Merry Christmas, Happy New Year! (Part 1)

For years my family and I have celebrated the Christmas Holidays with friends and relatives. For me, this time of the year is very special. I love the lights, the preparation for welcoming family and friends, sharing my time and gifts with others. I look forward to the harmonizing Christmas carols and lighted house on various streets. The focus, however, seems to be on material things, rather than on our Savior. We say we are celebrating Jesus’ Birthday, but what do we really do for Jesus during this season? I know, “we love on one another and shower one another with our presence and presents.

Some time ago, I heard that Jesus was not born in December, but how was I supposed to prove this? I did not stop to think that I could do some research on this topic. What I did do though, was to minimize my activities during this season. I stopped stressing myself out about buying gifts to the extent where I would use my charge cards, stopped buying Christmas decorations, sending out cards in huge volume, and I even also stopped lying to my children about Santa Clause.

I thought about the six things listed in proverbs 6 that God hates, and realized that three of them were about lying: (1) a lying tongue, (2) a heart that devises wicked schemes and (3) a false witness who pours out lies. John 8:44 records these words spoken by Jesus: For you are the children of your father the devil, and you love to do the evil things he does. He was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies. Also Revelation 12:9, tells us that satan deceives the whole world. Satan’s deceit binds people to lies, rather than truth.

This year, I asked myself, "Why do we really celebrate Christmas. I decided to find out the origin, history and true meaning of the Christmas traditions. After all if I am celebrating something, I owe it to myself to know the reason why. I have heard many, including myself say, “Christmas is the best time of the year.” For me I have always celebrated Christmas, because that's what I have seen people do since I was a child.

In my research I have found that the first mention of Christmas observance on December 25, was in the time of Constantine (A.D.325) (the same pagan Roman Emperor) who four years earlier had passed an edict to substitute Sunday for the commanded Saturday/Sabbath. The Strong’s Concordance states that the word “Christmas is formed of Christ plus Mass, meaning, a religious service in commemoration of the birth of Christ.” There is no doubt in my mind that the Christmas celebration is a ritual rooted in paganism. Jeremiah warned: Thus says the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen (Jeremiah 10:2).

Early church leaders incorporated idolatrous practices and relabeled them Christian. God warned the Israelites. Take heed to yourself that you are not ensnared to follow them [the inhabitants of the land], and that you do not inquire after their gods, saying, 'How did these nations serve their gods? I also will do likewise. You shall not worship the LORD your God in that way; for every abomination to the LORD which He hates they have done to their gods ... Whatever I command you, be careful to observe it; you shall not add to it nor take away from it  (Deuteronomy 12:30-32).

Grace, Peace, and a very prosperous 2012 to you.

Pauline Lewinson.

What Is Transformation?

The Webster’s online dictionary has eleven definitions of the word transformation, because it is a multifaceted word. I have selected the two most appropriate meanings for the type of transformation of which I usually I write.

(1) The act of transforming, or the state of being transformed; change of form or condition

(2) A change in disposition, heart, character, or the like; conversion

Transformation is often associated with the process of a butterfly. I had the privilege of going on a Field Trip with my son to the Tucson Botanical Gardens; “America’s only live tropical butterfly exhibit.” There I witnessed the most miraculous transformation. The garden is designed with a climate-controlled green-house specifically for the reproduction and preservation of butterflies. There is a beautiful array of butterflies from eleven countries.

I was fortunate to stand by and watched a butterfly emerged from its cocoon. This experience solidifies for me how the science of the process of the Butterfly can be compared to the process life of a human being. As human beings, we are in a continuous process of transformations, whether in a bad or good way.

Here is what I gleaned from that experience: The Larvae or egg of a butterfly pitches on a leaf where it stays and feeds for about two weeks, it then turns into a caterpillar. After awhile, the caterpillar attaches itself head down to a convenient twig, then it sheds its outer coat and begins its process of transformation first into a pupa or chrysalis. This process is completed in a few hours. In approximately two weeks the caterpillar completes the miraculous transformation into a beautiful adult butterfly

As we see, transformation does not just happen overnight. It is a process which takes place over a period of time. As with the butterfly, anyone or anything can be transformed. I have read and heard many stories of people whose lives have been transformed. Any area of a person’s life can be reframed, whether it is physical, emotional spiritual, social or financial. All it takes is discovering that there is an area of need, re-thinking and making a decision to have a shift in paradigm, putting a plan in action, and surrendering to the process. With this in place, with a determination and focused attention you can be unstoppable, because all things are possible.

Can you think of a thing or some things in your life that you are not satisfied; whether habits or situations? If not you personally, do you know of anyone who does? Are you, a friend, family or acquaintance stuck in uncertainties, feelings of despair, disappointment or helplessness? Life does not have to remain that way for anyone.

The possibility of re-tweaking, re-thinking and re-doing is waiting for you. Ask yourself what do I really want my life to reflect? Reclaim you identity. Stop believing the lies of the enemy and reframe your perception of yourself, affirm yourself as to who you really are. For example you may say, “I am a child of the King of kings and I am created in His image and likeness! I am happy! I am love! I am letting go of all false perceptions! I am cooperating with the Holy Spirit to teach me and help me make all the changes that I need to make so that I can live the abundant life. Find all the positive affirmations that you can imagine, speak them over your life and over the lives of your family members.

Let The Power of Transformation help you to cooperate with your Higher Power as He revitalizes, restores and releases you to evolve and live life to its fullest.

Pauline Lewinson
http://www.spptc.org/

It's Your Time: THE POWER OF TRANSFORMATION

It's Your Time: THE POWER OF TRANSFORMATION: The Power of Transformation is a book that combines wisdom of the ages and sages, with modern reality to bring critical points across to the...

THE POWER OF TRANSFORMATION

The Power of Transformation is a book that combines wisdom of the ages and sages, with modern reality to bring critical points across to the reader about how, and what it takes to live a prosperous, healthy and abundant life as promised by God.

It is a practical guide for helping those who have life questions regarding, marriage, raising children, transitions, how to embrace change, discovering purpose, living life to its fullest and much more; regardless of life circumstances. The Power of Transformation helps the reader to find true physical, spiritual, social, financial and emotional wellness. Many of us face such challenges, but remain lost in a wilderness of uncertainty.

The Power of Transformation helps to bring clarity in areas of uncertainty. When you read this book you will have a paradigm shift, create true balance, serenity and harmony in every area of life by trusting in Jesus as your instrument of change. The book teaches how to recognize the differences between the spirit and the flesh or good and evil, which are in constant conflict. As a result of this conflict, many people fail to experience the personal growth and development needed to perform at their full potential.

The publisher wrote: “Pauline E. Lewinson draws upon her own experience in finding spiritual fulfillment to guide you on this wondrous path. With warm and honest candor, Lewinson shows believers and unbelievers alike the powerful potential for change that is possible when we fully surrender our lives to Jesus Christ. She discusses such important topics as:

Relationship between prayer and faith

Prophecies, healings and miracles

Christian marriages and families

Importance of worship

And much more!”

Pauline said, “I wrote the book to encourage people to live life to its fullest, in spite of their circumstances, because God’s love is amazing and He has an excellent plan for their lives. Jesus promises He will never leave us nor forsake us. He also assures that He came to give us an abundant life and His wish is that we prosper and be in health, even as our souls prosper (John 10:10; 3 John 1: 2).

1. If you are not saved, which means you do not believe in God and have not accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior, The Power of Transformation will give you simple reasons why you should and the steps you need to take to become saved and stay saved.

2. If you are saved meaning you are a Bible believing individual, but you struggle in certain areas in your walk, the Power of transformation can help you get over many hurdles and set you on your way to be living the standards that God has set for His followers.

Are ready to restore, renew and transform your life, let The Power of Transformation help to guide you. When you turn to the Lord with all your heart, in all that you do, and seek the Kingdom of God first, you will soon discover lasting peace, joy and hope!

Get your signed copy of the Power to Transformation, today.

http://spptc.org

THAT UGLY BAT

I was prompted to find some information about bats after my son showed me a baseball hat with the picture of a bat and told me that he would like to purchase the hat from the website. After asking him why he would want to wear a hat with the picture of an ugly bat, I decided that I need to learn more about the ugly creature I have feared all my life. In my searches, I found some very thought-provoking, pro-bat information on http://www.wickedblog.com/. Are these things superstitions or are they real?

When I was growing up, the perception I had of bats was ugly, scary, nocturnal-flying creatures. I was told by my playmates that they are “duppies (another name for ghost).” This seems ignorant to me now, but that was my reality then. When I visited caves and saw bats flying around, they gave me the creeps.

Now that I know that dead people do not turn into bats, but are rather sleeping in their graves (Daniel 12:2). I see the ugly bats in a different “light”, although they live in the dark. Whenever I am impressed to do a study, I always want to know what the Bible has to say about the topic I am researching. As I often do, I went to my Bible as well as to the Internet.

Here is what I found: The only place in the Bible I found the name bat specifically mentioned is in Isaiah Chapter 2:20. However the bat is counted among a list of unclean animals listed in the Bible. If interested you may read more in Leviticus Chapter 11 and Deuteronomy, Chapter 12.

I also stumbled on this interesting comment: “In Biblical tradition, bats were believed to be messengers of Satan. The Puritans believed that if a bat flew close to someone, somebody was trying to bewitch them”, (www.pure-spirit.com).

Another website had this to say, “Much folklore around the world has cast the bat in a bad role. Perhaps the most familiar of this folklore to us in Western culture are the medieval witchcraft texts that described bats as familiars for witches and the old European lore which associated bats with vampires. Curiously, the old European association of bats to vampires occurred long before Europeans discovered the existence of the less common species of vampire bats in South America (the only continent where vampire bats are found). Also, note that the bat's "evil" reputation from those medieval texts clung to it far into the modern day, while cats, which got the same bad reputation in those texts, have since been redeemed and thrown in the "cute" category (going by popular generalizations, that is.) So, how did bats come to be seen as so "evil?" The prevailing theory seems to be that since bats are mostly nocturnal animals and would stay away from people, people simply were not familiar with these creatures, and often what is unfamiliar is misunderstood” (www.Symbolismwiki.com).

I just wonder if the belief I held about bats stemmed from the Europeans theory, since Jamaica only gained its Independence from Great Britain 1962. My approach to all of God’s creation is intrigue, amazement and appreciation, but I will still keep my distance from some of them.

Pauline Lewinson

It's Your Time: A 911 PRAYER FOR AMERICA

It's Your Time: A 911 PRAYER FOR AMERICA: Dear heavenly, as I humble myself before you and submit to Your will and authority this morning, I thank You for another blessed day in Amer...

A 911 PRAYER FOR AMERICA

Dear heavenly, as I humble myself before you and submit to Your will and authority this morning, I thank You for another blessed day in America.  Thank for Your protective hand that shields this country and other countries of the world every day.  Thank you for Your mercy, peace and grace.

Today marks a decade-the 10th Anniversary of the awful tragedy that took place in New York City on September 11, 2001.  That is a memory that has been etched in the very heart, mind and fabric of every American.  The effect of this tragedy was felt across the miles in all the nations of the earth.


That was a dark day in America, but in the midst of such darkness, your light shone through very brightly, as we froze in amazement at the thought that people could have such hatred that they would commit an abominable crime that caused such devastation to this country.

Thank you for the most significant good that resulted from this- America became united for the time being. I know today many are united in the memory of, and in prayer for this incident.  I pray Lord, that America will strive for unity, not only in times of tragedy, but at all times.


As I bow in prayer this morning for America, I call to remembrance that this country was founded on Your Word, principles and laws, but the god of this world has deceived Your people, and have turned their hearts and minds away from you.  Please forgive them Lord and remove the darkness from them so that Your light may saturate their being.   I am reminded of 2 Chronicles 7:14, where you said:


If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.  Thank You for that promise.

You said that Your Word is everlasting and it does not return to You void, so I ask this day that You would heal the wounds of the survivors of the attack on the World Trade Center, their families, friends, those whose loved ones perished, the firefighters who rushed to their rescue, the members of the armed forces who work tireless to keep order and bring justice, the doctors and nurses who provided care and comfort and for every person who helped in one way or another as America works through the process of making sense out of such nonsense and to bring stability back to the country.


Jeremiah 17:1 says that: The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? We know that You, God is the only One who know the heart of man and is able to change it, so I ask You to search the heart of every terrorist and give them Your love, peace and grace.

I pray that the strongholds and generational of criminals who would plan terrorist attacks to destroy other human beings in America and other countries of the world will be broken.  Expose and foul every evil plan of the enemy against Your creation.  Watch over the armed forces and others providing protective services and give them strength, wisdom and alertness so that they will act swiftly, powerfully and accurately at all times.


I pray that the leaders, starting with the President, the Executive Branch, members of congress, federal agencies, commissions and governments, local, state and regional of this country, will seek godly wisdom daily as they plan and make decisions to run the affairs of this country.  Continue to pour out your wisdom and discernment to the intelligence and international security agencies.


Dear heavenly Father, In Jeremiah 33:3, You said if we call on You, You will answer, and in John 14:13 -14, You said that whatever we ask in Your Name and according to Your will, You will do it. I believe that today You have heard the prayers and supplications of all the people who have united in prayer on behalf of the United States of America.

In closing, I ask You to heal, restore and bless America.  Help us to remember the past, live life to its fullest today and look toward the future with a brighter hope.   I give You honor, Glory and praise!  In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

Pauline E. Lewinson
www.spptc.org

It's Your Time: My Mission Trip To Honduras- Part 1

It's Your Time: My Mission Trip To Honduras- Part 1: "Firstly, I thank God for directing me to this missionary trip, ShareHim (for organizing such an amazing program), the Church in Monte Carlo,..."

My Mission Trip To Honduras- Part 2

I enjoyed being in another culture, sharing with the people in love, food and conversations; even through there was a language barrier- Love covers a multitude of things. I can say the best papayas and the biggest guavas I have had were in Choluteca. Interestingly enough, everyone wants to learn English and everyone wants to learn Spanish, so we often had even exchanges.

The people are very friendly, loving, kind and respectable. It was difficult to part or even to say hasta luego. They became our families, away from our families. When it was time to depart, there were tears. I miss the adults, but I miss the children even more. I wished I did not have to leave them. However, it is comforting to know that if I do not see them in Honduras again. I will see them in heaven later.

One thing I wish I had started before this trip was to learn more Spanish. I would suggest; if you are planning to visit a country, learn as much as you can about the culture and the language. Having some knowledge of the people and their culture is only wise. It will make you feel more comfortable and the people will feel better about communicating with you.

Now, I have dreams of the people a, a desire to learn their language and hope of seeing them again, so that I might interact with them better. I look forward to going on another mission trip in the very near future.
If you would like to donate to a Honduran orphanage visit: www.casaderoc.org.

Pauline Lewinson
http://Globalministryofhope.org

My Mission Trip To Honduras- Part 1

Firstly, I thank God for directing me to this missionary trip, ShareHim (for organizing such an amazing program), the Church in Monte Carlo, Choluteca (for letting me take over their pulpit for 16 days and having 7 people baptized), and all my friends and family for their support. My long time dream of going on a mission trip became a reality.

On June 27, 2011, I boarded a Delta flight to Tegucigalpa, Honduras. This was my first missionary trip; something I had longed to do. I did not know where I would be preaching or any of the other individuals who would be there, but I trusted God that everything would be alright. When I had a four hour layover in Atlanta, I met Bethie . She was wearing a Share Him T-shirt, so I introduced myself to her. We dialoged back and forth and found out that we had a lot in common. When we boarded the plane, we discovered we were sitting in the same row. How coincidental is that?

When we got to Tegucigalpa, where we had orientation; we stayed at De Valle of the Angeles for two nights. Tegucigalpa is high in the mountains, very cool, beautiful and touristy. We met some amazing groups of people from Hungary, Jamaica, Haiti, and several states in the United States. We bonded quickly and after two days it was hard for us to split as each group headed to different destinations.
There were approximately 70 missionaries. Some stayed in Tegucigalpa, some went to Olancho, which is 7 hours away, and 20 of us went to Choluteca which is 3 hours away. We stayed at the Las Bresas Hotel. Bethie and I were roommates. Choluteca was very warm, muggy and had monsoon rains. We encountered some vicious mosquitoes and it felt as though I was constantly dodging them. I still ended up with several bites, even on my face.

Some evenings, I thought that due to the heavy rains, we would not have been able to make it to our campaign sites, but I quickly learned that rain stops nothing in Choluteca and that God's work had to be accomplished regardless of whatever obstacles we were faced with. It was clear that Satan was at work in many instances, but God's miraculous power always defeated the plans of the enemy. My missionary experience was inspirational, humbling and fascinating!

It was an amazing experience. We preached 19 sermons in 16 days. There were times when we were faced with challenges, such as finding good translators, having power cuts in the middle of our sermons, getting sick and facing impassable roads, due to the weather conditions, but God came through every single time for us and fixed the problems. This experience has deepened my faith and trust in God. It has cemented my belief in Proverbs 3:5-6, Psalm 37:23, 48:14, John 16:13 and Philippians 4:13.

Pauline Lewinson

My Missionary Trip to Honduras

Firstly, I thank God for directing me to this missionary trip. ShareHim (for organizing such an amazing program), the Church in Monte Carlo, Choluteca (for letting me take over their pulpit for 16 days), and all my friends and family for their support. My long time dream of going on a mission trip became a reality.

On June 27, 2011, I boarded a Delta flight to Tegucigalpa, Honduras. This was my first missionary trip; something I had longed to do. I did not know where I would be preaching or any of the other individuals who would be there, but I trusted God that everything would be alright. When I had a four hour layover in Atlanta, I met Bethie. She was wearing a Share Him T-shirt, so I introduced myself to her. We dialoged back and forth and found out that we had a lot in common. When we boarded the plane, we discovered we were sitting in the same row. How coincidental is that? I do not believe in coincidences.

When we got to Tegucigalpa, where we had orientation; we stayed at De Valle of the Angeles for two nights. Tegucigalpa is high in the mountains, very cool, beautiful and touristy. We met some amazing groups of people from Hungary, Jamaica, Haiti, and several states in the United States. We bonded quickly and after two days it was hard for us to split as each group headed to different destinations.

There were approximately 70 missionaries. Some stayed in Tegucigalpa, some went to Olancho, which is 7 hours away, and 20 of us went to Choluteca which is 3 hours away. We stayed at the Las Bresas Hotel. Bethie and I were roommates. Choluteca was very warm, muggy and had monsoon rains. We encountered some vicious mosquitoes and it felt as though I was constantly dodging them. I still ended up with several bites, even on my face.

Some evenings, I thought that due to the heavy rains, we would not have been able to make it to our campaign sites, but I quickly learned that rain stops nothing in Choluteca and that God’s work had to be accomplished regardless of whatever obstacles we were faced with. It was clear that Satan was at work in many instances, but God’s miraculous power always defeated the plans of the enemy. My missionary experience was inspirational, humbling and fascinating!

It was an amazing experience. We preached 19 sermons in 16 days. There were times when we were faced with challenges, such as finding good translators, having power cuts in the middle of our sermons, getting sick and facing impassable roads, due to the weather conditions, but God came through every single time for us and fixed the problems. This experience has deepened my faith and trust in God. It has cemented my belief in Proverbs 3:5-6, Psalm 37:23, 48:14, John 16:13 and Philippians 4:13.

I enjoyed being in another culture, sharing with the people in love, food and conversations; even through there was a language barrier- Love covers a multitude of things. I can say the best papayas and the biggest guavas I have had were in Choluteca. Interestingly enough, everyone wants to learn English and everyone wants to learn Spanish, so we often had even exchanges.

The people are very friendly, loving, kind and respectable. It was difficult to part or even to say hasta luego. They became our families, away from our families. When it was time to depart, there were tears. I miss the adults, but I miss the children even more. I wished I did not have to leave them. However, it is comforting to know that if I do not see them in Honduras again. I will see them in heaven later.

One thing I wish I had started before this trip was to learn more Spanish. I would suggest; if you are planning to visit a country, learn as much as you can about the culture and the language. Having some knowledge of the people and their culture is only wise. It will make you feel more comfortable and the people will feel better about communicating with you.

Now, I have dreams of the people a, a desire to learn their language and hope of seeing them again, so that I might interact with them better. I look forward to going on another mission trip in the very near future.

If you would like to donate to a Honduran orphanage visit: www.casaderoc.org.

Pauline Lewinson
http://Globalministryofhope.org

God Always Gives Us a Way Out

There have been times when I have found myself in situations, and in those desperate moments, I did what my flesh desired. So I have learned to take time to think about all my actions before I actually make decisions.

We should choose to take the way out that God gives us, because when we choose our own desires, the desires of our flesh, we sin and we often suffer for it.

Nathan replied, “The Lord has taken away your sin. You are not going to die. But because by doing this you have made the enemies of the Lord show utter contempt, the sun born to you will die” (2 Samuel 12; 13-14).

"God is faithful, and he will not let you be tested beyond your strength but with your testing he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it" (1 Corinthians 10:13).

Pauline Lewinson
www.spptc.org

END TIME PROPHECIES

Matthew 24 and other scriptures about end time prophecies are being fulfilled right in front of our very eyes. Nations are rising against nations; famine is evident and can be seen in the global food crisis as millions face food shortage; the signs of pestilences are obvious in the different diseases attacking mankind; there are insurmountable natural disasters as seen in the earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, tornados, wild fires and so forth.

People are dying daily and while we cannot stop them from dying, we can share the hope we have with them. Instead, many of us remain silent. Are you going to sit back and do nothing to make your heart right with God, or to help your brothers and sisters to get their hearts right and have a relationship with their heavenly Father?

We either have the truth or we don’t and if we believe e have the truth, why are we keeping it a secret? Are you afraid that you may lose your life or your social status if you take a stand? Many will suffer and die, but that is to be expected when you are a Soldier for Christ. Many of the reformers lost their lives, but those losses were not in vain, as they paved the way for the religious freedom we enjoy today. We have to have the mindset that Jesus had when He said:

Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell (Matthew 10:28).
Also David said:
I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about (Psalm 3:6). See also Psalm 32:4, Isaiah 41:10.
These verses are comforting reminders to us that if we are killed while on the battlefield for our Lord, it is worth it because we belong to Christ and death for us is a part of the journey to inheriting His eternal Kingdom. Therefore we should not be afraid.

Frankly, if you have not accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior, I am personally inviting you to do so today. No more excuses. Tomorrow is not guaranteed. If you have family members, friends or acquaintances who are not saved, please invite them to come to Christ. To aid them in this important decision, give them the book, COME TO JESUS AND BE SET FREE.

This is a free book offered at http//:spptc.org. Or you may invite them to go to the site and download it for themselves.

Below are a few resources for your spiritual enhancement
Register for Friday evening Bible Studies.
Lessons for the month of May are:
1. The State of the Dead
2. The three Angels message
3. Signs of the times
4. The New Earth

“Thank you for spreading the word to your friends and family to sign up to be a prayer warrior at www.pray4net2011.org.
NOTE: Be sure to highlight May 4-8, 2011 on your calendar for “Making Sense of the Creation vs. Evolution Debate.” See http://host.propheciesdecoded.com/ for more information on the Creation debate and information on Prophecies Decoded that will begin September 30, 2011. If you have not done so already, be sure to sign up to host the meetings via Hope Channel in your home or church.
May you have a blessed day!
Diane Levy”

Pauline Lewinson
http//:paulinelewinson.com

The Sabbath — Stunning Admissions! (Part 1)