the majesty. Let us not limit the Holy One of Israel.

What a source to which we can look in all times of trouble; the heart can have no misgivings! Man is erring, stubborn, rebellious, and defiant even against God; but the Lord is kind and patient and of tender compassion. He has heaven and earth at His command, and He knows just what we need even before we present our necessities and desires before Him.

We can see only a little way before us;

“but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.”

He never becomes confused. He sits above the confusion and distractions of the earth, and all things are opened to His divine survey; and from His great and calm He can order that which His #providence sees is best.

If we were left to ourselves to plan, we should make mistakes. Our #prejudices, our weaknesses, our self-deceptions, and our ignorances would be manifest in many ways. But the work is the #Lord’s, the cause is His; He never leaves His workmen without divine directions.

Whatever burdens lay #heavily, cast them on the Lord. He that keepeth Israel neither slumbers nor sleeps. Repose in . He is kept in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on .

At times it will seem that you cannot take another step. Well, wait and know that “I am God.”

“Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.” …

We need to cherish faith.

You must learn the simple art of taking God at His word; then you have solid ground beneath your feet.

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Let’s Talk About Being Gracious

Let’s Talk About Being Gracious

Merriam-Webster says that to be gracious is to be “marked by kindness, courtesy, tact, and delicacy”. The gracious person is characterized by “a generosity of spirit.” Plainly, we see that the word gracious is related to grace; a term God’s redeemed people are fully familiar with. From the point of salvation we have been experiencing the grace of God day in and day out; and as recipients of innumerable favors from the hand of a gracious God, we ought to extend the same graciousness to others. This generosity of spirit is modeled to us on a daily basis. It is only fitting for God’s children to imitate Him in that same way.

Gracious To a Fault

Ephesians 4:2 explains how to be gracious to a fault. It says, “Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults.” When we make an allowance for a fault, we accept the other person’s humanity. We accept that no one is perfect. We accept that people make mistakes. We realize that we also make mistakes. We can’t always be and live right. We can never perfectly keep the standard of rightness and we know nobody else can. With this in proper view, we remind ourselves of the reality that other people will hurt our feelings and fail to meet our expectations.   And when that time comes, we are ready and able to be gracious to a fault.

It is wrong to be so hard on others when they do something wrong especially when the wrong deed was unintentional. Remember the parable of the unmerciful servant? His master forgave him of his great debt, yet he could not forgive what little debt one person had towards him. If God could be immeasurably gracious with us, how can we not extend some grace towards another?

Sometimes we become victims of repetitive abuse, where someone hurts us over and over again. Discernment must be exercised. Wisdom must be sought from God so that you may know when to exercise tough love, right love. Grace makes allowances for faults but it never condones or tolerates habitual sin.

Gracious In Speech

Colossians 4:6 says, “Let your conversation [speech] be gracious [with kindness] and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone.” At times we are unable to keep our emotions in check. We get hurt so we lash out in anger. We’ve been treated unfairly so we retaliate with harsh words. We get frustrated so we blurt out demeaning words. Scriptures say it shouldn’t be so. The verse just mentioned puts it so well. Our speech should remain attractive. Attractive words draw people in, not repel them. Attractive words don’t refer to sugar-coated words that make little of or camouflage other people’s sins. Attractive words are right responses that have better chances of leading people to listen and accept the words being shared even if they are words of rebuke.

Sometimes we become victims of verbal abuse. The natural response is to likewise be verbally abusive or to rebuke without grace. In the exchange of hurtful, wounding words, there is rarely any profit. Things don’t get resolved; rather, they escalate. Not one is helped. The situation is not made better. Ephesians 4:29 encourages us to respond in the right way. It says, “Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.” In some situations, that can be quite hard to do. Pray for enablement. Pray for strength to remain silent while you gather your thoughts. Then, when you speak, your words will be purposeful.

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Jesus! We Can Help You Share Him Online.

Share Jesus Without Fear  

Do you want to share Jesus without fear? Perhaps the thought of sharing your faith in Jesus Christ causes feelings of fear and guilt in your heart.

Matthew 28:19-20 says, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

This command illustrates God’s desire to include us in His wonderful plan to redeem mankind.

“We believe that the Gospel and social media should go together like peanut butter and jelly. The purpose of this site is to help YOU.”

With so many people in the world connected online, the Godinterest website aim is to help Christians share their faith in Jesus. People can then engage with the  content you post  and have  an opportunity to become a follower of Jesus.

This means that whenever you post meaningful content about Jesus on Godinterest you provide an  opportunity for others to be part of the greatest story on earth.

 

Rethink Sharing Your Faith

Everyone who interacts with  the  content you post will be presented with an opportunity to engage with the gospel.

This Is Just The Beginning

Interact with those who response to the media you post.

Start the conversation about what it means to be a follower of Jesus and if it’s appropriate, try to  help  connect them with either your church or a local church group in their area.

Also encourage them to use Godinterest  to share the really great news about Jesus with their friends.

Note: If this seems overwhelming, don’t stress! You don’t have to do everything at once, and you don’t have to be perfect. Try sharing existing content with Friends and Family.  

Question: What avenues have you discovered to share Jesus with the online world? What have you found challenging in doing so?

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Hashtags: Why, Where, When?

The other day, when I was browsing my Godinterest, we noticed a post from a person that contained a frankly ridiculous number of hashtags. The post looked silly, unprofessional and the company in question seemed to be using hashtags because, you know, it’s social media and you use ! Now we’re not saying that they don’t have their uses, but it seems they have become so synonymous with social media that people have started to use them but don’t appear to know why?  

Why?

At their core, hashtags are essentially a way of indexing or grouping together posts on the same topic. They’re a way of reaching people outside of your own following, but within a particular subset of people you’re trying to target. And clearly, if you manage to get your content in front of the right people then your engagement rates should rise, which then leads to more followers and eventually  more traffic to your site. But clearly, this approach only works on certain platforms.

  • People use the hashtag symbol  #  before a relevant keyword or phrase (no spaces) in their posts  to categorize those posts and help them show more easily in Godinterest Search.
  • Clicking on a hashtagged word in any message shows you all other posts marked with that keyword.
  • Hashtags can occur anywhere in the post body – at the beginning, middle, or end.
  • Hashtagged words that become very popular are often Trending Topics.

Example:  In the section below,

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