Showing posts with label Cry. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cry. Show all posts

Tuesday, December 20, 2022

Where Complaint is Found


 Have you ever wondered about those who lead where you live? I do! And many times I look for evidence of their leading, but find none. Is that a complaint? If leading, what are we leading and whom do we lead? Are we on that path of life leading to life or that path of death leading to death?

 In the previous years we have a leader within our police department, he was (and is) a writer as well expressing his work and the attitudes he met on the pathway of his job and of his life.  I believe him to be a believer by what he wrote about in recent posts of his work within our community and county. As the Sheriff,  he expressed heart about his job and why it was important. Now someone else is elected for the new term, as our previous Sheriff has left that office for retirement. What a legacy left behind and yet I wonder if it will continue. Will the new see the examples of good for people or will they choose to complain about “ some people” to hold to an agenda?

We see that in the days leading up to when Moses was to be born!

Complaint was seen in the Pharaoh who decided to have all the males put to death.  Exodus 1:15 Then the king of Egypt spoke to the Hebrew midwives, of whom the name of one was Shiphrah and the name of the other Puah; 16 and he said, “when you do the duties of a midwife for the Hebrew women, and see them on the birth-stools, if it is a son, then you shall kill him; but if it is a daughter, then she shall live. 17 But the midwives feared God, and did not do as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the male children alive. 18 So the king of Egypt called for the midwives and said to them, “Why have you done this thing and saved the male children alive?” 19 And the midwives said to Pharaoh, “Because the Hebrew women are not like the Egyptian women; for they are lively and give birth before the midwives come to them. 20 Therefore God dealt well with the midwives, and the people multiplied and grew very mighty. 21 And so it was, because the midwives feared God, that He provided households for them. 22 So Pharaoh commanded all his people, saying, “Every son who is born, you shall cast into the river, and every daughter you shall save alive.”

For Moses, he was taken to be done away with but the mother hid him, the beautiful son. She made a carrier out of bulrushes and pitch, placed the basket among the reeds by the river’s bank. But Pharaoh’s daughter would bath close by. The royal daughter who would make him her own. She defied her father the Pharaoh and one day she would take the role over Egypt!

 

Acts 7:22-23  NKJV  22 And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and deeds.  23 "Now when he was forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brethren, the children of Israel.

 

Forty years had passed since Exodus 1, and Moses is now 40 years old. We do not know a great many specifics about his life, but there are a few historical pieces we can put together. From archaeological finds as well as some written histories, we know that Egypt was the greatest land of its day, the United States of America of that time. Moses was being raised in the palace. His mother, Pharaoh’s daughter for some thirty –five years.

From the diggings of that region, you can find out who had money and who did not. You can know their heritage and the importance of the family that would rule. Being part of the Royal Family, if he rode out on a chariot, the people on the street bowed toward him. He would have had the best of everything, from what he ate, to what he wore and to what he rode. If Moses traveled down the Nile by barge, it was among the finest in Egypt. For that of his education, he probably had the finest tutors available in the land. He would have been acquainted and yes, instructed in astronomy, chemistry, mathematics, engineering, music, and art. But if we pay attention to those kind of institutions today, is much of what he was taught resembles the foolish students where we reside. Yet, the overall effect of what he learned filled him with knowledge and understanding of the region, the ideas people held and then the beliefs his own mother would instill in his heart that would hold him and help him recognize truth! 

Exodus 2:8 And Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Go,” So the maiden went and called the child’s mother. 9 Then Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Take this child away and nurse him for me, and I will give you your wages.” So the woman took the child and nursed him. 10 And the child grew, and she brought him to Pharaoh’s daughter and he became her son. So she called his name Moses, saying, “Because I drew him out of the water.”

 

During his 35 years in the palace, Moses never really lost contact with the people of Israel and with his real family, even though Jochebed & Amram turned him over to Pharaoh's daughter, he could visit them. Even from his birth, he was returned to the wet nurse Jochedbed and during his nursing, she would have told him of his true heritage. She would of warned him of his future if he took the way of fortune. She would have told him of the one true God!

 

He would desire to help his people, but it would prove violent. He went the way of anger and complaint.  He evidently took the route of the Egyptians to ridding those who got in the way! He runs to the wilderness. As he hides out from those who would take his life, he finds a new life. He considered himself thrust out of his home he knew, now a new life would appear!

 

…Exodus 2:11-16  Amp. Bible 11 One day, after Moses was grown, it happened that he went out to his brethren & looked at their burdens; & he saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of [Moses’] brethren. 12 He looked this way & that way, & when he saw no one, he killed the Egyptian and hid him in the sand. 13 he went out the second day & saw two Hebrew men quarreling & fighting; and he said to the unjust aggressor, Why are you striking your comrade? 14 And the man said, Who made you a prince and judge over us? Do you intend to kill me as you killed the Egyptian? Then Moses was afraid and thought, Surely this thing is known. 15 When Pharaoh heard of it, he sought to slay Moses. But Moses fled from Pharaoh’s presence & took refuge in the land of Midian, where he sat down by a well. 16 Now the priest of Midian had seven daughter’s, & they came & drew water and filled the troughs to water their father’s flock.

Exodus 3:1-10 Amp. Bible   Now Moses kept the flock of Jethro ,his father-in-law, the priest of Midian; and he led the flock to the back or west side of the wilderness and came to Horeb or Sinai, the mountain of God. 2 The Angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush; and he looked, and behold, the bush burned with fire, yet was not consumed.

 3 And  Moses said, “I will turn now turn aside and see this great sight, why the bush is not burned. 4 And when the Lord saw he turned aside to see. God called to him out of the midst of the bush and said, Moses, Moses!” And he said, Here am I!”

Exodus 3: 5-10… God said, Do not come near; put your shoes off your feet, for the place on which you stand is holy ground. 6 Also He said, I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, the God of Jacob. And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God. 7 And the Lord said, I have surely seen the afflictions of My people who are in Egypt, & have heard their cry because of their taskmasters and oppressors; for I know their sorrows and sufferings and trials.

8  I have come down to deliver them out of the hand & power of the Egyptians & to bring them up out of that land to land good & large, a land flowing with milk & honey [ a land of plenty] to the place of the Canaanite, the Hittite, Amorite, the Perizzite, the Hivite and the Jebusite. 9 Now behold the cry of the Israelites has come to Me & I have also seen how the Egyptians oppress them. 10 come now therefore, and I will send you to Pharaoh, that you may bring forth My people, the Israelites, out of Egypt.

From the last teaching on Voice of Prayer, “Spending Our Inheritance” cry means to shriek. It is from the emotional ….and it is one scared as they pray!  They look at what surrounds them, they pray to the Father they cannot see but only spiritually.But Moses could God face to face.                                                                  

God IS GOING TO SEND MOSES BACK TO EGYPT:: Exodus 4:18-21  NKJV  18 So Moses went and returned to Jethro his father-in-law, and said to him, “Please let me go & return to my brethren who are in Egypt, & see whether they are still alive.” And Jethro said to Moses,  “Go in peace.”

19 NOW the LORD said to Moses in Midian, “Go return to Egypt, for all the men who sought your life are dead.” 20 Then Moses took his wife and his sons  2 and set them on a donkey, and he returned to the land of Egypt. And Moses took the rod of God in his hand.  21 And the LORD said to Moses, “When you go back to Egypt, see that you do all those wonders before Pharaoh which I have put in your hand. But I will harden his heart, so that he will not let the people go.

So who would want to go when you know for certain Pharaoh’s heart will be hardened….? And who would he face when he returned? Pharaoh was satisfied with all his Hebrew workers. He had much to build to honor himself. Some people only see others as builders, with straw, and work long hours. Others are educated and hopefully learn in studies to become a responsible citizen. That is a good thing: but we must have God leading us by His Holy Spirit!

Not sure what happened to the education system here, but we must be trained in that reading, to read any contracts, to write, in using our name that is written on the dotted line saying we have consent to the employment and the math is good for whatever you encounter daily. At one time the education system of America un-apologetically incorporated the Bible, prayer to the God of the Bible, and biblical values in every aspect of school life.  I remember the McGuffey Reader. It held prayers from God’s word. It was this pathway of truth that gave this system producing a people that took responsibility producing the most powerful and prosperous nation the earth has ever seen. But sad today, the youth are inundated with liberal ideologies. They are given false, biased and mostly anti-biblical information.

 

Moses was separated from his own. He was separated from the Hebrews. But Moses learned his heritage. He learned also what money and position could bring to him. But he knew speaking would be hard in his having difficulty with stuttering.  Exodus 4:10 Then Moses said to the LORD, “O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither before nor since You have spoken to Your servant; but I am slow of speech and slow of tongue. ( dull, heavy tongue, cannot speak well) 12 Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall say.”  13 But he said, “O, my Lord, please send by the hand of whomever else You may send.” 14 So the anger of the LORD was kindled against Moses, and He said: “Is not Aaron the Levite your brother? I know that he can speak well. And look, he is also coming out to meet you. When he sees you, he will be glad in his heart.

Moses put weight on the leadership of mouthing specifics. In that he himself chose himself as disabled in speaking for the Lord. Yet, it is God who prepares what we will speak. We are told that in Luke 12:12 For the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.

Moses had complaints! And he complained of his speaking.  1 Corinthians 2:13 These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

Moses was set on the natural of things. Though the burning bush halted his movement, he still held out for the natural till God showed him the way in the wilderness. He lacked authority, he lacked eloquence, he lacked a message indeed. But God had his attention in the wilderness. 

 Moses learned at the hand of Jethro. He learned valuable lessons about leading God’s people by taking care of sheep. He became a shepherd. So he was moving toward destiny.  The new king might not know Moses, he might not be remembered being Pharaoh’s family member, but Moses would learn of the God Jehovah. He would learn His presence, His voice, His power and might. And he would act in obedience to going!

In the reading of all Moses encountered through God, he complained of his stutter. His brother Aaron would go but he also would bow to the culture of worship to golden calves. He would create such a thing. Have we done that? Who would answer that we have had complaints? Yet we are not complain. It will grow darker and darker for those who choose darkness over light. But we remain in His presence. We remain to the obedience He set down.

Moses did not go to the Promised Land. But carried his coffin up a mountain to be buried. And God knows the place. Will complaint fuel our tomorrows? Or will we find our peace in God for today and all the tomorrow’s ahead? Because man will let you down, but God will not forsake you ever. Can you imagine carrying a casket up a mountain and then be put in it? Moses had disobeyed by striking the rock and not speaking to it accurately. He spoke to the people, not the rock!

In these lines of this thought: Moses held what is called that second fear. It is that which involves what man thinks of us rather than what God thinks of us. In this the person will come to produce more anxiety, more depression and failure.

The third fear is known as the satanic and we know he did not have that. The choice to make is in the fear of God, the understanding of the fear of God: it is productive fear, and it always leads to peace in God. It is knowing Him, using His knowledge and wisdom to live by always.  To fear God is the beginning of wisdom. Proverbs 9:10   ….Moses struck the rock and did not do what the LORD spoke to do.  

Moses at Kadesh, a grievous error is committed by him and Aaron. The children of Israel have contention against Moses. Numbers 20:4 Why have you brought up the assembly of the LORD into this wilderness, that we and our animals should die here? 5 And why have you made us come up out of Egypt, to bring us to this evil place? It is not a place of grain or figs or vines or pomegranates; nor is there any water to drink. 

6 So Moses and Aaron went from the presence of the assembly to the door of the tabernacle of meeting they fell on their faces. And the glory of the LORD appeared to them. 7 Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 8  "take the rod; you and your brother. Speak to the rock before their eyes, and it will yield its water; thus you shall bring water for them out of the rock and give drink to the congregation and their animals. 9 So Moses took the rod from before the LORD as He commanded Him. 10 And Moses and Aaron gathered the assembly together before the rock; and he said to them, “Hear now, you rebels! Must we bring water for you out of this rock?” 11 The Moses lifted his hand and struck the rock twice with his rod; and water came out abundantly and the congregation and their animals drank. 12 Then the LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron,  because you did not believe Me, to hallow Me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land I have given them.” 13 This was the water of Meribah, because the children of Israel contended with the LORD, and He was hallowed among them.

 

Yeah, Moses was to speak to the situation, speak and the rock will yield. God said to speak to the rock before their eyes, and it will yield its water; thus you shall bring water for them out of the rock and give drink to the congregation and their animals. ( verse 8)

Pride held this person. He was upset with the people. They contended with him so he would show his anger like he did to the Egyptian who beat the Hebrew! Moses is still dealing with “stuff” from his past. He has pride, entitlement, impatient, resentment, comparing ourselves to others, or "life is not fair".

 

Speak God’s words. Remember and hold His promises in your heart. Believe Him and when you speak by the spiritual of His word, His water will run to where it is needed. BUT GOD will be HALLOWED. HE IS GOD. HE IS TO BE FEARED. We need to consistently be putting God’s truth into our hearts so we can dispel the lies of the world. What we deserved was death. But God loved us so much that instead he gave us eternal life. God is true and every man is a liar!

 NO complaints here! We speak His word, believe it true and see His kingdom come in our lives. Amen.


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Spending Our Inheritance

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Power or Powerless

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Monday, December 18, 2017

First Responders

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Do you ever pay attention when someone speaks of "those First Responders"? You know those first on the scene to give attention to the injured, the first willing to give assistance to what they may find on "the scene" of twisted metal resulting from a derailed train.
Was thinking this morning upon arising and wanted to check a quick look at the weather for today for our area, then I saw the horrific wreck of a fast train, from Seattle derailed and scattered in all directions of Interstate 5 in Washington!
Now we have had on occasion a family member or two to ride that fast train, but when they took it was more for pleasure to take a young child on their first train ride.

But in looking at the scenes they continued to show, I spent more than an hour watching to find out if anyone survived. And yes those on the roadway had survived, but those on the train were without seat-belts and left to be thrown forward or like passenger reported, "to be catapulted forward" and when you are not expecting the abrupt stop, and rock-and-roll of such a sizable vehicle. What may have  been a quick business trip, turned upside down into chaos.

For whatever the cause, there is always something done that will affect another! Just look at I-5 in a snowstorm and people will leave their vehicles when they lose traction from their tires....only to affect other people who probably can make it just find for they prepared with the proper snow tires, with chains on only to find the road blocked by those who chose to stop in the middle of a lane and walk home in subzero temps!

Oh, those First Responders, who show up to put out fires like we have seen in rapid succession from Washington to California and beyond. We have seen them run to those areas of Houston, to get in boats to help those stranded by the ever growing flood that came to that region in August of 2017.
My husband had opportunity to talk with a First Responder who was from Maine. He is a firefighter and came with a group of men who travel far from family and friends, the home they love to fight fires in all regions of this country. A First Responder gives, and they give a lot!
Heard of two lives of fire fighters lost this past week. One from California and one from Oregon. Each devoted their lives to helping others, and they lost their own lives doing it.

Again, First Responders, are those when the child on the playground gives the first hint of pain. They cry out, then sometimes a great cry with sobs as they bury their face in their own hands trying to push away tears to find mother or maybe day care provider who is close by. But the First Responder is evident in who gets to the crying child first.
If you travel to many parks for your child or grandchild to enjoy, you know of what I write here. You have seen maybe two parents available, but one just looks on while the other runs to the painful cries. Yes, you can see that played out regularly and why is only one will respond to the scene playing out in tears, maybe some blood, and possible dirty faces, hands and scraped knees?

While thinking and meditating the scene playing out, I was reminded of the woman brought to Jesus who was caught in the act of adultery.
John 8:3-12 NKJV  3 Then the scribes and Pharisees brought to Him a woman caught in adultery.
And when they had set her in the midst, 4 they said to Him, "Teacher, this woman was caught in adultery, in the very act. 5 Now Moses, in the law, commanded us that such should be stoned. But what do You say?"
6 This they said, testing Him, that they might have something of which to accuse Him. But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger, as though he did not hear. 7 So when they continued asking Him, He praise Himself up and said to them, "He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first."
8 And again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. 9 Then those who heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning with the oldest even to the last. And Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. 10 When Jesus had raise Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, "Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?"
11 She said, "No one Lord." And Jesus said to her, "Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more."12 Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life."

For this world, Jesus was speaking that the darkness and all it covers is far from Him. In Him is light and life, to bring people from chaos into the place of "peace, love and joy " in Him! For those First Responders, they point no fingers of who is in the wrong, but they fight their way through flames to make right what was made wrong either by just a freakish event to something caused by man to commit some kind of heinous act against other men, other families, to people and their homes , to their jobs and even to their lives.
As the First Responder we see first on the scene of man-kind was Jesus. And He still lights the way to that which is truth and life to us! Jesus came to set the captives free, to move us from the chaos to peace in Him. He came to move us to victory in the purpose God set for us to have, and the inheritance comes to those who would be His sons and daughters.

We each can be like the First Responders! For just like the firefighters, the police officers, and those paramedics, we too can possibly be the first on the scene to see someone who needs a Savior, one who needs encouragement in their faith walk, someone who needs the word of God to understand more firmly that our lives should be the determined to obey the Lord and align to His will.

As the First Responder, let us not neglect our ministry to HIM! Let us worship and be thankful this year and every year so that we might draw on that which Jesus gave and from His life so healing will flow, and our lives will demonstrate the goodness of God to those who might need the great Medic, Jesus Christ!
Jesus wrote on the ground, and many of them I think were concerned of what He wrote. But one thing is certain, that Jesus came, He bowed not to their rant. He bowed His knee to the Father and in full view, He gave voice of His whole body for that of which He came. He wrote in the dust of that which of men would soon return to the dust of whence they came.
No finger pointing allowed when Jesus is there to protect those who are the bullied by those who commit the same crime as these did against this woman!
We are not to hold another in condemnation, we are not to point to those mistakes, for truly God makes known what must be made known and real in His own time, when truth is revealed.
Luke 12:3 "Therefore whatever you have spoken in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have spoken in the ear in inner rooms will be proclaimed on the housetops."


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Discernment
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Tuesday, May 31, 2016

What Will We Do with Jesus?

Matthew 27:15-26
15 Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to releasing to the multitude one prisoner whom they wished. 16 And at that time they had a notorious prisoner called Barabbas. 17 Therefore, when they had gathered together, Pilate said to them, "Whom do you want me to release to you? Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?" 18 For he knew that they had handed Him over because of envy. 19 While he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent to him, saying, "Have nothing to do with that just Man, for I have suffered many things today in a dream because of Him." 20 But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitudes that they should ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus. 21 The governor answered and said to them, "Which of the two do you want me to release to you?" They said, "Barabbas!" 22 Pilate said to them, "What then shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?" They all said to him, "Let Him be crucified!" 23 Then the governor said, "Why, what evil has He done?" But they cried out all the more, saying, "Let Him be crucified!" 24 When Pilate saw that he could not prevail at all, but rather that a tumult was rising, he took water and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, "I am innocent of the blood of this just Person. You see to it." 25 And all the people answered and said, "His blood be on us and on our children." 26 Then he released Barabbas to them; and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered Him to be crucified.  NKJV

The feast had begun. The governor was to release "one prisoner" at that time. On deck was the notorious prisoner called Barabbas. (famous for being bad)
And Pilate asked the people who had gathered around, "Whom do you want me to release to you?" "Barabbas or Jesus, who is called Christ?"
And while the preparation of the Feast was underway, the governor's wife told him she had a dream about Jesus. It was a dream that caused her much anxiety

It is noted here in verse 18 that he the governor Pilate knew they the people who gathered envied Jesus. Envy is a poisonous thing. We are told this in Proverbs 14.


Proverbs 14:30
30 A sound heart is life to the body,
But envy is rottenness to the bones. NKJV


Yeah, have you smelled something rotting? Have you been around someone so sick, their body seemed to be rotting away under the affect of that which diseased the body part?
These people envied Jesus, and it was rottenness that was found in them to their very bones. 


James 3:13-18
13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. 15 This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. 16 For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. 17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. 18 Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.  NKJV



These people hated Jesus. They despised the truth He brought to them.
The governor asked, "why, what evil has He done?" But they cried out and it must have been a real riotous time. The people wanted Jesus crucified!
Pilate said he washed his hands of the matter and would release the "one known for his famous bad deeds"!
Justice? Not likely.
But everyday, people should to love Jesus. They find that strength in Him that is true joy to rise and do for His glory.
Likely, you too, will be in a crowd and probably will look like some believer's and some who just want their way. Those self-seeking will look to have their way. They will do little to help you, or they will ignore you entirely. They will either be for truth or they will love the way things are a comfort to them even though they are the naked, the blind and far from God. Some just delight in having their way that is the way of destruction.
And these people were the adamant about it. They said this: " His blood be on us and on our children." (see below)
Yikes!


Matthew 27:24-26
24 When Pilate saw that he could not prevail at all, but rather that a tumult was rising, he took water and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, "I am innocent of the blood of this just Person. You see to it." 25 And all the people answered and said, "His blood be on us and on our children." 26 Then he released Barabbas to them; and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered Him to be crucified.  NKJV



In choosing Barabbas, they sought their way, and they gained "the bad of Barabbas". They even spoke it to be done to their children as well.
In choosing to reject Jesus and truth, people invite the evil, that which acquainted with envy for another, in what they believe, what they look like, envy what they have, envy their social position in life, envy their confidence in God and in doing that lose their very soul.


Saw somewhat a controversial topic on CNN and it was on the 80's and the music that was on the scene at that time. They had notables talking to the stage of the country leaders to voice their objection to the violent music, the kind they believed that would permeate into violence and they spoke on the objectionable music videos. And to me, in some respects they were right. But where were they, the notables, when one atheistic woman wanted prayer done away with in the schools in 1964? That is my question. Where were those who had ministry and ministered at the time? What happened that day has brought a great darkness over this country. And one can see what can happen when one wants their way just by watching the evening news most every night.
Yes, there are those who live to give encouragement to others, but they seem few.

Where was the rallying at that time of the early 60's? One woman took center stage and demanded. What did they do with Jesus at that time? What will we do with Him today? 
I heard there was tent revivals going on from the 40's and 50's..............what happened?
We have opportunity after opportunity to minister the life that comes through Jesus alone. We must pray, we must know Him and trust completely that He has not abandoned us.
He surely watched as the High Priest when young Stephen was being stoned. He, Jesus, surely took His place to watch over him...........why........because Stephen prayed while he was being stoned.
And today people cower instead of standing face to face in the devil's face and tell him that his time is up. They cower in fear. They have become "the paralyzed".
Stephen prayed and asked in those last moments of life and Jesus stood as the High Priest........the Great Intercessor and quickly Stephen was received up into heaven.

Who are you rallying with? Do we even have a faith cry? Do we speak Jesus or find another like Barabbas? Are we like those who desire to put away Jesus from our lives? Are we seeking our "own thing"?

Like Jesus, we should speak as well: ”THAT He who is of GOD hears GOD’S WORDS………”   “That of myself I can do nothing; BUT AS MY FATHER TAUGHT ME, I SPEAK THESE THINGS.” “He who has sent me gave me a command, what I should say, and what I should speak. Therefore, whatever  I speak, just as the Father has told Me, so I speak.  (scripture references below:)Jesus said:  John 8:47……47 He who is of God hears God's words; therefore you do not hear, because you are not of God." …NKJV    John 8:28….28 Then Jesus said to them, "When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and that I do nothing of Myself;  but as My Father taught Me, I speak these things. NKJV   John 12:49-13:1………49 For I have not spoken on My own authority; but the Father who sent Me gave Me a command, what I should say and what I should speak. 50 And I know that His command is everlasting life. Therefore, whatever I speak, just as the Father has told Me, so I speak."   NKJV



For what is written today, He commanded. I do not speak of myself, but what He has given me. It is "He who is of God who hears God's words; therefore you do not hear, because you are not of God."
May we speak and not be silently, but ever mindful of why Jesus was crucified for us. Let us not take for granted one moment that we should our lives like the devil and hope to be in heaven one day. It does not work that way and never will.

What will you do with Jesus?




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Thursday, April 21, 2016

FAITH SPEAKS!

In 2010 I gave a Bible study on a "rallying faith cry". It was in March of that year, and I still hold a copy of it.
The question asked at that time was this" "If someone came by to visit you, what testimony could they take back to their church or home about your faith and love toward others?"
Believer's in God are to exercise their faith. That is, they act toward Him, who is Spirit. To see Him, is to see Him as Jesus spoke about Him.  And others wrote about God and His kingdom.

Romans 14:17-18
17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, 18 because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men.   NIV
1 Corinthians 14:33
33 For God is not a God of disorder but of peace.   NIV
1 John 4:8-12
8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9 This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11 Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.   NIV



We have read of the Thessalonians, have we not, and what a wonderful example they set for believer's everywhere!

1 Thessalonians 1:7-10
7 Then you yourselves became an example to all the other Christians in Greece. 8 And now the Word of the Lord has spread out from you to others everywhere, far beyond your boundaries, for wherever we go we find people telling us about your remarkable faith in God. We don't need to tell them about it, 9 for they keep telling us about the wonderful welcome you gave us, and how you turned away from your idols to God so that now the living and true God only is your Master. 10 And they speak of how you are looking forward to the return of God's Son from heaven-Jesus, whom God brought back to life-and he is our only Savior from God's terrible anger against sin.   TLB

1 Thessalonians 1:4-10
4 For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, 5 because our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake. 6 You became imitators of us and of the Lord; in spite of severe suffering, you welcomed the message with the joy given by the Holy Spirit. 7 And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. 8 The Lord's message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia-your faith in God has become known everywhere. Therefore we do not need to say anything about it, 9 for they themselves report what kind of reception you gave us. They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, 10 and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead-Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath. 
NIV

Yes, our faith speaks and what do we have faith in? Is our trust in God and Him alone or is it in ourselves?

Do we allow God to do somethings for us, but others we hold to do in our strength?
Is our "heart" set towards God and His love or is our heart set towards those things with no life? You cannot have it both ways. There is no fence straddling here.
Being obedient to that Word of Faith is speaking it out. It is a boldness in the face of any bad report, any tribulation, any sudden catastrophe, any unexplained and unknown reason for conflicts that are put upon you. It is a knowing that God is with you no matter what the circumstance may be or what it may hold against you.

Faith is Now and it is substance. It is that which we hope, having trust in God. Holding firm in His purpose that comes by and through His Word. There is no other way. It is by receiving Jesus as Lord that we have access to the Father. There is NO OTHER ACCESS TO THE FATHER!




Romans 5:1-11
5:1 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. 

6 You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 

9 Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him! 10 For if, when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! 11 Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.  NIV


We have reconciliation through our Lord Jesus Christ. And through Him we are reconciled through His death on the Cross. There is no other way to the Father (God). We are saved by grace. We rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. And in this hope, we experience God in that his love was poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit. If we never spend time with God and acknowledge the Holy Spirit, we never experience His refreshing. Every time I raise my voice to speak His word aloud, I am affirming my trust in Him and I pray out that verse, that passage of truth. It is in Him that we are to live by faith, move by His power by the Holy Spirit and live out the purpose of His Word into our very being to be people who live and are justified by faith in HIM.

If anyone tells you there is another way to God, forget it. In this reading I expect everyone to encounter God. I expect people to know that He is real and that He desires relationship for that is why His Son died for us.

Things can happen and the things can be bad thing happening to good people. But "good" people are not going to heaven if they have not made Jesus Lord of their lives.
Appropriating the power of faith we speak like this:
2 Corinthians 9:12-15
12 This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God's people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. 13 Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. 14 And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. 15 Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! NIV


 How can one describe what God did for us?
In our obedience to God and His Word through Jesus, our confession of Christ, is shared. In it we state much like Simon Peter....."You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."


Matthew 16:13-16
13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say the Son of Man is?" 

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

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

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


I remember days long ago when I would tell God that I was not satisfied. And it seemed the more I tried to do for Him and with Him seemed more like work and not really trusting Him. But what I have learned is that I could not apply what the "pastor" was wanting me to do along with what God was wanting me to do. As sometimes they seemed to be in direct conflict with each other. And we know that God is not in conflict with Himself, so the one relating to us at that time had to have had some heart issue.
Yet when I followed God, peace would ensue, the power of His Holy Spirit would cause me to mount up in a trust I had never known before. And as I went to the Living Water of Jesus and turned my trust over to Him --the Bread of Life---I came to be the 'satisfied'. I came to be satisfied in Him. I had made my boast in the Lord.
Ephesians 2:8................For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that one may boast.

I do not turn to my "ways " of doing things, I seek out how Jesus did it and what He spoke. He would abide in the Father of love and seek His purpose for His life.

1 Peter 3:17-22
 18 For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit,   NIV

We get to God through Jesus. Our faith is expanded when we abide in the Word of truth. Romans 10:17....so faith comes from hearing and hearing through the word of Christ.
The Amplified Bible reads this way: Romans 10:17...So faith comes by hearing [what is told], and what is heard comes by the preaching [of the message that came from the lips] of Christ (the Messiah Himself).


See, it is not only those " who preach and teach the word" that the Word goes out, but it is also heard by those who believe in their heart, trust God and make Him known to others. In that which came through Jesus Christ, we have salvation. The Message given was for life through the only begotten Son of God. 


John 1:18
18 No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him.  NKJV

John 3:16-21
16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. 18 He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. 21 But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God." 
NKJV

We who abide in the Light are they who magnify Him .......our faith speaks! We declare Him to the world. That people may believe and be saved is God's priority through His Son on the Cross. We declare in our rallying faith cry that God is for us.............and has given us His Word that we may abide and become all that He purposed from the foundation of the world.
We abide in the Light,,,,,,,,,staying in His truth that our deeds are clearly seen and that they have been don in God! Amen.


Interested in reading more on Faith...see blog....That Place Called Faith that was published Wednesday October 7, 2015
 http://godsgoodnessandlove.blogspot.com/2015/10/that-place-called-faith.html

And blog called: Responding in Faith that was published March 31, 2015
http://godsgoodnessandlove.blogspot.com/2015/03/responding-in-faith.html



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





Wednesday, January 13, 2016

Whatever You Do, I Pray JOY TO FILL YOUR HEART..

I had read this recently on a card and started to cry.  "Whatever you do, I pray joy to fill your heart...because you deserve the blessings...............! Now there was much more in the written sentiment, but my heart keyed in on the "joy".

How beautiful? Experiencing that joy of God to fill our hearts in such a way that is never taken away.
God's joy is one that is of Him, all supernatural and never fades away, never leaves, but always becomes more in our lives. It is tangible! When we suffer from losing a loved one, to finding out a relationship so broken and abandoned to grieve of the that loss..........all hope seems to appear on a distant land and far from our reach. But in keeping step with God, we venture into a land that is overflowing with His goodness that is a place of joy, peace, love, longsuffering..........and it all comes from the Holy Spirit who resides in us when receiving Jesus as Lord.

I love watching butterflies. I think on them today as I was reminded by my Father in heaven of the beauty they bring in those lazy days of warmth and sunshine. I was reminded how they seemed to dance across the yard of green and find all those delicious flowers calling them to come. In the beauty of all that color of the butterfly and called to color of fragrance and life........I was reminded how God our Father calls us daily to His life of love that overflows with much color. His life of love to be displayed on our hearts was to be that daily reminder He gave His greatest and best gift for us. He gave the Ransom for our release from an enemy who hates us.

I wrote on joy before. And in one writing I had put together that which Paul had written about the sadness when Jesus was going to the Cross. What the disciples experienced was that which was of heaviness in losing their Rabbi, their mentor, their Leader. But in that walk to the Cross, we gained victory and the way into heaven through the precious shed blood of a Savior.
The disciples thought "their" king  had come, and the "suffering Messiah" had come, but not to take His throne at that time. He came to get "things rolling" in that direction for the plan of God to be heard and implemented!

Galatians 5:19-26
19 Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality,

20 idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions,

21 envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

24 Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.

26 Let us not become boastful, challenging one another, envying one another. NASU

The man who is caught up in the flesh nature will be the one who is jealous, have those outbursts of anger, disputes, sensuality, sorcery, and strife. It will not be a person to be around. They make life miserable for many.

The fruit of the Spirit........the Holy Spirit living in us is producing (if we allow Him to do it) His love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control, against such things where there is no law.
In Romans 14, we find Paul again talking about what is the "kingdom of God". It was not about eating and drinking, but what is righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Read on:

Romans 14:17-19
17 for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

18 For he who in this way serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men.

19 So then we pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another.
NASU


I do not think Jesus had a "bad day". I believe He had all He needed from God in Word of the Scriptures and through His prayer time with Him. He was about seeing the kingdom of God begin.
I am certain in Jesus' time that He had no thought of a New Year's Resolution! 
I had seen this meaning on resolution: an action to which a problem is solved, or a dispute is settled or a contentious matter has ended in satisfactory manner.


Did we mention back in 2015 that we would get the kids in school and serve the Lord completely? But alas, school started then came the holidays, right, and then oops, New Year! How fast time travels and we never have time to pack for the fast pace momentum of everyday life.
In the fast paced, qualifying for that Indy race, we forget what race we are in. Well, I am in the "one to get a raise in pay this year" or " I am in the race to lose 20 pounds this year" or " I want to study some more in college, but kids are starting in a couple of years, " or " I desire to take a vacation, but have no idea where to go where I could rest."
Then another year has passed!

But seeking the kingdom of God and His righteousness.........is finding His holiness, justice, and faithfulness..............just to mention a few. It takes discipline to gain that prize. It takes discipline to move away from the table when a meal is finished and eat NO DESSERT! It takes discipline to be faithful to commit what we have spoken we will do. It takes a disciplined life to follow Jesus, being prepared to follow His every command and to do it.

Today, we should invite the Holy Spirit in..........to take His view of how we are not doing it right, ask for His guidance and then we are to follow through and do it. That would mean in the eating department, as well as in the shopping and spending department! When we ask the Holy Spirit to control our lives, by the Spirit of God that is love, joy, peace, self-control, we are the enabled to walk within our homes with a clean heart. A loved one can die suddenly, but where we reside in that will either be in condemnation or in God's peace and freedom, that place of joy that is free.
It is a place that is the kind, the patient, not excluding ourselves at the end of day, say that we are tired..........and move to our little cubicle to be "the sad", "the gloomy" and the "depressed". We are to make it through our days with joy on our lips and a song in our hearts. When our spirits are broken because of sorrow............well it is sorrow for everybody in that place, but the enjoyment of a continual feast in the Word of God brings a merry heart. (Proverbs 15:15)
When we share our evenings with our family members we are choosing to dwell with our families in love and not because of some inner turmoil brought on by something that happened 20 years ago in my life or your life.
When we choose to give of ourselves, we are choosing to connect with people, and especially family............not the people in the job place (unless they are your ministry) still your own family who you delivered into your home by carrying for nine months is to be foremost of that which we are in the family: like the mother of said child/children and to be the wife who told her husband on their wedding day, "till death do we part"..........! No as the wife, and the mother who birthed child/children is that woman who will bring joy, laughter and fun, and not hardship, pain, and a sullen, no talking grumpy woman( or even in the case of the husband)..
One thing I pray for us as a family is that my husband and I would always have a spirit of joy and keep us from growing into a grumpy sort of people.
I always want to be those people who show up with a joy that is contagious. I want others to know we have been with God and how pleased He is with us.

Are we waiting for fall to arrive……..and kids go back to school……. Will the world’s schedule always interfere with God’s plan for us? Or are we waiting for the sun to shine, the wind to stop blowing, and summer temps to return before we can do anything for the Lord? Will there always be a lion in the street, and the Jordan always be overflowing its banks?

You will not gain joy that is of God by Facebooking. You will not gain His joy by reading the latest best seller of self-help books. YOU only gain His joy, by spending time with HIM, loving Him and gain His perspective on your life. For there will always be some disaster looming, some dark thunder clouds and loud noises, but our contentment is to be in the Lord.  Whatever may be flooding, spilling out of the washer, running down the kitchen cabinet, or making you stand for five more minutes on your feet, our true joy is that which is walking with the Lord and to esteem others.
Anointing is that which  breaks bondages, breaks the yokes, and brings freedom.

In the glory of God, His presence comes in...............AND BLIND EYES SEE, THE LAME WALK,...........THINGS CHANGE INSTANTLY. There is no virtue leaving our bodies as we lay hands on the sick or pray ..........but when the glory, His Presence comes in............it is in His undeniable power and strength.


Father, in Jesus name, our consolation is in Christ, and that comfort of love, fellowship of the Spirit is in the joy when we are like-minded, and having the same love, and of one accord.(Philippians 2:1-11)
Father, we desire to be those who are like-minded, having that lowliness of mind to esteem others better than ourselves. Help us Holy Spirit to put others first.
Help us to put our families first, and those of the body of Christ. Holy Spirit show us those who we should esteem and have found favor in Your sight.
May our lives reflect those days of summer of bright sunshine and warm temps. May our lives look like a soft gentle moving butterfly in motion that is of the power of God and not be the display of the rainy, cold, wind swept day of gloomy darkness. When we arrive at a certain time of year, may we be on time for that next season You have for us Lord to do. When we get to the beginning of a new year, may our focus be on how more deeply may we move into You our Lord and may we see more clearly YOUR plan for our lives.  Have people stop talking about weight loss, and talk more about the weightiness of God and of His glory in our lives.
Help us Holy Spirit today, to lay aside any apathy we may have toward our spouse. Help us to be demonstrative in how much we value each other. We desire to not be that "grumpy" person, the rude, cold, undemonstrative, and hidden in the remote cubicle of our past hurts and feelings.
Bring a balance into our lives for change and help us touch our spouse's heart with love to let them know we care. Our trust is in You and we lean not to our own understanding but in all our ways today of living in that place of joy, we will see Your glory and reside where no gloomy Gus, no remote Ramona can touch us, no past hurts or losses can change the atmosphere we choose to keep ...........and that is with a song in our heart and joy on our lips..........may praise go forth to YOU our Father and Creator forever. Amen.




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




Saturday, March 7, 2015

The Stones Will Cry Out

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

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

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


Ever been in a crowd that was worshiping Jesus, and giving thanks to God who gave His only Son to bring us into His family through that precious blood shed at Calvary?
Then said person gives testimony of the goodness of God and some shout within the crowd, and still others within the same crowd grow silent?
Yesterday was, to me, a day to be reckoned with. I certainly needed to do some things but I felt my body needed a really good nap! But the Lord spoke to me while I laid down for the next writing of the blog and while being refreshed in the quiet solitude of His precious presence I heard Him speak these Words!
I kept hearing the Lord saying, " I tell you that if these should keep silent, the stones would immediately cry out." 
So today I went in to study and be refreshed in the Word of God!

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

Back to the church crowd, and to those who have grown silent when testifying and glorifying God for His goodness to us. The testifier tells of what transpired and how God met them in the circumstance and then gives the praise. And in this testimony, how are other's hearts moved? Are they moved to give glory as well or they just quiet because they have not actually seen Him move in their lives?
These, His disciples certainly spoke out loudly of the joyful praise of what they experienced in seeing many healed and one raised from the dead! But the Pharisees did not want Jesus glorified.

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

The Pharisees of that day observed the Law. From all appearances, their hearts were totally not with God.
When we read through the New Testament, we can take into account that the Pharisees wanted the praise of men.
Matthew 6: 2, 5, 16............... 2 Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. 
5  and when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.
16  "Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. 17 But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18 so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.  NKJV

Yes, Jesus mentioned the Pharisees as hypocrites! Yikes!


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

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

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

  Spreading of His fragrance throughout the world looks and sounds like this:...............……2 Corinthians 2:15-17 ..15 For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. 16 To the one we are the aroma of death leading to death, and to the other the aroma of life leading to life. And who is sufficient for these things? 17 For we are not, as so many, peddling the word of God; but as of sincerity, but as from God, we speak in the sight of God in Christ. ..NKJV
The Pharisees thought they could keep all the outward rules and in someway keep with that "Standard" of God's word for their lives! And what we must remember is that God is righteous all by Himself. We become righteous because of God’s righteousness… that which…..is holiness, justice and faithfulness……….just to mention a few…..it takes someone disciplined in the Word of God……….renewed daily in the our minds, to transform, by praying and gathering with fervent Christians on a regular basis and see a change that comes from an obedience to read, pray and gather.
It takes a disciplined life to follow Jesus, being prepared to always say yes to His command.

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

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

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


Praise was perfected! The earth quaked on that day!
I believe the stones cried out in praise to the High Priest Jesus Christ!
Will we continue to worship and give praise even if "some have grown silent"? Will we continue to stand and give praise when no is watching us?  What if the "crowd" is moved toward the things of the world and the praise of it?  Or do we need a crowd, so they can see us run, and dance and yell................no.......it is more than that! It is " a willingness to open our mouths and give Praise" when no one is around and when no one cares! It is a willingness to "lift holy hands" unto the Lord and worship Him with our whole hearts!
Even in this place I walk today,  I will forever give praise to the God of Glory and His Son Jesus Christ, the Faithful, the Open Door, the Great High Priest, and the One who taught that when we do NOT worship HIM, the stones certainly will!


Father, in Jesus name, forever great is Your name, forever (Isaiah 9:6-7) Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father and Prince of Peace. Today it is praise we lift to You and expect your government and peace of which there will be no end. I pray that we would be empowered with our union with You today. We draw on Your strength [that strength which Your boundless might provides]. It is a Great High Priest Who has gone through the heavens, Jesus Your Son and we hold firmly to the faith we profess. Whatever discouragement, whatever the situation, we stand as Your children and confess Jesus as Lord. He is Lord over our spirit, soul and body. So today, we rise up as we pray and believe that He is Lord over all situations in our lives. We give Him praise for the strength He gives to us and we will not be silent.
We desire not to be like the Pharisees who were considered blind hypocrites, but to be humble in spirit and to Your Word that speaks,.....exposes, sifts, analyzes,and judges the very thoughts and purposes of our hearts.We understand that humility and fear of YOU brings wealth, honor and life to us! (Proverbs 22:4) Today I pray that we renounce pride and arrogance. Father it is YOU Who gives grace to the humble. Therefore today, we humble ourselves under Your mighty hand, that in due time You may exalt us. We magnify You today and believe Your ability is released within us by speaking Your words out loud! As Your Words are alive, they are active and working in us. Today we give thanks for the power of those Words that are of faith, words of power, words of love and words of life to us.  Amen.



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


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