What? Another Poop Deposit

Saw this interesting video the other night about hummingbirds as we were interested in how and where they place their nests. We see many hummingbirds in this area, and the feeder is always very low or out of the nectar.
In this video we saw, the nest was only about the size of your 1/2 (cup) measuring tool for the dry items.
The woman recording the episode showed two newly living babies. They were not really anything to look at, but their size was so awesome. And she would record as much as she could each day on the growth of the two hummingbirds. As they began to grow, they could move but with no room other than the ledge of the the tiny nest, they each took a turn to move into the others former position. She showed their eating habits. There was also the moments they would excrete or make their poop deposit on the side of the nest but not in it. Seriously they had really no room at all to fit comfortably. Then as quickly as the black colored pebble looking object left their body from the rear, there  was a shot of excrement from their mouth. Not sure what that was all about, but did not think they were throwing up.
After the 24 days, one ventures to stand on the edge of the tiny nest, stretches his wings and flaps violently a couple times for the test, and swoosh he is off on his first adventure. She takes shots of him down in a flower bed, and then over to another higher place within just a few feet, then after another moment, he flies off.
The woman recording returns to the nest to watch and record the other little bird. Although this one is bigger in size, he seems more nervous about moving out of that tiny sanctuary. After several hours and high winds, he makes his attempt, and then flies away.
If you have seen one of those little birds, you can certainly appreciate the beauty that God captured in that little bird. The colors of their bodies are awesome. We have three different families of them here in this area. One we call "Green", one is "Red", and the other well, we mention that "Yellow" has returned. Each of them is a different size indeed!
My husband captured this little fellow with his camera here on this page about a week ago.

When we had first tuned in to the video, the "poop deposit" was the first thing I noticed. I was trying to figure out what it was and how it laid on the outside of the tiny nest. I could not imagine putting berries into their nest making, but was surprised when she had videoed the event happening.


The devil is always trying to make a "poop deposit" into their our lives. He surely thinks if we compromise, he will win. And I know in his thinking, he believes if he can get everyone to fall like he did, then God may perhaps change His mind and let the devil be.
Ah, but that is not what we read in the book of Revelation.



Colossians 2:18-23
18 Let no one cheat you of your reward, taking delight in false humility and worship of angels, intruding into those things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, 19 and not holding fast to the Head, from whom all the body, nourished and knit together by joints and ligaments, grows with the increase that is from God. 20 Therefore, if you died with Christ from the basic principles of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to regulations-- 21 Do not touch, do not taste, do not handle," 22 which all concern things which perish with the using--according to the commandments and doctrines of men? 23 These things indeed have an appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion, false humility, and neglect of the body, but are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh.  NKJV


Not holding fast to the Head, JESUS, from whom the whole body, nourished and knitted together by joints and ligaments, grows with the increase that is from God.

Therefore if you died with Christ from the basic principles of the world," why"........as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to regulations-- 21 Do not touch, do not taste, do not handle," 22 which all concern things which perish with the using--according to the commandments and doctrines of men? 23 These things indeed have an appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion, false humility, and neglect of the body, but are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh.  NKJV



Staying in that place "connected" to God, we grow with increase. We do not diminish when we stay with God!

In self-righteousness, one is bent toward the self-imposed religion (their own) they have a false humility and neglect the body ( the body of believer's) and are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh.

They can horde things. "Oh, I might need that for me."

But in receiving Jesus and standing with Him, we are the delivered from any yoke of bondage. We became free in Jesus. So any appointment from man will not stand, and is contrary to what God has purposed. Standing firm is adhering to him, and to trust in His Words of wisdom, not the wisdom of this world.

The true wisdom of Him always keeps to that given in the gospels. And it is the entire body subject to Jesus Christ.

From verse 23, there is no honor to satisfying the flesh creature. The only thing "the world" gives is to honor the flesh or to man's own pride.
It is seen from the Philip's translation that it is an asceticism practice. The word "asceticism is from the Greek...as to training or exercise in a life style. It also looks like the absence of worldly pleasures, seeking a spiritual one.
One teaching is:
They will go so far as to move into what many know as a "frugal lifestyle". And they turn to time concentrating on religion or spiritual matters. Some will stay in the "humble abode" to show they are frugal, but all the while carry on taking many things they love to their bosom. It is like for those who desire to sleep on a bed of nails. They are punishing themselves, because they know not God. For if they knew Him, they would know His love!

I always hear today, for those to be themselves! Yikes! If they are doing it in themselves. For without God we can do nothing. It is an everyday, moving forward with God and not a one time a week thing.
Heard this testimony of man ( a pastor ) today originally from Australia who was raised in church from an early age. His relatives and grandparents were as missionaries and pastors. He went through all the things he needed to lead others. And he said one day, after being married for a short time, he had gotten upset with his wife, in their bedroom, he literally picked her straight up with his hands and told her that she made him angry and then out of anger, he tossed her to the bed. Even while this was going on, he told God in the same breath how she had angered him. Yet, God told him, she did not give you the anger, you have anger in your heart. The man asked his wife for forgiveness and asked God to show him where he held anger in his heart. Today he lives in South America today. He has a church of 35 thousand people. And he has influence with many people of many nationalities.
Although raised in a Christian home, his heart issues had not been dealt with. And in some short time he learned and gained God's wisdom on that "anger" issue.
Wisdom of the world is false. It is not profitable to anyone or anything!
But being tuned into God and speaking His words into our lives, we gain His wisdom and not the world's. wisdom. If we refuse God and His teachings, then we choose to live in fantasy land. In that place there would be not brightness as the noonday. We are to go from glory to glory not from one tiny candle light to another similar light of same caliber. To me, that would be like those glow "Stick" lights on wrist bands or necklaces. They shine really pretty for a short while and then they fade away.
If we are chained into certain behavior, then we are choosing a life of the absurdity and many times in that of cruelty to others. God is mercy. His mercies are new everyday, but are we too busy to glean from those treasures He has for us to learn from and really live?

So living in Fantasy Land, one will have poop deposits within their own "land". Where they abide in themselves and call it religion, will be just that, "another religion" based on me, myself and I.
But to those who hear God's call, will certainly call others what God calls them. When applying God and His Word to our lives, He is our Shield. He is life and abundance. And it is that anointing to which we fulfill what He has asked us to do in this life right now. And if they be the "Teacher", the Deacon". "Evangelist" they will operate in that gifting like in the book of Acts! They flourish in that gifting God has placed in them. And to do anything else is contrary to what God purposed.

Our grand-daughter spent some time with us over the weekend. And she was helping to make some Oatmeal Scotchies. And when mixing the "sugars" together and adding the eggs, she mentioned she had the fruit of patience. So true when we abide in Jesus and His words. ( she is memorizing scripture and is doing really well)

Galatians 5:16-26
16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 24 And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another. NKJV

Jesus walked in the Spirit and did not fullfil the lust of the flesh. Being faithful is important to fulfilling what God has asked you or I to do for His kingdom. In His goodness, we remain in His peace, and we see where we need the extra work in our lives. It is to be a love walk with others. BUT like the passage reveals, those with the workings of the flesh toward sorcery, hatred, contentions and jealousies will create a provoking atmosphere. Those who "hate" never leave. They stay. They like to complain, but explain it away. They can become critical especially of those younger ones. They are intent of keeping their ground although God is not there with them. With contempt for others, they are allowing the devil to help them make another "poop deposit" in their land.

In the cities today, there are many crises going on. There are the homeless, those with mental issues walking the streets, and the young cast away like garbage. 
Nurturing is an important part of people growing up. In that respect, we are all growing, and are suppose to be changing from glory to glory. Everyone needs Jesus to live and flourish!

2 Corinthians 3:10-18

10 For even what was made glorious had no glory in this respect, because of the glory that excels. 11 For if what is passing away was glorious, what remains is much more glorious. 12 Therefore, since we have such hope, we use great boldness of speech-- 13 unlike Moses, who put a veil over his face so that the children of Israel could not look steadily at the end of what was passing away. 14 But their minds were blinded. For until this day the same veil remains unlifted in the reading of the Old Testament, because the veil is taken away in Christ. 15 But even to this day, when Moses is read, a veil lies on their heart. 16 Nevertheless when one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.  NKJV

Our liberty is in Jesus and through Jesus. It is not in Facebook or in man.

For our grand-daughter, she has so grown in the Lord to be the accomplished by the Holy Spirit. She is well on her way to mirroring the glory of the Lord as she is being transformed into that glory by the Spirit of the Lord. If we do not allow the Holy Spirit in, and ask for help in heart issues, then we live in fantasy land. Being nurtured by God Himself will bring a life of increase.

If it is in preaching, there is increase. If it is in writing, there should be increase. If in teaching others, it is seen as to be increasing in God. If you are challenged in a new job, God will increase you when you add Him to your day. If you are making a move, make sure God is in the equation of your life.
From Colossians 2:19...we are being nourished and knit together by joints and ligaments, grows with the increase that is from God.
If it is not increasing, move. If  you see you are in a place that is diminishing, that is not of God. For it is the devil who came to steal, kill and destroy, but Jesus came to give us life in abundance. There is no subtraction in HIS kingdom!

Move out of "poop deposit" land...heed God's wisdom and His warnings. If you are just looking for comfortable, "good luck in fantasy land" but if you really want to live as Jesus did, you will have ups and downs, but always rise in His strength, taking hold of His life to live for His kingdom that spells out victory every time. It is not over. but Jesus is returning soon. Let's keep looking up, and flourish in God. Amen.

Notice: 

The Voice of Prayer  has a new teaching published:

Waiting On The Master: The Reward of Service

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FaNOEL3e88Q

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

Painting Ourselves into a Corner

I bring to you the passage of Peter walking on the water.
Well, he almost walked or did he?
Matthew 14:22-33
22 Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away. 23 And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there. 24 But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary. 25 Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. 26 And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, "It is a ghost!" And they cried out for fear. 27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid." 28 And Peter answered Him and said, "Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water." 29 So He said, "Come." And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. 30 But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, "Lord, save me!" 31 And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" 32 And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. 33 Then those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him, saying, "Truly You are the Son of God."
NKJV

Have you ever thought of the answer Jesus gave to Peter? Knowing Jesus speaks truth, Jesus told Peter to "Come."

Jesus was asked by Peter....."Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water."

1. Peter asked "if" it is YOU...????

2. Peter told Jesus to COMMAND him

3. AND to come to Jesus on the water

If Jesus answered "NO" it was not Him......then no truth. Jesus told truth, but Peter the man wrapped up the whole water walking "thing" with COMMAND ME TO COME, AND TO COME TO JESUS ON THE WATER.

Problem? YES!

But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid."
Peter just knew Jesus as friend to friend but really had no one-to-one with Jesus. Jesus had just spoke ;"BE OF GOOD CHEER! IT IS I; DO NOT BE AFRAID."
But Peter did not recognize His voice!

Water walking was accomplished in Jesus. They saw him do it. Yet what background did they have at the time to do that. Yet, we never read of them walking on water at a later date!

We read of Philip having a transportation met by being transported from one location to another to minister to a eunuch of Queen Candace. 

We can certainly see people do things for God that we would love to do. But most can not move away from the T.V., , or the demands of a hard day at work, or the demanding spouse or the demanding kids or the marketplace where all connect for some sense to life.

Jesus found His peace and kept it. It is in God! It is found no other place. Painting ourselves into a corner is a BIG PROBLEM we must try to avoid. Jumping on the bandwagon to try to display something for God must be God's doing and not ours.

Peter failed, but he did it by putting God in a box. He desired to have Jesus say "YES" to all that was on Peter's heart to do in front of the guys. It had no real foundation under him to do that.

Jesus in the midst of turmoil and blustery winds was nothing to Peter. But when Peter experienced the wet beneath his feet, then something changed. Fear took over Peter and he sank in his own plan to walk on water.

Our walk is our choosing. God will not force us. We choose each day who will serve.

In the choice of this day; let us not choose to try water walking without reading the Word, spending time in prayer and praying and reaching those who need a hand up. Touching God's heart is foremost to water walking time with Him.

Doubt is a terrible thing. It is unbelief and it will steal from you. Just like a sickness, unbelief is not believing God or that His Word is true.

And it is true for all situations, not just the hard ones', the ones we think me might handle in the flesh, NO, truly our confidence is to be in God!

Jesus said, "Be of good cheer, it is I....do not be afraid..."

We must be able to recognize His voice. We must not follow "strangers". Many are doing just that today. Many are following the voice of "compromise". They are following the voice of "violence".

Set your heart and hearing on His Word and to hear His voice. Set your heart so when the waves are above you and splashing you in the face, you will say, I know in whom I have believed and I am persuaded that He is more than able to keep what I have committed to Him till that day.

2 Timothy 1:8-12

8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God, 9 who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began, 10 but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, 11 to which I was appointed a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. 12 For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day. 

NKJV

Stepping out of the boat has to be done when the Lord says "GO!" It is a good thing to do. But do it when You KNOW that You KNOW that You KNOW..that YOU KNOW THAT........you are going over, and not going under. Be persuaded and be the wise, speaking words that will build and encourage not drown you or cause you to live with frogs like Pharaoh did.
It takes a personal relationship with Jesus to know the "when" time begins!

Jesus does reach out His hand to save us when we make our daily walk with Him. He shows us light into the places He is directing us by His Holy Spirit.  But painting ourselves into a corner, certainly changes the rules and then limits us to the natural. Let's stay in the supernatural of our supernatural Father and see His will and His kingdom COME, into our lives. Amen.

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

www.godsgoodnessandlove.com

Notice:

The Voice of Prayer  has a new teaching published: Available 6/17/2016

The Promise of God"s Spirit In Us

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bBWQAa5cr9U

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

One Voice, One Loud, One Quiet and which Will We Hear?

John 12:27-31
Now My soul is troubled and distressed, and what shall I say? Father, save Me from this hour [of trial and agony]? But it was this very purpose that I have come to this hour [that I might undergo it]. 28 [Rather, I will say,] glorify (honor and extol)Your [own] name! Then there came a voice out of heaven saying, I have already glorified it, and I will glorify it again. 29 The crowd of bystanders heard the sound and said that it had thundered; others said, An angel has spoken to HIM! 30 This voice has not come for My sake, but for your sake. 31 Now the judgment (crisis) of this world is coming on [sentence is now being passed on this world]. Now the ruler (evil genius, prince) of this world shall be of this world shall be cast out (expelled).

This voice has not come for My sake, but for your sake!
This spoken word is spoken right now, because it was proof by the "Father" that Jesus was the sent one, the "Messiah".
When a voice speaks words that are a comfort to those around us.........and not just to confirm us, because God has sent us to speak to the broken, the sick, the lame and see change come.
Glorify Your name God......extol YOUR name, so those who hear will know that God is glorified in this "thing" that has occurred. It is not because of any greatness in any one man, but because of the glory of God!
It is the true witness. It is that which testifies of the holy and against the profane.
And they which heard, heard a sound.
Jesus prayed a prayer!
Some heard, just like in Acts 9:7.....and Acts 22:9...  .

Exodus 19:16-25
16 Then it came to pass on the third day, in the morning, that there were thunderings and lightnings, and a thick cloud on the mountain; and the sound of the trumpet was very loud, so that all the people who were in the camp trembled. 17 And Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet with God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain. 18 Now Mount Sinai was completely in smoke, because the LORD descended upon it in fire. Its smoke ascended like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain quaked greatly. 19 And when the blast of the trumpet sounded long and became louder and louder, Moses spoke, and God answered him by voice. 20 Then the LORD came down upon Mount Sinai, on the top of the mountain. And the LORD called Moses to the top of the mountain, and Moses went up. 21 And the LORD said to Moses, "Go down and warn the people, lest they break through to gaze at the LORD, and many of them perish. 22 Also let the priests who come near the LORD consecrate themselves, lest the LORD break out against them." 23 But Moses said to the LORD, "The people cannot come up to Mount Sinai; for You warned us, saying, 'Set bounds around the mountain and consecrate it.' " 24 Then the LORD said to him, "Away! Get down and then come up, you and Aaron with you. But do not let the priests and the people break through to come up to the LORD, lest He break out against them." 25 So Moses went down to the people and spoke to them.   NKJV

That blast of the trumpet was the VOICE OF GOD. And it came to warn. When there is a unison of many speaking the same words at the same time, can sound like a "loud trumpet" or even "many waters".

Ezekiel  1:22-28
22 The likeness of the firmament above the heads of the living creatures was like the color of an awesome crystal, stretched out over their heads. 23 And under the firmament their wings spread out straight, one toward another. Each one had two which covered one side, and each one had two which covered the other side of the body. 24 When they went, I heard the noise of their wings, like the noise of many waters, like the voice of the Almighty, a tumult like the noise of an army; and when they stood still, they let down their wings. 25 A voice came from above the firmament that was over their heads; whenever they stood, they let down their wings. 

26 And above the firmament over their heads was the likeness of a throne, in appearance like a sapphire stone; on the likeness of the throne was a likeness with the appearance of a man high above it. 27 Also from the appearance of His waist and upward I saw, as it were, the color of amber with the appearance of fire all around within it; and from the appearance of His waist and downward I saw, as it were, the appearance of fire with brightness all around. 28 Like the appearance of a rainbow in a cloud on a rainy day, so was the appearance of the brightness all around it. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD.

So when I saw it, I fell on my face, and I heard a voice of One speaking. NKJV

For many, even today, it is by some unusual way they hear about Jesus for "the first time". In the passage from John 12, we have already visited the passages where Lazarus is raised from the dead. And in all those "miracles" that transpired proved Him (Jesus) to be God's Will and Word. They were to provide proof that He was to see believer's as in John 2:23; John 4:48, and in John 11:42.

In demonstration of God's power:John 5:30;John 6:38, and Hebrews 10:7.
In was to also confirm His Son-ship.......in John 5:17-19, and John 5:30-36. See also in Acts 2:32.
It was also proving that the kingdom of God was 'present" in that moment........1 Corinthians 4:20.
We were also to see the work of the Holy Spirit and His power active and operating.... Luke 4:18; John 3:34; Acts 1:4-8


So when the Jews rejected Jesus and His Son-ship, they rejected God....AND......the Salvation came to the Gentile. And in that we find that those in that region, Philip and Andrew came from, was a region where many of the Greek heritage were receptive to Jesus' teachings and they became those who would follow Jesus and help take the word of the Gospel to others. These who stood by heard the "voice" from heaven and why? 

Because they knew Jesus and recognized it to be God speaking. From the Cross the world was judged and the enemy, the evil one, prince of this world was cast out. When the Lord shows up: 1. you will know Him by what He speaks ( out of the pastor, prophet, teacher who gives the word of God) 2. the voice will be of God and not man, 3 will glorify God and not man 4 will be given and ......without doubt others will see and know of that God has entered the situation, the room and He is excited to let everyone know! His Presence will be tangible in every way possible. And 5, when we leave, everyone in the room is "the comforted, " they are the supported", " they are the joyful", they are the fired up ones for God, and they move into their evening and week with a great outlook on their life that God is with them!


We can see at times when God spoke like to Elijah in the still small voice, and to others He gave the direct warning as the trumpet blast to others as we read in Exodus 19:16-25.
We can people be comforted by what we speak, what we give when reading that Holy Word.
Yes, when we think about the Triune God-head do we consider that 1/3 of that God-head resides on our hearts? Do we consider that the same God who raised Jesus from the dead, is the same who comforts us in our day, in our week, helps us make godly decisions each day?



 How do we obtain that relationship?
Well, I think of Kathryn Kuhlman, who was a mighty woman for God. She had an exceptional relationship with the 3rd head of the God -Head. His name is the Holy Spirit.
We should be able to hear the "Voice", the "trumpet" giving warning," the quiet voice when maybe just tired, but we should hear them all.

In reading over her life I am so overwhelmed that one can be so taken over by the Spirit of God. Her love for God was so beautiful, was such a crucial part of who she became, and what a life of grace. The miraculous occurred because she sought the miracle worker! She honored Him and He honored her! If you have opportunity to read on one of the early Generals I would certainly read up on Kathryn Kuhlman.

So is it relationship or is is an acquaintance? 
And what constitutes knowing someone personally or on that intimacy level where only the "secrets" between two are the "known"?

In getting to know our baby, when she was born, was about knowing so much about her. She was the quiet. She slept all the through the night on her second night home. She was up at 6 am every morning. I will not share her favorite foods, but by the teenage years it was cold pizza and I will not mention when she wanted to eat it. We were more than her acquaintance, we were her parents. We knew her everyday of the week and weekend. She had some friends and closest ones would call her Candy, but that was not her name. In years after she left home and went to college, some found calling her Candance as the "thing" to do!  And in meeting some of them, I am not sure why they thought they deserved the familiarity of being a friend when they only talked a couple times a week and no one had cell phones. YIKES! NO CELLS PHONES!
Yes, on a more personal level, with one having a relaxed attitude toward another person, are they satisfied because "they want others to think they know her really well" or are they doing it and happy that they do not have to know anything else about her? And if we find out something about her, is it because her mother told you from first hand experience..........or is it "heard through the grapevine, kind of thing?"Today there is that Facebook society. They will give you all kinds of info on them, but how much is really truth? If you knew each one and spent time with them will they look like that Facebook page or seem more like a stranger?
With all the new technology people are still not meeting one another. With the advantage or disadvantage of the texting idea, many can text one another from the same house, and from the same room. What?
But we cannot text God or send emails!

My grand-parents can say they went to church but that did not make them a real believer in Jesus Christ. My mother took us to church every Sunday and saw to it that we had Sunday School for the youth bible studies, but that did not make us believer's either!
Purging ourselves of that which is not needed may leave us as the ones who only know Joe and know nothing about him, like where he lives, what his occupation is or where his family lives. YOU may not can recognize "Joe" on the street. Why? Well they only text one another!!!!
I guess the best thing I have heard at "church" was this: "well, everyone is jumping in, for the Spirit is here"....and people of the congregation have no idea what the pastor is even mentioning. And in truth most attending right now have not opened a Bible in how many decades? YIKES again!

When God enters the room, we should certainly know His presence. When God is speaking.........well no one else will need to say anything for God will give all we need. Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for those who love Him. (1 Corinthians 2:9-16) But God has revealed to us through His Spirit. For it is His Spirit that searches all things, the deep things of God...........to know the things freely given to us by God. And in speaking (verse 13) by the Holy Spirit speak the wisdom of God of the spiritual things.

If I will only read and pray the word, find God and speak as the child with the Father, then I recognize what the Father is saying, whether to correct me or to encourage me. In our approach to God that is not based on any religion, but it is a "personal " relationship with the Lord.........by finding out what pleases Him and what makes Him cry.......what makes HIM laugh and want to dance.


I think of two scriptures I leave with you today:

2 Corinthians 3:17-18     17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. NIV

2 Corinthians 13:14    14 May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. NIV

Relationship is more than just one person talking all the time. God has much to say and when we spend time in His Word we will see how we measure up or fall really short of the mark of His Word. In the men and women of past centuries we reflect how victorious they lived life, not without mistakes BUT IN SPITE OF THEM, went on to do great things for God.  May the fruit of the Spirit that is humility be that which others will see and begin to know in us. For where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. We who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory and are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. And May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you and with me.

May we, like children, humble ourselves and expect to hear from our Father as the Father to His son and the son to the Father. Amen.

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

The Neighborhood Watch

John 1:43-51
43 The following day Jesus wanted to go to Galilee, and He found Philip and said to him, "Follow Me." 44 Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. 45 Philip found Nathanael and said to him, "We have found Him of whom Moses in the law, and also the prophets, wrote--Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph." 46 And Nathanael said to him, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" Philip said to him, "Come and see." 47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward Him, and said of him, "Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no deceit!" 48 Nathanael said to Him, "How do You know me?" Jesus answered and said to him, "Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you." 49 Nathanael answered and said to Him, "Rabbi, You are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!" 50 Jesus answered and said to him, "Because I said to you, 'I saw you under the fig tree,' do you believe? You will see greater things than these." 51 And He said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, hereafter you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man." NKJV

Can you imagine what the day was like when Jesus showed up in the "neighborhood"?
Can you imagine if He showed up in your neighborhood much like He did when He came through on His way to Galilee?

On this specific day, we find Jesus calling "to follow HIM"! As He traveled through the communities, He was the one who spoke and the first of the day was Philip. Then it mentions that Philip was from Bethsaida much like Peter and Andrew. They were born evidently in a community of fisherman. But later Peter and Andrew are found to reside in Capernaum.

Philip in all his excitement, runs to tell Nathanael. What an exciting time to be alive! He has seen " the promised One".

We are told that Philip found Nathanael. It does not say what else was going on, but in all the excitement Philip tells Nathanael that "we have found Him of whom Moses in the law, and also the prophets, wrote....Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.

What excitement and joy that must have filled Philip's heart, that which so many read of and now see before them, that Philip could now share with someone in "the neighborhood"! 

Do we not get excited when we discover something about Jesus that we had not seen before? Are we not elated and motivated to share what we have just received from the Word of God? For certain, Philip was acquainted with scriptures of the Old Testament and he wanted to share. When we visit the passages written in the book of Isaiah and found in chapter 9.......we read starting in verse 6.....

6 For to us a child is born,

to us a son is given,

and the government will be on his shoulders.

And he 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.

He will reign on David's throne 

and over his kingdom,

establishing and upholding it 

with justice and righteousness 

from that time on and forever.

The zeal of the LORD Almighty 

will accomplish this. NIV

We find Jesus called the Wonderful Counselor, the Mighty God, and the Prince of Peace. 

In the scripture below we find Jesus referred to as a "Branch of righteousness" and His name will be called THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.

Jeremiah 23:5-6

5 "Behold, the days are coming," says the LORD,

"That I will raise to David a Branch of righteousness;

A King shall reign and prosper,

And execute judgment and righteousness in the earth. 

6 In His days Judah will be saved,

And Israel will dwell safely;

Now this is His name by which He will be called:

THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS. NKJV

Yes, there are many wonderful things written to show us what God had planned. And Philip shared with Nathanael but all was not truth of what he spoke. Jesus was of Bethlehem and nowhere does it say that Joseph was the "father" As we know from Scripture, the Holy Spirit came upon Mary and she conceived of the "supernatural" and not of the natural man like Joseph. Yes, mistakes can be made when someone may speak and that is why it is good for each of us to go and study the scriptures for ourselves. It is important to read and reread them and plant them deep in our heart so we know "truth" from error!

The other specific was that Jesus "found" them. Jesus came to meet with them face to face. Without an appointment, a phone call, or email..........today........."what if Jesus is coming to meet you face to face"? Jesus found and then "called them"!

Nathanael speaks and the first thing was:" Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?"

He wanted Philip to prove what he had spoken previously of Jesus of Nazareth.  In light of what Philip spoke was the part about..... of "Nazareth" and Philip just told him "to come and see".  For in scripture, we know,  in Isaiah 7:13-14..........13 Then he said, "Hear now, O house of David!    Is it a small thing for you to weary men, but will you weary my God also? 14 Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel. NKJV

   Philip knew enough of what he read and understood but not enough for another to be convinced. But Philip knew if Nathanael would just come and see, he would recognize who Jesus was! I can tell what I see of who Jesus is and what He has done for me, but you must really come and see Him for you, yourself! You need to make the connection and a lot of times we think if we do not hear or see, that we have missed Him. Yet here we see Jesus and He had come to make contact with them individually.

 Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward Him, and said of him, "Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no deceit!" 48 Nathanael said to Him, "How do You know me?" Jesus answered and said to him, "Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you."

Jesus already knew where Nathanael was and what he was doing. Jesus called him an Israelite indeed in whom is no deceit. He was calling him the man of prayer, the man who took time under the fig tree to spend time away from others and spend time to hear God speak. Jesus knew "the state of his heart". He knew Nathanael to be one heart with HIM!
And Nathanael answered, "Rabbi, You are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!" 50 Jesus answered and said to him, "Because I said to you, 'I saw you under the fig tree,' do you believe? You will see greater things than these." 51 And He said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, hereafter you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man." NKJV

Nathanael was calling Jesus the Teacher when he said, " Rabbi!". He called HIM the Son of God, the King of Israel!
When we believe the greater of Who Jesus is.......we experience seeing the greater for the future.
Telling Nathanael that He saw him under the fig tree, was revealing to more about Jesus knowing the story on Nathanael. He was telling him what had just occurred previously and how the meeting with Philip came about. He revealed that Philip came to tell him the news that Jesus was there.

Jesus saw Nathanael in the "secret place". It was in this place that Nathanael was seeking time with the Lord...............and thinking no one would see, yet Jesus knew where and what he was doing.  Jesus saw in the secret and made it known in the public, in the "neighborhood". Nathanael was different and Jesus made the truth known. In all this, Nathanael knew who Jesus was and embraced Him as the Teacher. He was submitting to the leadership and authority of Jesus, the Son of God. He comes so that our lives will change dramatically from the mundane to the "supernatural".

Nathanael was connected with the Son of Man, the Son of God, the Great "I AM" in our midst! You Nathanael will see the miraculous! We, too, like Nathanael can expect to see the "unseen" manifest in our lives. When it is the Lord who shows up to encourage you and strengthen you in the way to walk and the way to go which is in His truth!

Jesus is seeking those who will submit whole-heartedly to His leadership. He comes to bring strength in our weakness. He comes in our ignorance, to give Light to the word of God and show us the way in which to walk in His wisdom. 

Proverbs 4:10-13

10 Hear, my son, and receive my sayings,

And the years of your life will be many. 

11 I have taught you in the way of wisdom;

I have led you in right paths. 

12 When you walk, your steps will not be hindered,

And when you run, you will not stumble. 

13 Take firm hold of instruction, do not let go;

Keep her, for she is your life. NKJV

We too, can be like Nathanael and go to the "secret place" and look to find the Lord in the scriptures we read and study. But Jesus will be made known to us when we go to see with others. When we get out of the "secret" place and look expectantly, the Lord will speak to us. Like Nathanael, we may not be looking, but the Lord is looking and ever hearing what we speak when we spend time with Him. Jesus will meet you face to face "in the neighborhood watch". He will make it plain and clear that He comes to seek you out for His plan that you see "greater things".

Jesus, You are Welcome Here!

Father, today, I pray in Jesus' name for us to spend time to separate "truth" from error. May we be like the Berean's who search out the scriptures to find the truth of who You are and what we have today in Your name. I pray that we will submit whole-heartedly to Your leadership and Authority. I pray that as we do, that we sill see our years of life will be many, that our ways will be according to Your wisdom, that we be led on right paths, with nothing hindering us! Today, I pray for Your strength where we are weak and for Your guidance when we think we know all we need to know. Because it is You Who knows the Beginning from the End........we set our sights on YOU and ask YOU to lead us in paths of righteousness. I pray that each of confess Jesus as the LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS, THE KING OF ISRAEL, EMMANUEL WITH US! Thank You Lord for Your wisdom that shows where anything is out of alignment in our lives, whether at home, in the work place , school or even in church! I vow to give You praise for all the lives that will be changed because of Your Word of truth. I bless Your name and glorify You. It is Your truth and Light that leads us through the valley of dark shadows and brings into victory. Thank YOU for delivering us from evil work and for the giving us the authority of YOUR Holy name Jesus. Amen.

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