Amazing Grace!

Be Blessed
Pastor Kitner

The Christmas Truce by Ron White
It was referred to as the war to end all wars. Yet, two decades after World War I, the world found itself once again entrenched in a global battle. Why was the first world war referred to as the “war to end all wars”? It earned this name because it was believed that with all the modern weapons of war, no nation would dare attack another for the sure bloodshed that would follow. The destruction of the first world war was horrific, with more than 10 million giving their lives in the name of their country.

In the midst of this brutality, death and destruction, one of the most peculiar sights in human history evolved on a Christmas night in 1914. It was a sight rarer than watching a Texas baseball team in the World Series. On this incredible night almost a century ago, soldiers on the western front did the unthinkable. Only days, and perhaps hours, before, these men had found themselves frozen to the bone in the cold rain and mud. The sound of mortars still rang in their ears. The sight of their brothers in arms falling to the ground from a volley of bullets was still fresh in their minds. Yet, something remarkable was about to take place on this Christmas Eve.

It was a truce in the fighting initiated by the low-ranking men selected to do the fighting and dying. By all accounts, this Christmas truce was not started by the British. It was, in fact, a result of the actions of the Germans. Yes, the country that it had become easy to vilify during this time period because of their horrific leaders and government policies was, in fact, a nation of people with hearts like you and I. These German soldiers lobbed a chocolate cake into the trenches of the British. Imagine that; you are used to seeing grenades land in your trench, and instead the enemy has lobbed a chocolate cake with a request for an hour truce. The truce was for a birthday party for their captain. The truce was granted.

As a soldier in this war, it was comforting to know that your enemy was in the same miserable conditions that you were—the cold, the mud and the stench of death. Remarkably, it was in these conditions that a truce was born, and soon Christmas carols burst out from the trenches of the Germans—once again, an olive branch. The British were at first reluctant, and rightfully so. This was war, and any trick is fair game in war. Although, it was recognized for what it was. Men with hearts, moms, dads, children, hobbies, girlfriends, wives and compassion were overcome with that compassion on the anniversary of the greatest sacrifice in the history of mankind. It was Christmas and the anniversary of the birth of a man who laid down his life for others, and the Germans were overcome with this spirit.

That Christmas Eve, soldiers who had been engaged in the war referred to as “the war to end all wars,” because of this brutality, tossed their weapons of destruction aside and embraced, sang Christmas songs and even wandered the battlefield, playing soccer with each other and sharing cigarettes. It has been said that hundreds—and as many as thousands—participated in this most magical holiday truce.

There is something about this time of year that you can’t pinpoint. It is something that you can’t put your finger on. It is a spirit that is in the air. It is a spirit that begs you to forget differences, to embrace those you love and even those you don’t. It challenges you to give until you can’t give anymore. Sometimes the cloud of challenges in life can spur a person to brush aside the undeniable feelings that are in the air at Christmas. Too often, the pressures of life can convince you the spirit of joy and giving that you are sensing is nothing more than a coincidence of the time of year. In 1914, a handful of low-ranking German soldiers knew that what they felt in their hearts about Christmas was true.

These men did not brush aside the impromptu feelings of peace and love for their fellow man. Instead, they lobbed a chocolate cake and a note of truce. I encourage you to allow yourself to be overcome this Christmas with the same spirit that took these soldiers captive almost a century ago. You may feel you are entrenched in some kind of your own personal battle. If so, allow yourself to be overwhelmed with the spirit of giving and joy, and toss a chocolate cake out there. You just might be surprised at the outcome.

—Ron White


Pick up Ron White’s best-selling Memory in a Month as a quick and convenient MP3 download and SAVE an additional 20% when you use the limited-time code: DIGITAL09.
See No. 4 for complete details below or click here now to shop!

Reproduced with permission from the Ron White Newsletter. To subscribe to Ron White's Newsletter, go to www.Memory in a Month.com Copyright 2009 All rights reserved worldwide.

Amazing Grace - Bagpipes

O Beautiful for Spacious skies...Click here

Blessings on Ya!
Pastor Kitner

T H I N K

When speaking about something or someone: Ask yourself some questions. T H I N K

 T – Is it true?

 H – Is it helpful?

 I – Is it inspiring?

 N – Is it necessary?

 K – Is it Kind?

 Let’s bring our mouths into alignment with what God’s Word shows us.
 Bless and not curse.
 Do good to those who despitefully use you.

Some scriptures to read to go along with these questions:
 Read James 3:1-12
 Romans 8:29
 Psalm 139
 Proverbs 10:31,32
 Galatians 5:15, 16
 I Peter 3:8

Blessings on Ya!
Pastor Kitner

No Weapon That is Formed Against You Shall Prosper!

No Weapon That is Formed Against You Shall Prosper!
By Pastor Charles Kitner

During my bout with cancer and heart repair surgery this is the scripture that God gave me to assure and sustain me.

Isaiah 54:14-17 is the base scripture along with Romans8:28-30 for this message.
Isaiah 54:17 (KJV) 17No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.

To prosper is to be fruitful, successful, to do well, that is to accomplish what was meant to be accomplished by the thing formed. The servant of the Lord however has a heritage in the Lord and this heritage says that NO WEAPON THAT IS FORMED AGAINST the servant of the Lord shall prosper. The weapon that is formed against the servant of the Lord might as well be formed against the Lord Himself. Thus the weapon can not be successful that is formed against a servant of the Lord. I am a servant of the Lord and I come to declare my heritage together with you today.
Every tongue that shall rise against you in judgment, as a servant of the Lord, your heritage is to condemn it.
The truth of this Word cannot be overcome and certainly neither can the Lord. His Word is Truth and it shall stand sure.

A Look at Weapons:

1. The weapon of words – this weapon can’t prosper because of our heritage. As a servant of the Lord, He speaks on our behalf and He ever lives to make intercession for us. Therefore the weapon of words cannot prevail against us. As a servant of the Lord the Word of God that is truth and forever settled in heaven is what we allow to affect our lives in the guidance and direction that we need to hear and that Word is powerful. We are what God says we are and we have what God says we have. It is what Jesus Christ has done that makes us to be come the righteousness of God in Christ. We will be able to speak against those that speak against us and against the declarations made that are contrary to the Word that God has given. We have Christ in us, which is our hope of glory.


2. The weapon on sin- this weapon can’t prosper for the book of Romans says that as a servant of God sin will not have dominion over because we are free to serve righteousness. This is because of His work in me cleansing me and renewing me. When Jesus Christ died I died! When He was buried I was buried! When He rose from the dead I rose to newness of life also and I have His power coursing through my very being to walk in that newness of life. I have an advocate is I do sin, who is the Lord Jesus Christ who ever lives to make intercession for me with the Father. He is faithful and just to forgive me my sin as I confess it and cleanse me by His own blood, that was sacrificed at the cross, of all unrightesness.


3. The weapon of sickness- this weapon can’t prosper. Sickness and disease are something that have entered into this world because of sin and is a part of the curse. I am no longer under the curse of the Law but I am under grace and the Spirit of the law of love in Christ Jesus. The bread of the children of God is healing of the body, mind, spirit and soul. God’s glory will be seen in me and sickness and disease can’t prosper or be successful against me. By the stripes of Jesus I was healed.


4. The weapon of satan- this one is a spiritual being that is a liar, a murderer and a thief. (John 10:10) Satan comes to kill, steal and destroy but Jesus has come that I might have life and that in abundance. The Word of God says that if I submit myself to God and resist the devil, he will flee from me. Nothing that satan forms against me can prosper.. Jesus has been given all power in Heaven and in the earth and even under the earth. It is written…puts him down every time.
2 Corinthians 10:2 - 5 (KJV) 2But I beseech you, that I may not be bold when I am present with that confidence, wherewith I think to be bold against some, which think of us as if we walked according to the flesh. 3For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: 4(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 5Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;



5. The weapon of people’s plots and plans -These weapons cannot proper. If we look at the book of Nehemiah we can see that God takes our part, as we serve Him, against those that rise up with their plots and plans that go contrary to the Word of God for us. God has a plan for good and not for evil and works on our behalf. We have to stand fast in the Lord and in the power of His might. We must put on the whole armor of God and keep working for God without stopping it for lies and schemes of those whom the devil is using against you. The Sanballats and Tobias of this world will never be successful against the anointed servants of God when they are committed to what God has put in their hearts.

Romans 8:28 is being worked in our lives as we serve God. We walk in the power of His might continuously being filled with the Holy Spirit singing and making melody in our hearts to the Lord, singing Psalm and hymns and spiritual songs. It is God that works in us to do of His good pleasure and He will complete His work in us, for us and through us.
Our heritage is to be able to condemn every voice that speaks against us as we obey God. Every Knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.

We will come forth as gold tried in the fire. Purified by the refiners fire

"Long Walk Part of Gift"

John 3:16 - 17 (KJV) 16For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

As you read the following story I believe that you will be blessed.

An African boy listened carefully as his teacher explained why Christians give presents to each other on Christmas day. "The gift is an expression of our joy over the birth of Jesus and our friendship for each other," she said. When Christmas day came, the boy brought the teacher a seashell of lustrous beauty. "Where did you ever find such a beautiful shell?" the teacher asked. The youth told her that there was only one spot where such extraordinary shells could be found. When he named the place, a certain bay several miles away, the teacher was left speechless. "Why ... why, it’s gorgeous ... wonderful, but you shouldn’t have gone all that way to get the gift for me." His eyes brightening, the boy answered, "Long walk part of gift." God came from heaven to a manger, from a manger to a cross, from a cross to the grave and from a grave back to heaven. And we ask, "Why all this trouble, God?" And God would say to us, "Long walk part of gift."
Author: Unknown to me.

Blessings on Ya!
Pastor Kitner

One-Armed Boy

One-Armed Boy

A 10-year-old boy felt as though he had lost his identity when he lost his left arm in a devastating car accident. After six months of adjusting to his handicap, he decided to study judo despite the fact that he had but one arm.

The boy began lessons with an old Japanese judo master. The boy was doing well, so he couldn't understand why, after three months of training, the master had taught him only one move.

“Sensei,” the boy finally said, “Shouldn't I be learning more moves?”

“This is the only move you know, but this is the only move you'll ever need to know,” the sensei replied. Not quite understanding, but believing in his teacher, the boy kept training.

Several months later, the sensei took the boy to his first tournament. Surprising himself, the boy easily won his first two matches. The third match proved to be more difficult, but after some time, his opponent became impatient and charged; the boy deftly used his one move to win the match.

Still amazed by his success, the boy was now in the finals. This time, his opponent was bigger, stronger, and more experienced. For a while, the boy appeared to be overmatched. Concerned that the boy might get hurt, the referee called a time-out. He was about to stop the match when the sensei intervened. “No,” the sensei insisted, “Let him continue.”

Soon after the match resumed, his opponent made a critical mistake: he dropped his guard. Instantly, the boy used his move to pin him. The boy had won the match and the tournament. He was the champion. On the way home, the boy and the sensei reviewed every move in each and every match.

Then the boy summoned the courage to ask what was really on his mind: “Sensei, how did I win the tournament with only one move?”

“You won for two reasons,” the sensei answered. “First, you've almost mastered one of the most difficult throws in all of judo. And second, the only known defense for that move is for your opponent to grab your left arm.”

The boy's biggest weakness had become his biggest strength! Your greatest weakness is an opportunity for God to come in and give you the greatest strength you ever could imagine.

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Corinthians 12:9-10)

What is it that you think is your greatest weakness?
Let the Lord bring His Word to pass in your life today!

After what I have been through in the last year, I can attest to the fact that "HIS
GRACE" is sufficient for us!

Blessings
Pastor Kitner