During the Visa process, it was our faith in Jesus Christ that sustained us through all those days of doubts, fears and difficulties.

This poll is for believers in Jesus Christ to see if the would like to see a daily post here of encouragement from the Bible to help you with your day and/or the visa, AOS, and other immigration issues.

If you are not a believer in Jesus Christ, there is a place in this pole for you to express your opinion also.

The following is an example of what I will post ONE TIME each day:

It is from the Henry and Richard Blackaby's daily devotional series.

Wednesday, March 28, 2007

"But the Scriptures must be fulfilled." Then they all forsook Him and fled. (Mark 14:49b-50)

There are times when, in the darkest moments of your life, the only comfort left for you is a word from God. Jesus faced the cruel injustice of a hostile world, but perhaps His deepest pain came when His closest friends deserted and betrayed Him. What could possibly sustain Him at such a dark moment? Jesus found His comfort in the Scriptures (Matt. 26:20–25, 31). The Scriptures kept everything in perspective for the Savior, holding Him steadfast in the knowledge that everything He was experiencing was according to His Father’s plan. Jesus could proceed with confidence because the Scriptures assured Him that the Father was in control.

The word of God will guide you in the same way. There will be times when events around you will confuse you. Those in whom you’ve placed your trust will fail you. Others will abandon you. You will be misunderstood and criticized. In these times of distress, when your devotion and obedience are put to the greatest test, you must let Scripture guide and comfort you. Never let the faithlessness of others determine what you do. Turn to the Scriptures and allow them to reorient you to God and_His activity.

Even as a young boy, Jesus was already well acquainted with the Scriptures. He was never surprised by events; He lived with confidence because the Scriptures had prepared Him for everything that He would face.

If you will immerse yourself daily in the word of God, you will not be caught off guard when crises come. Your focus will already be on God, and He will safely guide you through your difficult moments.

By Henry and Richard Blackaby

Hope you are encouraged today!

Rob

Thursday, March 29, 2007

Tested Yet Secure

And the Lord said, "Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren." (Luke 22:31-32)

Jesus dearly loved Peter. Jesus spoke to him specifically and said, “Simon! Simon! Satan has made a request to sift all of you (plural) as wheat. But I have prayed for you (singular), that your faith will not fail. And when you (singular) have returned to Me, strengthen your brothers.” Even as Jesus faced His imminent arrest and crucifixion, He took time to strengthen Peter for what was to come! He assured him that God had set limits on Satan’s influence. He expressed His confidence that even though Peter’s faith would falter, he would overcome, to the point of strengthening others. Since Jesus Himself was interceding for Peter, Peter might fail for a moment, but his life would ultimately be victorious.

Jesus is fully aware of every temptation and test you_will encounter, and He stands ready to deliver you_(1 Cor. 10:13). He intercedes for you just as He did for Peter (Rom. 8:34; Heb. 7:25). Temptation might catch you by surprise, but Jesus is already interceding with the Father on your behalf. Remember that temptation is not a sin. When you are tempted, turn immediately to Jesus. He will take you to the Father, and you will overcome the temptation, for Jesus has overcome everything you can face in the world (1 John 4:4). When you are tested and are secure in the intercession of Jesus, you, too, will be able to strengthen others. If you are
grappling with temptation, Jesus is interced-ing for you with the Father even now. Be steadfast and_encouraged!

By Henry and Richar Blackaby

Pray that you know how greatly you are loved today!

Rob

Rob,

Are you going to be the daily encourager? I personally do not believe in God. It is your luck in life whether things are good or bad, that life!!! Encouragment is a good thing though.

I , for one, need that encouragement a lot because I'm 'in the wilderness'. Even the lightest touch makes for a heavier impact.

Not to knock the wind out of anyone's sails here...but...maybe y'all need to find a religious immigration message board.

ok forget the encouragement.
Really, what was I thinking, anyway? pffttt.

Thank you Rob, I appreciate it.

Friday, March 30, 2007

Praise before Victory

And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

Praise is greatly honoring to God! In the Old Testament account of King Jehoshaphat, God’s people faced a seemingly insurmountable enemy who was determined to destroy them. Yet God assured them that they would “stand still and see the salvation of the Lord”.

The people of Judah believed God. Their army was led by singers, offering praises to the Lord for their promised victory, and the victory came. When King David led the procession bringing the ark of the covenant into Jerusalem, he praised God with all of his strength. David’s praise was pleasing to God, and God’s powerful presence remained in David’s kingdom to give him victory against every enemy.

Jesus was about to go to Gethsemane and to the cross, where God’s greatest victory would be accomplished. He led His disciples to sing a hymn. The disciples were all about to fail Him, and Jesus was about to be cruelly executed, yet Jesus insisted that they praise God. Their praise looked beyond the cross to God’s ultimate victory. Praise is rooted not in circumstances of the moment but in the nature and trustworthiness of God.

You ought to rejoice when God asks you to proceed in the work of His kingdom because you know the victory is already secured. Don’t focus on the problems and failures of others. Focus on God’s assurance of victory. If you have trouble praising God with a song in your heart as you serve Him, it may be that your focus is not on God, but on your circumstances.


Henry and Richard Blackaby

Praying that your day is an awesome day filled with a knowledge of how greatly you are loved and the great depths that God has gone to show you that love.

Rob

Paul and Silas being another instance too. That is a wonderful example of what praise can do in the midst of what seemingly appeared to be an impossible and hopeless situation.

Ok who wants to be the first to report this?

Well I found this earlier today and figured that Rob was actually ASKING in a poll if we would like a 'daily inspirational'....but even though the majority have actually voted against he decides to post them anyway....why the poll in the first place?

From a former 'Born Again Christian'

Guess he doesn't care that no one wants to hear it...

report it for what?

always with the hard questions

Wasn't this posted after that Got Jesus fiasco?

It was posted after the "Got Jesus" thread, but before it was locked.

I was trying to read about the drama when 'poof' it was erased. I don't really like total censorship but it's not my message board so...

Just like a TV station, if ya don't like what your watching TURN THE CHANNEL and don't tune in Nobody is forcing you all to be subject to this hehe

God Bless you Rob and Melinda

Here's some "good news" from Ezekiel 9:6:

"Slay utterly old and young, both maids, and little children, and women: but come not near any man upon whom is the mark; and begin at my sanctuary. Then they began at the ancient men which were before the house."

Yeah for God! And genocide!

Ewok is God on VJ. And in VJ, the one and only true God hath smitten R&M. Check it out, his account is disabled

What's up with that?

Justice.

Why stir it up again Gupt ? Let it go !

Yea, but there is still just one way to heaven...

Doulos

My wife(then fiancee) and I were praying about immigration/wanting an interview and I got an online devotional about our citizenship being in Heaven. We thought it was funny and felt relieved that God has a sense of humor.

I think it's quite telling how people feel the need to tear someone down for being strong in his/her religious beliefs.


You don't like it? Then don't you read it.

Wasn't this thread closed along with the others?

But... But...But...he posted a poll which asks for other ppls views....I kind of figured it wasn't meant to be the Daily Devotional thread.

As for his account being 'disabled' that does not stop one from posting if one desires to do so. (well, that may have changed, I will have to check on that )

I can post

what good is being disabled if you can still log in & post under the *disabled* ID? you can turn off PM's if thats the only benefit. im cofoozled!

Well yeah you're right, and I think he could have gone about posting this in a different way..it shouldn't have been in the polls section if his intent was to just create it, but obviously he believes in something which gives him great comfort so I think the best way to go about that is to just live and let live instead of it causing a mini-hoo ha.

I think he was actually trying to impose those beliefs on others, under a pretense of open discussion. In other words - it wasn't "Lets have a free exchange of ideas", it was "I'll pretend to want to talk about what you believe, but really I just want to preach at you"

Threatening to take legal action against Ewok and the site for closing a couple of heated threads was just dumb.

But anyway... I think everyone could use encouragement (from whatever source) with regards to the immigration process.

I've been a bit MIA lately, so I have no clue what you're talking about re: the red bit. But my point is, ya open up the thread, see that it's talking about God....if it aint your cup of tea, just close it. Even if he was 'trying to impose beliefs' by starting the thread...he can't impose sh!t if people who don't want to be imposed on don't read it. Obviously the thread wasn't 'let's have a free exchange of ideas'....so what?

First i do believe also so dont get me wrong, the question was would most be interested in a daily devotional, i belive the vote was no and he continued on and on. He was not interested in others thoughts as only he was correct and most everyone else wrong. He did quote freedom of speech with intent to file charges against the site etc etc

Everyone is entitled to their beliefs.... they are personal and should remain so.... Now if he had asked his question in the poll and the result was that people wanted to have a daily dose of the bible then so be it... but the result was people did not want a daily dose of the bible so he should have let it drop at that point...

If religion is your thing then wonderful but I dont see the need for it on an immigration forum...

Kez

2-3 weeks ago there was (a now deleted - which doesn't happen often these days) thread about "religious beliefs" with an OP post basically asking people to discuss their religious views or lack thereof. But it became clear fairly early on that it was just a hook to reel people in to a sermon for "scientific proof" of the bible and that one interpretation of radical christianity is the only belief to be had. It was a little disingenuous IMO.

The guy was banned for 3 times resurrecting the same topic then threatening to "take legal action" against the site for infringing his first amendment rights. It was a little surreal...

Yes, Lisa, if you had been here when that was going down, I think you would have enjoyed it very much. I know I did.

Yeah, I agree plus it was a case of you REALLY had to be there. It just wasn't a case of him being strong in his beliefs. He even had the majority of Christians on this board disagreeing with him and his methods, which were a little counter productive to say the least.

It's really hard to describe what it was like except to say surreal is an understatement!

I've always found it curious that so many people interpret zealous preaching as an imposition. Are peoples beliefs really that weak that a zealous preachers words end up imposing on what they believe?

No - but it's very easy to debate a fundamentalist.

If by 'debate' you mean talk past each other, yes It's pretty hard to actually exchange arguments with a fundie.

True - but its pretty easy to expose the flaws in their argument. They make themselves look ridiculous.

Try debating a fundie in a crowd of other fundies...

(ignore me, i'm just being argumentative)

*LOL*

I am definitely concerned about moving to the bible belt and can smell the smoulder of the kindling from here! Goodness only knows what I'm in for.