Responding in Faith

What is fighting the "good fight of faith"?
Scripture tells us that Jesus is the Author and Finisher of our faith!

Hebrews 12:1-2.....................12:1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. NKJV

When we read verse 12, we are to lay aside every weight and sin which so easily ensnares us to run an endurance race that is set before us! That race is a life journey, a walk of faith with the Lord entrusting our every step into His confident hands!

1 Timothy 6:11-16.................11 But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 13 I urge you in the sight of God who gives life to all things, and before Christ Jesus who witnessed the good confession before Pontius Pilate, 14 that you keep this commandment without spot, blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ's appearing, 15 which He will manifest in His own time, He who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords, 16 who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see, to whom be honor and everlasting power. Amen.    NKJV

Lay hold of a life that pursues righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience and gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith holding onto that eternal life through Jesus.

Matthew 27:11-14.....................11 Meanwhile Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, "Are you the king of the Jews?" 

"Yes, it is as you say," Jesus replied. 

12 When he was accused by the chief priests and the elders, he gave no answer. 13 Then Pilate asked him, "Don't you hear the testimony they are bringing against you?" 14 But Jesus made no reply, not even to a single charge-to the great amazement of the governor. 

NIV

Life can seem unfair! But as we see with Jesus, we must choose how to deal with people in fairness, patience, truth, gentleness, righteousness and godliness seasoned with much love!
What if Jesus chose to speak against those bringing accusations? What if He wanted His say at that moment in time? What if He just let "loose" and told them it was about Him? No, because Jesus was led by love to forgive and to continue obeying His Father who directed Him to the Cross!

If there is something going on in the workplace or at home, do we look at the circumstance instead of looking into the face of Jesus?

Do we throw all caution to the wind, so to speak and dwell on the circumstance or situation or will we keep the faith and keep a good confession in the presence of many witnesses?

Will we confess:

Ephesians 5:1…..I am Your follower.

Ephesians 5:2……. I walk in love.

Ephesians 5:8….. I am light in You.

Ephesians 5:15…. I walk circumspectly.

Ephesians 5:18…...I am filled with the Spirit.

Revelation 12:11…..I am an overcomer.

1 Peter 2:24…..I am healed.

John 8:36….I am free.

Matthew 5:13…...I am salt.

1 Corinthians 6:11 amp……..I am consecrated.

1 Corinthians 6:11…...I am sanctified.

1 John 5:4….. I am victorious.

Everything You say about me is true, Lord. In Your name I pray. amen

Or will we let it "all hang out"? Will our words, sound like God our Father or the world?

It is important to fight with the faith in God's Word. To do anything else is like committing a spiritual suicide. We should always be determined to respond by holding onto joy in Jesus.

So what if it looks like things will never change? NOW would not be the time to stop believing! Only meditating on the world's view of things can lead people into bitterness and conjure a false view of God. God is good and He is good all the time, every day and in every circumstance. We must align ourselves with His truth and thoughts by confessing what He says about us. Bitterness about a situation will only cause one to lose direction in life and that moves one into the "enemy's camp".

Psalm 68:1-3......Let God arise,

Let His enemies be scattered;

Let those also who hate Him flee before Him. 

2 As smoke is driven away,

So drive them away;

As wax melts before the fire,

So let the wicked perish at the presence of God. 

3 But let the righteous be glad;

Let them rejoice before God;

Yes, let them rejoice exceedingly. 

NKJV

Bitterness about a situation will cause one to be a wanderer with no certain path on which to walk.

Isaiah 38:15-19............15 "What shall I say?

He has both spoken to me,

And He Himself has done it.

I shall walk carefully all my years 

In the bitterness of my soul. 

16 O LORD, by these things men live;

And in all these things is the life of my spirit;

So You will restore me and make me live. 

17 Indeed it was for my own peace 

That I had great bitterness;

But You have lovingly delivered my soul from the pit of corruption,

For You have cast all my sins behind Your back. 

18 For Sheol cannot thank You,

Death cannot praise You;

Those who go down to the pit cannot hope for Your truth. 

19 The living, the living man, he shall praise You,

As I do this day;

The father shall make known Your truth to the children.   NKJV

In verse 17, the writer tells of us choosing his peace but his peace had great bitterness. But he goes on to tell that the Lord delivered his soul from that corruption, that sin which ensnares one.

Here we find that the Lord restores us day by day not to wander in bitterness of the soul but to live. He wants us alive to Him and give thanks for His goodness in delivering us from the things of the world.

We must understand that "bitterness" is a self-inflected venom that will kill.  Staying in bitterness will only lead one into more troubles and forget how to forgive others.

How does our faith measure up today? Is our trust in God alone? Do I think God needs my help to get things moving in this situation or circumstance at home or in the workplace? Do I think I need it done "my way"? Am I declaring it is "all about me"? Yikes! That would be a bad place to be in the journey of life. Are we putting on the confession to many witnesses of those listed above like being one who walks in love, is filled with the Spirit, am an overcomer or does something else spew out of our mouths? Am I thinking I deserve something that was given to someone else? Do I think I need to speak every thought I think out loud?

When we choose to say that we walk circumspectly, we walk as in the way of the Lord being mindful of others. It is bringing others to His word as well. To be an example of what a "Christian" looks like in living life, and not as a distraction, or something that belongs of this world.
Ephesians 5:15...."see then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as the wise."
"Circumspectly"...... Greek word..."Akribos"....means diligently, perfectly, circumspectly......
"see then"..........Greek words "Blepo oun" .......take heed, take action or make sure
"walk" ....Greek word..."peripateo" ....to live, or to be occupied with"

TAKE HEED TO BE OCCUPIED WITH DILIGENT, PERFECT (INSTRUCTION)


Confessing God's Word, His power, His goodness and faithfulness to us is a choice even when it appears that bullets are flying in our direction. The Word of God is the same yesterday, today and forever. It will always remain the same in the face of any cultural disintegration, and moral upheaval. It is following Jesus daily and keeping that faith which brings victory to us in any circumstance or situation.

The choices we make today toward holding onto the Author and the Finisher of our FAITH will instill in us a strength and courage to know that we are walking the way Jesus walked. This walk involves not only us but in also involves all our future generations!

1 John 5:4….. I am victorious.

Father, today in Jesus' name, I pray for those who are bowed down. May their hearts take courage to know that You are their strength. Your thoughts and ways are the way to life with joy and peace. Father thank You for all who read and pray this out today. May they know You have not given them a spirit of fear, but a spirit of power, love and a sound mind. I pray Father they would hold onto Your thoughts, feelings and purposes for them from Your heart. I pray they will be renewed with the fresh mental and spiritual attitude as they run to Your Word of safety.
Father, thank You that Your children are set free from every evil work. We praise You that the joy of the Lord is our strength and stronghold!
The things of this world are put to death today. Our fellowship, we pray is with the Father and His Son Jesus Christ. Today we are alive from the dead and we walk circumspectly with others understanding there are witnesses to our faith walk. We move away from that which is past and move forward into the future, to that which lies ahead. Yes we strain to reach the end of the race and receive the prize for which You are calling us up to heaven because of what Christ Jesus did for us! Our hope is in You. That hope which never disappoints or deludes or shames us for YOUR love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit given to us. Whatever the circumstance we face today, Lord we roll that work upon You, commit and trust it wholly to You; and believe that You will cause our thoughts to be come agreeable to Your will and so our plans will be established and succeed. Amen.


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

Who is Watching YOU?

We are a witness of something, whether to state we like a certain football team, like green hair, wear too much make-up or wear none at all! We make a statement in the clothes we wear, the type of shows or movies we watch or even if we attend church or not!
Whether walking into a mall, a church, a hospital, or even a high school, are we making a statement and witnessing Jesus Christ or something else?

Some years ago, I had asked this young woman who I worked with what her church service was like. I asked her to explain the moving of the Holy Spirit through the service. This woman, about thirty or so had no response about any service. She just looked at me in bewilderment. She was born again and said she had her prayer language. Yet, I never saw her state anything about the Lord or His goodness to her or for her family.
Now if you spend anytime with me, I will tell you of His goodness to me in the land of the living and I will tell you what He has done for my soul! He is my Redeemer! He has brought me into life!

So who is watching us and do we magnify, the Lord? Will people know us as the saved and the redeemed or just the lady who lives down the street with the green hair thing going on?


Psalm 51:10-13.................10 Create in me a clean heart, O God,
And renew a steadfast spirit within me.
11 Do not cast me away from Your presence,
And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.

12 Restore to me the joy of Your salvation,
And uphold me by Your generous Spirit.
13 Then I will teach transgressors Your ways,
And sinners shall be converted to You.   NKJV

In the above scripture, I love the part, "do not cast me away from Your presence and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me." In truth, David was on the other side of the Cross. He had a different covenant than we have today through Jesus. The important truth is that we are to stay as believer's in the Presence of God. He has given us Holy Spirit to abide in us. He is always here, but we can choose to not involve Him in anything concerning us or our lives. The sad truth is some choose to do their thing their way!

So it is possible to move out of the plan of God............to be out of a relationship with Him..........then we move into a place with no direction, no peace, and no life...............and to be anywhere else.......... is not "expecting" to be with the Lord.

 Genesis 4:16 ..............16 Then Cain went out from the presence of the LORD and dwelt in the land of Nod on the east of Eden.   NKJV

What happens when we are out of the Presence of the Lord? If we spend time in chapter 4 of Genesis, we see Cain take his leave from the Lord and live out his life his way!

Genesis 4:25-26..............25 And Adam knew his wife again, and she bore a son and named him Seth, "For God has appointed another seed for me instead of Abel, whom Cain killed." 26 And as for Seth, to him also a son was born; and he named him Enosh. Then men began to call on the name of the LORD.  NKJV

 Adam spoke of another seed for him instead of Abel whom Cain killed. Adam had a son now in Seth.........and it goes on to say that men began to call on the name of the LORD!

Psalm 16:9-11..............9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices;

My flesh also will rest in hope. 

10 For You will not leave my soul in Sheol,

Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption. 

11 You will show me the path of life;

In Your presence is fullness of joy;

At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore. ...NKJV

From this Psalm, we find three things from being in the Presence of the Lord:

1. path of life

2. fullness of joy

3. pleasures forevermore at the right hand of God

Psalm 140:13............13 Surely the righteous shall give thanks to Your name;

The upright shall dwell in Your presence. NKJV

Here we are told that the upright, those in right standing with God shall dwell in His presence. Again, we abide on this side of Jesus' crucifixion and the Cross. Today the Holy Spirit abides in us and direct us................are we listening and obeying?

Today, you and I have the opportunity to lift the name of Jesus. Are we taking those opportunities when they come? 

Today, will I come with a worshipful heart unto the Lord giving thanks for His goodness and magnify Him in some way as to honor Him for what He has done for my soul? Today, will I act as the world, or will today be the day, I act as the saved and the redeemed of the Lord? Do I have a testimony of faith in a God who heals and makes whole again?

Today, I can have green hair and lots of make-up and still confess how good God is for someone is watching you and me, those who are born-again unto life that is new and is to be refreshing to others when we speak of God.

"Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame." Romans 10:11-15...............11 For the Scripture says, "Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame."  12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. 13 For "whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved."  

14 How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: 

"How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace,

Who bring glad tidings of good things!"  NKJV

You and I may be the only Gospel text a person will see and receive. You may be sent to minister life to someone about eternity with God. You may not be a pastor or even a teacher, but you have a voice!  He will not allow you to be put to shame, but give you the strength and courage to go and tell someone who has never heard the Gospel or the truth of Jesus on the Cross.

Go and be "the witness for Jesus" and see what the Lord will do for you!

Father, today we delight ourselves in the Lord. We come into Your presence with thanksgiving and praise for You have saved and delivered us from destruction and certain death. Today we call on You for the righteous desires in our hearts to go and meet those on our pathway with the life giving Word of God. We call to You today and You God answer us and will show us great and mighty things which we do not know concerning this outreach to the lost souls. (Jeremiah 33:3) We thank You today that YOU pour water on us who are thirsty and floods on the dry ground, You pour Your Spirit on our descendants and YOUR blessing God on our offspring. (Isaiah 44:3) May those floods of living water prevail and move ........so that we might be a blessing to others. I pray for all who have a heart to reach the lost today, to be a witness knowing they have the power to prosper in order to establish goodness of YOU God in the lives of people in the earth. You gave us power to be blessed in order for to be a blessing. Father we give thanks today that we are abounding in every good work for we embrace for YOUR kingdom and righteousness.

Father in Jesus' name, I pray that we each who have a heart for the lost will remain faithful and steadfast to YOU and YOUR plan. Yes we seek to stay committed to that which You planned from the foundation of the world and will give YOU all the praise and glory for that done in YOUR name. Amen.

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

High Risk!

It is late afternoon, and a white-tailed deer moves from the wooded area into the thicket. It is overflowing with high green grass and foliage to feast on. Yet, the deer peers around the surrounding open field, and steadily makes one step forward at a time into the inviting environment of beauty and food. As the deer raises it's head again to look around all the while sniffing for danger as he goes, he finds it safe to make another step into the center of the overgrown field to find his meal waiting. High risk!

A mother duck moves her young little ducklings in behind her and she walks to shore line of the river, but stopping abruptly, she raises her head and does a 180 degree check of the water and shoreline. Sensing danger, she quickly backs up her ducklings and heads them across the dry land as quickly as she can. High risk!

In another region of the world, a husky white polar bear comes over the dry land to look for fresh eggs and hatched young birds to feast on. He is very hungry and has not eaten in some time. The little birds, and owls are so small, so vulnerable,  and are in plain sight for the bear to see. The bear moves closer and closer to the round mounds of medium sized rocks that hold the nests for the little bird's babies, all the while the mama birds fly above and make a dive at the polar bear's nose to bring blood. After a two minute warning, and the bear's nose bleeding, he moves from the area filled with baby birds and fledglings. Yes, the babies are safe for now. High risk!

What in our lives do we consider high risk? Is there in any part of day of our lives that we would see as "high risk" and have a desire to try to avoid?
Of recent, I had to have blood drawn and I knew there was a possibility of some things going on with my blood. The blood I had, was known as having warm antibodies. But getting to the answer for the problem seemed clear. Blood is drawn, and the diagnosis is made clear. It was a diagnosis of severe anemia and no matching blood anywhere. High risk!
High risk became apparent because of the warm antibodies my blood carried!

But living in the kingdom of God is one that causes us to live by faith and not on the world's standards. My faith is in a God who is Alive and is for me!
With some tests out of the way, the one admitting Dr. comes into the hospital room at 3 a. m. to tell me the dangerous high risk of submitting to a blood transfusion. "There is no match" , he said. He used words like dangerous, detrimental, and HIGH RISK!

 I told him that he offered no other solutions and I needed the blood and I replied, " the paper was signed hours ago." He left the room and I praised God for His goodness to me in the darkness of the night, and I knew the sun was going to shine and bring a miracle to me!
Overnight and as hours and hours went by while men at the blood bank worked on building a blood from two different donors to get a blood to work for me, a nurse came in to say they were ready with a slow transfusion about 9 a.m.  Yes, it was truly a slow transfusion, as they had to run it for about 30 minutes at first, then take another blood draw to make sure I could take the new blood. They then started the transfusion again. And later that day I had been given both sets of blood without any side affects and problems to my body or my life!

Just one week ago, I experienced a miracle and continue to give God glory for His goodness to me in the land of the living. People would keep coming in to check on me and "see how I was doing'! They asked if I had any pain or side affects. I would respond "NO", "I feel wonderful" and "refreshed". I got up and walked and walked. I praised God everywhere I went and ministered to those in the hospital. The nurses, the blood technicians and even the CNA'S would come in and just watch me. It was an exciting time to show God in all His glory!
Just two days later and all tests out of the way, I am a healthy woman and looking forward to a long life. Just a walk through now with some meds, but it will end shortly and I know I will just become stronger and healthier each day because of God's guidance in His Word and His love for me!


Acts 4:7-12...................7 And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, "By what power or by what name have you done this?" 8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, "Rulers of the people and elders of Israel: 9 If we this day are judged for a good deed done to a helpless man, by what means he has been made well, 10 let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole. 11 This is the 'stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.'  12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." NKJV

When Jesus saved us, He saved our bodies............He sent His healing to us!
The Cross is the power of God for those who are being saved......1 Corinthians 1:18.

In receiving Jesus, we are regenerated into life and out of death. As we put on the "New Man" and being renewed in our minds to God's Word and His ways and thoughts, we come out of the grave of death, and defeat and move into the realm of Victory and are people who live by faith with trust in our God!
It is taking God's Word on healing, and raise the standard of our health. When we have sought out His word on healing as for salvation, our condition changes. WE reach forward by faith to receive what we are expecting!
It is a daily walk and receiving that Word that will build us up to receive that which we are expecting.

David said of the Lord; “My times are in Your hand;” (Psalm 31: 15). “Times” here means in the Hebrew; event, experiences, fortunes, occurrences, occasions, permanency, continuing future, ancient (used of past time), forever (used of future time; used of continuous existence)..forever (used of God's existence)

We are a mist, a moment in time, and all of our times are in His hand. All of my future and all of your future conditions, any occurrences are known to Him. It is so vital to stay close to the Creator, the one true God!

Psalm 62:5 ............    Find rest, O my soul, in God alone ;

my hope comes from him. 6 He alone is my rock and my salvation

he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. 7 he is my mighty rock, my refuge. 8 Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.

11 One thing God has spoken, two things have I heard: that you, O God, are strong, 12 and that you, O Lord, are loving. Surely you will reward each person according to what he has done. 

Psalms 66........................Shout with joy to God, all the earth!

2 Sing the glory of his name; make his praise glorious!

3 Say to God, "How awesome are your deeds!

So great is your power

that your enemies cringe before you.

4 All the earth bows down to you; they sing praise to you,

they sing praise to your name." Selah 

5 Come and see what God has done

how awesome his works in man's behalf!

6 He turned the sea into dry land,

they passed through the waters on foot--

come, let us rejoice in him.

Whatever the situation, the circumstance is under our feet! We can cross on dry land and continue to rejoice in Him!

Nothing escapes His watchful eye. (Hebrews 4:13) God is familiar with all of our ways. Before a word is on our tongue He knows it. (Psalm 139:4) Our past, our current and our future, God holds it all in His capable, eternal  hands. He holds it all in His healing capable hands. 

Being reminded of the coming time of Passover and Good Friday, I think on His nail scared hands, and body shredded by blows to wound and to kill, that clearly displayed to us His inexpressible love, grace and forgiveness when we have gone our own way!  Truly our times are in His hand.
We cannot glorify God in a sick body, but we certainly can glorify Him walking through to victory and keep an expectant heart for "THE MIRACLE". 

I am thankful and give Him my praise for truly He has saved me, delivered me and healed my body!

Be encouraged today and know God is on your side. Just stay close and He will show you the way in which you are to walk! "A MIRACLE IS ON ITS WAY TO YOU TODAY!" I BELIEVE THAT HONESTLY AND TRULY.

Father, I love You and thank You that You are my Father God. It is Your Word that gives me life! It gives me strength, and builds me up to guide me every day of my life! Your Word is settled in heaven forever. YOUR Word is lamp unto me feet and a light unto my path. It is in Jesus' name that I pray for all who read this and may need a helping hand into victory today. Lead all into Your perfect love and peace as You are our shield and glory, the Lifter of our heads. It is You Who sustains us and Your blessing is upon us. Father, to me the higher risk is not following YOU!

 So right now, we praise with joyful lips and rejoice in YOU! Today in prayer we magnify You with thanksgiving and rejoice at the healing Word of God. For we have truly found a great treasure in Your Word. Thank You for Your unfailing love. A love that is unconditional. Thank You that we might know how vast Your love truly is to us. We are thankful for the shed Blood of our Savior and Redeemer Jesus Christ! We are thankful for the Son You sent to us so we could be a part of Your family. For whatever sins we hold, we repent right now and ask Your forgiveness. We come to give You glory and give thanks for all that You are doing in our lives. We pray that we would be men and women who would hold onto You and by faith receive the promise we are believing for right now!

Father, You deserve our praise, and we say Amen to HIM who has given us life in abundance. We say Amen to HIM who created us with a plan and purpose for life and not for death and sickness. Amen to Jehovah Adonai, Who is same yesterday, today and forever. Amen.



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

And Paradise Too!

Had seen this short news report of a young man who ran to join Isis, went because he was promised to be a part of a killing machine team. He went because he was promised to have money, women, villas and paradise! Yes, it was listed in that order. Well, today he was killed by those he went to join up with! They, the Isis group killed him because they thought he was an Israeli! But the reports say he was not an Israeli.
Sad how many people look for fame, even if it is for the fifteen-minute type of fame.

Jesus came to bring His light and life to the world. He came to heal those with a broken-heart, to bind up wounds and set captives free. With much unrest in the world today, we see many taking to the streets to have their say, but I wonder how many are ever really heard. Some seem prepared with their megaphones in hand. An incident occurs and the street is filled instantly and within a short amount of time one pulls out their megaphone. After viewing this one on TV I was wondering how many people carry megaphones in their handbag or backpack today and are ready for action to have a say?

Bringing this back to the body of Christ, how many of us are ready for our say? How many of us are ready to talk of Christ and paradise and how to get there?

Jesus spoke of Paradise when dying on the Cross!

Luke 23:36-43..........36 The soldiers also mocked Him, coming and offering Him sour wine, 37 and saying, "If You are the King of the Jews, save Yourself." 38 And an inscription also was written over Him in letters of Greek, Latin, and Hebrew: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS. 39 Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, "If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us." 40 But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, "Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? 41 And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong." 42 Then he said to Jesus, "Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom." 43 And Jesus said to him, "Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise." NKJV

As Jesus spoke to the man on the cross, "today you will be with Me in Paradise", Jesus was heard!

In the pain of the cross, in the moments before death, with every fiber of the man's being taken to the limits one body could experience, the man in humility asked Jesus, "Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom."

So I ask again, do we carry the Word of Life with us to give to another or do we just want to have our say? Now where is my megaphone?

On a serious note, the young man had to know that Jesus was to be revered and honored for the humility and His undeserved death on the Cross.

"Lord, remember me!" Jesus remember me Shelley. Remember YOUR word to me, remember me and take me to be with YOU!

John 14:2-6...........2 In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. 4 And where I go you know, and the way you know." 5 Thomas said to Him, "Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?" 6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.  NKJV

Are we quick to pull out our Bible and lead someone to life everlasting? Are we thoughtful of others to pray for them and those situations that arise out of an untimely death for some youth that lives in another state? Or is it always about me, my say and what I am doing? These are things I ask myself all the time. Am I making a difference to speak life into others or am I wasting time? Do I stop and pray for those who suffer such a tragic loss of a family member? For whatever the circumstance, lives of any color still count!

That paradise is a place of beauty of gardens and fountains, beautiful flowers, crystal looking water and grass so green that invites one to walk there.  And there is a place to reside forever in the Paradise that awaits. AND YOU DO NOT KILL ANYONE TO GET THERE!

If you feel no one hears you, then get to Jesus now, and tell Him everything. Do not leave anything out that plagues your heart. Jesus sticks closer than a brother. Tell Him your hurts, heart-ache and pain. Tell Him life is hard, but expect Him to give you love that one can not comprehend. He will reach out and touch your heart and bring healing and much hope to give you life full of promise!

You do not need a megaphone, and in fact all you have to do is just whisper His name and He will be there! He will be there to soothe the pain, and give You His words of love and invite to you to come and be with Him for eternity. We must come with a humble heart much like the young man on the cross. God can handle our anger, complaints, and disappointments. He knows us! And He is able!

Father, You see the chaos in the world today. Whether we are red, yellow, black or white, it is YOU who created each of us for YOUR plan of good. I pray today for those who know not why such trouble may assail them, but that YOU have the power that each person needs to overcome their situation and circumstances. For those who are saved, may they reach out to YOU today and know You have a better way to get to the answers they need! In the face of discouragement and much anger, may each choose to believe Your Word that is mighty to deliver. Father thank YOU, that YOU drive out forces that have set themselves up against Your children. And for those who may not know You today, Lord send laborers across their pathway. Keep them from the power of the devil and his evil forces. Right now those who have lost a loved one due to racial unrest, I plead the Blood of Jesus over the portals of their minds, their wills and their emotions. May they hear the Gospel of Peace and receive Jesus as Lord of their lives. May they come to the Light and Knowledge of Jesus. And now for all who have the restless nights of  no sleep, with tears and heartache, Your promise of Life in Your Son Jesus brings them all back from the cliff-edge of doom and destruction. May they come to peace in knowing that You are the Prince of Peace! Father, I now close this that each will know the wonderful joy that is just ahead. Whether we are red, yellow, black or white, we are the blessed with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ. We give thanks that we are the accepted in the Beloved and redeemed through the blood of Jesus Christ. Amen.

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

The Stones Will Cry Out

Luke 19:28-40................28 When He had said this, He went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. 29 And it came to pass, when He came near to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mountain called Olivet, that He sent two of His disciples, 30 saying, "Go into the village opposite you, where as you enter you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever sat. Loose him and bring him here. 31 And if anyone asks you, 'Why are you loosing it?' thus you shall say to him, 'Because the Lord has need of it.' " 32 So those who were sent went their way and found it just as He had said to them. 33 But as they were loosing the colt, the owners of it said to them, "Why are you loosing the colt?" 34 And they said, "The Lord has need of him." 35 Then they brought him to Jesus. And they threw their own clothes on the colt, and they set Jesus on him. 36 And as He went, many spread their clothes on the road. 37 Then, as He was now drawing near the descent of the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works they had seen, 38 saying:

" 'Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the LORD!'
Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!"

39 And some of the Pharisees called to Him from the crowd, "Teacher, rebuke Your disciples." 40 But He answered and said to them, "I tell you that if these should keep silent, the stones would immediately cry out."    NKJV

Ever been in a crowd that was worshiping Jesus, and giving thanks to God who gave His only Son to bring us into His family through that precious blood shed at Calvary?

Then said person gives testimony of the goodness of God and some shout within the crowd, and still others within the same crowd grow silent?

Yesterday was, to me, a day to be reckoned with. I certainly needed to do some things but I felt my body needed a really good nap! But the Lord spoke to me while I laid down for the next writing of the blog and while being refreshed in the quiet solitude of His precious presence I heard Him speak these Words!

I kept hearing the Lord saying, " I tell you that if these should keep silent, the stones would immediately cry out." 
So today I went in to study and be refreshed in the Word of God!

Now of late, I must confess and profess God's goodness in and through His Word specifically for healing and wholeness. There are times that my mouth is so dry, that I feel like I am spitting cotton balls while trying to get one line or verse of scripture of healing or wholeness out of my mouth. But none the less, I find the scripture and say it as loud as I can to tell my body to rise up in strength and live to what God has commanded for my life.

Back to the church crowd, and to those who have grown silent when testifying and glorifying God for His goodness to us. The testifier tells of what transpired and how God met them in the circumstance and then gives the praise. And in this testimony, how are other's hearts moved? Are they moved to give glory as well or they just quiet because they have not actually seen Him move in their lives?

These, His disciples certainly spoke out loudly of the joyful praise of what they experienced in seeing many healed and one raised from the dead! But the Pharisees did not want Jesus glorified.

The Pharisees certainly were the loudest in telling Jesus to make the disciples stop the praise. In the Pharisees thinking, they thought Jesus would make them stop the praise, and while the praise continued, they the Pharisees became enraged!

The Pharisees of that day observed the Law. From all appearances, their hearts were totally not with God.

When we read through the New Testament, we can take into account that the Pharisees wanted the praise of men.

Matthew 6: 2, 5, 16............... 2 Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. 

5  and when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.

16  "Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. 17 But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18 so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.  NKJV

Yes, Jesus mentioned the Pharisees as hypocrites! Yikes!

Their evil desires showed up in some writings..........Matthew 23:25-28.......25 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and self-indulgence. 26 Blind Pharisee, first cleanse the inside of the cup and dish, that the outside of them may be clean also. 27 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men's bones and all uncleanness. 28 Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.  NKJV
Certainly not anything I would want to be remembered for like lawless folk, would you?

Are we reflecting Jesus even when no one sees? Do we still imitate and follow His example in spirit and in truth? Can I still give an encouraging word when confronted with "things" I did not count on occurring? Is it possible to want to raise ourselves up and try to look down "on other folk" when they are trying the walk thing with God for the first time? Surely they need a hand up and an encouragement to keep going like us all!  No one has arrived, Jesus is expected anytime time, but no one has arrived in that fullness.

Like in some of my earlier writings of this month, we can see two people dressed the same, stand side by side in the front pew of a church, lift their hands in worship and sit down to hear the "message" but both can walk out and live totally different lives. One will reflect Jesus and the other will reflect "dead man walking". 

  Spreading of His fragrance throughout the world looks and sounds like this:...............……2 Corinthians 2:15-17 ..15 For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. 16 To the one we are the aroma of death leading to death, and to the other the aroma of life leading to life. And who is sufficient for these things? 17 For we are not, as so many, peddling the word of God; but as of sincerity, but as from God, we speak in the sight of God in Christ. ..NKJV

The Pharisees thought they could keep all the outward rules and in someway keep with that "Standard" of God's word for their lives! And what we must remember is that God is righteous all by Himself. We become righteous because of God’s righteousness… that which…..is holiness, justice and faithfulness……….just to mention a few…..it takes someone disciplined in the Word of God……….renewed daily in the our minds, to transform, by praying and gathering with fervent Christians on a regular basis and see a change that comes from an obedience to read, pray and gather.

It takes a disciplined life to follow Jesus, being prepared to always say yes to His command.

And lastly, the Pharisees thought they were doing a good thing by keeping God's laws. They often looked down on sinners, like the tax collectors and such. They thought themselves better in most situations and wanted the praise of men! They talked the walk but never did the walk with God.

The hallmark from this all occurs on the day of the crucifixion. For men then were not praising God in His Son Jesus. Most attending  the crucifixion, saw in some people a reviling and even His disciples were seen as being in a pitiful state. But what happened? What does scripture say? Man had crucified the Lord of glory!

Matthew 27:51-53..................... 51 Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split, 52 and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; 53 and coming out of the graves after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many. NKJV

Praise was perfected! The earth quaked on that day!

I believe the stones cried out in praise to the High Priest Jesus Christ!

Will we continue to worship and give praise even if "some have grown silent"? Will we continue to stand and give praise when no is watching us?  What if the "crowd" is moved toward the things of the world and the praise of it?  Or do we need a crowd, so they can see us run, and dance and yell................no.......it is more than that! It is " a willingness to open our mouths and give Praise" when no one is around and when no one cares! It is a willingness to "lift holy hands" unto the Lord and worship Him with our whole hearts!

Even in this place I walk today,  I will forever give praise to the God of Glory and His Son Jesus Christ, the Faithful, the Open Door, the Great High Priest, and the One who taught that when we do NOT worship HIM, the stones certainly will!

Father, in Jesus name, forever great is Your name, forever (Isaiah 9:6-7) Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father and Prince of Peace. Today it is praise we lift to You and expect your government and peace of which there will be no end. I pray that we would be empowered with our union with You today. We draw on Your strength [that strength which Your boundless might provides]. It is a Great High Priest Who has gone through the heavens, Jesus Your Son and we hold firmly to the faith we profess. Whatever discouragement, whatever the situation, we stand as Your children and confess Jesus as Lord. He is Lord over our spirit, soul and body. So today, we rise up as we pray and believe that He is Lord over all situations in our lives. We give Him praise for the strength He gives to us and we will not be silent.

We desire not to be like the Pharisees who were considered blind hypocrites, but to be humble in spirit and to Your Word that speaks,.....exposes, sifts, analyzes,and judges the very thoughts and purposes of our hearts.We understand that humility and fear of YOU brings wealth, honor and life to us! (Proverbs 22:4) Today I pray that we renounce pride and arrogance. Father it is YOU Who gives grace to the humble. Therefore today, we humble ourselves under Your mighty hand, that in due time You may exalt us. We magnify You today and believe Your ability is released within us by speaking Your words out loud! As Your Words are alive, they are active and working in us. Today we give thanks for the power of those Words that are of faith, words of power, words of love and words of life to us.  Amen.

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

And I Will Give You Rest...........

I love the book of Ruth and I try to visit those passages often. In tragedy, the death of a loved one, famine, trouble, pain and heart-ache.........God is in the midst.........and causes the game changer. Please read on and be encouraged. For when trouble arises, and heart-ache seems paramount, it is who we are, and that which we believe in that situation that will cause us to rise out of famine, out of defeat, out of brokenness and see the truth in a new way that carries us ultimately into the promises of God and His plan!


Ruth 1:1-22.............1:1 Now it came to pass, in the days when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehem, Judah, went to dwell in the country of Moab, he and his wife and his two sons. 2 The name of the man was Elimelech, the name of his wife was Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Chilion--Ephrathites of Bethlehem, Judah. And they went to the country of Moab and remained there. 3 Then Elimelech, Naomi's husband, died; and she was left, and her two sons. 4 Now they took wives of the women of Moab: the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth. And they dwelt there about ten years. 5 Then both Mahlon and Chilion also died; so the woman survived her two sons and her husband.
6 Then she arose with her daughters-in-law that she might return from the country of Moab, for she had heard in the country of Moab that the LORD had visited His people by giving them bread. 7 Therefore she went out from the place where she was, and her two daughters-in-law with her; and they went on the way to return to the land of Judah. 8 And Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, "Go, return each to her mother's house. The LORD deal kindly with you, as you have dealt with the dead and with me. 9 The LORD grant that you may find rest, each in the house of her husband." Then she kissed them, and they lifted up their voices and wept. 10 And they said to her, "Surely we will return with you to your people." 11 But Naomi said, "Turn back, my daughters; why will you go with me? Are there still sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands? 12 Turn back, my daughters, go--for I am too old to have a husband. If I should say I have hope, if I should have a husband tonight and should also bear sons, 13 would you wait for them till they were grown? Would you restrain yourselves from having husbands? No, my daughters; for it grieves me very much for your sakes that the hand of the LORD has gone out against me!" 14 Then they lifted up their voices and wept again; and Orpah kissed her mother-in-law, but Ruth clung to her.
15 And she said, "Look, your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and to her gods; return after your sister-in-law." 16 But Ruth said:
"Entreat me not to leave you,Or to turn back from following after you;For wherever you go, I will go;And wherever you lodge, I will lodge;Your people shall be my people,And your God, my God. 17 Where you die, I will die,And there will I be buried.The LORD do so to me, and more also,If anything but death parts you and me."
18 When she saw that she was determined to go with her, she stopped speaking to her.
19 Now the two of them went until they came to Bethlehem. And it happened, when they had come to Bethlehem, that all the city was excited because of them; and the women said, "Is this Naomi?" 20 But she said to them, "Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me. 21 I went out full, and the LORD has brought me home again empty. Why do you call me Naomi, since the LORD has testified against me, and the Almighty has afflicted me?"
22 So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabitess her daughter-in-law with her, who returned from the country of Moab. Now they came to Bethlehem at the beginning of barley harvest.  NKJV

It is interesting to note that when Naomi named her sons, Chilion means: failing or annihilation, derived from the verb (kala) meaning come to an end. and Mahlon means: weak, sick, wounded. Why would a mother give her sons those names? What was a part of Naomi's heart that would regard her sons in this manner?
Can you imagine Naomi calling her son's to dinner? " Failing, annihilation, weak, sick and wounded, time to eat"! For every time she called them, she was calling them to failure, utter annihilation, to sickness, weakness and being wounded. Can you see a pattern here? You certainly would not live long for sure!


Now we know that her husband moved the family to Moab when there remained a drought in Israel. There in Moab, after some time, he dies and then the two sons die as well. It was probably about ten years after the father's death that the sons died. Why did they choose Moab to live after being in Bethlehem for such a long time?  Many commentaries on it said that those areas of Judah still probably offered the high places to worship the "foreign god's " .  It is interesting that coming out of the book of Judges and seeing that is what the book is about and how it was handled by some leaders in some of those places, those high places evidently remained in some areas of Judah.  So it is likely with those high places set for worship to those "foreign god's" still had some footing in a nation of this family, they would certainly not be put off by worshiping the foreign god's they had  seen in their own country as well and could possibly had embraced it!

My thought was, how did Naomi respond each time of the passing of the "loved one"? To be taken to a foreign country who had their own "gods" and to be left behind because of death seems brutal to me.  She had no one around her to help her through the loss of a loved one. Now, alone in a place that is far from home and far from the God of Israel makes me think of the "Prodigal Son".

When tragedy comes, the most likely thoughts at the beginning is, "why did I come here?", "why did we move, when we could be enjoying our retirement right now", or "what could I have done differently"?

Do you think Naomi wanted to be " rescued" ?  Did she have a hopelessness in her situation?  It is interesting to me that she,Naomi, said, "  The LORD deal kindly with you, as you have dealt with the dead and with me. 9 The LORD grant that you may find rest, each in the house of her husband."

What kind of life these two women must have had with Naomi's son's that she is asking the LORD to deal kindly with them as they had with her?  She also asked for them to find rest in the house of their "new" husbands! They evidently stayed to see the "dead" taken care of as of the recommended duty of the day! But she mentions the word of " rest" to them as well. I know when I see someone overworked, harassed, bullied, weary,  tired in life from just like the day to day drudgery, whether work or elsewhere, I always think the person needs to rest.  And our rest is always in the Lord!

In this scripture............Matthew 11:28-30.......28 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
NIV

One thing was certain, she, Naomi, now heard that bread was found in Israel, and she wanted to return to the familiar of family and friends. Maybe she needed to get back to the synagogue and worship! In her actions toward Orpah and Ruth, Naomi appeared to have a desire for them to stay a family, but in the scheme of things, the pathway was darkened because Naomi had no other sons and Naomi herself was up in age and could not give another son to them to marry.

I think, too, that in the greatest pain of loss, she saw no hope for the two young women and probably had no earnest desire to see them marry again. Although she saw that they could not continue with her, she was now leading them back to their home and their "god's"............sad, but true!

Did Naomi miss sleep night after night? Did her heart-ache weigh her down in such a way that the cares of this and all the worry for Orpah and Ruth cause her to weaken under the vigilant watch for and over the two young women? She saw her sons die early deaths and no likely hood of grand-children.
In all this, Naomi decided that the "best for the two" would be for them to return to their people and their "gods" of Moab.

My belief too is that Naomi, wanted to face the "music" you might say alone.........they left in famine to find greener fields somewhere else..............for they as a family, they left their homeland to get to a place of no famine and ended up staying longer than they needed to stay.  In the end of "doing our things, our way" can certainly send us severely into a place of famine, lack and loneliness as we see with Naomi!

Ruth 1:16 .............But Ruth said:
"Entreat me not to leave you,Or to turn back from following after you; For wherever you go, I will go; And wherever you lodge, I will lodge;Your people shall be my people,And your God, my God. 17 Where you die, I will die,And there will I be buried.The LORD do so to me, and more also,If anything but death parts you and me."

Strong words from a young woman.  Yes, she put a curse on herself! Ruth had more than just a passing affection or attachment with Naomi, her mother-in-law. She had a heart attitude that caused her with much determination to press in and rely on the God of Israel and His ways of doing by His statues. Surely Ruth had seen something of it time and again in the day to day actions of Naomi.
Ruth had to have seen something in the relationship Naomi had with her God and she wanted to participate in it as well!

So Naomi relents, and Ruth goes with her back to Israel! In verse 19-22....we see the women population most likely excited about Naomi's return. Yes, Naomi had returned, but she felt she came home empty, the widow without support, and the bitter without hope. Naomi certainly believes she has drunk from the cup of bitterness and loss in her being abandoned through death of her husband and sons. Now a woman up in age, and most likely gray coloring in the hair, she returns to the familiar.

Certainly God knew her anguish. He knew her anger, her complaints, and yes disappointments. He, too, was aware of her human frailties. (Psalm 103:14) And He saw her discouragement because of her age.
When we choose to step out and away from God, the outcome is surely bleak!

 I believe she had the wisdom of God to make the needed decision to get back where they started from and have "some bread".  I believe she remembered some of the past times of going to the sanctuary and worshiping God! In truth, Ruth, became the child who walked as a disciple of the Lord and obedient to His plan. I, too, believe that as Ruth heard of the God of Israel by Naomi, she was compelled by the Holy Spirit to follow after truth and walk in His ways that gives to Ruth and others like her safety and ease. It was Ruth who stood her ground to say,  "For wherever you go, I will go; And wherever you lodge, I will lodge;Your people shall be my people,And your God, my God. 17 Where you die, I will die,And there will I be buried.The LORD do so to me, and more also,If anything but death parts you and me."

When Naomi chose to line up with God again, the game-changer was on the scene!
In the following chapters of Ruth we find the ultimate heritage only God can give.
They, Naomi and Ruth, came at harvest time! They came and God provided an avenue to bless them both. He blessed Naomi with wisdom by the Holy Spirit to speak truth and direct Ruth to the one field and to the one particular relative. Ruth was blessed by gaining a family and a godly heritage. Whatever  the circumstances, God never changes, He is always on the scene and will turn things for His glory. For whatever the suffering: we should seek to and plan to respond in a godly and faith-filled way. Even in drought, death, trouble, affliction, and heart-ache, God can change things when we turn our eyes from the circumstances and look to the giver of LIFE!

Ruth 4:13-17...............13 So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife. Then he went to her, and the LORD enabled her to conceive, and she gave birth to a son. 14 The women said to Naomi: "Praise be to the LORD, who this day has not left you without a kinsman-redeemer. May he become famous throughout Israel! 15 He will renew your life and sustain you in your old age. For your daughter-in-law, who loves you and who is better to you than seven sons, has given him birth."     16 Then Naomi took the child, laid him in her lap and cared for him. 17 The women living there said, "Naomi has a son." And they named him Obed. He was the father of Jesse, the father of David.   NIV

God answered and Naomi has a son!
Father, You know our weakness. You know our coming out and going in and in all this, our complaints, disappointments and pain are heard.  This life journey Father takes turns we do not see coming. Things come and change our lives from what we think is peace, but in reality is change by encountering stress, hassles, a drudgery of daily life and yes, more work. It sometimes feels like a roller-coaster ride, and YOU know I truly dislike those rides.
In Jesus' name we pray and believe that, we see that it is You who determines our steps according to Proverbs 16:9. Help us to see when we are just being selfish , following our own ways that can lead to bad results. For what may seem good to us can be all wrong at this time of life. We invite You into our planning and whatever is not in line with Your Word may it be null and void. Jesus is our Hope. He is Anchor for our soul! Whatever life brings, may we be triumphant like Naomi to walk in truth and stay with truth. May we see the life in Jesus and what He gives to broken lives and heart-aches. I pray we operate in the wisdom of God that You give liberally to us when we ask. (James 1:5) Father, we may have some grey coloring on the top of our heads, but that in no way deters us from our following You. We choose not to find the lazy chair of comfort zone mentality but choose to be ever-pursuing You in holiness and righteousness. Like the lives of Naomi and Ruth, YOU our God showed Your hand mightily and today I pray that for all who read and receive this message from the God of more than enough that lives of heart-ache and pain be healed. Father, today may men and women be brought out of the pain of loss, death, brokenness and pain and deliver them to peace, joy and healing!
I thank You for those who by faith, who have stood the test, and had patience to endure will be lacking nothing. Today You are their strength. Father, it is Your grace that is sufficient and we expect to dwell in a peaceable habitation, in safe dwellings and in quiet resting places. We treasure You and thank You for answering us in time of trouble. Now thanks be to God Who always causes us to triumph in Christ! Amen.

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

How can a Tire Blow Out Work for Our Good?

Romans 8:26-28.....26 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27 Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. 28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. NKJV

Ever heard someone pray .........and then add this at the end or  even the middle...........and not include the whole scripture in its contexts? "Well, we know that all things work together for good "...........and leave it at that?  What?

Well, I have and it has been given a lot in the last few months........... this Pastor comes up to pray over those in attendance.....congregation becomes silent and prayer begins...........starts out good............covering them with the Word in protection........Psalm 91.....verses 3-8....and then His counsel.......for them........Proverbs 12:15…..15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, But he who heeds counsel is wise. NKJV

And then the gentleman adds:

Proverbs 4:10-13......10 Listen, my son, accept what I say, and the years of your life will be many. 

11 I guide you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths. 

12 When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; when you run, you will not stumble. 

13 Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life.  NIV

ANOTHER good word of promise..........Then the pastor adds:

"Well, we know that all things work together for good "!

WHAT?

And close with amen! Yikes........like what I just saw on the news recently............the new (EXPENSIVE) cars  (2015) those thirty thousand dollar ones have "no spare tire"! What no spare...... (not even one of those dinky donuts to help them get somewhere, NOPE!).....then the story continues how this man bought this expensive car and it blew a tire......he sets his flashers on................then walks to the back of his car...........he opens up the trunk and there is "no spare tire". Wow! And all that money for a vehicle that has no "spare" tire for an emergency. Yes, he had to call for help like Emergency Road Assistance. Someone is going to make a lot of money this year! Well you know all things work together for good..........................! Well, you know this man found out after the problem arose that he had no tire. So all things work together for ..........................Nope, wrong, does not mean that!

This passage is talking about the duty in prayer for every believer........the true Christian. It is the helper, the Holy Spirit who helps us in our weakness when we know not what to pray for at that very moment in time!

If we take note of the verse, and not take it out of context........it talks about those who love God, those called according to His purpose. Are we called to His purpose and walking it out??? Do we love God?

 Each individual has a walk of life and we know not their path they travel. We can pray for those in attendance much as this pastor did in a service. And praise God that they are saved. But there is much more here. BUT THE PASTOR TOO, MUST HAVE THE HOLY SPIRIT AND MUST BE LED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT TO PRAY SOMETHING AS THIS..........BECAUSE IT HAS TO BE ACCORDING TO THE WORD.

I like what this one Pastor said this week on his teaching. You can have two men come into a service, both in black suits, white shirts, and black/white ties. They can sit side by side one another. They can both lift their hands and worship, and sit to hear the teaching, yet when the service is over, one will go his way and the other his own way! They both can live life, one reflecting Jesus and the other of a dead man walking.
The "stripper" can come in and receive a message, but when one truly receives the message of life, they, "the stripper" can no longer go back to the club for a life of death and destruction. In truth, as the Word works in us, we are knowingly choosing to continue to follow after the old path and the old man' s ways. It is like the two thief's on the Cross of Jesus. Both may have mocked Jesus, but on this death bed conversion.......one chose life with Jesus in Paradise!
And it with those too, who truly follow God, like the  "stripper" can have a testimony of life when following after Jesus and through His shed Blood at Calvary. And there are plenty of testimonies out there of those who follow that pathway of the "stripper" who find life and  how He, the Lord has caused changes to their lives and see them become what God planned for them from the beginning..
Just like the blown tire, and no spare..........this scripture does not mean" well God will work it out for me to find a good..........for a tire at a "very, very super low price" nor that this scripture mean that I will just "be so happy" in the matter of the blown tire.

So from the scripture above, this working out for good , is about those living a holy life in accordance with God's plan and purpose for them. (and I would read all of chapter 8 in your spare time)

To me, the good was receiving Jesus as Lord of my life. Then all that He paid for the Cross is a done deal!   It is accessing the Holy One through prayer and allowing Jesus to intercede for us.

That receiving the Son means now a walk of conforming..............We are to be conformed to the image of His Son. That when we follow Him, conform to Him, we are the brethren of Jesus, those He predestined, justified and glorified.

Those who love God and follow Him. How many really love God everyday of the week? Just a question now? How much time do we actually have in fellowship through prayer alone? How many know they are holy when saved but follow the old man back into pornography or alcohol? Then the question is, did we receive that "message of life"?
It is important that each of us walk each day in the Word of God, so that precious word will wash away the old things, and renew us to life abundantly in God through Jesus our Savior.

We must read on and take in the entire scripture passage.....reading in .......Romans 8:29-30.............

29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified. 

NKJV

Then we have this glory as we are led by the Holy Spirit.................The other major thing is the Holy Spirit working with us. Verse 14....for as many are led by the Spirit of God, these are the sons of God.

It is important to being led by God the Holy Spirit to do something specific, and not follow the old man back into sin!

According to Romans 8: 12 ......those living according to the flesh will die............so how will things work out for the good, if we live according to the flesh creature? We have to choose everyday who we will serve! Will we serve the world or the Lord? Will I serve Him one day a week or every day?
It appears to be something we must guard and be cautious about just speaking, but in reverence to God in whom He wants these very words spoken and prayed over!

Romans 8:12-17.............12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors--not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. 13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, "Abba, Father." 16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs--heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. NKJV

It is a "NOW" thing, a present ACTIVE moment........living by the Spirit.........to always be putting to death the deeds of the body (SIN)  and receiving the Spirit of adoption.

Romans 8:10-11.............10 And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you. NKJV

You see it will not work, if I am gracious on the Sabbath, and gossiping on Monday or Tuesday.  It is something people might think they can continue to do, but the truth is God is Holy. He desires us to follow His way in holiness and righteousness.

It is that love walk you know that has to be in place. And how many people love God, yes, really love Him?
1 John 4:20-21........20 If someone says, "I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? 21 And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also.
NKJV

And as we see from the above scripture, he who loves God must love his brother. You know your brother, is the neighbor across the street, the one you work with five days a week, and he is the one you see daily on I-5 or any other roadway. He is the one you write emails to or send a text from your phone. He is the one is standing on the side of the road begging for a handout!

In serving in the capacity of Jail Ministry on monthly basis, I had opportunity to minister the Word of God in message and prayer. It was always evident those who came to hear and receive and those who did not want to hear or receive anything. Some just came to get out of the module for some time.  But the main thing was evident, those who willing  received the message & the prayer that God orchestrated for them to have,  did receive.......to be justified and glorified as a son of God and brethren of Jesus Christ. In them was found  a continuing foundation of the Word that they received to keep their walk with the Lord. The message and prayer were always delivered with guidance and much help to me by the Holy Spirit. It is always about God, and loving HIM, being led by the Holy Spirit,  AND following after righteousness and abiding in holiness that we see things work together......FOR GOOD.........while life is going on...God moves on behalf of those who are in His image, and OBEDIENT TO HIS PLAN!

Isaiah 55:8-9.........8 "For My thoughts are not your thoughts,

Nor are your ways My ways," says the LORD. 

9 "For as the heavens are higher than the earth,

So are My ways higher than your ways,

And My thoughts than your thoughts.  NKJV

We have to know that we know that God desires us to pray that over someone. And it is God who searches and tests the hearts of man.................Proverbs 20:27....27 The spirit of a man is the lamp of the LORD,  Searching all the inner depths of his heart. NKJV

Jeremiah 20:12................12 But, O LORD of hosts,.You who test the righteous,

And see the mind and heart,.Let me see Your vengeance on them;.For I have pleaded my cause before You. NKJV

1 John 4:20-21  ..................20 If someone says, "I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? 21 And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also.
NKJV

Father, according to Romans 8:29-30....For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified. 

Father, Your Word stands true that we are called to love YOU and become the brethren of Jesus Who is the firstborn of many.  Father, I pray for each individual  who read this, and for me, that we would be those who line up with this word in scripture,.....and that good came through Jesus Christ the Lord of Glory. I pray each of us will live a holy life in accordance with God's plan and purpose for us!

Help us to see and know that we are being changed daily, moment by moment when we spend time with You and Your Word. It is that word that conforms us to the Image of YOUR dear Son!

I pray for each, that our love for YOU  and our neighbor will grow stronger and stronger every day.

Help us to see the loving-kindness You gave to us through Your Son Jesus. We call on You O God, for You will answer us; give ear to us and hear our prayer. Show us (continually) of the wonder of YOUR great love, You who save by Your right hand those who take refuge in You from their foes. Keep us as the apple of Your eye; hide us in the shadow of Your wings. (Psalm 17:6-8)

Help us to keep Your thoughts, and Know Your ways! Continue to search our hearts and lead us in YOUR righteous cause. Come Holy Spirit and abide, YOU are welcome here! Lead us on the straight and narrow path to that obedient walk of life with the Lord. In Jesus Name, we pray and agree. Amen.

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