Weeds

What have we done to see our families, those young in the Lord to go forward with Him and serve Him all the days of their lives? What have we placed around them, what horizon have we given them to focus on for all their tomorrows?

What boundaries have we put into place around our families, our grand-children (future grand-children), our spouses, our homes, our jobs and even around that future college for your child or children to attend when they leave home?

Is there even a fence placed, to keep the evil away, and the good, the blessings of God to come continually to our children? The adversary, the devil, desires to take the youth out by the hundreds, and what are we doing as the family of God to stop it? Have we ever considered what waits on the street corner for your son or daughter or your neighbors daughter or sons' walk or how about the places only the youth provide the numbers for a filled event that you have no desire to know or understand or even attend yourself? Your answer of yes to such things can bring them into the wrong thing!
Our prayers can certainly put a boundary for them to be stopped in Jesus name that would be a consistent harm to our children or grand-children or even for a friend in the Lord.
We may have a friend, or friends or neighbors who have no protection. Their parents never gave them that protection. They possibly knew not the Lord or had the revelation of placing some protection around them.
Proverbs 24 tells us something of a broken down wall!

Proverbs 24:30-34
30 I went past the field of the sluggard,
past the vineyard of the man who lacks judgment;
31 thorns had come up everywhere,
the ground was covered with weeds,
and the stone wall was in ruins. 
32 I applied my heart to what I observed
and learned a lesson from what I saw:
33 A little sleep, a little slumber,
a little folding of the hands to rest--
34 and poverty will come on you like a bandit
and scarcity like an armed man.   NIV

What if we keep putting off our prayer time, what if we put off confessing God's Word of strength and power around that friend, that family member, or how about our spouse? For that slumber time away from God is poverty in your spiritual land and causes a scarcity...........it is a place of "lack", it is hunger, and it is void of life. That means everything around you is tending or leaning towards decay, brokeness, destruction, and weeds!

The Amplified Bible says this:
Proverbs 24:30-34 I went by the field of the lazy man, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding. 31 And, behold, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles were covering its face, and its stone wall was broken down. 32 Then I beheld and considered it well; I looked and received instruction. 33 Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep-----34 So shall your poverty come as a robber, and your want as an armed man.

That which is "in ruins" is the broken down.....and....will continue to break down with no kind of secure wall for safety around them, when we do not place that Word of God around our children, families or that which we need a boundary around. Some seem so complacent about the Word of God and applying it to their lives and I am NOT sure why they appear so lax with it! For God's Word is power unto life. It is power that overcame the devil, but rarely hear it spoken. We speak it in our home! We have praise and worship toward God going and shut off the outside "noises".

Interesting about that phrase of the ground covered with weeds.......that which keeps producing weeds till it covers the face of the ground. And who likes weeds? If you have ever cared for a yard, then you know what I am speaking of, but if not, then you may want to pass over this. BUT this is important and to know what to do for that weed "problem". Are there any thorns that we might be planting in a child's life that we should not be doing? What about an adult child..........yes that grown up person who has a family of their own? What are the "thorns"?

Well, it looks like: knotty, complicated, the ticklish, the troublesome, the annoying, the barbed.
The "thorny" become the difficult to handle! They are the "easily irritated: and will go on the attack on another sibling, a friend or even a parent. Yes, they are thorny! They become the difficult, but very changeable. They can be the unreliable and the erratic in their doing of things.
And yes, everyone gets stuck by their personality. But God wants our place like " a garden: where His peace resides. So who is tending the child's/children's garden? Who is looking over them in prayer for the "hedge of protection" to be in place? Who is asking God for help in this serious situation of a person's life?

Where do we take our child or children and let them have a hey day with those who may the "ones planting the thorns in their lives? What about that place you let them "run" to have some kind of fun, and so they can run off some of that extra energy, yet they come home a little bit more thorny than when they left? They become more erratic and more flighty, any which way that the wind will blow, they seem to go.

thorn: OT....7057......quimmowsh (kim-moshe').........to sting........prickly

in KJV...nettle.....7063

that wall (2040) is broken down.......in ruins

So today is a good time to start placing that "hedge" of protection around them............yes, time to pray and profess the Word that will guard them or even that job you have! What about a ministry where you do something, and your body has been abused by outside forces you did not expect?

Job 1:9-22

9 "Does Job fear God for nothing?" Satan replied. 10 "Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land. 11 But stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face." 

12 The LORD said to Satan, "Very well, then, everything he has is in your hands, but on the man himself do not lay a finger." 

Then Satan went out from the presence of the LORD. 

13 One day when Job's sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother's house, 14 a messenger came to Job and said, "The oxen were plowing and the donkeys were grazing nearby, 15 and the Sabeans attacked and carried them off. They put the servants to the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!" 

16 While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, "The fire of God fell from the sky and burned up the sheep and the servants, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!" 

17 While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, "The Chaldeans formed three raiding parties and swept down on your camels and carried them off. They put the servants to the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!" 

18 While he was still speaking, yet another messenger came and said, "Your sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother's house, 19 when suddenly a mighty wind swept in from the desert and struck the four corners of the house. It collapsed on them and they are dead, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!" 

20 At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship 21 and said: 

"Naked I came from my mother's womb, 

and naked I will depart. 

The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; 

may the name of the LORD be praised." 

22 In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing.  NIV

The devil can certainly see when there is a hedge of protection around you and yours. He can also know and see for himself when you have not done it. But I remind you that in Job's situation, the protection was still there. And the devil was mad. But Job still worshiped God. Job still spoke and remained. Job had four people to show up at his door. And they each had something to speak about him and his situation!

Let's remember that the devil cannot be everywhere at all times like God is, but he does have his co-hort's in crime and he tries his best with his thousands of years experience to defeat you. But we remind him of the Blood of the Lamb that was spent, poured out for people God loved. Yes the Blood given for many who did not believe in Jesus, did not like His speaking, His truth and shunned Him in every way and in many ways!

Surely we do not want to shun our children or friends, whatever age they may be,  nor do we desire to shun our spouses, or our neighbors when we see them being beaten down by the enemy. Our prayers matter much. The prayers of the righteous will avail much power. So will we do it, and see that hedge come up around them or will we wait till the "trouble" really comes, and then our words with no faith will fall on deaf ears?
God will hear when we are "the humble". God will answer those who have sought Him, believe His goodness for others and He will move when the "tears" are those from the man or woman of humility whose entire trust is in God and Him Alone!
And the enemy will attack when he sees something "big" about to happen to you or your loved  one.

In the blog High Risk!...I wrote about when the trial comes, and at the midnight hour what will be your confession and who will you trust, for it will surely come!
It is coming on a year now since that midnight word........and which the enemy spoke in March 2015. I am still here. I am strong, I am the "soaring". I had many speaking this over me and I am the thriving not just the surviving to see another day.  I am still praying and seeking His purpose for me that is of the good and that which compels me to grow more in HIM, to take the land and prevail for He is with me to be the "victorious". And I believe that for all who read this and are in a trial or tribulation.

From reading from Job 1 we find Job bombarded by many messengers. Each gave a word of loss, and discouragement. He lost his livelihood, his servants, his children. All were gone in a short amount of time. Now this is some kind of circumstance.........and certainly God has shown many things from His Word.
Four people showed up in the life of Job when all hell was raging against him. His wife even told him to curse God and die. Elihu, the true friend came with wisdom of God, and for the other three friends: Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naanmathite, well, we find God's thought for them. Here below we see the account of all which came down to God answering.

Job 42:7-17

7 After the LORD had said these things to Job, he said to Eliphaz the Temanite, "I am angry with you and your two friends, because you have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has. 8 So now take seven bulls and seven rams and go to my servant Job and sacrifice a burnt offering for yourselves. My servant Job will pray for you, and I will accept his prayer and not deal with you according to your folly. You have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has." 9 So Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite did what the LORD told them; and the LORD accepted Job's prayer. 

10 After Job had prayed for his friends, the LORD made him prosperous again and gave him twice as much as he had before. 11 All his brothers and sisters and everyone who had known him before came and ate with him in his house. They comforted and consoled him over all the trouble the LORD had brought upon him, and each one gave him a piece of silver and a gold ring. 

12 The LORD blessed the latter part of Job's life more than the first. He had fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels, a thousand yoke of oxen and a thousand donkeys. 13 And he also had seven sons and three daughters. 14 The first daughter he named Jemimah, the second Keziah and the third Keren-Happuch. 15 Nowhere in all the land were there found women as beautiful as Job's daughters, and their father granted them an inheritance along with their brothers. 

16 After this, Job lived a hundred and forty years; he saw his children and their children to the fourth generation. 17 And so he died, old and full of years. NIV

Job had much delivered to him. And he certainly was surrounded by those who like "to gab". But truth should ring out. And who or what person do we allow to surround us?

I would rather be the "the true friend" delivering what God had determined for the one in "the storm", the one who is bombarded by destruction of the devil. STORMS COME!

 But Shelley, we have the grace of God and His mercy. We surely do, but the enemy is alive and well.............and  he is also the very old, the very ugly, and the very weak.........because we are to give no place to him. We are to guard our mouths and speak only what God desires us to speak. It is to be truth in HIM and in HIS Word.

What we believe, trust in and declare will determine how we act in a "storm" in that of which Job faced. Surely we believe all to be " of the good" with no problems, but it is always best to keep watch and pray!

So that whatever tomorrow may hold,  we can stand knowing we spoke God's Word over them, that will hold them in place much like the earth is held in space and the Light of God will shine on their hearts to reveal life that comes from Him and continue to show them the way "home". The journey is marked with some hardship, just ask Paul the Apostle. But it is in our repetition of God's Word, expanding our faith into the perfect will of God, we see the hedge placed and enforced.........being made stronger and stronger.  May our family members keep rhythm to the beat of God's Word that is of power, is prayer that seeks His covering and is in the persistence like Christ.
The horizon we seek for our loved ones is the one that looks beyond time. It looks into eternity and what God has purposed for "that loved one". It is what God has for them that give ways to life with a beat, a rhythm in God that will vibrate, and bring influence toward the things of God and away from the broken, the torn down, and the disaster of storms.
They will surely come if you live a full, long life on this planet called earth, but our focus is to be in the "eternity" of God and  HOW do we fare in our department of faith!  Is it that hall " of faith" that which keeps lengthening or is it a 3' x 5' space we stand?

BUT storms come to those even of the "faith". Storms come and how we walk through is determined what we have believed and where our trust resides.

2 Thessalonians 3:1-5

3:1 Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified, just as it is with you, 2 and that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men; for not all have faith. 3 But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one. 4 And we have confidence in the Lord concerning you, both that you do and will do the things we command you. 5 Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ.   NKJV

Today, I pray and hope you will stand with me for those who are our grand-children, children, friends like  our young friend Daniel, and many who have faces, but we know not their names. Pray with me for the countless teens who have been thrown to the curb, thrown out from family homes, family relationships, and brought to the lowest place of no value. For God surely values those created in His image. He values life.........and life everlasting, filled with abundance of good that comes from Him!


Father, we pray today that the word of the Lord runs swiftly and be glorified and that those we are believing for today, all the teens abandoned, those Daniels who do not understand that which has come upon them, but knows God.............these we pray that they are delivered from unreasonable and wicked men for not all have faith. But YOU Lord are the faithful who will establish them and guard these teens, our friend like Daniel.........those who have the call and to be a mouthpiece for God through their music, and for those who have run from God! Our confidence is in God the Lord and that which concerns those we pray, that they do and will do the things God has given them to do. May the Lord direct their hearts,  these we cherish, these our future, into His LOVE and into the PATIENCE OF CHRIST.

Show us those whose walls are down, and in ruins. Our desire is to reach out and touch lives in our prayer time. We choose to be those who will be salt to those in pain and in much anguish. If our paths cross their paths Lord, may we have the ability to give them the truth they need and may they be embraced by Your Love. Father, Your Word is true and we hold it up, yes, confess it over our loved ones today. In their time of need, may they have the grace to help in their time of need.   For whatever trials and tribulations, take away the weight of it Lord. Please! Strengthen hearts for any battles ahead, and give patience for them and us as we wait on You.
This journey is for an eternity, for those who have entered Your kingdom, and who profess Your Word, may the wisdom of God come, and help us in any decisions in choosing that to pray for those far from Christ. Oh yes, it is  in Jesus' holy name we  pray. We expect to see the "youth" come to the altar of God, for the Daniel's to be released from the mouths of the lions and the Caleb's to take that mountain. This is the day and the hour. Let's take it in strength and the power of God's Word revealed in Jesus Christ, the hope of glory. Amen.

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

A Family Affair

Genesis 1:1-6
1:1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. 3 Then God said, "Let there be light"; and there was light. 4 And God saw the light, that it was good; and God divided the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light Day, and the darkness He called Night. So the evening and the morning were the first day.
NKJV

Our Father God created. And it has continued to expand, for you and I continue to hear reports from NASA about another galaxy, and another planet like ours being spotted in the vast universe.

God said and it was so. And He called out LIGHT!

With light shining within our homes, what do we see?

What do we create for our families? What atmosphere do we create when no one is there, when no one is home? Are the beds made? Are the dishes done? How about a meal for that spouse? Or is he limited to the two meals a day and snack for evening, as a purposed plan for his eating habits today? Remember that weight thing has to be considered.

It tells us from the above scripture, that the earth was without form, void and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the deep waters.

And then God spoke:"LIGHT!"

So when we have our beginning with God, do we ask for His light into the 1st part of our early morning time and if we do, what do we start with?

Hopefully it is in praying, asking the Holy Spirit to have His way in us and then move into worshiping the Lord and give voice to His Word by speaking it out!

In the days of "old" the people started on their days before the sun arose. There was water to get from a well or stream. There was wood to gather for a fire. Much activity could be heard, inside and outside of a dwelling place. Remember what might have been used to light a room.
Was it winter or was it summer time? The wife would be starting on the first meal of the day and it had to be a hearty one to get the husband off to do his duty of work for the day. Also in those days, the man worked with the wife to prepare for the family, prepare for the aged members who could no longer see to their needs. So everyone knew how to cook a meal on an open fire. Yes it was a family affair!

Today, much has changed, and I am not certain all for the good. Let God be the judge!
So which one would we embrace, which one do we look like, and which one will expand us in the right direction to make a difference for the kingdom of God?

For both will expand just as God's light has expanded. This whole world is based on that foundation He put into motion.

1st Scenario:
On rising on the 1st work day of week:

Husband works, wife works part-time,  two children, part-time family cat.
They rush around, one makes coffee, another makes sandwiches to fill paper bags. One or two yell at each other. Maybe one is kissed, door slams, and the house is empty!
Looks like Hurricane Sandy went through it! Making a quick walk through, one finds that place in upheaval.
No beds are made, dishes in the sink, pans on the stove, and clothes everywhere.Yikes!
The father gets home, dishes in the sink, pots and pans on the stove. Oh my! What's for dinner, who shopped?
Kids come in, not happy again.
Mom comes in to find everyone arguing, gazing around the room she sees the piles of stuff and nothing put away. Stumbling, and numb from her day, she grimaces at the noise escalating from the kitchen area. "Oh yes, I forgot to shop again."
There is more loud talking, one is sulking, then everyone complains they are "the hungry".
Still have to wash a pan or two, Mom is done. She has vacated the kitchen. She probably had to with no room to really stand in a space with both feet as the boots and shoes cluttered the walking area of the living room. Then she spots an empty box on the living room floor and oh yes, the seldom home cat is demanding something to eat as well! He is meowing loudly and rubbing against her pantsuit leg! Then she remembers speaking aloud, 'oh my", the "cat needs food".
She asks her husband did he not get work off early. He said of course, "it is Monday, right." " It was our bowling day."
She responds, "yes, but the market is right next door." He turns with a scowl and shrugs his shoulders to the "kids".
Dinner is something like ramen noodles. The kid's snubbed their noses at it. Both are off to bed with no dinner. The father kicks the boots out of his way, looks around the room and falls into his chair in front of the T.V.
Mother has gone in to shower and plans on going to bed. She makes a mental note: "PBJ for lunches:kids! She turns off the light!
Who put the kids to bed? Who helped?
When night is done, the day starts again.

2nd Scenario:
Rising on the 1st day of work week:
Husband works, wife works part-time and they have two children. And one dog!
Husband comes in after work to help with meal preparation. He stopped at the market for some special fixings to do up one of his famous burgers. Meats on the grill!
Kids come in from school, hang their jackets up, Mom is on her way home.
Dinner table set, mom arrives, dinner is on the table.
Mom had a meeting downtown and saw some adventure movies on sale and got a couple for the family to watch on "Family Night".

 Everyone eats. Dog looks for some kind of meat from the table. But alas, he returns to find his bowl full of dog munchies and his water bowl filled to the brim as well.
Dad and kids wash dishes, Mom prepares lunch boxes with sandwiches for the next day. She pours milk into thermos for the kid's, put in their favorite peanut butter cook with chocolate chips. Laughter is heard throughout the house.
Dad goes in to turn back the bed covers in the kids rooms for the kids. Mom checks how the bath is going for the younger child. "Is that too much bubble bath in the water?" She checks their clothes for school the next day, but knows she has no choice in what they will wear.
Dad helps the eldest kid with homework, it is some new "math".........and when done sends him off to think about their plans for Saturday for the whole family in the park for the big game of baseball.
Mother and Father visit: each child in their room, they pray, and tuck them in. The eldest complains, "ah, I am too old for that "kid stuff" dad!"
Mom and Dad smile and exit quietly........in the living room over a cup of tea, they
 talk about their day at work, check on their bank account, all bills paid, they go over any goals for the end of the year.
She tells him about some things at work and they pray together over the situation. They ask the Lord's direction for the day and week ahead.
She readies for bed, and he then follows. He checks to make sure all is in place. And that every door is locked is his final look at the security of his family. He prays over the family again, pleads the Blood of Jesus. Turns out the light!
When the night is done, the day starts again.

Seems scenario 2 would be the best solution for a thriving and growing family, yet I think the 1st is what a lot of people see and experience.

The important thing to remember is that our Father God created. And when He is in it, there is light, life, and a place to really thrive and grow in Him. It is joyous and maximizing the God- kind of life. It is ease when everything and everyone is in their place and fulfilling their roles.

Also understand this: both of these families know God. They have accepted Jesus as Lord. But only one family is truly living under the leadership of Jesus. The other is floundering!

Now this is really pointed or directed to the men who read this.
Since we are made in the image of God, we are to imitate Him and follow what He has written to us for our good.
Ephesians 5:1-2
5:1 Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.
NKJV

So husbands, what did you sacrifice for your family today? Did you shop for groceries? How about some special berries or chocolate for your wife?
Could you have done the dishes, put them away and have the counter ready to prepare another meal later?

God created the garden of Eden and he created man. He gave him the garden and gave him the animals to name. What a job, right? How many is there and how long did that take? I know it took about a day to come up with a name for our little poodle. You know that name has to fit!

But seriously, God gave Adam some jobs to do and it was TO take dominion in that garden and do it with a walk with the Father Who created him.

Genesis 2:18-25
18 And the LORD God said, "It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him." 19 Out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the air, and brought them to Adam to see what he would call them. And whatever Adam called each living creature, that was its name. 20 So Adam gave names to all cattle, to the birds of the air, and to every beast of the field. But for Adam there was not found a helper comparable to him. 21 And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall on Adam, and he slept; and He took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh in its place. 22 Then the rib which the LORD God had taken from man He made into a woman, and He brought her to the man. 23 And Adam said:

"This is now bone of my bones
And flesh of my flesh;
She shall be called Woman,
Because she was taken out of Man."

24 Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. 25 And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.   NKJV

That helper is "ezer" (ay-zer) OT 5828...5826 .....aid, help....to succor
I like what the definition states:to provide with what is useful in achieving an end.
I think this one is amazing.........."and is liken to something that one does or gives to help another..........in a situation that is often difficult and can be one of suffering."

Remember that Adam came from the dust of the ground! He was a man of mind, will and emotions.
And then Eve came along. And they lived in a garden that God provided. It had every kind of tree and what beauty must have been in that garden!
Yes, she came along to help Adam in a situation. It might be something of a difficulty...........some hard work.........and even (Yikes) some suffering!
The helper---the helpmate---- had come to assist what Adam was doing. Well, he had named the animals........but what else.......well, he was to tend the garden........take dominion and rule!
But the serpent came in, and Adam was not taking his right in dominion. It was that chaos again........and much like Hurricane Sandy! It looks that way in the lives of families who are to be led by the Father, Helpmate Mother, children achieving an end that is useful.

 God said this in Genesis 3:16.........

Genesis 3:16
6 To the woman He said:

"I will greatly multiply your sorrow and your conception;
In pain you shall bring forth children;
Your desire shall be for your husband,
And he shall rule over you."  NKJV

When they had fallen from sin, they were given God's thoughts on their lives.
And He stated that Adam would rule over his wife Eve.
That word  " rule " is 4910 in the Strong's Greek/Hebrew definition.

It means to be in good condition. Even though they had now fallen into sin, God was stating, "Adam, your wife will be in good condition."

 In searching further, we find it means to "feast" together. It is to revel in each other's company! Dancing together through life seeing after the other's need. It was to be done in a joyful attitude, and done together............not husband on one rail of a train track and the wife on the other rail of a train track, never meeting together except to produce a child. Yikes!
I like what the Webster's Unabridged Dictionary says about ruling: to indulge without restraint.
What if they worked together without restraint.........not putting up signs...........like:" me Tarzan", " you Jane"?
What if they worked in union together as say 2nd Scenario family?

They were to work together in preparation...........an agreement of life together, working together for the meal preparations, preparing for child/children.........and moving forward in their lives that was achieving an end. Every member of that family would prosper when the head, followed Jesus, and kept his watch over his garden, his family. Each doing, learning and prospering in the doing: like cooking, like shopping, like working in the yard, like painting a fence and like cleaning a dirty toilet?

Did our Lord prepare fish for His disciples when He was the RESURRECTED? YES!

John 21:9-12
9 Then, as soon as they had come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid on it, and bread. 10 Jesus said to them, "Bring some of the fish which you have just caught." 11 Simon Peter went up and dragged the net to land, full of large fish, one hundred and fifty-three; and although there were so many, the net was not broken. 12 Jesus said to them, "Come and eat breakfast."  NKJV

Wow! The man, the God from Heaven, Jesus Christ the Messiah, the Lord of Lords prepared fish!

In leading the home, the leader, the man, the husband is to lead in every area. The wife, a leader in that understanding that her husband still leads. She is to assist him in that which to give assistance, and often times be one of a difficult situation that has some suffering in it. Ah, but who is it that suffers?
Jesus got the fish to prepare and not for just a couple of the "guys"! No He held a feast for them with bread added!  It was to be one of joy, reveling as a dance together that Jesus was the RESURRECTED and was sending His disciples out to be "those fisher's of men"!



As the nurturer, both husband and wife are to nurture as God nurtures. The Garden God created, He designed for someone to oversee that garden. He had to care for it.
So too, the father of the family is to nurture his family. He is to brood over it as God does. He is to look to the future for those who will become his family. He is to talk about, but also do the things listed within the living quarters of the home. Today, families have a whole multitude of electronics and gadgets that help out in the cooking of meals, keeping in touch throughout the day, and also caring for those things of our mind, will and emotions.

Some families I have met over the years I recall the amount of effort a husband will do for the family when the mother becomes so ill that she requires help.
I remember one such woman I met back in Ranchester, Wy. many decades ago. What I saw, was a man who cleaned the house, bought the groceries and talked much with his ailing wife. She passed some five years later, but I remember that love he gave, the love he so vigilantly displayed that was without restraint. He had someone to come in to help with her meds and someone to help with the laundry. But he did the rest! And God bless his heart for the love that was displayed toward his wife.

In closing: If our days start out like "Croods" then we probably need lots of help. We would need lots of prayer time and not just five minutes a day. Let's see now, it has taken how many years to get in this condition? So, yes, it will take more than just a quick "5" minutes to get things right and in order.

What is it the Bible says........Romans 15:5-6
5 May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, 6 so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.  NIV

Our lives requires what we can bring to the table for others. If your son or daughter never sees you cook a meal, wash a dish or take out the trash, then why should they do it, right? If everything is done for them, then how will they be productive in their lives? You will either still be taking care of them when they turn 30 years old or you will have millions of dollars to pay out for the butler and the maid they will require!

My husband loved to take us out for a camping trip. His focus was to travel to the country, and generally the mountains was his preference and to prepare food. He was great at cooking out of doors and the food tasted so rich and delicious.
I believe he gave everything within him to be what God planned for him. He still loves to be outdoors and cook outside, but it is closer to the house. He showed our daughter what productivity meant. And in turn, both she and her husband are showing it to their own.
We truly want to be the family God created and that is to share all our experiences in living, in preparing food for another, help with math, praying with children at night, spending time at the park and paying bills takes team work. And when we work together..........love one another, without restraints, without the labels like "wife in the kitchen only" or "husband only brings in the bacon", or "housecleaning is woman's work", then we have missed the mark of what I believe God desires for His family to be. We must look back at what God spoke even when they were leaving the Garden of Eden..........and see what God purposed for Adam to do for his wife and his family.

Jesus came to serve. He was the true Servant! I have seen my husband do the same. In truth he does a better job at cleaning a bathroom than I ever did. He always tells me to leave something, so that he will do it when he gets home. And he does it. He makes a list to do for me and I am not to do them!  I have truly seen what the love of God can do and how it can cause a whole family to flourish. When it starts in our homes, it will invade the "church" the body of believer's where unity will prevail, Jesus will return, and we will be with Him, in His family without restraint! Amen.

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

FLINCH

THE meaning of Flinch: to jerk with nervous movement
to  shudder
In the Strong's concordance: sug...(soog)....means to backslide, backslider, turn away, turn aside, move away from............and the primitive root is; properly, to flinch........to go back......and as they put it in translation is "to retreat." In the Exhaustive Concordance......is to apostatize........to abandon, turn away from God
In the Englishman's Concordance is listed as :(5472) and has 14 occurrences. (Psalm 53:3, Psalm 78:57, Zephaniah 1:6,  and of course Proverbs 14:14.

So looking into this word, finding "Flinch", I thought of the card game. It was in 1963 that the card game was brought back ....by Hasbro. And it was a game indeed of twists and turns, when playing with people who desired to win and do it quickly. It is numerical, it is played in sequence and it is never over quickly. Just go ask anyone who has ever played it!

Proverbs 14:14 says this:
Amplified Bible.
The backslider in heart [from God and from fearing God] shall be satisfied with [the fruit of ] his ways, and a good man shall be satisfied with [ the fruit of ] his ways [ with the holy thoughts and actions which his heart prompts and in which he delights].

2 Thessalonians 3:1-5
3:1 Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified, just as it is with you, 2 and that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men; for not all have faith. 3 But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one. 4 And we have confidence in the Lord concerning you, both that you do and will do the things we command you. 5 Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ.
NKJV

If we continually walk into the love of God and into the patience of Christ, I believe there would be no backsliding, no Flinch ever, in knowing God and His love. Ah, but the optimum word here is perseverance as Christ had in His walk.

In referring to the game Flinch, the object was to get rid of all one's cards. Each player was to receive 10 cards faced down, and that was their stockpile. The dealer then would deal out five more cards and they were the "hand" cards. Each player viewed their hand cards......then another group of cards was dealt out in "five's". The player then turns over his/her top card.......places it in the middle of table....and must be a number "1" and so forth around the table. If the 1st player played a card other than a "1" like maybe a "2"....it is placed in the middle........face up for all to see. Then everyone plays their turn, but ultimately a "1" must be played at the beginning.

 Then next player goes........and has to place a "2" on the "1" on the table. If the card not used and is placed with face up, then it should be used as the game continues, and if the owner of the card fails to recognize it's time of use, the other's will yell "Flinch".

Yes, it was about order, maintaining cards in the Stockpile, in your hand and what others were putting down. There was a lot of talking, lot of sweating, and some nervousness. One would speculate they would win with no doubt.  I remember playing it a few times and then I was done with it! No one should get so worked up over a card game, right?

Monopoly was not even a thought I would consider ever. If I had to play with my Mom, she always wanted Park Place and Marvin Gardens. She had such strategy and usually had the "get out of jail" card always in hand! She was a real champion in playing that game for certain.

Our knowing God is a lot like that. In respect to having Jesus as our Lord, we are given His Word and His thoughts. But do we heed them. In playing any action type card game, even like Yatzee, one needs the full attention on the card game at hand. Any player can change the whole game and move in a total different direction!

So, we must know that what we do in accordance with other believer's will certainly change for the "good" when we are all going the same direction, right? If our heart's thoughts are of the.... good man shall be satisfied with [the fruit of ] his ways [ with the holy thoughts and actions which his heart prompts and in which he delights].

Can you imagine being prompted by your heart that is good and which we can delight for the "good"?

In seeing the power of God's Word in our lives it can keep us on the straight and narrow road (pathway) we are to walk.  So, our focus is to be on God and hold in that position. It is about knowing that God's Word will run swiftly and be glorified, when we look with the eyes of faith.

For we see from Proverbs 14:14, that of the one who flinches and moves away from God....is abandoning God. He no longer holds God in reverence. No not a good place to be in when knowing someone like Him and of His love and mercy that gives comfort and then move away from Him.

2 Corinthians 4:11-18

11 For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus' sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. 12 So then death is working in us, but life in you. 13 And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, "I believed and therefore I spoke," we also believe and therefore speak, 14 knowing that He who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus, and will present us with you. 15 For all things are for your sakes, that grace, having spread through the many, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God. 

16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. 17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, 18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.   NKJV
In 2 Corinthians we are told not to lose heart. If we have "believed" we are to tell others, remain in the Word, and other's often of God's faithfulness. But if we ourselves do not walk in faithfulness to another, how can anyone know what it looks like, right?

In seeing the power of God's Word in our lives can keep us on the straight and narrow road (pathway) we are to walk.  So, our focus is to be on God and hold in that position. It is about knowing that God's Word will and look at that which concerns those "later days" which seem to be occurring right now. In Jude 3-4 we are told about apostasy.

Yes, Apostasy is mentioned in the Bible, and it is recognized as that which leaves the doctrine of truth and follows heretical teachings, and abandons their faith in Christ.

Jude 3-4

3 Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints. 4 For certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ.  NKJV

Certain men who have crept in, are those who will lead others into apostasy and away from God and abandon Jesus, the Savior.

These are cunning men, much like a lawyer would be in a court of law. An attorney is one appointed for another pertaining to legal matters and/or business matters.
Another definition I saw was this: one legally qualified and licensed to represent a person in a legal matter that pertains either to a transaction or lawsuit.
But this person works against God in the area of God's Word. He twists it to suit his own lust and ambition. This person views he has his license to practice in God's name. But he holds none of God's thoughts or purposes.

Paul referred to those cunning men who crept in......according to 2 Corinthians 11.
2 Corinthians 11:13-15
13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. 14 And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.  NKJV

So Paul gives a clue into what one will look like. We see then, a person who is like satan, transformed but still creeping around and into places, to give their thinking of the ungodly under the guise of a righteous person. Paul is teaching that Apostates will still look good on the outside. They are not wearing some devil suit! Titus wrote this:

Titus 1:15-16

15 To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience are defiled. 16 They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work. 

NKJV

And the Amplified says this: Titus 15-16.....To the pure [ in heart and conscience] all things are pure, but to the defiled and corrupt and unbelieving nothing is pure; their very minds and consciences are defiled and polluted. 16 They profess to know God [ recognize, perceive, and be acquainted with Him], but deny and disown and renounce Him by what they do; they are detestable 

and loathsome, unbelieving and disobedient and disloyal and rebellious, and [they are] unfit and worthless for good work (deed or enterprise) of any kind.

Continuing with Jude:

Jude 8-15
8 Likewise also these dreamers defile the flesh, reject authority, and speak evil of dignitaries. 9 Yet Michael the archangel, in contending with the devil, when he disputed about the body of Moses, dared not bring against him a reviling accusation, but said, "The Lord rebuke you!" 10 But these speak evil of whatever they do not know; and whatever they know naturally, like brute beasts, in these things they corrupt themselves. 11 Woe to them! For they have gone in the way of Cain, have run greedily in the error of Balaam for profit, and perished in the rebellion of Korah.

From verse 8, the apostates are the "rebellious" and ignorant about God, from verse 10 they have corrupted speech and critical overtones.

12 These are spots in your love feasts, while they feast with you without fear, serving only themselves. They are clouds without water, carried about by the winds; late autumn trees without fruit, twice dead, pulled up by the roots; 13 raging waves of the sea, foaming up their own shame; wandering stars for whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever. 14 Now Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about these men also, saying, "Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of His saints, 15 to execute judgment on all, to convict all who are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have committed in an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him."  NKJV

Jude 16-19
16 These are grumblers, complainers, walking according to their own lusts; and they mouth great swelling words, flattering people to gain advantage. 17 But you, beloved, remember the words which were spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ: 18 how they told you that there would be mockers in the last time who would walk according to their own ungodly lusts. 19 These are sensual persons, who cause divisions, not having the Spirit.
NKJV

From verse 16, they are the grumblers, the complainers, walking to their own lusts. they speak with arrogant words, verse 18 Mock God, verse 19 worldly minded and they DO NOT HAVE THE HOLY SPIRIT!

Some speaking in arrogance are of a haughty spirit, they are the self-important, and puffed-up!

1 John 2:18-20

 Little children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come, by which we know that it is the last hour. 19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us; but they went out that they might be made manifest, that none of them were of us. 20 But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know all things.   NKJV

John told us this in 1 John 2:18-20 "They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us; but they went out that they might be made manifest, that none of them were of us." 

But we have an anointing from the Holy Spirit.

We should be coming out against apostasy! The Lord gave me this so directly to write about and I am determined to pray that all apostasy will not advance toward the "saints of God". We must pray for our brothers and sisters in Christ.

We are to be the willing, to stand against such grumblers, complainers who will mock God at any turn. The Bible is straightforward in truth...........and if we will not stand against apostasy, what does that make us? For many saints could be in the pathway of that which creeps in silently, like a snake, and sounds good, but is the twisted and becomes the perverse, making demands in their own natural way of thinking and doing which has nothing to do with God!

Galatians 6:7
7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.
NIV

Unlike the card game, the Word of God always directs us to His plan of redemption for all. It is in and by His love for mankind. That card game goes back into the box as does the Monopoly game. When every opportunity is played and time has come and gone, all goes back in the box. It is played in our efforts and our own plans. If Jesus lingers on His return, we will all enter a box. We will be put away. Like that game, anything of skill or strategy goes into a box and will be forgotten till time to play again, if that time arises to do so. How we acted and what we regarded as truth will determine our outcome.

We are to ask the Holy Spirit's guidance and direction in every step, in every day  calling on His wisdom so that we continue to move and have our being in Him. For if it is not in Him, then you or I are ruling our own life! If Jesus is Lord, then we will know His hands formed us in those moments of hearing His Word. We when recognized the refreshing and the being filled by Him. We will know His hands that walked us through torment and trials.  For after all the refreshing and the molding of His hands in who we are becoming, we will inevitably go through the fire. We will know His hands that delivered us and will take us to glory. We will know His hands that hung His body for all to see, and in that pain, through bloody, torture and inhuman arrogance against His person, mankind was saved. And it is in His hands that He will continue to lead us home.
Psalms 111:7
7 The works of His hands are truth and justice;
All His precepts are sure.    NAS

In reading any documents, any writings on the Word of God, anything that has to have your signature on it, always pray first for the Lord to lead you away from the "false". Ask Him to lead you by His Holy Spirit and to reveal anything that has been twisted and given as lies against Jesus and His Father, our God of heaven. Ask Him to show you what lies are against His holy Word of truth!
Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ. Amen.

Keep awake and watch, for our Lord's return is growing near.


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

Mirror Mirror on the Wall

I remember this from decades ago. It was in a movie. But I wonder if people do that today: you know stare at themselves in the mirror. Oh no!
But I am thinking of the mirror of God's Word.

Romans 1:16
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 
NASU

James 1:19-27
19 This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; 

20 for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God. 

21 Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls.

In humility we are to receive the word implanted, which is able to save our souls......that is receive His word that will cut off anything that is not of Him: like foolishness, gossip, profanity, covetousness, the blame game, anger, hostility, lust, pride, etc. !


22 But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves. 

For His Word will propel us to do for Him and it is due to His power! Amen



23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror; 

24 for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was.

25 But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does.

26 If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man's religion is worthless.

27 Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.
NASU

Yes, that natural man looking into the mirror, is the same as one who looks into God's Word but walks away from it. Never finding out what or who he really is would be a hard and terrible thing.

But we are to ever be reminding ourselves that we must hear the Word of God for it is life to us.

In looking at the written word in James 1 and verses 19-27.....the fruit of His Word is that which is good; it looks good and produces life. But there is another that can be produced in nature that is of a sour kind of fruit.

Ever went to the store just for some really purple grapes? You find them, take them home and then after washing, you take the biggest one in the bowl, bring it into your mouth and then to your surprise it is sour! You scowl .....and try to get the taste out of your mouth. Once again, you take another grape only to find they are all sour grapes, indeed!
I know that we all like fruit, but what fruit are we producing? That which speaks of God and His ways is worthy to be given, it is the untainted. That which God produces is for the good to all. Yet, there are many people seeing and receiving that sour fruit in some ministry. Why is that?

One thing for sure, the one leading must of the humble spirit, adhering to God and being submissive to all He gives as commanded to do. We also have to look at any faults. People can make mistakes. And people are to be the patient ones, but alas in a microwave society, it is "I want it now".
One pastor I knew for many years, always said upon rising in the morning, he would check himself in every area of his life. He said he would ask the Holy Spirit to show him in area he was missing the mark with God. He yielded to God!

So yielding every day, will keep us in His sights, in His plan, and His gospel will be paramount to us.
Man is natural, and does natural things to him.
It is just like our little dog. She finds a place to lay down, but because of many hundreds of years of her forefathers likeness according to that which was handed down through the ages, she still has to scratch at the rug like it is grass. Like the wild dog who flattens down an area to lie down on, she does this too! She has never had to lay in grass, be out at night as to sleep on it, or spend any time with it. Yet, every routine she does before laying down in that just right place, she must scratch it to point of moving the blanket around to her desire. Even the door mat within the house will get an occasional scratch to make her leisure position more comfortable to her way of thinking.

If while driving, I am looking away from the highway and stop paying attention to what is in front of me while driving, what happens?  Well, if it is any indication of what I saw yesterday while in the city, I would say the person was either texting or talking to the passenger in the vehicle with her! When I get behind the steering wheel of a car, do I throw all the information of the rules of the road out the window or do I run them through my mind while driving? In driving, we are to be mind-full of our driving. Phones, in my opinion should never be used while driving. In my own experience, I have always pulled off the road to take a call.

The fruit of the Holy Spirit is: love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. (Gal. 5:22-26) Those who belong to Jesus have crucified the sinful nature and desires. We keep in step with the Spirit of God. But...........verse 26 of Galatians 5 says this: let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

The amplified states this: 26 Let us not become vainglorious, and  self-conceited, competitive, and challenging, and provoking and irritating to one another, envying and being jealous of one another.

When we start moving forward with God, are we ever challenged? Yes!
And it seems at the oddest time. Like the proof is in the pudding........that is..........the proof of the pudding is in the eating! And when outreach is being done by a handful people and are touching others with God's love...........someone always comes to make light of it or that it is of no effect at all.
Yes, people have faults, they fail sometimes, they come up short, but with God we can look good, and sound good. He gives us His Word to live out a life that is far from the natural man. But repentance is vital to keeping step with the Spirit of God.

If we are the envying, then what or who do we envy? Or are we the conceited?
To me, it reminds me of times when some school mate comes to your house. They show you the latest "new thing"...they had acquired.......and making the statement, "it is mine and you do not have one"! Ever been there or in that place?

Yes, and this very thing carries over into the church today! See what I have....and you do not have this! And you came from nowhere. YIKES!

In the regeneration, we are trained in the Gospel for godliness.
We are to reject profane and old wive's fables, and exercise toward godliness. (1 Timothy 4:7)
We are to imitate God according to Ephesians 5:1-3.......and to walk in love as Christ loved us. He was that offering and sacrifice to God for a a sweet-smelling aroma.
Does our life give off any aroma of the sweet? Or does that which we produce tend only toward sour grapes and worms? Yikes!

If our walk is serving in the church, then what about outreach to the community? Our going to church is a good thing, But remember most people do not go to church, and they remain outside the walls of one. If we keep the concept of church foremost in our thinking, then we remain as it were the "ones taking baby steps with the Lord" and remain as it were in the basement and the beginning of things with God. 
It is really time for the church to move outdoors and reach others for Jesus.

And if we think we see some R-rated flick with some kind of filthy language and it will not affect us in any way, then we are the deceived! One might have some prayer time in with the Lord, and even some scripture base that he has placed in his heart, but now said person is seeking R-rated stuff, that is evil, brings darkness and can have a person produce sour grapes..........a fruit no one can be refreshed by. It could consequently be fruit with many worms, is that which is of lust for something, any selfishness........and yes, greed. 
And have we not read of it about the Hebrew nation coming out of Egypt?
As we had seen in the Israelite's hoarding manna, the consequences were to decomposition. They hoarded the manna and they came up with worms!
What they saw as something to take extra amounts of.......became their source of corruption.
In trusting God, our faith is for today..........tomorrow will take care of itself, right?
Matt 6:33-7:1
33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.    NIV

I heard Joyce Meyer this morning mention how many times she felt she went to hell in maintaining no pride in her ministry. It was of God and it was in His power and in His doing. She was along for what He desired. She said the "flesh has to die"..........that resurrection is all important, but the "flesh has to die". 

She gave this example with a cookie cutter, and placed on some dough. As she pressed the dough into the cookie cutter that looked like a little person, she named what had to be removed.....like gossip, and covetousness...............and everyday we have to keep those things away from us.

Looking into the perfect law of liberty, we do not change His Words, His Words change us. There is no picking up the Mirror and speak some kind of chant. God's Word is not of frozen princesses, pumpkin carriages, or tin men. It is not how fast you can sing, or fast you can dance, but how fast you and I obey God.  It is not how many face lifts you have had in the last ten years, because you will certainly need another after the first one. Some folks you see as spokespersons do not even look like what I remember them looking like from years past. Praise the Lord, I am sure He does since He created them. But the society today looks only for that which is the of the youthful person  who is the beautiful and if not: discard! To do anything against what God created seems fake and very phoney to me.
God looks on the heart, and not on the looks of the individual. We certainly saw that with David, the shepherd boy!

But God has chosen us a race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that we may proclaim the excellencies of him who called us out of darkness into his marvelous light. We live in a world of darkness, but we are not part of that darkness. We are not of the world because we are in Christ. We have light. Our light is to shine that others might know Him and be saved. (1 Peter 2:9) We are seated with Him and in His righteousness. We are not to envy, covet or have any pride that exalts themselves. Those taking baby steps have remained in the building of the church.


Matthew 5:13-16…..13 "You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. 14 You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lamp stand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. NKJV

His Ways and Thoughts are higher than ours, are they not? 
Isaiah 55:9
9 "As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways 
and my thoughts than your thoughts. NIV

We can leave the scratching of the ground behind, that digging in the dirt, or talking into mirrors to find out the fairest in the land.
For there is One True God. He is not found in mirrors. I think about that Hall of Mirrors. It is found usually in some amusement park. The different mirrors give a distorted view of you and what is going on in that moment.

With God, there is no distortion, no smokin' mirrors, no magic tricks, and no silly chants. His Word is alive and it is power. And those who love His Word will be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger.

Remember that it is in humility that we should receive the word implanted, which is able to save our souls......that is receive His word that will cut off anything that is not of Him: like foolishness, gossip, profanity, covetousness, the blame game, anger, hostility, lust, pride, etc. !
When we truly look with intent in our heart, we see the liberty of who we are, and become the person who is effective in their work for his kingdom. And those who follow Him in His kingdom are blessed.

We look not to those funny mirrors, but into God and what fruit we are producing. Is it good for another?  OR is it of a "sour quality"?  For that which is good is not too salty...........it is not fruit filled with worms, but is good and healthy for another. It is the humble, willing to conform to God's thinking and keep from the profane. To speak life into another person, and see them come up higher in the things of God. It looks like this: It is to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world. 

Go find those orphans who are wandering.....(there are many of many ages, height and weight).....lead them to Jesus.........and be blessed by God! And forget the mirror. Just think what you will look like in heaven! We can all be 29 years of age and weigh 115 pounds when we get to heaven right?

Of course men will want a trimmer middle and may desire to have a more muscle-looking physique, yet we will walk with God to see His best for us all! It is not what you or I look like in the mirror, but that the mirror is His Word to have a clarity of who we are, and where we are going in this journey we call life. Amen.

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

What Depth the Darkness

Matthew 6:22-23
22 "The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness!
NKJV

Isaiah 5:20-21

0 Woe to those who call evil good 

and good evil,

who put darkness for light 

and light for darkness,

who put bitter for sweet 

and sweet for bitter. 

21 Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes 

and clever in their own sight. 

NIV

Anyone have a nightlight in their home? We find one important when our grand-child comes for a visit. Although she knows we are just across the hall from her, yet that light is important to her.

In understanding that the eye is the lamp of the body, our eye is to be good and our whole body is to be filled with light. 

I think in respect to that "measure of faith"........that God gave us. But where is the dial located on our faith meter? If I turn my flashlight towards my husband's eyes, he will not have more light in him, just a lot of flashing circles of  light as he closes his eyes quickly. Or someone taking your picture with the flash on a camera does not fill our body with light.

When Jesus came, there was those calling what He did as evil. I wonder where they reside today, for surely they went somewhere after death, did they not? 

So what depth of darkness is there?

In the Amplified Bible, Matthew 6:23 says this: But if your eye is unsound, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the very light in you [your conscience] is darkened, how dense is that darkness!

In regard to the movies being viewed today, I heard that all of the top rated movies had box office hits of multi-millions of dollars and every one of them was rated-R! So if one is saved by the Blood of Jesus and viewed that movie.........how much light remained in them?

1 John 1:5-10

5 This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us. 

NKJV

Spending time in the light will cause us to change some things and get some things out of here, right?

Well, consider this: it is a beautiful sunny day and temps are in the mid 60's..........you open the patio door, and alas as you step away from the glass door, you see dust on the T.V. stand, on the table top, and even the glass is noticeably dirty with dog paw prints and little child finger marks.

What shows up when God's light shines in us? What might be found that should not be there?

Ephesians 5:6-14

6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 

7 Therefore do not be partakers with them; 

8 for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light 

9(for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth), 

10 trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. 

11 Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them; 

12 for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret. 

13 But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light. 

14 For this reason it says, 

"Awake, sleeper, 

And arise from the dead, 

And Christ will shine on you." 

NASU

From the above, we are not to be deceived with empty words. Empty words are those of confusion, no life and come from the world that just talks, and talks and talks. There is no vision, no walk to walk with it, except into more confusion, and more darkness. For when we stay with the Light of God and His Word, we have the fruit of Light that is in all goodness and truth. It is a daily walking of learning to please the Lord. It is not participating in that which is unfruitful deeds of the darkness, but His light is exposing them. In all that we seek into more Light, He reveals even that which is still in darkness. We are to awake, arise from sleep..........and Christ will shine on us!

1 John 2:8-14

8 On the other hand, I am writing a new commandment to you, which is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true Light is already shining. 

9 The one who says he is in the Light and yet hates his brother is in the darkness until now. 

10 The one who loves his brother abides in the Light and there is no cause for stumbling in him. 

11 But the one who hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going because the darkness has blinded his eyes. 

12 I am writing to you, little children, because your sins have been forgiven you for His name's sake. 

13 I am writing to you, fathers, because you know Him who has been from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I have written to you, children, because you know the Father. 

14 I have written to you, fathers, because you know Him who has been from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one.

NASU

Three different levels are mentioned: The father's, those who have a walk with God and are the spiritual fathers to many. The young men are those who have overcome the evil one, and their walk is one of "faith". They have a great trust in the Lord. And third, this is the new "child" who has come to the Lord. They are the ones just starting their walk with Him.

Our Father wants to light our way into all that is good. It is not in confusion or in hate of another. Those who hate are so deep in darkness that they are to be led out like blind men.

We certainly keep a light for our grandchild to see in the night hours should she awake and not remember where she is at. In that respect, we as individuals and in our walk, either as the spiritual "fathers" are to keep the light on for the young ones, those as a young child coming to the Father.

As disciples of Jesus are to the Light the way for those who are in darkness to the light of day. The true Light is already Shining. He came to set captives free.

We all to come to the Lord as little children. We had to humble ourselves for the need of a Savior.

Our prayer is sent for those who are still in the dark: For we certainly are those who have a Savior. We overcome, and we are the strong, and the word of God abides in us. If we truly know that we are the forgiven, would we not want others to know?

We are to be characterized as the "fathers". They are those who have the knowledge of God. As being a father to spiritual children, we lead because we have conquered holding up the Word of truth. Any conflict that was seen was conquered. In these conquests we are truly victorious but one thing remains, as His light continues to enter in us, then we find what else remains....that needs to leave our lives for the good. We are to grow stronger in Him. We then are no longer the weaklings, but we triumph in the Lord who has enabled us to overcome.

Hebrews 11:33-34

33 who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 

34 quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, waxed mighty in war, turned to flight armies of aliens. 

ASV

That fruit of His light is righteousness and truth in us. In that we see our faith meter move from the good, grow to the "acceptable", to the "perfect will of God". That fruit is always in right standing with God. And it is our faith that has obtained the victory that overcomes the world.

Our faith is substance. It is seen. It is valued. Any inconsistency will be because of the lack of love in any situation. When anything is amiss or seems wrong, we must rejoice that the Holy Spirit of God is with us to point to that which does not belong in our lives and see it removed.

Having that light, like the nightlight at home, gives us the continually lighting to break into the greatest moves of God. It causes us to move into situations that seem just wrong, but God is saying go! And go now!

For there are those today who speak good as evil and evil as good. There are those who will try to give you the bitter for sweet and the sweet for bitter. We are to know the difference. And when we keep coming back to the Father of Lights of whom there is no variation or shadow of turning, we find truth, remain in truth, and move in that truth.

In closing: James 1:17 Amplified Bible

Every good gift and every perfect (free, large, full) gift is from above; it comes down from the Father of all [that gives] light, in [ the shining of} Whom there can be no variation [rising or setting] or shadow cast by His turning [as in an eclipse].

The light is our eye it is to be good and fill our body. It comes from God. It is His truth. In the influence we have with others, it is His light they are to see. It is of His own will and grace, and not by our skill of any kind that people should take note of us. It is only God that they should encounter. And how is it done? It is done in and by His love.

If we turn a porch light on for a first time visitor to the house, what if we allowed people to see our light shine with the goodness of God? What if they encountered God in a new way and not in a building on a Sunday morning? What if they encountered Him in a hallway leading to the restroom?

Hey, what if they encountered God on the way to church? What if you see someone with a flat tire and could not only help but give them Jesus?

Just as His light from the sun He created certainly reveals the dust on the top of the refrigerator...........then we should be willing to allow Him to show us those areas that should be cleared away to make room for more of Him in His: comfort, love, strength, mercy, communication, truth, life, peace and joy.

May our words speak with sound that is of God and shakes the foundations of this world to remove it and see His kingdom Come. Amen!

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

IN THE EYES OF A CHILD

Proverbs 18:7
7 A fool's mouth is his undoing,
and his lips are a snare to his soul.
NIV

The Amplified Bible states this: 

Proverbs 18:7  A [self confident] fool's mouth is

his ruin and his lips are a snare to himself.

Titus 2:6-8

6 Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled. 7 In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness 8 and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us. 

NIV

Self control in our speech.......is speaking with a sound that cannot be condemned. It is speaking to our husband/wife with sound speech. It is speaking to our children with sound speech. It is speaking in the work place/church with sound speech. It is serious, it is of integrity and it is teaching.

So what are we teaching those around us?

Are we teaching something that will encourage the one standing next to us or are we just discouraging them?

Ezra 4:4-5

4 Then the peoples around them set out to discourage the people of Judah and make them afraid to go on building.  5 They hired counselors to work against them and frustrate their plans during the entire reign of Cyrus king of Persia and down to the reign of Darius king of Persia. 

NIV

In the above, we are reminded of those who just want to stop people. In just a few words they were to create delays and hinder the work. The hired came to trouble.

They were being discouraged at every turn of work they tried to deliver. They became the discouraged and lost their courage.

In reading in Ezra 4 there is much opposition. And when it is to the plan of the Lord, that kind is the opposition that has the subtlety of the old serpent, satan. In this case, superstition was a high priority and any who opposed it were those building the temple to God.

As in the case with the Israelites, those who pretended to help only wanted to delay the entire work and did not want it to progress any further. What is it written in Psalm 55:21................ His speech is smooth as butter, yet war is in his heart; his words are more soothing than oil, yet they are drawn swords. NIV

Know any people like that? No?

You know they sound really nice with their speech.....

Ezra 4:2

"Let us help you build because, like you, we seek your God and have been sacrificing to him since the time of Esarhaddon king of Assyria, who brought us here." 

NIV

It was a lie! They wanted to hinder .........their kisses as of the enemy....deceitful.

 We can do the same to a love one in our own family!

Any time we speak something against another, and maybe we never thought that it was a "negative" yet caused the other to be provoked is not good and will not build a good relationship and will not carry them forward, but cause them to stop "dead" in their  pathway. I do not want to be guilty of that to any one!  Do you?

What does it look like?

Romans 13:14……….14 Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.     NIV

Colossians 3:21 Fathers, do not provoke or irritate or fret your children [ do not be hard on them or harass them], lest they become discouraged and sullen and morose and feel inferior and frustrated. [Do not break their spirit.] Amplified Bible

Have you ever seen a conversation between a parent and a child and the child has no alternative but to act their age? One can see from the unfolding moment exactly how the child expects it to play out! And they were right??? They, the child or children even speak what the parent will say next! Yes, they have been down that road before.

CHILDREN WANT TO BE A PART OF THE FAMILY  and I know from previous experience that children must be a part of all that is going to affect, effect, and contribute anything to the family as a whole. Now if it is between the mother and the father, of course not! But anything the child has been a part of is to be included as 'a standing member of the family'.

Is that not the work of the "devil" when we allow any discouragement to come upon our children or grand-children?  Children sometimes do not understand, because of their age, of certain things that a parent or parents are desiring to come to pass for their future. And leaving the child out of it when he/she sees them they become agitated, fretful, and just sullen adds TO the small child's world. The child becomes scared, his/her security is shattered. And does no one see it happening?

They want to understand, but they see everyone who is leading the family has tuned out and turned off..........when the child/children need to hear from them the most at that time.

Romans 13:14.......tells us to clothe ourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ and not to think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature. Would not terrifying a child by acting sullen be creating a force that will break their spirit?

Yes, again it is breaking their little spirit. We can laugh with them when hiking on a sunny day or may be even on rainy day..............no decisions to make, no big deals on the horizon...........but when the ground begins to shake, and the walls start moving, and the child sees a parent or parents shut down, the communication line is down. It is severed!

Should not be this way ever in regards to our child, children or grand-children. They want to be a part and they want to understand.  Children are to be continually nurtured and brought in to understand the workings in the family, not shut down at a moment's notice because they do not understand because of age. Help them to understand. Tell them what is going on, right now!

WHAT IF GOD SAID, "I AM NOT TELLING YOU BECAUSE YOU WOULD NOT UNDERSTAND. I AM KEEPING EVERYTHING SECRET FROM YOU FOREVER!" WOW!

By all means if it is a flesh thing, surely keep it to yourself. For you will have to deal with it sooner or later. But in something that pertains to what God is doing in and for the family it is to involve the entire family. Communication was the secret to Christ's ministry. In keeping step with Him, we keep the testimonies alive. They keep us aware of the God who invades the impossible when the views of those around us are focused on the temporary physical circumstances.

In the eyes of the child, their world is closed off. And without a constant awareness and of our speaking truth about every situation, we keep them connected to us and to the vision God has for the entire family. If we do not do that, then we will see without doubt "vision and ministry" reduced to nothing more than we do in our own strength and amounts to kicking up some dust!
Ever seen those who just "kick up some dust" while they think they are ministering life?

We should not want to kick around the dust. In the scripture below we are reminded of those who go their own way.......Isaiah 29:4

4 Brought low, you will speak from the ground;

your speech will mumble out of the dust.

Your voice will come ghostlike from the earth;

out of the dust your speech will whisper. 

NIV

Understanding that this will occur, we should take the extra step to make sure our child/children/grand-children are involved in decisions that pertain to them: like school, like taking a trip, in any sickness occurring, any project they are involved in, anything we need to live for God, they will also need!
When I was very young, and we went to visit grandparents in another state, I always remember my younger sister desiring sternly for her pillow. It went with her, as some resemblance of her bedtime at home, while visiting in another's home. My Mom always placed it close to the luggage so that it would not be left behind. Kids can be left behind without parents even knowing it. We need to awaken to things of God for our families, our loved ones who God cherishes.  They need to know that we always must go to Him for direction, not looking at the views of others..........and until our young ones are able to do that.........we must be that line that keeps them connected to life and truth in any regard to an outside situation involving the whole of the family.

My prayer today is for those who have been broken, either by previous relationships that broke the human spirit by being provoked, goaded and maligned. I pray for those who have been dealt a great blow by a loved one who came back with anything but love.

Father, thank You for Jesus, the Son of Your love. Who has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love. In Him, we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins. Help us Holy Spirit. You see the damage done. Show us how to minimize that which has been caused. Help us to speak and see restoration to that which has done by our speaking, our own doing, and acts of just provoking another to wrath. Today we desire to be those who will be salt to those in pain and anguish. We choose to be those who will abide in truth and be committed to be responsible when others cross our paths who may be dealing with a loss, or just cut off from God's plan for them by another. Help us to understand in how to communicate with our children and grand-children that we will not provoke them but lead them in life that is everlasting in YOU Father. Show us what to speak and how to be constant in teaching with integrity and not as a spoiled one wrapped up in the flesh nature. It just leads back to the dust.

Father, Your Word is true and we confess and profess that Your Word is for us. You will never leave us or forsake us. We ask today to support those who have trials and tribulations that are weighing them down. We come boldly to the throne of Grace that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in this time of need. (Hebrews 4:16) Strengthen our hearts for the battle ahead and give patience as we wait on You. We pray to be those who rejoice in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfast in prayer. (Romans 12:12)

We are family. We are to act like a family..........and in this journey help us to encourage our family. Help us to be the "kind".

"Your Love O' Lord endures forever----do not abandon the works of Your hands. Amen.

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