That Character or Lack Of

 

Whose character traits do we want to carry through to the grave? Matthew 5:48, "Therefore you shall be perfect as your Father in heaven is perfect." Colossians 1:28 Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. 

Character is based on knowing God. Jesus defines eternal life as "to know God". This "know" suggests a very close intimacy, just as a husband and wife are intimate in marriage. (Genesis 4:1) The word for "eternal" is the word Aionis translated as to not only duration but more importantly that quality of life. Living endlessly is not necessarily good. True eternal life is the life of God. It is possessing that has the meaning of experiencing some splendor, that lives in the glorious fruits here on earth. Martin Luther King is still talked about today, although they want to change his speaking. 

An example of this is found in Psalm 9:10 "And those who know Your name will put their trust in You; for You, Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You. Those living by faith do not trust in what He is called, for that would be mere superstition. Their faith is in what He is, His character and nature, which they have experienced by seeking to live His way. ( David spoke to Israel and the giant Goliath, that he spoke: "1 Samuel 17:45 " You come to me with a sword, with a speak and with a javelin, But I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied." 46 "This day the LORD will deliver you into my hand, and I will take your head from you." "And this day I will give the carcasses of the camp of the Philistines to the birds of the air and the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel."

Passing through the barrier is to have focus interest and ambition heavenward. It is casting away specific vises and cultivation of certain virtues. Those pertaining to the sensual indulgence, attitude, speech and prejudice of the mind must die.

I am truly amazed every year, when Martin Luther King day arrives, people are wanting to change his vision to suit their agenda. When he spoke of his dream it was that his children would have character to exist in this life now. It would not be by the color of their skin. Yet, today, we have people who choose to put fleshly things on the altar of their own religion.1 John 1:3 that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ, 4 and these things we write to your that your joy may be full. 5 This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.

WHAT is DEMONSTRATED and seen here is our response to people based on the kind of character they have demonstrated. Fools will be dealt with differently than with those who are the wise!

Matthew 16:1-4 Then the Pharisees and Sadducees came, and testing Him asked that he would show them a sign from heaven. 2 He answered and said to them, “When it is evening you say, ‘It will be foul weather today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ ‘Hypocrites!’ You know how to discern the face of the sky, but you cannot discern the signs of the times. 4 “A wicked and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign shall be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. And He left them and departed.

1.   From verse 4: Jesus’ description of Israel’s religious leaders is reminiscent of Deut. 32:5 where Moses rebuked Israel for rejecting Yahweh.

2.   Deuteronomy 32:5-6 NKJV They have corrupted themselves; they are not His children, because of their blemish: a perverse and crooked generation. 6 Do you thus deal(repay  )with the LORD, O foolish and unwise people? Is He not your Father, who bought you? Has He not made you and established you?

3.   The relationship with the LORD is ruined when His children no longer act like His children.

4.   They had become a grotesque mockery of what God created them to be.

Matthew 12: 39-40 NKJV  39  But He answered and said to them, “An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. 40 For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

An attitude that demands the miraculous sign as that condition for belief does not and will not please God. Jesus told Thomas: John 20:29 “blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed. Seeing always follows believing!

A spiritual adulterous exhibition was presented by the scribe’s and Pharisees because of their rejection of Jesus. These were both blind and in opposition to His authority : He the wise, they the fools!

We see this today in the present hour. You have the few wise and many fools! You have those trying to stop I.C.E. agents from doing their jobs. This present age is choosing Barabbas over Jesus!

 Proverbs 27:20 Hell and Destruction are never full; so the eyes of man are never satisfied.                                                                                                      

People’s eyes have that capacity for lust,  envy & greed. The Rich Man in Luke 16 had wealth but had no wisdom: Proverbs 17:16 Why is there a price in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, When he has no sense [literally, “heart”]? (17:16). The rich man had no heart for the man who begged for crumbs at the rich man’s gate.  Have we asked God for His heart concerning the lost?

Proverbs 18:2 A fool has no delight in understanding, But only in expressing ( or revealing) his own heart . Here the wealthy man is capture in the flame and cannot pass to Abraham, yet he wants Abraham to send Lazarus to quench his thirst in that flame. He wants the same to be done for him in hell as it was in his palace or notable estate he owned. He wants word to be given to his five brothers to not come to this place hell but repent.

But the rich man is told “if they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rose from the dead.”

 Proverbs 18:2 A fool has no delight in understanding, But only in expressing ( or revealing) his own heart . God gave us His wisdom to have knowledge and  understanding. He is not about destruction but restoring WHEN REPENTANCE APPEARS! He is about repentance His plan for each man, woman and child. God is not willing that any person should suffer the judgment coming but for all to repent and turn to Him.  ( seen in Luke 13:3-5; 2 Peter 3:9)

We can see a glimpse of those creatures from hell. We can see where the door to the bottomless pit is opened and smoke rises as the smoke of a great furnace.

Revelation 9:2-11 NKJV And he opened the bottomless pit, & smoke arose out of the pit like the smoke of a great furnace. So the sun and the air were darkened because of the smoke of the pit. 3 Then out of the smoke locusts came upon the earth. And to them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power. 4 They were commanded not to harm the grass of the earth, or any green thing or any tree, but only those men who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads. 5 & they were not given authority to kill them, but to torment them for 5 months. Their torment was like the torment of a scorpion when it strikes a man. 6 In those days men will seek death and will not find it; they will desire to die & death will flee from them. 7 The shape of the locusts was like horses prepared for battle. On their heads were crowns of something like gold, & their faces were like the faces of men. 8 They had hair like women’s hair and their teeth were like lion’s teeth. 9 & they had breastplates like breastplates of iron & the sound of their wings was like the sound of chariots with many horses running into battle. 10 They had tails like scorpions and there were stings in their tails. Their power was to hurt men 5 months. 11 And they had as king over them the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in Hebrew is Abaddon, but in Greek he has the name of Apollyon.

1.   Locusts or (grasshoppers) thick as smoke come up out of the abyss

2.   Not regular locusts like the insect that eats plants/destroys trees; These are locusts that are demonic that torment people; target those who do not have God’s seal on them; from v. 7 they have faces like those of men, they have intelligence ;Their wings make a great sound, noisy, terrifying ; These creatures have a leader: Abaddon in Hebrew & in Greek Apollyon…meaning destruction/destroyer ; They will be tormented by what they worshiped on earth; God will not allow these men to die, but just be tormented/These will attack for 5 months. They, being demonic are grotesque, with lion-like teeth & human like faces & breastplates of scales.

3. Reminds us of those designed by the movie makers, where robotics have the face of men, have some intelligence, but also have awesome and terrifying sounds in wings.  Philippians 1: 27-30 .. 27 Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come & see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind, striving together for the faith of the gospel, 28 & not in any way terrified by your adversaries, which is to them a proof of perdition, but to you of salvation, & that from God. 29 For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, 

Those who encountered Jesus demanded more and more signs. In Matt. 16:1-4 and in this occurrence to perform one from heaven. Demanding a sign, even though a sign was given by John the Baptist of the Messiah present with them. In their dullness they saw no history being made within their generation. The Son of God stood before them and they knew Him not!  Ephesians 5:6 Let no one deceive you with empty words for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not be partakers with them. Hell is a real & those who are bound to that place have a fierce & hostile character toward those who have the image of God. Those held in justice, that righteousness of a holy God find faith their lifeline & the character points to Jesus, wisdom of great light leading us who believe & choose to be wise in Him!

People on what is considered the  "left" want you to love what they love, but is wrong in every way. They want you to kneel to their likes and plans. Yet, God is moving and He is always working. He reveals Himself daily and are we seeing Him in this hour? Warning going out about tsunamis and great earthquakes are on the horizon here on the west coast, and who is awake for such an event? There is a ring of fire in the Pacific Ocean ramping up for something big, there is a multitude raising voices about people recruited for "rapid response" teams all designed to swarm I.C.E. and  there are more grocery stores who are having less on their shelves. Ready or not, your character will be seen and heard! What a "poor woman" on commercial spoke: " she spent all one hundred dollars on her groceries  for family. Well, I can tell you here in this area, a couple can spend almost $500. Not sure what planet she is on but she is not being truthful.

That character you have or have lack of is about to be revealed!

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Diamonds are Forever or How About Amethyst

Amethyst

Isaiah 54:9-17
9 For this is as the waters of Noah unto me: for as I have sworn that the waters of Noah should no more go over the earth; so have I sworn that I would not be wroth with thee, nor rebuke thee.

10 For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the LORD that hath mercy on thee.

11 O thou afflicted, tossed with tempest, and not comforted, behold, I will lay thy stones with fair colours, and lay thy foundations with sapphires.

12 And I will make thy windows of agates, and thy gates of carbuncles, and all thy borders of pleasant stones.

13 And all thy children shall be taught of the LORD; and great shall be the peace of thy children.

14 In righteousness shalt thou be established: thou shalt be far from oppression; for thou shalt not fear: and from terror; for it shall not come near thee.

15 Behold, they shall surely gather together, but not by me: whosoever shall gather together against thee shall fall for thy sake.

16 Behold, I have created the smith that bloweth the coals in the fire, and that bringeth forth an instrument for his work; and I have created the waster to destroy.

17 No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.  KJV

Our being established in righteousness looks like a place of peace for our children. It is far from oppression with no "fear" in sight. Terror does not come near us for any who join as an assembly against the righteous will fall for our sake.
Anyone afflicted right now? Anyone not comforted? Being established in Jesus, we conform to Him and bear His image. It is in holiness, and being obedient to God that we abide in Him. It is clinging to every word He has spoken to us.

He said" I will lay your stones with colorful gems: foundations with sapphires; pinnacles of rubies, your gates of crystal; walls of precious stones."
Beautiful!

Volcanic rock is where the "diamond" is found. The element is the simplest in composition and is known as carbon. What channels beneath the earth, this specific rock must travel, to get to the surface and be found "by man" is one that very few diamonds come through the obstacle course of hazards.

The quality goes in the stone to give that special cut, clarity, how many carats (?) and yes the color that dictates it's very price.

God must see the advantage to decorating with the beautiful stones. And He has given it in His word.

Malachi 3:16-18

16 Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name.

17 And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.

18 Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not.  KJV

Saw a story line recently on diamonds. And the man who had them did not want them cut. He wanted to retain them "for awhile" in their present condition straight from the depths of the earth. Those small milky stones made a horrific trip to be seen by man and picked up by man.

 To me, they appeared as just many pieces of dull rock. They appeared with a slight milky color, but I wondered what the brilliance would be for each one he held, when they would actually be cut for what they were purposed.

Yes, that shape, the clarity of color with no flaws, formed to a shape and then polished takes some time and skill to accomplish. In the hands of the Father, we start out as the stone from which was written about, really no shape or form. He skillfully shapes us by His word, produces the fire to remove the refuse and the polish us up to shine. That transformation begins with our hearts kneeling before Him. And each day after presents us the opportunity to stay committed to His hands and experience the life to come being polished for His glory.

Being the jewels in His hands is important indeed!

Will we willingly submit to Him and to His plan to become that light to shine for all to see?

Will we fall to our knees with a grateful heart and receive His words that will continually build us and grow us into that He purposed?

What is your status? Is there a jewel in you? Yes, of course there is! No one has been left out. All are welcome to come into His kingdom, to live by faith, have Jesus as Savior and Lord, and expect blessings daily from Him.

Philippians 1:6

6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: KJV

Philippians 3:20-21

20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:

21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.  KJV

Revelation 21:15-21

15 The angel who talked with me had a measuring rod of gold to measure the city, its gates and its walls. 16 The city was laid out like a square, as long as it was wide. He measured the city with the rod and found it to be 12,000 stadia in length, and as wide and high as it is long. 17 He measured its wall and it was 144 cubits thick, by man's measurement, which the angel was using. 18 The wall was made of jasper, and the city of pure gold, as pure as glass. 19 The foundations of the city walls were decorated with every kind of precious stone. The first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald, 20 the fifth sardonyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst.  21 The twelve gates were twelve pearls, each gate made of a single pearl. The great street of the city was of pure gold, like transparent glass. NIV

In the new Jerusalem, this city measures out to be a great city of great size. The wall was of jasper, the city of pure gold. The foundations of the city walls were decorated with every kind of precious stone. The first foundation was of jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony and the fourth is emerald.

But what captures my attention every time I read this: is of the 12 gates, each is of a single pearl. Now that is a big "pearl" sized up to be use as the gate. Then the street, the great street of the city was of pure gold, like transparent glass.

Beautiful!

I believe God wants us to be comfortable with "jewels". For He planned for us to live in a jeweled city, and to have that very status of the jewels that serves God Himself.

Philippians 3:20 in the Amplified states this: But we are citizens of the state (commonwealth, homeland) which is in heaven, and from it also we earnestly and patiently await [the coming of] the Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah) as Savior, 21 Who will "transform and fashion anew the body of our humiliation to conform to and be like the body of His glory and majesty, by exerting that power which enables Him even to subject everything to Himself.

Everyone who reads this needs to prepare to receive that "new body" when Jesus returns for us. The body we have will be replaced. And the new one will match our surroundings. It is of the glorious in Christ Jesus. The transformation of course will be supernatural when Jesus returns for His body the church. Being clothed in that glorious state will carry us forward with that which God had begun beforehand. It is the overcoming of this world and a holding on by faith for the new to come. For so many us, a diamond would not define who we are or what we look like right now. But staying with God and knowing Him as Jesus did, we obtain that which is given us by His love and mercy. We would do well to observe HIM and obey HIM!

Rejoice in Him, be glad for our redemption draws near.

I will be the one of about 29 or so years, dark brown hair and the glow of God's glory. How about you? It is never too late to start growing and embrace everything God has for you. Embrace true humility in Him, and conquer daily the works of the flesh, over come by the Blood of Jesus and the word of your testimony of what God your Father has done for you.

It is not over, abide in Him............and shine for His glory!

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SUCH AS I HAVE, I GIVE TO YOU

Acts 3:1-16
3:1 Now Peter and John went up together to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. 2 And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms from those who entered the temple; 3 who, seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, asked for alms. 4 And fixing his eyes on him, with John, Peter said, "Look at us." 5 So he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them. 6 Then Peter said, "Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk." 7 And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. 8 So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them--walking, leaping, and praising God. 9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God. 10 Then they knew that it was he who sat begging alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple; and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

11 Now as the lame man who was healed held on to Peter and John, all the people ran together to them in the porch which is called Solomon's, greatly amazed. 12 So when Peter saw it, he responded to the people: "Men of Israel, why do you marvel at this? Or why look so intently at us, as though by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk? 13 The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified His Servant Jesus, whom you delivered up and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let Him go. 14 But you denied the Holy One and the Just, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, 15 and killed the Prince of life, whom God raised from the dead, of which we are witnesses. 16 And His name, through faith in His name, has made this man strong, whom you see and know. Yes, the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.
NKJV

HEARD this awesome testimony by Joyce Meyers. And have thought about it here for days. And I thought on this scripture from Acts 3 about the lame man from birth asking alms.

First:

Joyce told how she was at the beginning of finding Jesus full on. She told of her desire of the
Bible studies in her home and how they grew. She told what her own life was like as she had been and lived. As we have heard her testimonies, and she has some awesome things to speak about God's goodness and love. We surely have heard them before in one or two of her conferences and seen those programs where she teaches and answers questions by those who are seeking God and His ways. Although I have never been to one of her conferences, I try not to miss some of her televised teachings. She diligently studied, did not go to any Bible College. God, the Holy Spirit taught her! Of this teaching, she told about the scripture and Noah and Abram.

She taught on the "Rainbow" and the "Circumcision".

Genesis 9:12-17

12 And God said, "This is the sign of the covenant I am making between me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all generations to come: 13 I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth. 14 Whenever I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds, 15 I will remember my covenant between me and you and all living creatures of every kind. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life. 16 Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth." 

17 So God said to Noah, "This is the sign of the covenant I have established between me and all life on the earth." 

NIV

Genesis 17:9-14

And God said to Abraham: "As for you, you shall keep My covenant, you and your descendants after you throughout their generations. 10 This is My covenant which you shall keep, between Me and you and your descendants after you: Every male child among you shall be circumcised; 11 and you shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskins, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between Me and you. 12 He who is eight days old among you shall be circumcised, every male child in your generations, he who is born in your house or bought with money from any foreigner who is not your descendant. 13 He who is born in your house and he who is bought with your money must be circumcised, and My covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant. 14 And the uncircumcised male child, who is not circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin, that person shall be cut off from his people; he has broken My covenant." 

NKJV

Second:

Joyce told about in the ministry God was building through her was a lot like the two examples you see here. She said she saw so many people getting the "Rainbow" and how she would hear their testimonies of how God was blessing them early on in "their" ministries. Yet, she was seeing in her own life the circumcision of the flesh. Yes, she certainly made people laugh and I was one of them, but boy, she was right on about the two things. For we certainly can see those who are the blessed so rapidly and the other is, "Let's take some flesh off of you, child!" Yikes!

In hearing her testimony, I too, thought on the part when she said she had attended no Seminary. I too have not attended any Seminary nor did I go to any Bible College. It is the Lord Who has taught me every step of the Way! And I went back to Acts 3...."such as I have, give I you, in the name of Jesus, rise up and Walk."

Yes, Peter and John are going up to the temple for prayer. And at this gate, a man had been laid. So any people who entered might see the lame man and give him alms. When this lame man saw Peter and John, he spoke. He asked a question. Although I am thinking he did not make eye contact with them, for Peter said, "Look at us." When the man had given attention to them, hope had risen in his heart, Peter spoke. And in the name of Jesus........he spoke and he took the man's hand to rise and walk. Of the witness of Jesus rising from the dead..........Peter gave a testimony of about the power was not of them or their own power, but was from and through Jesus to the lame man. Yes, faith that came through Jesus gave the lame man now wholeness........perfect soundness in the presence of all people present in that place. Jesus who was denied and disowned by those He came for, had continued to raise people up from their weakened state, from that which brings one captive to sickness, weakness, lameness and the broken. It was in that which was strengthened to be used as God intended.

Look on us.........Look on what we speak...........in the Name of Jesus.....that Authority still continued. That power from on high still availed and was seen in those who believed on the name, were open to receiving that which was of the unseen, and gained strength and healing. Silver and gold would not help other than for a short time, but God was wanting the whole man healed and back to living life as was intended. 

In reading this time and again, I always wonder how many people just walked on by him, never giving him any attention, just walking by and maybe flipping some coin in the cup or container to hold the "handouts" given him. What he gave attention to when asked, he got an answer. 

When needing something, and asking alms, he got what he asked for. But what if God desires our attention for something greater, something bigger?

What if God desires to bring us up from that which is lameness to us and to what He is desiring to do? What if we stop looking down at the circumstances, and say, "yes Lord, I know of this rut I am in, this____________, but I would like to rise out of it. Today I give you all my attention to not be lame anymore and not stay in this rut that has caused a lameness in me not moving forward with life. I too would like to bring people to gather much like the "lame" man when he attached himself to them by holding on...........to give glory to God, to give praise and jump for joy." "That is the way I want to live my life, Lord!"

In what we see like in Noah, he spent a some 60 or 70 years building an ark for safety to those who believed. In the end, they saw the "Rainbow" in the sky. What a site, to come through hearing all the unbelief and probably cursing and joking against Noah and his family. Then to see the flood take the life of people and animals and then see the amount of time for the flood waters to recede. Still their focus, had to be one when "will we get off this ark?"

I remember traveling many times with our daughter. She had gone with me to visit family on the East Coast. And in one fall time of year, we flew. It was good going, and we had good visit, but on the way back, I could see she was ready to do something else. And flying at 36,000 feet does not give you much choice of the things to do on an airplane. So when we were flying over the "badlands" of the Dakotas, she was ready to disembark.  She was ready to jump with a parachute of course. But I told her I could not do that, for the "badlands" get too much snow and severe cold. "No thanks, I will continue on here."

So she would walk the aisle. She would stand awhile, watch a movie for a little bit, and then walk the aisle again. Yes, she was done!

The family of Noah had to keep watch for the first sign of life after the waters started to recede.

As for Abram, well, he had to leave the family. Yes he had to leave Haran. He had to repent of dead works, could not worship idols and follow God only. In his quest to follow God, he found a lot of hardship, and that which so many couples desire: children. In his journey of life, he kept that hope alive. But to keep that hope alive he had to see it. Our eyes can truly see, but they have no voice. Abram and his wife came to that place. In living in that tent, that place could isolate one indeed, but it had no real fortress of walls, but could confine only by shutting everything else out.

That which came to Abram we read in Genesis 15. In verse 1 we begin..........and see that in a vision we were told, "Do not fear, Abram, I am a shield to you; your reward shall be very great."

In lamenting toward God, Abram said, "O Lord God, what will You give me, since I am childless and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?" And Abram said, "Since You have given no offspring to me, the one born in my house is my heir."

In the Amplified it reads like this: verse 4 And behold, the word of the Lord came to him, saying, This man shall not be your heir, but he who shall come from your own body shall be your heir. 5. And He brought him outside [his tent into the starlight] and said, Look now toward the heavens and count the stars---if you are able to number them. Then He said to him, So shall your descendants be. "[Hebrews 11:12] 6 And he [Abram] believed in (trusted in, relied on, remained steadfast to ) the Lord, and He counted it to him as righteousness (right standing with God) [Romans 4:3, 18-22; Galatians 3:6, James 2:23] 7 And He said to him, I am the [same] Lord, Who brought you out of Ur of the Chaldees to give you this land as an inheritance.

God got Abram outside the "tent" to take a look. And although his eyes could not see, yet the voice he heard was God speaking............look and count, and see............these are the number of your descendants.

We need to stop looking down at the same "stuff". We need to get out like our son-in-law does. Get out and look into the sky and watch for those things that orbit the earth and give that light that there is more going on than down here on these five blocks, two big cities, or even up and down the Columbia River. As our son-in-law points out to those satellites and the space station, we can see with our eyes that activity is going on outside our realm. We can see and speak..........give voice that what God has for us is above and beyond that of this earth. It is heaven on earth. It is life that was meant to glorify God and in all His awesome deeds.

Yes, circumcision must take place to remove that which does not need to be in our heart (in our soulish nature). Things must be removed from us that would hinder us. Taking our eyes off the situation and moving them to God give us the ability to move outside anything that might separate us from that which would be freedom for us, health to us, ministry and a testimony of faith that God is with us and He is for us! Move outside of you today. Move and look toward that which God has and is giving as a blessing.

We have great teachers like Joyce Meyer who can and will show us how to get that flesh under control. They have the testimony of faith that comes by hearing God and obeying. Allow the Holy Spirit to teach you today and move from that cup of lameness into God's great power for life!

Father, we pray in Jesus' name to not have any limitations . We pray to be set free from anything that might represent a closed tent, a closed door, to bring us to isolation. We saw this lame man who even thought that by being laid by the Gate called Beautiful was anything but beautiful to him. He had to give attention to that which was coming by way of life in the Name of Jesus Christ. Help us to see and not fall victim to that which would be blocking as to our walk and seeing the promises fulfilled for us.

 Grant to us to see with eyes and give voice to that which is life and power to us through Your Holy Spirit. Please help us to be renewed to that which was given to us in our youth. Help us to see that fear and doubt are of no help to us, Help us to see that we have been enabled to run as in our youth, that we are the awakened to the great miracles as we saw in the lame man and who Jesus our Lord and Savior has apprehended us to His life of love, attention to us, and His great desire for us to live a life of peace on earth as it is in Heaven.

Father, please bless teachers like Joyce Meyer. Give them continued strength to keep up that walk and race of life with expectations that You are not through with them or their lives. Help them and us as well to grow in the grace and knowledge of You Jesus. We have no future without You our Lord. Amen.

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

Rings of Gold

Proverbs 11:22..........22 As a ring of gold in a swine's snout,
So is a lovely woman who lacks discretion. NKJV

Without character....yes, a woman  without discretion is compared to a sow with a gold ring! But I found other things while looking over this passage and was intrigued and taught much about it.
Yikes, am I trying to impress someone by getting the "extra work " done? Do I think I am the only one who can do it? Have I forgotten who is God around here? Believe me, I am one who tried to control a whole family. You know the comings, the goings, the eating times, the trips out of town, the party times, the family gathering times, and oh yeah, even when everyone needed to sleep. I felt like the control tower for an airport. No, seriously, I wanted everything just right. You know the right clothes, the right hair-do, the right time, the right-weather! Seriously, Shelley, the right weather..............well, you get what I am saying. That is why it is SO IMPORTANT TO STAY IN THE WORD OF GOD!

In ....2 Peter 2:20-22.... 21 For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them. 22 But it has happened to them according to the true proverb: "A dog returns to his own vomit," and, "a sow, having washed, to her wallowing in the mire." NKJV
Wow, returning to the "old way" of doing things.............not good .........!
It is literally one who turns from the clean to the unclean, the one "without taste" [Taa'am (OT:2940)]....one without moral perception, without morals, running after lusts that are filthy. But I also found that is also the word translations as a meaning for "fool".

Again, is it possible that one would try to flaunt that, " I am really good at my job", or "writing", or "raising children", or "exercising to sport at size 4", or "climbing the corporate ladder"?
Is it possible when the plea comes for whatever kind of help, am I the "only one who can do the job"?
We certainly can see the importance of God's Word when we are raising our children, for we have a book to guide us and teach us in directing our children to life. And when we read in Proverbs, we find much about "the fool".

I also found this in :Proverbs 12:15...............15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes,

But he who heeds counsel is wise.  NKJV
Wow, right in "his own eyes"........
My daughter and I have had very little time together the last few weeks, for me, getting over "this fatigue thing" and she, well, a "a coughing thing".
Now we both are those who spend time in the word of God and prayer. We certainly have the "God of Glory" move on our behalf numerous times. But one thing is certain, and that is we need to heed the advice of the Holy Spirit when He says "to REST"!

We came to that "thought" over the weekend. We had a meal together and of course, it is always fun time with our grand-daughter. But from the time of our trip back East in the Fall, we took "No Time" to recover from such a long trip. And as you know your body will certainly tell you when it is time to stop and "do nothing"!  Right?
Well, long story made short, we both each had a choice. We could do things, the right way and in character with God and His grace or do things our way, and keep doing and doing and doing with no rest.
So, were we finding OUR counsel better than God's? I will let you be the judge!
Just like our children who should be raised in admonition of the Lord, we too, should continue to follow His plan for wholeness and goodness to us!
One thing is certain, we had a choice and chose the wrong way to walk. I tell you today to choose His plan that keeps you safe everyday. Just because someone needs you to go above and beyond today or tomorrow may not be in the best interest of you or your family or God's plan.
Keep in mind that we are always forgiven when we confess "being foolish" and thinking we know the best for ourselves.  There are many nice people out there in the world, and would love to have our help, but is it above and over the amount any sane person should try to do? Do we ask the Lord for His wisdom or do we like the stroke my fur kind of thing?
If we keep doing the same thing over and over, and the result is the same, then we should be asking, "Lord, what can I change today in my life that will help me do what You have asked me to do and not become weak in my body?" "Where Lord, am I missing the mark to write and pray and study Your Word and keep watch on my home and family as well?"
This is from my perspective and will different from yours. But "choose life" today!
Lord, I do not want to be like those who refuse to pay attention to You. Help me to turn my back on being stubborn. Help me to not make my heart like flint and refuse to listen to the words that You have sent by Your Holy Spirit. (Zechariah 7:11-12)

Father, today I thank You for Your grace to us. I am thankful for the Blood of Jesus shed at Calvary. I am thankful that I have a new day in YOU. I pray for all who read this and who feel that they have at times strayed from truth and YOUR guidance and chosen their own way to do something specific. Father, in Your Word, You define who is wise and understanding among us: the one who shows it by his good life, by deeds done in humility that comes from wisdom. (James 3:13) Deeds that follow You and by being disciplined to listen to instruction in being wise with our health. Today, I want to encourage others to follow YOU and choose life for their bodies. May they find "the security" that lies in knowing You KNOW the best for each of us. When our flesh rises up to make a "foolish" decision, may we quickly discern the threat of such deception and to walk in truth of what YOU show us to follow in righteous and peace. As Your eyes look into the inmost places of our hearts and minds today, please help us to allow YOU Almighty God to show us things we need to see and teach us how to be free from the attitude that we can do it ourselves. Create within us a clean heart and renew a steadfast spirit within us. Remind us daily Lord that we are "not to trust our feelings and emotions" for they make terrible masters. Thank YOU Lord for hearing and answering our prayer in Jesus' name. Amen.

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