Friday, July 13, 2012
An Exciting Month!
Well, I have some good news to share, my first book Holy Spirit, My Personal Trainer: Losing Weight God's Way has just been launched and has already received some great reviews from people who have been touched by the message God gave me to write a year ago.
Now just on the heels of its release comes a second book in E-book format A Beginner's Guide to Biblical Fasting This book is also available locally in soft cover format. Soon more titles will be joining these first two books as the Lord continually downloads messages and teachings that He wants me to share.
It has a been a busy but awesome first few weeks of summer. I can't wait to see what the rest of the summer holds in store. To purchase either of these books, click on their titles and follow their links. Holy Spirit, My Personal Trainer and A Beginner's Guide to Biblical Fasting are waiting to be read by you. May you be blessed as you spend your summer devouring the Word of God. Oh taste and see that the Lord is good!
Thursday, May 24, 2012
Exciting News!
Time for an update. I haven't written much on this website for a while because I have been busy writing a book. I am happy to announce that my book: Holy Spirit, My Personal Trainer: Losing Weight God's Way is soon to hit the bookshelves. You will be able to purchase it through Amazon or Barnes & Noble. It will also be available in our brand new webstore New Covenant Christian Books I am excited about this new opportunity to combine my love for reading and writing, my business experience and skills and my passion for teaching the Word of God through owning a Christian bookstore. Our site carries over 175,000 products and will soon include e-books. When you purchase from our store, you are helping pour Kingdom finances back into the Kingdom. Please help us share this great opportunity by passing along our website address to your family and friends. Thanks in advance for your support. Stay tuned for more writings to come. God bless you and have a great day. www.newcovenantchristianbooks.com
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
God's Marvelous Truth
Isn't it a marvelous truth that when we mess up and the Holy Spirit shows us what we have done wrong, that the MOMENT we come to Him and agree that we were wrong, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from ALL unrighteousness? Instantly our fellowship is renewed with God. There is no waiting period. He doesn't make us wait for several months while He decides how He will answer us or whether or not He will give us another chance. He doesn't even wait to see if we are going to change our behaviour. He responds to our broken contrite heart and says, "Yes I forgive you, go and sin no more." We don't have to do penance or give our failures one more thought. We can immediately put our focus right back on serving Him and hold our head up high, confidant that He has CHOSEN to remember our sins no more. He invites us to rejoin Him and enjoy His company and friendship. God has called us all as believers not only to accept this wonderful truth for ourselves but to demonstrate this wonderful truth to those who have wronged us. We read of this mandate in Matthew 18:21-35 and the consequences for those who do not follow it. God will hold us accountable to the truth He has taught us in His Word.
(NIV)
21 Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?”
22 Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.
23 “Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants.
24 As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand bags of gold was brought to him.
25 Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt.
26 “At this the servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Be patient with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’
27 The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go.
28 “But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred silver coins. He grabbed him and began to choke him. ‘Pay back what you owe me!’ he demanded.
29 “His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay it back.’
30 “But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt.
31 When the other servants saw what had happened, they were outraged and went and told their master everything that had happened.
32 “Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to.
33 Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’
34 In anger his master handed him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed.
35 “This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”
Matthew 7:1-2 (GNT)
Do not judge others, so that God will not judge you,2 for God will judge you in the same way you judge others, and He will apply to you the same rules you apply to others.
Do we really want God to treat us the way we treat others? That's a measuring tool we all need to hold up to our lives every day to live by.
Rev. Jennifer Ritchie
(NIV)
21 Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?”
22 Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.
23 “Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants.
24 As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand bags of gold was brought to him.
25 Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt.
26 “At this the servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Be patient with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’
27 The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go.
28 “But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred silver coins. He grabbed him and began to choke him. ‘Pay back what you owe me!’ he demanded.
29 “His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay it back.’
30 “But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt.
31 When the other servants saw what had happened, they were outraged and went and told their master everything that had happened.
32 “Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to.
33 Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’
34 In anger his master handed him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed.
35 “This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”
Matthew 7:1-2 (GNT)
Do not judge others, so that God will not judge you,2 for God will judge you in the same way you judge others, and He will apply to you the same rules you apply to others.
Do we really want God to treat us the way we treat others? That's a measuring tool we all need to hold up to our lives every day to live by.
Rev. Jennifer Ritchie
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Are You Wearing Your Spiritual Glasses?
The God-kind-of-love chooses to think only the best of others. It refuses to think negative, critical, judgmental and condemning thoughts about people. The God-kind-of-love sees people the way God sees them: people of value, people of worth, each carrying seeds of destiny. The God-kind-of-love waters those seeds with encouragement and acts of kindness. It looks past the rough, messy exterior and instead focuses on who these people will become when given the God-kind-of-love to grow in. The God-kind-of-love never keeps records of wrongs. It cheerfully forgives, refusing to be offended. It loves even when that love is not returned. The God-kind-of-love builds others up. It will not tear down and destroy. It operates in grace, mercy, gentleness and humility, all the while shaping and molding another into the person God has called them to be. The God-kind-of-love serves even those society has rejected and always puts the interests and needs of others ahead of self.
The God-kind-of-love is the fruit of the Holy Spirit living within His children. It flows freely when they are yielded to Him and overflows out of their lives on all who pass by. Wrong attitudes and wrong thoughts towards others block the flow of this God-kind-of-love and keep God's children from seeing people the way God sees them. These wrong attitudes and thoughts must be repented of. They do not line up with God's attitudes and thoughts towards people. They will keep a believer from walking in the God-kind-of-love. They will keep his heart bound to the world's way of thinking and the world's kind of love.
The battle for victory in this area of life is fought and won in the arena of the mind. Believers must take EVERY thought captive in obedience to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5). There is no place for criticism, judgment, and condemnation in the mind of a believer. They are tools of the enemy. As believers, we MUST refuse to side with the enemy and shut him out when he comes to the gate of our minds with negative thoughts towards others. We cannot take a passive stance in this battle. We must be diligent warriors. We must choose to put on our spiritual glasses every day and see people the way God sees them. We must let go of our dislikes and the issues that bother us about others and surrender them at the foot of the cross. We are all imperfect and all in need of change in our lives to become more like Christ, so therefore, none of us are qualified to judge. We must leave the changing of others and their issues in the hands of the One who is capable, the Holy Spirit.
In surrendering our need to point out others faults, and in repenting of our wrong thoughts and actions, we may be surprised to find out that the people in our lives are not really the problem afterall. As the blockers are removed and the God-kind-of-love begans to flow, we often discover that there has been some pretty nasty stuff hiding in our own hearts, that has caused us to blame others for things we are guilty of. In the pattern of broken relationships and negative situations we keep finding ourselves in, WE are the common link, not other people. God wants to purify our hearts, cleanse them and heal them so He can fill them with the God-kind-of-love to bless others.
God wants to fill us with His God-kind-of-love, but we must take the first step by repenting of the wrong thoughts and attitudes we have allowed in our hearts. We must choose to take an active stance in the battle for our minds. We must choose everyday to put on our spiritual glasses. Then, and only then, will we be able to see people the way God sees them and love them the way God loves them.
Blessings,
Rev. Jennifer Ritchie
The God-kind-of-love is the fruit of the Holy Spirit living within His children. It flows freely when they are yielded to Him and overflows out of their lives on all who pass by. Wrong attitudes and wrong thoughts towards others block the flow of this God-kind-of-love and keep God's children from seeing people the way God sees them. These wrong attitudes and thoughts must be repented of. They do not line up with God's attitudes and thoughts towards people. They will keep a believer from walking in the God-kind-of-love. They will keep his heart bound to the world's way of thinking and the world's kind of love.
The battle for victory in this area of life is fought and won in the arena of the mind. Believers must take EVERY thought captive in obedience to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5). There is no place for criticism, judgment, and condemnation in the mind of a believer. They are tools of the enemy. As believers, we MUST refuse to side with the enemy and shut him out when he comes to the gate of our minds with negative thoughts towards others. We cannot take a passive stance in this battle. We must be diligent warriors. We must choose to put on our spiritual glasses every day and see people the way God sees them. We must let go of our dislikes and the issues that bother us about others and surrender them at the foot of the cross. We are all imperfect and all in need of change in our lives to become more like Christ, so therefore, none of us are qualified to judge. We must leave the changing of others and their issues in the hands of the One who is capable, the Holy Spirit.
In surrendering our need to point out others faults, and in repenting of our wrong thoughts and actions, we may be surprised to find out that the people in our lives are not really the problem afterall. As the blockers are removed and the God-kind-of-love begans to flow, we often discover that there has been some pretty nasty stuff hiding in our own hearts, that has caused us to blame others for things we are guilty of. In the pattern of broken relationships and negative situations we keep finding ourselves in, WE are the common link, not other people. God wants to purify our hearts, cleanse them and heal them so He can fill them with the God-kind-of-love to bless others.
God wants to fill us with His God-kind-of-love, but we must take the first step by repenting of the wrong thoughts and attitudes we have allowed in our hearts. We must choose to take an active stance in the battle for our minds. We must choose everyday to put on our spiritual glasses. Then, and only then, will we be able to see people the way God sees them and love them the way God loves them.
Blessings,
Rev. Jennifer Ritchie
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Nothing Missing, Nothing Broken
Recently, I received a devastating blow from the enemy in my life. It was a surprise attack that knocked me off my feet. I didn't see it coming. Although I was surprised and left reeling by the power of the blow, my God knew it was coming and He wasn't one bit surprised. For that, I am so thankful. As I was gasping trying to get my breath, my God had already launched His army of heavenly hosts to go after the enemy on my behalf. In the hours, days and weeks that followed the attack, I saw the Mighty God I serve, fight the battle for me and bring me through to an amazing victory as I learned to keep my mind off the battle and onto Him.
In the hours and days of darkness that followed that intial blow, the Holy Spirit was ever-present, speaking over and over again into my spirit, Jehovah Shammah, Jehovah Shalom. Jehovah Shammah, Jehovah Shalom. I clung to these words, knowing that if the Spirit was speaking them over and over to me in crisis that they were the key to my victory.
Jehovah Shammah means my God is there. He is there in the midst of the trial. He is there with you. Jehovah Shammah was my companion when no one else was there for me. He held me and comforted me. He soothed my wounds with His healing oil. He spoke His words of love and tenderness over my wounded heart. He never left my side. He wiped away my tears and restored my joy. He put a new song in my heart, a song of praise to my God. Spending time with Jehovah Shammah at my side strengthened me and renewed my spirit. He gently showed me how the enemy had been able to hit me with that surprise attack and taught me how to avoid it in the future. He never condemned me but spoke the truth in love. He is now my constant and faithful companion whom I look to every day. He has always been there for me, it's just that before this trial I didn't know Him like I do now. He is my best friend, the Lord my Companion.
Jehovah Shalom means the God of peace or the God of completeness, of soundness, nothing missing, nothing broken. Oh how I needed Jehovah Shalom after that attack. I was shattered and broken into so many little pieces but Jehovah Shalom came to my rescue. Even as I repeated those words Jehovah Shammah, Jehovah Shalom over and over again, a sense of peace washed over my being: that peace that passes all understanding, that peace that only He can give. With my natural eyes everything around me looked so uncertain and so devastating but with my spiritual eyes I began to see that God was at work on my behalf. Jehovah Shalom stayed at my side and every time the enemy would fire another dart of fear, or rejection, or condemnation in my direction, Jehovah Shalom would hold up His shield of peace to cover me. He kept me safe in the secret place, away from the strife of tongues. No weapon formed against me prevailed. Jehovah Shalom was my covering. Every broken, missing piece of my life was put back together by Jehovah Shalom, nothing missing, nothing broken.
I am stronger now and back on my feet moving forward with greater tenacity and determination than ever before, to accomplish God's Kingdom purposes for my life. Satan thought he had me destroyed. He thought I could never recover from that blow. He thought he had delivered a fatal one. Oh, but he forgot who I am. I am a daughter of the Most High God. The Lord is on my side! Through Him I already have the victory. I am more than a conqueror through Christ Jesus, my Lord. Jehovah Shammah was there for me and Jehovah Shalom shielded me and restored me to completeness.
May you too, come to know Jehovah Shammah and Jehovah Shalom.
Blessings,
Rev. Jennifer Ritchie
In the hours and days of darkness that followed that intial blow, the Holy Spirit was ever-present, speaking over and over again into my spirit, Jehovah Shammah, Jehovah Shalom. Jehovah Shammah, Jehovah Shalom. I clung to these words, knowing that if the Spirit was speaking them over and over to me in crisis that they were the key to my victory.
Jehovah Shammah means my God is there. He is there in the midst of the trial. He is there with you. Jehovah Shammah was my companion when no one else was there for me. He held me and comforted me. He soothed my wounds with His healing oil. He spoke His words of love and tenderness over my wounded heart. He never left my side. He wiped away my tears and restored my joy. He put a new song in my heart, a song of praise to my God. Spending time with Jehovah Shammah at my side strengthened me and renewed my spirit. He gently showed me how the enemy had been able to hit me with that surprise attack and taught me how to avoid it in the future. He never condemned me but spoke the truth in love. He is now my constant and faithful companion whom I look to every day. He has always been there for me, it's just that before this trial I didn't know Him like I do now. He is my best friend, the Lord my Companion.
Jehovah Shalom means the God of peace or the God of completeness, of soundness, nothing missing, nothing broken. Oh how I needed Jehovah Shalom after that attack. I was shattered and broken into so many little pieces but Jehovah Shalom came to my rescue. Even as I repeated those words Jehovah Shammah, Jehovah Shalom over and over again, a sense of peace washed over my being: that peace that passes all understanding, that peace that only He can give. With my natural eyes everything around me looked so uncertain and so devastating but with my spiritual eyes I began to see that God was at work on my behalf. Jehovah Shalom stayed at my side and every time the enemy would fire another dart of fear, or rejection, or condemnation in my direction, Jehovah Shalom would hold up His shield of peace to cover me. He kept me safe in the secret place, away from the strife of tongues. No weapon formed against me prevailed. Jehovah Shalom was my covering. Every broken, missing piece of my life was put back together by Jehovah Shalom, nothing missing, nothing broken.
I am stronger now and back on my feet moving forward with greater tenacity and determination than ever before, to accomplish God's Kingdom purposes for my life. Satan thought he had me destroyed. He thought I could never recover from that blow. He thought he had delivered a fatal one. Oh, but he forgot who I am. I am a daughter of the Most High God. The Lord is on my side! Through Him I already have the victory. I am more than a conqueror through Christ Jesus, my Lord. Jehovah Shammah was there for me and Jehovah Shalom shielded me and restored me to completeness.
May you too, come to know Jehovah Shammah and Jehovah Shalom.
Blessings,
Rev. Jennifer Ritchie
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Whose Side Are You Working For?
As humans we have a tendency to grumble, to complain, to criticize, to gossip and to find fault. The Bible calls all of these actions sin. Unless we take an active stance against such negative mindsets, they will dominate our thinking. The Bible tells us to take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5) and to think on good things. (Philippians 4:8)
Satan accomplishes more destruction in the church through division, gossip, and backbiting. He knows that if he can get Christians fighting against one another then they will have little impact on reaching the world for Christ. A house divided against itself will not stand. We must be aware of the enemy's schemes and refuse to participate in them.
In 1 Thessalonians chapter five, the Apostle Paul calls us to encourage one another and to build each other up. He urges us to warn those who are idle and disruptive, to encourage the disheartened and to help the weak, all the while being patient with everyone. He says to make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always to strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.
As believers, we are to rejoice always, pray continually, and give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for us in Christ Jesus. When we live with hearts full of God's unconditional love for one another the enemy will fail in his attempts to bait us with offence. We must choose to walk in peace, joy, love and forgiveness, with an attitude of gratitude at all times. We must seek to live like Jesus in this world that is so lost and in need of the Saviour. We may be the only Jesus that some may ever see, but unless we reflect Him accurately, the lost will not be drawn to Him.
Let me urge you today my friend to be careful with your thoughts, with your words and with your actions. Make sure that they are helping to advance God's Kingdom here on Earth. We don't want to be working for the enemy and empowering his agenda. He's already done enough damage. It's time to take an active stance against him and be Kingdom releasers here on Earth.
Something to think about: Whose side are you working for today?
Rev. Jennifer Ritchie
Satan accomplishes more destruction in the church through division, gossip, and backbiting. He knows that if he can get Christians fighting against one another then they will have little impact on reaching the world for Christ. A house divided against itself will not stand. We must be aware of the enemy's schemes and refuse to participate in them.
In 1 Thessalonians chapter five, the Apostle Paul calls us to encourage one another and to build each other up. He urges us to warn those who are idle and disruptive, to encourage the disheartened and to help the weak, all the while being patient with everyone. He says to make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always to strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.
As believers, we are to rejoice always, pray continually, and give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for us in Christ Jesus. When we live with hearts full of God's unconditional love for one another the enemy will fail in his attempts to bait us with offence. We must choose to walk in peace, joy, love and forgiveness, with an attitude of gratitude at all times. We must seek to live like Jesus in this world that is so lost and in need of the Saviour. We may be the only Jesus that some may ever see, but unless we reflect Him accurately, the lost will not be drawn to Him.
Let me urge you today my friend to be careful with your thoughts, with your words and with your actions. Make sure that they are helping to advance God's Kingdom here on Earth. We don't want to be working for the enemy and empowering his agenda. He's already done enough damage. It's time to take an active stance against him and be Kingdom releasers here on Earth.
Something to think about: Whose side are you working for today?
Rev. Jennifer Ritchie
Friday, February 5, 2010
Peace in the Storm
Mark 4:35-41 (NLT)
As evening came, Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.” So they took Jesus in the boat and started out, leaving the crowds behind (although other boats followed). But soon a fierce storm came up. High waves were breaking into the boat, and it began to fill with water. Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat with his head on a cushion. The disciples woke him up, shouting, “Teacher, don’t you care that we’re going to drown?” When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Silence! Be still!” Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm. Then he asked them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?”The disciples were absolutely terrified. “Who is this man?” they asked each other. “Even the wind and waves obey him!”
I was reading this story this morning and trying to think of how I could apply it to my own life. I didn't have to think long. The phone rang. It was a call from the electrician with an estimate for how much a necessary electrical repair was going to cost us. The amount was staggering. This, in addition to a plumbing problem we had earlier in the month and an additional electrical repair related to the same problem left me reeling in panic. In just a few minutes I had gone from a calm lake to a fierce storm and like the disciples, I thought I was going to drown. As I returned to my Bible and cried out to the Lord, I realized I had a choice to make. I could be frantic like the disciples or I could climb up beside Jesus, lay my head on that cushion and rest, knowing that He is in control of the storm and that He is my provider. I chose to declare with Jesus by faith "Peace be still" over the financial storms of my life. At once, calmness flooded my soul and memories of all the times God has been faithful to provide for us poured into my mind.
I am choosing to rest with Jesus and declare that He is greater than any storm I may face. I heard a quote once that I love. I don't know who said it but there is so much to learn from it. "Stop telling God how big your storms are and start telling your storms how big your God is." Today I am choosing to walk by faith. What about you? Are you facing any storms today? Will you join Jesus and me as we rest?
Exodus 14:13 (AMP) Fear not; stand still (firm, confident, undismayed) and see the salvation of the Lord which He will work for you today.
Jennifer
As evening came, Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.” So they took Jesus in the boat and started out, leaving the crowds behind (although other boats followed). But soon a fierce storm came up. High waves were breaking into the boat, and it began to fill with water. Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat with his head on a cushion. The disciples woke him up, shouting, “Teacher, don’t you care that we’re going to drown?” When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Silence! Be still!” Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm. Then he asked them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?”The disciples were absolutely terrified. “Who is this man?” they asked each other. “Even the wind and waves obey him!”
I was reading this story this morning and trying to think of how I could apply it to my own life. I didn't have to think long. The phone rang. It was a call from the electrician with an estimate for how much a necessary electrical repair was going to cost us. The amount was staggering. This, in addition to a plumbing problem we had earlier in the month and an additional electrical repair related to the same problem left me reeling in panic. In just a few minutes I had gone from a calm lake to a fierce storm and like the disciples, I thought I was going to drown. As I returned to my Bible and cried out to the Lord, I realized I had a choice to make. I could be frantic like the disciples or I could climb up beside Jesus, lay my head on that cushion and rest, knowing that He is in control of the storm and that He is my provider. I chose to declare with Jesus by faith "Peace be still" over the financial storms of my life. At once, calmness flooded my soul and memories of all the times God has been faithful to provide for us poured into my mind.
I am choosing to rest with Jesus and declare that He is greater than any storm I may face. I heard a quote once that I love. I don't know who said it but there is so much to learn from it. "Stop telling God how big your storms are and start telling your storms how big your God is." Today I am choosing to walk by faith. What about you? Are you facing any storms today? Will you join Jesus and me as we rest?
Exodus 14:13 (AMP) Fear not; stand still (firm, confident, undismayed) and see the salvation of the Lord which He will work for you today.
Jennifer
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