That FOOTSTOOL

Isaiah  66:1-2
66:1 This is what the LORD says:

"Heaven is my throne,
and the earth is my footstool.
Where is the house you will build for me?
Where will my resting place be?
2 Has not my hand made all these things,
and so they came into being?"
declares the LORD. NIV

In understanding the Creator, heaven is where He rests on His throne. The earth is where He has placed His foot,

These things, both heaven and earth were made by Him. It was of His plan. Man could never reach that place to build something that would be so grand to impress. But all that God asks is for the self-denying, the very serious person who has the intent to be humble before Him, and to tremble at His Word.

As the stool represents where He places His feet........might we consider when we need to put our feet on that stool to reach something.

In remembering our grand-daughter and her small stature as a two year old, I hold the thought of how a little blue step stool help her reach the bathroom sink to wash her hands. I think how it was kept close by the sink, as she would rise to meet that sink, and to work toothpaste over every small baby tooth she had in her sweet little head. Always pleased with herself, she would parade before all with the accomplishment she had done a good thing for her body and self.

Was thinking of the delivery stool used by the Hebrew women midwives.

Exodus 1:15-18

15 The king of Egypt said to the Hebrew midwives, whose names were Shiphrah and Puah, 16 "When you help the Hebrew women in childbirth and observe them on the delivery stool, if it is a boy, kill him; but if it is a girl, let her live." 17 The midwives, however, feared God and did not do what the king of Egypt had told them to do; they let the boys live. 18 Then the king of Egypt summoned the midwives and asked them, "Why have you done this? Why have you let the boys live?"   NIV

A stool was used to deliver one. It was an article of furniture that help the women do their job. For our grand-daughter it was helped to see from another vantage point. She was raised a foot off the ground to see over the sink area. Her vision expanded to see another place from another vantage point.

In seeing from God's view, we need to keep moving and not relax here on earth. We will rest and find peace, but the optimum word is that He placed His feet there as a stool. All was well beneath Him!

Matthew 5:33-37

33 Again, you have heard that it was said to the men of old, You shall not swear falsely, but you will perform your oaths to the Lord [as a religion duty]. 34 But I tell you, Do not bind yourselves by an oath at all either by heaven, for it is the throne of God; 35 Or by the earth, for it is the footstool of His feet; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. 36 and do not swear by your head, for you are not able to make a single hair white or black 37 Let your Yes be simply Yes, and your No,  be simply No; anything more than that comes from the evil one. Yikes!

Things are meant to help us, to give us an advantage. He made the earth and placed His foot on what belongs to Him. The earth is truly small compared to the glory of God the Creator who is to be honored for what He has done.

Our grand-daughter does not need that stool anymore. She has grown taller and has learned a lot about trusting the Creator to help her see.

She used to be led out to the park area to play. Today she leads others out. She points to those things that has for the time captured her attention, yet while she grows, she will remember that God rests His feet on the stool Quinn calls home. She will remember who He is, and What He did to bring Jesus to her for salvation.

She has parents directing her into learning some things she must know. She exercises her body, makes a way for others to be blessed when she outgrows those fairly new clothes, and she prays.

She is shown new things and to always look up. She is reminded that Jesus is returning and we are to be ready for His return to earth. Yes, the footstool is the place for our feet and they are to be about His business and to please Him.

Our continued hope is that she grow in that which is of God and where God rests. It is our diligence to speak truth of Him and His Spirit to that extent she can see Him creating the new for her to walk when she gives her heart whole heart to Him.

As the child, she was shown things like the the stool which raised her higher, and helped her to see from another vantage point.

Her security is not in the stool itself but in He Who first CREATED! That foot stool represents the sure place where there is an unshakable confidence that God will provide that stool when we will be required to see Him and what He is doing for us. In asking to see Him, our grand-daughter will be given the right "stool" at the right time for what she is seeking and how it will work in her life. 

In the vastness of God and His throne in heaven, we must understand that God did not create us in His image with no higher purpose that just to consume some food to live. But we are to live with the convenience that the foot stool might represent as in hiking up a mountain to take a look at His majesty in those great hills, or just to see through the most sophisticated equipment to see out past the stars, and yes, that stool is found in His very word. It will help us see and find the stool to stand and and help us reach.  When we reach for His Word, He helps us to stand in even the most uneven of places.

According to Habakkuk 3:19...it is the Sovereign LORD who is my strength. He makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights.

Whatever our grand-daughter's life brings, or even ours, we look up in awe. We expect the Lord's return. And we keep in our heart, that God is near us. He is ever mindful of us and that we walk where He created.

May we always keep seeking, keep reaching, and find that necessary stool of His Word to help us see past ourselves, and look into His divinity that is of holiness, is without blame and full of grace to walk in places we only dreamed.
Our God is ever present with us. Jesus came to set us free. No longer captives, we walk before our God with a humble heart. Our steps are to have that standard of the word of God that is the blameless walk. Isaiah 52:7...How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good tidings, who publishes peace, who brings good tidings of good, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, Your God reigns!
Hark you seekers, those who find the footstool to seek.........lift up your voices, together they sing for joy; for they shall see eye to eye the return of the Lord to Zion. Amen!

I HAVE A NEW WEB SITE AVAILABLE NOW WITH OTHER CURRENT BLOGS AND YOUTUBE TEACHINGS. I INVITE YOU TOO CHECK IT OUT.  THERE IS A PRAYER REQUEST SECTION ON THE SITE.

www.godsgoodnessandlove.com

Notice: 

The Voice of Prayer  has a new teaching published:

Praying and Not Persecuting SOLD OUT.....To Prayer

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1KlPkjzP7m4

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

Heaven's Crown

There is so much about what to follow. Enjoy this, entertain your consciousness.
I am interested in the creatures that live at the bottom of the ocean where is pitch black, but I do not want to entertain anything of me at that depth of blackness.


In looking up the word "following"......I saw this:
"a happening, a coming next, following someone in the direction they are going. It was also noted that following was giving favor to the one they are following.
So, if Jesus is not number 1 on our list, what is number 1?

In "following" another, the words speak this way:
tracking, shadowing, tailing, stalking, and movement.
Now movement sounds like a powerful word. In a movement to "follow" or "like" something someone posted, are we gearing up for the movement to towards that "alcohol" announcement at the local brewery? How about shopping all weekend?
But that word stalking is dangerous. And the word tracking sounds like tracking wolves or coyotes.

If we are enthusiasts, what are we enthused about? Is it being connected  with something like a new beer ad over a new brewery thing or technique.
Was it someone else's like and sent it to you to like as well..........and in that, was I enthused someone saw my name listed made a few clicks with the cursor.......and boom in the "likes" that makes me want to live another day?
In working on this today, I was made aware of yesterday when our team was going to connect, yes, by phone. Time: noon. Everyone is a "go" and answering cell phone, I hear two broken words, and the sound of metal vibrating somewhere. Oh yeah, it is the sound no one likes.
In every other sentence spoken, I hear only very broken English. In truth, I ask, "can you hear me now?"
I wonder what Jesus would have done with my cell phone yesterday. After the struggle to hear not only on the phone, but switching cell phones with their comrades, still broken English, and loud metal sound culminating in 'CALL LOST'. AND then this same cell phone had the audacity to state we were leaving cell service area. I was in my kitchen, standing by my cabinet watching eggs boil in a pan. How could I possibly be leaving cell service area, I ask you?

If Jesus had had internet, would He use it like we try to use it?
Even with the most notable fast action tools used today.........and with the most noted circulating news team without paper relaying over thousands of miles in just seconds He would say, "I told you this would happen." Remember He is God!
So a tool like internet with a force that will direct people into their future by either being " liked" or "disliked" about a certain new swag, a new way to communicate, whether we voted for the newest baby bottle, or sent  in our own pictures of the meteor shower, seeking to share with others what we have seen, or been taught. Jesus shared His heart. He spoke face to face.

What happened to speaking face to face? I remember my grandparents and father speaking with people at the city gate. They ( my grandparents) had a feed store and they could meet with people, find their need and meet it and still have some communication time with customers.

In those long ago days, I remember people reflecting on their day, their week possibly and finding something to laugh about in the hard life of any farmer or rancher in the south. They either dealt with drought, floods, partial rains but coming too late, and all their pain and sacrifice, they spoke a passion of their heart and spoke with others about it face to face.
 I remember their faces, and I remember the smile when they were greeted by their name and given a well remembered conversation with another on being in the trenches of life, with some suffering and a  zeal to continue. Crops came in or they failed, still communication was a need for those who hungered to have success in what they did with the soil, for what they brought to their family and to the community.

Is an instant "like" enough to carry people into something good or is it placing one in a needy position to always have someone like them, even if they do not know them.

The people who came to the feed store needed help with their plants, possibly a stronger seed to plant and all that was planted was seen to support the family who planted it all. In their zeal to be farmers, they spoke with other farmers, they met together and sometimes for just minutes to fill their order for the week, or a month. Voices were heard communicating about the fields of crops and what might be on the horizon in the weeks and months to come.


In the family unit, and being part of a community, standing next to you, I will listen and pray with you. If you post something that I did, I will ask what teaching encouraged you the most, but walk a mile with me in the a. m. hour and then I would be sensitive to know you really want to know me.

Yes, I still think on those days I got a few minutes down at the "store". It surely smelled like chemical fertilizers to me, but I also remember those who reflected life to others.  They spoke of victory over those sandy fields. They gave voice to their hearts desire, and in those values, they honored others and let them know so by talking with them face to face. They gave from minutes to hours to see and speak face to face.
In Jesus we have the wisdom of God that created the heavens and the earth. In Jesus, we see the genuine, the Proven and that worth keeping.

What people "liked" last week may be the antique today. What they loved may be outdated now or tomorrow. Beliefs and those modes of thinking over a network of connecting might be good in a quick and timely event, but the closeness of the truly caring heart may be missing.

Correspondence is necessary and should never be discarded.
Jesus was sent to us out of love. That next "like" you receive, will it be laced with same kind of love? Or is it just superficial and allows no responsibility on either's part to participate in each other's lives?
We are in the world but not of it.

Communicating with Jesus is also following Him. And the communication with the Spirit was the secret to Christ's ministry.
You might tell me how you swam off the shores of an Hawaiian island and saw some special creatures around a coral reef. You might even have pictures and I would be happy you got to do that. It would and should be enjoyable to him/her who loves the sea and its creatures and gets to snorkel and discover those things under the sea. We can make room for doing those things. Good job and working hard can contribute to a substantial check to pay for those things that bring a smile.


 But we must remember too that the more room we make for Jesus in our lives, the more we have His power in us. Without the constant awareness of God  and of His nature, we inevitably reduce our vision to what is accomplished on the internet and other aspects of it. We too can become shallow and no have no commitment to anything or anyone.
There are things that you like, and I like and it shows in what we talk about, what we wear and what we love to do.
But staying closer to God, keeps us aware of He who invades the impossible when the perspectives of those around us are only focused on the temporary and physical of circumstances.
Following what you love, will take you forward or hold you at the door. Jesus desires leaders. He desires us to know the battle's been won. With whole hearts on fire, not just with a "like" but loving Him with a passion will speak with more fire and more glory to His name.

I wait to hear from you. Let me know what you are following. Will it have life and breath for you?

Jesus makes us brave. In Him, the weak find strength. The enemy has to leave. ALL CONDEMNED FEEL NO SHAME.

IN following, may there light where you walk. It is the place where the lost are saved! And it is finding a way into the glorious life you and I were always meant to live. IT is following the One Who has received heaven's crown. Amen!

I HAVE A NEW WEB SITE AVAILABLE NOW WITH OTHER CURRENT BLOGS AND YOUTUBE TEACHINGS. I INVITE YOU TOO CHECK IT OUT.  THERE IS A PRAYER REQUEST SECTION ON THE SITE.

www.godsgoodnessandlove.com

Notice: 

The Voice of Prayer  has a new teaching published:

Prayer Brings an Atmosphere of Awe and Amazement

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vm12vHs1FcE&spfreload=10

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

The ONE Thing That Delivers

Oh, if only we had that one thing! Everyone searches for that "thing" that makes them feel good about themselves when they are faltering. Some go shopping, many get a tatoo and still others look for that newest car, truck or SUV. YOU know so and so the actor was driving one.

Seekers come in all ages, shapes and ethnic backgrounds.
There are those who seek a great beach for sun and fun! There are those who seek to climb the highest peak. And there is some who will look for that fulfillment in those things that make or bring a smile to the face. 


1 Corinthians 10:23-33
23 All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify. 24 Let no one seek his own, but each one the other's well-being. 25 Eat whatever is sold in the meat market, asking no questions for conscience' sake; 26 for "the earth is the LORD's, and all its fullness."  27 If any of those who do not believe invites you to dinner, and you desire to go, eat whatever is set before you, asking no question for conscience' sake. 28 But if anyone says to you, "This was offered to idols," do not eat it for the sake of the one who told you, and for conscience' sake; for "the earth is the LORD's, and all its fullness."  29 Conscience," I say, not your own, but that of the other. For why is my liberty judged by another man's conscience? 30 But if I partake with thanks, why am I evil spoken of for the food over which I give thanks? 31 Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 32 Give no offense, either to the Jews or to the Greeks or to the church of God, 33 just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.   NKJV

In remembering to glory God is to also to remember not to give offense to those who are of the church of God. In giving to others out of our heart we understand we are not seeking to profit from the "thing" we do to or for another. In this passage, one searching to glorify God will find that which truly delivers. The earth is the Lord's and all it's fullness!
The Lord did not come to reduce us, ever!!!!!

In being guided into daily life, yes, that daily living, we are to be giving glory to God. It is foremost in all that we do. Whether it is in meat, drink, or whatever we do is to glorify God in it. And in that, there should be no one wounded. And as we know too, that looking out for our brother or sister in Christ is right up there as well. ( no one should come out looking like they spent a night fighting off the lions)
If we truly sought out God ............really putting forth an effort to bow before Him and ask with a soft heart in the next thing we are to do, would and could benefit us so greatly and keep us from running off to do something we should never participate in.
In what we do today, will God be glorified?
 Paul is showing men should not needlessly cause one to stumble due to a real legitimate right.

Those who chase after worldly things will ultimately find death if they do not receive Jesus. They may find some success for awhile and in some things they greatly love, but that which is built on the sand will become the great event of failure in all arenas of one's life. It will fall greatly. It will take everything you love down with it.

The seeker who looks for life finds it in Jesus. There is no other life!

In thinking of the woman at the well found in John 4:1-42, He asked a favor of her. Would she give Him drink? She was intrigued by His question did not realize this was her Creator standing before her!
God comes. And He asks questions. Are we listening when He asks?
Then she was given comfort in what was before her. Benefits were on her horizon.

A  true believer seeks Jesus the Christ. He seeks His kingdom of peace, healing, health and wholeness. It is about the true fellowship with the “one thing” that delivers.  A true believer desires “the better part would never be taken from them",  found in Luke 10:42. The true reside wholly in Christ and dependent on Him alone and brings glory to His Name!

Luke 10:41   41 "Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her." NIV

Today, like Mary, we can choose the better. And it will not be taken away.

In choosing truth, we seek to reside in that peace that comforts and holds us in the place the Lord has made for us. It is the "one thing" that will shape you, create within you fire to go, and the boldness to speak with authority.

There are beneficial "things" but the one which delivers brings us into the life for godly living, it comes from the Cross where love was found. Jesus came to be "one" with us.....and in that we have become "ONE" with Him.

May our only motive be to love others at the Cross where life was taken and LIFE was given!
The pleasures of this world are fleeting, and so many lives are at stake. The pleasure in Knowing Jesus far outweighs this world, and He has provided everlasting life!

I HAVE A NEW WEB SITE AVAILABLE NOW WITH OTHER CURRENT BLOGS AND YOUTUBE TEACHINGS. I INVITE YOU TOO CHECK IT OUT.  THERE IS A PRAYER REQUEST SECTION ON THE SITE.

www.godsgoodnessandlove.com

Notice: 

The Voice of Prayer  has a new teaching published:

Prayer Brings an Atmosphere of Awe and Amazement

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vm12vHs1FcE&spfreload=10

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

What Is Behind the Closed Door?

Have you ever wondered why a door seems closed in our prayer time with God? In serious regard to hearing Him, do we have a closed door in our hearing Him speak?
Our prayer times is meant to "open doors for others" as we saw with Peter and Cornelius. Please read below:
Acts 10:9-48
9 The next day, as they went on their journey and drew near the city, Peter went up on the housetop to pray, about the sixth hour. 10 Then he became very hungry and wanted to eat; but while they made ready, he fell into a trance 11 and saw heaven opened and an object like a great sheet bound at the four corners, descending to him and let down to the earth. 12 In it were all kinds of four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, creeping things, and birds of the air. 13 And a voice came to him, "Rise, Peter; kill and eat." 14 But Peter said, "Not so, Lord! For I have never eaten anything common or unclean." 15 And a voice spoke to him again the second time, "What God has cleansed you must not call common." 16 This was done three times. And the object was taken up into heaven again.

17 Now while Peter wondered within himself what this vision which he had seen meant, behold, the men who had been sent from Cornelius had made inquiry for Simon's house, and stood before the gate. 18 And they called and asked whether Simon, whose surname was Peter, was lodging there. 19 While Peter thought about the vision, the Spirit said to him, "Behold, three men are seeking you. 20 Arise therefore, go down and go with them, doubting nothing; for I have sent them." 21 Then Peter went down to the men who had been sent to him from Cornelius, and said, "Yes, I am he whom you seek. For what reason have you come?" 22 And they said, "Cornelius the centurion, a just man, one who fears God and has a good reputation among all the nation of the Jews, was divinely instructed by a holy angel to summon you to his house, and to hear words from you." 23 Then he invited them in and lodged them. On the next day Peter went away with them, and some brethren from Joppa accompanied him.

24 And the following day they entered Caesarea. Now Cornelius was waiting for them, and had called together his relatives and close friends. 25 As Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet and worshiped him. 26 But Peter lifted him up, saying, "Stand up; I myself am also a man." 27 And as he talked with him, he went in and found many who had come together. 28 Then he said to them, "You know how unlawful it is for a Jewish man to keep company with or go to one of another nation. But God has shown me that I should not call any man common or unclean. 29 Therefore I came without objection as soon as I was sent for. I ask, then, for what reason have you sent for me?" 30 So Cornelius said, "Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing, 31 and said, 'Cornelius, your prayer has been heard, and your alms are remembered in the sight of God. 32 Send therefore to Joppa and call Simon here, whose surname is Peter. He is lodging in the house of Simon, a tanner, by the sea. When he comes, he will speak to you.' 33 "So I sent to you immediately, and you have done well to come. Now therefore, we are all present before God, to hear all the things commanded you by God."

34 Then Peter opened his mouth and said: "In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. 35 But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him. 36 The word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ--He is Lord of all-- 37 that word you know, which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, and began from Galilee after the baptism which John preached: 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him. 39 And we are witnesses of all things which He did both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem, whom they killed by hanging on a tree. 40 Him God raised up on the third day, and showed Him openly, 41 not to all the people, but to witnesses chosen before by God, even to us who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead. 42 And He commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that it is He who was ordained by God to be Judge of the living and the dead. 43 To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins." 

44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. 45 And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. 46 For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God. Then Peter answered, 47 Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?" 48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then they asked him to stay a few days.
NKJV

Yes, a rather lengthy read, but the power that is revealed. Peter and Cornelius opened the door to God. They, one apostle and one Gentile each had a vision.

 Peter prayed! It was Cornelius who prayed and those prayers were considered the memorial before God.  God gave instruction and with those details, he sent his men to Peter who was in the area of Joppa.
Prayer opens the doors first for what ministry the Lord has for us to do.
If it is cooking meals, go ahead and cook them but do all to the glory of God. In the details, the Holy Spirit directed Peter to the front door to greet Cornelius' men. And Cornelius was honored by his men. They gave the report"....a just man, one who fears God and has a good reputation among all the nations and Jews."
Good report!
The two men both had a vision. It was both and not just one. They both had to see what was before them. They were men of prayer. And they were witnesses of truth.
Father God will always give details to us about "tomorrow". But if we refuse that time behind the closed door, then we come out, not as support to anyone, but ourselves.  In using excuse to not pray, they certainly desire to keep their "sin" intact. For God directed us to fellowship. And we saw it in Jesus. He had fellowship with the Father and truth prevailed. He had fellowship with Him, and the miracles were abundant. Jesus prayed and He gave voice to God's authority in Him.
Yes, Jesus birthed a new church through His sacrifice. And like Him, we too, can find what God has for us when we spend time behind the closed door!

I HAVE A NEW WEB SITE AVAILABLE NOW WITH OTHER CURRENT BLOGS AND YOUTUBE TEACHINGS. I INVITE YOU TOO CHECK IT OUT.  THERE IS A PRAYER REQUEST SECTION ON THE SITE.

www.godsgoodnessandlove.com

Notice: 

The Voice of Prayer  has a new teaching published:

God's Standard; Real Freedom Precious Life

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dV-WKKiWyEc

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

THE Competitive SIDE

Jesus was never about competing for attention!
He never talked in the city gates about Himself!
No, He was about speaking of His Father.
Interesting was that the disciples focused on His comments and His heart concerning His passion of what would occur in the days and weeks ahead of Him, concerning His first given word on His coming crucifixion.

Matthew 16:21-28
21 From that time Jesus began to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day. 22 Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, "Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You!" 23 But He turned and said to Peter, "Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men."

24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. 25 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. 26 For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? 27 For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works. 28 Assuredly, I say to you, there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom."   NKJV

As I meditate this passage, and the passage of Matthew 20:20-28

the disciples had a view of the kingdom which was not the view Jesus was relating to them. People desire to be number 1! They want their name known around the world, live in fancy surroundings that is spelled out in palaces, millions of dollars, and more material stuff that you need or require a storage unit to store all the "stuff".

Too many times, people only look for the "stuff" Jesus can get to them and their own fame and glory and then never consider what price He paid for us to have salvation in His Name.!

That suffering in His Name most would like to AVOID. They consider those Words of suffering, of trouble and Refiner's fire as FIGHTING WORDS.

YIKES!

But what we do for and in His Name is higher. He serve and He gave!

What an amazing life!


 Matthew 20:20-28
20 Then the mother of Zebedee's sons came to Him with her sons, kneeling down and asking something from Him. 21 And He said to her, "What do you wish?" She said to Him, "Grant that these two sons of mine may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on the left, in Your kingdom." 22 But Jesus answered and said, "You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?" They said to Him, "We are able." 23 So He said to them, "You will indeed drink My cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with; but to sit on My right hand and on My left is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it is prepared by My Father." 24 And when the ten heard it, they were greatly displeased with the two brothers. 25 But Jesus called them to Himself and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. 26 Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. 27 And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave-- 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."    NKJV

Yes, that competitive side of the male came into being. The mother of Zebedee's sons came to him asking for favor for them to seated with Him in His kingdom. Many people want that royal seat to be FRONT and CENTER yet few are willing to pay the price in study, in prayer and in the RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD  to see that occur.

But Jesus' heart was the Father's glory and not His own. His was to do the will of His Father. The FRONT ROW SEAT was THE CROSS!

In this valued testimony written for our benefits, I think on the game of golf.

I am no golfer other than miniature golf. So when my husband and daughter play I am in awe how anyone can keep up with that tiny "very white" ball.  Our daughter desires the fluorescent  colored balls so she can keep a clear watch on where "it" flies and where it might land!

In that game, and the clear cut of grass, one would certainly want to stay out of the trees, the waterways, and the areas that are not within the playing area. Yeah, stay out of the rough!

In watching, I am amazed how the ball can fly so high and fall to the ground and roll and roll and roll! The terrain you hit that ball in and toward, will determine the balls outcome. The point you know is to get that teeny ball down the length of the green in very few strokes of the club and then down that ball into that hole that the flag beckons you too! 

In and around these areas, from teeing off to finding the ball on the edge of the well manicured green, you find in some instances that "sand trap". Considered bad and the dangerous area, the sand trap is where well meaning, (good) people lose their cool. Although my gang here does not go into the sand traps yet they manage that ball to keep it out of that sandy mess, but close by that sand area.

Our lives can look like a golf tourney. Our lives can have many people on board, around and just observing. As they view life, ours is living it. In the moving down the green, we certainly pray and believe knowing our trust is in God and that He is with us. In that we continue, from hole 1 to hole 2, then hole 3.

By the 9th, the issues become apparent. That need to get that ball down to where that flag waves definitely in the breeze mocks one as they try their best to do that hard putt. Now some see it as a challenge, some see it as joy and others just see it as a few hours riding around in the golf cart watching all the other golfers, mince, lose their balls, roll their eyes, see those cute carts go past you on a one lane pathway as they qualify for the Indy 500.............. because you are either too slow either by no practice, or some practice. If we saw the golf game like with another hole to get "my flag" raised would not mean much. We certainly like those times when the ball goes into that round hole and the experience on the next hole takes on the new hope, the new adventure of being master over a tiny ball. Yes life can look like that golf course, hidden there within are the sand traps, the grove of trees, that standing water filled full and with those cat-tails and mosquitoes. Yeah what fun, right? 

When Jesus told His disciples what was to occur, they balked in such a way, that Jesus rebuked Peter for getting in His way and the plan that was set by the Father. We should not be alluded into thinking all our days are coming up roses when being saved. Roses have thorns!

Jesus spoke this in John 17:25-26

25 O righteous Father! The world has not known You, but I have known You; and these have known that You sent Me. 26 And I have declared to them Your name, and will declare it, that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them."  NKJV

Jesus prayed.

In John 17 and verses 6 and 26….the Greek word for Name is onoma. When Jesus spoke this: He was speaking the authority, the character, the very majesty, and the power of His very excellence which belongs to God. He was expanding and advancing God’s name on the earth and in the earth.

In His prayer to God He said this: “I have manifested Your authority, Your character, Your very majesty, Your very power and excellence has been given to the men whom You have given Me out of the world. They were Yours, You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your word.

When we can see with our spiritual eyes and understand in our hearts that being united with the Father is not about competition with others. Being united with the Father presents to us the opportunity to participate with the Son as the Son did with the Father. How much more should we expect to see His glory and His majesty to be declared  through our voice?

If one has a VOICE it is because God our Father has given them His wisdom to speak, to teach and to declare.

                                                                                                                                

Playing golf will take you around the green, the well-manicured and the smooth. Still other places will take you across the sand trap, down into the well filled ditches of water and cat-tails. And in other places, the trees just blot out the sun, the leaves hide the ball and you are forever searching in all the debris that accumulates around those out of the way places. Still if we would consider that our life is mapped out. Just like Jesus, He was walking toward crucifixion and death. He was going to die at the hands of those He came to save. We can get into sand traps, end up looking into the tree grove for the teeny white ball and yet come out with a cut on the hand, dried leaf attached to the shoe lace and some kind of spider crawling down the arm of your jacket.
Keeping God and His Word is evident when we declare it to others. The place you will be seated.....well, it comes with a price. It is just in relationship with the Father and many do not want to take the time. They are the busy, bogged down in the sand trap, held down by devices that were never meant to hurt, stop or kill.
In competition, the measuring is done wrong. For those in His kingdom, that measuring is that plumb to check out if our hearts are filled completely with His righteousness. The rightful place will not just be given, but handed to the one who suffered for Christ and for the Name that SAVES.
Jesus WAS NOT HUMAN ENDORSED.
HIS DIVINITY WAS OF GOD!

He voiced the Father, and raised the awareness that heaven had come to earth.
Jesus did not elevate Himself. In leaders that prove their handicap in hate, Jesus walked amid the treachery. His disciples proved their competitive side, and Judas.......well, he wanted the kingly rule now with money, palaces, and royalty.

I know those who value Jesus and all that He spoke and did about the Father should be our example. For those who value Him will rise and be seated with Him. Those who lightly esteem or value Him will reside elsewhere.
Many try to jockey for positions in His kingdom. He gave His gifts to men. We are to know what we are anointed to do. If prayer, then pray. Prayer is never wasted time, it always speaks to the Father and of His glory. And like Jesus spoke, "Holy Father".....He touched heaven to change where He was born, lived, and died.

Jesus did it with humility.May we see that the power and the scope of His teaching was truth and gained Him favor with God and with man!           

I HAVE A NEW WEB SITE AVAILABLE NOW WITH OTHER CURRENT BLOGS AND YOUTUBE TEACHINGS. I INVITE YOU TOO CHECK IT OUT.  THERE IS A PRAYER REQUEST SECTION ON THE SITE.

www.godsgoodnessandlove.com

Notice: 

The Voice of Prayer  has a new teaching published:

God's Standard; Real Freedom Precious Life

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dV-WKKiWyEc

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

Do Not Discount the "MARTHA'S"

Oh, what is in a name?
Martha...means..in the.transliteration...Mar...."Lord"

Luke 10:38-42
38 Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus' feet and heard His word. 40 But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, "Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me." 41 And Jesus answered and said to her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. 42 But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her."   NKJV

Martha: the manager, the lead, the mayor, CEO, a House Representative, a doctor, a lawyer, a research analyst, a archaeologist.........busy about much. Seizing the TEACHER in the House should have been the priority! 

Today, an example does not stand as bold for the "stay at home Mom" as it did back in the mid-twentieth century. In those modern shows at the time , the three main stations of T.V. portrayed them, the woman of the house as dressed to "party" with heels and jewels draping the dish pan hands. Yet, dressed in a shirt-waist dress,she fried up chicken in a pan. With every hair on her lovely head still in place and "no sweat" on the brow, she shined throughout the 30 minute program!. Oh, and please  excuse me about the "sweat thing", as no moisture would be found on the brow of the woman from some person's imagination of "the stay at home Mom".

Today women are in trades of all kinds. What were mostly male trades like welding, plumbing and the such 4 or 5 decades ago, many women do them more often and do it better than some males I hear. But the proof is in the product!

In the case of two women, we see sisters who have much in common due to parentage, yet the two can be so different. In the case of my sibling: Sis, was all athletic, as a youth loved baseball, and did well riding her bike without gears. In other words, our bikes had one gear: us! Going up a grade of a hill in your own gear certainly proved to me that my sister was strong and performed well on that bike. Her being my younger, I was more comfortable riding around the block going downhill and commending her on her great skill. Oh, yes, I loved exercise too, but my bike had no gears either than you pedal yourself around....hill or flat under your steam with no help.

It was Mom who kept us in "check". As we saw with Jesus, Kept the team in "check". He was always speaking of "kingdom" things and healing was evident in those who came to see Him. and in the coming, if they heard, for some that is, well, they left whole and healed.

John 11:17-45

17 So when Jesus came, He found that he had already been in the tomb four days. 18 Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles away. 19 And many of the Jews had joined the women around Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother. 20 Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met Him, but Mary was sitting in the house. 21 Then Martha said to Jesus, "Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You." 23 Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise again." 24 Martha said to Him, "I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day." 25 Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. 26 And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?" 27 She said to Him, "Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world." 

28 And when she had said these things, she went her way and secretly called Mary her sister, saying, "The Teacher has come and is calling for you." 29 As soon as she heard that, she arose quickly and came to Him. 30 Now Jesus had not yet come into the town, but was in the place where Martha met Him. 31 Then the Jews who were with her in the house, and comforting her, when they saw that Mary rose up quickly and went out, followed her, saying, "She is going to the tomb to weep there." 32 Then, when Mary came where Jesus was, and saw Him, she fell down at His feet, saying to Him, "Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died." 33 Therefore, when Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her weeping, He groaned in the spirit and was troubled. 34 And He said, "Where have you laid him?" They said to Him, "Lord, come and see." 35 Jesus wept. 36 Then the Jews said, "See how He loved him!" 37 And some of them said, "Could not this Man, who opened the eyes of the blind, also have kept this man from dying?" 

38 Then Jesus, again groaning in Himself, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it. 39 Jesus said, "Take away the stone." Martha, the sister of him who was dead, said to Him, "Lord, by this time there is a stench, for he has been dead four days." 40 Jesus said to her, "Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?" 41 Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead man was lying. And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, "Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. 42 And I know that You always hear Me, but because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe that You sent Me." 43 Now when He had said these things, He cried with a loud voice, "Lazarus, come forth!" 44 And he who had died came out bound hand and foot with grave clothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, "Loose him, and let him go."   NKJV

Busy in life, busy with family, the workplace, ministry possibly, and troubled with current events will take any family, man , woman or child to the point of..."breaking".
Relying on family members, and expecting them to be there always is not a good approach to living life that is good in God and His promises. 

In seeing these two women come to Him as the wailers they wailed loudly, Jesus found a blame game. "Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died."
Yet when Martha spoke, she finished with verse 22.......John 11:  22 But even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You." 23 Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise again." 24 Martha said to Him, "I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day." 25 Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. 26 And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?" 27 She said to Him, "Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world."


She did not have the relationship she needed but still relied on Jesus for help....yet she called in verse 24...resurrection. And she spoke that she believed that Jesus was, is and will always be the Christ, the Son of God who is come into the world.
He had someone to agree on earth, in earth if you will, and move unbelief out of the way to maintain a flow of God's love to others in the tombs.
Faith was operating in that she knew Jesus to be the Son of God.
She was calling on His "divinity". She knew Who He was and what would and could be seen by speaking with Him.

Where might we be distracted that we should engage some discipline in our actions to stay up with God. Jesus was at their house regularly and sounds like they were close friends. If we are truly in Jesus, and reside in heavenly places, we should speak as God speaks. In Him there is a freedom that is about love and faith in God, Who is more than enough for any situation. And being trained as Jesus was in God, reveals to us a conduct that is righteous, is speaking as God speaks, and one who remained in holiness.
In those situations of trial Jesus kept His peace. His freedom language was what He heard the Father speak. In offering ourselves to God, we have one Master, Jesus Christ. In Him, we are the caring, abiding in righteousness that is truth infused into our lives by the Holy Spirit.
Keep in touch with the Lord.


The crowd was certainly loud around the tomb of Lazarus. There was probably panic on the part of those who cried in despair seeing that Lazarus is gone and he still had two sisters in the house to see after. Terror might have gripped some within the closed ranks of the family, yet, God was on the scene. Yes, heavy hearts were there, and peace far from them that day. But Jesus!
When the Prince of Peace came on the scene, it had to change.

What is interrupting our routine? Is the devil stirring up that which is beneath, say around our feet to agitate to make us move in making destructive decisions or is God wanting us to advance to another place? 

Death is one without hope. But Martha held on. Although she did not know the extent of what would occur that day, her faith filled Jesus. Is it possible that when "Martha" spoke what she did, that He had some who agreed with Him in His divinity? I think so. I believe He sees in "the spirit" Lazarus walking out of the tomb.

Jesus just had to speak "Faith" and see His friend return to a rich life in the Lord. For whatever word they heard from Jesus, regeneration had started.

Things changed that day for many. And the others, well they never recognized real life.

In the wind of activity, Jesus sticks closer than a brother. (Proverbs 18:24) Martha was right with the Lord. Many faces of love was revealed in this event. 

Do not discount the "MARTHA'S", they are the doers. Never get bogged down in stuff or be too busy to see the beauty of Jesus, the power of His blood and the greatness of His peace, for the wind and waves still KNOW HIS NAME.

I HAVE A NEW WEB SITE AVAILABLE NOW WITH OTHER CURRENT BLOGS AND YOUTUBE TEACHINGS. I INVITE YOU TOO CHECK IT OUT.  THERE IS A PRAYER REQUEST SECTION ON THE SITE.

www.godsgoodnessandlove.com

Notice: 

The Voice of Prayer  has a new teaching published:

God's Standard; Real Freedom Precious Life

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dV-WKKiWyEc

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