The Stairway

Ever have dreams about stairways? I sometimes do. I sometimes have them of others descending a staircase into the basement area. The building is luxurious. It has marble in most open areas. And I am watching one or two descend. My question: "Were they checking out the foundation of the building?"
Did not seem right to me, but in their choosing they were headed the way they had just started to ascend from.
I wonder if we ever think of how we might be a staircase for those who know not Jesus and have not heard the Word of Salvation. Or have we thought of how just maybe, we might be the staircase we might represent to those who have a wrong teaching about Jesus.
He is certainly about love and expressed it in the times of fun and correction as well. He was always directing others to the Father of His love!

I like the reading of 1 John 5:1-3...Message Bible:
It states: Every person who believes that Jesus is, in fact, the Messiah, is God-begotten. If we love the One who conceives the child, we'll surely love the child who was conceived. The reality test on whether or not we love God's children is this: Do we love God? Do we keep his commands? The proof that we love God comes when we keep his commandments and they are not at all troublesome.

In 1 John 4:16-21...Message Bible:
It states: God is love. When we take up permanent residence in a life of love, we live in God and God lives in us. This way, love has the run of the house, becomes at home and mature in us, so that we're free of worry on Judgment Day----our standing in the world is identical with Christ's. There is no room in love for fear. Well-formed love banishes fear. since fear is crippling, a fearful life----fear of death, fear of judgment---is one not yet fully formed in love.
We though, are going to love----love and be loved. First we were loved, now we love. He loves us first. If anyone, boasts, "I love God" and goes right on hating his brother or sister thinking nothing of it, he is a liar. If he won't love the person he can see, how can he love the God he can't see? The command we have from Christ is blunt: Loving God includes loving people. You've got to love both.

I remember this gentleman who came to our church almost 20 years ago now. He was a pastor from Oklahoma. He was involved in prayer ministry and saw many miraculous signs in his ministry that God had called him to walk in his lifetime.
It was awe inspiring testimony he gave and caused a fire to burn within me to pray more. He told how he could pray hours on end. God would tell him endless secrets and mysteries from the Word of God........and he stated that when he began ministry, in a closet in prayer some 8-10 hours a day.....AND......after about 3 months he moved into ministry. Was no platform as such other that God called and he obeyed God.
He said the hardest ABOUT ministry WAS that OTHER PEOPLE were involved. I laughed! He said ministry would be great if people were not involved, because each will bring something with them. They have the Holy Spirit and they bring some baggage!
But he also stated He loved God so much and wanted others to know Him in the same manner. He believed prayer was the power from heaven released to reach the lost. Showed him love he had never known. He told how his natural father was abusive and how God loved him no matter what!



Romans 10:14-15
14 How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 15 And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"

NIV

Many have not heard the Gospel once and so how they call on the one they have not believed in? How can they believe in the One of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?
How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news to those who are in need of a Savior!

Present to others the Stairway to which brings life with the Savior Jesus Christ.
Ascend to the place in God where joy and laughter is heard. Ascend the Staircase and show others the beauty each step holds to be in His Presence and to reside with the Son of His love.

Recently had the most awesome visit with young friends who moved away years ago. They are close in age with our own daughter. They have been close for many years. Of course, of their return for a vacation retreat to the Gorge, I experienced conversation with them that seem to take up where it was left off many years ago. They are family to us. No, not by biological blood but by the Blood of the Lamb, we are FAMILY. They love people and it shows. They proved to have that continued walk with the Lord that has remained and strengthen their own young ones to grow up knowing the Lord as well.
God our Father, has given us those who will always share with us the blessings that follow the Christ, the One who gave of His own life. He dedicated His life to show the way to the Father who resides in heaven.
Can we do as much?
AND now to Him who can keep you on your feet, standing tall in His bright presence, fresh and celebrating----to our one God, or only Savior, through Jesus Christ, our Master, be glory, majesty, strength, and rule before all time, and now, and to the end of all time. Yes!
(Jude 24-25)
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:

Prayer Is LOVE at War

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p53fKT3_BeU

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

To Bind, Govern, AND HEAL?

Isaiah 3:6-9.............6 When a man takes hold of his brother 

In the house of his father, saying,

"You have clothing;

You be our ruler,

And let these ruins be under your power," 

7 In that day he will protest, saying,

"I cannot cure your ills,

For in my house is neither food nor clothing;

Do not make me a ruler of the people." 

8 For Jerusalem stumbled,

And Judah is fallen,

Because their tongue and their doings 

Are against the LORD,

To provoke the eyes of His glory. 

9 The look on their countenance witnesses against them,

And they declare their sin as Sodom;

They do not hide it.

Woe to their soul!

For they have brought evil upon themselves.   NKJV

Came across this reading......and was intrigued by the verse 7 stating......."I cannot cure your ills, for in my house is neither food nor clothing. Do not make me a ruler of the people."

Now how many times have we seen people who love to "rule" over other people? Now at searching out the word from the concordance, we find it to mean to..........bind, gird about, govern, healer, .....

The other thing I noticed as I was reading about what was transpiring in the chapter (2) before, brought the prophet to caution all........that we should not put our confidence in any man. The prophet goes on to mention what those things will be as he was given them by God. He talks of their of government being judged. It is a total decay of the kingdom and of their church. He told of their looking to man for answers, when it was in actuality man who brought on "all those problems" to the land.

There were judgments against their military. If it was despicable, then man must remember that word...."

Isaiah 25:3-5...........3 Therefore the strong people will glorify You;

The city of the terrible nations will fear You. 

4 For You have been a strength to the poor,

A strength to the needy in his distress,

A refuge from the storm,

A shade from the heat;

For the blast of the terrible ones is as a storm against the wall. 

5 You will reduce the noise of aliens,

As heat in a dry place;

As heat in the shadow of a cloud,

The song of the terrible ones will be diminished. NKJV

In regard to what the prophet talks of in those days, these people saw their wealth in getting what they desired or truly needed. So what if the bread and the water are taken away? What if rain is withheld from our community and this land?

But we see the Lord being glorified in Isaiah 25. He is the strength to to the poor. He is strength to the needy in his distress. He is a refuge from the storm.........ever been in a storm with high winds, 116 strikes of lightning an hour and the land is dry? But what about the blast from those who are against you? It can be as a storm that seems to never end!

Verse 5 says that HE REDUCES THE NOISE OF THE ALIENS, THOSE WHO SPEAK DIFFERENT THAN US, ACT DIFFERENT THAN US, WHO FOLLOW THEIR OWN gods!

I think of Jesus talking to Martha in Luke 10. Jesus was telling her that Mary had chosen that good part which will not be taken away from her.

Luke 10:42.................... 42 But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her." NKJV

Well, what part? Being in awe of the love of God! Being captivated by the spiritual side of all this. Martha's serving would die with her. All that natural part of her would die. She would leave this earth without her body. Then all her gift in hospitality, all her great recipes and her personality would leave the earth one day. But Mary's good part, knowing Jesus spiritually would be eternal!

In following Jesus as Mary did, we find the good part. We find in Him, the way, the truth and the Life!

"You have clothing, be our ruler"!

Never mind the person has no previous leadership ability.........you have clothing, be our ruler! You have the right colored jacket, be our leader! You have a black jacket with a white patch on it, be our leader. You have fancy clothes to wear, be our leader. YOU drive a new Lexus, be our leader. (not that I have anything against a Lexus) Wow! 
Ever been in a church where the pastor desires those who have the expensive vehicles to lead others? I have!
When people see things becoming so broken, torn down, and not usable any longer, and when there is no rain and the bread runs out........then what? When it seems the government is falling down, apart and to ruin, and the news reports sound more like a horror movie,  but there is one who sticks closer than a brother. His name is Jesus!

But back to that ruler, the one to rule over people, yes that one, is to be a healer as well! Remember when you look it up, that leader is to be one who will lead and bind, govern and heal.

Being leader takes a quality only God can give to you. It is born out of a love for the fellowman.

Leaders like people, enjoy being around them and like to help them. They walk in integrity toward them.  Those who truly desire another's success will always deal in truth.

Leaders like to communicate. They reach out to others by communicating, "hey I am here."

Leaders will know their opponent. They will know when to avoid conflict and when to address a certain situation. In any conflict, those flaws are revealed, but in dealing with others, the leader who heals will call out the weakness and always look out for the person's potential he is leading.

"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep."  NKJV If we have the heart problem, it looks like this! ...........Mark 7:20-23........................20 "What comes out of a man, that defiles a man. 21 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, 22 thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. 23 All these evil things come from within and defile a man."    NKJV If things are breaking down, the water running out and there is no bread for one to eat, then we must consider we are in a sickly place. From Isaiah 3, we saw men who were looking for someone who had clothes to wear, not just one garment but many. They wanted to have that which was decaying, rebuilt and continue to do their own thing! BUT the only one who can bring life is Jesus.! He is the only One who leads others to safety, who looks out for their good and expects to have fellowship with them. Are we coming from a place of idolatry or bitterness? Are we coming from a place of pride and I want my own way or are we coming from a place of love? These people spoken about in Isaiah 3, were those who were doing their own thing and speaking evil against God.   Let's pray for a nation that will follow God since our founding Fathers did over 200 years ago. This is the greatest nation in the world. It must be each of us directing ourselves to the the leader, God has called us to be. We must take our places and lead by His Word. Amen.  Jesus was and is the "Healer".

In verse 9, we see these folks declaring their sin. They are proud sinners! Wow! And they are compared with Sodom. Is it possible for this to be true?

Is it possible that men and women around the world are being deceived by an enemy?  Yes!  In 1 Peter 5:8.........we are told to...........8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. NKJV

So what about those who do not know the word of God......? Do we pray for them or do we seek God in His goodness, to show us how to pray in these days? 

Any of us can see many people with sick hearts. They are sick and need the "HEALER". THEY NEED THE GREAT LEADER, THE GOOD SHEPHERD....THE DELIVERER, THE GREAT "I AM", GREAT HIGH PRIEST, FIRST BEGOTTEN, CORNERSTONE, BREAD OF LIFE, AND FAITHFUL WITNESS! They need a Savior!


Luke 4:23-27........23 Then he said, "Probably you will quote me that proverb, 'Physician, heal yourself----meaning, 'Why don't you do miracles here in your hometown like those you did in Capernaum?" 24 But I solemnly declare to you that no prophet is accepted in his own hometown!  25 For example, remember how Elijah the prophet used a miracle to help the widow of Zarephath-a foreigner from the land of Sidon. There were many Jewish widows needing help in those days of famine, for there had been no rain for three and a half years, and hunger stalked the land; yet Elijah was not sent to them. 27 Or think of the prophet Elisha, who healed Naaman, a Syrian, rather than the many Jewish lepers needing help."   TLB

THAT GOOD PART, IS FOUND IN JESUS....it is remembering He died to give us life. He gave it to us whether there are storms, or floods, whether there are tornadoes or typhoons, whether there are earthquakes or tsunamis, or famine stalking the land. He is the "I AM" in our midst. Amen.


John 10:14-16..............14 "I am the Good Shepherd and know my own sheep, and they know me, 15 just as my Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 I have other sheep, too, in another fold. I must bring them also, and they will heed my voice; and there will be one flock with one Shepherd. TLB

Luke 5:17-18................17 Now it happened on a certain day, as He was teaching, that there were Pharisees and teachers of the law sitting by, who had come out of every town of Galilee, Judea, and Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord was present to heal them. 
NKJV

Jesus had opportunity to teach Pharisees and teachers of the law who had come from every town of Galilee, Judea, and Jerusalem. The power of the Lord was present to heal them.
Even those who were against Jesus were present when the power to heal came. He followed His Father and did the same things He saw the Father do. In the midst of even unbeliever's the power of God can come to heal all those gathering together. The goodness of God is seen and some people change by it and other's do not!   

 So what if the bread and the water are taken away? What if rain is withheld from our community and this land?  Will we remind ourselves that God has the answers, and that He will be our guide?

2 Timothy 2:19-20.............19 Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: "The Lord knows those who are His," and, "Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity."   NKJV

Luke 5:31-32.......31 Jesus answered and said to them, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. 32 I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance."     NKJV

Father, in Jesus' name we pray, that we need only the Savior. We have the Great Shepherd. We desire to humble ourselves under Your mighty hand and resist the devil,he will flee from us. We desire to come near to YOU. For we know that all that comes to a land is that which is the product of a sick heart. When we truly desire to purify our hearts, and to grieve over that which we have done, and truly repent, it is YOU who will lift us up.(James 4:7-12)

Father, it is not our desire to slander another, or speak against a brother or judge him for we understand the only Lawgiver and Judge is he who is able to save and to destroy.

What we do ask, is that we would continue to have the walk of faith to trust no matter what is going on in the world. The Word stands that the "Lord knows those who are His."

We know the land has leaders and we pray for them all, that they would have the wisdom of God and dwell in His presence. Make they make the decisions that will benefit all based on the Word of God.

We, who are the temple of the living God, understand that we are to mediate the blessing of God to the kingdoms of this world.

Please give us the boldness to speak when we need to speak and to be mute, when we must be mute. Help us by Your Holy Spirit be the men and women who are called of God and are Christ's ambassadors displaying the righteousness of God to those around us. We look to You for the answers we need today and how to pray for our nation and those around us. YOU are gracious when we cry for help! We pray to hear Your voice saying, "this is the way; walk in it."  It is our desire to abide in YOU.......as the branch cannot bear fruit of itself. Today we have sought out the Lord and to abide under the shadow of the Almighty....we believe that which we desire is done for us. Be glorified Father God and may we bear fruit showing that we are the disciples of the Lord. Amen.

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