Ephesians 4:12-16

Ephesians 4:12-16
 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. (KJV)

Random Facts About Amanda

I wish I knew how to make my mother's meatloaf.  She won't tell me.  Seriously.

Press on and just fight the good fight because the pain that you've been feeling in just the dark before the morning.

Random Facts About Amanda

I want to learn to play the guitar.

Romans 15:5 - 7

Romans 15:5-7
 Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus: That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God. (KJV)

There is grace and forgiveness.  Mercy and healing.  They'll meet you wherever you are.  Cry out to Jesus.

Acts 4:32

Acts 4:32
 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. (KJV)

All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had.  (NIV)

Now the company of believers was of one heart and soul, and not one of them claimed that anything which he possessed was [exclusively] his own, but everything they had was in common and for the use of all. (AMP)

Fireproof

Fireproof doesn’t mean the fire will never come. It means when the fire comes that you will be able to withstand it

How would you know to be Christ-like if you don’t even read the Bible to know how Christ is.

With every act of obedience, there is a blessing. When God asks you to do something that seems difficult — forgive somebody that really hurt you, walk away from a friend that is polluting your life, let go of an addiction— it takes a major effort on your part. But you can be assured that a major blessing will follow. There will be a significant shift in your life for the better. God always rewards obedience.

Colossians 3:14-15

And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. (KJV)

And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. (NIV)

And above all these [put on] love and enfold yourselves with the bond of perfectness [which binds everything together completely in ideal harmony]. And let the peace (soul harmony which comes) from Christ rule (act as umpire continually) in your hearts [deciding and settling with finality all questions that arise in your minds, in that peaceful state] to which as [members of Christ's] one body you were also called [to live]. And be thankful (appreciative), [giving praise to God always]. (AMP)

And we all like to take goofy pictures of ourselves...

My niece Taylora likes to make fun of Teresa by taking random pictures of herself.

My sister Teresa likes to take pictures of herself.

You always erase all my mistakes.  You life me up when I'm down.  Through all the ages, Your love never changes.  You welcome me just as I am.  You never give up on me.

Access Granted

Genesis 3
Adam and Eve move out of the divine favor of God into the human plight.  Gone was the fellowship between them and God.  From Genesis to Revelation God unravels a plan that worked it out between He and man.  Do you not know that God has the power to take something that you reckon to be dead and bring it back to life again?  Sometimes God does something for which you have no name - it's just a holy thing.  If you want to talk about somebody, talk about Jesus!!  He is everything!  He is Immanuel!! 
John 1:14
In the temple, when they pierced Him in His flesh, the veil was ripped from the top to the bottom.  Because, what the veil was in the shadow, Christ was in reality.  It was rent not so God could get out but, so we could get in.

My nephew's birthday!

My sweet lil' Sassy Pants!!!

Friends.....

Friends.
I think that’s become a pretty loose term nowadays.
In fact, it’s become so loose, we’ve had to create tiers within the term.
Best friend. Good friend. Great friend. Bad friend. Decent friend. “A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.”

We all slip.  We don't mean too.  But that don't mean you can't make it right.

Oh, you know, just hanging out with "Loretta"!!!

Epic performance at our church's Valentine's Banquet! 

Random Facts About Amanda

I drink too much pop.

How Great Is Our God

The splendor of a King
Clothed in majesty
Let all the earth rejoice
All the earth rejoice
He wraps himself in light
And darkness tries to hide
It trembles at His voice
Trembles at His voice
How great is our God
Sing with me, How great is our God
And all will see how great, how great is our God
Age to age He stands
And time is in His hands
Beginning and the end
Beginning and the end
The Godhead three in one
Father, Spirit, Son
The Lion and The Lamb
The Lion and The Lamb
How great is our God
Sing with me, How great is our God
And all will see how great, how great is our God
Name above all names
Worthy of all praise
My heart will sing how great is our God

(Chris Tomlin)

Two of my dearest friends - Chris and Tasha Roberts

My family - Deidra and Stephen!!  Love them!

John 17:21-23

John 17:21-23
That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me. (KJV)

 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.  I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one —  I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. (NIV)

That they all may be one, [just] as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be one in Us, so that the world may believe and be convinced that You have sent Me. I have given to them the glory and honor which You have given Me, that they may be one [even] as We are one: I in them and You in Me, in order that they may become one and perfectly united, that the world may know and [definitely] recognize that You sent Me and that You have loved them [even] as You have loved Me. (AMP)

What we do or don’t do is a reflection on Jesus, either good or bad.

I'm thankful that God brought Kara in my life.  She so sweet and kind.  And I love her a lot!!

My sweet Ruby! What an inspiring and strong woman of God she is!

Random Facts About Amanda

I wish I was more disciplined.

Stand Still And Let God Move!

You can rest assured and be secure God is moving right now!

Random Facts About Amanda

I don't like one word text responses, but at least you thought enough to say something back, I guess.

Please Come Down To Me

I know that there are others who could offer more than I.  I promise you I'd understand if, for me, you had no time.  I think I just hit bottom and I'm looking up to see. I'm too unworthy Lord to come to You.  Could you please come down to me?

Great faith is the product of great fights. Great testimonies are the outcome of great tests. Great triumphs can only come out of great trials. - Smith Wigglesworth

The best praise band ever!

Praise and Worship @ COGWC

Psalm 133

Psalm 133
Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!  It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments; As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the Lord commanded the blessing, even life for evermore. (KJV)

How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!  It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron’s beard, down on the collar of his robe.  It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion.  For there the Lord bestows his blessing, even life forevermore. (NIV)

BEHOLD, HOW good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!  It is like the precious ointment poured on the head, that ran down on the beard, even the beard of Aaron [the first high priest], that came down upon the collar and skirts of his garments [consecrating the whole body]. It is like the dew of [lofty] Mount Hermon and the dew that comes on the hills of Zion; for there the Lord has commanded the blessing, even life forevermore [upon the high and the lowly]. (AMP)

Commentary Notes:
(Geneva Study Bible)
Because the greatest part was against David, though some favored him, yet when he was established king at length, they joined together like brothers; and therefore he shows by these similarities the conveinience of brotherly love.  The ointment was a figure of the graces which come from Christ, the head of his church.  By Hermon and Zion, he means the plentiful country about Jerusalem.

(Gills Exposition)
For those who gave God their fatherly adoption and regeneration, are related to Christ, the first born among many brethren, and are members one of another, in the same church state; all which are a reason why they should love as brethren, and endeavor to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace.
Matthew 23:8 - "ye are all brethren"
Ephesians 4:3 - "one body, one spirit"
Ephesians 4:6 - "one God and Father of all"
1 Peter 2:17 - " honour all men, love the brotherhood"
Hebrews 13:1 - "let brotherly love continue"
Where brethren dwell together in unity, there the God of love and peace is; the Gospel of the grace of God is continued, and the ordinances of it made beneficial to the souls of men.
2 Corinthians 13:11 - "live in peace and the God of love and peace shall be with you."  God is said to "command the blessing" when He promises it and makes it known to His people, or bestows it on them.
Psalm 105:8 - "He hath remembered his covenant forever, the word which He commanded to a thousand generations." The great blessing of all, which includes all others, and in which they issue, the promise of the covenant, the blessing of the Gospel; which is in the hands of Christ, and comes through Him to all His people; to the peacemakers particularly, that live in love and peace; these shall live forever in a happy eternity, and never die or be hurt of the second death.
How wonderful and beautiful it is when brothers and sisters get along!!!

SO EXCITED!!

Random Facts About Amanda

I think one of the picture frames that used to hang in my room had a demon in it.  It's had two pictures in it.  Not very good things have occurred in my life with those two people that were in the pictures.  Okay, it didn't have a demon, but needless to say...it's long gone!!!!