Is There Horror in the Streets

Was reading an article written that contained Scripture and was:

1 John 4:20 If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? 21 And this commandment we have from Him; that he who loves God must love his brother also.

John was writing this to the “church’. And He saw it as critical to those that were living in his day. So how much "more" critical is it toward us who live today and in this hour? We are nearer to the end time than they were, and now each day reads like horrors! But we look for the return of Jesus Christ our hope!

Certainly one can view the newscast and some might give it and most will not. They do not want you to know the horror that resides in their streets. I wonder what they will do when a real pandemic arrives on their doorstep. For it surely will arrive to meet them since they talk daily for hours about it and its horrible harm on man. Even in years past like 2016 it was the Zika virus...yet there were not many cases and seemed to be within certain counties in Florida!

But back to love growing cold:

Matthew 24:12  NKJV   12  And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. In 2 Timothy 3:2 “men will be lovers of themselves”, and verse 3 “without self-control”, brutal….this appears daily. 

In the years I was growing up and still at home, the violence was months are even years apart and then when they occurred, it was disheartening to know we lived in a land where people had no compassion and were about terrorizing human beings. If we heard a report, it was overseas in some country far from what I knew up close and personal. Yet, in this day, violence is seen in “road rage” and to run a child down who is playing in his yard near a street with little traffic. Then suddenly, the child is left motionless on the side of a roadway.

When Jesus gave the word of lawlessness abounding and their love growing cold, it was talking of the descendants that would come after them. The love Jesus uses is agape, the God-kind of love and the spiritual love is only attainable by those who know God. Those as of the world do not know this kind of love. Romans 5:5 tells us of the love, that love of God is poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit. He the Holy Spirit was given to us in the New Birth.

So Jesus is warning His body of believers of the wickedness of the world that would increase to that end where the spiritual heat is in Jesus’ own people will grow dramatically colder in regard to that which would be occurring on earth.

 Is there horror in the streets or is it just the Signs of the Times: Matthew 24:3-10  NKJV Now as He sat on the mount of Olives the disciples came to him privately, saying, “Tell us when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming & of the end of the age?” 4 And Jesus answered & said to them: “Take heed that no one deceives you. 5 “For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,& will deceive many. 6”And you will hear of wars & rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.” 7 “For nation will rise against nation, & kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences & earthquakes in various places. 8 “All these are the beginning of sorrows. 9 “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation & kill you, & you will be hated 10 “And then many will be offended, will betray one another, & will hate one another.

 In this passage of   Matthew 24:10…points to hate that no love was found in their hearts.  1 John 2:19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us , they would have continued with us; but they went out that they might be made manifest, that none of them were of us. But you have an anointing from the Holy One, & you know all things.

Matthew 24:11-14  NKJV  11 Then many false prophets will rise up & deceive many, 12 And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. 13 but he who endures to the end shall be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, & the end will come.

2 Corinthians 6:14-18…..14 Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? 15 And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? 16 And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will dwell in them, and walk among them. I will be their God and they shall be My people. 17 Therefore come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean and I will receive you. 18I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the LORD Almighty.”

Matthew 21:42 Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures: “the stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. This was the LORD’S doing and it is marvelous in our eyes?” 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.

Rendering to the God the appropriate fruit;  Those who love and endure will always be expressing love always giving to the other’s good.   It gives Freely doing without expecting anything in return.  It is expressing an honor to one being helped and the Gospel will be preached as a “witness”!

 In this attitude of Growing Cold:   Jesus said for us to take heed that no one deceive us. "For many will come in My name saying, " I am the Christ and will deceive many.

Matthew 24:12 …. is not addressed to the people in the world at large but directly to Jesus' disciples and their spiritual descendants. Jesus uses the word agape for the love that grows cold. Such spiritual love, godly love, is unattainable by those driven by the spirit of this world.

Satan has no love. He is driven by me, myself and I.  Jesus, then, is warning His church that the wickedness of the world will increase to such an extent that it would sap the spiritual heat out of His own people, causing their love to grow cold.

   Major point: the  people within God’s church will love God  less & love each other less ....Matthew 24:11-13   11 Then many false prophets  will rise up & deceive many. 12 & because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. 13 But He who endures to the end shall be saved. Deterioration will occur!

 It will appear as a gradually moving off on the prayer time and study of God’s word. Interesting truth: back about 10 years ago, my friend Loretta and I searched for a Wednesday night service……..and many had moved their youth night to Wednesday and there was no time for the Adult service on Wednesday. We finally found  a Bible study at a church but of the 700 who attended, those attended only added up to about 20 people attending.

Yes, even ten years ago, the church seemed to be backing off the word of God for their "free time"!  Relaxing our relationship with God is not a good thing. It allows one to sin in haste……..and to repent……….maybe later!

Godly Love has to be seen in the Church:   2 John 1: 4-8  nkjv  I rejoiced greatly that I have some  of your children walking in truth, as we received commandment from the Father. 5 And now I plead with you, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment to you, but that which we have had from the beginning that we love one another. 6 This love,  that we walk. according to His commandments. This is the commandment that as you have heard from the beginning, you should walk in it. 7 for many deceivers have gone out into the world who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is a deceiver & an anti-christ. 8 Look to yourselves, that we (you) do not lose those things we worked for, but that we may receive a full reward

We are not to be swayed: false teaching contradicts the Bible.  Leaving the Bible is leaving God. John is saying that we are to be carrying forward the Name of Jesus Christ....and that we should have an active voice as we have our walk with Him.

Proverbs 29:2 reminds us of this: When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; but when a wicked man rules, the people groan.

The consequences proved people would groan……….but allowing a God-loving man to rule, we find peace and joy. Whether it is with us, with a spouse, with leaders who allow God to rule their leadership and then within our country!

1.   In our lives

2.   Within our homes

3.   In our communities and country

But there is a Rule that tends toward the narsacistic……..Paul writes of this in Acts 26:4-5: My manner of life from my youth, which was spent from the beginning among my own nation at Jerusalem, all the Jews know. They knew me from the first, if they were willing to testify, that according to the strictest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee.

Paul Names a Religion, Strict: The Super Righteous:   Super-righteousness is a beginning step into the super-strict sect!

Jesus described them with this: Matthew 23:21-24 He who swears by the temple, swears by it and by Him who dwells  in it. 22 And he who swears by heaven, swears by the throne of God and by Him who sits on it. 23 Woe to you, scribes & Pharisees, hypocrites!” For you pay tithe of mint & anise and cumin & have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice & mercy & faith. These you ought to have done without leaving the others undone. 24 Blind guides who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel!

 These Pharisees did not look inwardly. They were morally defiled!   These Pharisees took on themselves to make God strict and so added their own traditions to His laws! They taught their own doctrine!

The foul fruit of super-righteousness is pride: Solomon cautions strongly in Ecclesiastes 7: 7-10 Surely oppression and extortion make a wise man foolish, and a bribe destroys the understanding & judgment. 8 Better is the end of a thing than the beginning of it, & the patient in spirit better than the proud in spirit. 9 Do not be quick in spirit to be angry or vexed, for anger and vexation lodge in the bosom of fools. 10 Do not say, why were the old days better than these? For you do not inquire wisely concerning this.

 Pride destroys relationships, whether with God or man. The proud person demands attention & submission that can never be satisfied. That means one must be submitted to them, their time and to their trouble. It is the height of being self-centered. They are demanding, with displays in various degrees of narcissism.  Certainly it was their narcissism, that drove the Pharisees to their absolute end: not to recognize God in the flesh through His teachings

 They, like Satan, were always actively on the attack against Him. They were the successful: yes! By manipulating political and religious pressures to the extent that they, with the help of the Romans and Sadducees, put Him to death. 

 The Narcissistic  behavior will showboat their good works. It is a behavior that loves to be catered to, & not to serve anyone else; They much desire public praise and love to receive titles!   They are reliable but in that which is always looking down on others as inferiors ..

Remember Luke 18 of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector?..... Luke 18:11-13  NKJV  The Pharisee stood & prayed thus with himself, God I thank You that I am not like other men---extortion-ers, unjust, adulterers or even  as this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.’ 13 And the tax collector, standing afar oft would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!”

From Ecclesiastes 7:8 we find Solomon addressing the proud spirit. . 8 Better is the end of a thing than the beginning of it, & the patient in spirit better than the proud in spirit. 9 Do not be quick in spirit to be angry or vexed, for anger and vexation lodge in the bosom of fools.

For you and I can find ourselves looking back to yesteryear and placing it on Facebook. We might want to remind others of some great moment back then because we have none to post of this moment. So eagerly, we shift to yesterday. But in those moments are we planting life, that which relates to Christ or is it something else? 

We must find patience in today, for the proud and angry one will always choose to have their way! Yes, the one in anger can always point to that day when things did not go the way they had planned. And within that moment all points to that person not having patience but pride in themselves. But pride only teaches discontentment! Pride leads to a negative outlook on life! And the negative person will always gravitate toward other negative people. But patience teaches us to endure the day, and to endure the situations of unreasonable people. But the person of patience will always look toward the future always being brighter.

So the next time you see horror on your streets, whether road rage on I-5 or anywhere that someone has no patience with other drivers, or you hear of another life has been take by an armed person with no love for their neighbor, no but only discontented with his own life, he chooses to end the lives of others as he does his own. In truth, the discontented are empty without the life of God. And for those who knew God but have walked away because their love grew colder for their brethren, well it looks or appears as those desiring to have favor like the wicked do. But going after that kind of praise or glory is no glory at all. For those choosing the spotlight in the moment but only bringing shame to their name can only expect wrath that comes with that kind of living. Truly the Lord is our safe refuge. May you and I stay within the confines of His instructions in the word of truth. May we know that it came to us with great mercy and grace......so that we might be the example of His love to others of that great love indeed!

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The Orphan: The One WHO CAN FINISH STRONG!

John 14:18-21................18 I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.

19 "A little while longer and the world will see Me no more, but you will see Me. Because I live, you will live also. 20 At that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you. 21 He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him."    NKJV


Jesus mentions the orphan. in John 14, but we also see it in the Old Testament.
Lamentations 5:1-5......1 Remember, O LORD, what has happened to us; 
look, and see our disgrace. 
2 Our inheritance has been turned over to aliens, 
our homes to foreigners. 
3 We have become orphans and fatherless, 
our mothers like widows. 
4 We must buy the water we drink; 
our wood can be had only at a price. 
5 Those who pursue us are at our heels; 
we are weary and find no rest.  NIV

James 1:27..........27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. NIV

Psalm 25:16-18.............16 Turn Yourself to me, and have mercy on me,

For I am desolate and afflicted. 

17 The troubles of my heart have enlarged;

Bring me out of my distresses! 

18 Look on my affliction and my pain,

And forgive all my sins. 

NKJV

Many people today are voicing loudly their life of the desolate. Many have not seen the example of a "figure" to lead them with wisdom. Many today have been led by maybe a sibling or friend and most have been taken far from the place of being nurtured in love, but brought up in neglect, or left as in abandonment, and in deprivation of anything to sustain them to life. Love never enters the arena where they reside. These are they who are usually used in some way for another's gain.

These are the "orphans"!

This has come on my heart to write in the last few days. I was never left an orphan, but I met many who had been left to their own devices. I met many who had to fend for themselves, and I saw the mistakes they made by trying to be "grown up" when there was still so much of a child inside. One young lady who had failed a couple of years in school, desired to quit school and marry. I remember watching this game being played at our school one afternoon. It was a basketball practice being held outside and I remember sitting next to this young teen. Although she was some three years older than me, I liked her gentle spirit. She loved to talk and so did I.  I was in Jr. High and liked being that age and being in school.I loved "homework"!  But this one talked how she wanted to be married and take care of a home. I wondered, "does someone really like cleaning house and cooking food"? Remember I was in Jr. High. 

Today we are seeing many displaced people who desire living out on the streets and alley ways. Some got there by misfortune and others because they chose it. A friend of mine for some years, worked down in the Seattle area, and she saw this women one day with a shopping cart loaded down with all kinds of things. The Lord had told my friend to walk over and talk with her. Well, the first time, she said no to the Lord. But the next time, she went quickly with a willing heart.
I remember her take on the whole conversation. She said as she approached the woman, who was nicely dressed in Asian apparel. Her hair appeared nicely cared for and did not look like someone who lived on the street. My friend offered the lady some money and told her that "the Lord loved her". The woman told my friend that she liked living on the street as she did not want to work! My friend encouraged her in some way and walked away. She said she remembered turning back for a last look at the woman and felt sad for her.  She saw the Asian woman one more time on that street corner and then saw her no more. Today, when people get into a "fix" by either spending too much money, one spouse passes from sudden death or long illness, or a job is lost with no back-up savings, many people find there is no home to go back to as there was many decades ago. In decades past, If someone came upon hard times, the family came together and often times lived in the same house for years. It happened in the Dust Bowl era and crash of 1929. But today, there is no place to go to, and many have found they can draw a check from government and never have to work again. I wonder what will happen when the government stops sending those checks out?
Yet, there are those who need not a handout but a hand up......a lifting with encouragement and maybe rent for a month!

Many times a youth is thrown out of their home because of not obeying the rules of the house or they want something that the parent's see as detrimental to the youth's or teenagers whole being. It is important for us to be fruitful and produce a place where others will desire to come. People have no homes they were raised in to go back to, but what if there is A PLACE in God that we can be fruitful in and present to those who are wandering in the desolate area of life?

We are to value our children and grand-children and not throw them into the street to fend for themselves. But so many have been dealt a brutal blow by those that gave them life and are now these have grown into adults and are raising their own children. And that orphan mentality can certainly affect how we raise our "kids" if we are still experiencing this "orphan" image. 

God surely created us in His image and He desires good for us. He planned for us and when we would exist to accomplish His plan in the earth.

Genesis 1:26-28.........26 Then God said, "Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth." 27 So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. 28 Then God blessed them, and God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth." 

NKJV

Isaiah 40:18-20..........18 To whom then will you liken God?

Or what likeness will you compare to Him? 

19 The workman molds an image,

The goldsmith overspreads it with gold,

And the silversmith casts silver chains. 

20 Whoever is too impoverished for such a contribution 

Chooses a tree that will not rot;

He seeks for himself a skillful workman 

To prepare a carved image that will not totter. NKJV

What image have people followed? What god did they create for themselves to follow? Did they follow their own lusts to find defiance and death?  Did they follow those "voices" of destruction, those who use and throw away children? How about the little 5 year old who has no name, and was found dead in a trash bag in the harbor of a great city? How did we get to be a nation who cares not for their children? There is no other way to life other than Jesus. All others lead to destruction. Everything else is but a lie, and can be beautifully ornamented as we see from the scripture above. Those things of the world are not the real life God has for us. He has placed eternity in each of us and He desires us to know Him and spend quality time with Him.
Apart from God, we can only experience death.  

Matthew 5:48............48 Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.  NKJV

That perfection is in that perfect love seen in  1 John 4:18. His love is spoken throughout to us in that word written as the Bible. He speaks in truth to us and we grow more in Christ......that unrelenting pursuit was seen in Jesus and accomplished on the cross.

Those who walk those crooked paths are certainly found out. As we see from Proverbs 10:9......Proverbs 10:9...........9 The man of integrity walks securely,

but he who takes crooked paths will be found out.  NIV
Those who walk out their journey through other means than love for their neighbor end up in "bad places" and with not so good people!

 They are shown to be what they are........2 Timothy 3 :2-5.......2 People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4 treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God-- 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them. NIV 

We are seeing generation after generation,those who have no influence that leads to righteousness, but those who saw a parent die, and the other be a lover of themselves. We are seeing those who have been abandoned by another's own brutal behavior, lack of love, and displaying unforgiving hearts!

Those who truly follow their own passions find heartache, loss and loneliness. And those children who are left behind to fend for themselves wonder why "the parent" left them. They wonder why "the parent" chose alcohol or drugs or just chose to desert them. 

But Jesus said He would not leave us orphans. He said that He would come to us!

Psalm 25:16-21.............16 Turn to me and be gracious to me,

for I am lonely and afflicted. 

17 The troubles of my heart have multiplied;

free me from my anguish. 

18 Look upon my affliction and my distress 

and take away all my sins. 

19 See how my enemies have increased 

and how fiercely they hate me! 

20 Guard my life and rescue me;

let me not be put to shame,

for I take refuge in you. 

21 May integrity and uprightness protect me,

because my hope is in you.  NIV

Lately I have seen those who walk in integrity toward others and still seem to get the "shaft". They are sorely mistreated!  And these people feel abandoned by society themselves. They have been in "church" but not followed the true path of knowing God and what Jesus did for them.
The psalmist wrote in Psalm 25 and verse 20....that he desired God to guard his life.......rescue him for the person had sought God as His refuge. The person did not want to come to shame. (shame: an embarrassment of foolish behavior) The psalmist desired to be one of integrity and uprightness. He had directed his hope in God!

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

In prayer we are to fasten upon the names, the titles and attributes of God. As we confess, and spend time with those scriptures our faith in those names, title and attributes of Who God is strengthens our faith.

As the God of hope fills us with all joy and peace as we put our trust in Him, we overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

But God!  When we turn away from the world and look into God's instruction (the Bible) we find our path!

Can we  possibly nurture others in the God of hope? 
Can we influence them, with a Godly heritage and beckon them to God's holy word of repentance and life? Just because "maw" or "paw" went to the church for many years, does not make one a Christian. Following Jesus and the commands given to us, is the Way, the Truth and the Life! It is not following what religion speaks, but what is in your heart to things of God. If we direct people into fellowship of God and the Holy Spirit, we direct them into "freedom".
Then the "orphans" leave bondage and the drudgery of the negative lifestyle or traditions. As each of us spend time in this beautiful love letter, we become aware that we were and are truly loved by God! 

He has the answer! Our diet must change to the sustenance that will sustain us We must turn from that replaying that tune or hearing those voices of yesteryear that come to remind us that we were abandoned. We must tune out those lies that destroy and turn to truth that brings life to us. Our instruction must come from God and Him alone. We must join ourselves with the flock that follows Jesus as Lord and our Defender!

I have seen this in a young pastor who just found his calling a few years back. He is giving back of his talents and the gifts God has in him and he moves easily from neighborhoods to the market place.
And to those who might have had, even some Sunday school as youths and teens, you are still called of God to fill a place. If that one place within you seems void of life, now is the time to turn toward God and call on Him to fill that void by His Holy Spirit. I know I experienced it as well. I know it exists, but do not spend your years on the fruitless and lifeless things like I did, turn now and find that life God has for you and will direct you into.

If you are still facing that "orphan" attitude, then ask God what you need to hear and learn to leave the other behind. Ask God to lead you by His Spirit into that care of His loving kindness that will replenish the spirit, soul and body. Ask Him to show what instruction you need and to please send those instructors and teachers your way. Ask HIM to help you hear the voice of life unto life. Ask Him to show you those who are allowed to speak into your life.

Remind God that He created you for a purpose in His mind and ask Him what it is. Know that He is for you and not against you! 

Romans 8:31-35...........31 What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all-how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died-more than that, who was raised to life-is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?    NIV

Psalm 32:8-9.......8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;

I will guide you with My eye. 

9 Do not be like the horse or like the mule,

Which have no understanding,

Which must be harnessed with bit and bridle,

Else they will not come near you.  NKJV

When we allow God to have His way in our lives, we can "finish strong"........!

Proverbs 23:12    12 Apply your heart to instruction,

And your ears to words of knowledge.  NKJV

Proverbs 24:11   11 Deliver those who are drawn toward death,

And hold back those stumbling to the slaughter.  NKJV

Proverbs 5:1-2  .......   My son, pay attention to my wisdom;

Lend your ear to my understanding,

2 That you may preserve discretion,

And your lips may keep knowledge. NKJV

Psalm 42:8 ......   8 The LORD will command His loving-kindness in the daytime,

And in the night His song shall be with me--

A prayer to the God of my life. NKJV

Jesus sent His Spirit..........and it is renewing the face of the earth. For what Adam and Eve did in the Garden of Eden..........Jesus took all that sin and nailed it to the cross and through His body. The Comforter, the Helper has come!

John 14:25-31.......25 "These things I have spoken to you while being present with you. 26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. 28 You have heard Me say to you, 'I am going away and coming back to you.' If you loved Me, you would rejoice because I said, 'I am going to the Father,' for My Father is greater than I. 29 And now I have told you before it comes, that when it does come to pass, you may believe. 30 I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming, and he has nothing in Me. 31 But that the world may know that I love the Father, and as the Father gave Me commandment, so I do. NKJV

Let not the orphan attitude keep you away from the plan God has for you. Move forward to confess and rehearse those scriptures to remind you that God is still on the scene. He has not forgotten you or forsaken you.

  Today, apply your heart to instruction and your ears to words of knowledge. Pay attention to the wisdom of God and lend your to understanding that it may preserve discretion and your lips may keep knowledge.

Understand and know that Lord will not hear if we regard iniquity in our heart.   He desires us to forgive, forgive and forgive! He desires us to forgive others as He has forgiven us.

  For those who still sense they have that "orphan" attitude......please pray to the God of your life.

Today, I pray,................I recognize I have a Father You planned for me. I am loved. I may not know the extent of it yet, but YOU are for me! A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows are You God in Your holy dwelling. It is YOU Who has set the lonely in families and You lead forth the prisoners with singing. (Psalm 68:5-6)

Father God, make me strong and courageous.  I have read that the NAME OF THE LORD is a strong tower and the righteous run to it and are safe. (Prov. 18:10)......Help me not to be afraid or terrified because of anyone else, for You, the Lord my God, go with me; You will never leave me or forsake me. (Deut. 31:6)

Lord, how I thank YOU for the assurance that You will not reject Your people; You will never forsake Your inheritance. (Psalm 94:14)

Father, today, I bask and take comfort in Your promise that You will go before me and make the rough places smooth; You will shatter the gates of bronze and cut through their iron bars. (Psalm 107: 15-16) You will give me the treasures of darkness and hidden wealth (riches) of secret places, in order that I may know that it is You, the Lord, the God of Israel, who calls me by name. (Isaiah 45:2-3)

Father God, I ask You to lead me when I am blinded by ways I have not known. Help me to walk along the unexpected and unknown paths. Guide me into Your glorious Presence so that I can hear Your voice. Please,turn the darkness into light before me and make the rough places smooth.  I know You will not forsake me. ( Isaiah 42:16) I pray these things You will certainly do.

I receive You as my Father. Lead me into that You planned for me. Thank You  for  the Holy Spirit, whom the Father sent in Jesus' name, He will teach me all things, and bring to my remembrance all things that has been said to me of truth, in discipline, and guidance in YOUR holy word.  I thank YOU for Peace that YOU left with me, I will not let my heart be troubled, neither will I let it be afraid. 

 Amen and Amen.

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

What is in a Name?

Proverbs 30:4......4 Who has ascended into heaven, or descended?
Who has gathered the wind in His fists?
Who has bound the waters in a garment?
Who has established all the ends of the earth?
What is His name, and what is His Son's name,
If you know?  NKJV

Exodus 3:13-15...13 Moses said to God, "Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, 'The God of your fathers has sent me to you,' and they ask me, 'What is his name?' Then what shall I tell them?" 

14 God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: 'I AM has sent me to you.'" 

15 God also said to Moses, "Say to the Israelites, 'The LORD, the God of your fathers--the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob--has sent me to you.' This is my name forever, the name by which I am to be remembered from generation to generation.  NIV

What is in a name? One of the hardest and greatest times of our lives is naming a newborn child! It is filled with an almost anxious thought that one is taking a test to get the name just right! It was that way for us to name our daughter. We worked hard on coming up with just the right name. Her middle name was a cinch to get, but the first took some time. But when my husband spoke it out, we knew we had the name she would carry through life. They did not do the tests back then like they do today for finding out the health and sex of a child. Yet, I knew it was a girl. I planned her room and the things to have for her to wear! Every detail had to be just right for the homecoming of our first child.

In Exodus 3:15 it states that God said " Say to the Israelites.........'the LORD, THE GOD OF YOUR FATHERS---THE GOD OF ABRAHAM, THE GOD OF ISAAC, AND THE GOD OF JACOB---HAS SENT ME TO YOU.............'this is my name forever, the name by which I am to be remembered from generation to generation.' 

In the Bible we can find names of importance to those precious parents who named their children.

For Abraham and Sarah, his name was Isaac whose name meant "laughter". (Genesis 21:6)

When we think of Moses, his name meant the one "drawn out" of the water. (Exodus 2:10)

Matthew 1:21-25............21 And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins." 22 So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: 23 "Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel," which is translated, "God with us." 24 Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, 25 and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name JESUS. NKJV

A Son born of a virgin and "they will call His name Immanuel", "God is with us."

It was a moment in time for us that God came and joined Himself with us through His Son Jesus.
 In the scripture passage below we find the lineage from David all the way to Jesus. We find by going back into the Old Testament to study, we can find the things for which some had a reputation, a name that carried names like adultery, lust, murder, prostitute, etc.  Yet in all this, God used those who would become the lineage to bring forth the Consolation!

Matthew1:1-17.....1:1 The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham: 2 Abraham begot Isaac, Isaac begot Jacob, and Jacob begot Judah and his brothers. 3 Judah begot Perez and Zerah by Tamar, Perez begot Hezron, and Hezron begot Ram. 4 Ram begot Amminadab, Amminadab begot Nahshon, and Nahshon begot Salmon. 5 Salmon begot Boaz by Rahab, Boaz begot Obed by Ruth, Obed begot Jesse, 6 and Jesse begot David the king.

David the king begot Solomon by her who had been the wife of Uriah. 7 Solomon begot Rehoboam, Rehoboam begot Abijah, and Abijah begot Asa. 8 Asa begot Jehoshaphat, Jehoshaphat begot Joram, and Joram begot Uzziah. 9 Uzziah begot Jotham, Jotham begot Ahaz, and Ahaz begot Hezekiah. 10 Hezekiah begot Manasseh, Manasseh begot Amon, and Amon begot Josiah. 11 Josiah begot Jeconiah and his brothers about the time they were carried away to Babylon.

12 And after they were brought to Babylon, Jeconiah begot Shealtiel, and Shealtiel begot Zerubbabel. 13 Zerubbabel begot Abiud, Abiud begot Eliakim, and Eliakim begot Azor. 14 Azor begot Zadok, Zadok begot Achim, and Achim begot Eliud. 15 Eliud begot Eleazar, Eleazar begot Matthan, and Matthan begot Jacob. 16 And Jacob begot Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus who is called Christ. 17 So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations, from David until the captivity in Babylon are fourteen generations, and from the captivity in Babylon until the Christ are fourteen generations. NKJV

Yes, in the names like David, his son Solomon is listed for whom Bathssheba gave birth, for she had been the wife of Uriah. Then there was Tamar, a redeeming quality of a woman. Absolutely not! She is mentioned only twice in Genesis 38 and Matthew 1. Tamar was the extreme example of sexual immorality. Rahab was mentioned. She too had the name of prostitute tacked onto the "need to know" list. She told a lie to help God's people who came to spy out some land! And of course we have Ruth, who was the product of incest.

Some outcasts made this list of the" need to know"! For when Jesus came, He came for the world and not just a few men and women.  It was peace on earth toward men......that Jesus came!

In the New testament, we are shown the close relationship between names and their meaning. One such scripture is found in Acts 4:12, " For there is no other name under heaven by which we much be saved." 

It is in power that this proceeds from grace by God, not by blood of goats or sheep .....but..........by the One Holy Lamb of God that man can be saved.

In Philippians 2:9, scripture states, "God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name. By inheritance, Jesus obtained a more excellent name than the angels in Hebrews 1:4...... 4 having become so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they. NKJV

Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 2:19, that we as Christians, are those who name the name of the Lord and depart from their iniquity.

2 Timothy 2:18-19............. 19 Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: "The Lord knows those who are His," and, "Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity."NKJV

If you have had a job outside the home, you know there is always those who desire to add their name with those who are in "what is considered a high position" in that company! They will jockey their way through to try to have the same favor. I have seen it and know you probably have too! It is not only in the work place but can be in the church as well! Oh yes it can be done in church as well. Any place there is the opportunity for some to sit in the seat of the honored. But what are we attaching our name to that could turn out to be a problem and not a help to us?

When I was growing up and our family had moved to another area down south, I encountered a lot of that  ...." so you are one  of the..... name of family here?"

" Well, yes, I am one of the   name of family here!" would be my reply.

But I knew they meant those who specifically had this business in this country town we had just moved to at the time. Yes, they were all my family, like aunts and uncles and many cousins. And I love them, everyone the same today! But my father had  had his own business , too, and it certainly was different from the rest of the family business and yet,so many thought we were all the "happy family of .......name of family here."! When there is already something established like a business, even being a son, the middle one, can wreck havoc on family unity. My father wanted to do other things, like raise horses and race them!

After a couple of years of the "family thing" and all the jockeying to hold their positions...........many things changed and somehow we seemed separated from rest of the family, those with the very same name!  But in remembering this small mist moment of time I recall a scripture found in............Mark 3:31-35..................31 Then His brothers and His mother came, and standing outside they sent to Him, calling Him. 32 And a multitude was sitting around Him; and they said to Him, "Look, Your mother and Your brothers are outside seeking You." 33 But He answered them, saying, "Who is My mother, or My brothers?" 34 And He looked around in a circle at those who sat about Him, and said, "Here are My mother and My brothers! 35 For whoever does the will of God is My brother and My sister and mother." NKJV

This word guides us to be respectful of and governed by Jesus and...........not by any other person who might be named. It is important for us to honor those who have a fear of the Lord. For when we place honor on Him, we can see Him do great things. When we are in fellowship with the KING and His kindred, we maintain that place that is guarded by His word and His way of doing things!

I would rather have my name attached with "Emmanuel", " God with us"..........for He came from heaven to walk with man and bring an opportunity for us to have a fellowship with the Father and the Son...............Who has ascended into heaven, or descended?

Who has gathered the wind in His fists?
Who has bound the waters in a garment?
Who has established all the ends of the earth?
What is His name, and what is His Son's name,
If you know?

For when we have our name added to His Name, then we experience the wind that is gathered in His fists, and we see the One who actually bound the waters in a garment.
When we Know His Name and place it first in our lives, there is no devil in hell that can keep us from going the distance in the things of God!

John 3:13-21............. 13 No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man who is in heaven. 14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. 16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. 18 He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. 21 But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God." NKJV

What is in a Name? There is power and love in His name! He is truth, and life and resurrection.

Clearly when we attach our name to His and come to profess and confess the Word of truth, our deeds are clearly seen and they are done in God! We hold the promises, and see them manifest before our eyes. We can see our prayers make a difference in those who are of the"family of God"!

If I am found in Christ Jesus and am a part of His family, how am I treating those Jesus says should be our brothers and sisters according to Mark 3:31-35?

Father, thank You for grace. In seeing the genealogy so plainly displayed for us to read and remember, it is You who could use a sinner. The best part of this Lord is that we all are in Your family and look forward to eternity with You. In Jesus' name, help us to not skip over the "begats' in the Bible. They remind us of the importance of each person. I pray too that we would be men and women who would always operate in truth, for a lie will always be found out! Thank You today for Your love and acceptance, we readily receive Your grace to move forward in Your plan that includes the entire world. We pray for ourselves and others who may not have the same culture, the same color of skin or even the same language, but have the same God of glory. You are the Great "I am" in our midst. It is by Your great love that the Son of Your love came for us. By the grace of God and in light of His great mercy towards us...........help us to pray for those who have sinned against us and we are ever ready to forgive any trespass against us. Amen!

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

Leadership: A Challenge to Grow

Man, woman, or child all have the potential to continue to grow as leaders!
There are many called to leadership. It is apparent at times to see some kind of leadership in young children and how they will tell other children what to do and when to do it. But the leadership I write about is that which influences others. You may tell me that you are the President of the Women's Committee for such and such........and that means nothing to me. I will be more influenced by what problem you have solved for that committee or what you have accomplished to lead others by your influence.

A leader is faithful to what they have been given. A leader always looks out for the team!
Leadership always involves us being problem solvers.
Thinking of it as our assignment, we are called to solve someone else's problem.

As a leader for prayer meetings, I spend time searching scriptures, reading & studying, and praying for the Lord's plan for each meeting. My hours vary daily on the amount of time I spend, but I rarely go a day without searching the scriptures for something the Lord has given me in my thought process.
As I do, I prepare in praying over the Prayer Meeting and those attending. I pray and expect women to go away with a nugget from God's truth and to be encouraged to pray in their homes, on the job, in the car or in the quiet time with the Lord!
Like Jesus, our days can be very busy. He was teaching, traveling and also preaching. He had time to mentor those who wanted to learn. Jesus always went to the quiet place to spend time with His Father. Jesus, I believe, came away from that prayer time, being refreshed and rejuvenated. Jesus showed a diligence to continue to seek the Father for His plan and purpose for His life.

Leaders are those who walk in integrity. Jesus always spoke and did what He saw His Father speak and do. Those who truly desire your success will always deal with you in truth. If anyone does lie to you, understand that it may take weeks, months or years, but it will surface. We are told in Proverbs 28:13....that "he that covereth his sins shall not prosper."

Communication is always key to being a good leader. A leader will always reach out to others. Many times people stop trying to connect with others just because they have the fear of rejection. But our dream is greater than any rejection. When finding that fear thing appearing, it is time to find that one person who desires to grow. In our communicating with others, we should be looking for those who go beyond their own skill, talent and ask questions about why you do what you do!
Today, make a plan to communicate with others. Send them a note, or write an email and give them an encouragement. Make a plan to touch someone's life and make a difference. We may not know they are going through something, but it may be just the word, or scripture they need to make it through the day and actually see the Lord in you.

When thinking of a Leader, I always think of champions. When you think of world champion boxers, they spend much time with the opponent within a confined area. My dad loved boxing and when I was a child, we watched it every Saturday night. Wow, that takes me back! It was not till the Rocky movies came out that I saw the real life fights and battles of a boxer. Although this was a movie, I could see how the two things had to work together. One thing I saw was the discipline to exercise, and have the morning workouts plus hours of running. Ready to sign up for that program? A boxer has much to prepare for not only training his body, but to face the opponent. The boxer could not hurry his program. It was a step-by-step plan to get to participate in the championship event!
When our daughter and son-in-law were expecting their first baby a few years ago, our son-in-law called our daughter "the champion" and sometimes just "champ"! I really thought that was awesome and although some may think it unusual, I think how appropriate it was at the time. Our daughter was preparing herself for the birth of a baby. She prepared in excellence in eating the right foods, and exercise. She got her rest and she traveled less often to prepare for the birth. She showed passion and desire to see that this baby got the right start in life. She got the Bible on CD and such other teachings, so the baby could hear the Word of God. Even today, I think our grand-daughter knows God to sound a lot like Johnny Cash. Our daughter planned with passion that empowered her to go the distance. At birth time, and a C-section ordered, our daughter had no birth pains, although her body was registering birth pangs on the Dr.'s equipment, she felt no pain! Our daughter put out the honest effort to trust God and His Word. As she put forth to care for her unborn child, God went ahead of her to prepare the way with no pain for her to experience. Today, our grandchild is a few years older, and loves to sing worship to the Lord. She gathers with family to pray for others. From the day of conception, she was planned on and  today, her parents teach her daily how to lead!  She still hears her dad call her mom "Champ".I believe she has a good start, yes a good foundation, on that leadership program. I believe she will be a problem solver.

Leaders will know their opponent. They will know when to avoid conflict and when to address a situation. In conflict, the flaws are revealed, but in dealing with others, we always look for their potential. What has God placed in them? What is God's desire for them and especially if they truly love the Lord with all their heart?
Leaders will know when to confront and when to rise above those who are critical. When Jesus was being prepared for His crucifixion, He was silent. Matthew 26:63...states "but Jesus held His peace." Like Jesus, we would do well to refuse the critics.

Like Jesus, we as leaders are to teach others. Activate the gift in you and use it for the kingdom of God. It  is important that you mentor someone today. Teach your children, and find those who stand out in the crowd, who love the Lord, and would excel in the excellence of the Lord. Mentor and instruct a teenager, a friend, or an employee. Jesus was the Master Teacher! He needed NO microphone, but He taught. He motivated them to come out, He gave them instruction in relationships and how to lead others.
Spend time today and find those you can nurture in their vision. We can all grow and mature in leadership.
I was inspired by my son-in-law when he spoke the words of "champion" and I speak them to you today.
I call you out to mentor those God has placed around you.
Who are you encouraging and teaching today?
What are you doing to prepare someone to succeed?
Just like the lamp needs to be plugged in to the light the living room, you need to connect. Seize the day and create that connection............that causes someone else to succeed in leadership!

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

What is Your Dream?

I had first taught on this back in September of 2006. My question to those at that time and to you today: "What is the dream that was placed in your heart? When we open our eyes in the morning, and begin to speak, what is that which God planted in us to speak and to do?

I love to write and tell the stories of when I was a youth. When I came into the Word to really learn, I noticed I wanted to create cards, write out schedules in a style that looked more like a book! But I had such a desire to create and write. As I moved into ministering within the jail and Women's shelter, I grew in developing the teaching and how it was to flow. Many times I created what it would look like if it became a book! The more I spent time in prayer to God my Father and declaring His plan for my life, I began to see the shape of things to come in writing out the teachings I would give in Bible studies and Chapel services at the jail. Yes, I was on my way to creating. I love to preach and to teach, and my passion to write helps me to do both. My Father God weaves His Word in and through my life to make this tapestry of color and delight! I dare say, He does the same for you. As my husband puts it in his words: "it is the very depths of God's love and knowledge that helps you, Shelley, to create and paint the life giving messages and teachings."   Yes, I am a team member. My leader is the Lord Himself.  As He has purposed my life, He has a purpose for yours as well!

We find in Joshua 1:8-9....that," This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go."

When we open our mouth, it should be what we meditate on day and night from the scripture God has given through His holy Word. It does not say to meditate on what my aunt or your aunt said, or what the lady next door said,or what we read on Facebook, but this book of the Law shall not depart from my mouth. For when we follow instruction, our way is prosperous and we will have good success.

Do we keep that dream before us, and do we ask the Lord about what is in our heart? Or is it possible, we are thinking it will just fall into our lap? We cannot and should not be the one who makes no commitment to finding what God has placed in us.   Make a request today of the Lord.........find out what He has placed in you and given the desire that brings a joy and a song to your heart.


John 16:23-24.......23 And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you. 24 Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full. (NKJV)

Matthew 21:22., we are told that..".whatever things you ask in prayer, believing you will receive."

As we read in Joshua, we are to be strong and of good courage. We are not to be afraid nor dismayed for the LORD our God is with us wherever we go.  Where has the Lord ordered your steps? In Proverbs 20:24...it states, .." A man's steps are of the LORD; How then can a man understand his own way?  "

Trust God today! Make the commitment to find your gifting. Do something that relates to what you see and have that burning desire to do. Remember there may those who may try to stop you, and they may try to call you back to mediocrity, and ridicule you for trying a "new thing". It is important that you keep your focus. Keep the Lord and His word before you day and night. Meditate on the promises that you know are yours and stand firm!

If you find someone speaking ill of you, trying to manipulate you, or reel you back into an old routine, you must be determined to not stop. Make the concerted effort to keep moving forward, to learn and be taught by God Himself as He leads and instructs you by His Holy Spirit.   Remember, this is your life, and not a dress rehearsal! The Lord truly wants you to succeed. Today ask for that dream to come to reality. Open your mouth with faith in God and trust Him to show you the way in which to walk, receiving what He has given you from the foundation of the world.

Father, today, we pray for those who are still searching out that dream in their heart. As we believe for those who are devoted to You our God, we rejoice in knowing that You are there with them in this request for the dream to become a reality. We pray for the fire to burn toward that gift and they will see the desire grow to greater intensity. Father speak to them now on this matter. Declare what You have placed in their heart and may they move forward to see it come to pass.

Today, we know that You are for them, and will not leave them, but will guide them in peace, and love.  Forever, O LORD, Your word is settled in heaven. (Psalm 119:89)

Declare Your plan for them in and through this dream. Give them the vision to carry it forward for Your glory Lord. We thank You in advance of those mentors You send their way that will add zest to their lives. Yes we give unto You glory due Your name, We worship You in the beauty of holiness. (Psalm 30:4) We give thanks for the answer in Jesus' name. Amen.

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