Modern Stone Age Family

Are setting up our "kids" to live in a place that is of rocks, and stones?

Some might remember this: Flintstone's meet the Flintstone's ...they are the modern stone age family, you know from the town of Bedrock, they are that place right out of history. I heard that history repeats itself.
Yes, Shelley but this is just a cartoon show, right? Yes but how people today insist on casting stones, whether they live within this country or without, they seem to let it all hang out, with every type of attitude of defiance possible. Even the costumes seen from that very show seem to indicate a representation of the things Wilma Flintstone and Betty Rubble wore are seen in some who entertain like the music industry in today's culture. Yikes!


Jesus came to roll the stones away! He came to move people out of the dust bowl society and stone throwing to set captives free. He came to show us what we needed to be set free from!

John 11:17-44………NKJV ……...17 So when Jesus came, He found that he had already been in the tomb four days. 18 Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles away. 19 And many of the Jews had joined the women around Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother. 20 Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met Him, but Mary was sitting in the house.

21 Then Martha said to Jesus, "Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You." 23 Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise again." 24 Martha said to Him, "I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day." 25 Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. 26 And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?" 27 She said to Him, "Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world."   

28 And when she had said these things, she went her way and secretly called Mary her sister, saying, "The Teacher has come and is calling for you." 29 As soon as she heard that, she arose quickly and came to Him. 30 Now Jesus had not yet come into the town, but was in the place where Martha met Him. 31 Then the Jews who were with her in the house, and comforting her, when they saw that Mary rose up quickly and went out, followed her, saying, "She is going to the tomb to weep there."

 32 Then, when Mary came where Jesus was, and saw Him, she fell down at His feet, saying to Him, "Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died." 33 Therefore, when Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her weeping, He groaned in the spirit and was troubled. 34 And He said, "Where have you laid him?" They said to Him, "Lord, come and see." 35 Jesus wept. 36 Then the Jews said, "See how He loved him!" 37 And some of them said, "Could not this Man, who opened the eyes of the blind, also have kept this man from dying?"

38 Then Jesus, again groaning in Himself, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it. 39 Jesus said, "Take away the stone." Martha, the sister of him who was dead, said to Him, "Lord, by this time there is a stench, for he has been dead four days."

40 Jesus said to her, "Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?" 41 Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead man was lying.

And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, "Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. 42 And I know that You always hear Me, but because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe that You sent Me." 43 Now when He had said these things, He cried with a loud voice, "Lazarus, come forth!" 44 And he who had died came out bound hand and foot with grave clothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, "Loose him, and let him go."  

There were many things going on in this region when Lazarus had died. And two women had wondered why Jesus had not appeared. Each had a response about meeting Him.

First we find Martha speaking this from John 11: 21 Then Martha said to Jesus, "Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You." 23 Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise again." 24 Martha said to Him, "I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day." 25 Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. 26 And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?" 27 She said to Him, "Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world."   

Martha knew of the resurrection on the last day, and when she ran to meet Jesus, she did not bow before Him. Did she not notice He carried the very presence of God?

Next we look at Mary: John 11: 32 Then, when Mary came where Jesus was, and saw Him, she fell down at His feet, saying to Him, "Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died." 33 Therefore, when Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her weeping, He groaned in the spirit and was troubled. 34 And He said, "Where have you laid him?" They said to Him, "Lord, come and see." 35 Jesus wept. 36 Then the Jews said, "See how He loved him!" 37 And some of them said, "Could not this Man, who opened the eyes of the blind, also have kept this man from dying?"

Oh yes, Jesus certainly love them and loves them today! Jesus spoke with Mary and she too gave a response to His arrival>>>>.. "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died."

Sooner or later we must move out of the stone age where stones are thrown at people and live in faith as the Lord has directed us to live. Mary knelt at the presence of God in Jesus. Can you see the difference?

People today put their children in a place of bondage trying to keep them so to speak in a safe environment, and yet create places that only bring the grown child into rejection and in some cases abandonment. For most it is represented by the "fear factor"!

People so fear for their children they will not allow them to get a driver's license just because of a health issue, will not allow them to get job because of health issue, but the same parent's will give the child a front row seat as to where the parent wants the child to go. Where the parent decides best suits the parent without regard for the child that they are human, created by God and should not be kept as pets!  Children in some cases are caged like an animal. They are caged by words of the parent's pride when they implement themselves as judge and jury over every and all situations in regards to the child or children.

I speak from experience for my husband and I had done that at one time. Our daughter had been diagnosed with asthma at the age of eight. And it seemed like over time working to keeping all the meds and her health in check for good was in itself another job for me to do. Although my husband was present, still I was the "person" who worried. Not a good thing to do! 

But like my husband said when our daughter was about to turn 15 that we had to allow her to live. She wanted to work and we let her work as long as her grades remained really good. And they did! We allowed her the great privilege of getting her license  to drive a car and learn some responsibility of taking care of herself in that weapon called an automobile. She learned to care for the engine under the hood. She learned how to work with others, draw a paycheck and become a responsible individual. She grew from a child, to a teenager to a young adult. She attended college and got her degree. She also continued to work and not live off others. So also learned from God's word how to put His truth at the place where asthma had been spoken. 

If we are creating danger zones for our kids demanding they obey us as we know more about their sickness, their dilemma, then we are limiting God, and danger for the child or teen!

Every decision should only occur when the truth of God is revealed !  For they should have known how to be responsible by taking out the trash at age eight. They should know how to wash a dish if they dirty one. They should know they must work if they desire to eat. They should know how to sort clothing to wash by their high school years.

But alas, some people resort to creating their lives over again in their children. I hope we are not doing that ever. Our children should live for that life God intended and not by some Mama's rule or Daddy's rule that they the child cannot do something because they are diabetic or they have heart issues, they are autistic or they have or were born premature and weakly and must take life at a gentle pace of motion and movement through their life without disrupting anyone else or anything else.

Jesus certainly disrupted the religious folk of His day and they were casting stones in that day. They wanted to push Him on a cliff....yeah, some people, right?

If a parent, then we should know that our child or children are not separated from the love of Christ. He came to give His life for them. And to prevent them from learning something of life at the different ages then at age 21 we  then wonder why they are still at home, why are they not holding a job and they still desire to be with us every moment of every day. Because they were not allowed to see through God's eyes that which God intended because Mama or Daddy said!

They were kept from driving a car, dating and working. Kept from really reaching their full potential because of Mama's or Daddy' fear factor for life. Like daddy left us when we were babies, and Mama died when we were 12 or 14 years of age. Then the person now raises their kids in same manner....to repeat history of daddy leaving, Mama dying and abandonment.

Because if the child is not taught a real structure that is of God, the stones will crumble. The foundation is not strong, and the child becoming an adult will now resent the Mama who wants to put them out, resent and will feel abandoned by the Mama's or Daddy's doing.

Father , who can separate us from the love of Christ? Can trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? No, in all these things we are more than a conqueror through Him who loves us (Romans 8:35,37)

 Lord, may our children not be conformed to our image but YOUR'S. In our act of spiritual worship, You call us to not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, not to the modern stone age family, no, you call us to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. That we will be able to test and approve what Your will is. Your good, pleasing and perfect will is for us to know. (Romans 12:1-2

Father, today I pray for parents who have teenage children to repent of their ways that is far from You and may they receive wisdom how their children should be supported to go out as adults and live for God. For Your Word tells us that anyone who trusts in You will never be put to shame. (Romans 10:11)

Father may we always receive the Message, but Your Message is better than anything. May we run after Your truth, and seek You while You may be found. Though we are in the world we are not of it! The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have power to demolish strongholds. Your power can demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of You, God and take captive every thought and make it obedient to Christ. (2 Corinthians 10:3-5) Enable us Lord! Help us not just to read it and say it, but believe it and do it! Amen!!

New teaching at: Voice of Prayer  

To KEEP Us ALIVE

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New teaching at: Life Giving Wells

Those Who Consider the Poor

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Also visit Life Giving Wells You Tube Channel for more teaching:

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Diamonds are Forever or How About Amethyst

Amethyst

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Malachi 3:16-18

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

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

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

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

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

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

Being the jewels in His hands is important indeed!

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

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

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

Philippians 1:6

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

Philippians 3:20-21

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

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

Revelation 21:15-21

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

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

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

Beautiful!

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

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

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

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

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

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

Notice: 

The Voice of Prayer  has a new teaching published:

Waiting On The Master: The Reward of Service

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Defiance is Beheaded

Psalm 14:1....The fool has said in his heart, "There is no God."
They are corrupt,  They have done abominable works,
There is none who does good.    NKJV

Psalm 14:1 Amplified: The [empty-headed] fool has said in his heart, There is no God.
They are corrupt, they have done abominable deeds; there is none that does good or right.

Romans 3:10-13 Amplified................10 As it is written, None is righteous, just and truthful and
upright and conscientious, no, not one. 11 No one understands [no one intelligently discerns or comprehends]; no one seeks out God .12 All have turned aside; together they have gone
wrong, and have become unprofitable and worthless; no one does right,  not even one! 13 Their throat is a yawing grave; they use their tongues to deceive ( to mislead and to deal treacherously). The venom of asps is beneath their lips.

Psalm 5:9-10............9 For there is no faithfulness in their mouth;

Their inward part is destruction; Their throat is an open tomb;

They flatter with their tongue. 

10 Pronounce them guilty, O God!

Let them fall by their own counsels; Cast them out in the multitude of their transgressions,

For they have rebelled against You.   NKJV

Defiance is seen vividly in these accounts. They do not seek God, they go wrong in every decision they make.  They are the unprofitable and when they speak, they speak with venomous words that kill another. 

In the time of David, we saw him come against Goliath. Now when thinking back to that time, we remember David minding his own business of shepherding sheep. In his 24 hour daily routine of keeping the sheep in hand, he was asked by his father Jesse to go to the front lines and take food to his brothers who were in the military and others who were in the stand off with the Philistines. David held a place in regard to God and His power, for he saw God do mighty things for him while tending those sheep in the wilderness.

We know one hulk of a man stood against the whole might of Israel and his name was Goliath. He was DEFIANCE!

1 Samuel 17:4-19

4 And a champion went out from the camp of the Philistines, named Goliath, from Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span. 5 He had a bronze helmet on his head, and he was armed with a coat of mail, and the weight of the coat was five thousand shekels of bronze. 6 And he had bronze greaves on his legs and a bronze javelin between his shoulders. 7 Now the staff of his spear was like a weaver's beam, and his iron spearhead weighed six hundred shekels; and a shield-bearer went before him. 8 Then he stood and cried out to the armies of Israel, and said to them, "Why have you come out to line up for battle? Am I not a Philistine, and you the servants of Saul? Choose a man for yourselves, and let him come down to me. 9 If he is able to fight with me and kill me, then we will be your servants. But if I prevail against him and kill him, then you shall be our servants and serve us." 10 And the Philistine said, "I defy the armies of Israel this day; give me a man, that we may fight together." 11 When Saul and all Israel heard these words of the Philistine, they were dismayed and greatly afraid. 

(In verse 8, we understand that the giant was after Saul. For he made the remarks that they who stood at the front line were the servants of Saul.)

12 Now David was the son of that Ephrathite of Bethlehem Judah, whose name was Jesse, and who had eight sons. And the man was old, advanced in years, in the days of Saul. 13 The three oldest sons of Jesse had gone to follow Saul to the battle. The names of his three sons who went to the battle were Eliab the firstborn, next to him Abinadab, and the third Shammah. 14 David was the youngest. And the three oldest followed Saul. 15 But David occasionally went and returned from Saul to feed his father's sheep at Bethlehem. 16 And the Philistine drew near and presented himself forty days, morning and evening. 17 Then Jesse said to his son David, "Take now for your brothers an ephah of this dried grain and these ten loaves, and run to your brothers at the camp. 18 And carry these ten cheeses to the captain of their thousand, and see how your brothers fare, and bring back news of them." 19 Now Saul and they and all the men of Israel were in the Valley of Elah, fighting with the Philistines.   NKJV

Yes, David had become the messenger of what was transpiring with Goliath. (verse 18)....Carry back news of them...!

1 Samuel 17:21-27

21 For Israel and the Philistines had drawn up in battle array, army against army. 22 And David left his supplies in the hand of the supply keeper, ran to the army, and came and greeted his brothers. 23 Then as he talked with them, there was the champion, the Philistine of Gath, Goliath by name, coming up from the armies of the Philistines; and he spoke according to the same words. So David heard them. 24 And all the men of Israel, when they saw the man, fled from him and were dreadfully afraid. 25 So the men of Israel said, "Have you seen this man who has come up? Surely he has come up to defy Israel; and it shall be that the man who kills him the king will enrich with great riches, will give him his daughter, and give his father's house exemption from taxes in Israel." 26 Then David spoke to the men who stood by him, saying, "What shall be done for the man who kills this Philistine and takes away the reproach from Israel? For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?" 27 And the people answered him in this manner, saying, "So shall it be done for the man who kills him."   NKJV

David asks: "What shall be done for the man who kills this Philistine and takes away the reproach from Israel?" "For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?"

1 Samuel 17:40-52

40 Then he took his staff in his hand; and he chose for himself five smooth stones from the brook, and put them in a shepherd's bag, in a pouch which he had, and his sling was in his hand. And he drew near to the Philistine. 41 So the Philistine came, and began drawing near to David, and the man who bore the shield went before him. 42 And when the Philistine looked about and saw David, he disdained him; for he was only a youth, ruddy and good-looking. 43 So the Philistine said to David, "Am I a dog, that you come to me with sticks?" And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. 44 And the Philistine said to David, "Come to me, and I will give your flesh to the birds of the air and the beasts of the field!" 45 Then David said to the Philistine, "You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 46 This day the LORD will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you and take your head from you. And this day I will give the carcasses of the camp of the Philistines to the birds of the air and the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. 47 Then all this assembly shall know that the LORD does not save with sword and spear; for the battle is the LORD's, and He will give you into our hands." 

48 So it was, when the Philistine arose and came and drew near to meet David, that David hastened and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine. 49 Then David put his hand in his bag and took out a stone; and he slung it and struck the Philistine in his forehead, so that the stone sank into his forehead, and he fell on his face to the earth. 50 So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone, and struck the Philistine and killed him. But there was no sword in the hand of David. 51 Therefore David ran and stood over the Philistine, took his sword and drew it out of its sheath and killed him, and cut off his head with it. And when the Philistines saw that their champion was dead, they fled.   NKJV

In David's story, we find he was faithful to do what he was asked to do when asked by Jesse, his father, to take food to the brothers.  In the case of Goliath, we find hostility for others. Goliath was openly challenging Israel. He was the prideful in his own stature and muscular development. He saw Israel as weak and insignificant. Goliath was faithful to  himself. And he took that great pride and spoke. He displayed his mockery toward Israel and their God. Yes, his throat was the open tomb.

 The abominable works: the hateful and the loathing leading to destruction was evident every time he spoke.   Meaning: Philistine: pelishtiy...OT:6428....one who rolls in the dust

David was probably seen as one who came to publicly ridicule the mighty men who were to fight "Goliath"....the one who rolls around in the dust. Yet, this man was a GIANT. AND he presented a problem to King Saul and his mighty men. But David did not ridicule anyone. He took his stand with God and ran quickly to complete God's plan for him to do. And when the stone sunk into Goliath's forehead, David again ran quickly and took Goliath's own sword from the sheath that was fastened to his body, raised the sword...........and removed his head permanently.

Have you seen those who like to roll in the "dust"?  Kick up some dirt, throw stones at another person, protest loudly and still have no "good" results? Have you seen those that boast in themselves?

Our counsel is to be with the Lord. We are to find His will in His word for us. In that counsel, we find that He is the faithful and true. In that Word, we find hope, love, safety and wisdom!

Defiance is on every corner. It is raising its ugly head. And wherever it might be seen, remember what David spoke. "I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the LORD will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you and take your head from you. AND I will give the carcasses of the camp of the Philistines to the birds of the air and the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. Then all this assembly shall know that the LORD does not save with sword and spear; for the battle is the LORD'S and He will give you into our hands."

Going out in God's name is that He is 1st in our lives. We speak that His name is above every other name. We declare Him to be the One TRUE God! Consider for a moment the defiance we may project on our own. It could be the putting of our trust in our abilities or even in knowledge. Gaining knowledge that is wisdom from the world can be detrimental when not putting God 1st. That knowledge of the world is problematic. But God's Word delivers us to safety and moves us out of harm's way.

From Ephesians 6:17, we find that the sword of the Spirit is the Word of God. Leaving His Word and guidance can bring us into many mistakes and failure. David used the smooth stone. It was the tested in the wilderness. It was the proven and in it we see Christ our Cornerstone. As David confessed God before the infidel, he was the ready and the prepared. And the sword was used against Goliath when he was knocked out cold by the small, smooth stone. Ah, yes God will confound the wise of this world indeed!

For the "giant" was only knocked out with the smooth stone to the forehead. But it took the power of God in David to run alongside the fallen giant and take his sword from its sheath and take off his head. Yes it took the power of God and David had to have a trust in God.

1 Samuel 17:37........ 37 Moreover David said, "The LORD, who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine." And Saul said to David, "Go, and the LORD be with you!"  NKJV

We cannot rely on our own experiences from trials or tribulations of the past. For David saw deliverance from the paw of the lion, to that of the bear and yet these were different animals that acted much differently in battle. Each animal attacks knowing their own skill. 
So too, we must think on where our walk is with the Lord. Do we sing praises like David did in the wilderness? In every act we do each day, is it done unto the Lord and to His praise?

And I close with this:

1 Samuel 21:1-6, 8-9........................21:1 David went to Nob, to Ahimelech the priest. Ahimelech trembled when he met him, and asked, "Why are you alone? Why is no one with you?" 

2 David answered Ahimelech the priest, "The king charged me with a certain matter and said to me, 'No one is to know anything about your mission and your instructions.' As for my men, I have told them to meet me at a certain place. 3 Now then, what do you have on hand? Give me five loaves of bread, or whatever you can find." 

4 But the priest answered David, "I don't have any ordinary bread on hand; however, there is some consecrated bread here-provided the men have kept themselves from women." 

5 David replied, "Indeed women have been kept from us, as usual whenever I set out. The men's things are holy even on missions that are not holy. How much more so today!" 6 So the priest gave him the consecrated bread, since there was no bread there except the bread of the Presence that had been removed from before the LORD and replaced by hot bread on the day it was taken away. 

8 David asked Ahimelech, "Don't you have a spear or a sword here? I haven't brought my sword or any other weapon, because the king's business was urgent." 

9 The priest replied, "The sword of Goliath the Philistine, whom you killed in the Valley of Elah, is here; it is wrapped in a cloth behind the ephod. If you want it, take it; there is no sword here but that one."   David said, "There is none like it; give it to me."    NIV

Pressure had come to David. Saul was breathing out lies and cruelty about David. And Saul wanted David gone for good. David fled into the Philistines territory. Looking into Psalm 34, we find a man so in tune with God that worship was forever on his mind. In reading the pages of his life and his fight against Goliath, the moment of real trusting in God came when brought before Achish the king. And appearing as a madman before the king proved success to David.  He found concealment within his own country. Yes, he found the cave of Adullam that was in the wilderness of Judah. David still sought to make "his boast in the Lord".

What the enemy has chosen to use against you, know that it will certainly come back upon himself. As with David, and asking for the bread, he gained 5 loaves..........5 meaning grace. The sword kept under the ephod was used again by one with authority as of a "priest".  We have a High Priest who intercedes for us. In our daily affairs of life, battles will show up on the scene, but where we stand, makes the difference of who fights for us. Is it in ourselves and our abilities, or is it in our allowing God the Holy Spirit to guide us through?

"Lord behold we have here two swords"........and He said, "It is enough".
 Luke 22:38.

enough...hikanos...2240........enough for the....coming season is the meaning.

And they certainly saw great war before the nation of Israel.

God's word is powerful and it is the weapon to wield upon the enemy. David used praise. Interesting the giant had a weaver's beam that if thrown into the direction of David would have went through him and planted him in the ground, yet the giant did not use it. He had the sword and did not use it. And  he even carried the javelin,  yet it was not used either.

Rely on God...........and He will show you what you have in hand that is from Him that will be used. What the enemy has in his hand will be used against himself. Understand, you have the victory in Jesus' name. Amen.

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

The Stones Will Cry Out

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

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

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

Ever been in a crowd that was worshiping Jesus, and giving thanks to God who gave His only Son to bring us into His family through that precious blood shed at Calvary?

Then said person gives testimony of the goodness of God and some shout within the crowd, and still others within the same crowd grow silent?

Yesterday was, to me, a day to be reckoned with. I certainly needed to do some things but I felt my body needed a really good nap! But the Lord spoke to me while I laid down for the next writing of the blog and while being refreshed in the quiet solitude of His precious presence I heard Him speak these Words!

I kept hearing the Lord saying, " I tell you that if these should keep silent, the stones would immediately cry out." 
So today I went in to study and be refreshed in the Word of God!

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

Back to the church crowd, and to those who have grown silent when testifying and glorifying God for His goodness to us. The testifier tells of what transpired and how God met them in the circumstance and then gives the praise. And in this testimony, how are other's hearts moved? Are they moved to give glory as well or they just quiet because they have not actually seen Him move in their lives?

These, His disciples certainly spoke out loudly of the joyful praise of what they experienced in seeing many healed and one raised from the dead! But the Pharisees did not want Jesus glorified.

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

The Pharisees of that day observed the Law. From all appearances, their hearts were totally not with God.

When we read through the New Testament, we can take into account that the Pharisees wanted the praise of men.

Matthew 6: 2, 5, 16............... 2 Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. 

5  and when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.

16  "Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. 17 But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18 so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.  NKJV

Yes, Jesus mentioned the Pharisees as hypocrites! Yikes!

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

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

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

  Spreading of His fragrance throughout the world looks and sounds like this:...............……2 Corinthians 2:15-17 ..15 For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. 16 To the one we are the aroma of death leading to death, and to the other the aroma of life leading to life. And who is sufficient for these things? 17 For we are not, as so many, peddling the word of God; but as of sincerity, but as from God, we speak in the sight of God in Christ. ..NKJV

The Pharisees thought they could keep all the outward rules and in someway keep with that "Standard" of God's word for their lives! And what we must remember is that God is righteous all by Himself. We become righteous because of God’s righteousness… that which…..is holiness, justice and faithfulness……….just to mention a few…..it takes someone disciplined in the Word of God……….renewed daily in the our minds, to transform, by praying and gathering with fervent Christians on a regular basis and see a change that comes from an obedience to read, pray and gather.

It takes a disciplined life to follow Jesus, being prepared to always say yes to His command.

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

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

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

Praise was perfected! The earth quaked on that day!

I believe the stones cried out in praise to the High Priest Jesus Christ!

Will we continue to worship and give praise even if "some have grown silent"? Will we continue to stand and give praise when no is watching us?  What if the "crowd" is moved toward the things of the world and the praise of it?  Or do we need a crowd, so they can see us run, and dance and yell................no.......it is more than that! It is " a willingness to open our mouths and give Praise" when no one is around and when no one cares! It is a willingness to "lift holy hands" unto the Lord and worship Him with our whole hearts!

Even in this place I walk today,  I will forever give praise to the God of Glory and His Son Jesus Christ, the Faithful, the Open Door, the Great High Priest, and the One who taught that when we do NOT worship HIM, the stones certainly will!

Father, in Jesus name, forever great is Your name, forever (Isaiah 9:6-7) Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father and Prince of Peace. Today it is praise we lift to You and expect your government and peace of which there will be no end. I pray that we would be empowered with our union with You today. We draw on Your strength [that strength which Your boundless might provides]. It is a Great High Priest Who has gone through the heavens, Jesus Your Son and we hold firmly to the faith we profess. Whatever discouragement, whatever the situation, we stand as Your children and confess Jesus as Lord. He is Lord over our spirit, soul and body. So today, we rise up as we pray and believe that He is Lord over all situations in our lives. We give Him praise for the strength He gives to us and we will not be silent.

We desire not to be like the Pharisees who were considered blind hypocrites, but to be humble in spirit and to Your Word that speaks,.....exposes, sifts, analyzes,and judges the very thoughts and purposes of our hearts.We understand that humility and fear of YOU brings wealth, honor and life to us! (Proverbs 22:4) Today I pray that we renounce pride and arrogance. Father it is YOU Who gives grace to the humble. Therefore today, we humble ourselves under Your mighty hand, that in due time You may exalt us. We magnify You today and believe Your ability is released within us by speaking Your words out loud! As Your Words are alive, they are active and working in us. Today we give thanks for the power of those Words that are of faith, words of power, words of love and words of life to us.  Amen.

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