Here we are at the next to last chapter of Romans. You know, I never knew that it would be so much of a fight. I?ve done this with a new Sister in the Lord once and I guess I just forget how much Satan attacks you when you go around trying to reveal God?s Word. It?s not like I wasn?t doing that before. I just think that he takes special interest when you?re goal is to enlighten and empower other Christians to a more full knowledge of the Word of God. Satan truly does know full well that if the shepherd can be smitten, the sheep will be scattered. We all are sheep. That is true. Still, we are also given to be sub-shepherds, under ?The Good Shepherd?, over parts of His flock. I can tell you this. Nothing else is like the battle of striving to reach other Christians. Satan will pull out all of the stops to get at you. Since this has started, I have been spiritually attacked like never before. My relationship with God has both grown and suffered. I have gained new appreciation for the things that God has done seeing that even when I was at my weakest and feeling like I did not want to talk to Him or anyone; He was working on my behalf. Satan has his people all over the world. I tell you no lie!!!! Satan took one of his own and has had her focus every type of evil intention my way. All this time he has buffered me with problems and this woman was at the head of several. Nevertheless, though I was one of God?s chosen that has seen his workings, I had no faith and I turned in on myself, God never stopped working on me or for me. The battles I labored over in my mind, He was busy fighting. My God in Heaven was fighting even the battles I had not yet known. I do not deserve it. I can?t explain it other than to say that He Loves me!!! I can look back and see the orchestration of the Work of the Lord in every way. Let me tell you. It?s still true, even today, Satan is a defeated foe! God I thank you for you Love! AMEN!!! What I can tell you all is that you should stick close to God especially in those hard times. There is a victory coming. Not I but, God promises you that. Number two, if you ask for wisdom, be ready to fight. If you don?t know what I mean, you will. God?s not done with us together at all. I wanted to go but he wants us to go through Ecclesiastes as soon as Romans is over. Let me tell you. That?s a powerful book of wisdom. Still, as was mentioned previously, at the end of the next FNS, which is Romans 16, we will have what is likely to be the first online communion service. Get your own juice/wine (I?m not going to argue either side) and unleavened bread. Spend the time from now until then examining your walk with the Lord and focusing in upon His correctness. You don?t want to be out of step with God when you take part in this service. Though you may take part at any time, I will begin to pray and take the remembrance of our Lord at 10:00 EST. I?ll be with you then and may God Bless you with a fire in your spirit to serve Him.

<< Read Verses 1-7 >>

Be Like Christ!!!! This is what it?s all about. Christ is 100% God and boy is He ever good at it. He is the common goal! Have you ever seen players on a soccer team purposefully try to kick the ball into the to rows of the stands during game play? I?ll bet you haven?t. Why? That?s easy. You don?t score points for hitting the top rows of the stands. You do score points for getting the ball into the goal. What?s wonderful is that even though none of the players can read the thoughts of the others, because each player is working toward one goal, the team mates can pass the ball freely between themselves and have complete confidence in that the ball will still be advanced toward the goal. Well, God is kicking you the ball! Yes, if you score, there are rewards. Never the less, don?t you mind the rewards or you?ll come up short. What is the goal. The goal is to love God with all your heart and your neighbor as yourself.

<< Read Verses 8-12 >>

Know this! God?s Word is a Word of division. He did not lie when He said that He would divide families. To love all is not to accept all. Paul says, ?Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God?, which is to say the separated or the Holy. Remember, you are either for God or against God. You are either family or foe. That?s by His definition all throughout His Word. Remember, Christ, the one that met every point of prophecy, is the goal.

<< Read Verses 13-29 >>

Don?t be afraid. I know that it?s hard at times. God is still in power. You still have the Power of God, being the Holy Spirit, in you. Remain true and let Him guide your ways. Be like Paul. Allow God to send you where he wants you even though you might rather be somewhere else. This includes where you work and the people you have in your life. That higher paying job is not always the best thing for you. It doesn?t matter that you?d rather be a hermit. If God wants you to reach out to people start reaching!!! Go God?s way and you can?t go wrong.

<< Read Verses 30-33 >>

Finally, pray for one another specifically over the battles we face. Moreover, don?t be scared to voice your need for prayer and be specific. It?s not like God?s doesn?t know. It?s so that you will know more of Him if you confess. Trust me. I know that this one can be tough for men especially.

Be ready for a blessing and invite other Christians. Don?t forget to e-mail or post prayer request that we can all pray for during the communion as well. As for me, I am a man that has intermittent battles with seeking to find comfort apart form God. I am a man that is, at times, too quick to fight. I am also a man that is too protective over my own heart. Please, pray for me on these matters and for the fight that I fight to make a stand for God.

I guess I can see why God has me going in the direction He has me with the FNS. I would like you to please pray for the health of my mother. Her name is Sandra and she has and enlarged heart. She's also having kidney complications. She'll be going back into the hospital on this Thursday for treatment to remove excess water from a round her heart, treat her for dehydration, and increase the blood flow through her kidneys. She'll be in at least four days. I do have to praise God. Since I was in high school, many many years ago, God has kept her running strong on just 14% of normal heart function. She works in our Christian school and does everything you'd expect of a normal mother. Please, don't pray that God would heal her out right. Pray that God would help her and us to be accepting of His grace that He gives us day by day. Please, pray that we could be a help to others because of this ordeal. I am proud to say that over the years I have watched her grow in Christ from day one of her Salvation. Whatever time God has ordained, it will be by His watch. AMEN!

Thanks,
Your Brother in Christ,
ISDAMan

I'll definately keep you and your family in my prayers. Remember, in times of distress, to read Romans 8:28 and think about the whole ordeal with Job.

Matthew 10:28-31
Do not be afraid of those who kill the body [or that which can kill the body] but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

Grace and peace in Christ,
Vinnie

Praise Jesus!!!

ISDA,

I'm with you brother, prayer's sent.

2 Corinthians 5:
1 For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.

Romans 8:
22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.
23 And not only so, but ourselves also, who have the first-fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for our adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.
24 For in hope were we saved: but hope that is seen is not hope: for who hopeth for that which he seeth?

Allcare

Tony