A SIGN AND A WONDER OR DRUG DEALER?

Should we not be a sign and wonder to those we come in contact with in our daily lives? Should people not see that we speak differently, act differently and do not carry the fear factor?

Great trials were put upon the Hebrew nation when they were under the rule of Pharaoh. And the LORD God reminded them of it!
This He spoke:
Deuteronomy 7:7-9, 11-21
The Lord did not set His love upon you and choose you because you were more in number than any other people, for you were the fewest of all people. 8 But because the Lord loves you and because He would keep the oath which He had sworn to your fathers, the Lord has brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you out of the house of bondage, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt. 9 Know, recognize, and understand therefore that the Lord your God, He is God, the faithful God, Who keeps covenant and steadfast love and mercy with those who love Him and keep His commandments, to a thousand generations.
11 You shall therefore keep and do the instruction, laws, and precepts which I command you this day. 12 And if you harken to these precepts and keep and do them, the Lord your God will keep with you the covenant and the steadfast love which He swore to your fathers. 13 And He will love you, bless you, and multiply you; He will also bless the fruit of your body and the fruit of your land, your grain, your new wine, and your oil, the increase of your cattle and the young of your flock in the land which He swore to your fathers to give you. 14 You shall be blessed above all peoples; there shall not be male or female barren among you, or among your cattle. 15 The Lord will take away from you all sickness, and none of the evil diseases of Egypt which you knew will He upon on you, but will lay them upon all who hate you. 16 And you shall consume all the peoples whom the Lord your God will give over to you; your eye shall not pity them, neither shall you serve their gods, for that would be a snare to you. 17 If you say in your [minds and] hearts, These nations are greater than we are; how can we dispossess them? 18 You shall not be afraid of them, but remember [earnestly] what the Lord your God did to Pharaoh and to all Egypt. 19 The great trials which your eyes saw, the signs, the wonders, the mighty hand and the outstretched arm by which the Lord your God brought you out, So shall the Lord your God do to all the people of whom you are afraid. 20 Moreover the Lord your God will send the hornet among them until those who are left and hide themselves from you are destroyed. 21 You shall not dread them; for the Lord your God is among you, a mighty and terrible God. Amplified Bible

In that day and time, there were nations wanting more land and more power. They traveled to conquer others. They went prepared to go out with military might to take down and remove any who got in their way.
But the Lord cares for those who are His own. He cherishes with great love and though trials come, our trust is to be in Him.
In truth that still exists today. Oh no, you will not see them march across the desert with their leaders on the finest horse or camel. But they still exist today. Today they come selling their wares on the airwaves of the television:that big screen showing their wares for certain!

God was telling them not to remember of the defeat they experienced in the land, but for them to remember the signs and wonders by His Hand that brought them out of Egypt and out of bondage!

There are those who accept things that the world hands out. We are to be in the world, but not of it, right? John 17:14
14 I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world.  NIV
The Lord God spoke to His people to say the great trials which your eyes saw, the signs, the wonders, the mighty hand and the outstretched arm by which the Lord your God brought you out, So shall the Lord your God do to all the people of whom you are afraid.
Now medical advancement has made great strides in bringing new strategies that help those who cannot walk without help of "the artificial leg" or the artificial arm or hand for use in everyday living life. And praise the Lord for His goodness. We have seen great strides forward in those areas of those who have gone through kidney transplants, and bone marrow transplants. For those of the bone marrow kind must remain away from people and their diseases (like cold, flu, and the such) for sometime and the robot has come on scene to help those youth in the area of their school work!

Sin played a big role in that of pharaoh in Egypt. He worshiped the river, and he got frogs, millions of them. For what people worship, they will gain millions of problems like pharaoh. Pharaoh, the king of Egypt had no regard for the God of the Hebrew nation. He regarded those Egyptian gods and with each he regarded highly came to him in the form of a plague. It was each plague that carried out to show God was the "only true God" and the Egyptian gods and their pharaoh were powerless before Him.


Everyday if we spend anytime watching a football game, a favorite "who done it" type mystery or even a kids' movie on a made for children TV station, one is inundated, yes swamped, downright bogged down into that which is regarded as the "next best medicine", the next best "cure" on the market. "Call about it today", is their request.  Are we the sign and wonder or just the drug dealer who deals out that which brings harm?
There was a day when "drug dealers" were hunted down and put in jail or prison, but today it is broadcast into every living room in America. We certainly try to record that which we desire to watch and go past that which deals "drugs" into the home at least every 5 of 13 commercials between the maybe 13 minutes of a show or mystery, detective type show you watch. Did you count them at Christmas time? Yikes!


Deuteronomy 7:25-26
25 You shall burn the carved images of their gods with fire; you shall not covet the silver or gold that is on them, nor take it for yourselves, lest you be snared by it; for it is an abomination to the LORD your God. 26 Nor shall you bring an abomination into your house, lest you be doomed to destruction like it. You shall utterly detest it and utterly abhor it, for it is an accursed thing. NKJV


We are to watch over our heart with all diligence. We are to visit those scriptures and passages Jesus spoke about and did all for the glory of God. When we take for ourselves those things that are an abomination to us, we become the doomed. Not because we do not love God, but because a snare was put on the body of the believer. What we put before our eyes can be that "hook" that will pull you in little by little, till you are trapped. Ask any who have been healed of taking drugs for many years. Our Father is one who is to be recognized and that we are to know and understand that He is love, and He is the faithful. He desires the good for us.
There is no sickness in heaven so why should we so readily receive sickness here? And everyday there is another virus, and another strain of something for sin is still rampant, right?
When something does come your way, is it easier to just go to the Dr. or is it in the best interest first to consult God on the matter? Is faith geared toward the Dr. than for what God has already done for you through His Son Jesus?

 Following the Lord and His direction, will keep us close to hear HIM speak about such things. He gives us the measure of faith to trust Him, but do we activate our faith toward His speaking, and His truth or into that which the world advertises for your good like: that new car, that new house, that new truck that you must have. Certainly we have need of transportation, but some folks just need to move closer to their job and not the 2 hour commute that seems to have been going on for decades now.

Those that followed Pharaoh, the king of Egypt followed him into a great and tragic death. Moses did not pity him and he was not about to serve his gods, those things that pharaoh took pleasure in.

The nation of pharmaceuticals is making money by the ship loads from those who do not know how to dispossess them. And much we can do today, is to look for better ways of eating healthier and caring for our bodies like exercise and drinking plenty of water. There are times one must have a vaccination due to low immunity, but always seek God first and to His plan for you! He cares and wants to be involved in your healthcare!

 Our Father wants you around for a long time to declare His goodness to you, so that you will declare it to others. Will we tell others about Jesus and His life for us through His death on the Cross or are we more likely to talk about the latest new "drug fad"?
Yes, a lesson indeed is learned here, when we know trials and tribulations can come to hurt the body, but taking something that can cause a million and one other problems, is like having Pharaoh as your leader, which leads to destruction.
Proverbs 4:23-27
23 Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life.
24 Put away from  you a deceitful mouth, and put perverse lips far from you.
25 Let your eyes look straight ahead, and your eyelids look right before you.
26 Ponder the path of your feet, and let all your ways be established.
27 Do not turn to the right or to the left; remove your foot from evil. NKJV


Father, in Jesus name, we stand "our watch in prayer" today against that which desires to hook us into that which can kill. That is against Your plan to make us a nation which follows God and gives voice to His glory. It is our prayer today to have the healthful body that comes from our diligence of seeking out the right healthy foods and to drink plenty of water, and have the hours of sleep we need each night.
Help us Holy Spirit to guard that which tries comes into our homes. Help us and lead us away from that which will be destruction to us and our families. We pray today that wisdom is found on our lips who has understanding that You our Father is God and no one else. We do not desire any other "gods" in our lives. As we look toward tomorrow, may our steps be established in that which is truth and safety for us and our children and their children. May we be those who always seek Your guidance first in prayer and time with You before grabbing that next best thing the world may offer.
Help us to see those who just want to lead but have no experience with You. Help us to see those who are after our hurt for their gain. We believe our feet are removed from evil today. Thank You Lord for Your goodness today. We glorify Your name. May we be a sign and wonder to those who walk this way through the world and may they see and know we as the different and the wise who have One God, One Creator and His Name is Jehovah, our Stronghold in the time of trouble (tribulation).(Psalm 37:39).

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

Home Is Where the Heart Resides

John 14:1-4
DO NOT let your hearts be troubled (distressed, agitated). You believe in and adhere to and trust in and rely on God; believe in and adhere to and trust in and rely also on Me. 2 In My Father's house there are many dwelling places (homes). If it were not so, I would have told you; for I am going away to prepare a place for you. 3 And when (if) I go and make ready a place for you, I will come back again and will take you to Myself; that where I am you may be also. 4 And [to the place] where I am going, you know the way. Amplified

In John 14:6 Jesus said, " I am the Way and the Truth and the Life, no one comes to the Father except by (through) Me."
verse 7 "If you had known Me [had learned to recognize Me], you would also have known My Father. From now on, you know Him and have seen Him." Amplified
Jesus said when He would go was to make a place for you. Did we make that choice to be with Him?

HOME!

Would it not be a value to us to know the way home? But how you get there is by what you hold in your heart. What if we hold that which is not the lasting, not the benefit to us for life?

Jesus told us to NOT let our hearts be troubled. We are NOT to be the distressed, the agitated. Jesus was speaking to a generation who were to believe in God and obey His commands. Yet, they desired to serve themselves. But verse 1 of John 14 points us to add to our trusting God..........to believe in, adhere to and trust ........that leads to relying on Jesus as well. He speaks on about the dwelling places that are in His Father's house, a place I see as this grand area.

It is interesting that Philip responds with this:

John 14:8-11
8 Philip said, "Sir, show us the Father and we will be satisfied."

9 Jesus replied, "Don't you even yet know who I am, Philip, even after all this time I have been with you? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father! So why are you asking to see him? 10 Don't you believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words I say are not my own but are from my Father who lives in me. And he does his work through me. 11 Just believe it-that I am in the Father and the Father is in me. Or else believe it because of the mighty miracles you have seen me do.   TLB


Show us the Father? And we will be satisfied.
Jesus spoke: "Don't you even yet know who I am Philip, even after all this time I have been with you? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father!"
"Don't you believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words I say (speak) are not my own but are from the Father and the Father who lives in me. AND HE DOES HIS WORK THROUGH ME." "JUST BELIEVE IT.....THAT I AM IN THE FATHER AND FATHER IN ME. Or else believe it because of the mighty miracles you have seen me do."

We receive when we trust by faith that God speaks and Jesus speaks. Adhering is that to which we listen to the Voice that leads us in the Way, that which is True and Life to us!
He was directing them to the way He spoke was like the Father and had authority that was given to Him by the Father.

John 14:12-18
12 "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. 13 And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.

15 "If you love Me, keep My commandments. 16 And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever-- 17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.
NKJV

Jesus goes on with : "he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 

Then that "if" appears!

"If you ask anything in My name, I will do it."

That asking is in prayer, yes that relationship.

If you love Jesus, keep His commandments.

John 15:9-11
9 "As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. 10 If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. NKJV

There is that "if" again. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love. That is being humble as Jesus was humble, He was the meek but carried authority when He spoke.

1 John 5:3-5

3 This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, 4 for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. 5 Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God. NIV

Overcoming: By faith in believing Jesus is the SON OF GOD!

And Jesus intercedes for us! "I will pray the Father and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with You forever--------will not be taken away from us!

John 14:21......21 He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him."
NKJV

Our heart is to that which is always looking into that which Jesus did and spoke. It was praying in authority and praying in union with the Father. And it will bring God's glory.
AND we are headed into Glory!


John 15:9-11............9 "As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. 10 If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.
NKJV

Father has a home for us. We are not be the distressed! For "if" we love Jesus, and keep His Word, the Father loves us. And when we do love and keep that Word of God, THEY come to us to make a home. Jesus said, "he who does not love HIM (Jesus) does not keep His words, and the word which we hear is not HIS but the Father's who sent HIM.  Oh no!

See scripture verses below:

John 14:23-24

23 Jesus answered and said to him, "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. 24 He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father's who sent Me. 

NKJV

In the present day world, we see many homeless people. Some got there by losing their jobs, in sickness, and some by just being in debt to someone. It is like becoming the "orphan" with no place but only to wander.
Amos 8:11-12
11 "The days are coming," declares the Sovereign LORD,
"when I will send a famine through the land-
not a famine of food or a thirst for water,
but a famine of hearing the words of the LORD.
12 Men will stagger from sea to sea
and wander from north to east, 
searching for the word of the LORD, 
but they will not find it.  NIV
There are "men" wandering today. They have this hollow place in their heart and no not how to fill that place of "void". They stagger. They are the weak, and the sickly.

When there is no Word given, that is to the Way, the Truth and Life...then....men lean toward that which yells out in cruelty, anger, and hate. They seek to fill that hollow, void place with drugs, alcohol, pornography and the such. They try to make up generic drugs from really bad drugs.  The streets are the muddy, they are noisy, and filled with threats and lies.  For a lack of the Word, they lose their "home" God had planned for them. They begin to wander! The Word of God was moved out of the schools and out of government, even though this nation was built on it. It has moved out.......! And it is the very thing we need to live, to fully flourish as God intended!

 Those equipped today with the Word must pray urgently for those who wander. We must pray! We must believe and trust in Jesus the Great Intercessor and pray like never before. We are to keep our hearts in that which God has spoken and Jesus has spoken. We are to pray with a fervency! Consequently, 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. It is in Him, that the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in Him, you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by His Spirit. ( Ephesians 2:19-22 NIV)

Father, we pray in Jesus' name, that we would be the prepared in our minds for action; be the self-controlled; setting our hope fully on the grace to given us when Jesus Christ is revealed. (1 Peter 13) Father, our hope is in Jesus in the salvation .............As obedient children, we desire to not conform to the evil desires we had when we lived in ignorance. But just as he who called us is holy, so we are the holy. (verses 14-15)
 Father, we also understand that we are to live here as strangers in reverent fear. For we have been taught through the Written Word of God that: "it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that we were the redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to us from our forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. And it is through Him we believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and glorified Him, and so our faith and our hope are in YOU our Father God.

Our home is with You. It is that which we ask to show us in prayer time. Reveal to our hearts so that we might give it more clearly by YOUR Word so that it is given in that which is a sincere love for our brothers, not only those who are of the faith, but those who wander.

We are the born again, the Redeemed, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. For "all men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the filed; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the WORD OF THE LORD STANDS FOREVER." (verse 23-24)
Father, we confess this Word  for we hold it in our hearts, "that word that was preached to us".
We believe we recognize the Father. We are the loved. YOU are the father to the fatherless and a defender of widows.... is God in His holy dwelling. It is You Who has set the lonely into families and You have lead forth the prisoners with singing. (Psalm 68:5-6)

Father, we pray for the wandering, that they hear You speak. May the Word of Lord go forth and be spoken like never before. Help them hear the word that prevails and shows the Way in truth to life everlasting.
Whatever may blind people, the wandering, may their eyes be opened to truth, may they be guided into Your glorious Presence so that they hear YOUR voice. Turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. You will not forsake. (Isaiah 42:16) Father YOU are the determined to do it.
As we the Redeemed have received You as Father, may the wandering know You. Thank You today for the Holy Spirit Who will teach us all things and bring to our remembrance all things that has been said to us in truth, in discipline, and guidance in Your holy Word. We thank You for peace in the streets today of the place we live. We thank You for streets to be quiet, may justice be on the pathways we walk, for we desire truth to rule and reign in our land.
We cry out today for if we do not, then the very stones will cry out. Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the Lord.  May Your glory fill the earth. Now Lord consider their threats and enable us ....to speak Your Word with boldness. Stretch out Your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs (Acts 2:29-30) and wonders through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus. Amen.



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

Holding Our Feet to the Fire!

Proverbs 27:17
17 As iron sharpens iron,
So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.
NKJV

Proverbs 27:17 tells us that iron sharpens iron.........so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.

Who is the true "friend"? 

John 15:13

 13 Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.  NIV

The only greater love I have seen of late, is that of Jesus! For He laid down His life for you, me, for man-kind.

Then Jesus goes on to say, "you are my friends if you do what I command". "That you lay down your life for your friends." "I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. (verse 15) And it is Jesus Who chose us, He appointed us to go and bear-fruit that will last. And when we do, the Father will give us whatever we ask in His name. His command to us was to love each other. (John 15:12-17)

Isaiah 54:16-17

16 "Behold, I have created the blacksmith 

Who blows the coals in the fire,

Who brings forth an instrument for his work;

And I have created the spoiler to destroy. 

17 No weapon formed against you shall prosper,

And every tongue which rises against you in judgment 

You shall condemn.

This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD,

And their righteousness is from Me,"

Says the LORD. 

NKJV

The Amplified reads like this: Isaiah 54:14-17..You shall establish yourself in righteousness (rightness, in conformity with God's will and order): you shall be far from even the thought of oppression or destruction, for you shall not fear, and from terror, for it shall not come near you. 15 Behold, they may gather together and stir up strife, but it is not from Me. Whoever stirs up strife against you shall fall and surrender to you. 16 Behold, I have created the smith who blows on the fire of coals and who produces a weapon for its purpose; and I have created the devastator to destroy. 17 But no weapon that is formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue that shall rise against you in judgment you shall show to be in the wrong. This [peace, righteousness, security, triumph over opposition] is the heritage of the servants of the Lord [those in whom the ideal Servant of the Lord is reproduced]; this is the righteousness or vindication which they obtain from Me [this is that which I impart to them as their justification], says the Lord.

When people are in unity with the Lord, they will be in unity with one another.  Those to sharpen us should be that which waters us. In Proverbs 20:5, it reads, Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water, but a man of understanding will draw it out.(NKJV) By discernment will those who live for God, carry His presences are those who will discern that which is another who is in unity. We  are to draw on that which will encourage and bring strength by God's word.

Our mentors should be those who walk the walk of faith in God everyday. A wise man will draw out of you that which is as fine wine. Our discipleship is that we should hold onto in Jesus. Allowing Him to bring those who will encourage in the path of life that is anything of life and goodness and never boring.

When we abide with those who live for God, those who continually seek the Lord are the wise and they can continue to give us that which the Father has given them, in the Word and through prayer.

Yes, they look like the Meek, but the also sound like the Prophet Who went  into the Temple of God and turned over the tables of money changers. His Voice is one that is the powerful, the holy, the Righteous, and full of majesty.

Psalm 29:3-4

3 The voice of the LORD is over the waters;

The God of glory thunders;

The LORD is over many waters. 

4 The voice of the LORD is powerful;

The voice of the LORD is full of majesty. 

NKJV

Holding our feet to the fire, is holding in that place where God is a consuming fire. It is that place as seen In Hebrews 12 and verse 27 indicating the removal of those things that are being shaken, as of things that are made, that the things which cannot be shaken may remain. Our kingdom is that which cannot be shaken.......it is the kingdom of God. He presented us with grace by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. (verse 28)

When choosing the Lord to lead us, we find the mentors who He would  allow to mentor us. And it is His plan, not ours. They will be those who live the Beatitudes. They are those who abide in peace, righteousness, security, triumph over opposition that is the heritage of the servants of the Lord.

Benjamin Franklin was once quoted as saying: "Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn."

And do we not know that by experience with children? When allowing children into our daily lives like washing dishes, doing laundry or maybe taking out the trash, they learn! I remember when my mother taught me to do laundry. I was probably 14 but was folding clothes long before 14.
When we marry, we allow another into our life. We learn how to live with another person. But it must be on that which is in God and His Word.  When the thrill of marriage begins to fade, then we must know that God is to be involved. We must humble ourselves and submit to God in how do I put aside any anger, any unforgiveness as the days move into months of being in a hard place. When the excitement of being married seemed to leave unexpectedly, we each as individuals have to choose to speak and do the best for the other person. It is subduing any pride issues we may hold. And then hold God's light on the situation. It is done not in the flesh, but by the Spirit of God.

When we get involved in other's lives we learn. Allowing Jesus into our hearts will sharpen us so that we might go out and sharpen others. That kind of sharpening comes from spending time together around the Word of God, not at a bar, or at the movies, or even in a park, unless you have gone there to minister to another, to sharpen them in things of God.

Hold your feet to the fire of His Word and expect..........see those inner motives change for others and you will be out there sharpening others as well. When we get involve into other's lives, we learn.  We learn to participate in the things of God that makes for a family, the body of believer's for His glory. Sharpening another is finding that which is the treasure in them, that which shines likes a diamond, and all other is just debris and should fall away.

Father, today we pray in Jesus' name for that walk in sharpening others. Father, we know it to be that which is holding our feet to the fire of Your Word. We pray Jeremiah 23:28-29....that those who have Your Word, let him speak YOUR Word faithfully. "What is the chaff to the wheat?" "Is not MY word like fire" says the LORD. "And like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?"

For some it may be a new thing but may it still be to Your glory. Today we also pray for the discipline and self-control needed to carry out this plan. Lord, enable each to flow in that which is a gift of discernment to draw out of others what is of value and to let the other which is like chaff to go.

Teach us to clearly understand Your leading in ministry to people. Help bring them into our lives and enable us to continue to communicate with each other in the body of believer's  as we do with the new ones who come to us.

 We pray that they always communicate YOUR love for those YOU have put on our pathway. Lord, we pray we never grow weary while doing good, for in due season we will reap if we “do not lose heart”. (Galatians 6:9)

 Amen.

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

No Clothes

Luke 8:26-39
26 Then they sailed to the country of the Gadarenes, which is opposite Galilee. 27 And when He stepped out on the land, there met Him a certain man from the city who had demons for a long time. And he wore no clothes, nor did he live in a house but in the tombs. 28 When he saw Jesus, he cried out, fell down before Him, and with a loud voice said, "What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg You, do not torment me!" 29 For He had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For it had often seized him, and he was kept under guard, bound with chains and shackles; and he broke the bonds and was driven by the demon into the wilderness. 30 Jesus asked him, saying, "What is your name?" And he said, "Legion," because many demons had entered him. 31 And they begged Him that He would not command them to go out into the abyss. 32 Now a herd of many swine was feeding there on the mountain. And they begged Him that He would permit them to enter them. And He permitted them. 33 Then the demons went out of the man and entered the swine, and the herd ran violently down the steep place into the lake and drowned. 34 When those who fed them saw what had happened, they fled and told it in the city and in the country. 35 Then they went out to see what had happened, and came to Jesus, and found the man from whom the demons had departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind. And they were afraid. 36 They also who had seen it told them by what means he who had been demon-possessed was healed. 37 Then the whole multitude of the surrounding region of the Gadarenes asked Him to depart from them, for they were seized with great fear. And He got into the boat and returned. 38 Now the man from whom the demons had departed begged Him that he might be with Him. But Jesus sent him away, saying, 39 "Return to your own house, and tell what great things God has done for you." And he went his way and proclaimed throughout the whole city what great things Jesus had done for him.    NKJV

I am always intrigued by the strategy of God. In coming from a meeting yesterday with leadership, I come away with that which has to be God or FAIL! Now in the human side of things, we can certainly fail and make those mistakes. But in looking out for others is paramount. It is loving your neighbor above your self. When finding some leaving from ministry, you look for that which helps them make the transition they need to make, in order that they keep their walk with the Lord.

And of course, it is always in the Word and seeing our faith built up by that prosperous word.

We can face some things at time, when opposition will come and it does. Believe me, it comes and we must be ready with the Word that prevails in our lives.  In praying for all attending this meeting yesterday, I remembered the passage above. Now reading in that which is right before Luke 8:26-39.......and please read for yourself, there was this great wind that blew up on them in the boat crossing from Galilee to the country of the Gadarenes. And in this storm, Jesus was asleep in the boat as they crossed over to the "other side". The windstorm came down on the lake and was causing waves so high that the boat was filling with water. Now Jesus was in the bottom of the boat and had to be awakened. The disciples spoke, "Master, Master, we are perishing!" Jesus arose from His slumber, rebuked the wind and the raging water. AND THEY CEASED! Then a calm was upon them. And Jesus asked, "Where is your faith?" And the disciples were afraid and even marveled that the winds and the water obeyed Him.

Well after seeing the supernatural occur in my life............let's see now, "my faith" is.......!

Distraction  is a vehicle for how the devil likes to bring fear into people's lives. We must have the balance like my husband and kids say all the time. And it is true for that Word always. We must have discernment when something changes dramatically in our lives. Like the disciples above, the wind and waves became bothersome to cause a "fear".  Where was the balance?

But God did not give us a spirit of fear, He gave us power, love, and a sound mind.

2 Timothy 1:7

7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 

NKJV

He desires "balance" that comes from reading the Word, over and over. It comes by praying His Word back to Him to remind Him of what He has spoken. And it is being thankful for that Word that we can walk on as we had seen Jesus do in Matthew 14.

Matthew 14:26-27

26 And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, "It is a ghost!" And they cried out for fear. 27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid." 

NKJV

In reading in verse 27 from Luke chapter 8, our scripture foundation, we find that they have gotten to the country, and the place they arrived was the "tombs". Hey, been to the cemetery to minister lately? NO! 

Jesus knew this man to have many demons for a long time. How? Well, he had on no clothes. He was dirty and when he spoke, it was not him speaking, but the demonic spirit. For the demonic spirits do not want to be tormented.......as he spoke about knowing Jesus as the Son of the Most High God! And this devil of demons had brought others with him to inhabit this man in that they were a legion and were called "Legion".

As they asked Jesus to permit them to go into the swine..........it scared the swine so greatly that they created a stampede and they fell off the edge of land and into the water to drown. Those who fed them and saw what had happened fled.......... to tell it in the city.

They fled.....away from a man being helped. They ran away!

And on their return, they find the man clothed, sitting at the feet of Jesus and in his right mind.

 And the people were afraid.........now there is two sets of people here who were the "afraid"..........yes, they had fear. Yet, Jesus came to set the captives free and how does that look? Disciples had "fear" in the boat with terrible winds and high waves. Now, it was the neighbors having fear of that which is helpful for another human.

Let's look more closely into this.

Well, first of all those leading have to be set free from that which holds them in a bondage, if there be one. Then as a group, worship God, praise the Lord, and ask the Holy Spirit for guidance each and every moment of our lives. Because there will be times the wind will be boisterous, and the waves high, and we must quiet the voices from the outside that represents the world and the five senses.
These who followed their senses were okay with the naked running around the tombs. (Yikes!) They were comfortable with the naked man living close to the pigs and vice versa.

But Jesus asked "where is your faith?" On the boat, it was the faith factor that was missing. For our lives to be the balanced, we like Jesus are to have the Word, and go out to the community. Faith is the courage to believe in Jesus and trust His Way, Truth and Life. As we do this day in and day out, our faith grows, and it takes hold of that for which Jesus died to give us. We are to be the "just who live by faith". (Romans 1:17) The supernatural should not scare us. Jesus lived a life that was of the "supernatural". He lived by the Spirit!
I think of the verse where the demons wanted to go into the pigs. Now pigs are very social. In truth they dwell together in most circumstances. They have been known to save humans from instances of tragedy and brought their owner out of harms way ........from drowning and another from a bog. And the other thing I think of is that they smell sometimes. But living with the pigs was not this man's destiny. He came to the feet of Jesus. But this was in Jesus' time and pigs were not lawful to have in that land. So people were ignoring God and His Word!
What have we gotten use to seeing and doing everyday that could be harmful to our walk with God?
James 1:21-27 tells us to lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. We are not to just hear the Word but do it. We have to keep looking into that which brings us liberty. It is spirit and truth.


We are to walk on the top of our circumstances, not be weighted down my them. To do that we must apply the Spirit of that Word to our lives...........to walk on the water.........to calm the boisterous winds and high waves.........any circumstances that appear out of control. The kingdom of God has come through Jesus Christ. We are not seated on earth but in heavenly places. We speak as they speak in heaven and we see the same as they see in heaven.

Let's not be distracted by the familiarity that breeds contempt. I heard this person speaking the other day and she told how the word "compel" from the Bible and in case of the scripture......from Luke 14 and verses 23-24.......is a violence.........it is one that is not the meek, but that which was not translated rightly as was intended.

Luke 14:23-24
 23 Then the master said to the servant, 'Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. 24 For I say to you that none of those men who were invited shall taste my supper.' " NKJV

And when we consider Jesus...the PROPHET, we know ....Him as the "passionate", He was "fire", He was the "vigilant" and those who 'ABIDE' in Him are those who become the passionate, the fire, the vigilant, and do the word of God. For if we move outside of that ring of fire....move out of the abiding.....then we become the..........bored, then, the disgusted and then the loathing. Our sights are to be set on the Lord and remain vigilant of how He lived and was social with others. It was about touching their hearts.

In the above passage, we saw the pigs who are a social creature, who constantly communicate with one another, and have much different sounds when communicating with another. The pigs are suppose to be a friendly animal and that the female is only mean when provoked when she has young offspring.

In the social environment we are not meant to abide in contempt for another, or in disapproval, or in anger or even  in rage.  Social is not about being satisfied with seeing "man" running around as the naked as the Gadarenes had grown accustomed to seeing. In social environments it is about being healed with the touch of Jesus, that Word of power being brought by those who have sound minds to speak that into another. It is about bringing fire to LIGHT THE DARKNESS, and see that power become new in others. I am certain Jesus did not go up to the tombs in meekness, but in power of the Holy Spirit. He went in power ...........and we are to go out in power.........to compel them..........to tell them with fire, that Jesus lives today, that He died for them 2000 years ago and speak to them in prayer to God that God is love and He is for them. If we are the stagnate, if we are the dry, it is because we have no word in us. It is a zeal, a passion and it is how we are to act and speak.

Let''s abide in the Word to have the same zeal Jesus did when He met the demoniac in the tombs of  Gadara. Maybe if we touch someone with that fingerprint upon their hearts that is of the true, the fire, then we will see Revival Burn for the nation to bring others to the feet of Jesus. 

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

No Voice, No Answer, No one Pays Attention

1 Kings 18:25-30
25 Now Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, "Choose one bull for yourselves and prepare it first, for you are many; and call on the name of your god, but put no fire under it." 26 So they took the bull which was given them, and they prepared it, and called on the name of Baal from morning even till noon, saying, "O Baal, hear us!" But there was no voice; no one answered. And they leaped about the altar which they had made. 27 And so it was, at noon, that Elijah mocked them and said, "Cry aloud, for he is a god; either he is meditating, or he is busy, or he is on a journey, or perhaps he is sleeping and must be awakened." 28 So they cried aloud, and cut themselves, as was their custom, with knives and lances, until the blood gushed out on them. 29 And when midday was past, they prophesied until the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice. But there was no voice; no one answered, no one paid attention.

30 Then Elijah said to all the people, "Come near to me." So all the people came near to him. And he repaired the altar of the LORD that was broken down.
NKJV

These prophets of Baal were serving Queen Jezebel. She was the wicked and hateful queen who had Baal worship implemented into the Hebrew nation when she married King Ahab. She was the severe in rules and regiments. She was the unforgiving, the uncompromising toward evil, and who brought others into her way of thinking and doing things. She lived in witchcraft and dealt it into other people's lives.

In this confrontation on Mt. Carmel, Elijah is having a face-off with those false prophets of Baal. Elijah told them to choose one bull for themselves to prepare. Call on your god Baal and put no fire under it.
We see from verse 26 that the bull was received and they prepared it. They then called on the name of Baal from morning till noon saying, "O Baal, hear us!"

What brought these false prophets and Elijah together? Well, there was famine in the land! It had not rained, and the land was becoming a dust bowl. In the thinking of the King Ahab, we find who the leader of that land was leaning toward who troubled Israel.

1 Kings 18:17-24
17 Then it happened, when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said to him, "Is that you, O troubler of Israel?" 18 And he answered, "I have not troubled Israel, but you and your father's house have, in that you have forsaken the commandments of the LORD and you have followed the Baals. 19 Now therefore, send and gather all Israel to me on Mount Carmel, the four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal, and the four hundred prophets of Asherah, who eat at Jezebel's table."


Yes, Ahab was calling Elijah the "troubler" of Israel. But Elijah's response was that Ahab and his father's house had forsaken the commandments of the LORD and followed the Baals. Yes, there was no compromise in Elijah, and he nailed it when he spoke.  He was telling Ahab that because of their entire household ( King Ahab and Queen Jezebel) toward the carnality and worshiping the Baals, that their household had on display 24-hours a day, the worship of sin was bringing down his house and the land of Israel. Jezebel served corruption at her table!


20 So Ahab sent for all the children of Israel, and gathered the prophets together on Mount Carmel. 21 And Elijah came to all the people, and said, "How long will you falter between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him." But the people answered him not a word.
 22 Then Elijah said to the people, "I alone am left a prophet of the LORD; but Baal's prophets are four hundred and fifty men. 23 Therefore let them give us two bulls; and let them choose one bull for themselves, cut it in pieces, and lay it on the wood, but put no fire under it; and I will prepare the other bull, and lay it on the wood, but put no fire under it. 24 Then you call on the name of your gods, and I will call on the name of the LORD; and the God who answers by fire, He is God." So all the people answered and said, "It is well spoken."
NKJV

So Elijah tells the false prophets who have been sent by Ahab to make a statement for their idol Baal. But Elijah asks them, "How long will you falter between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him; but if Baal, then follow him." But no one answered.


Let's read again, 1 Kings 18:25-40......that Elijah invites them to choose one bull for themselves. Cut it into pieces, lay it on the wood, but put no fire on it.
Elijah takes the other bull, and prepares it. He laid it on the wood,


1 Kings 18:25-40
25 Now Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, "Choose one bull for yourselves and prepare it first, for you are many; and call on the name of your god, but put no fire under it." 26 So they took the bull which was given them, and they prepared it, and called on the name of Baal from morning even till noon, saying, "O Baal, hear us!" But there was no voice; no one answered. And they leaped about the altar which they had made. 27 And so it was, at noon, that Elijah mocked them and said, "Cry aloud, for he is a god; either he is meditating, or he is busy, or he is on a journey, or perhaps he is sleeping and must be awakened." 28 So they cried aloud, and cut themselves, as was their custom, with knives and lances, until the blood gushed out on them. 29 And when midday was past, they prophesied until the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice. But there was no voice; no one answered, no one paid attention.


It  was noon and the prophet Elijah mocked them in their very demonstrative way of leaping, and crying loudly for the god Baal to answer them. Elijah asked them if the god might be sleeping, or if he was busy or on a long journey.
They used knives to cut themselves, as was their custom, their way of doing something to get another's attention specifically Baal. It was the "way of doing and behaving what they were told to do" and they did it. And the blood gushed out of those wounds they had made in their skin. That was a lot of cutting. Then midday had passed and was almost time of the evening sacrifice.
There was NO Voice, NO Answer, NO ONE PAID ATTENTION!
There was no answer. All that doing, all that yelling, all that crying building into a moment of silence. They came up empty. They came up as a group but they had no power. They served the god who was not the LORD. Verse 29 says that they prophesied till the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice.



30 Then Elijah said to all the people, "Come near to me." So all the people came near to him. And he repaired the altar of the LORD that was broken down. 31 And Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, to whom the word of the LORD had come, saying, "Israel shall be your name."

32 Then with the stones he built an altar in the name of the LORD; and he made a trench around the altar large enough to hold two seahs of seed. 33 And he put the wood in order, cut the bull in pieces, and laid it on the wood, and said, "Fill four water pots with water, and pour it on the burnt sacrifice and on the wood." 34 Then he said, "Do it a second time," and they did it a second time; and he said, "Do it a third time," and they did it a third time. 35 So the water ran all around the altar; and he also filled the trench with water. 36 And it came to pass, at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near and said, "LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known this day that You are God in Israel and I am Your servant, and that I have done all these things at Your word. 37 Hear me, O LORD, hear me, that this people may know that You are the LORD God, and that You have turned their hearts back to You again." 38 Then the fire of the LORD fell and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood and the stones and the dust, and it licked up the water that was in the trench. 39 Now when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces; and they said, "The LORD, He is God! The LORD, He is God!" 40 And Elijah said to them, "Seize the prophets of Baal! Do not let one of them escape!" So they seized them; and Elijah brought them down to the Brook Kishon and executed them there.
NKJV

"Come near to me," Elijah spoke to them. (What Jezebel had broken down, Elijah was repairing for use.) Elijah wanted them to see what the altar looked like. He also showed them how to prepare it.

Elijah repaired the altar that was broken down. And Elijah went through every step of placing 12 stones according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob. The prophet was echoing what God had said before: "Israel shall be your name." Meaning you shall be of unity serving one God!(Genesis 35:10)

The altar was built in the name of the LORD. Was not built according to any false thing, god, or idols.
The meat was placed on the wood, the trench dug held 2 seahs of seed. Now that is about 1 and 1/2 pecks of seed. And then water was added four times. ( 4 represents the divine of YHWH: meaning Yahweh)
Then Elijah spoke: "LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known this day that You are God in Israel and I am Your servant, and that I have done all these things at Your word. 37 Hear me, O LORD, hear me, that this people may know that You are the LORD God, and that You have turned their hearts back to You again."

Fire fell! The sacrifice, the seed, the water, stones and even some dust was gone. The fire consumed it! Pleasing God is about what is right in His eyes. When serving the things that are created things, we certainly are not the pleasing, and just shouting, dancing around and exhibiting any thing like cutting is wrong, dangerous, and can harm or kill.
God's plan is all to be unity under His rule, by His Word, His commandments. Elijah prophesied in this prayer, this communication that the LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel was the God IN ISRAEL. Elijah went on to say I am Your servant, and I have done all these things at Your Word. Hear me, O LORD, that this people may know that You are the LORD God, and that You have turned their hearts back to You again.
Well, if I had seen that I would have turned immediately. I mean, we are seriously talking about fire and it's power. Remember that there was already wood in that place and he rebuilt from that wood on that site. That wood would represent the quality of the sacrifice to God. If the wood was already there then it had been used before and was used that day to obey God. Are we living for God? Is our faith that which directs our trust is in Him? To live for God is to have the faith that is believing and relying on His Word and that it will not return to Him void.

 Romans 12:1-2
12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
NKJV

We are to offer our bodies in sacrifice, to not be conformed to the world but be transformed in our minds to know and prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Recognizing truth is paramount. There is no crawling off the altar. It is involves our time, our money, our hearts, our talents and our praise. There will be pressure and no doubt Elijah had to had some kind of pressure bearing down on him. But what will we sound like when pressure comes?
Now Elijah went above and beyond with that to prepare the sacrifice.......and the adding of water, but his trust was in God and for God's glory. Is what we do today in these living bodies a sacrifice to God in that we "just obey" and with no complaint? Just a question now!

When we build things for God based on speaking His Word and prophesying it over our kids, grand-kids, our jobs, our family, our health, our finances, we see God answer that is truth. It is also about being the Good Samaritan who looks to the need of those who are the beaten, the wounded, to those who have been stripped of their dignity (our neighbors). 
God demonstrated that we are to give as He gave. He gave us His best, should we not do the same? Not with that which speaks as of the world, is of the flesh, but that which is of a compassionate heart that puts their trust in one God and expects the fire to fall from heaven. Remember the man who lives in Argentina is your brother, and the woman at the Mercantile is your neighbor as well!


When we see what happens next from this event on Mt. Carmel, we see how Elijah prayed for rain. He worshiped God at the altar and moved over to prayer and in that we see the power of the Holy Spirit. It was a place of famine and Elijah prophesied and prayed for unity in the land of Israel, with one God. And he prayed that the hearts of the people would be turned immediately back to the LORD God. Elijah prepared the table of the Lord (the altar) of sacrifice, and prayed. The table of the Lord was of righteousness. Elijah went one on one against that which is unholy to remain the holy before God, to be the one standing in the gap through prayer for those lost in lust, and worship of idols. Those doing empty things but think they are really having a great time.

Those people seeking after the false got no voice, no answer, and no one paid attention! When one sows toward evil, they get evil in return. When we sow towards peace and justice that is of God we get what we ask for in praying. It is that which every living person lives out their purpose for which God planned. It is not about the color, the age or even how smart, but how everyone can be of one unity in God. Today we see famine when it comes to the loss of youth and teens to the streets of America. Today we see famine where the young reside in gangs and not within homes with a loving father and mother to care for them. Today we see famine in those young girls who are of more value for what their bodies look like than for what God placed in their minds. For God certainly placed great minds in our youth to think and create, in our young men and women to become those working citizens who will not bow to greed and the power game of the competitive, but embracing that which is mercy and good for all those who are around them. And for the mature of age, we have the opportunity to continue to pray, encourage the young, and bless God for giving us a great family of people that God considers as His own.
When we pray to the living God and seek His Word, worship in giving thanks and singing His praises, we are prophesying there will be no famine in our land. When we stand for righteousness, and are obedient to the Lord's call in the hour of need, will we be the one to pray? Will we go to the altar of God and give our best of what we have in our hearts to pray and see America turn, to see our community turn toward God? Will we bring glory to God in this hour?
May we speak with one voice that we are united under God, and get the answer when we pray so others will see and know that we have been with Jesus!
 May America be what she was intended to be.............a place of freedom to worship God!

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

WELCOMING THE STRANGE!

In years long ago, our pastor made note to say some things about those who were the tattooed, those with pierced earrings, and etc. Now, some can complain about those things, and it is because they were not raised up with even a thought towards to putting a ring in the nose. I hated shots as a child. Today, I do not mind needles like for drawing blood as it has been a process to learn sometimes you have to have that shot for something or find out how the blood is doing, right? So some growth has been established in me in the regard to needles.
But in welcoming the strange, what does that look like?

And in some study, I reflect back on those like Jonah, John the Baptist and of course Elijah.
Welcoming the stranger to your meeting with God should be one where all experience God and His love. Our getting to know the stranger may mean we might need to know something of their culture, something of their background, ask the Lord in prayer how we might pray for them, and to pray how to embrace them when they come "to visit that first time." In meeting the new person, will we be the honest,  have the pleasant smile, speak clearly, and be a light of love? Will we be the free to be and look like Jesus to them? Will our eyes be lifted to glorify God or will our eyes be set on our agendas? Or will our thoughts be on "how many colors do they have in that one tattoo"?  In that style and loving way of hospitality, will we be a part of God's plan to bring these people joy and let them know they are welcome to abide with us in Jesus?  In the hearing of our God's heartbeat, we will move closer, not only to God and His plan, but also into that of welcoming the stranger!

Why do I say this? Let's look at Jonah. He was sent by God to Nineveh. He was to give them the "MESSAGE" to repent. He was the most reluctant to go and did everything possible to run the other direction.

Jonah 1:1-17
1:1 Now the word of the LORD came to Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, 2 "Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry out against it; for their wickedness has come up before Me." 3 But Jonah arose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD. He went down to Joppa, and found a ship going to Tarshish; so he paid the fare, and went down into it, to go with them to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD.

4 But the LORD sent out a great wind on the sea, and there was a mighty tempest on the sea, so that the ship was about to be broken up. 5 Then the mariners were afraid; and every man cried out to his god, and threw the cargo that was in the ship into the sea, to lighten the load. But Jonah had gone down into the lowest parts of the ship, had lain down, and was fast asleep. 6 So the captain came to him, and said to him, "What do you mean, sleeper? Arise, call on your God; perhaps your God will consider us, so that we may not perish." 7 And they said to one another, "Come, let us cast lots, that we may know for whose cause this trouble has come upon us." So they cast lots, and the lot fell on Jonah. 8 Then they said to him, "Please tell us! For whose cause is this trouble upon us? What is your occupation? And where do you come from? What is your country? And of what people are you?" 9 And he said to them, "I am a Hebrew; and I fear the LORD, the God of heaven, who made the sea and the dry land."

10 Then the men were exceedingly afraid, and said to him, "Why have you done this?" For the men knew that he fled from the presence of the LORD, because he had told them. 11 Then they said to him, "What shall we do to you that the sea may be calm for us?"--for the sea was growing more tempestuous. 12 And he said to them, "Pick me up and throw me into the sea; then the sea will become calm for you. For I know that this great tempest is because of me." 13 Nevertheless the men rowed hard to return to land, but they could not, for the sea continued to grow more tempestuous against them. 14 Therefore they cried out to the LORD and said, "We pray, O LORD, please do not let us perish for this man's life, and do not charge us with innocent blood; for You, O LORD, have done as it pleased You." 15 So they picked up Jonah and threw him into the sea, and the sea ceased from its raging. 16 Then the men feared the LORD exceedingly, and offered a sacrifice to the LORD and made vows. 

17 Now the LORD had prepared a great fish to swallow Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights. NKJV

Yes he died! He was swallowed by a great fish.

And in the scripture verses of Jonah 2:5-6

5 "I sank beneath the waves, and death was very near. The waters closed above me; the seaweed wrapped itself around my head. 6 I went down to the bottoms of the mountains that rise from off the ocean floor. I was locked out of life and imprisoned in the land of death. But, O Lord my God, you have snatched me from the yawning jaws of death! 

TLB

Jonah 2:10

10 So the LORD spoke to the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land.  NKJV

When God really wants us to do something for Him, He will change some things so we come full circle to see Him and His plan for "others".

He was made alive again and probably had a lot to say, but foremost was the "message".

So by first of chapter three, he preached salvation. This man who died in the belly of probably a whale came out stinking like dead and rotted fish that had not been totally digested, and now covered in seaweed........preached the glad tidings. But he still held attitude against Nineveh. He became very angry. And he wanted to die. Jonah left the city, and camped outside. In Jonah 4:5 we read of his shelter and the Lord had a plant to grow where Jonah was at. But verse 7 tells us that a worm was prepared to take out the fine plant. Then one of those nasty, strong east winds blew and of course wiped out that plant.

In verse 9 of chapter 3 God speaks to Jonah. "Is it right for you to be angry about the plant?" And he said to God......."It is right for me to be angry, even to death!" 

BUT THE LORD; "You have had pity on the plant for which you have not labored, not made it grow, which came up in a night and perished in a night. And should I not pity Nineveh, that great city, in which are more than one hundred and twenty thousand persons who cannot discern between their right hand and their left-----and much livestock?"

God had chosen Jonah to go to the people. This city was a metropolis of the Assyrian monarchy. Although not as big as some cities today, it still had the size of some 48 miles across the great city. It was a city known to be heathen, and without knowledge and the worship of God. As time passed, this city's wickedness had come up to God. The alarm was to be sounded and the call went to Jonah!

Interesting that Jonah refused. He did not want to obey God. He objected because of the cruelty the people of Nineveh were known for and that was "they were terrorists"! They terrorized other people and other lands. Destruction was on the way to Nineveh and God wanted the people to be warned that there was the opportunity to "repent".

So the voice sent by God, Jonah, stunk of dead fish vomit. Yeah, that was a strange thing indeed!

ahh.......welcoming the STRANGE!

THEN we look into see John the Baptist, one clothed in camel hair......

Matthew 3:4-12

4 And John himself was clothed in camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist; and his food was locusts and wild honey. 5 Then Jerusalem, all Judea, and all the region around the Jordan went out to him 6 and were baptized by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins. 7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, "Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance, 9 and do not think to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones. 10 And even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 12 His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, and gather His wheat into the barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire." 

NKJV

Yes, the man was one of humility. He denied his own "me, myself and I" agendas to speak only of the one to come. He prepared the way for Jesus. He was characterized as a man of courage and of self-denial.He would not compromise!
 He would be one who was probably talked about a lot! 

"Well, you know that John.......he always wants to be alone" or "John is always yelling, and he really seems to have some issues with those Pharisees!"

He would be the one criticized of his clothing, and his time alone in the wilderness. He would be one others would complain about. He had a force that was "godly" and represented the importance of that which was to come through Jesus, the Messiah! Prepare you the way of the Lord.

What would we say about a John the Baptist today? What about those who dress differently, act differently, that come to a service or those who minster the Word of God there? Are we the quick to judge them? God has either called them to preach or He has destined them to meet up with you and me in the church setting,  minister the Word of God, have a time of prayer and experience the fullness of God together. 

Then I think of Elijah. Did some think him strange? Yes!

He was the prophet who served God. Even as today, the prophet is one who encourages the church goers to not only be transformed by the Word week in and week out, but also to not settle with the agenda, rule makers, and same 'ole thing. As the prophet, Elijah spoke and did things that was the markings of a prophet of God Himself. He was one sent to bring the comfortable out and awaken them. Elijah brought the fire wherever he went and to whoever he had to speak to in those days of his life. And he certainly brought the "pain", did he not? He did not compromise, but gave truth. He was confident in knowing his God.

Yes, it was about "fire".

Not about the strange fire that man can do to initiate his own plan in the earth. But the fire that falls from heaven is that which ignites a town to become the place where the word of God is given, and prayers are answered. It is a place of the revival where people, of all colors, all ethnic backgrounds come together by the power of the Holy Spirit and do the unusual. It is the place where people meet to see others saved, to bless God loudly and see people become responsible for what is their responsibilities where they live, work and play.

Fire represents the holiness of God and is the place found at the altar built by the one who seeks to glorify God. It is that place where one is subjected to the discipline of knowing God and His truth that is spiritual. What we do for God is not by natural materials, but by the Spirit of the Living God! We are to be the obedient and welcome the strange into our lives. The strange is that which is holy unto God for all people are created by Him and for Him. The strange is that which is NOT done by rigorous schedules, an implied and strict code of rules to get to His presence. It is allowing our hearts to draw near to Him in worship and in truth. And it is the place where we will see what those did in the days of Elijah, the days of John the Baptist, and of Jesus Himself. It is where we are measured to that which Jesus established when we are truly disciplined in Him and by Him. Sometimes there is going to be some "pain". And will be that which may look different and sound somewhat different than us.

If they come with purple hair and camel hair clothes, will we welcome them? 

Noah built a boat that took how many years (decades) and when he finished he loaded some animals of nature to take along with him. And he was the obedient! For whatever we think we might have heard about someone, some race, some culture, we need to seek God and His fire to see what is our responsibility to those coming, the teacher, the prophet, the guest with tattoos and a nose ring as well. Lord, what can we pray today that will help us move with the motion of God that is teaching us, growing us up into His image and to help us welcome the strange when it is upon us. For everyone needs Jesus and we all need to obey the Lord's leading! Amen.

Today ask God what strategy you will need in that business meeting with others who do exactly as you do but do not have Jesus. What truth can you do business in and still have that which others will notice? Ask God to direct you through His Word and into His heart how others can be touched by love from God that may seem "the different", the unusual. Ask the Father to show how your speaking to others will spark a fire in them to come out of the comfort zone and embrace the heat and fire of a new life in adventures for God.


Father, thank You for the strange. We have seen them in such creatures of the sea. I am in awe of the black shark that is giving off a fluorescent glow in the dark deep waters of the sea.  I thought there were only white sharks! Now that is lighting the dark in a new way. 

Show us Lord how to touch those with the simple style You made us to be in Your image. Show us what growing we might need in some area we have overlooked and help us embrace that which will bring change in how we reach others for Jesus, in work, in church meetings, on the school ground or in the classrooms and in business meetings.
For Jonah surely captured those he ministered to with seaweed stuck to his clothes and with that dry sticky smell of vomit. Elijah brought others who were conforming to the worlds ideas and idolatry, but what can we bring to the table today that will bring people back around to seeing Jesus. For You LORD have called us in righteousness and You will take hold of our hand. It is You Who keeps us and makes us to be a covenant people and light for the Gentiles to open blind eyes and to set captives free from prison and to release those from the dungeon who sit in darkness.(Isaiah 42:6-7)

We ask in Jesus name. May You be blessed today Lord and May YOUR light shine through us today to the stranger. Amen.

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

Let FREEDOM Ring!

In viewing the latest weight loss programs, people still have to cut back on how much they put in their mouths. People still have to consider that food is for energy and not to carry around all day as in extra baggage. But the society tells you to buy more, pay later, you need this, but does not fit you, will not be anything you can use as in comfort, a place to bring people to visit you, is not a place you would want kids to know about, is something that even a spouse may not know anything about, or it is the "I just want it because I deserve it". ( like that second do-nut, that second piece of cake, that second dress, but you ONLY needed one, that new car, but the old one is barely a year old)

 In the health department, I know some people who brought on serious health problems who would not eat at all. We knew a young lady who was in high school back in the 80's who had a severe eating disorder. It cost her  the life God had given her. People can get caught up with not fitting in "some crowd" and so they will do anything to :WIN! (they will drink some water and eat one yogurt a day to stay what size? They will seek others who tell nasty jokes to fit in, but their "saved", right? They will do whatever it takes to be "noticed".)

Our teaching the other evening was about that which controls the mind. It was about the "stronghold". It was given from The Message Bible, but here I have put the amplified version.

The Scripture foundation was: 2 Corinthians 10: 3-5....amplified.  3 For though we walk (live) in the flesh, we are not carrying on our warfare according to the flesh and using mere human weapons. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not physical [weapons of flesh and blood], but they are mighty before God for the overthrow and destruction of strongholds. 5 [Inasmuch as we] refute arguments and theories and reasonings and every proud and lofty thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God; and we lead every thought and purpose away captive into the obedience of Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One).

And a wording that the Apostle used the other night in his teaching was that of people's agendas being a cancer that destroys. Their way of thinking has that of negativity towards another or in my terms something that either divides them or subtracts from them.
 I had never thought of that example he gave in the teaching and when we allow our own agendas, our own theories like winning, of being number one in a crowd, can certainly be detrimental to us and to those we lead, may desire to lead, or may regard those who we may be raising up as leaders ( even our children or grand-children).


Of course, I am taking notes, and putting this down to reflect on days later. Had opportunity to view the teaching again yesterday evening and was glad to be refreshed on that powerful word.
Well, yes we all have heard it and hopefully to hear it many thousands of times before this year is done and many before Jesus' return. And the importance is that we realize that when God sends His word it is to heal them. Right?

In view of that Word the Apostle spoke on his sister coming for a visit. Having not seen her in some 20 years, he was apprehensive, yet his trust was in the Lord. As the sister arrived with family, she began to bring up those old things of witchcraft and such from those early days. But the Apostle held on to faith and believe he would give no room to the devil for a foothold of any kind into his life and that of his wife and children. It is truly a wonderful testimony when our faith is in God.

I thought of the scripture below:
2 Corinthians 3:17
 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.  NIV

We each can have a sister, or a brother. And in our relationships we can probably think of something of long past events that were probably life shattering, but today is what counts and how we treat others including the brother, the sister and even our fellow-believers in Christ.

I think today of those visiting with sisters and parents who have come a distance to visit............and to reminiscence the experiences of the "old days".........!

And in that I think on the Apostle's word from God for us to guard our hearts and take no word against what God had given us.......that we were to be the free. I wonder in the meeting of others do we allow the "old" man to resurface, play out that which made us feel number One, the Supreme, the COMPETITOR, the "know it all" or are we the meek who shall inherit the earth.........are we those who will send others off with their visit with us.......inspired to serve the Lord with gladness in their hearts?  Will the questions be opened up about Jesus or will they just be another  hill of beans that helps no one and does nothing to bring or speak life of God into another?

Hey, let's play Yatzee..........and I win! Hey, let's play pin the tale on the donkey...........oh, I win! Let's play Charades, oh, I win! Or........let's play the word game, and make up some parables of our own! It is all about me, the best, the funny, the clever, the top-banana, the comedian, the "lucky" instead of being the talented, the "main attraction". Wow!   And how do we act when we start losing at a "touch football" game, start to lose our current favor with the "boss" at work, start losing at a simple card game, or in a conversation we know nothing about, or when we are called and confronted about some issue we would rather not speak on? Would we act the same around the "new" comers to a Bible study as we would our family: like parents, children, grand-parents? Are we going to shine and make every one else look bad?

In the days of Peter and John, they had the opportunity to minister life! See below:

Acts 4:13-17

13 When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. 14 But since they could see the man who had been healed standing there with them, there was nothing they could say. 15 So they ordered them to withdraw from the Sanhedrin and then conferred together. 16 "What are we going to do with these men?" they asked. "Everybody living in Jerusalem knows they have done an outstanding miracle, and we cannot deny it. 17 But to stop this thing from spreading any further among the people, we must warn these men to speak no longer to anyone in this name." 

NIV

When we are in a crowd of people, what face will others see before them? What part of your past will play out for them? Will you have to be the "main attraction"?
I believe that testimony the Apostle gave was one of victory in that he does not live in that place any more. He is filling up daily on the Word of God and truth. I know my husband to be one like that as well. He fills up, reads aloud to me and we spend time together to pray. We take time together just like Jesus took with His disciples and with His Father. APOSTLE RANDY HAD BEEN WITH JESUS! 

I do not know about you, but I keep before me that Judgment Seat of Christ. I know He will play before my eyes and His all that I spoke for Him and that which I spoke about me. And I repent daily when I know when He is not first in my life. It is a walk. It must be in faith. And it must be that which we will know and understand that others are watching us. And is our life today measuring up to God's standard or you and I being the "same 'ole man"?
Do we throw a tantrum when we do not get our way when a crowd is around like for a holiday gathering, a birthday celebration, a special dinner to celebrate what a child has accomplished in school? Do we pretend that all is well within our home life and no one is talking to each other? Has the spouse stopped encouraging his wife? Has the wife neglected her duty to her child/children?

Are we training up our children in the way they should go? Are we training them that is more important to win and do it however you must to be the "one, the main man (woman), the main thing". Yikes!

I give honor to those today who stand their ground in the Word of God and will not give way to the devil's schemes of that lust thing of the flesh, the eyes, and pride of life. (1 John 2:16)

Are we the mere animal who indulges in that which is worldly? What gratifies our appetites?Well, that is the lust of the flesh!   In the lust of the eyes, what will gratify our pleasure place? Will it be that spectacular furniture or that new car?  And in the pride of life: well that is just boasting! And with it is a tendency to promote it to a greater level and greater degree of pride in themselves. Not a good place to be!

To you who have held the conviction that God is greater and have placed your trust in Him, I commend you. Letting Freedom ring in our lives is paramount. For my own sister and Mother, I see a greater gift of giving of oneself to serving the other. In my sister and brother-in-law I see a love that comes from wanting to serve another as they do with our mother in her loss of husband and her health issues. They do not give up, but continue to speak life to her and pray for her daily to know Jesus as they do.

I commend those who do not give in to the "flesh" creature, but serve the Lord gladly so a sister and her husband can receive Jesus as Lord. I pray our children and grand-children will know this is not a race in RELATIONSHIPS.  There is no speed dating with the Lord!
I pray that people will know Jesus in the intimate that reflects in esteem for the other person.
I pray that it will NOT BE in the how I can beat you at cards or how I can be No. 1 at work, or at home or how I can have more knowledge of the worldly things by going back to hang out on-line with those who tell foul jokes or blaspheme another because of their race or color!

What will our children see of us and in us? What will stand out most in their young minds and thought processes............that is better to win, and if we do not, we will throw a tantrum and walk off stomping our feet or do something worse. "Well, I saw ________(mommy, daddy, auntie, grandfather, lady next door) act like that, so I can do it too!"

Galatians 5:13-15
13 For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."  15 But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another!    NKJV

Will your sister be saved? Will your mother finally meet Jesus? Will brother-in-law get to know Jesus before that terrible event happened in his life? Did I have opportunity to give them Jesus before they died? The Apostle spoke that his sister and family left in a better shape than they had come. He said his home remained in the peace of God. Amen!

I close with this:

My husband and I had just read a book by Perry Stone and we highly recommend it. ( It answers some questions like: What will we look like in heaven? Another is : Will we judge the angels? Plus many others)  It is called 'Chronicles of the SACRED MOUNTAIN".  From chapter 13 of that book, he teaches of "all things new" from Revelation 21:5. The previous memories from earth, with any we might have known as of people and events will be erased. They are those who will not receive Jesus as Lord. If they exist in your bloodline and they refused Jesus, then they will be erased from memory for all time. I had always wondered about that. And it was a question I had asked before.

For any not entering into that place with Christ, who remained to do their own thing, their own way will have no place in Heaven with Christ Jesus or God. Perry Stone wrote that past memory of them in our lives would be erased forever.

It would not be heaven, if we remembered all those family members or friends who were NOT with us in heaven. And in that,there would be pain, many tears and grief! (forever) That would NOT be heaven!

Revelation 21:4 God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and death shall be no more, neither shall there be anguish (sorrow and mourning) nor grief nor pain any more, for the old conditions and the former order of things have passed away.

We have today, and while we have life in us.........we can make the difference for some one and their destiny into hell or into heaven. What place do you expect for that Mother, that sister or brother-in-law or maybe that youth who has turned away from God? We have today that can make the difference in life for another!

It is not about how many times we can win, how fast I can run, or how much you weigh. It is not about what you look like or how you laugh or about being "the main attraction" in a crowd of people. If we have that opportunity to give life  to another, how will you represent the One who died for you?
Let FREEDOM Ring!

May we touch others today with the testimony of faith that leaves them encouraged and free to serve God gladly.

Father, in the name of Jesus I pray for our sisters, brothers, children, and grand-children who may not believe in Jesus yet. We together pray they will come to their senses of knowing Jesus as Savior and Lord. May they each obey their parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord. I pray that they would not be provoked by their father so that they do not become discouraged according to Colossians 3:21.

 I pray that each will honor their father and their mother. We pray they will be a wise son who hears the father’s instructions, and will not consent to going with sinners. We pray they will not walk on the path with them but they will be kept from their path for their feet run to evil and they make haste to shed blood.

 According to James 1:19-23, May each we pray for today be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; knowing that the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God. We pray that they  will continually lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with  meekness,  the implanted word, which is able to save the soul. May they be a doers of the word and not a hearer only, deceiving themselves. May they know that God desires His relationship with them. May they know that He treasures them greatly!

It is According to Proverbs 22:24-25 that these sisters and brothers/children and grand-children will make no friendships with angry men and they will not go with the furious.  They will refuse them and their ways.  Help them Holy Spirit to see and know that God loved us so much, that he gave his only begotten Son Jesus , so that we would have everlasting life by believing on HIM. May these we pray for today become those confessing with their mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in their heart that God has raised HIM from the dead, and they are the saved.

May freedom truly ring in the lives we believe to be saved in Jesus name. We believe You have heard our prayer. Thank You Lord for answering us. Amen.

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

TREMBLE!

Jeremiah 33:9

9 And [Jerusalem] shall be to Me a name of joy, praise and a glory before all the nations of the earth that hear of all the good I do for it, and they shall fear and tremble because of all the good and all the peace, prosperity, security and stability I provide for it.

 Psalm 105:1-4

Oh, give thanks to the LORD!

Call upon His name; Make known His deeds among the peoples!

2 Sing to Him, sing psalms to Him;

Talk of all His wondrous works!

3 Glory in His holy name; Let the hearts of those rejoice who seek the LORD!

4 Seek the LORD and His strength;

Seek His face evermore!  NKJV

Jesus spoke of His desire that we would all be in unity. And what does the scripture say that He prayed? 

John 17:20-26

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

Unity….Faith……Glory…..Jesus said, “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word (message) 21 that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in M, and I in YOU; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent. 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.

I take you back to the moment when Jesus rode into Jerusalem. People were laying palm leaves and their outer garments or tunics on the pathway……….and was being laid down toward Antonia Fortress. But Jesus had to have gotten off the donkey………pushed through and broke the line right in front of the temple and went in to do some things.

Matthew 21:6-17

6 The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. 7 They brought the donkey and the colt, placed their cloaks on them, and Jesus sat on them. 8 A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted,

"Hosanna to the Son of David!" "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!"

"Hosanna in the highest!"

10 When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, "Who is this?"

11 The crowds answered, "This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee."

12 Jesus entered the temple area and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. 13 "It is written," he said to them, "'My house will be called a house of prayer,' but you are making it a 'den of robbers.'"

14 The blind and the lame came to him at the temple, and he healed them. 15 But when the chief priests and the teachers of the law saw the wonderful things he did and the children shouting in the temple area, "Hosanna to the Son of David," they were indignant.

16 "Do you hear what these children are saying?" they asked him.

"Yes," replied Jesus, "have you never read, "'From the lips of children and infants

you have ordained praise'?"

17 And he left them and went out of the city to Bethany, where he spent the night. NIV

What will we recognize in another person? Will jealousy reveal its ugly head or will people see Jesus in us? Over the weekend we had were invited out to this new restaurant we had not been to before. It was great food, a really awesome atmosphere and the time flew by so quickly. In the upstairs dining area there was one wall of all different kinds and styles of mirrors. Some had gold frames, some were of black frames, and some were antique-like frames. It was done so well and the decorating style had a wonderful appeal for the eyes to take in for that size of wall. With all the different sized mirrors, the arrangement of them certainly made the room look bigger. And I thought of Jesus and how He reflected God to those around Him.

In the amount of time of Jesus’ life and His ministry to those around Him, the children certainly had praise in their mouths. I could see those money-changers being driven out. Jesus was re-directing them from the money venture that they had imposed in that place. In Jesus, we saw how zealous He was that the temple would become what it was always to be……….a House of Prayer and a place where even the children would raise their voices in praise to God. The children had to have danced around Jesus when He was disturbing those upright tables and bringing all that money to the floor of the Temple. Jesus was there to show the way. As Jesus was spoken of by the prophets, Jesus was now speaking His language toward that which revered God, lifted His Holy Name, and brought glory to HIM.

For people were all watching and saw what might have seemed like a great disturbance at the same time many were trying to direct Jesus to Antonio Fortress. The city was full of people for the Passover that was about to begin.  Jesus was pointing the way to God and how God was to be given all the praise for who He was. He was pointing to JUSTICE AND GOVERNMENT THAT was of God Himself! Jesus was pointing to prayer/relationship.........not taking over a government that was representing man. 

Our assignment is to recognize and know Jesus has come, tell others about Him, give them the salvation message and show them His love. We are to direct them, not to the hurts from the world but the power of God that supersedes every name in the earth, (on it and in it)

Ministry is that which points every person back to Jesus, the plan of Redemption, and once obtaining Salvation, to walk as He, Jesus, Who was, is, and is to come and always will be Holy!

Jesus did not command people by rules or regulations. He came to set people free from religiosity. You know that which is, children hidden in the back rooms, dim lights, slow music to begin worship……….okay, enough worship, let’s talk money………announcements. Message and done. Oh, did we have time for prayer tonight?

We were told in Jeremiah 33:3 amp…that we are to call to God and He would answer us and show us great and mighty things, fenced in and hidden, which we do not know or recognize, have knowledge of and understand.

In my estimation of the passage, it is for us to call to God……Jeremiah 33:2-9

2 "The Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth-Jehovah is his name-says this: 3'Ask me and I will tell you some remarkable secrets about what is going to happen here. 4 For though you have torn down the houses of this city, and the king's palace too, for materials to strengthen the walls against the siege weapons of the enemy, 5 yet the Babylonians will enter, and the men of this city are already as good as dead, for I have determined to destroy them in my furious anger. I have abandoned them because of all their wickedness, and I will not pity them when they cry for help.'

6 "Nevertheless, the time will come when I will heal Jerusalem's damage and give her prosperity and peace. 7 I will rebuild the cities of both Judah and Israel and restore their fortunes. 8 And I will cleanse away all their sins against me and pardon them. 9 Then this city will be an honor to me, and it will give me joy and be a source of praise and glory to me before all the nations of the earth! The people of the world will see the good I do for my people and will tremble with awe! TLB

In spending time over this passage……one thing was evident and that was that God Himself wanted to show the people what trouble they were in and how the whole of what they had done to themselves would play out.

In the course of this reading, we know the prophet Jeremiah was to call upon God in prayer as we all are called to pray!  In this we have the Holy God, His character, we have His covenant, and we have His glory. In the crucifixion of Jesus we saw the crown of thorns that surrounded His head…..His whole thinking process that represented man in his sickness, his disease, his lack of strength because of hurtful experiences or painful memories of things past.

I do not know about you, but I want to know my future. And I can declare all those promises but they will not supersede my prayer time with God.
2 Peter 1:3-4
3 His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4 Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. NIV

 It is that abide word again. It is that declaring those promises to Him, but also communicating….”Father, this is my heart today!”

So when we ask God……our Father will show us what things we have gotten ourselves into that will probably one day be a message to others……”Don’t do what I did”……”but seek God with all your hearts”.

In the Amplified, verse 6 and following reads this way: (Jeremiah 33:6) Behold, [in the future restored Jerusalem] I will lay upon it health and healing, and I will cure them and will reveal to them the abundance of peace (prosperity, security, stability) and truth. 7 And I will cause the captivity of Judah and the captivity of Israel to be reverse and will rebuild them as they were at the first. 8 And I will cleanse them from all the guilt and iniquity by which they have sinned against Me, and I will forgive all their guilt and iniquities by which they have sinned and rebelled against Me. 9 And [Jerusalem] shall be to Me a name of joy, praise and a glory before all the nations of the earth that hear of all the good I do for it, and they shall fear and tremble because of all the good and all the peace, prosperity, security and stability I provide for it.

In short, yes a timely word indeed to what was about to transpire in the seeing of those who had fallen away. For those who had come from the “old man” to become the new man in Christ experience this. For calling on God and His holiness (righteousness) we take hold of that new covenant man, and experience health and healing. In each of our lives, our serving becomes that when we partake of His broken body and shed Blood. In that we experience His prosperity, His security and the truth (revelation knowledge). From verse 7 the captivity of Judah and the captivity of Israel to be reversed. We as individuals will praise God for His goodness, no longer held in captivity.

“JUDAH”- was considered the noble one. What occurred before Joseph in Egypt, Judah was the one that truth would be revealed. Judah did not desire harm on another as we look back at Genesis 37:26-28

26 So Judah said to his brothers, "What profit is there if we kill our brother and conceal his blood? 27 Come and let us sell him to the Ishmaelites, and let not our hand be upon him, for he is our brother and our flesh." And his brothers listened. 28 Then Midianite traders passed by; so the brothers pulled Joseph up and lifted him out of the pit, and sold him to the Ishmaelites for twenty shekels of silver. And they took Joseph to Egypt. NKJV

As we read throughout Genesis and of Jacob’s family, who had become Israel…….yes that name change, remember?

Jacob’s oldest son Reuben gave up his birthright to lead the family by engaging in incest. (Remember what we had read on Esau and Jacob? The birthright was to be given Esau, but he lost it because his need for a bowl of lentil soup. (Genesis 25:31-34)  31 Jacob replied, "First sell me your birthright." 32 "Look, I am about to die," Esau said. "What good is the birthright to me?" 33 But Jacob said, "Swear to me first." So he swore an oath to him, selling his birthright to Jacob. 34 Then Jacob gave Esau some bread and some lentil stew. He ate and drank, and then got up and left.  So Esau despised his birthright.  NIV

Genesis 27:36

36 Esau said, "Isn't he rightly named Jacob? He has deceived me these two times: He took my birthright, and now he's taken my blessing!" Then he asked, "Haven't you reserved any blessing for me?" NIV

Simeon and Levi committed murder. So it was in Judah to receive that blessing from the father. Judah was one who was seen as the “lion”…..and the image of that was painted for us in……Revelation 5:5

5 Then one of the elders said to me, "Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals."NIV

In Moses' dying blessing (Deuteronomy 33:7) he prays: "Hear Lord the voice of Judah (in prayer) and bring him (marching at the head of the tribes back again victorious) unto his people."

As do each of us have a place in the body of Christ, those of the spiritual reside in the place of praise to our God, we have the place of authority and royal priesthood. As that of Israel…….we are those united as one family in God. When we recognize His voice, obey His commands, we know He is delighted that we are following in the way we are to go. (Psalm 37:23) God does not kill, steal or destroy. Anything or anyone declaring these things are not of God, but of the devil. It is in our recognizing Him, and telling others about Him, that they hear that spiritual joy in our voices. We dance like David danced, and we will never back down when giving truth of Jesus Christ the Lord of glory. We have the opportunity to have a birthright in God through Jesus………and have the blessing too!

When we are in unity…….that harmony……..we co-operate with God and receive His instructions for our lives. And as we keep leaning on…….our trust growing in Him, we grow in faith!

9 And [Jerusalem] shall be to Me a name of joy, praise and a glory before all the nations of the earth that hear of all the good I do for it, and they shall fear and tremble because of all the good and all the peace, prosperity, security and stability I provide for it.

And that holy house……that noble sanctuary is to God a name of joy, praise and glory before all the nations of the earth that hear of all the good that God does for it………..and we His people shall fear and tremble because of all the good and all the peace, prosperity, security and stability God our Father provides for it.  Amen.

And this he [Moses] said of Judah: “hear O Lord, the voice of Judah (prayer), and bring him to his people! With his hands he contended for himself; but may You be a help against his enemies.”

Father, may our voices be heard as one in unity……..not of noise, or of confusion. But no matter whether we are yellow, black, white, red……..we all matter in Your sight. We desire to be that one with Jesus…..abiding in that place of “fearing You in all Your glory and holiness” and trembling because of Your great good to us. May our eyes always be opened to see You in our lives and may we never act like the “lost”. May we hold You in high esteem because You are God. That we hold our gaze upon You who is awesome in splendor,  power and might. We desire to be prayer warriors who tremble in Your presence………and seek Your plan, seeing our place and stand to defend with the Word of God that prevails. May we ever be mindful, if God be for us, who can (possibly) stand against us? He Who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all---how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things? God, You are our JUSTICE. In Jesus name we stand as One. Amen.

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