To Sweeten Our life and that of Others

Was hearing a teaching about a week ago. The teacher was speaking on Polycarp.

It was the city of Smyrna that contained a temple of the Olympian Zeus, with whose cult that of the Roman emperors was associated. Olympian games were celebrated here, and excited great interest in people who came from great distances.

The extreme interest excited by the games at Smyrna may perhaps account for the remarkable ferocity exhibited by the population against the aged bishop Polycarp. It was exactly on such occasions that what the pagans regarded as the unpatriotic and anti-social spirit of the early Christians became most apparent; and it was to the violent demands of the people assembled in the stadium that the Roman proconsul yielded up the martyr. They had to have something to culminate their hatred!

The letter of the Smyrnaeans, in which the account of his martyrdom is contained, represents the Jews as taking part with the Gentiles in accusing him (Polycarp) as an enemy to the state religion-conduct which would be inconceivable in a sincere Jew, but which was quite natural in those which the sacred writer characterizes as "a synagogue of Satan" (Rev 2:9).

Polycarp was executed before the mass of people with a great sword: a blade if you will.  In his dying, a great wonderful scent filled the area and out to the city which was the scent of the fragrance of the Lord. The Lord’s scent filled the atmosphere! And what would they speak? What captured them that day when Polycarp died?

2 Corinthians 2:12-17  12 Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ's gospel, and a door was opened to me by the Lord, 13 I had no rest in my spirit, because I did not find Titus my brother; but taking my leave of them, I departed for Macedonia. 14 Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. 15 For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. 16 To the one we are the aroma of death leading to death, and to the other the aroma of life leading to life. And who is sufficient for these things? 17 For we are not, as so many, peddling the word of God; but as of sincerity, but as from God, we speak in the sight of God in Christ.  NKJV

Hosea 14:4-7    4 "I will heal their backsliding,  I will love them freely,

For My anger has turned away from him. 5 I will be like the dew to Israel;  He shall grow like the lily,  And lengthen his roots like Lebanon. 6 His branches shall spread;  His beauty shall be like an olive tree,  And his fragrance like Lebanon. 7 Those who dwell under his shadow shall return;  They shall be revived like grain,  And grow like a vine. Their scent shall be like the wine of Lebanon.   NKJV

Song 4:9-12   9 You have ravished my heart,  My sister, my spouse;  You have ravished my heart  With one look of your eyes,  With one link of your necklace.

10 How fair is your love,  My sister, my spouse!  How much better than wine is your love,  And the scent of your perfumes Than all spices! 11 Your lips, O my spouse,  Drip as the honeycomb;  Honey and milk are under your tongue;  And the fragrance of your garments  Is like the fragrance of Lebanon.  NKJV

Psalm 45:8-9   8 All Your garments are scented with myrrh and aloes and cassia, Out of the ivory palaces, by which they have made You glad. 9 Kings' daughters are among Your honorable women;  At Your right hand stands the queen in gold from Ophir.  NKJV

 

Our garments, the robes of righteousness, scented with myrrh and aloes and cassia. We are robed in righteousness. We take on His scents while spending much time with Him.  Displayed in Jesus ,we experience the beauty that He always gives. He is the self-less giver. We must abandon this world to know real love and real beauty!

That one purpose is to let God be Himself through us engulfed in the flames of holiness and released from all other afflictions. In the covenant keeping God, we are to come to His grace, consecrate ourselves not by taking it lightly, but a command of God for every believer……that our relationship is with Jesus, Our Husband!  ……..AS the body of believer’s it is a relationship and separated unto Him, we should know no other! God has spoken the language of love through His Son. And His Royal Son is coming for His Bride.

We give thanks, for it is Your presence that prevents deception or falsehood from taking hold:  Building our faith against all falsehood ….Psalm 101:7 He who works deceit shall not dwell within my house; He who tells lies shall not continue in my presence.

By building our faith in these words of God, those who work deceit shall not dwell within our house. They will not continue in our presence. Another we speak is that We are NOT canceled but we do cancel threats of harm or property damage that belongs to God’s sons and daughters: Luke 4:28-30 NKJV So all those in the synagogue , when they heard these things, were filled with wrath, 29 and rose up and thrust Him out of the city; and they led Him to the brow of the hill on which their city was built, that they might throw Him down over the cliff. 30 Then passing through the midst of them, He went His way.  WE also speak that those who would cancel us, that they would have an encounter with Almighty God: their hearts would be drawn to the truth of His Word, to the love that covers Him…leading to life to bring change to their hearts!                                                                                 

Acts 14:21-28 NKJV And they had preached the gospel to that city & made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, & Antioch, 22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, & saying, “we must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.” 23 So when they had appointed elders in every church, & prayed with fasting they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed! From Acts 14: 21-22 Tribulations: Paul taught the kingdom of God. He also taught that ‘kingdom” people will suffer trials and tribulations. “ ……….we must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.”

Victory is available but not instant:2 Thessalonians 1:5 which is manifest evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you also suffer; 6 since it is a righteous thing with God to repay with tribulation those who trouble, you, 7 & to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels.  God did not promise life without struggle; Dominion is being recovered by the presence of the King within us, ministered by the Holy Spirit’s power.

 

1 John 5:4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world----our faith.  We confess :Romans 8:31-32  What then shall we say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?   We confess: Proverbs 21:31  The horse is prepared for the day of battle, but deliverance is of the LORD.    We confess: 1 Corinthians 15:55-58 NKJV  O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory? 56 The sting of death is sin and the strength of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

Faith in God carried Polycarp through the valley of death. It brought him face to face with God. He held honor to God. His garments and body would have been strewn with dirt, blood and ruin, but while he was dying his scented life was a tribute unto God and no one can take that from him or you ever.

What will our last days be on earth? Will we see the Lord coming in His glory or will we face the valley of death….that place of sorrows? Should it come, it is not over and we are not done, we have the scent of the Lord as we continue in His presence to His place and to His glory forever. Amen and Amen.

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Flint into Fountain of Waters

Compliments of the Barrows family

Ever held a piece of flint in your hand? A friend gave us a sample many years ago. It would fill the hollow part of my hand. I have it somewhere in a box of things from other church members (you know things you like to hold onto to remember that friend or family from long ago)


In the tales told me long ago, anyone going out for a camping trip always had their flint rock with them in case of rain. Unless you smoked back then, and no kind of lighter was available, then yes, matches would be required at number one on my list of things to take on that outing.
Now that was decades ago, and today they have waterproof matches! In those ancient times, flint was used as a weapon like for the arrowhead used by the Indian tribes. We held it important for its use in igniting a spark to start a wood fire!



Was reading through Psalm 114 and I thought of that rock of flint.
I mean, someone like passing by a rocky region with much limestone and the such might come across some kind of flinty rock and unless you knew where to search for arrowheads you might miss seeing that rock already shaped into an arrowhead by person long dead.

My husband knew where to search for them and found some from time to time. He tried teaching our daughter but her heart did not seem to be into that kind of thing at the time of her youth!

Let's look into Psalm 114!
Psalm 114
When Israel went out of Egypt, the house of Jacob from a people of strange language, 2 Judah became His sanctuary, And Israel became His dominion. 3 The sea saw it and fled; Jordan turned back. 4 The mountains skipped like rams, the little hills like lambs. 5 What ails you, O sea, that you fled?
6 O mountains, that you skipped like rams? O little hills, like lambs? 7 Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob, 8 Who turned the rock into a pool of water, the flint into a fountain of waters.

In this writing, the focus is on the distinction of two kingdoms, yet still one group of people, not lost like what is given as the Anglo-saxon theory of the 10 tribes being lost.

No, God in His mercy keeps His own and keeps them safe.
In this passage: we see the six marvelous works of our great God! The Red Sea was divided (Exodus 14:3), the Jordan River was divided ( Joshua 3:13; 2 Kings 2:8,14) , mountains skipped like rams.
the hills jumped like rams (from v.4) , the rock poured rivers of water (seen in Exodus 17:6)
Exodus 17:6 Behold, I will stand before you there on the rock at [Mount] Horeb; and you shall strike the rock, and water shall come out of it, that the people may drink. And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel.

............And the flint into a fountain of waters.
Many a traveler through that region describe what is to be the very rock that Moses struck. It is said to be a vast size of granite. The Dake's Bible states: it was a rock: 15 feet long, 10 feet wide and 12 feet high. It is described as a rock with holes and channels through it which could only be formed by the exertion of water running through it. It was stated also that the water that flowed at that time supplied water to 6,000,000 people or more and also for their stock as well!

When their need was met by being filled, the water cease to run!

God is not hindered! He is our sufficiency and what could make fire like flint became what the people needed. It was the needed water that came rushing forth, and watered the people and their stock as well. What we must do, whether man or woman, grown or a as a child, it is we each individually must seek the Lord for His plan for our lives.
We can certainly work to make a living. Each, male or female can do the work around the home or even in the work place, but it takes God to make us into what we are destined to be come in His hands. The fire rock became gushing torrents of water; not limited to any firmness of the rock.
The Israelites came to the place of hardness. They had a hardness of heart and even within seeing all this wonderful things God did to deliver them, they were found in the desert without the surplus of water for survival!
But God! But God in His mercy blessed them with water. These people did not need to make weapons for war or make a fire, they needed the much desired cool water to quench their thirst.

John 4:13-14  Amplified Bible 13 Jesus answered her, All who drink of this water will be thirsty again. 14 But whoever takes a drink of the water that I will give him shall never, no never, be thirsty any more. But the water that I will give him shall become a spring of water welling up (flowing, bubbling, [continually] within him unto (into, for) eternal life.


God is our help and He is our shield. But we must stay with Him, talk with Him, and be people who pray to keep the communication lines open!

May we as His people seek His beauty and His love giving thanks for His word of truth that sets us free. It is in Him that we are alive. He meets our thirst and gives us our daily bread (Matthew 6:11)
Friends can come and go throughout our lives, but God must always be present for us. Keep your watch on Him, and desire His peace and comfort. Know He brings you to that even place, His habitation (Psalm 33:14; Psalm 52:5) and will bring to you a strength that will carry you through all your tomorrows! And may your inner most being bubble forth with praise to our God and King! Amen.


Notice: 

The Voice of Prayer  has a new teaching:

The Language of Faith

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

What is Beauty?

Lord, I pray that You would give me the “incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious” in Your sight…1 Peter 3:4.

It is good for us to pray this, but we should also hold fast to this word as well!
In doing that we find we need courage to keep doing, keep looking into the eyes of Jesus and behold Him.  For what we look on and hold in our hearts is what we become. You like watching vampires, and the walking dead, well, you might look like one of them very soon.

For me, I like mysteries in like a "who done it" type show or movie. And there are times I have to say no to them. My husband, well, he can take them or leave them, but for me, I must really work to say No to watching those kind of things all the time!

In the passage below we look at the power of God and saving people. In this vital scene, we are reminded that we like to be on the winning side, right? We all went to high school and experienced some rejection, some deep pain maybe by someone speaking ill against you or by implying something that was wrong about you. In high school, you either fit their mold or you had to create another group of people to hang out with. But to me, school was not about the 'crowd' but about getting my diploma. It was not about how many friends I might or might not have, but that I kept a focus for that which I worked at for 12 years.  My reward was going to be my diploma!

In the case of Jesus, He was rejected by the masses. Oh surely He had people to follow Him and even had a meal served to them in the wilderness as no stores were close enough and held enough bread to be bought, so Jesus prayed and had the disciples hand out the crumbs............but boy, those many crumbs expanded to feed thousands.

What is beauty and where is it found?

Well, it is not found on T.V. or at the movies. Mother Theresa came close but still not close enough like the beauty of the Lord who I behold. 

Isaiah 53:1-3

Who has believed our report?

And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed? 

2 For He shall grow up before Him as a tender plant,

And as a root out of dry ground.

He has no form or comeliness;

And when we see Him,

There is no beauty that we should desire Him. 

3 He is despised and rejected by men,

A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.

And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him;

He was despised, and we did not esteem Him. NKJV

Out of a dry place Jesus appeared. He wore no robes of royalty. Had no diadems mentioned. No he was not regarded.

He walked along a river, the Jordan, and met John there to be baptized.

What now was His name? Oh yes, Jesus the Christ whose power no foe can withstand.

Tall, yes,most likely and probably had long hair! But His face held peace in it. His countenance of love spoke volumes. A reprover, yes indeed. Authentic, and attracted to saving lost souls. He was led as a lamb to the slaughter without reluctance. He did not blame others, but took the blows. Not only beaten but sent to the cross as well, and his scourging was severe. His destination a tomb or so many thought.

Psalm 38:13-14...13 But I, like a deaf man, do not hear;

And I am like a mute who does not open his mouth. 

14 Thus I am like a man who does not hear,

And in whose mouth is no response.  NKJV

Would you shrink from that? Not a smooth place of skin remained on his body. Wronged and abused, he was the oppressed, died for mankind, and then walked out of the Tomb. His triumph over death, hell and the grave came through humiliation. It was not about Him, but about the Father!

Psalm 90:14-17

14 Oh, satisfy us early with Your mercy,

That we may rejoice and be glad all our days! 

15 Make us glad according to the days in which You have afflicted us,

The years in which we have seen evil. 

16 Let Your work appear to Your servants,

And Your glory to their children. 

17 And let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us,

And establish the work of our hands for us;

Yes, establish the work of our hands. NKJV

Let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us.....a beauty that is of His divine character. It is in that beauty, that we are held in and in that we see people's hearts won for Jesus. It is in His excellence of character, that the beauty of the Lord will shine through us when we allow it to happen.  In holding Jesus before us and looking into His way, truth and life.......we constantly see the loveliness of life established before us.  In this prayer above, we see the main heartfelt desire............that they reach that which they were destined. When we choose to speak what He speaks and act as He would act, then we carry out His purpose for our lives. And it is one that comes with established favor.

Charles Spurgeon wrote this: Revenge, lust, ambition, pride and self-will are too often exalted as the god's of man's idolatry; while holiness, peace, contentment, and humility are viewed as unworthy of a serious thought.

Seriously thinking we are to come to God's thoughts and His ways....they are much higher!

When you move on down the passage you find how the rain and the snow come down from heaven....the earth is watered and begins to bud and flourish. In that which God provides we gain seed. We are to sow that seed. And in His Word that goes from our speaking His Word, we find purpose. We go out in joy and are led forth in His peace.

In doing for the Lord, minding His thoughts is foremost and then act on what you have spoken from His word. If you are the healed, then act like you are the healed. Go do something you could not do before you read this.

For keeping God before us we come to the garden He planned for us. We do not leave empty handed and have more than enough to share with others. We are elated to be going to worship God with others and look how we might pray even more for our communities and for people's lives to be touched by the beauty of the Lord.

Isaiah 55: 10-13.....10 As the rain and the snow 

come down from heaven,

and do not return to it 

without watering the earth 

and making it bud and flourish,

so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, 

11 so is my word that goes out from my mouth:

It will not return to me empty,

but will accomplish what I desire 

and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. 

12 You will go out in joy 

and be led forth in peace;

the mountains and hills 

will burst into song before you,

and all the trees of the field 

will clap their hands. 

13 Instead of the thornbush will grow the pine tree,

and instead of briers the myrtle will grow.

This will be for the LORD's renown,

for an everlasting sign,

which will not be destroyed." NIV 

I leave you with this today. You have every opportunity to become poetry in God's mouth and His Words. The reality you face should be the open door where you are the inspired and the delighted. In this poem of you, God speaks loudly. You were set to live in this day and in this hour. To receive Jesus as Savior, you move to the head of the class to find out even more of what your life involves. Eternity: well, you have just begun to find out how long that really is.

Of you, a gem of beauty, oh so serene, born into the family of God. Who can fathom His goodness for you? You become the sweet to someone's bitterness. You value those who are the talented. You even explore their exquisite gems, so lovely, and you encouraged them to continue and become what God planned. Your talent took you to speak to someone's success. Your capable heart sent out words to lift and guide. And the prayers you prayed: well, they are all being answered by God one by one! You blossom in the beauty that is you. Not by being you, but Who God planned for you that looks just like you do!

What is beauty? Beauty is that which binds the God of peace, the God of healing, the God of victory to everything we find ourselves in this hour. It is found in the broken, the forgotten, the misplaced, the scattered, the wind-driven, and in the darkness of prisons. Beauty is where we take Jesus and meet others in the grace bestowed upon us. 

Walk out your door today, and find that place to take the beauty of the Lord. You might be surprised where it will take you! Amen!

Notice: 

The Voice of Prayer  has a new teaching published:

The Glory of the Latter Rain

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=44w_A_1IBgg



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

Twilight Zone, Outer Limits and....Star Trek

Was reminded today that when I was a youth, I was regularly following my mother and father's schedule. That was priority and covered everything under the roof that they owned. All those early years the thought was always at the forefront of my mind to make my own schedule. You know like stay up late was number one on MY LIST!
Second, was not drinking all the soda pop I wanted .....no! What I desired was to watch Twilight Zone, Outer Limits, and oh yes.....Star Trek!
Well, today my priority is far from those things. We certainly choose to go to bed earlier when we should. We try to stay with a healthy diet,and particularly eat no fruit after 7 p.m. and we will walk or exercise when we can!
Seriously though, our growing up into the man or woman that God has created for us to do, certainly takes the stage of the most important priority!

Today we have grown to know the word of God and explore all of His generous riches to us. In our life we have seen those things to avoid. In finding God and truth, takes a humble spirit, one willing to be taught and to know that God is greater than all.  Humility does not mean weak! Jesus was  humble and teachable of the things of God. When we have His word, we gain this confidence in God and it will show when we speak out for His glory and His praise. No, it is not in praising us for what we speak about us, but what is giving as glory to God Himself. It is our testimony.

Yes, those sci-fi features certainly turned my head, but God causes me to know that in all the vastness of the universe and of that it might contain, still He is mindful of me. He is mindful of you!
Willing to admit mistakes is a benefit to us. And when we willing admit to the Father, He hears.

Where God has gone, and done is an unknown territory for me and most likely for you. We must leave the familiar behind and seize that which lies before us. As we grow in Him and embrace each new level, our capacity increases for more of His kingdom. It is taken by faith in our spirit man. Oh yes, did I mention it is hidden from those prideful eyes?

No sci-fi features have a hold on me anymore. I look toward Him and no one can stand against Him!
Proverbs 30:5-6
5 Every word of God is pure;riches,
He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him.
6 Do not add to His words,
Lest He rebuke you, and you be found a liar.
NKJV

Psalm 145:17-21
17 The LORD is righteous in all His ways,
Gracious in all His works.
18 The LORD is near to all who call upon Him,
To all who call upon Him in truth.
19 He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him;
He also will hear their cry and save them.
20 The LORD preserves all who love Him,
But all the wicked He will destroy.
21 My mouth shall speak the praise of the LORD,
And all flesh shall bless His holy name
Forever and ever.
NKJV

God our Father needs no help from us. He does well as the Creator of the Heavens and Earth. He knows our end from the beginning.

Isaiah 46:9-13

9 Remember the former things, those of long ago;

I am God, and there is no other;

I am God, and there is none like me. 

10 I make known the end from the beginning,

from ancient times, what is still to come.

I say: My purpose will stand,

and I will do all that I please. 

11 From the east I summon a bird of prey;

from a far-off land, a man to fulfill my purpose.

What I have said, that will I bring about;

what I have planned, that will I do. 

12 Listen to me, you stubborn-hearted,

you who are far from righteousness. 

13 I am bringing my righteousness near,

it is not far away;

and my salvation will not be delayed.

I will grant salvation to Zion,

my splendor to Israel. NIV

His purpose has stood. He sent His son and we have salvation. He sent His love to bring us closer to Him. His splendor is His glory. His beauty, well, it takes my breath away. 

John 6:29

"This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent."

NKJV

Yes, the Lord reigns. He is clothed with majesty. He is girded with strength.

Psalm 93

The LORD reigns, He is clothed with majesty;

The LORD is clothed,

He has girded Himself with strength.

Surely the world is established, so that it cannot be moved. 

2 Your throne is established from of old;

You are from everlasting. 

NKJV

From everlasting to everlasting is a long time! Have any idea what you might do in that length of time.......that which is in God is a place in Him with no time clocks, Listen now and watch closely, the Lord, the King of Kings is on His return. Clothed in His glory, we will rule with Him. He remembers those who are His! Not one of them is lost!

Now is not the time to sit idle. Now is the time to be done with that warrior attitude. Take His word and mount on His wings. Our hope is in the LORD. We renew our strength daily, and we soar. With Him we will run and not be weary. With Him we will walk and not be faint. (Isaiah 40:31)

The true, the eternal of God is life given us through His son. Quality of life will not be found in anything less. Faith in Him, is knowing Who He is, What He has done for humankind and calls us to take serious notice.

In a self-evaluation, have we truly given our lives to Him Who SAVES? In that which coming to pass shortly, will we be found with Him, Who is life, beauty, strength, and Who is from everlasting?

Let go of those who have hurt you in the past. Be convinced God has a godly purpose for you. Ask Him to help you see from His perspective. You are valued. Allow His image to be reflected in you.

Adventures will come, and time, well, it will not matter, because it is His heart that we are after, right? So let us be found with Him. Amen!

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Notice: 

The Voice of Prayer  has a new teaching published:

Born of God: The Sacred Appointment

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jcYI9tstJmU

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

Unbelieving or Just Misbehaving

Summer always makes it mark on a year! If the tulips opening on a rainy day don't do anything for you, then the 4th of July Fireworks with the loud kaboom and bright lights and gunpowder smell might bring a smile to you and yours.

Was meditating on "a thought" today from the book of James. Unbelieving or Misbehaving.  From the passage of James 3, we look at the wise and understanding and those with good conduct. They are those who look to live by truth. They do not live by "just enough to get by with" but seeking to live in truth.
In looking at the book of James, we find this kind of wisdom of God to be a package deal. That is, wisdom is attached to His peace. And in looking at the word peace from James 3:17

James 3:13-18
13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. 15 This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. 16 For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. 17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. 18 Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.  NKJV

I was intrigued with this kind of 'PEACE'. AND IT COMES FROM GOD ALONE!

In that passage we find a peace that comes in communion time with God.(teaching on Voice of Prayer Youtube, title AUTHORITY: HIS WISDOM.) link below.

Meekness of wisdom is that which is one of a humble spirit. They seek the good in the Father. They seek another's thoughts to help man kind. In this communion time with the Father, one learns the attributes from God; like mercy, grace, like agape love and yes much more. For from our Father of Lights flows gifts. And in this love, we receive more of the Son of His love, the life of God is given, and the Holy Spirit displays His wealth of power within us. What a heavenly light, when God has given us in and through our communion time with Him, the greater creative flow of the Son's life into ours, that the Holy Spirit through us gives this display of a heavenly beauty. People will see and observe. Yes, much like that elaborate display on the 4th..........and all you had to do was walk into the "prayer closet" with God........!

We come to worship Him, and moving from the last sung note, last sung word, and a quietness falling over the congregation, we find a slower pace. We see in our walking back to our seat, is a slower walk, a wrapping of His Presence around myself, that the air is electrical with His power flowing past my ears of hearing.
In this display of His glory in us, there is no fading of lights. His beauty will always continue. The more we speak of God and His glory, praying for believer's, praying for our neighbor's, the more area of the sphere of influence we will see that we operate in. It comes by humbling: the more we humble ourselves, the more the flow of His presence through our lives, we continue to mature in and through Him.

In Jesus, we saw the ultimate picture of humility. Philippian 2:8 “And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death- even death on a cross!” Ultimate picture of humility!    Matt 27:54 “ When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, "Surely he was the Son of God!" The very Presence of God made manifest as a result of the submission of Christ's humility! 

Asking and spending time with Him requires an open heart that is willing to be corrected and to move forward.

In the miraculous gift of the Cross, the Son went willing to His last moments doing the Father's will and with every ounce of trust in what the Father desired would be done on earth. In our daily walk are we just desiring to not believe, walk in unbelief and stumble forever with our lives ending much too soon? Or is it just the misbehaving: pretending I am only responsible for what I believe. We are responsible for what we have heard. Faith comes by hearing. And that hearing is about doing God's planned deeds.

We are not to live for ourselves. We do not live in Christ so that we may tell God what He must do, but we live for Christ, being pleasured to hear what God desires for us to do for the glory of His Son Jesus!   Teach us Oh Lord to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. (Psalm 90:12) Teach us Oh Lord to walk in Your truth (Psalm 86:11) Teach us Oh Lord Your ways so we may know You. (Exodus 33:13) Teach us to do Your will Oh God, knowing Your Holy Spirit will lead us on level ground. (Psalm 143:10) Teach us Oh God we pray. May we submit to You as students, coming willingly under Your submission. Forgive us, in Jesus name for all the times we have acted in arrogance. The times we have crossed the line with You, and have gone from humbly seeking You in prayer, to demanding things from You, or demanding You move at our command. You are mighty, Sovereign, Holy, Awesome, to be Revered. May we always come in a posture of humility and in fear and trembling, remembering Who we are coming before..the God of ALL Eternity..King of ALL kings,,,Lord of ALL lords. That You Yourself say, Isaiah 66:2 “This is the one I esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at My word.” 

So very thankful for the Cross and so very happy not going to hell, but oh to shine gloriously for the Lord. Don't want to be listed with the "unbelieving", the misbehaving, but oh, to be labeled as those who shine for God. May we maintain His wisdom and His light moving through life in a sphere of influence that is packed with God's wisdom His peace and His love. Now that truly is a "thing" of beauty!
Shining bright for God and making peace with man every step of the way to glory is a personal thing.

The personal is offering time and fellowship with Him Who Created and He Who Made Us.

Because God is personal, all people can offer is prayer. However, sinners who have not trusted Jesus Christ for their salvation remain alienated from God. So while unbelievers may pray, they do not have the basis for a rewarding fellowship with God. They have not met the conditions laid down in the Bible for effectiveness in prayer.

It is Christians who recognize their dependence upon their Creator. They have every reason to express gratitude for God's blessings. But they have far more reason to respond to God than this. They respond to the love of God for them. God's love is revealed through the marvelous incarnation and life of Christ, His atoning provision at the Cross, His resurrection, as well as His continuing presence through the Holy Spirit.

Prayer cannot be replaced by good works in a needy world. Important as service to others is, at times we must turn away from it to God, who is distinct from all things and over all things. Neither should prayer be thought of as a mystical experience in which people lose their identity in the infinite reality. Effective prayer must be scripture based informed response of persons saved by grace to the living God. It is in our believing and adhering to that we gain His Wisdom and His peace. Spending time confessing His Word is prophesying to the walls, but to actually have conversation with a loving God, and to have Him answer you is like the 4th of July all year long.

Together may we seek Him, may we look to prayer for that one-to-one and may we hear Him speak above all else. Living for His glory is paramount, and experiencing His peace as we speak boldly His truth to others will show us that our future is bright and full of God's presence. 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:

AUTHORITY: HIS WISDOM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UpvmfoKg98s

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

Spiritual Poetry

How would you define poetry? How about a literary work that is written with intensity....given in ideas....with a distinct flow of a style and rhythm?
I had no idea of how to proceed with this other than the Lord wanted it written out. It was a title given to my husband. So I prayed about it and put it on the list to publish. So here is what I have gotten in prayer.
I thought of this song done in the sixties. It was called "Poetry in Motion".  It was a song sung by Johnny Tillotson. There were two lines of verse that stood out to me........."a flower of devotion, a swaying gracefully."

Spiritually speaking, that is the way the Lord views us. He desires us to be that flower of devotion as we move through life ever so gently swaying gracefully in His plan for our lives.
Did you know that when you hold the Bible in your hands to read, you have poetry before your eyes? Did you know that 1/3 of the Old Testament was in poetry form?
But today we look at the New Testament.

In the New Testament, we see it in written form as the Beatitudes. (also Luke 20-26)
Matthew 5:3-10.....
3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn,
For they shall be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek,
For they shall inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
For they shall be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful,
For they shall obtain mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart,
For they shall see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers,
For they shall be called sons of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. NKJV

Poetry in motion. Mary, the mother of Jesus responded to Elizabeth with a poem. It is known as the "Magnificat".

Luke 1:46-55

46 And Mary said: 

"My soul magnifies the Lord, 

47 And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. 

48 For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant;

For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed. 

49 For He who is mighty has done great things for me,

And holy is His name. 

50 And His mercy is on those who fear Him 

From generation to generation. 

51 He has shown strength with His arm;

He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. 

52 He has put down the mighty from their thrones,

And exalted the lowly. 

53 He has filled the hungry with good things,

And the rich He has sent away empty. 

54 He has helped His servant Israel,

In remembrance of His mercy, 

55 As He spoke to our fathers,

To Abraham and to his seed forever."  NKJV

Yes, even the New Testament has some listed poems: like in Luke 2:14, and in Luke 1:68-79.

When God the Holy Spirit spoke through Jesus in the beatitudes, He was wrapping up the package of beauty the disciple of the Lord and how the disciple would look like now and for tomorrow. In looking over Matthew 5:3-10, Jesus was giving details of how the disciple's character and lifestyle would be different than walking in ways of the world. Anyone, an whosoever, would be a person with attributes that was distinctive of the "kingdom of God".

In Mary's poem, we see praise and worship toward God! She said, "My soul magnifies the Lord,

47 And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior."
Her spirit was rejoicing in knowing truth of God Who was the Savior!

For both of these two given,Jesus and Mary both endured pain and heartache. Jesus was the Ultimate Sacrifice and was the example of the "Believer".  He, though, was the pure without sin or blemish. He gave His all for us. He was the example who knew that the Word of God, that scripture was power and saw change for Himself and for others. His was one that spoke of the Father and the kingdom of Heaven.

Mary saw many come against her after these words were spoken. She saw some to want to cast her out and yes, throw rocks, because of what she was going through. But that is for another time. Right now we look at the beauty of how these spoke to encourage others, and breathe life into mortal souls.
Psalm 150:6.............6 Let everything that has breath praise the LORD.
Praise the LORD.
NIV

We, too, can speak like these two spoke. We can take the Word and speak that spiritual poetry to see our lives change and the lives of others as well. 

1 Peter 3:4.....4 rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God. NKJV

When we speak His word there is beauty! We can pray the prayer that He would give us the “incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious” in His sight.

We can pray and worship making Him the Lord in any situations, whether for male or female, that 

where anyone in our past has convinced us that we are less than who He made us to be, that He would show us how to replace those lies with His truth. Even though hurtful words  have been spoken to us, we deny their right to continue playing over and over in our minds. 

Our value is far above rubies. 

Proverbs 31:10-12...10 Who can find a virtuous wife?

For her worth is far above rubies. 

11 The heart of her husband safely trusts her;

So he will have no lack of gain. 

12 She does him good and not evil 

All the days of her life. NKJV

Our value whether, the husband or wife, when looking at this scripture, it all is pointed toward the heart. We should have our trust in our mates and do them only good and not evil all the days of their lives. Our value should be something others will notice. Knowing God and His word, and speaking it with confidence, gives us the edge, that ingrained capacity for meeting the "storms", and "the bad report" with courage.

God's wisdom enhances the beauty He has for us is to the full and it always glorifies Him. May we truly reflect His image in us.

Jesus spoke only what He heard the Father speak.  John 8:47.......47 He who is of God hears God's words; therefore you do not hear, because you are not of God."  NKJV

As Kingdom Citizens, we were shown what each category looked like. As His disciples, we were to have them before our eyes and understand. We were to imitate His life and tell others within our circle or community of people about Jesus. ( I have heard that it is within 15 feet where you stand, work, or live as in your home.) (so who is within 15 feet of you right now?)

That beauty goes hand in hand with His power and His honor. That quality always emphasizes His greatness and His authority!

Jesus and His mother Mary moved through life allotted them. They kept their vigil on the Word of God and exuded God's Presence and His glory! It is true Spiritual Poetry when we keep that Word and move though in this journey of life into life eternal. May it be to God's glory forever!

Father, it is in Jesus' name that we pray today. Set a guard over our mouths according to Psalm 141. Please keep watch over our lips and do not incline our hearts to any evil thing as those who practice wicked works with men who work iniquity. Lord, we pray that we do not eat of their delicacies.

Father, it is YOU we seek with our whole heart. We know that YOU are not in the" let's scare mankind today business." No, YOU are the One who gives life. Today we deliberately choose to behold the beauty of You the Creator who made the heavens and the earth. It is You Who made the forests, the rocks, and the rivers. YOU created the ice- caped mountain ranges, the birds that fly and sing, blue skies with clouds of white, and children to sing and dance. You created Jesus with the plan of Redemption. In all this we closely guard Your Word. We take it to our hearts for though things are coming on the earth, You will keep us in Your bosom. Though others may experience wrath, we take comfort and are encouraged that You will care for us even in times of trouble.

Like Mary we sing today. From Psalm 59:16-17...we will sing of Your power, yes, we will sing aloud of Your mercy in the morning; for You have been our defense and refuge in the day of trouble.  To You, O our Strength, we will sing praises; for God is our defense, our God of mercy.

Father, it is Your wisdom that enhances the beauty YOU have for us! May we be those with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God. 
May we truly reflect YOUR image in us. Amen and Amen.

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

COMPASSION FATIGUED !?!

compassion: racham: to love, to pity.....is the physical show of tenderness of love..... tender, pity with desire to aid one in distress, sympathy
fatigue: weary, exhaust, unwilling to continue, so worn the arms hang down feebly with no strength or effectiveness



Matthew 20:29-33........29 Now as they went out of Jericho, a great multitude followed Him. 30 And behold, two blind men sitting by the road, when they heard that Jesus was passing by, cried out, saying, "Have mercy on us, O Lord, Son of David!" 31 Then the multitude warned them that they should be quiet; but they cried out all the more, saying, "Have mercy on us, O Lord, Son of David!" 32 So Jesus stood still and called them, and said, "What do you want Me to do for you?" 33 They said to Him, "Lord, that our eyes may be opened." 34 So Jesus had compassion and touched their eyes. And immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed Him. NKJV

Mark 6:30-44..........30 Then the apostles gathered to Jesus and told Him all things, both what they had done and what they had taught. 31 And He said to them, "Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while." For there were many coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat. 32 So they departed to a deserted place in the boat by themselves. 33 But the multitudes saw them departing, and many knew Him and ran there on foot from all the cities. They arrived before them and came together to Him. 34 And Jesus, when He came out, saw a great multitude and was moved with compassion for them, because they were like sheep not having a shepherd. So He began to teach them many things. 35 When the day was now far spent, His disciples came to Him and said, "This is a deserted place, and already the hour is late. 36 Send them away, that they may go into the surrounding country and villages and buy themselves bread; for they have nothing to eat." 37 But He answered and said to them, "You give them something to eat." And they said to Him, "Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread and give them something to eat?" 38 But He said to them, "How many loaves do you have? Go and see." And when they found out they said, "Five, and two fish." 39 Then He commanded them to make them all sit down in groups on the green grass. 40 So they sat down in ranks, in hundreds and in fifties. 41 And when He had taken the five loaves and the two fish, He looked up to heaven, blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to His disciples to set before them; and the two fish He divided among them all. 42 So they all ate and were filled. 43 And they took up twelve baskets full of fragments and of the fish. 44 Now those who had eaten the loaves were about five thousand men. NKJV

Jesus was effective in what He did to minister life to others! In Mark 6 we find Him leading the apostles to a rest in verse 31!  And even more in the verses above we find He ministered to the multitudes with food for the body to be refreshed. He fed them the Word, the Spirit and Life of the Word..........

John 6:63................ 63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.   NKJV

The compassion of the Shepherd WAS, IS, AND WILL ALWAYS BE to care for His flock! Whether early or late of day, the Lord Jesus looked after those who followed Him! He gave heed to those who called on His name. He let no one get past without doing for that "one" to whom He was sent to minister life!

So what is compassion fatigue and who has it? Who suffers with that really needed compassion for others...........to love others as we love ourselves? Maybe you know someone who has that kind of  "compassion fatigue" for another!
I certainly know of that fatigue and how any change in your hemoglobin can cause a fatigue that sends one to bed for long periods of time. But life for us is in the blood. So when any issues are addressed in regards to the hemoglobin, our blood gets healthier and our strength makes a gain in growing to do for the body what it did before the body began to reach the fatigue mark with low hemoglobin.
So, too, our compassion should and must be kept at the standard Jesus had His compassion set!
It is like a person interested in working the muscles for strength. In like a weight-builder for an example, they look for the kind of diet that feeds the muscles. They look into the kind of workouts they are endeavoring to have results to build some muscle and lose some fat. They check out the possible supplements like magnesium, zinc, and B-6 (to aid nutrient absorption). They find the amount of time they need to spend in exercise regarding the progress they hope to make in this quest of more strength in the body for optimum health!

We find today though many people are "compassion fatigued". They rather shoot now and talk later. Yikes!


COMPASSION: in the Hebrew......mercy....to be gentle to another. ....to have concern for another.........

James 5:11.........11 Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord--that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful. NKJV

From Strongs: oiktirmon.....(oyktir' mone).....NT 3627.........merciful, of tender mercy

Psalm 103:11-14...........11 For as the heavens are high above the earth,
So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him; 
12 As far as the east is from the west,
So far has He removed our transgressions from us.
13 As a father pities his children,
So the LORD pities those who fear Him.
14 For He knows our frame;
He remembers that we are dust.   NKJV

This verse in Psalm 103 reminds of His great mercy toward those who fear HIM! It reminds us that His great compassion exceeded what any believed could happen, but hoped for, as the prophets saw the coming of a Savior to the World. They saw the day when Jesus would appear and all things would change for good! Amen.

MERCY: OT: 2617...........checed (kheh'-sed);
from OT:2616; kindness; by implication (that placed toward God) piety: rarely (by opposition) reproof, or (subject.) beauty:


KJV - a good (-liness, -ness) deed, kindly, (as in loving-), merciful (kindness), mercy


I think how awesome that when we show a fear to HIM, a fear to our God that He is God, there appears this beauty and yes as a reproof to us that shows to the outside world we are different. Displaying a character of God, by showing a beauty that is merciful, is displayed in loving those who may not look like us, sound like us and dress like us. We are to be like Jesus displayed for all to see!


Matthew 5:7......7 Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.   NIV

Matthew 23:23-24................ 23 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone.  NKJV

James 3:16-18.............16 For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. 17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. 18 Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.  NKJV

In the scripture passages above, that merciful and mercy are the love, that God compassion for others. It is one love, one great compassion that has good fruits without partiality and without hypocrisy.
Romans 12:9-17......................9 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. 10 Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; 11 not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; 12 rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; 13 distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality. 14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. 16 Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion. 17 Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. NKJV

So meditating on Romans 12 and starting in verse 9 that love is to be without hypocrisy. 

It is to be a compassion that has no deceit, but speaks truth. It is a compassion that has no "masks", no covering up, but a true upright heart looking out for another person. It is one that does not trick another but speaks and operates in an openness to benefit another person's care.

We become the "good report" on another person. We become the voice that lifts up the weary, the defeated, that one which the world says is different because of color, or ethnicity or even by youth. God created us in His image and that certainly means to look like Him, sound like Him and act as He would act in any given situation.

1. giving preference to another

2. not lagging in being diligent to do what we can for the weary, like Jesus feeding them the Word and feeding them with the natural to keep their bodies going

3.fervent with a fire in our spirit man to light other's with a fire for the things of God

4.serving the Lord to how He has called us to serve Him.....giving Him glory for all that happens in your life

5.rejoicing in hope with everyone, even the low, the broken in heart, the downcast, those who have lost their effectiveness in serving the Lord

6.patient in tribulation, lifting the name of Jesus and have a camp around the Word that gives a yell that the victory is ours

7.continuing in prayer, just like we saw Jesus do, day in and day out......

8. distribute that which should go to the saints in regard.......to.........their raiment, food or any need considerable for them at the time

9.showing hospitality to those who come

10. bless and do not curse

And wrap all this up in the verse 9 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. Wrap all this in that compassionate love that abhors what is evil and will not participate with evil toward another human being or created thing of God and then have no thought BUT TO CLING TO THAT WHICH IS GOOD FOR ALL!

Sounds easy, right? Must not be for there are many today who are "compassion fatigued"!

Isaiah 50:4...............4 "The Lord GOD has given Me 

The tongue of the learned,

That I should know how to speak 

A word in season to him who is weary.

He awakens Me morning by morning,

He awakens My ear 

To hear as the learned.  NKJV

OT:3287.....ya` eph (yaw-afe';) from OT:3286; fatigued; exhausted

KJV - the  faint, the weary.

Like Isaiah, we can speak a word in season to him who is weary.......him who is fatigued and exhausted, the one who is faint and about to drop. We can speak to someone who "left church" a while ago, and we can speak to the baker or the butcher who just needs the Word of life. Will you speak it?

Let's pray to have the boldness to speak now to others. Let's speak truth with no masks, no jumping through hoops, but display the beauty of God in the place we meet someone who is weary, dry, exhausted. YOU may be the one who keeps them from making a "bad" move towards a another and keep them all safe by speaking the powerful Word of God into lives!

Father, thank You for Jesus and the love displayed through His sacrifice on the Cross. What a great sacrifice You gave for us. We are truly thankful. Today we pray to be those who will speak as the tongue of the learned. We pray to be those who will know how to speak a season to those who are weary, faint, fatigued and exhausted because YOU meant us to come to rest in YOU and find rest for our souls. Awaken us I pray each morning and awaken our ears to hear. We are looking to YOU the One who saves, heals and delivers and bring us to that place to give life to another. 

Father, in Jesus' name we pray our lives will always carry Your presence and Your tangible anointing. With YOUR anointing, all things are possible to the believer. We pray and expect to be the wise who values all that YOU accomplished at the Cross. We value YOUR presence above all else. As we learned Father of the scripture from Psalm 103: 11 that mercy is a beauty that is seen. That is which we desire to move in.........that beauty of the one who cares for another just like Jesus did while He walked on this earth. We pray to be those who will make a difference and maybe keep someone from making a bad mistake in regards to another man's life. Today, we believe and expect to be that "one" who will move and give the Word of God, that will empower them to be refreshed and keep them from the wiles of the enemy.

Thank You for that Word! We want to carry Your presence to the world so they can know You like we know YOU.  To God be all the glory. Amen.

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