AN EGG ON A HOT SIDEWALK

How awesome is the time to connect with family members who live so far away! You can find some things like the weather to laugh about. Although I know some traveling by plane have found the going slow with delayed or cancelled flights this Christmas holiday season. Yet, just making a phone call, you are there and connect with one hello!
In the time of reaching out to others on the east coast, I was reminded how much different the weather has been back there. Of connecting that day after Christmas, my sister reminded me that they had once again been in the 80's............not the 1980's but in the temperatures we think of as in the summertime around here. She told me how they had to run their air conditioning once again. And here we were seeing ice and sleet fall like ribbons on Christmas Day evening on our way back from a "country" Christmas. No, there was no John Denver tunes, but I should ask my daughter about that one. But we did hear Rockin' around the Christmas Tree by Brenda Lee. Yes, we were in the country hearing country type music and was certain joy to my heart.
But back to the east coast and the high heat warnings, that was something I was surprised to hear about that day after Christmas. Also, THEY ARE KNEE DEEP in water that will not evaporate...........it just stands there, and it rains another 5 inches to add to the existing rain already beginning to stagnate on the ground. No, not a good thing at this point, and my sister was concerned if more rain came in before this extra moisture was gone.

Evaporation! I thought in all this time, that all you needed was some heat to evaporate the extra water on the ground, but she said they need the sunshine (like direct sun shining), and they only get really cloudy skies each day.

So I think about this scripture:

Exodus 16:13-21

13 So it was that quails came up at evening and covered the camp, and in the morning the dew lay all around the camp. 14 And when the layer of dew lifted, there, on the surface of the wilderness, was a small round substance, as fine as frost on the ground. 15 So when the children of Israel saw it, they said to one another, "What is it?" For they did not know what it was. And Moses said to them, "This is the bread which the LORD has given you to eat. 16 This is the thing which the LORD has commanded: 'Let every man gather it according to each one's need, one omer for each person, according to the number of persons; let every man take for those who are in his tent.' " 17 And the children of Israel did so and gathered, some more, some less. 18 So when they measured it by omers, he who gathered much had nothing over, and he who gathered little had no lack. Every man had gathered according to each one's need. 19 And Moses said, "Let no one leave any of it till morning." 20 Notwithstanding they did not heed Moses. But some of them left part of it until morning, and it bred worms and stank. And Moses was angry with them. 21 So they gathered it every morning, every man according to his need. And when the sun became hot, it melted. 

NKJV

This is one of my favorites in that God fed them from that dew that fell overnight. Like a frost on the ground, the small round substance was something to eat. It was like bread.......and one was to gather to those living in each household but no more. They gathered according to their need. They had to eat it when it was available to eat and if not eaten........every bite........then any part of it was rotten......spoiled.........not good to eat and then it would breed worms.

Yes, evaporation........!

Let's look at the word condensation........

a process whereby a gas or a vapor becomes a liquid. Condensation is that which appears on the inside of the window in the winter time.........like when boiling a liquid on the stove and the condensation appears. Like today, I can see water droplets or those beads of water appear on the glass window. It has occurred because of the humid air reaching the cold surface of the window.

But what about too much water...........that accumulates..........standing water with no place to go or how about water that dries up and remains dry.......to produce the results of a"drought"?

In our walk with the Lord, we too, can suffer from evaporation. When we begin to think our walk is A-okay! When we miss some services because it is the "holiday" time and you know I read that scripture or studied that before! Or, I do not need to go, as I am really busy and I have ministry tomorrow.........and wow, that is a lot to ask of me right now!

Evaporation!

As my sister spoke of the accumulation of rain water from the last few weeks, it was evident that it was not draining well. And I had always thought they might have an under ground spring running rather parallel to their property in the country. So the whole 5+ acres has water. She laughingly referred to the "sinking" and I told her to watch for those bubbles coming up to the surface. Yes, she laughed but I have continued to think on that for it can affect people who walk with the Lord.

If we become to lax in our daily lives, and can blow a dozen or so services every six months, then what does they say about us?

When we think about any "selfishness" and we are talking about the one who just chooses to skip the service, skip that time together for all leaders. In that act of being selfish is the basis of all immorality.  In thinking of our salvation and all that came through  Jesus was by no selfish act. He was bent on that outgoing love.

When we see that big puddle of water on the roadway, and see it become smaller everyday, it is either because there are many vehicles driving through it or there is a bright sun shining overhead. In that direct heat of light, that water evaporates. As the breeze starts to blow over that puddle, that which was wet is now becoming something else entirely.

Back in the late 1960's we took a trip to Disneyland. In all that work and effort to make an amusement park, we had a really good workable schedule of planning where and when we would have our meals. Of course, our one morning was in the midst of Phoenix, Arizona and on that early morning light, we drove to the nearby Denny's for breakfast. In our delight, we saw the one cook outside, breaking eggs onto that hot sidewalk, and we watched them cook those eggs. No was not interested in eating them from the sidewalk, but I had seen what the temp over 110 degrees plus a hot sidewalk with asphalt all around caused a high heat of nearly 126 degrees in that morning light could do to an egg on a hot sidewalk. Yes, it was fry city!

If we do not replenish in that liquid and refuel with the word of God that brings wisdom to us, then how can we make it to the end of this "run"? 

Job 14:1-13

14:1 "How frail is man, how few his days, how full of trouble! 2 He blossoms for a moment like a flower-and withers; as the shadow of a passing cloud, he quickly disappears. 3 Must you be so harsh with frail men and demand an accounting from them? 4 How can you demand purity in one born impure? 5 You have set mankind so brief a span of life-months is all you give him! Not one bit longer may he live. 6 So give him a little rest, won't you? Turn away your angry gaze and let him have a few moments of relief before he dies. 

7 "For there is hope for a tree-if it's cut down, it sprouts again and grows tender, new branches. 8 Though its roots have grown old in the earth, and its stump decays, it may sprout and bud again at the touch of water, like a new seedling. 10 But when a man dies and is buried, where does his spirit go? 11 As water evaporates from a lake, as a river disappears in drought, so a man lies down for the last time and does not rise again until the heavens are no more; he shall not awaken, nor be roused from his sleep. 13 Oh, that you would hide me with the dead and forget me there until your anger ends; but mark your calendar to think of me again! 

TLB

When we die, then we die. There is no last minute fitting several decades of life into a few minutes. Even in my age, I think of who can do several things and still keep going, yet it is to be in God's plan and not my own plan. As I read over what is given here in Job, I think of that water evaporating from a lake and how the river disappears in drought. That when man lies down to rise no more, he will mingle with that which is of the ground, that which is of no life.

Our time is now. It is a moment in which we can as individuals and as team members make a difference for the kingdom of God. It is not in the "sweet by and by" ....it is in the "here and NOW"!

With evaporation, we see.........dehydration! Without the supply of water, we see a firm ground, but may be in drought. It could have the appearance of cracks, and disappearance of what may be around the land area that is dry in drought. There may be no plants, no trees, no life of any kind sustained for any amount of time. With the disappearance of water, one will see the exodus of wildlife from that region. Yes, all life from before would just fade away!

In my recent health issues, one thing kept popping up.........and the questions by the doctors was this: "are you staying hydrated?"

Yes, drinking 6-8 big glasses of water a day.........but on the flip of that......is " are your cells absorbing the water that is available to them?" 

So two things: yes I had water but the opposite was the cells were not doing their thing in the right way for health for me.

In that state, one can become depressed, run a fever, and all for lack of NOT absorbing the needed water given through the mouth and to be used all the way down to the cellular level. We can be flushed, irritable, tired and fatigued, well,...........you get the idea here.

We should watch over our bodies and drink plenty of water daily, but we also must put the water of God's Word into our bodies. We must fill up and fill up and then spend time in corporate worship with those who are like minded in the things of God. 

John 15:13-17

 14 You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. 15 No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you. 17 These things I command you, that you love one another.

NKJV

John 16:12-15

 13 However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. 14 He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. 15 All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you. 

NKJV

Father, thank You for Jesus. We are no longer foreigners and aliens but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household. We are built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the chief cornerstone. In Him the whole building is joined together and rises to become the holy temple in the Lord. (Ephesians 2:19-22)

Father, we have been appointed to go and bear fruit and that our fruit should remain, that whatever we ask You in Jesus' name may be given us. And we are commanded to love one another.

Thank You for the Holy Spirit Who is active and operating in our lives today. We give thanks that we can hear Him speak and declare to us the things that are ours. And we are thankful we hear today and are lead in that pathway that is even ...without .......pits.

We understand that from Proverbs 28:9 ...that he who turns away his ear from hearing the law [ of God and man], even his prayer is an abomination, hateful and revolting [to God]. If we regard iniquity in our heart, the Lord will not hear us. For we understand that according to Proverbs 15:9-10...that the way of the wicked is an abomination, extremely disgusting and shamefully vile to the Lord, but he loves him who pursues righteousness (moral and spiritual rectitude in every area and relation.) And that there is severe discipline for him who forsakes God's way; and he who hates reproof will die [physically, morally, and spiritually].

Father, we desire not to end up in that "hot spot" like an egg on an overheated sidewalk........fry out all the liquid in seconds and be done for good.........when just filling up with Your life and wisdom will take us where we need to go in Your safety, peace, and love. Our desire is to please You and walk in the way that will bring glory to Your name. We pray to be those who will not stop because it is a "holiday", but keep going in the way of righteousness that is life and health. Father, in Jesus' name we desire to not be wise in our own eyes; we fear the LORD and depart from evil. It is health to our flesh and strength to our bones. (Proverbs 3:7-8)

Asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father may give to us the Spirit of wisdom and revelation so that we may know HIM better. That our eyes of our heart be enlightened in order to know the hope to which He has called us. Amen.

You can also visit my Youtube channel The Voice of Prayer for more teaching at (http://bit.ly/1tNyBhV)

Heard It Through the Grapevine

We had a tremendous time with the Lord last night. We had a special word on "abiding". We had wonderful worship and prayer together as a team. Then we had "food". Ahh, yes, Jesus liked to eat as well. We find it happening after His resurrection. Yes, down at the beach front of the Lake.......He had fish cooking on the "grill".
John 21:7-10
7 Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the Lord!" As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, "It is the Lord," he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water. 8 The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards.  9 When they landed, they saGRAEVINE,w a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread. 

10 Jesus said to them, "Bring some of the fish you have just caught."
NIV

How often as individuals and family leaders we get caught up in the "activity" of just doing. Well, "I did my job today and I am so tired!"  "I am just going to do my thing tonight (tomorrow, Sunday or ???)

In what we read above, the disciples had gone back to what they did before they met Jesus. Before their walk with Him, they as fishermen had gone back to that which they "knew oh so well"!

Some of the disciples saw the fire of burning coals and that were some fish already cooking.

Jesus knew where to find them. They had been so frightened to all that transpired by the one hundred or so company of soldiers had come to them in the garden to take Jesus away. They probably thought they were next in line for crucifixion. But Jesus knew them and what was in them. And He found them fishing. No, they were probably hidden out is some area as not to be seen as "one of those"who followed that Jesus!

In the passage in John 21 we find some interesting conversation between Jesus and the disciples....John 21:1-9 

21:1 After these things Jesus showed Himself again to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias, and in this way He showed Himself: 2 Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of His disciples were together. 3 Simon Peter said to them, "I am going fishing." They said to him, "We are going with you also." They went out and immediately got into the boat, and that night they caught nothing. 4 But when the morning had now come, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. 5 Then Jesus said to them, "Children, have you any food?" They answered Him, "No." 6 And He said to them, "Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some." So they cast, and now they were not able to draw it in because of the multitude of fish. 7 Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the Lord!" Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment (for he had removed it), and plunged into the sea. 8 But the other disciples came in the little boat (for they were not far from land, but about two hundred cubits), dragging the net with fish. 9 Then, as soon as they had come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid on it, and bread.

NKJV

 In verse 5, Jesus speaks to them.........."Children, have you any food?" They answered Him, "No".

Interesting Jesus says, "children".

How we desire to "help" our children! How we want to show them to walk through life, have this journey, and know the best of it each day.

Alas, these men had no fish. They had caught nothing. Jesus gave them instructions and they followed them. They caught a boat load that was more than enough and they came to shore.

I have found in my walk with the Lord that I could miss a lifetime of miracles if I miss a service or that special evening of worship and praise to God the Creator. No, there was no big "choir" singing. There was no one " playing bass guitar or beating some drums!" But we worshiped in song and in prayer. We came together as a family to give thanks. In all my years of church going, this year was like going home for the first time. It was this refreshing time of being with those you love and who love you back. A child prayed, a dessert was eaten, and prayer was given for all. A time to laugh, and joy in truth that God is ever with us. (Matthew 1:23)

In each of us, we had a story to tell. Some of health, some of family and some things caused by other people, but we each have seen God involved in our lives. We came together,expecting God in our future to fulfill all that He has promised.

Can God visit us in those other places we desire to venture? Well of course He can, but when in an environment that is tuned to K-SELF, instead of into G-O-D....we can come up short of not hearing or obeying even a small request from Him. If the noise of the world speaks over what God is saying to us.
The disciples surely got an instruction and about throwing the net on the other side of the boat. What if God is wanting to change the way we do something, and it is something that is "just ingrained" into our lives and thought patterns? What if God wants to give us answer to something that is right before us and before the storm hits our life?
Jesus laid down His life in heaven to pick up that which was of flesh and bone. He took up that which He could see and know first hand the lives of His children.
But what if we choose to roam.........but I will be back when I am ready to get back to Jesus!

Matthew 16:13-20

13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say the Son of Man is?" 

14 They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets." 

15 "But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?" 

16 Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." 

17 Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven. 18 And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.  19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven." 20 Then he warned his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Christ. 

NIV

The most interesting thing about this passage is that the one set of disciples each had something immediately about what they had heard...............you know like through the grapevine!
Well,........"Some say John the Baptist...........others say Elijah and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets."
Yes this group heard about what others were saying though ..and...(you guessed it).. they answered Jesus with.......GOSSIP that they had heard!
But Jesus asked them.........."But what about you...........", "Who do you say that I am?"
And Simon answered........."You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."

Jesus told Simon Peter......"Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven. 18 And I tell you that you are Peter (rock) and on this rock I will build my church and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven."
What Jesus gave of Himself........was such that He had.........not of fancy clothes, not rigorous royalty schedules of pomp but of the word of God given to teach of the kingdom which had come. It was given in the life that was stirred up in the beginning. It was the Holy Spirit, the third God head......that was present, is present and will always be present. It is recognized by the fruit of..........love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. (Galatians 5:22-26)
We who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. We are to live by the Spirit and (not flesh man).........to keep in step with the Spirit (verse 25)

If we are living by what man says about us..........."LOOK OUT!!!"
But if we are the determined to live by the Spirit and have the fruit of what we see from that life, we have the key to that kingdom. And when it comes others will know it!
Again, it is by recognizing that which is within each of us.
Hell cannot prevail against us when we are the man or woman of love, joy, peace, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
Jesus spoke that the gates of hell would not prevail against us..........and that meant that our agreement was to be by the Spirit that would be in word and in truth.
Have you gone to church with someone or others who you try to talk to about Jesus and the goodness of God and they seem to speak a different language than English and look at you like you might be from another planet? This is what it appears to me.........and yet, in some regards, it is they seem to know of Jesus but do not abide in Him.


1 John 2:6
 6 He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.
NKJV

Those who live by the Spirit are the yielding and they give love wherever they go. I know such people as these and they are light to the lost.

We are to walk like Jesus walked and not by what others say about us or if they think what we are doing is right or wrong just because they get upset about it. If what we are doing is worshiping God and Him alone, the one True God Who is the Only Good God........Luke 18:19 and giving Him glory for all that happens in our homes, in our lives and even in church, then God is truly with Us and will be evident. Each will be known whether they have been with God or not.

He is ever-present and if He sends us to worship in corporate worship with others, it is because He desires it and desires us to be obedient.

In those places of truly coming to the rug.........like our grand-daughter speaks...........that secret place is that where we truly submit, truly speak His Word and affirm that "Greater is He that is me (you) than he that is in the world! Where all  that is spoken comes back to give God glory then we have come to His kingdom where the fruit of the Spirit prevails.

In an awesome testimony last night the Apostle spoke of how God was speaking His plan in a special thing for his family and how just speaking to another showed the Apostle how God was already on the scene and knew about it by what was spoken, even though this "person" had not known  what God was speaking BUT BY THE SPIRIT ONLY!

Yes God is here and now, and we can find Him in searching the Word and in praise to His name, giving glory that belongs only to Him...........and when we are there, called to that place in corporate worship, we hear the answers to what may be coming down the pike........down I-5.........down that grapevine that may be caused by others, but all the while we who listen to the Spirit will be those that know without a doubt that which is by the SPIRIT OF GOD, and WE HAVE THE VICTORY!

In closing.......yield to God, hear the Spirit today........the Spirit of Grace and Mercy..........for such is the kingdom of heaven......and participate with......those the Lord calls His children...........His beloved!


You can also visit my Youtube channel The Voice of Prayer for more teaching at http://bit.ly/1tNyBhV

ALL FLESH SHALL SEE

Luke 3:3-6
 3 And he went into all the region around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins, 4 as it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, saying:

"The voice of one crying in the wilderness:
'Prepare the way of the LORD,
Make His paths straight.
5 Every valley shall be filled
And every mountain and hill brought low;
The crooked places shall be made straight
And the rough ways smooth;
6 And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.' "
NKJV

Luke 3:3-6

And he went into all the country round about the Jordan preaching a baptism of repentance (of hearty amending of their ways, with abhorrence of past wrongdoing) unto the forgiveness of sin. 4 As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, the voice of one crying in the wilderness [shouting in the desert]; Prepare the way of the Lord, make His beaten paths straight. 5 Every valley and ravine shall be filled up, and every mountain and hill shall be leveled; and the crooked places shall be made straight, and the rough roads shall be made smooth; 6 And all mankind shall see (behold and understand and at last acknowledge) the salvation of God (the deliverance from eternal death decreed by God). [Isaiah 40:3-5]  Amplified

Some of the saddest stories have come over the news in the past two weeks. Surely people have lost their lives in homes sliding down hillsides and vehicles overtaken by water. When there is a barrier like across a roadway, it is there for a "reason" and it is not the one that says" hey, let's try out that road, it is UNDER WATER right now!"

I know not what some people's thinking is at the time or if they have the concept that the brain is in the  continual"ON Mode" position, but some of their thinking gave them ideas that they could drive through deep, deep and fast moving water that is filled with debris like broken bridges, downed fir trees or even other vehicles floating down river.
And I wonder in each case if they were saved! I wonder if they went to heaven or did they have time for Jesus at all!
And at this writing I think of all the young adults who strap bombs onto their being and blow themselves up to kill other people. What kind of hate that must reside in their hearts that they could blow others up so that "they" the bomb person can have some how many maidens waiting for them in paradise to give them pleasure???? What a lie! I thought of the young couple who killed what was it "nine" individuals and then end up dying in a shoot out and left behind a small infant. Terrible! I wonder how many demons were waiting their arrival in hell? Who told them to do that? We must know truth and that comes from pouring over the Gospels that Jesus taught to others who followed Him. He always gave glory to God His Father!

In going on in Luke 3 we find this when John the Baptist spoke:

7 So he said to the crowds who came out to be baptized by him, You offspring of vipers! Who secretly warned you to flee from the coming wrath? 8 Bear fruits that are deserving and consistent with [your] repentance [that is conduct worthy of a heart changed, a heart abhorring sin]. And do not begin to say to yourselves, we have Abraham as our father, for I tell you that God is able from these stones to raise up descendants for Abraham. 9 Even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees, so that every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and cast into the fire.Amplified

And finishing on from verses 10-18........was about love. It was to share your tunics. If you have two, share with him who has none. And he who has food, do the same..........share (verse 11) 

AND SO ....WITH MANY OTHER [VARIOUS] APPEALS AND ADMONITIONS HE PREACHED THE GOOD NEWS (THE GOSPEL) TO THE PEOPLE. (verse 18)

There is so much today on the news.......and of that which is suppose to be a faith, but not sure of what it is in..........as they dismember people and seek to destroy others with horrific acts. But my Jesus came to give life. Any other is of the devil.........for he (the devil ) came to steal, kill and destroy.

John 10:10

The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they might have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows).

Jesus came to give us  a life that is full of life and overflowing with life.

He came to give life everlasting.

John 6:46-51

46 No one has seen the Father except the one who is from God; only he has seen the Father. 47 I tell you the truth, he who believes has everlasting life. 48 I am the bread of life. 49 Your forefathers ate the manna in the desert, yet they died. 50 But here is the bread that comes down from heaven, which a man may eat and not die. 51 I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world." 

NIV

For what do I worship?

I worship Jesus who was born of the virgin Mary!

Luke 1:26-29

26 Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin's name was Mary. 28 And having come in, the angel said to her, "Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!" 

NKJV

I give thanks to the Creator of the Heavens and the Earth!

Genesis 1:1-5

1:1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. 3 Then God said, "Let there be light"; and there was light. 4 And God saw the light, that it was good; and God divided the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light Day, and the darkness He called Night. So the evening and the morning were the first day. 

NKJV

I believe Jesus is coming again soon!

1 Thessalonians 4:14-18

14 We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. 15 According to the Lord's own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 18 Therefore encourage each other with these words. 

NIV

All flesh are to see Jesus in us. Not under or in any other name. The testimony of Jesus points us to the realities that life today is to be in Him and through Him. Jesus did not come to badger, bully, to kill, to profane another, but to give life and give light to a dying world. Life has come through the miraculous virgin birth of Jesus. Not touched by man, no DNA of man but of only God. In Jesus we saw Him declare and demonstrate works of God for all to see.

He always directed His disciples back to the truth that He only did what He saw His Father doing. And He only spoke what He, Jesus, heard His Father speak.

Yes, it was this total agreement based entirely on what God told Him. Jesus obeyed!

As John the Baptist went about in the "wilderness" to declare the coming of Jesus, we too must proclaim His coming again. Our testimony is to remind others of what "love" looks like to a dying world. It is sharing what we have: not only in love, but in food and in clothing. It is our declarations that testify and yes, give demonstration to truth that God is love and He sees after our needs.

John the Baptist told those who (Luke 3:14) served as soldiers to "never demand or enforce by terrifying people or by accusing wrongfully and always be satisfied with your rations (supplies)and with your allowances (wages). I believe there is scripture that sums all this up:

1 Timothy 2:1-7

1 Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men. 2 for kings and who who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. 3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior 4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus. 6 who gave Himself as a ransom for all, to be testified in due time 7 for which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle-----I am speaking the truth in Christ and not lying----a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth. NKJV

There is One Mediator and His name is Jesus!( it is not Theudas, Judas, mohammed or ???).........Jesus is our God and our King) He is the Son of God! Matthew 3:16-17.....

16 When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. 17 And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."    NKJV

We all are to have knowledge of truth. In study of the Gospels and all that Jesus taught on, those parables should be our mainstay diet. When they are our delight and our counselors, we will be those fulfilling God's plan for us.........and that is one-to-one-to-one.

In the previous blog: Water to Wine: Holding Him in our Hearts, we saw how Mary watched her Son grow and become that for which He was destined for and to accomplish. She knew the things which were spoken about her Son by those who had the prophetic voice. She saw within her home how He acted and behaved when no one was watching. In what we hold here in this teaching, we see the disciples "recognize" and continue to follow.
Luke 24:28-35
28 Then they drew near to the village where they were going, and He indicated that He would have gone farther. 29 But they constrained Him, saying, "Abide with us, for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent." And He went in to stay with them. 30 Now it came to pass, as He sat at the table with them, that He took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened and they knew Him; and He vanished from their sight. 32 And they said to one another, "Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us?" 33 So they rose up that very hour and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, 34 saying, "The Lord is risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!" 35 And they told about the things that had happened on the road, and how He was known to them in the breaking of bread.
NKJV

The Lord has indeed risen. And He is still standing true to the "breaking of the bread". He is still opening the Scriptures to us, to those who seek His face and revere His name!

Those who "really know" Jesus will act like Him. From the above Jesus was still speaking and acting on Himself being talked of in the scriptures. And when He had taken the bread and broke it........their eyes were open. They "recognized" their Rabbi, their Savior, the Holy One of God!

If we find something seems wrong on the news, take it to prayer. Take the "thing" to God and ask Him. Take it to church or whatever body of believer's you have fellowship with. And then bring it here...........write in the comment section. We, together here will help you pray about what you comment on.  We are the powerhouse for Jesus.............for we have His Holy Spirit. The same Holy Spirit Who raised Jesus from the dead resides in us. Let us join forces........and stop the bullying through prayer and by extending love to our neighbors by feeding them and giving them something to keep warm. Our greatest days of seeing His power released on earth is right before us. Recognize Him, act on what He speaks........and......................keep looking up for our redemption draws near! (Luke 21:28)...............Our Redeemer has paid it in full and He is standing by to bring us in to that for which we believe to know as truth.

Keep walking, keep proclaiming and let us pray....individually and together in corporate prayer that.......peace be in earth as it is in heaven. 

Our Father, which art in heaven,

Hallowed be Your Name.

Your kingdom come, Your will be done in earth (in me)

As it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses,

As we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not

into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Yours is the kingdom,

the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.



You can also visit my Youtube channel The Voice of Prayer for more teaching at http://bit.ly/1tNyBhV

Water to Wine: Holding Him in Our Hearts

Matthew 1:21-25
21 She will bear a  Son, and you shall call His name Jesus [the Greek form of the Hebrew Joshua, which means Savior] , for He will save His people from their sins [that is, prevent them from failing and missing the true end and scope of life, which is God].  22 All this took place that it might be fulfilled which the Lord had spoken through the prophet, 23 Behold, the virgin shall become pregnant and give birth to a Son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel---which, when translated, means God with us. [Isaiah 7:14]
24 Then Joseph, being aroused from his sleep, did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him; he too [her to his side as] his wife. 25 But he had no union with her as her husband until she had borne her firstborn Son; and he called His name Jesus. Amplified.

Jesus was the firstborn and the begotten of God!
As those inherited rights of a Son, He was granted that to which would see after the widow, the orphan, the stranger.
As the Head of the family, He would teach them the doctrine,
Colossians 1:15-18
 15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. 17 And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. 18 And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence. 
NKJV

Jesus became that "patriarch" that came to teach the world of the family God intended. As the High Priest, He showed the relationship with the Father, not only worship of the Word and thankfulness but also in prayer. He showed the walk of righteousness. And He still teaches us today by His Holy Spirit.


In our everyday lives, we need the "Savior", the One who leads us by His Holy Spirit. In reading and spending time in the Gospels, my favorite is the book of John. I think in my heart I see it as the "up close and personal Jesus" that John saw. I think the wedding we read about below is about John's wedding. When we go through each chapter, we find something so personal that was of a "one-to-one relationship" indeed!
In Matthew we read of Jesus, those concerning Jesus' ancestry, the promises of God, the prophecies given, and Christ the King and His passion! In Mark we find: history of Jesus, the Servant, lowly Servant, His holy anger and of His prayer.
In Luke of course, we read of His birth, the announcement to the shepherds in the field by night.......we read of His water baptism, (the circumcision of the heart) and His Sacrifice ( his life) given for many. It is the Gospel of Jesus as Man. It also contains miracles.
And of the book of John, we find, Jesus, the One Who was in the beginning with God. He was the Word (John 1:1.) Chapter 2 is of water into wine.

John 2:1-12
2:1 On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. 2 Now both Jesus and His disciples were invited to the wedding. 3 And when they ran out of wine, the mother of Jesus said to Him, "They have no wine." 4 Jesus said to her, "Woman, what does your concern have to do with Me? My hour has not yet come." 5 His mother said to the servants, "Whatever He says to you, do it." 6 Now there were set there six waterpots of stone, according to the manner of purification of the Jews, containing twenty or thirty gallons apiece. 7 Jesus said to them, "Fill the waterpots with water." And they filled them up to the brim. 8 And He said to them, "Draw some out now, and take it to the master of the feast." And they took it. 9 When the master of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and did not know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom. 10 And he said to him, "Every man at the beginning sets out the good wine, and when the guests have well drunk, then the inferior. You have kept the good wine until now!" 11 This beginning of signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory; and His disciples believed in Him. 12 After this He went down to Capernaum, He, His mother, His brothers, and His disciples; and they did not stay there many days.
NKJV

AND this was the beginning of signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory. His disciples believed in Him.

From the above, we see a wedding taking place. This chapter follows the one where Jesus has talked with some to follow Him. Like the verse where Nathanael speaks to Philip, "can anything good come out of Nazareth?"

In that same text it is Nathanael telling Jesus, "Rabbi, You are the Son of God, You are the King of Israel."

Recognition is very important in to seeing where we are going and to where we are headed for the kingdom of God.

Mary told Jesus, "They have no wine" and Jesus' reply was "Woman, what does your concern have to do with Me?" "MY hour has not yet come."

What did Mary see in Jesus?

This was her son. She knew Him from His birth. 

She saw "the wine" within Him! She was not looking on the outward man, she was seeing His Spirit!
People like services where a prophetic word is given. And they really "love" it when it is given directly to them in their own name.
I have heard many, many teachings over these years of life and all have in part been different. But I see something.....that the "wine".......that fruit was showing, was in abundance and was fresh and fragrant!
Where Jesus was headed was going to be in power, and might of the Holy Spirit. It was not going to be the same 'ole service, the same 'ole thing, but a new!

In this area we drive by many vineyards. In the cities you can see billboards along main routes into the metropolitan area advertising that wine. Yes, one can note and see the signs and billboards out by the roadways, especially those two lane roads out in the gorge area and they designate their next "wine tasting" event!

But this is a different thing!

In Jesus' speaking, teaching and relationships, He carried a confidence in God His Father. He always spoke as He and His Father were ONE!
John 17:9-26
9 I pray for them. I do not pray for the world but for those whom You have given Me, for they are Yours. 10 And all Mine are Yours, and Yours are Mine, and I am glorified in them. 11 Now I am no longer in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep through Your name those whom You have given Me, that they may be one as We are. 12 While I was with them in the world, I kept them in Your name. Those whom You gave Me I have kept; and none of them is lost except the son of perdition, that the Scripture might be fulfilled. 13 But now I come to You, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have My joy fulfilled in themselves. 14 I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 15 I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. 18 As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. 19 And for their sake's I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth.

20 "I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; 21 that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. 22 And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: 23 I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me. 24 Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world. 25 O righteous Father! The world has not known You, but I have known You; and these have known that You sent Me. 26 And I have declared to them Your name, and will declare it, that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them."

NKJV

Jesus spoke of the Oneness with the Father and how it was to be for us "those who believe" as well.


In Chapter 3, we see Jesus having a one to one with Nicodemus. Yes, a well-educated man, yet he hung from a tree branch to get a glimpse of the One Sent by God! Amen!
How many times have we needed to do that? Hang out on that branch.........and speak with Jesus?
Ahh yes, Chapter 4 is the Samaritan woman..........John 4:7.
And then we move on into Chapter 5 ......that water being stirred at Bethesda. See Blog: STIRRING OF THE WATER

Chapter 6 is feeding that group of 5,000 men and add women and children, wow, you have a crowd!

Jesus is concerned with our everyday, every moment, every need. He wants to remind us that He is Emmanuel, God with us! By the time we get to chapter 15, my favorite chapter is "abiding" in Him. And in John 14, He came that our dead "things" would come to life again. Like a marriage, or a relationship with a friend, God can certainly resurrect, but He can resurrect someone's life again to that which He destined for them to live. By John 14:4, He stated to  "let not our heart be troubled, you believe in God, believe also in me." That meant, don't get depressed.........I, Jesus, the Holy One, Emmanuel is with you. In John 14:26-27, He tells us of the Comforter Who is to come and abide with us. He was to be in our hearts. And Jesus said, "Peace, I leave with you; My [own] peace I now give and bequeath to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let let them be afraid. [Stop allowing yourselves to be agitated and disturbed; and do not permit yourselves to be fearful and intimidated and cowardly and unsettled.]Amplified
In John 16:13 Jesus tells us that "When He, the Spirit of Truth (the life-giving Spirit) comes, He will come, and He will guide you into all the Truth (the whole, full Truth), For He will not speak His own message [on His own authority] but He will tell whatever Hr hears [from the Father; He will give the message that has been given to Him], and He will announce and declare to you the things that are to come [that will happen in the future]. 14 He will honor and glorify Me, because He will take of (receive, draw upon) what is Mine and will reveal (declare, disclose, transmit) it to you.

In that of the wedding in Cana of Galilee, Jesus told them to get the six stone pots and fill them with water. Six is the number of man.
In looking at the Amplified for John 1, it states this!
1 In the beginning [before all time] was the Word (Christ), and the Word was with God and the Word was God Himself. [Isaiah 9:6] 2 He was present originally with God. 3 All things were made and came into existence through Him and without Him was not even one thing made that has come into being. 4 In Him was Life, and the Life was the Light of men. 5 And the Light shines on in the darkness, for the darkness has never overpowered [put it out or absorbed or appropriated it and is un-receptive to it].

9 There it ----was the true Light [was then] coming into the world [the genuine, perfect, steadfast Light] that illumines every person. [Isaiah 49:6] 10 He came into the world, and though the world was made through Him, the world did not recognize Him [did not know HIM]. 11 He came to that which belonged to him [to His won----His domain, creation, things, world], and they who were His own did not receive Him and did not welcome Him.

Mary knew who He was. She knew those things which she pondered in her heart, from the message by the angel Gabriel, to Simeon in the temple to Jesus being 12 and holding back in Jerusalem to be found with those who taught and Jesus had wisdom and favor with God and man. Although Jesus dismissed her about the timing of which belonged to Him, yet He was found in a one to one relationship that was of regular earthen stoneware. That which was made from the earth, filled with water. much like the water of the Word of God to become that which comes when God touches our life with His goodness.
How do we recognize them? Well, they look like Jesus, sound like love and act out in righteousness that is glorifying to God and Him alone.
I have seen some of them. They continue. They do not bring any act or any working back to themselves, but simple fulfill that which God asked them to do. They have the softness of a baby's skin when they touch your heart with only love that is expressed in God's Words. Their acts of goodness leave you standing in awe that God sent someone to do that for you. Yes, someone who has the freshness of a gentle breeze after that rain storm, that first hint of spring, that baby's first cry, that snuggle of a little dog's wet nose on your cheek, lets you know that God has been here FIRST. He has been in all my moments and yours and some how always add that special-ness that is of God and His alone. For when God touches us in our hearts, in those wounds, in that depressed state, He always gives us that smile that can stop the world. He laughs letting us know that all is okay and and when He embraces us with that peace that will destroy the devil, yes, I recognize Him, and I welcome Him.
Oh sweet Jesus, turn our water into wine today. Whatever our situation, by Your Holy Spirit, have YOUR way into all that is on the scene. For we desire to be found with You, that which is the genuine, the steadfast, the perfect that only God can give to us. We love You with our whole hearts!


You can also visit my Youtube channel The Voice of Prayer for more teaching at http://bit.ly/1tNyBhV

Looking for the Consolation:the Happy,the Revival, the Resuscitation

Luke 2:22-35
22 Now when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were completed, they brought Him to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord 23(as it is written in the law of the Lord, "Every male who opens the womb shall be called holy to the LORD"), 24 and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the law of the Lord, "A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons."

25 And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. 27 So he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the law, 28 he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said: 

29 "Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace,
According to Your word; 
30 For my eyes have seen Your salvation 
31 Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, 
32 A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles,
And the glory of Your people Israel."  

33 And Joseph and His mother marveled at those things which were spoken of Him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, "Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against 35 (yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed." 
NKJV

Waiting and looking for the Consolation is what Simeon, the just and devout did and the Holy Spirit was upon him. In reading the above we see Simeon being led by the Holy Spirit to go to the temple. And he, Simeon, saw baby Jesus, and took Him up into his arms. Simeon, with age well depicting his age and his looking, his waiting for that which was to come, the Holy One, he now held in his arms. And he blessed God.

In thinking on that period that Jesus came, Israel was being taken over by the Roman rule. Although not hard set or engraved in stone at the time, yet, Rome was moving and taking over large blocks of land. They had come with some power to see their plans not only survive but be implemented into new people and more lands. It was written that when they were going through Egypt, that the extreme northern parts were built with roadways and even had some trees planted to line that roadway for travel into the country and to some of the most eastern parts of the northern territory.
So Rome was expected to make some kind of change and the Jews did not want the change from what they had already knew and experienced. They had their religious views already set into God and unto God. But what Jesus did when He came was to upset that which the religious men had put into practice by adding man's own agenda's and ideas and held only small vestiges, those smallest amounts of a hint toward what God had actually said and did!
What God did was to send His Son, send to declare what was coming, and what change would allow the Holy Spirit Who was over the face of the deep in Genesis 1:2 b.... to come forward to that moment when Jesus would be resurrected after His crucifixion to come upon all believers in Acts 1. (see below)
Genesis 1:2-5
 And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. 3 Then God said, "Let there be light"; and there was light. 4 And God saw the light, that it was good; and God divided the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light Day, and the darkness He called Night. So the evening and the morning were the first day. NKJV

Acts 1:4-14

4 And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, "which," He said, "you have heard from Me; 5 for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now." 6 Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, "Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?" 7 And He said to them, "It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. 8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." 

9 Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. 10 And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, 11 who also said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven." 

12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day's journey. 13 And when they had entered, they went up into the upper room where they were staying: Peter, James, John, and Andrew; Philip and Thomas; Bartholomew and Matthew; James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot; and Judas the son of James. 14 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers. 

NKJV

Yes, being gathered together after His crucifixion but waiting on His departure into heaven, they still had much to ask Him about. Verse 7 "Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?" And again Jesus affirms that it is not for us to know the times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority.......that which only the Father needs to KNOW AND WILL ACT ON! 

Acts 2:1-16

2:1 Now when the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. 

5 And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven. 6 And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language. 7 Then they were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, "Look, are not all these who speak Galileans? 8 And how is it that we hear, each in our own language in which we were born? 9 Parthians and Medes and Elamites, those dwelling in Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya adjoining Cyrene, visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, 11 Cretans and Arabs--we hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God." 12 So they were all amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, "Whatever could this mean?" 13 Others mocking said, "They are full of new wine." 

14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, raised his voice and said to them, "Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and heed my words. 15 For these are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. 

NKJV

How they wanted their homeland restored! From the time of David till Jesus' time, much had occurred in Israel and the Jews had been scattered. Some sixty or so years after Jesus departed into heaven, every stone of that fine temple had come down. People were sent into all directions. That city no longer remained. Certainly a far cry from what was seen in David's time, of dusty roads, and worship in that place that took a while to get to now was only a memory in that which was documented as to history. There was much prosperity at the time of Jesus' life when He had come to earth. It was especially noted that in the time of those festivals and those who were appointed as to the bread making,  surely knew those numbers of people making their pilgrimage to Jerusalem for the week-long festival.

What Simeon must have seen, what he must have experienced in all the time of his life, yet when he saw and recognized the Consolation: the revival to that which God intended, the Resuscitation of the life that had come!

Simeon had spent much time in prayer. He spent much time questioning God about it and when it "happened" he saw it and embraced it! He embraced the life in Jesus, the new.......that breath then being given into man's life and the hope that life from God would restore all for Israel and for mankind. Why do I write of that?

For looking at verse 32 of chapter 2 of the book of  Luke we find starting in verse 29:

and said: 

29 "Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace,
According to Your word;
30 For my eyes have seen Your salvation
31 Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples,
32 A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles,
And the glory of Your people Israel."  

Thank You Jesus, ....."a light to bring revelation to the Gentiles and the glory of YOUR people Israel."
He was seeing Jesus bring light to the Gentiles, those who are not Jews by birth, but would become sons by believing in Jesus.

And the Happy......well Simeon, said " Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace."
Not that Simeon was looking to die now that he had seen the "Consolation" but that he was so satisfied, so happy, so pleased, so contended, so FAVORED, so JOYOUS! He was saying, "it is great to be alive!" "I have seen this awesome thing of God, His Son to come to earth, I rest now, because of His goodness, His great love and will continue to see His glory be unwrapped to the Gentiles and the people Israel. Hallelujah!"

Anyone who spends time in prayer, knows what searching, looking and waiting looks like. They search the Word, they look toward that horizon of their life and wait with that hope, that expectation "I will see this great thing God has for my life." "I will see it, recognize it, jump for joy because of it, for it is my life, it is good for me, and God has sent it to me because it was made for me!
Jesus was sent for we surely needed salvation,.............and it was in that of a SAVIOR!
Truly this is a time to look and give thanks. It is time to look over our lives and give thanks for that which God caused for us to experience............and when we can truly RECOGNIZE .....we are like Simeon, the one who can jump for joy, receive a resuscitation of life that God sent life into that which was dying, was of the broken and that which might have been kicked to the curb!

Simeon was found in the temple. He came to prayer. And those who spend time in prayer will see the same Consolation today. They are not those looking and speaking against God and His Word. God is Spirit and He desires us to live in the spirit....to see with spiritual eyes.

Hebrews 3:1-6.....1 Therefore holy brothers, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, the apostle, and high priests whom we confess. 2 He was faithful to the one who appointed him, just as Moses was faithful in all God's house. 3 Jesus has been found worthy of greater honor than Moses, just as the builder of a house has greater honor than the house itself. 4 For every house is built by someone, but God is builder of everything. 5 Moses was faithful as a servant in all God's house testifying to what would be said in the future. 6 But Christ is the faithful as a son over God's house. And we are His house, if we hold on to our courage and the hope of which we boast. NIV

Mary surely saw those things come, not how they might play out, but saw them as coming toward that blessed Child who would fulfill that plan of being the Consolation. She saw her own heart pierced. She was found in prayer.....not only at Her Son's crucifixion but also on the Day of Pentecost. (Acts 1:14)

Who do we pray to? Or do we even pray? Of whose family do we belong? Let us turn away from that "which seems newsworthy on T.V. and look at Jesus who was and is the CONSOLATION!
For when we set our hope and prayer on life......then we receive life. When we set our prayer on that which is right for us, it will bring us to a joy that cannot be taken away, we will continue growing in satisfaction and always preparing to meeting Him in the air. It is always moving, expecting, searching and growing to see Him more clearly!
I hope to see you there!

Father, may we be like Simeon who was the expectant. He was one who was looking for the Consolation. In it, his faith was growing exceedingly, and his love abounding. Simeon came to the place where he recognized Him and gave a word of praise and thanks. Thank You Father for allowing us to be counted worthy of this calling and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and work of faith with power. May the name of our Lord Jesus Christ be glorified in us and each of us in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.(2 Thessalonians 2:11-12). Amen.


You can also visit my Youtube channel The Voice of Prayer for more teaching at http://bit.ly/1tNyBhV

STIRRING OF THE WATER

John 5:1-15

The Amplified Bible states this:
John 5: 1 Later on there was a Jewish festival (feast) for which Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 2 Now there is in Jerusalem a pool near the Sheep Gate. This pool in the Hebrew is called Bethesda, having five porches (alcoves, colonnades, doorways). 3 In these lay a great number of sick folk---some blind, some crippled and some paralyzed (shriveled up)----- waiting for the bubbling up of the water. 4 For an angel of the Lord went down at appointed seasons into the pool and moved and stirred up the water; whoever then first, after the stirring up of the water, stepped in was cured of whatever disease with which he was afflicted. 5 There was a certain man there who had suffered with a deep-seated and lingering disorder for thirty-eight years. 6 When Jesus noticed him lying there [helpless], knowing that he had already been a long time in that condition. He said to him, "Do you want to become well?" [Are you really in earnest about getting well?"]  7 The invalid answered, Sir I have nobody when the water is moving to put me into the pool; but while I am trying to come [into it] myself, somebody else steps down ahead of me. 8 Jesus said to him, "Get up! Pick up your bed (sleeping pad) and walk!"  9 Instantly the man became well and recovered his strength and picked up his bed and walked. But that happened on the Sabbath. 10 So the Jews kept saying to the man who had been healed, it is the Sabbath, and you have no right to pick up your bed [it is not lawful].  11 He answered them, The "Man Who healed me and gave me back my strength, He Himself said to me, Pick up your bed and walk. 12 They asked him, Who is the Man Who told you, Pick up your bed and walk? 13 Now the invalid who had been healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had quietly gone away [ had passed on unnoticed], since there was a crowd in the place. 14 Afterward, when Jesus found him in the temple, He said to him, "See you are well!" "Stop sinning or something worse may happen to you." 15 The man went away and told the Jews that it was Jesus Who had made him well.

Where does your healing come from? Does it come in a bottle? Does it come instantly? Well according to some pastors, some say it takes awhile for many to get their healing, yet I have never found that looking over the pages of healing Jesus did. And many times, He just gave a command like the above. He did not lay hands on him but Jesus saw the helpless man. It does not say that Jesus gave Him His hand, it only says, "Get up! Pick up your bed and walk!"

Can you imagine day in and day out, laying on a mat, some kind of sleeping pad? Talk about a hard bed! And we complain if the bed is not a King size bed!
I always think why this man was chosen. There were many there that day who had some kind of lameness, blindness or other ailment. They were some who could not do much or go very far. Yet Jesus came to this one man. Some teach that Jesus did not want to bring a demonstration and that is probably true. But my question: "Did any follow Jesus when they saw the miracle or did they not see at all?"
Yet we know the leaders did see it. In reading on in the same chapter and down to verse 16 Amplified reads this: For this reason the Jews began to persecute (annoy,torment) Jesus and sought to kill Him, because He was doing these things on the Sabbath.
Reading on in verse 30 I am able to to do nothing from Myself [independently, of my own accord----but only as I am taught by God and as I get His orders]. Even as I hear, I judge [I decide as I am bidden to decide . As the voice comes to Me, so I give a decision], and my judgment is right (just, righteous), because I do not seek or consult My own will [ I have no desire to do what is pleasing to Myself, My own aim, My own purpose] but only the will and pleasure of the Father Who sent Me.

That stirring of the water was doing more than just healing some people. It disturbed those who saw a man healed on a day that they regarded as religious. Man certainly wanted to change what God had given in the beginning.  At some point, anything given by God would ultimately be brought back to being twisted by man and the good like Jesus did, was violating their (Jewish leaders views) which was on the premise of the pride "thing" and hypocrisy.

STIRRING:

On this thought process today, I go to that moment when Jesus probably has been given a nudge by the Holy Spirit to go to the pool! And entering and seeing all those who are unable to do anything for that which binds them to illness, weakness, to a debilitated state where they either have to lie on a mat day in and day out or they might have some movement, but yet need help.
It has been written in some commentaries that whether an "angel" came and stirred the water is not certain. Some think at some times that there was a possibility of minerals being sent by a heating form from underground and would cause the stirring, that bubbling up as an effervescent action. My thought is in reading this today that God in all His graciousness had brought some hope to those who saw it and could get to it. And the second was this and I think this is above all the most important..........that Jesus came into that place and walked over many.........spoke one to one with the man and the man walked away from the pool, from that which ailed him and praised God for His goodness to Him. I believe that Jesus comes to us, any who somehow find themselves in an area like the pool of Bethesda. He comes to check on us. And are just watching for the pool of water to be "stirred " again or are we looking for Jesus, the Healer? Are we looking over to Sister So and So (and you know, she has issues too) who we can tell our trouble to or are we proclaiming the good news that Jesus has healed  us and made us complete? For you would certainly know that a gathering together of sick souls and bodies brings out the worst these dear folks suffer from in their life!
If you have even been in for an infusion, you can hear the stories and grant many must give their information as to any allergic reactions but to continue in giving the same details to a new person who just walked in is tough on that new person. Some are apprehensive enough about what they are about to endure for hours, but those who know God can have peace that passes all our understanding.

Jesus told the man to "Get up, take his mat and walk!" Jesus wanted him to walk which he had probably never done, and to take his mat. Take of that which would remind anyone you had been in that condition and walk. Walk!
Now Jesus can come in and do quietly for us when no one watches, when no one cares, and when others are waiting on that "pool" thing. But walk.........praise God, give glory to Jesus the Healer, the Great Physician and do what you are to do everyday..........all to the praise of God and His mighty deeds! Tell others about what Jesus did for you,........and tell them when He healed you and what you profess today about Him.

Do we get caught up in that "POOL ACTION"? ARE we captivated and would rather wait for our turn, you know our time in the pool or will we recognize and know Jesus came to heal all. In all His journey in and around those He came in contact with, I did not see any go or leave in anyway, shape or form the same, but for the unbeliever who did not like what He was doing any day of the week and on the Sabbaths would probably without doubt leave empty, no healing and the same 'ole' person.

Matthew 19:2
2 Large crowds followed him, and he healed them there. NIV

Matthew 21:14-15
14 Then the blind and the lame came to Him in the temple, and He healed them. 
NKJV

Luke 4:40-41

40 When the sun was setting, all those who had any that were sick with various diseases brought them to Him; and He laid His hands on every one of them and healed them. 41 And demons also came out of many, crying out and saying, "You are the Christ, the Son of God!" And He, rebuking them, did not allow them to speak, for they knew that He was the Christ. 

NKJV

I recently heard of this care called "Wound Care" and it is for those who have gone through some kind of treatment like radiation or many surgeries and the body will no longer heal itself in that area of body, so one has to have this wound care for that body area. It is sometimes for the rest of one's life but is helpful to those who really need it.
Jesus is our Wounded Care giver. For He surely bore our griefs and carried our sorrows. He was the wounded for our transgressions ( our sins).
Isaiah 53:4-5
Surely He has borne our griefs (sicknesses, weaknesses, distresses) and carried our sorrows and pains [of punishment], yet we [ignorantly] considered Him stricken, smitten,and afflicted by God [ as with leprosy] Matthew 8:17
5 But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our guilt and iniquities; the chastisement [needed to obtain] peace and well-being for us was upon Him, and with the stripes [that wounded] Him we are healed and made whole.

In closing: Jesus asked" are you really earnest about getting well?"
Are you " fully serious"? Are you " zealously sincere" about getting well?
Are you "making a demand" for healing?"
Yes, Yes, and Yes!
We have to act like the healed even when we do not feel it in our bodies. We must rise up........take this word from Isaiah 53 and confess that we are the healed and made whole by the wounded Jesus who took our transgression and was bruised for our guilt and iniquities (sins) . He took my punishment and your punishment and we do not have to have it, ever. That chastisement needed for us to obtain peace and well-being was met in Jesus. Today, we are the healed, made whole. Our lives are characterized by being the comfortable, the healthy and the HAPPY! Amen.

You can also visit my Youtube channel The Voice of Prayer for more teaching at http://bit.ly/1tNyBhV

The Love that We Share

Psalm 90:14
O satisfy us with Your mercy and loving-kindness
in the morning [now, before we are older], that we may
rejoice and be glad all our days.
15 Make us glad in proportion to the days in which
You have afflicted us and to the years in which we have
suffered evil.
16 Let Your work [the signs of Your power] be revealed to
Your servants; and Your [glorious] majesty to their children.
17 And let the beauty and delightfulness and favor of the Lord
our God be upon us; confirm and establish the work of our hands--
yes, the work of our hands, confirm and establish it.

In this Psalm we are directed to prayer!
I always hear my husband pray for our meals, and over our family, home and that which God has given to us as in the job (finances), a vehicle for driving to work, a place to attend church to worship our God and especially that extra time to have with our grandchild and family. We plan to come together with our love ones at different times during the year. But it was just over the weekend, I heard my husband speak, "the love that we share".

I told my husband that is important for the love we all share for the Lord, binds us together. In thinking and praying on this for today, I was brought back to Moses who prayed this for the whole of those who would ultimately die in the wilderness. There were many who were not going into the Promised Land. And Moses prayed a prayer.
Take a look back at the entire prayer in Psalm 90 and think on the wilderness, and the surroundings. The only people were those they had known in Egypt. Moses had brought them out of bondage under the leading of the Lord. Moses had obeyed to do what the Lord showed him to do in his connecting with Pharaoh, to the plagues, and to ultimately bring them all out. Moses prayed from what we read here from Psalm 90...and verse 11-12...."Who knows the power of Your anger? For as the fear of you, so is Your wrath. So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom."

In dealing with people, as to living around large volumes of people, and being in contact with many different ethnic groups ( men and women alike) we are to have a love that can only come through knowing Jesus and His love. It is having the wisdom of God.  Like Moses and his leadership ability, much was gained by hearing and obeying God and His directions. He had much to contend with and mostly was due to a people who were "slaves" to their own thinking, their lack, their depending on making bricks, and not looking for the "new" to life!
If we take note and look back for a moment we can see that which Moses probably saw for all that was recorded. Persecution was to come, and it came in the Garden of Eden. In all that was recorded and we can read here in the Holy Bible, we can see Cain kill his brother Abel (Genesis 4:8), Ham the son of Noah, mocked Noah (Genesis 8:20-23). We also see in the time of Isaac the son of Abraham being mocked by Ishmael.(Genesis 21:8-10)
8 The child grew and was weaned, and on the day Isaac was weaned Abraham held a great feast. 9 But Sarah saw that the son whom Hagar the Egyptian had borne to Abraham was mocking, 10 and she said to Abraham, "Get rid of that slave woman and her son, for that slave woman's son will never share in the inheritance with my son Isaac." NIV

 Esau had wanted to kill his own brother Jacob. (Genesis 27:41-42)
41 So Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing with which his father blessed him, and Esau said in his heart, "The days of mourning for my father are at hand; then I will kill my brother Jacob." 42 And the words of Esau her older son were told to Rebekah. So she sent and called Jacob her younger son, and said to him, "Surely your brother Esau comforts himself concerning you by intending to kill you.
NKJV
And we come back to that of Joseph who was the exalted in Egypt and became the deliverer to bring food to a people and a famished land. Forgiveness!

It was by harassment and bitter hate that Joseph was given over into a pit, to become a slave and become the deliverer for his family and many others in a time of severe famine. It was in that love he had for them all, the ability to forgive, that allowed him to move forward in live and see a life that was beautified by the glory of the Lord.

We see Joseph as the fourth son of Jacob. It was the not the first son or the second son of Jacob, but the fourth who played such a great role in the history. Yet, the tribes are all important in the foundation of the family of God and those who would follow.

Yes, the love that we share.

We may not understand the thinking of some we come in contact with, but surely God gives us wisdom to understand our fellow man or fellow woman!

In Matthew 25 we find this: 34 "Then the King will say to those on His right, 'Come, you blessed of My Father [you favored of God, appointed to eternal salvation], inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35 For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; 36 I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me [with help and ministering care]; I was in prison and you came to me [ignoring personal danger].

37 The the righteous will answer Him, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty and give You something to drink? 38 And when did we see You as a stranger, and invite You in, or naked and clothe You? 39 And when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?"

40 the King will answer and say to them, ' I assure you and most solemnly say to you, to the extent that you did it for one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it for Me.' 41 "Then He will say to those on His left, 'Leave Me, you cursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels (demons);42 for I was hungry, and you gave Me nothing to eat; I was thirsty and you gave Me nothing to drink; 43 I was a stranger, and you did not invite Me in; naked, and you did not clothe Me; sick, and in prison, and you did not visit Me [with help and ministering care]' 44 Then they also [in their turn] will answer, ' Lord, when did we see You hungry, or thirsty, or as a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister to You?"

45 Then He will reply to them, ' I assure you and most solemnly say to you, to the extent that you did not do it for one of the least of these [my followers], you did not do it for Me.' 46 Then these [unbelieving people] will go away into eternal (unending) punishment, but those who are righteous and in right standing with God [ will go, by His remarkable grace] into eternal (unending) life." Amplified Bible

Now in all my years of hearing and being taught, I always heard this as for doing for those who are lacking, sick and without........anybody.. especially those you did not know.......BUT.......never heard it as verse 45 speaks..............the "followers" of Jesus. Now that takes or makes a shift in another direction.
Let's see, if we start in the "home", are we seeing after ........say not only those within our home, but what about those who live far away and maybe alone?  (you know a relative) What about those who are the saved, and in need of some help and  ministering care?
It is interesting that the whole chapter is talking about two kinds of people. In light of the teaching, we see people who are to be lights to the world. As the Gospel is presented to us, we too, look for those outlets to minister that same light to others. It begins within us and then to others. It begins in our character of that which we boast. Is our boast in the Lord or in our own goodness and  what you might do for me?

Let's look first in the home: as the spouse, do we look out after our spouse? Do we see where we might help them in their day, in their work, or around the home? Will we see after them when they are not well, see after them when they are not around.......say, like at the work place? Then do we help in the way of laundry, doing dishes, or maybe planning and preparing a meal, the wife usually prepares. How about taking the "kids" to school even though they ride the bus? What if we took some extra time to show those of the house of God, those "followers" of Jesus we care about them even when they are not around!
To that spouse, do we say........"I appreciate you". "Thanks for all you do to help me!"? Do we take time to text them that message of how important they are to us? Will we take time to mend a favorite shirt, a little girl's princess dress, or how about designing something of ribbon over a neckpiece for earbuds that you do not use, but is a help to another? What about calling someone to invite them out for dinner with your family?
Then the "follower" of Jesus you go to church with, will you invite them over for a holiday? If they are alone most of the time, what if we had them come for dinner on Sunday or maybe a barbeque on Friday evening?

There are all kinds of harassment going on right now! One surely has a view whether on the roadway, in a mall, at school or in the workplace. At some point today in a given moment someone is being bombarded by those who will hate and harass, and seek their own agenda. But ours is suppose to be that like Jesus........and to love no matter what.
I believe that the Psalm 90 that Moses prayed for those who would die in the wilderness was a prayer for any who live out their lives in knowing nothing but slavery, although God has the way through His mercy and grace. I believe he desired the children of these people to see and know of the miraculous that their God had done for them in that wilderness. Yes many died there. But many went into the Promised Land to see and know more of God. Our choice is choosing that which is or should resemble Moses that he cared for those given into his hand for keeping watch. They brought a lot of heartache and much time in prayer to Moses for them.

In our coming in and our going out, may we speak with peace to others with faith from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. May we speak grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love. It is the Lord Who gives grace to the humble!
May we respect those who work hard and who is over us in the Lord and who admonishes us. (2 Thessalonians 5:13-24)  In close encounters with family and those of the family of God, we desire to hold each in the highest regard in love because of his work.  We pray to be those that would encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone making sure nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else. Praying for those of the body of Christ to be joyful always (verse 16) to pray continually (verse 17) to give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for us in Christ Jesus.
Today, may we, "the beloved" build ourselves up on our most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit and to keep ourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. To guard and keep ourselves in the love of God, expect and patiently wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah) which will bring us unto life eternal. And refute [so as to] convict some who dispute with you ( or us) and on some have mercy who waiver and doubt. We strive to save others, snatching [them] out of the fire; on others take pity [but] with fear, loathing even the garment spotted by the flesh and polluted by their sensuality. [Zechariah 3:2-4) It is to the one only God, our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord be the glory (splendor), majesty, might and dominion and power and authority, before all time and now and forever (unto all ages of eternity). FOR IT IS THE LOVE THAT WE SHARE!  Amen. (so be it.) Amplified


You can also visit my Youtube channel The Voice of Prayer for more teaching at http://bit.ly/1tNyBhV

SUCH AS I HAVE, I GIVE TO YOU

Acts 3:1-16
3:1 Now Peter and John went up together to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. 2 And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms from those who entered the temple; 3 who, seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, asked for alms. 4 And fixing his eyes on him, with John, Peter said, "Look at us." 5 So he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them. 6 Then Peter said, "Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk." 7 And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. 8 So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them--walking, leaping, and praising God. 9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God. 10 Then they knew that it was he who sat begging alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple; and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

11 Now as the lame man who was healed held on to Peter and John, all the people ran together to them in the porch which is called Solomon's, greatly amazed. 12 So when Peter saw it, he responded to the people: "Men of Israel, why do you marvel at this? Or why look so intently at us, as though by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk? 13 The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified His Servant Jesus, whom you delivered up and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let Him go. 14 But you denied the Holy One and the Just, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, 15 and killed the Prince of life, whom God raised from the dead, of which we are witnesses. 16 And His name, through faith in His name, has made this man strong, whom you see and know. Yes, the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.
NKJV

HEARD this awesome testimony by Joyce Meyers. And have thought about it here for days. And I thought on this scripture from Acts 3 about the lame man from birth asking alms.

First:

Joyce told how she was at the beginning of finding Jesus full on. She told of her desire of the
Bible studies in her home and how they grew. She told what her own life was like as she had been and lived. As we have heard her testimonies, and she has some awesome things to speak about God's goodness and love. We surely have heard them before in one or two of her conferences and seen those programs where she teaches and answers questions by those who are seeking God and His ways. Although I have never been to one of her conferences, I try not to miss some of her televised teachings. She diligently studied, did not go to any Bible College. God, the Holy Spirit taught her! Of this teaching, she told about the scripture and Noah and Abram.

She taught on the "Rainbow" and the "Circumcision".

Genesis 9:12-17

12 And God said, "This is the sign of the covenant I am making between me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all generations to come: 13 I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth. 14 Whenever I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds, 15 I will remember my covenant between me and you and all living creatures of every kind. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life. 16 Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth." 

17 So God said to Noah, "This is the sign of the covenant I have established between me and all life on the earth." 

NIV

Genesis 17:9-14

And God said to Abraham: "As for you, you shall keep My covenant, you and your descendants after you throughout their generations. 10 This is My covenant which you shall keep, between Me and you and your descendants after you: Every male child among you shall be circumcised; 11 and you shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskins, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between Me and you. 12 He who is eight days old among you shall be circumcised, every male child in your generations, he who is born in your house or bought with money from any foreigner who is not your descendant. 13 He who is born in your house and he who is bought with your money must be circumcised, and My covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant. 14 And the uncircumcised male child, who is not circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin, that person shall be cut off from his people; he has broken My covenant." 

NKJV

Second:

Joyce told about in the ministry God was building through her was a lot like the two examples you see here. She said she saw so many people getting the "Rainbow" and how she would hear their testimonies of how God was blessing them early on in "their" ministries. Yet, she was seeing in her own life the circumcision of the flesh. Yes, she certainly made people laugh and I was one of them, but boy, she was right on about the two things. For we certainly can see those who are the blessed so rapidly and the other is, "Let's take some flesh off of you, child!" Yikes!

In hearing her testimony, I too, thought on the part when she said she had attended no Seminary. I too have not attended any Seminary nor did I go to any Bible College. It is the Lord Who has taught me every step of the Way! And I went back to Acts 3...."such as I have, give I you, in the name of Jesus, rise up and Walk."

Yes, Peter and John are going up to the temple for prayer. And at this gate, a man had been laid. So any people who entered might see the lame man and give him alms. When this lame man saw Peter and John, he spoke. He asked a question. Although I am thinking he did not make eye contact with them, for Peter said, "Look at us." When the man had given attention to them, hope had risen in his heart, Peter spoke. And in the name of Jesus........he spoke and he took the man's hand to rise and walk. Of the witness of Jesus rising from the dead..........Peter gave a testimony of about the power was not of them or their own power, but was from and through Jesus to the lame man. Yes, faith that came through Jesus gave the lame man now wholeness........perfect soundness in the presence of all people present in that place. Jesus who was denied and disowned by those He came for, had continued to raise people up from their weakened state, from that which brings one captive to sickness, weakness, lameness and the broken. It was in that which was strengthened to be used as God intended.

Look on us.........Look on what we speak...........in the Name of Jesus.....that Authority still continued. That power from on high still availed and was seen in those who believed on the name, were open to receiving that which was of the unseen, and gained strength and healing. Silver and gold would not help other than for a short time, but God was wanting the whole man healed and back to living life as was intended. 

In reading this time and again, I always wonder how many people just walked on by him, never giving him any attention, just walking by and maybe flipping some coin in the cup or container to hold the "handouts" given him. What he gave attention to when asked, he got an answer. 

When needing something, and asking alms, he got what he asked for. But what if God desires our attention for something greater, something bigger?

What if God desires to bring us up from that which is lameness to us and to what He is desiring to do? What if we stop looking down at the circumstances, and say, "yes Lord, I know of this rut I am in, this____________, but I would like to rise out of it. Today I give you all my attention to not be lame anymore and not stay in this rut that has caused a lameness in me not moving forward with life. I too would like to bring people to gather much like the "lame" man when he attached himself to them by holding on...........to give glory to God, to give praise and jump for joy." "That is the way I want to live my life, Lord!"

In what we see like in Noah, he spent a some 60 or 70 years building an ark for safety to those who believed. In the end, they saw the "Rainbow" in the sky. What a site, to come through hearing all the unbelief and probably cursing and joking against Noah and his family. Then to see the flood take the life of people and animals and then see the amount of time for the flood waters to recede. Still their focus, had to be one when "will we get off this ark?"

I remember traveling many times with our daughter. She had gone with me to visit family on the East Coast. And in one fall time of year, we flew. It was good going, and we had good visit, but on the way back, I could see she was ready to do something else. And flying at 36,000 feet does not give you much choice of the things to do on an airplane. So when we were flying over the "badlands" of the Dakotas, she was ready to disembark.  She was ready to jump with a parachute of course. But I told her I could not do that, for the "badlands" get too much snow and severe cold. "No thanks, I will continue on here."

So she would walk the aisle. She would stand awhile, watch a movie for a little bit, and then walk the aisle again. Yes, she was done!

The family of Noah had to keep watch for the first sign of life after the waters started to recede.

As for Abram, well, he had to leave the family. Yes he had to leave Haran. He had to repent of dead works, could not worship idols and follow God only. In his quest to follow God, he found a lot of hardship, and that which so many couples desire: children. In his journey of life, he kept that hope alive. But to keep that hope alive he had to see it. Our eyes can truly see, but they have no voice. Abram and his wife came to that place. In living in that tent, that place could isolate one indeed, but it had no real fortress of walls, but could confine only by shutting everything else out.

That which came to Abram we read in Genesis 15. In verse 1 we begin..........and see that in a vision we were told, "Do not fear, Abram, I am a shield to you; your reward shall be very great."

In lamenting toward God, Abram said, "O Lord God, what will You give me, since I am childless and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?" And Abram said, "Since You have given no offspring to me, the one born in my house is my heir."

In the Amplified it reads like this: verse 4 And behold, the word of the Lord came to him, saying, This man shall not be your heir, but he who shall come from your own body shall be your heir. 5. And He brought him outside [his tent into the starlight] and said, Look now toward the heavens and count the stars---if you are able to number them. Then He said to him, So shall your descendants be. "[Hebrews 11:12] 6 And he [Abram] believed in (trusted in, relied on, remained steadfast to ) the Lord, and He counted it to him as righteousness (right standing with God) [Romans 4:3, 18-22; Galatians 3:6, James 2:23] 7 And He said to him, I am the [same] Lord, Who brought you out of Ur of the Chaldees to give you this land as an inheritance.

God got Abram outside the "tent" to take a look. And although his eyes could not see, yet the voice he heard was God speaking............look and count, and see............these are the number of your descendants.

We need to stop looking down at the same "stuff". We need to get out like our son-in-law does. Get out and look into the sky and watch for those things that orbit the earth and give that light that there is more going on than down here on these five blocks, two big cities, or even up and down the Columbia River. As our son-in-law points out to those satellites and the space station, we can see with our eyes that activity is going on outside our realm. We can see and speak..........give voice that what God has for us is above and beyond that of this earth. It is heaven on earth. It is life that was meant to glorify God and in all His awesome deeds.

Yes, circumcision must take place to remove that which does not need to be in our heart (in our soulish nature). Things must be removed from us that would hinder us. Taking our eyes off the situation and moving them to God give us the ability to move outside anything that might separate us from that which would be freedom for us, health to us, ministry and a testimony of faith that God is with us and He is for us! Move outside of you today. Move and look toward that which God has and is giving as a blessing.

We have great teachers like Joyce Meyer who can and will show us how to get that flesh under control. They have the testimony of faith that comes by hearing God and obeying. Allow the Holy Spirit to teach you today and move from that cup of lameness into God's great power for life!

Father, we pray in Jesus' name to not have any limitations . We pray to be set free from anything that might represent a closed tent, a closed door, to bring us to isolation. We saw this lame man who even thought that by being laid by the Gate called Beautiful was anything but beautiful to him. He had to give attention to that which was coming by way of life in the Name of Jesus Christ. Help us to see and not fall victim to that which would be blocking as to our walk and seeing the promises fulfilled for us.

 Grant to us to see with eyes and give voice to that which is life and power to us through Your Holy Spirit. Please help us to be renewed to that which was given to us in our youth. Help us to see that fear and doubt are of no help to us, Help us to see that we have been enabled to run as in our youth, that we are the awakened to the great miracles as we saw in the lame man and who Jesus our Lord and Savior has apprehended us to His life of love, attention to us, and His great desire for us to live a life of peace on earth as it is in Heaven.

Father, please bless teachers like Joyce Meyer. Give them continued strength to keep up that walk and race of life with expectations that You are not through with them or their lives. Help them and us as well to grow in the grace and knowledge of You Jesus. We have no future without You our Lord. Amen.

You can also visit my Youtube channel The Voice of Prayer for more teaching at http://bit.ly/1tNyBhV