WATCH OUT for Snakes!

Voice of Prayer....R. Twiner

Was viewing the evening news....well, more like muting it, and watching and waiting for something news worthy to watch and hear about last night. (Friday evening)
One came up about this little girl....so I took it off the mute button. Story was out of Australia I think it was and this woman had taken some pics of her little two year old out along some old highway..sounded like a outing while weather was nice........well, long story shortened, when the woman got home and got her pictures made, she noticed that where her daughter stood to pick wild flowers or such...was next to this old fallen down fence...and across it was "what she thought to be a part of the broken down fence." Well in truth, it was a massive, poisonous snake that slithered slowly next to her two year. Yikes!
And in the pic, I saw neither it's head nor tail. And its size in its middle was bigger than my arm.


Psalm 91:7-16   NKJV
7 A thousand may fall at your side, And ten thousand at your right hand; but it shall not come near you. 8 Only with your eyes shall you look and see the reward of the wicked. 9 Because you have made the Lord, who is my refuge, Even the Most High, your dwelling place, 10 No evil shall befall you, Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling; 11 For He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways. 12 In their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone. 13 You shall tread upon the lion and the cobra, the young lion and the serpent you shall trample underfoot.
14 Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name. 15 He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him. 16 With long life I will satisfy him and show him My salvation.

Verse 9 reminds us that when we have made the Lord our refuge, our dwelling place, then no evil shall befall us. Do we run to our refuge in time of trouble?
Verse 10 reminds us that no plague comes near our dwelling, for the Lord (v.11) gives His angels charge over us to keep us in all our ways.
Now those ways....are being submitted to the Lord! It is not following anyone or anything else. Even the Most High is our dwelling place.
Verse 13, we shall tread upon the lion and the cobra, the young lion and the serpent shall we trample underfoot.
That treading is God the Lord leading us through any adverse situation. In this meaning, the lion is anything that roars against what God is doing in and through us. The cobra, or adder is in some translations is that which contorts or twist........anything. Contortion of anything that looks like:
warped, crooked or bent..
It is used in speaking and again doing anything against God. Trampling under foot is that each step we take we endure in the mercy of God to go forward and expand His kingdom that has come. We endure in God and His word. We flourish in Him who is enough for us.


In working on this today, I was reminded of this passage in Luke 4:22-32 in the NKJV.
22 So all bore witness to him, and marveled at the gracious words which proceeded out of His mouth. And they said, "Is this not Joseph's son?"
23 He said to them, You will surely say this proverb to Me, 'Physician, heal yourself!" "Whatever we have heard done in Capernaum, do also here in Your country." 24 The He said, "Assuredly, I say to you, no prophet is accepted in his own country. 25 But I tell you truly, many widows were in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, and there was a great famine throughout all the land; but to none of them was Elijah sent except to Zarephath, in the region of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow. 27 "And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Elisha the prophet, and none of them was cleansed except Naaman the Syrian." 28 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 that they might throw Him down over the cliff. 30 Then passing through the midst of them, He went His way.

31 Then He went down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee and was teaching them on the Sabbaths. 32 And they were astonished at His teaching, for His was with authority.



We are the saved by the salvation that came through Jesus. And we live in a world that is ruled by the adversary, for "this present evil age (Galatians 1:4) lies under the sway of the wicked one" (1John 5:19)
Staying under the Refuge of the Most High, we know that through Jesus that satan had nothing in Jesus, that is in regard to no control. Satan had no control over Jesus who remained in the Father. He who is in us is greater than he who is in the world.

There will always be conflict until Jesus takes His rightful rule. And He is returning soon to do that. What we do with it in the here and now is to remain in Him, and hear the leadership of the Spirit of God, the Holy Spirit that directs us through the here and now. Just like Jesus passing through the midst of those who would harm him, even to kill Him, he passed through the midst of them and went His way.
In verse 31, it is recorded for our benefit that we continue to find Him speaking still as He was teaching to them on the Sabbaths, and His teaching was with authority.

His teaching with authority was marked by the divine presence of His Father that was with Him. Jesus held the approval of the Father. Will we take note of that today? Will we observe when a snake has entered the environment, but we have the authority to continue to speak and do as Jesus did.
There will always be the "roaring" and conflict of many words.  (watching the news for 15 minutes)

For again this world is under the sway of the enemy, the old serpent himself, the devil and anything that is of disorder, confusion, and sin-riddled, and yes of many tragedies is from the enemy who came to steal, kill and destroy, but we are to abide in God and in Him we abide in safety. We abide in Him who is our shelter, our high Rock, fortress that is fortified for our protection.

Psalm 61:3-4    NKJV   3 For You have been a shelter for me, as strong tower from the enemy. 4 I will abide in Your tabernacle forever; I will trust in the shelter of Your wings.

Setting our love upon God our Father,  we are the delivered.
Setting our love upon God, we are set on high.

Because we know His name, and are intimate of knowing who He is .....we can call on His name.
AND WE CALL, God our Father will answer us.
He is with us in trouble; He will deliver us and honor us.
AND it is with long life God our Father will satisfy us and show us His salvation.

Staying with Him, residing within His presence, we stay out of confusion, we are the comforted, and choosing Him above all worldly favor we are the protected. We have been, given His grace and have been given good things. Will we see them, acknowledge them and give thanks for them?

He has given us by His grace to know when someone is speaking twisted words to us. And we can tread on it and move forward to expand the kingdom of God that has come, never missing a step or the opportunity to minister life to another about the love of God and Jesus His Son.

Father God, today we pray Psalm 91. Cover us with Your feathers for it is under Your wings we take refuge. Let Your truth be our shield. Show us those things that are twisted in speaking, and help us to walk on Your word of truth that is peace and safety. You are our Shelter, a strong tower from the enemy and we will abide with You forever. Our trust is in You! Ten thousand may be having accidents on interstate highways or state routes as well but it will not come near us as Your word is given to us we stand.We have made Jesus our Lord and no evil befalls us. We are thankful for the shed blood of the Lamb and we live in a land that flourishes and with every need you provide, we rise in the glory of the Lord, the devil is under our feet and we believe Jesus is returning soon. Thank You Father for your love and we abide in Your everlasting arms and to Your glory. Amen.


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The Wise or the Foolish

Psalm 90:11-12..........11 Who knows the power of Your anger?
For as the fear of You, so is Your wrath.
12 So teach us to number our days,
That we may gain a heart of wisdom. NKJV

When we read through the book of Proverbs we find a lot on the differences of the wise and the foolish. An individual, either male or female will have a disposition, a marked trait that points to their upbringing in a specific area and having qualities that make them distinct from other people. We have short hair, curly hair, blonde hair or even gray hair but that does not mean who we are as a person We grow up learning a certain language, the integrity or lack of integrity, a strength or bent towards having a heritage that shows in a respect to serving God, or lack of serving God in regard to whatever nation we are born.

I may resemble my dad more than I favor my mom. I may have his hair coloring, and shape of his face but my nose resembles my mom's nose. I may tell the stories my dad would tell when I was a child. I may favor him in many ways, but in truth, I am to look for truth, and it is seeking God's wisdom for my life.

We are either known by a reputation that proceeds us, what comes out of our mouths, and either we are at peace where we are positioned in life or outwardly always striving with others. Yes, we are known by our character.
Whatever that personality is and how one reacts to that around them, will certainly tell others a lot about them. If all hell is breaking loose, do we remain at peace in God or do we yell and throw things?
Is what comes out of our mouth glorifying God or ourself? Is what I say encouraging to others and their lives?
In my estimation, I believe the greatest gift besides our salvation in Jesus Christ is to have a heart of wisdom. We can turn on the evening news and find a lot of chaos, and we find those choosing to have it their way and kill others. We find others choosing to quarrel about something rather than sitting down and talking about the situation.
Proverbs 15:5 tells us that a fool despises his father's instruction, but he who that is yielding to correction is prudent.

My question is: are we foolish or are we wise?
Foolish: from the Greek word "Moros", which one who is stupid or dull.

Proverbs 12:15.....15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but he who heeds counsel is wise. NKJV

The scripture states that one who walks as a fool is doing what feels right in his own eyes. But to be wise according to this verse means that one is to heed counsel of the wise. God's word is filled with counsel to lead us into peace and a smooth pathway.
Psalm 27:11-12........11 Teach me your way, O LORD;
lead me in a straight path
because of my oppressors.
12 Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes,
for false witnesses rise up against me,
breathing out violence. NIV

If I follow after the wisdom of God, I stay on a straight path. When I heed His correction and teaching I stay in a safe place that guards me by His Word.

James 3:17-18....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

Always asking God for “the wisdom that comes from heaven [ which ] is first of all pure, peaceable (peace-loving), considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere”

According to this scripture verse, God's wisdom is pure, peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy AND GOOD FRUIT!

Do our lives mirror this scripture?

Do we have the fruit that looks like a peacemaker, a wise man or woman who holds back our feelings? Or are we the hypocrite.............oh my!

Matthew 5:14-16………..14 You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. NKJV

Jesus said that we are to BE A “light of the world”. Are men seeing our light shine for Jesus or ourselves……?

John 8:12…………….12 Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life." NKJV

Jesus is the source of our “light”.

So is my “light” shining, flickering or just burned out?

Have we lost our purpose? Is life’s storm blowing like a “NOR' EASTER” against our “light”?

Have we neglected to keep that light shining for all to see?

If it is like a Nor'easter blowing against our light, we know that these specific storms can occur the year around, but are stronger and more intense in the months of September through April.

Problems can come and go in our lives. But trouble should never overtake us for we are to be overcomers according to the word of God.   1 John 4:4-6.................4 You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. 5 They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them. 6 We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood.
NIV

What are some ways that God’s light shines through our lives?

2 Corinthians 4:1-6 ……………4:1 Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart. 2 But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. 3 But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, 4 whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them. 5 For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your bondservants for Jesus' sake. 6 For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. NKJV

His light is to shine in our hearts for it is God who commanded for light to shine out of darkness. When we renounce the shame, the dishonor, and receive His mercy, when we choose to walk in His ways that are right and are upright in the eyes of God, our hearts are no longer veiled. We see clearly to walk in His light and learn the knowledge of His glory in the face of Jesus Christ.

If we can look into the face of our children, and learn their ways and know their good and bad traits………..surely we can know and recognize a good God. Surely if our focus will turn towards YOU our Father and read YOUR word and apply it to our lives, we can inhale YOUR presence and see YOUR wisdom in our daily decision making. For everything we do, in line with God's Word will show the world we are different. We will stand and pray for others when all hell is breaking loose.

We will not flaunt ourselves before the world, but raise the Word of God and expect to see His faithfulness in our lives and those we love and pray for each day.

Proverbs 4:7-9................7 Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom.
Though it cost all you have, get understanding.
8 Esteem her, and she will exalt you;
embrace her, and she will honor you.
9 She will set a garland of grace on your head
and present you with a crown of splendor." NIV

No, we do not have to flaunt ourselves but it is God who will exalt us when we highly esteem His wisdom. Though it cost all we have, when we esteem and delight in wisdom, to embrace it and not let go, then we will see ourselves come to a place of honor as she sets a garland of grace on our heads and present us with a crown splendor.  We become the one whom the Lord delights in and the one whom the Lord brings honor to in His love and mercy for us. We are then, no longer the forsaken and the the one of reproach.

Proverbs 29:11...... A fool vents all his feelings, but a wise man holds them back. NKJV

When we refuse to believe that we are always right in our own eyes, but seek the counsel of God’s word we find more peace and wisdom. When we are willing to receive instruction then we become those who will hear, and not react but give time for God to speak and our prayers to work when we pursue the justice of God for any situation. When we choose to not strive with others, we become the peacemaker.

Father, today we have the choice of being a fool or the wise. I pray in Jesus' name, that we be those who will be the wise for we understand that any fool can start a quarrel. (Prov. 20:3) May Your Light shine in and through us this day and everyday. We renounce the shame and receive Your mercy. Today I pray that all would choose to walk in ways that are right and upright in YOUR eyes O'God. May we expect to see YOUR faithfulness in our lives and in those we pray for today and every day.Your Word God is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path.(Psalm 119:105)  I thank YOU today for godly Christian counselors, godly parents, godly pastors, wise friends and fellow believers that YOU our Father have placed around us when we see the necessity to make some major decisions for our lives. May our walk in YOUR wisdom be to YOUR honor and glory. May we always heed Your counsel and shun the advice of the world. Let our light so shine before men that they may see our good works and glorify You our Father in heaven. Amen.

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