|
OPEN YOUR HEART |
|
Click on the links below to browse the site! |
|
Navigating the Heart |
|
|
|
From the Heart |
|
* Mama Dee * Mary H * Gloria |
|
Heart’s Guide |
|
Rashauna’s Library |
|
Enter the Kingdom
With Winnermanwon |
|
|
|
The Prayer Room …Our Father in
Heaven, here we are asking you to give us a hearing heart. Give us a heart that is sensitive to you
and your voice. We want a heart that
is transformed by the renewing of our minds to the promises that are
contained in your Word… |
|
When Satan invades, God intervenes. |
Jesus is our guide. There is
no reason for us to journey through life alone. He is here, waiting to show you
the path God has planned for you. All you have to do is ask him to be your Lord
and Savior; then he will lead you.
ON THIS PAGE:
An Adventure in Scripture
A Fruit of the Spirit
A Note from the Editor
God’s army is at
your side.
A Fruit of the Spirit:
“For the fruit of the spirit is Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Gentleness, Faithfulness, Self-control.” Click on the “Fruit” links and embark on a word study!
·
Love: It is often difficult to love
others, especially when certain people appear to be your worst enemies.
Remember that Christ loved his friends, enemies, and everyone else in between. Showing
love for everyone can be expressed in different forms, but being kind to
someone can brighten their day and yours.
·
Joy: True joy comes from the Lord. Joy
comes from trusting and from believing that God is taking care of us. Joy is a
product from applying the other fruits of the spirit. When you love someone,
you exercise patience, gentleness, and faithfulness toward the individual. True
joy remains. Our world can be in chaos, yet we can still smile and believe that
everything is under God’s control. We should step back from our lives to ponder
and to appreciate what God has done for us. He has blessed us. He has sustained
us. We often attempt to “find” happiness—mistaking it for joy—through various
material possessions. When God gave us the desire to search for joy, he wanted
us to come to him with our questions. He has all the answers. He will give us
joy.
- Faithfulness: God
is always faithful. Even during times when he seems to have disappeared
from our lives, he remains steadfast. We are the ones who disappear from
God’s presence. According to Webster’s dictionary, faith is “allegiance to duty or a
person; loyalty; belief and trust in God; complete trust.” Do you have this
type of faith? Practicing faith is a continual process. Praise God
that he is patient and loving! He gradually improves us by chiseling away
our imperfections and polishing our greatest attributes and qualities.
Faith believes that he will do this. Faith is loyalty… an undying trust
and reverence that comes from believing in his mercy and grace.
Faithfulness is a loyalty that believes God knows our circumstances. Faith
is reaching out to grab hold of the masterful, wonderful hand that will
pull us from the clutches of our obstacles. Having faith is placing
complete trust in the One who see the unseen, who knows the unknowns, who
controls the uncontrollable. God is always faithful to us. It is time that
we are faithful to him.
- Peace:
- Patience: Has
anyone tested your patience recently? Probably so. How are you handling
the situation? Need more patience? We all do. Patience is a gift from God.
Our patience needs to constantly be modified and adapted to different
situations. Along with patience comes guidance. Guidance uses a God-given
insight concerning how to approach a situation. When faced with these
difficult situations, use the opportunity to grow in Christ. When others
test you, lean on God and whisper a prayer for patience. We are being
molded and polished to better serve him. Sometimes it is difficult to
understand why we struggle in life. Have patience. You are getting
stronger as you pass through each trial so never lose heart. God is
preparing you for a miraculous experience, whether small or large. That task
will require great patience. You will be prepared because you’ll know how
to handle the situation due to the smaller obstacles you have already
victoriously overcome. Stay strong. Be patient. Leave everything in God’s
hands.
- Kindness:
- Gentleness:
- Self-control:
A Note from the Editor:
August 2003 | September 2003 | December 2003
Hi, everybody!
As we approach one of the most important holidays of the year, we must remember
to keep everything in perspective. Christmas is the time to celebrate Christ's
birth. It is easy to neglect honoring him due to the holiday rituals of
cooking, socializing, and exchanging presents. Yes, December should be a joyous
month, but remember why it should be a joyous occasion.
The only gift we can receive that will never fade or disappoint us is Jesus.
Acknowledge him and spread the word!
Keep smiling,
Rashauna
Can you believe September is nearly over? Wow! I'm
looking forward to the fall season because as the Earth prepares for winter, we
also have the opportunity to change our lifestyles. We serve a loving God, who
is merciful enough to give us second chances. Because Jesus is our guide, there
is no reason for us to journey through life alone. He is here, waiting to show
us the path God has planned for each of us. Many of us are angry at life, some
are hurting and broken from various circumstances, while others are searching
for the truth.
Jesus is that truth. Call out to him. He is waiting
to ease our pain. We may still face difficulties because life is a challenging
journey. However, with Christ and his victorious army, we will never again be
alone. He will lead us. He loves us. Still, there's only one requirement…
We
must surrender our lives to him. No one can make the decision to serve the Lord
for us. Living for Christ is an individual choice. Living for Christ requires
trusting God, our Heavenly Father, who has our best interests in mind. Once we
give our lives to him, we are a new creation. Now is the perfect time for us to
transform our lives. Even if we are already living for God, there is always
room for improvement. Ask God for more patience. Ask him for peace. Ask him for
endurance and strength. “If two of you shall agree on earth as touching
anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my father which is
in heaven. For when two or three gather in my name, there am I in the midst.”
(Matthew 18:19-20). I’m willing to agree and pray with you, just let me know. J
If you are struggling in certain areas in your life,
remember to: Stop. Breathe. Pray. God has all the answers concerning our lives,
even when we can't formulate the question. Everyone's life is difficult to a
certain degree, but we can emerge victorious if we trust in God. Trusting isn't
always easy, but in order to survive the trials of everyday living, we've got
to do so.
Don't let the devil take hold in your life and
destroy your joy. Strive to do your best in the tasks set before you. We are
always being challenged. How are you going to fight back? When you stumble from
your goal, whether from unforeseen obstacles or your previous decisions, hold
your head high, narrow your eyes in determination, and say, “I accept the
challenge. I will succeed!”
I have faith in you and in your abilities. My prayer
for you is that you will be content, joyful, and obedient to the plan God has
for you. You are a special and unique individual with a purpose in life. Don't
let anyone else tell you otherwise. God loves you. As a child of the KING, you
will never be alone.
You have been invited to the wedding of the millennia!
Time
A new heaven
and a new earth,
for the first
heaven and the
first earth
had passed away,
Location
The Holy City,
the new Jerusalem,
coming down
out of heaven from God,
prepared as a
bride beautifully
dressed for her husband.
The Groom
Jesus Christ
The Bride
The Believers
in Christ
Any and every person is invited to the
wedding of the millennia between
Jesus Christ and his Bride (the believers),
but its your decision to respond to the invitation!
Here’s how to
tell if you are part of the Bridal Party:
If you can answer, “YES” to all the
following below,
you can be certain that your seat in
heaven shall be filled!
The only thing left is to serve the
Lord with all your heart
and live according to his plan for
your life.
Step 1. Believe that Jesus was
conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of Mary (a virgin).
Step 2. Confess with your
mouth and say in your heart that Jesus is Lord.
Step 3. Believe that Jesus is
the Son of God.
Step 4. Believe
that Jesus paid the ultimate price for our sin by sacrificing his own life for
you and me.
Step 5. Believe
that Jesus rose from the dead and now lives in our hearts and with his father
(yes it’s possible, we’re talking about the SON of GOD, remember?)
Step 6. Strive to live according to God’s word,
to use your talents to honor and glorify him, and to spread God’s love.
Step 7. Even
though God did, has, and will continue to forgive you of your sins (no matter
how great or small), continue to try to change and not commit them.
Did you
do it? Great! Welcome to God’s family! I’m so glad for you! We’ll both be
present at the greatest wedding event in history. Until that day, live for
Christ and share his goodness, mercy, and love to those around you. Learn more
about the decision you have made by reading your Bible, speaking with other
Christians, or by reading other materials that will enrich your soul. God loves
YOU and has a plan for your life if you are willing to go where he leads,
listen to and obey his voice, and live according to his word.
Never forget that you are special and that you are loved. Once you are part of God’s family, you will never be alone. J Talk to God and he will listen because you are his child. You are a child of the KING and now you are eligible to stand before Christ and his Father at the Great Wedding.
See you in heaven,
Rashauna and Anthony
**PS** Click here to read more about The NEW JERUSALEM, THE BRIDE OF
CHRIST, and WHEN JESUS RETURNS
Reading the Bible doesn’t have to be boring! The Bible is God’s word and is filled with enlightening verses that can change our lives if we only open up our hearts and listen to His small voice. Because every day is an adventure, why not take along a map or ask directions (prayer)? In collaboration with Enter the Kingdom, Gabriel’s Ministries now contains Bible word studies! These areas of scripture are click-able… you have no idea where you’ll end up!
|
B · Deceased Believers Rise 1 Thes 4:13 C E Evil |
·
God Loves the World John 3:16 · Where were you when I created H K |
O ·
Yes is yes Matt 5:33 P S W |
A
Ask
Matthew 7:7-8
7 "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.
Two or more ask, it will be done
Matthew 18:19-20
19 "Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them."
B
Believe, Believer, Believing
The Deceased Believers Will Rise
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
And the believers who are dead will be the first to rise to meet the Lord. 17 Then we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air and remain with him forever. 18 So comfort and encourage each other with this news.
C
Children
Ephesians 6:1
Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise; that it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.
Commandment
Exodus 20:3-17
Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth
Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me.
Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain: for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.
Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labor, and do all thy work: But the seventh day is the Sabbath of all the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work… For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the seas, and al that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day, and hallowed it.
Thou shalt not commit adultery.
Thou shalt not steal.
Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.
Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s house.
E
Evil
Ephesians 6:10
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness: And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace: Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.
James 4:7-8
“Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you.”
G
God
Psalm 46:10
Be still and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.
God’s Love
John 3:16
For God so loved the
world, that he gave his only begotten Son,
that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have
everlasting life.
God’s Power
Where were you when I created…
Job 38:4
Where was thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? Declare, if thou has understanding. Who hath laid the measures thereof, if though knowest? Or who hath stretched the line upon it? Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? Or who laid the corner stone thereof. When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy? Or who shut up the sea with doors, when it brake forth, as if it issued out of the womb?
Matthew 18:18
Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
Guide
Psalm 119:105
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, a light unto my path.
H
Heaven
Heaven’s Glory
Psalm 19:1
The heavens declare the glory of God and the firmament sheweth his handiwork.
John 14:1
Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me [Jesus]. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.
Psalm 100:1
Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye
lands. Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.
Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us,
and not we ourselves, we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
K
Kingdom
Revelation 21:1
And I [John] saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away: and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.
And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes: and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
O
Oath
Matthew 5:33-37
33 "Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not break your oath, but keep the oaths you have made to the Lord.' 34 But I tell you, Do not swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God's throne; 35 or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. 36 And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. 37 Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.
P
Prayer
Matthew 6:9-13
Our Father which art in heaven. Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
Promise
John 6:35
And Jesus said unto them, “I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.
S
Second-coming (Christ’s)
1 Thessalonians 5:1-8
5:1 When is all this going to happen? I really don't need to say anything about that, dear brothers, 2 for you know perfectly well that no one knows. That day of the Lord will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night. 3 When people are saying, "All is well; everything is quiet and peaceful"-then, all of a sudden, disaster will fall upon them as suddenly as a woman's birth pains begin when her child is born. And these people will not be able to get away anywhere-there will be no place to hide.
4 But, dear brothers, you are not in the dark about these things, and you won't be surprised as by a thief when that day of the Lord comes. 5 For you are all children of the light and of the day, and do not belong to darkness and night. 6 So be on your guard, not asleep like the others. Watch for his return and stay sober. 7 Night is the time for sleep and the time when people get drunk. 8 But let us who live in the light keep sober, protected by the armor of faith and love, and wearing as our helmet the happy hope of salvation.
Shepard
I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep… My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. And I give unto them eternal life and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
W
Word
John 1:1
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
To Inspire · To Enlighten · To Encourage · To Discover
Open Your Heart Home | Heart's Message | From the Heart | Heart’s Guide | Rashauna’s Library | About us
The Prayer Room | Gabriel's Links | Subscribe to
E-zine | View
Message Board | Email
Open Your Heart
Last updated December 2003
Thanks for visiting! Come back soon!
This page was created by:
Gabriel Communication
Network
Copyright © 2003 Rashauna