Sons of Thunder

Voice of Prayer R Twiner

Mark 3:17  James the son of Zebedee and John  the brother of James to whom He gave the name Boanerges, that is "Sons of Thunder".

In reading Mark 3:13-21 a list of names is given. Accordingly they come in the order they are called. It is in the book of Mark that makes a “note” of James and John. He calls them Boanerges or “Sons of Thunder!

Why did He do that?

When my sister and I were young and still in grade school or elementary…but not in Junior High School, I called my sister “Sam”. No that is not her name, and she is not a guy, is not leaning toward being anything at all except what God has called her to be! There had been a show on T.V. called Bewitched and the husband called the wife Samantha but Sam for short. No, I do not remember watching that show for long. And no my sister’s name is not Samantha. She does not look like a Samantha. She has deep blue colored eyes that could penetrate through you. She also had a “ zeal for fun and in climbing trees”.

I am always thinking of when the Lord changes our names….and within this these men are “thunder”. Remembering Jacob’s name was changed to Israel! And so this story continues and names are changed as the Lord changes things and sets up kingdoms, and removes them as well.

I have looked for other scriptures, but alas have not found any that connect with this. So I turned to the commentaries and will continue to look for any scriptural basis for this change. And in regards to my sister, the name most likely represents a strength that comes only from God that is most profound in each of these men and my sister. Zeal will be seen and heard. And active for God will be seen and they will be heard.

Yet, I was the opposite of my sister I would say here. My mother called me the more “reserved” in nature and among people or even among my peers. Still I remember running, laughing and playing games outside with others when even at nine years of age, I thought I could outrun most boys but not my sister. I could not catch a ball as well as her, but certainly had her as my teacher!

And John, this Son of Thunder, would one day write REVELATIONS, the book of the Revelator Jesus Christ.  Well, that thunder is given and is heard. And within that book when opened, declares the most horrific time for mankind all due to sin. But the churches are revealed in Chapter 1-3. In chapter 4 the setting is of the throne of God and the Lamb and the scroll. In chapter 6 reveals the first seal opened and the white horse runs his course.

We are to hear what the Lord speaks and it is given by the Holy Spirit. Each church is given an urgent warning to hear “what the Spirit says”….chapter 2:3. In this is the prophecy given and bears witness to Jesus (Revelation 19:10) All genuine prophecy demands a response. “The Spirit and the bride say, "Come". Revelation 22:17

John relates “The Revelation of Jesus Christ.” Revelation 1:1

For the last book, a son of thunder wrote of the revelator and declares of that which is coming. Horrific indeed, yet there is a new Jerusalem coming, and the Bride of the Lamb will be there. (Revelation 21:9-21) And we will see the light of God’s presence in the place. (Revelation 21:22-27)

I desire to be there. I desire to that which is called the prophecy of Jesus Christ and to see His kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven.

May we be “sons of thunder” to declare the Lord’s soon return and the glorious life of living with Him for an eternity. May we fully share in His present and future victory as well as in the present and future marriage supper.

Lord thank You for making Your home in us to dwell in us as we dwell in  YOU! Revelation 21;22

To God be all the glory….

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Baptized with Fire

In Luke 3:16 we find this:  reading in Luke 3:14-20)
 15 Now as the people were in expectation, and all reasoned in their hearts about John, whether he was the Christ or not, 16 John answered, saying to all, "I indeed baptize you with water; but One mightier than I is coming, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 17 His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, and gather the wheat into His barn; but the chaff He will burn with unquenchable fire." 18 And with many other exhortations he preached to the people. 19 But Herod the tetrarch, being rebuked by him concerning Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, and for all the evils which Herod had done, 20 also added this, above all, that he shut John up in prison.   NKJV

With the Holy Spirit's help............that oil filling our spirit man every time we pray in Tongues, we then should reach for the Word of God.

Light came into the world. His name is Jesus.

John 1:1-5

1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. 4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. NKJV

light: 5316 NT: to show one's thoughts

 Every time we pray and fill to the brim, we bring the Word of God, that which is Jesus Christ, the anointed one with fire to light the oil of the Holy Spirit residing in us.

We were not left orphans, we have the Comforter that resides and comforts us, guide us, and teaches us of the day of Jesus return for His body of Believer's.

There is a wonderful invitation: it is going out.........and is recognized by those who would like to appear at the wedding of the Lamb. Those who pray in Tongues will know His soon arrival. They will choose to make themselves ready in that of fine linen, bright and clean, and read to wear.

Revelation 19:6-8

"Hallelujah! 

For our Lord God Almighty reigns. 

7 Let us rejoice and be glad 

and give him glory! 

For the wedding of the Lamb has come, 

and his bride has made herself ready. 

8 Fine linen, bright and clean, 

was given her to wear." 

NIV

Praying allows Him to have His way in our lives. Praying is staying close to the fire that brings light and influence of Him who went before us. He is the Way, Truth and the Life. No one gets to the Father except through Jesus. 

John 14:5-6

 6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.  NKJV

John 16:15

15 All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will take from what is mine and make it known to you. NIV

That which is ours is our inheritance. It is made known to us by the Holy Spirit. Desire that earnest gift. Desire and covet that which the Father has given to us through His Son and the Holy Spirit oversees that plan. Our purpose is revealed every time we pray. Praying in Tongues bypasses our mind, will and emotions and creates this energy of fire to propel us into our future purposed by God Himself. The great exchange has occurred if you have Jesus as Lord.

Do not despise the gifts of the Holy Spirit. You are to steward that which He has placed in you. It is not a big "super secret". It is mysteries declared to us when we pray long lengths in Tongues. Pray to receive that if you do not operate in it. Desire God to pray through you and then see His best revealed before your very eyes.

To God be the glory. Amen.

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WELCOMING THE STRANGE!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

TLB

Jonah 2:10

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Matthew 3:4-12

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

NKJV

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

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

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

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

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

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

Yes, it was about "fire".

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

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

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

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

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


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

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

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

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A Refreshing: From Rain Swept Storms to Cloudless Days

2 Samuel 23:2-4.............2 "The Spirit of the LORD spoke by me,
And His word was on my tongue.
3 The God of Israel said,
The Rock of Israel spoke to me:
'He who rules over men must be just,
Ruling in the fear of God. 
4 And he shall be like the light of the morning when the sun rises,
A morning without clouds,
Like the tender grass springing out of the earth,
By clear shining after rain.'   NKJV

Is there nothing else like a refreshing rain on a hot summer day? Is there nothing as beautiful as the scents that fill your nose when walking out of doors after a sudden and wind swept rain that washes the dust away and causes the scents of plants, flowers and trees to take a  new life of green, a new exotic smell to fill the nose with oils of beauty and to leave the place before our eyes looking better than before the torrential rain came to wash away the dust?

Should not we add to others in the same way? Should we not be a "breath of fresh air" and speak life to them? 

In reading scripture this morning, I was taken back to another period in my life when I arose early with the sun. My parents generally were up before the sun rose. I was close behind in that I loved watching the horses in the corral in the early dawn. I watched how they came bringing a zest for their love to not only eat, but to run the sum of ground that kept them within a boundary for safety but still enough room to run and romp as a horse will do! They certainly entertained me as I ate breakfast before school and I looked forward to the afternoon when they would get their alfalfa hay (that is like dark chocolate to you and me). 

The sun would rise with no cloud to hinder it from our sight! The day would bring warm breezes and scents of honeysuckle to the nose, but it was the rain washed air that seem to change the whole scene of life before our eyes. We could certainly think we could hear the grass grow from a wild wind and rain swept afternoon of dark looming clouds, spectacular lightning show and the timely sounds of the booms of thunder as the storm moved overheard to another town, move to another pasture, and to another time.

Our family was out yesterday to eat a meal with us and they were talking of the opportunity to minister to another family not from the area from the night before at church. They were disappointed in that the time needed to minister was not available to do that one thing! And I thought how important sometimes it is to just stop and enjoy. Sometimes it is a great deal better to stop the "just doing stuff" and take account of the cost when we have the opportunity to minister to others especially those "not from our church", " not from our community," and "not the one who speaks good English". Now our son-in-law had some great ideas about being prepared for the next time. But I also was taken to another time at this same church of another family being ministered to a year ago and how history was repeating itself again in another family who is not from this area. When those times come and we see a new face, do we ask how the Lord will WANT US minister to them, and take in account that God is bigger and greater than any agenda to a service going on at the time?

Just a thought! And I think we need to take everything in account and work these out before the "visitor" shows up at the door, right? For it does not matter if you have a title, or is it just you, does not matter if you have a church or just a Bible study, and it does not matter if you are a youth or an elder person, we should consider when a "guest" comes, when the "leper" comes and needs healing and wholeness, right? So my son-in-law gave me some food for thought you might say.

The scripture above in 2 Samuel 23:2-4, was written by David. In truth it was his last words before he passed!

Do we want to keep doing the right thing but out of order? Like I wrote above, I take this to heart not for others but for me. Because we certainly can learn from mistakes made by others. But I truly want to be on the cutting edge, as I am certain you are too, and see the miraculous of God, not only for my life but for others as well.

In effect, ruling our hearts determines what and how we will minister to others. If I keep to my plan (yikes) problems will arise, but if I continue to look into God and His plan, I will not fail. But it has to be true to what God wants and how He wants it done to have that victory!

When we think of what David had on his mind,  in the last hours of his life, was that even though his family was having some big issues, BUT David knew that the Messiah was coming. He was on His Way to bringing a covenant that would stand firm. With a comfort ensured by the COMING ONE, David rested in a hope of knowing the gates of hell shall never prevail against his house.

So when someone comes to "our door" of the church, do we send them off with what they "needed" or what we "think" they needed?

Are we allowing the Holy Spirit the freedom to truly have His way in our lives, in our homes and in services within a church service or even a prayer meeting or Bible study?

Am I ruling as I see "fit" or am I allowing the Holy Spirit with resurrection power loosed in the "place" to see the miraculous done? It is the "light" of His Word that will dispel darkness, but we also must choose to stop "religiosity" and doing what we did a year ago! 

When we take into account when Jesus walked on earth, I never saw anything repeated! I never saw it written that Jesus said, "well we did it this way last year, let's do that again....." "surely it would work again"................NO, He never said or did anything like that at all!
People were healed, the blind could see, and the lame could walk. People were running up to HIM to receive what they asked for and in return they followed and some praised like the leper from the ten who were cleansed. But the one leper walked away whole for he had returned to give praise and thanks for his healing.

When Jesus came, He came to set up His kingdom. In the case of the John the Baptist, John was born of the "old covenant " as was Jesus. But Jesus came to do away with "religiosity" and to set up a kingdom that is born of a love of the Father to the child and the child to the Father.

John the Baptist was the last of the old testament prophets. John certainly had to decrease as Jesus increased because Jesus was showing the "new" which had come. It was time for the new man "birth". Religion was being done away with and it was time for the new thing. RELATIONSHIP!

John was expecting like the "others" a conquering Messiah. But we know Jesus had to suffer at the hands of others, and experience the cross to be the sacrifice the world needed to be "saved". John probably had the thought that the kingdom would take over and he would be free to live as he had before being thrown in prison. But this was no "temporal" Messianic kingdom.

Jesus called John a "shining light"........in John 5:35. He called him "more than a prophet" in Matthew 11:9. He gave John worth that was no doubt under the old covenant. Jesus submitted Himself to receiving the step OF being baptized in water. And we know that submitting to this baptism was the symbol that Christian discipleship would begin. And discipleship is so important to all of us!

Certainly we see John as the forerunner of Jesus in ministry and of the message. But we can in truth of it  see it in John's death as well. Being put in prison can certainly put one in a disillusioned state. And that is what happened to John. Determined to preach righteousness and putting those in high positions on warning that greed was bad, he demonstrated that the people of that day were needing a moral regeneration. His words directed to them to seek their purging and express a voice to repentance of demonstrating nothing less than righteousness.

So why do I write all this.............John was preparing Israel to meet their God! He said, " Prepare the way of the Lord, make His paths straight" (Mark 1:3). John knew who was to come after him who would baptize in fire and Spirit (Mark 1:7-8). John was a forerunner to the Mightier one, and it was dawning in Jesus Christ!

In any "thing' we call church or prayer meeting or Bible study, we should consistently ask the Leading of the HOLY Spirit and know His plan for that day. We know not what people may show up at the door and need a helping hand into the loving arms of a loving God. If we are repeating the same thing from last year, then we must ask what did we miss the first time around and be able to speak life, be a 'light" and send the people off in the glorious refreshing of the Lord.
So what if someone like that "leper" would come to a service, would we have time to see that he is taken care of or what?

The Apostle Paul tells us in his visit to Ephesus about 30 years after John's passing that he had found a group of John disciples.............

Acts 19:1-10......................19:1 And it happened, while Apollos was at Corinth, that Paul, having passed through the upper regions, came to Ephesus. And finding some disciples 2 he said to them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?" So they said to him, "We have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy Spirit." 3 And he said to them, "Into what then were you baptized?" So they said, "Into John's baptism." 4 Then Paul said, "John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus." 5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied. 7 Now the men were about twelve in all. 8 And he went into the synagogue and spoke boldly for three months, reasoning and persuading concerning the things of the kingdom of God. 9 But when some were hardened and did not believe, but spoke evil of the Way before the multitude, he departed from them and withdrew the disciples, reasoning daily in the school of Tyrannus. 10 And this continued for two years, so that all who dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.   NKJV

John's influence had continued long after his death. But Paul wrote many years later (60 years) and encouraged those still under John's baptism and authority that Jesus' superiority ranked higher and following His Lordship was necessary and vital.

John had to go willing, submitting to all he was to Jesus's authority and rule. For John certainly spoke of Jesus' coming, and when we submit and leave the flesh creature behind, we can see the move of God in many ways we did not expect!  John was silenced and Jesus went to the forefront. 

Will we allow the Holy Spirit the leading in whatever circumstance or situation that arises either in church, Bible studies or prayer meetings? Will we allow freedom to see the "light" of God move in darkness and bring us to the forefront to see people's lives actually changed for good? Should the "leper" come and expect something from God but we give them something else?

Do I know what part I am to participate in for God's glory? If I am scheduled to do something, am I prayed up and ready to do my part or am I running to find another leader and see "if I am scheduled"?
Have I consistently shown up for meetings when I am expected or do I just "blow them off"?
And for those leadership meetings, am I just showing up to show the pastors I am there or am I willing to participate to see things go forward and see change for everyone involved?
What if God is wanting to put out some new "voices" in the arena for "let's say"new converts, but the old voices are still being heard? "Let's do this again, it worked last year!"

The Kingdom of God has certainly come:

Luke 18:16-17............"Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. 17 Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it."   NKJV

Matthew 21:43-46..........43 "Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a nation bearing the fruits of it. 44 And whoever falls on this stone will be broken; but on whomever it falls, it will grind him to powder." 45 Now when the chief priests and Pharisees heard His parables, they perceived that He was speaking of them. 46 But when they sought to lay hands on Him, they feared the multitudes, because they took Him for a prophet. NKJV

1 Corinthians 4:20-21................20 For the kingdom of God is not in word but in power. 21 What do you want? Shall I come to you with a rod, or in love and a spirit of gentleness?  NKJV

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

Services in church are awesome and serve to bring us closer to God but they must be the part of communion that continues every day and not just on Saturday night or Sunday morning. And then what comes out, is there the chance and good opportunity to serve someone who may be new to area and is just passing through like the "leper"?

Or is it always a hard fast rule, the Easter day thing looks like this......or the Bible study has to look like this or the Prayer Meeting has to look like this .......and THEN fit it into a pattern that is not broken or changed in any way for the last 10 or 20 years? Is it a hard fast rule to do the "same 'ole thing" in light of the Holy Spirit and His presence or slide on through and do "our thing" thinking ................"well, God wants me to do this...........so"........I am doing this....!

Do we then become those who are reformed to the past things, hating instruction and especially "change"? Yikes!
Does the "doing" become more important than ministering to a "someone"..? Is it possible to set some extra time to minister to those who "might drop in" and be expecting them in our daily devotion time with God?
In our believing, are we open to, yes, the preaching of the Gospel, and yes, that others would want to attend, but also see that people coming are receiving as much in less time, being supported quickly and in a timely manner encouraged, spoken to as a real person and important, that produces to a harvest of fruit...........or we running with tongues hanging out and trying to play catch up with another leader because we have forgotten to check a schedule to see if we were scheduled to do our part.....for that specific day and service........?
Again, these are things I ask myself! For I have led Bible studies and Prayer Meetings and surely do not want to be in the Way when the Holy Spirit is wanting the freedom to move in someone's life!
When Paul saw those who continued to rally against the Way and the teaching...........he took those disciples.. who had received their baptism through John,......away to be established in a foundation of hearing the Gospel, and meeting together. Paul taught them of the authority in and through the Lord Jesus Christ.

Can families say they meet around the Word of God today? My husband and I meet around the Word every day. We talk the Word and finish the day with the Word of God and prayer.

Because like the scriptures above, the kingdom of God is in power, it is of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. It is coming as a child to receive that which God has freely given through grace to us! And are we seeing a harvest of fruit towards this end?
If not, then change is evident to have His power and joy in righteousness!


2 Corinthians 2:14-17.................14 Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. 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

If a storm has really come into lives, are we changed to see the fragrance of the new day, with a great light and the beauty that comes when we allow the Lord's way into every situation? Will we experience the beauty of the fragrance of Him in our lives and send it out to those who are perishing, or to those who are to live?

For the storms I have experienced in my life, I desire to stop wasting valuable time and seek to find those who need that encouraging word and be given a life transfused with energy to move in power of the Holy Spirit and see their lives changed in dramatic ways that proves God is on the scene and that we all stop playing religious games!

Father, You cause us to triumph in Christ. We are thankful that as the spring day or summer day brings rain and wind, the day clears to the bright and shining sun. We are thankful that we have the opportunity to be the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. We are thankful that we are the aroma of death leading to death and to still others we are the aroma of life leading to life. Today we are not peddling the word of God, but we speak and write in the sight of God in Christ.
Father, today it is YOU who gives to us understanding in all things. I pray for all who receive this word and pray that we would be those who are ready in season and out of season. I pray that we are watchful for those coming to see us in church, Bible studies and Prayer meetings. We desire to stand with YOU Lord and preach the Word fully and courageously sharing the Gospel message of grace. I pray that we stand therefore girding our waists with the truth having put on the breastplate of righteousness and having our feet shod with the Gospel of peace, and above all that we take the shield of faith with which we will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one and take the helmet of Salvation and Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God praying always with all prayer and supplication for all saints and for us that utterance be given us to open our mouths boldly, to make known the mystery of the Gospel. May we speak boldly as we ought to speak.

Father we know that discipline produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

Father, we thank you for good friends, a great family and good health. We pray for opportunities to pray for those at church and to pray for people here in our home. We look forward to opportunities to minister to the "leper" and those coming for the first "visit" at the Bible studies, Prayer Meetings and church too! We seek to encourage them face to face. You have not given us the spirit of fear, but you have given us power, love and a sound mind. We ask for ample time to minister to the new person coming to these things Lord!

We thank YOU for favor everywhere we go to minister, favor in the workplace and favor on the roadways and parking lots. We thank You Lord, and call upon You now asking that You would deliver us from anything that binds us from reaching and ministering to the "leper" and yes, the first time guest to any Bible study, Prayer Meeting or church service. Deliver us from these things that bind us to past things, and open our eyes to the new things. Help us to get out of religiosity and be confident You are watching over these important areas and that You have begun a good work in us and will complete it. Give us hope this day that change is coming to these areas we need help in and that it is for Your glory. Make us remember to be praising people, for we know that when we worship You, we gain clear understanding and our lives are transformed, and we receive power to live Your way. Help us to hear Your specific instructions concerning ministering to the "leper", the "new guest" or "1st time guest" at any Bible study, Prayer Meetings or church services and help us and enable us to obey those instructions. I pray that YOU continue to give us hearts that long to do Your will and may we enjoy the peace that can only come from living in total obedience to Your commands. Amen


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

LIVING LOUD FOR GOD

Living loud for God looks like David facing the Philistine giant Goliath!
Living loud for God brings us out of mediocrity and the position of the back row to the front and center to speak and proclaim the goodness of God!
This living loud for God cost some time with Him. It is more than attending a conference which connects us with others. This adventure looks like having some alone time with God. There is a price to pray to have that intimate time with God and hear Him speak.

Living loud for God means that we do not dismiss God when we leave a worship service on Saturday evening or Sunday morning.


Romans 5:5-11.......................5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.   6 For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. 10 For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. 11 And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation. NKJV

Even the scripture above declares to us that God demonstrated His own love toward us allowing Christ to die for us. Being justified by His blood, we were saved from wrath.

To me that sounds like rejoicing time. We being saved by His grace in His Son Jesus, are now reconciled to God and are joint-heirs with Jesus!

God demonstrated: He established it in Jesus.

He manifested it through the Cross and testified of it through His apostles.

He did not conceal it, hide it, or misrepresent it.

Romans  3:24-26.................24 being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, 26 to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. NKJV

Ephesians  2:19-22...........19 Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole building, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, 22 in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit. NKJV

John 1:14-18..........14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. 15 John bore witness of Him and cried out, saying, "This was He of whom I said, 'He who comes after me is preferred before me, for He was before me.' " 16 And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace. 17 For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 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

Romans 1:16-17...........16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith."  

NKJV

It was recorded for our benefit. It was the God of glory who demonstrated His righteousness through His acts of love in the gift of His Son Jesus! Jesus established the Cornerstone becoming the Chief in whom joins us together in Him for this dwelling place of God. In truth and grace, we have been added to the family of God. If we know that we are in Him, do we dismiss Him when through with a worship service or prayer meeting? Do we act like the world as soon as we leave a service, where we knew without a doubt God Himself showed up to be with us and to show He cares? Do we make for the door in a full run out of a service or building and act like we do not know Him?  Much like Peter, when Jesus asked them to pray in the Garden of Gethsemane, do we fall asleep during what is important time for prayer and word for us, and then find ourselves like "Peter" running from something that made us frightful, yes afraid?

 Are we trying to gather around others we do not know and warm ourselves with that which the world can relate to, but is far from us?  Peter was taken by John into the house area and when challenged by the maid,Peter showed his lack of compassion for Jesus. Even though Jesus was somewhere upstairs in front of  the High Priest, Peter did not want those who wanted to put Jesus to death to know that he, Peter, was counted as one of the Lord's disciples.  He now was with those who wanted to put Jesus on the Cross. Yes, there was a fire to warm them, but those who gathered around forgot the fire and just gathered to speak blasphemies against the Lord. ( you know birds of a feather will flock together) It was Peter who stood with those who denied the Christ. He stood with those servants who wanted to crucify Jesus!

 Are we found denying Jesus, just when we probably need Him the most in our lives?

The scriptures above are to show how Jesus was the Word manifested. It was His glory that they beheld. He was the only begotten of the Father who was full of grace and truth. Jesus came to establish Heaven on Earth...........Our Father, who in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come, Your will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven!

Righteousness came in the son of love! His name is:Isaiah 9:6-7.......................6 For unto us a Child is born,

Unto us a Son is given;

And the government will be upon His shoulder.

And His name will be called 

Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 

7 Of the increase of His government and peace 

There will be no end,

Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom,

To order it and establish it with judgment and justice 

From that time forward, even forever.

The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this. NKJV

He came with judgment and justice! Matthew 6:33-34......................33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. NKJV

Seek first the kingdom of God that Jesus came to establish. Seek His ways and thoughts and seek His righteousness and all these things shall be added to you. God knows what we need and it is His desire for us to put Him first before all things! 

Living loud for God is a step of faith. It says, "my trust  is in the Lord". We can be like David and run to face those giants and speak out loud, " I come to you in the name of the Lord."

God spoke loud and clear about His son and left many details for us to see in His word. Today, I have come to you in the name of the Lord to declare He is for you. When we show the enemy we do not fear, but trust the Lord to keep our backs, He is faithful to lead us through any trial or tribulation. God is faithful to His Word. Remember Peter got back on the right path and was found with the 120 praying in the upper room waiting for the gift of the Holy Spirit.

I pray for each and every one who reads this that they will be the bold.

Father, today I pray in Jesus' name for those who read this will be as bold as lions to declare truth that Jesus has come. His name is Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, the Everlasting Father and the Prince of Peace. Today Lord God, I pray for any man, woman or child who reads this to stay faithful to the Lord, for You are the Faithful One. We understand that we are to be righteous as You are righteous. Jesus thank You for the public demonstration of God's righteousness. As we are those who put our trust in You, we are not the righteous because of our inherent goodness, BUT we are righteous because of our identification by faith with You Jesus! Lord helps us to recognize and know that Your righteousness was imputed into us when we received You, Jesus as Lord of our lives. But we also must know that we are to be obedient just as Christ was to the Cross! Lord help us to be faithful to Your Word. Help us to be those who proclaim Your goodness to others. 

Lord, I also pray for those who have been silenced by the enemy either in their work place, home, or school. May they Lord know they hear YOU speak and tell them things that are to come by the Holy Spirit. Help those YOU love know that You are with them to declare God's peace, God's justice in a bad situation. And I ask that dreams be given to those who have been assailed by the enemy. When they dream Lord, show them that it is truth and "it will be fulfilled in their lifetime." Lord, You are are for us and YOU never let go! Help us that are in unbelief, and show us the path that grows brighter into the full light of day. Today I pray that each here will rejoice in hope, patient in tribulation and that they continue to be steadfast in prayer. You are the "Great I am" in our midst. Thank YOU Lord for the Word of God that prevails in our lives today in Jesus' mighty name. Amen.

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

Who is Speaking into Your Life?

Wherever you go today, you can hear so much music and conversation that the mixture is nothing but noise to the ears! Some malls have the sound of music from the time you enter the front entrance and seems to carry from store to store. But at times, there is so much of it, the noise seems to wrap around you making a simple conversation with your husband or friend impossible. When you have to shout to get the person next to you to hear you speak, then it is not worth having the conversation.

Being bombarded with all that noise is not a welcomed thing. If I find I must go to a mall, I always find the shortest distance from an entrance to the store I desire to shop in when looking for a specific item. Today's society seems to shout to get our attention on anything from buying a new car or pickup to a new washer & dryer. But it does not stop there! It goes on in the drive-through window arena, where they shout at you of the new deals they are offering on the early breakfast deal with coffee added.

But sincerely, who do we allow to speak into our lives?  What carries a weight into our listening when someone speaks? Do we have favor with them or do they really dislike us? What if that which they are speaking is not good, but evil and will hurt you or another person? Who is speaking to you?

In church recently, this young man we have known for a short time brought us this word the Lord had spoken for our pastors. That word was "inspire". I continue to hear that word and looked into its meanings in the Bible and in the dictionary.

to fill with an animating, quickening, or exalting influence, 

to produce or arouse (a feeling, thought, etc.):

to inspire confidence in others

to inspire someone with hope; to breathe in (air); to inhale

I believe when we look into the Word of God that has been given to inspire us, to gather us and strengthen us into God's bosom and His plan, we allow Him to speak and show us the "destiny" if you will and the way to get there.
I emboldened the words above that so remind me of the inspiration of God and His word. That quickening to live again with the life of God will be air in my lungs. That God-breathed word when spoken is life I am inhaling to be renewed and invigorated for His plan. It is His Word that is always producing in us the power to move forward and declare His goodness to others. God gives us hope in our darkest hours. Scripture tells us in Romans 15:13..........13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. NIV
As God fills us with all joy and peace as we trust in Him, we are those who overflow with hope by the power of His Holy Spirit. We have a joy unspeakable.
1 Peter 1:8............8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: KJV

Jeremiah 32:40-41...............40 I will make an everlasting covenant with them: I will never stop doing good to them, and I will inspire them to fear me, so that they will never turn away from me. 41 I will rejoice in doing them good and will assuredly plant them in this land with all my heart and soul.   NIV

What we allow our ears to hear, invades our hearts! Is what we are hearing, truthful, and helpful? Is it an "inspiring" word that will lift us out of the pit of miry clay or is it a vindictive word of harm and hate?

It was said that Augustine had a sign on his wall that read, " He who speaks evil of an absent man or woman is not welcome at this table."

Spending time with God allows us to hear truth and be moved by truth! If what we are hearing is that of violence, gossip and clamor, then our hearts are overtaken to those things.

I pray that we would be people who would continually seek out the Word that inspires us to "the greatness" God placed in us. I pray that we would become the man and woman who God planned to make a difference for the day and time we live it in. If not us, who, and if not now, when?

John 16:12-15................12 "I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. 13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. 14 He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you. 15 All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will take from what is mine and make it known to you. NIV

If you so allow me to speak into your life today, I pray that the God of glory would dwell in your heart by faith. I pray in Jesus' name that you would be inspired by the written word of God that is God-breathed and brings life to your mortal soul. I pray that you would be strengthened to rise out of mediocrity and soar the heights like an eagle and view the world as God our Father does. I pray that your ears are open to hear Him speak and even more than that...........you would see HIM speak............and know that which is life to you. Lord, thank YOU for revelation knowledge that helps us to see HIM who speaks and declares those things to come. May we ever be moving forward in YOUR plan for our lives, consumed by YOUR love and beauty and compelled to tell others of Your truth! Thank You Lord for this word and for Your precious Holy Spirit who tells us the things we must know. We will know all that YOU speak and receive it deep into our hearts and move in power to see Your kingdom on this earth. Amen.

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

       

Against All Odds

For women, who against all odds,will see the resurrection of family members to serve the Lord Who is faithful and true.
For women who may appear weak, may you be raised up by the power of almighty God.
Lord, be their stronghold today. May they dwell in the shadow of your wings. (Psalm 91:1-2) May they know You to be their rock, salvation and defense so that they will not be moved or shaken. (Psalm 62:6) Even though they may see strange and bad things happening all around, those things will not come near those who YOU guard and keep safe Lord.
Today, save them from all evil plans of the enemy. Preserve their going out and their coming in from this time forth and even forevermore. (Psalm 121:8)

For whatever is broken in our lives, Jesus is the answer.
Ask the Samaritan woman, and I am certain she could tell some you some things about what transpired that day! When Jesus asked her for a drink of water, her response was of racial prejudice. But Jesus' response to her was one of love. He knew all about her. He came to show her what her true heritage was. And it was a heritage which WAS to know the Gift of God! John 4:4-41

When Jesus shows up like He did for the Samaritan woman, He asked a question."Will you give me a drink?"
THE Living Water that satisfies asked the woman living full on in the natural being ruled by sense knowledge. We also know that which cares for the body as filling with water that came from the well will not satisfy! But that which comes from the Lord who is the way, the truth and the life will always satisfy us. That which is eternal, the Life-giving force, sets up a foundation to change everything in our lives for the good.
When Jesus comes into our lives, it is to fix the broken places in our lives. When Jesus comes, He repairs and makes us whole again.

When God reminds us of sin, He does it because He loves us. AS with the Samaritan woman, her life could be defined as the woman who had a string of unsuccessful relationships with men. She had kept looking for "the man" who could make her life "right"! Her life was broken and Jesus came to fix it!

It is not the natural that will help, It is not the world that will make us famous, or wealthy or wise. It is the God of Love who gave His son of Love to us. He sent His best so that we could partake of all the benefits His Son got for us on the cross! Jesus is the way, the truth and the life!

For those women who against all odds, see the unsuccessful or the broken, the expectancy should be in God Who is the faithful and always comes through our situation to see us made whole and healed.
Our focus should be on God and not some man or thing to make our life "right". Our Source is to be God. It makes a difference when we seek first the kingdom of God and all these things are added to us.........Matthew 6:33.

When Jesus finished talking to the Samaritan woman, she ran back in excitement to tell everyone in the town .................."Come see a man who told me all things that I ever did. Could this be the Christ?" verse 29

John 4:39-42
39 And many of the Samaritans of that city believed in Him because of the word of the woman who testified, "He told me all that I ever did." 40 So when the Samaritans had come to Him, they urged Him to stay with them; and He stayed there two days. 41 And many more believed because of His own word. 42 Then they said to the woman, "Now we believe, not because of what you said, for we ourselves have heard Him and we know that this is indeed the Christ, the Savior of the world."
NKJV

Let's give the Lord permission to fix our lives today. Let's ask Him to fix the broken and bind up wounds that need the attention of a Savior and Lord!

What needs fixing in your life? What is broken and must be put back together again?

As the Samaritans of that city, let's hear Him and know that He is indeed the Christ, the Savior of the world!

Father, in Jesus' name........we appear to stand against all odds, and need help much like the Samaritan woman. Today, we are seeking Your plan for our lives and will be receptive to receive the good You have for us.  We know the world holds no answer for us. Father, we ask to be able to see and recognize the good things YOU have for us today. We confess YOU today as Lord of our lives and say that strength and honor are our clothing. Please show us where to walk Your path of smoothness. Today I pray for each of us to have the continual voice of calling for things that God has given us by His promises that are not yet manifested. Thank YOU for those things YOU have given us that pertains to life and godliness. I pray that we see the life Jesus gave His life for.....and....may we grow up in the Lord Jesus Christ. And Lord help me to keep going when the daily life seems hard. May I be like Esther who gave her all to stand before the King.  And  may we speak like Mary did, "Be it unto me according to Your Word. " Amen.

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

Pleasing God

Pleasing God can look different to a lot of people! Pleasing God is walking in integrity, feeding on His faithfulness and trusting Him, when things may look rather bleak and ominous. Pleasing God may mean we greatly increase our giving over and above the tithe. Pleasing God may mean going to work part-time instead of full time! Pleasing God may mean staying home and raising the children instead of going after that degree that could bring into the home a substantial amount of income each month. Pleasing God may mean going to a foreign country and live for a year as a missionary.

Pleasing God is one who is:

• humble
• devoted
• faithful
• accepting God's word and plan

Pleasing God brings:

• security
• divine protection
• His presence
• praise to our lips
• the desires of our heart

We can look at Mary the mother of Jesus. She was the humble and the devoted. "Be it unto me, according to Your Word."

Lord, what YOU speak to me today, I will do........be it unto me! How many of us truly say that and everyday speak it and mean it..........., "be it unto to me according to Your Word!"

Although we know very little of Mary, we do know that she trusted in the Lord and trusted in what He gave her to do. Her heart was acceptable to the things of God. In knowing what He had given her to do meant some trouble for Mary. Will we truly accept God's radical plan for our lives? We know one thing for certain, Mary walked with the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords.

A radical life Mary accepted. She had a binding contract to a man named Joseph, but of which had not been consummated since it took a year for all to come to pass of this ceremony. But Mary would have the sign of a pregnancy proceeding to a child' s birth.

Mary's life defined a pure life of faith. Looking on her life today, I see her life as a praise to God. If Mary had any inhibitions, she did not let them show. She stayed faithful to the plan of God.

I had opportunity to minister this Word to a Women's Conference in October 2013 and it was on the Altar of Heritage, A Harvest in Prayer Living Love 360. It was how prayer and the vertical relationship had begun from David down to Mary and to Jesus, the Son of God!  The teaching was on people who were seekers of the face of God in His Word and in prayer.
On the topic of Mary of this one segment, we found Mary the highly favored one in Luke 1:28-33.
28....and having come in, the angel said to her, "rejoice highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!"  29 But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. 30 then the angel said to her, "do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God." 31"And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. 32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. 33 And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever. and of His kingdom, there will be no end. (NKJV)

Mary had a heart knowledge of God. She believed. She saw the fulfillment of all that was given to her in that Word.
We later find Mary, and she is attending a wedding in Cana of Galilee. John 2:1-5................On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee and the mother of Jesus was there. 2 Now both Jesus and His disciples were invited to the wedding ..3.And they ran out of wine, the mother of Jesus said to Him, "they have no wine." 4 Jesus said to her, "woman what does your concern have to do with me?" "MY hour has not yet come." 5 His mother said to the servants, "Whatever He says to you, do it!"

Knowing her son was from God, the highly favored one continued to look to God and participated with others to hear the teachings Jesus presented to the people. She was aware and kept the word that was spoken long ago, that her son would be great, and would be called the Son of the Highest and the Lord God would give Him the throne of His father David. Now when God tells you He will make "a"name for you, He will do it!
She was always revisiting the Word spoken, she was revisiting how she experienced His Word and had victory to bring forth a Son and not be put to shame.

No, she continued to flow with God as we see in John 19:25-27....Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and His mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26 When Jesus saw His mother and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, "woman, behold your son!" 27 then He said to the disciple, "behold your mother!" and from that hour that disciple took her to his own home. (NKJV)

Protection was what Mary experienced. God was keeping a place for Mary. Then we find Mary in Acts 1:13-14, Acts 2:4............and when they had entered,....the upper room where they were staying; Peter, James, John and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew; James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot; Judas the son of James. 14 these all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women , Mary the mother of Jesus and with his brothers..........................Acts 2:............4. and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the spirit gave them utterance. (NKJV)

Mary continued her walk with God. She gathered with the others in prayer and supplications to the Lord! It was in the upper room, they received the Holy Spirit. These men and women were those who were seekers of God and they were those who were endued with power from on high!

Pleasing God is a personal thing. It is a vertical relationship with God and to have confidence that He will fulfill all that He has spoken to our hearts.

Through her whole life Mary experienced God. She knew security, protection, His presence, and it brought praise to her lips. Her heart's desire: well,............ "Lord be it unto me according to Your word."
Mary, pleased God!

Holy Spirit, seal this Word on our hearts. As we make this continuous walk of staying close to You, may we be those men and women who hear YOU speak. Lord, we pray to be like Mary, who is never brought to shame. Lord, may we be those with a testimony of faith to believe and to put our trust in YOU alone! We are thankful for Mary, the example of the faithful, the devoted and the humble! Lord, we ask You to speak to us and declare Your plan and bring us teachers who will expand on Your words of truth concerning our pleasing You always. Our confidence is in You. Teach us and lead us in a smooth path. Deliver us today from those who speak evil against us, We expect and receive today Your goodness to us in the land of the living. We thank You ........our God, our Savior, 
Who is faithful and true. In Jesus' name. Amen

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